ZORAN CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150130596 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE CONTROL ADAPTIVE CONFIGURATION - The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods in which a controllable device transfers to the remote device, such as to a remote control application (“app”) located on a smartphone, a data structure identifying various functions that can be controlled by a remote device, together with the identity of the signal type that will achieve the desired operation. The remote device, upon accepting input directly from the remote device, can then allow the remote device user to select how controls of the various functions are to be configured and presented to, or otherwise selectively arranged for a user on a user interface of the remote device. In this way, the present disclosure provides a single highly customizable system. Distributors, resellers, and/or manufacturers of various electronic devices will be able utilize the same controllable device instructions, yet visually distinguish its brand name from other solutions using the same instructions. | 05-14-2015 |
20120307266 | THREE COLOR NEUTRAL AXIS CONTROL IN A PRINTING DEVICE - A color printing method includes converting source color data to intermediate color data represented in a device independent color space using a first multidimensional gamut mapping of the first device dependent color space to the device independent color space. The device independent color space has a neutral color component. The method further includes converting the intermediate color data to destination color data represented in a second device dependent color space using a second multidimensional gamut mapping of the device independent color space to the second device dependent color space. The second device dependent color space has three primary color components and a virtual black color component defined by substantially equal tonal values of the three primary color components. The second multidimensional gamut mapping includes a mapping from the neutral color component of the device independent color space to the virtual black color component of the second device dependent color space. | 12-06-2012 |
20120206751 | FONT EMULATION IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS - A system for printing a document when it includes one or more target fonts that are emulated with at least one substitute font suitable for printing on a printing device. The substitute font appears visually similar to the target font, substantially preserves the original pagination and line breaks of the provided document, and the printing device is capable of printing the substitute font. A table is provided that lists strategies/logic for enabling the printing device to emulate each of a plurality of predetermined target fonts with a substitute font. These emulation strategies may include but are not limited to, identifying at least one of a resident font for the printing device, stretchable font, local font, or downloadable font to be substituted for the non-resident target font in the provided document. | 08-16-2012 |
20120191461 | Method and Apparatus for Voice Controlled Operation of a Media Player - A system and methods for voice controlled operation of a media player are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting user positioning of a microphone power switch to an off position, detecting user positioning of the microphone power switch to an on position within a predetermined period of time and entering a voice recognition mode, by the media player, based on the user positioning of the microphone power switch to the on position within the predetermined period of time. The method may further include detecting one or more output signals of the microphone, detecting a voice command based on the one or more output signals of the microphone, and controlling operation of the media player based on the voice command, wherein the media player outputs a graphical display associated with the voice command. | 07-26-2012 |
20120120197 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHARING HARDWARE BETWEEN GRAPHICS AND LENS DISTORTION OPERATION TO GENERATE PSEUDO 3D DISPLAY - A system, method, and computer program product for providing pseudo 3D user interface effects in a digital camera with existing lens distortion correction hardware. A distortion map normally used to correct captured images instead alters a displayed user interface object image to support production of a “pseudo 3D” version of the object image via production of at least one modified image. A blending map also selectively mixes the modified image with a second image to produce a distorted blended image. A set or series of such images may be produced automatically or at user direction to generate static or animated effects in-camera without a graphics accelerator, resulting in hardware cost savings and extended battery life. | 05-17-2012 |
20120099686 | Broadband Tuner for Very Wide Signal Conversion - An agile RF tuner circuit capable of converting a wide portion of RF signal into an IF signal suitable for analog-to-digital conversion. The circuit up converts a received RF signal to a high IF signal and then down converts the high IF signal to a low IF signal. Embodiments of the RF circuit incorporate harmonic reject mixers to suppress harmonics and intermodulations typically associated with the frequency conversion process. | 04-26-2012 |
20120099685 | Broadband Tuner for Very Wide Signal Conversion - An agile RF tuner circuit capable of converting a wide portion of RF signal into an IF signal suitable for analog-to-digital conversion. The circuit up converts a received RF signal to a high IF signal and then down converts the high IF signal to a low IF signal. Embodiments of the RF circuit incorporate harmonic reject mixers to suppress harmonics and intermodulations typically associated with the frequency conversion process. | 04-26-2012 |
20120063282 | Systems and Methods for Improved Control of Spindle Speed During Optical Media Seek Operations - Improved control of spindle speed during optical media seek operations is provided by adjusting the spindle motor speed during the actual optical pickup unit movement. In response to receiving a seek instruction to move an optical pickup unit to a target position, the current signal frequency corresponding to a current spindle motor speed may be determined. A target signal frequency corresponding to a desired spindle motor speed at the target position may also be computed. Thereafter, the current spindle motor speed may be adjusted towards the desired spindle motor speed prior to the optical pickup unit reaching the target position. | 03-15-2012 |
20110317045 | ADVANCED NOISE REDUCTION IN DIGITAL CAMERAS - A noise reduction apparatus for digital cameras is presented that includes groups of one or more connected non-linear filter units. Each of the filter unit groups are driven by decimated input image data at a different level of decimation and the output of at least one of these filter unit groups serves as one of a plurality of inputs to another filter unit group driven at a different decimation level. Filtered image data from one or more filter unit groups is adaptively combined in response to one or more image metrics related to one or more local regional image characteristics. | 12-29-2011 |
20110304489 | METHODS OF AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR OFFSET COMPENSATION OF AN ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER - An arrangement is disclosed for offset compensation of a time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter, having a plurality of computing channels and being adapted to convert a signal from an analog domain to a digital domain. The arrangement comprises the time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter, an analog offset estimation and compensation unit adapted to estimate a mean offset for the plurality of computing channels, a digital offset estimation and compensation unit adapted to estimate a residual computing channel specific offset for each of the plurality of computing channels, and offset compensation means. The offset compensation means are adapted to perform offset compensation in the analog domain of each of the plurality of channels based on the estimated mean offset in the analog domain, and to perform offset compensation in the digital domain of each of the plurality of channels based on respective residual computing channel specific offset. | 12-15-2011 |
20110254932 | 3D DISPLAY USING PARTIAL SCREEN ILLUMINATION AND SYNCHRONIZED SHUTTER GLASS - An electronic visual display system includes a display screen for displaying an image. The display screen has at least a first display region and at least a second display region that is approximately contiguous to the first display region. The image has at least a first portion that is displayed within the first display region and at least a second portion that is displayed within the second display region. The system further includes a first light source configured to illuminate substantially the first display region, a second light source configured to illuminate substantially the second display region, and a display device controller coupled to the first light source and the second light source which is configured to lessen an amount of light emanating from the first light source approximately when updating the first portion of the image. | 10-20-2011 |
20110242371 | ADVANCED NOISE REDUCTION IN DIGITAL CAMERAS - A noise reduction apparatus is presented that includes groups of one or more serially connected non-linear filter units. Each of the filter unit groups are driven by decimated input image data at a different level of decimation and the output of at least one of these groups serves as one of a plurality of inputs to another group driven at a different decimation level. | 10-06-2011 |
20110205625 | PASSIVE EYEWEAR STEREOSCOPIC VIEWING SYSTEM WITH SCANNING POLARIZATION - A method of displaying images with an electronic display device having a plurality of sequentially updatable picture elements includes displaying an image with the picture elements by sequentially updating each of the plurality of picture elements, filtering light emanating from a first picture element with a first polarizing filter configured in a first polarization orientation and filtering light emanating from a second picture element with a second polarizing filter configured in a second polarization orientation that is different than the first polarization orientation. The method further includes detecting an update of a third picture element and switching the configuration of the second polarizing filter to the first polarization orientation in response to detecting the update of the third picture element. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205395 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW-LIGHT IMAGING ENHANCEMENT - A device and methods are provided for low-light imaging enhancement by a digital imaging device. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an image associated with ambient lighting of a scene, detecting an image associated with artificial lighting of the scene, aligning the image associated with ambient lighting relative to the image associated with artificial lighting based on a motion parameter of ambient lighting image data and artificial lighting image data, and calculating data for a combined image based on aligned ambient lighting image data and artificial lighting image data, wherein image data for the combined image is selected to maximize an objective quality criterion of the combined image. The method may further include determining an image parameter based on ambient lighting image data, blending image data associated with the artificial lighting and the combined image based on the image parameter to generate a tone rendered image. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205387 | DETECTING OBJECTS IN AN IMAGE BEING ACQUIRED BY A DIGITAL CAMERA OR OTHER ELECTRONIC IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE - The likelihood of a particular type of object, such as a human face, being present within a digital image, and its location in that image, are determined by comparing the image data within defined windows across the image in sequence with two or more sets of data representing features of the particular type of object. The evaluation of each set of features after the first is preferably performed only on data of those windows that pass the evaluation with respect to the first set of features, thereby quickly narrowing potential target windows that contain at least some portion of the object. Correlation scores are preferably calculated by the use of non-linear interpolation techniques in order to obtain a more refined score. Evaluation of the individual windows also preferably includes maintaining separate feature set data for various positions of the object around one axis and rotating the feature set data with respect to the image data for the individual windows about another axis. | 08-25-2011 |
20110181770 | DEPTH FROM DEFOCUS CALIBRATION - A device and methods are provided for calculating depth estimation for a digital imaging device are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a first image associated with a first focus parameter, detecting a second image associated with a second focus parameter, calculating a statistical representation of a region of interest in the first and second images, and determining a ratio for the region of interest based on the statistical representation. The method may further include determining one or more focus characteristics using a memory table based on the determined ratio for the region of interest, and calculating a focus depth for capture of image data based on the determined one or more focus characteristics associated with the memory table. | 07-28-2011 |
20110179248 | ADAPTIVE BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION FOR MEMORY - A device and methods are provided for adaptive bandwidth allocation for memory of a device are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a memory interface of the device, a memory access request from a first client of the memory interface, and detecting available bandwidth associated with a second client of the memory interface based on the received memory access request. The method may further include loading a counter, by the memory interface, for fulfilling the access request, wherein the counter is loaded to include bandwidth associated with the first client and the available bandwidth associated with the second client, and granting the memory access request for the first client based on bandwidth allocated for the counter. | 07-21-2011 |
20110167178 | Method and Apparatus for SATA Hot Unplug - A method and apparatus are provided for serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) hot unplug. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a connection of a SATA storage device to a SATA host interface by monitoring physical (PHY) layer signals derived from SATA communication terminals, by a controller of the host interface. The detection being based on phase locked loop (PLL) response of the PHY layer signals. The method further includes detecting disconnection of the SATA device based on the PLL response and outputting a notification, by the controller, when the PLL response indicates that the SATA device has been disconnected. | 07-07-2011 |
20110140945 | GAIN CIRCUIT - A gain circuit comprises a main amplification unit and a first refresh unit. The main amplification unit comprises an amplifier, a first capacitor connected between a first input terminal of the gain circuit and a first input terminal of the amplifier, and a second capacitor connected between the first input terminal of the amplifier and a first output terminal of the amplifier. The first refresh unit comprises a first capacitor connected with a first terminal of the first capacitor to a common node of the first refresh unit , and a second capacitor connected with a first terminal of the second capacitor to the common node of the first refresh unit. The common node of the first refresh circuit is arranged to be supplied with a reference voltage (V | 06-16-2011 |
20110115538 | HIGH-SPEED LATCHED COMPARATOR CIRCUIT - A latched comparator circuit. The latched comparator circuit comprises a first and a second output terminal ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110115529 | LATCHED COMPARATOR CIRCUIT - A latched comparator circuit ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110103644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE DETECTION WITH UNDESIRED OBJECT REMOVAL - A method and image detection device are provided for removal of undesired objects from image data. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting image data for a first frame, detecting image data for a second frame, and detecting motion of an undesired object based, at least in part, on image data for the first and second frames. Image data of the first frame may be replaced with image data of the second frame to generate corrected image data, wherein the undesired object is removed from the corrected image data. The corrected image data may be stored. | 05-05-2011 |
20110085049 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE STABILIZATION - A method and device are provided for method for stabilization of image data by an imaging device. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting image data for a first frame and a second frame, performing motion estimation to determine one or more motion vectors associated with global frame motion for image data of the first frame, performing an outlier rejection function to select at least one of the one or more motion vectors, and determining a global transformation for image data of the first frame based, at least in part, on motion vectors selected by the outlier rejection function. The method may further include determining a stabilization transformation for image data of the first frame by refining the global transformation to correct for unintentional motion and applying the stabilization transformation to image data of the first frame to stabilize the image data of the first frame. | 04-14-2011 |
20110078505 | System and Method for Locating a Fault on a Device Under Test - System and method for analyzing operation of a device under test (DUT). In one embodiment, a reference component associated with a reference device may be received. The reference device may be in communication with the DUT and a component associated with the DUT can be exchanged with the reference component. A test may be performed on the DUT, wherein a result of the test may correspond to a source of a fault associated with the DUT. An indication of the source of the fault may be provided based on the test result. | 03-31-2011 |
20110078482 | Method and Apparatus for Audio Receiver Clock Synchronization - An audio receiver's output clock is synchronized based on a number of input and output audio samples measured over a predetermined sample period. In one embodiment, a sample difference may be determined by subtracting the measured number of input audio samples from the measured number of output audio samples. This sample difference may then be compared to a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, if the absolute value of the sample difference is less than the predetermined threshold, no adjustment to the output clock may be needed. When the absolute value of the sample difference is greater than the predetermined threshold, the output clock rate may be adjusted either upwards or downwards. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075862 | Method and Apparatus for Mute Control - System and method for muting an output terminal of an electronic device. In one embodiment, the process for can include receiving one or more signals received by the controller over the first terminal, detecting a mute control signal from the controller and controlling the state of a switch coupled to the output terminal to ground the output terminal based on detecting the mute control signal. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075861 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling Audio Input Amplitude - Amplitude of an audio input may be dynamically controlled within a predefined range of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) threshold voltage. In one embodiment, an analog audio signal having a first voltage amplitude may be received by an amplifier. The analog audio signal may be amplified based on a gain control signal and converted to digital audio data by the ADC. The difference of the first voltage amplitude and the threshold voltage of the ADC may be determined and a gain control signal can be adjusted for the amplifier based, at least in part, on the difference in the first voltage amplitude and the threshold voltage of the ADC. The received analog audio signal characterized by a second voltage amplitude can be output. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075200 | PREVIEW AND MODIFICATION OF PRINTABLE COMPONENTS OF A DOCUMENT AT A PRINTING DEVICE - An apparatus, method, system and medium are described that support functionality to receive document(s) to be printed at a printing device, and enable editing the document(s) prior to printing. Modifications to the document(s) may be generated based on the user edits, and a print preview of the modified documents may be displayed and may enable further edits. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user on a display that is part of the printing device. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user through a UI presented on a client device. Display of the modified document(s) may be a rasterized image of the modified document(s), generated based on capabilities of a selected printing device. In some embodiments, modifications may be made to an intermediate version of the document(s), and that intermediate version may be cached. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075166 | PREVIEW OF A DOCUMENT WITH PRINTABLE COMPONENTS AT A PRINTING DEVICE BASED ON ITS PRINTING CAPABILITY - An apparatus, method, system and medium are described that support functionality to receive document(s) to be printed at a printing device, and enable editing the document(s) prior to printing. Modifications to the document(s) may be generated based on the user edits, and a print preview of the modified documents may be displayed and may enable further edits. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user on a display that is part of the printing device. In some embodiments, the print preview may be provided to the user through a UI presented on a client device. Display of the modified document(s) may be a rasterized image of the modified document(s), generated based on capabilities of a selected printing device. In some embodiments, modifications may be made to an intermediate version of the document(s), and that intermediate version may be cached. | 03-31-2011 |
20110069204 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE CORRECTION - A method and apparatus are provided for correcting image data of an image sensor. In on embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data including image data having at least one artifact and smear sensitive data, detecting motion of one or more light sources associated with the artifact and characterizing the motion of the one or more light sources to provide a motion characteristic. The method may further include correcting at least a portion of the image data based on the smear sensitive data and the motion characteristic of the one or more light sources, wherein the correcting is responsive to vertical motion and non-vertical motion of the one or more light sources. | 03-24-2011 |
20110058669 | UNIQUE IDENTIFIER PER CHIP FOR DIGITAL AUDIO/VIDEO DATA ENCRYPTION/DECRYPTION IN PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDERS - The invention provides techniques to implement unique identifier for an integrated chip and how this ID can be employed to enhance the security of content in personal video recorder type systems. The storage device can be a hard disk, a removable storage medium or any other type of storage medium. An integrated circuit (IC) within the personal video recorder stores a unique identifier that is used in for encryption and decryption of data stored on the storage device. Several embodiments are disclosed herein that maintain the secrecy of the unique ID such that it is not easily accessible thereby defeating the security scheme. | 03-10-2011 |
20110031905 | Single General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) Pin Motor Control Circuit - System and method for operating a motor using a single general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of a controller. In one embodiment, a control circuit may include a first terminal coupled to a GPIO pin of a controller. The first terminal can be configured to receive, and output, at least one or more signals. The control circuit may include a plurality of elements coupled to the first terminal, and motor driver circuit output terminal, such that the control circuit may be configured to output one more control signals to the motor driver circuit output terminal for control the motor driver circuit. Motor driver control signals may be based, at least in part, on one or more signals received from the first terminal. | 02-10-2011 |
20110025889 | TECHNIQUES OF MODIFYING IMAGE FIELD DATA BY EXTRAPOLATION - Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for Image image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. Image data from individual pixels are corrected on the fly by interpolating individual pixel corrections from the stored modification data, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the correction takes place without slowing down data transfer of picture data from the image sensor. | 02-03-2011 |
20100328496 | ADVERTISING THROUGH RECYCLABLE DIGITAL CAMERAS - Data of updated or new advertising messages are loaded into a non-volatile memory of a digital camera in the course of it being recycled. The user of the camera therefore receives the updated or new advertising messages as a part of recycling the camera. There are a number of ways the advertising message can be displayed on a picture preview screen of the camera and/or reproduced by a loudspeaker on the camera. The advertising message can either be displayed along with a picture acquired by the camera or at separate times. | 12-30-2010 |
20100309392 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED TIMING CONTROL FOR AN LCD DISPLAY PANEL - A method of displaying an image. The method includes acts of receiving pixel data and pixel timing and control signals corresponding to the image, and formatting the pixel data based on a selected communication standard and a transmitter bit rate that corresponds to a number of pixel data bits to be transmitted each transmitter clock cycle. The method also includes an act of generating a clock signal based on the formatted pixel data, a bit rate of the selected communication standard, and the transmitter bit rate, the generated clock signal identifying a mapped bit rate at which the formatted pixel data is to be received by a television display during each cycle of the generated clock signal and which is different than the transmitter bit rate, and also includes the act of transmitting, at the transmitter bit rate, the formatted pixel data and the generated clock signal to the television display so that the formatted pixel data is received by the television display at the bit rate of the selected communication standard. | 12-09-2010 |
20100296747 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A COMPRESSED IMAGE IN AN ORDER OTHER THAN THE ORDER OF WHICH IT WAS COMPRESSED - An image processing system that can receive compressed image data corresponding to a representation of an image and process that image data in an order that is independent of the order in which that image data was compressed. A first pass decoding identifies certain information pertaining to the coded units within the compressed image data. Based upon that information, the coded units in the compressed image data may be decoded in an order that is different than the order in which they were encoded, and portions of the image may be rotated by a multiple of 90° independently of other portions of the image, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to decompress and rotate the compressed image data. | 11-25-2010 |
20100259636 | EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE CAPTURE - A device and methods are provided for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image of a scene are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, method includes setting an exposure period of an image sensor of the digital camera and capturing image data based on the exposure period. The method may further include checking the image data to determine whether the number of saturated pixels exceeds a saturation threshold and checking the image data to determine whether the number of cutoff pixels exceeds a cutoff threshold. The method may further include generating a high dynamic range image based on image data captured by the digital camera, wherein the high dynamic range image is generated based on a minimum number of images to capture a full dynamic range of the scene. | 10-14-2010 |
20100231732 | ESTIMATION OF POINT SPREAD FUNCTIONS FROM MOTION-BLURRED IMAGES - Methods for estimating the point spread function (PSF) of a motion-blurred image are disclosed and claimed. In certain embodiments, the estimated PSF may be used to compensate for the blur caused by hand-shake without the use of an accelerometer or gyro. Edge spread functions may be extracted along different directions from straight edges in a blurred image and combined to find the PSF that best matches. In other embodiments, the blur response to edges of other forms may similarly be extracted, such as corners or circles, and combined to find the best matching PSF. The PSF may then be represented in a parametric form, where the parameters used are related to low-order polynomial coefficients of the angular velocity vx(t) and vy(t) as a function of time. | 09-16-2010 |
20100225797 | TECHNIQUES FOR MODIFYING IMAGE FIELD DATA OBTAINED USING ILLUMINATION SOURCES - Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for non-uniform illumination and/or effects of saturation appearing in data obtained using one or more artificial illumination sources. In an implementation, correction factors are derived using data from at least two images that have been captured with different illumination levels of the object scene and close in time to the capture of the image of interest. Typically, the image of interest is of higher resolution than at least one of the at least two images. | 09-09-2010 |
20100208142 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VERSATILE DISPLAY PIPELINE ARCHITECTURE FOR AN LCD DISPLAY PANEL - A video processing system comprising a video frame buffer memory, a first video pipeline, a second video pipeline, a blender, and an overdrive processing unit. The video frame buffer memory has a first memory region and a second memory region, the first memory region being configured to store a first video data frame and the second memory region being configured to store a second video data frame. The first video pipeline is coupled to the video frame buffer memory and configured to receive and process the first video data frame. The second video pipeline is coupled to the video frame buffer memory and configured to receive and process the second video data frame. The blender is coupled to the first and second video to pipelines and is configured to receive and blend the processed first video data frame and the processed second video data frame in a first mode of operation and to provide the blended processed first and second video data frame to a display. The overdrive processing unit is coupled to the first and second video pipelines, and is configured to receive the processed first video data frame and the processed second video data frame in a second mode of operation, to modify the processed first video data frame based upon pixel values of the processed second video data frame, and to provide the modified processed first current video data frame to the display. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208101 | WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM METHOD AND APPARATUS - An image capture system is presented where the dynamic range of photo imaging devices, such as a still or video camera, is increased by varying sensor exposure time on a pixel-by-pixel basis under digital camera processor control. The systems photo sensors are continuously illuminated without reset over the exposure interval. In addition to being interrogated at the end of the exposure interval, the pixels are also non-destructively interrogated at one or more intermediate times during the interval. At each interrogation, the image capture system determines individually whether the pixels have saturated and if not, the parameter value is recorded; if the pixel has saturated, the previously stored value from the preceding interval is maintained. To produce the final sensor value for the whole exposure interval, the data for pixels that reached the saturation level are adjusted to compensate for their shortened exposure. | 08-19-2010 |
20100207865 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAY DEVICE BACKLIGHT COMPENSATION - Systems and methods of controlling illumination of a display device are disclosed. These systems and methods can detect a plurality of luminance values in a digital image of the display device that correspond to a plurality of pixel positions of the display device. A first plurality of luminance values of the plurality of luminance values can be mapped to a first pixel position of the plurality of pixel positions of the display device, and a compensation mask value for the first pixel position can be determined based upon the first plurality of luminance values. The compensation mask value can correspond to an adjustment of a luminance value of the first pixel position. The compensation mask value can be provided to a display controller of the display device to permit the display controller to adjust a luminance value of the first pixel position to correspond more closely with luminance values associated with other pixel positions of the plurality of pixel positions of the display device based upon the compensation mask value. | 08-19-2010 |
20100189373 | Method and Apparatus for Content Adaptive Sharpness Enhancement - A method and apparatus are provided for adaptive sharpness enhancement of image data. In on embodiment, a method for sharpness enhancement includes receiving image data for a first frame, performing linear sharpening enhancement of the image data, performing non-linear sharpening enhancement of the image data, and generating blending parameters based on the image data. The blending parameters may be generated based upon image data of the first frame, linear sharpened image data for the first frame, and non-linear sharpened image data for the first frame. The method may further include blending the image data of the first frame, the linear sharpened image data, and the non-linear sharpened image data based upon the blending parameters. | 07-29-2010 |
20100183238 | Method and Apparatus for Spectrum Estimation - An apparatus and methods are provided for determining control parameters for image enhancement. In one embodiment a method for determining control parameters includes receiving image data for a first frame and calculating an adaptive threshold value based on the image data. The method includes determining a pixel slope distribution for a pixel window of the image data, wherein the pixel window is selected based on the adaptive threshold value and determining a spectrum estimation coefficient based on the pixel distribution, wherein the spectrum estimation coefficient is determined based on the spectral components of the image data. The method may then include determining one or more control parameters for enhancement of the image data based on the spectrum estimation coefficient, wherein the one or more control parameters relate to filtering parameters for adaptive enhancement of image data. | 07-22-2010 |
20100142659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FFT WINDOW TIMING SYNCHRONIZATION FOR AN ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY-DIVISION MULTIPLEXED DATA STREAM - A system and method for determining an FFT window location for reception of an OFDM signal received over a transmission channel. The OFDM signal includes a plurality of symbols each having a guard interval. The system includes a correlation module that determines a location of maximum correlation in a first symbol, an FFT module to perform an FFT on the OFDM signal based upon an initial FFT window location, and an adjustment module. The adjustment module determines a plurality of permissible echo location options based upon the initial FFT window location, selects a permissible echo location option that corresponds most closely to the location of maximum correlation, and adjusts the initial FFT window location based upon the selected permissible echo location option so that the adjusted FFT window location includes substantially all of a useful symbol length of the first symbol while a maximum number of echoes are included within the guard interval of the first symbol. | 06-10-2010 |
20100066762 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING VIDEO AND GRAPHICS DATA TO CREATE A COMPOSITE OUTPUT IMAGE HAVING INDEPENDENT AND SEPARATE LAYERS OF VIDEO AND GRAPHICS DISPLAY PLANES - A method, apparatus, system and machine-readable medium for generating a composite output image based upon multiple input images. In certain embodiments, a plurality of input graphics images are iteratively blended in real time to provide a blended graphics image, which is then composited with other layers such as an input video image. The composite output image may then be provided to a display device. Iterative blending of the plurality of graphics images may include scaling, format conversion, and color space conversion, and may be performed based on priority information received for the graphics images from content sources. Compositing may include an alpha blending based on alpha values for pixels of the images. | 03-18-2010 |
20100060751 | Image Processing Under Flickering Lighting Conditions Using Estimated Illumination Parameters - Methods for estimating illumination parameters under flickering lighting conditions are disclosed. Illumination parameters, such as phase and contrast, of a intensity-varying light source may be estimated by capturing a sequence of video images, either prior to or after a desired still image to be processed. The relative average light intensities of the adjacently-captured images are calculated and used to estimate the illumination parameters applicable to the desired still image. The estimated illumination parameters may be used to calculate the point spread function of a still image for image de-blurring processing. The estimated illumination parameters may also be used to synchronize the exposure timing of a still image to the time when there is the most light, as well as for use in motion estimation during view/video modes. | 03-11-2010 |
20100054628 | ROBUST FAST PANORAMA STITCHING IN MOBILE PHONES OR CAMERAS - A camera that provides for a panorama mode of operation that employs internal software and internal acceleration hardware to stitch together two or more captured images to create a single panorama image with a wide format. Captured images are projected from rectilinear coordinates into cylindrical coordinates with the aid of image interpolation acceleration hardware. Matches are quickly determined between each pair of images with a block based search that employs motion estimation acceleration hardware. Transformation are found, utilizing regression and robust statistics techniques, to align the captured images with each other, which are applied to the images using the interpolation acceleration hardware. A determination is made for an optimal seam to stitch images together in the overlap region by finding a path which cuts through relatively non-noticeable regions so that the images can be stitched together into a single image with a wide panoramic effect. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054588 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND MANUFACTURE FOR CORRECTING COLOR SHADING IN CMOS IMAGE SENSORS - A device for color shading correction is provided. Local color matching is performed as follows. For each pixel of the image that is being color matched, the RGB value is treated as a one-by-three matrix, which is multiplied by a three-by-three matrix that is generated during factory calibration. The matrix product is a one-by-three matrix that is used as the RGB value for the pixel in the color matched image. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053417 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND MANUFACTURE FOR ITERATIVE AUTO-FOCUS USING DEPTH-FROM-DEFOCUS - A camera with auto-focusing performs multiple iterations in which the distance from the camera to an object is estimated for the purpose of auto-focusing the camera. Each estimate is made using depth-from-defocus with at least two images used to make the estimate. When the two images are taken, the camera parameters are different. For example, the focus position, aperture, or zoom may be different between the two images. In each subsequent iteration, the previous estimate of distance from the camera to the object is used so that the parameter varied (focus position or zoom) is closer to that corresponding to the estimated distance from the camera to the object, so that the estimated distance is closer to the actual distance in each iteration. | 03-04-2010 |
20100043038 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT VIDEO AND AUDIO INSTANT REPLAY FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION - A digital television system that includes an RF tuner, a transport stream demultiplexer, an audio decoder, a video decoder, a non-persistent memory, and at least one processor. The non-persistent memory is used to store audio and video packetized elementary stream (PES) packets demultiplexed by the transport stream demultiplexer based upon a broadcast signal received and demodulated by the RF tuner. During the process of decoding and presenting audio, video, and audio-video content on a display device of the television system, the at least one processor generates video records corresponding to each video PES packet and audio records corresponding to each audio PES packet. The video and audio records establish a one to one correspondence between each video PES packet and each audio PES packet and permits each video PES packet and each audio PES packet stored in the memory to be located, decoded, and re-displayed on the display device on the television system. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042747 | TRANSCODING CONTENT FOR MAXIMIZING PLAYBACK ABILITIES IN A SWITCH ENABLED DEVICE - Embodiments are directed towards providing a switch proxy service (SPS) to transcode content from a native format into a format optimized for play at a switch enabled consumer electronic device (SED). In one embodiment, the SPS may receive a set of capabilities for a SED that includes at least a minimum, a maximum, and at least one other set of content characteristics. The SPS may associate the capability set with a device identifier that uniquely identifies the SED. When a request for content is received, the SPS examines the request to determine if it valid and authorized. If the request is valid and authorized, the SPS provides content transcoded based on the capability set for the SED, where the SPS provides the content as much as possible to satisfy the SED's best quality set of content characteristics, but at least within the SED's minimum/maximum sets of content characteristics. | 02-18-2010 |
20100033553 | IN-CAMERA PANORAMA IMAGE STITCHING ASSISTANCE - A camera that provides for a panorama mode of operation that stitches together two or more images to create a single image with a wide format. In panorama mode, a live view of a scene is transformed from rectangular coordinates to cylindrical coordinates and displayed by the camera. Also, an overlap portion between the previous image and the next image to be captured is characterized. In real time, after the previous image is captured, the overlap portion of the previous image is also transformed from rectangular coordinates into cylindrical coordinates. Next, the camera displays an overlay of at least a portion of the overlap portion onto the live view of the next image to be captured. And this overlay can assist the user in aligning the live view of the next image to be captured with the overlap portion of the previously captured image. | 02-11-2010 |
20100027665 | VIDEO ENCODER WITH AN INTEGRATED TEMPORAL FILTER - A video encoder with an integrated temporal filter, which has an output carrying a sequence of encoded frames, includes: an input receiving input frame data; a temporal filter receiving the input frame data from the input and producing filtered frame data; motion processing modules receiving reconstructed frames derived from the sequence of encoded frames and the filtered frame data from the temporal filter and producing a residual error signal output; and a coder module which receives the input frame data and the residual error signal and produces the sequence of encoded frames. A method of encoding video includes: receiving a current frame to be encoded into a motion estimator and a temporal filter substantially at one time; receiving a previously encoded reference frame; generating a reconstructed motion-compensated reference frame from the previously encoded reference frame; and determining from the motion-compensated reference frame and the current frame whether and how much blending to perform between the motion compensated reference frame and the current frame. | 02-04-2010 |
20100021008 | System and Method for Face Tracking - Improved face tracking is provided during determination of an image by an imaging device using a low power face tracking unit. In one embodiment, image data associated with a frame and one or more face detection windows from a face detection unit may be received by the face tracking unit. The face detection windows are associated with the image data of the frame. A face list may be determined based on the face detection windows and one or more faces may be selected from the face list to generate an output face list. The output face list may then be provided to a processor of an imaging device for the detection of an image based on at least one of coordinate and scale values of the one or more faces on the output face list. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020199 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH REDUCED IMAGE BUFFER MEMORY AND MINIMAL PROCESSING FOR RECYCLING THROUGH A SERVICE CENTER - A digital camera system in which capture, processing and storage functions are partitioned differently than in existing systems. A hand-held digital camera is used with a workstation that may exist in a commercial image processing service center. A minimal amount of image data processing is performed in the digital camera, thereby allowing significant digital camera cost reductions due to lower memory requirements, lower processing requirements, and lower power requirements. Real-time single pass image compression techniques are employed within this digital camera to permit rapid gathering and storage of raw or minimally processed image data. The workstation to which the image data are transferred performs the image processing normally done within existing cameras. This processing takes advantage of the increased computational power that is possible to have in such a workstation, compared to that of a small camera, and the increased time over which such processing may be performed. | 01-28-2010 |
20090256921 | CAMERA EXPOSURE OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES THAT TAKE CAMERA AND SCENE MOTION INTO ACCOUNT - Quantities of motion regarding an imaging device such as an electronic camera are calculated and used to adjust the exposure time and one or more other exposure parameters used to capture an image to improve the quality of the image. Motion blur caused by movement of the camera or by movement of an object within the scene being photographed is reduced by selecting appropriate exposure parameters. Further, when there is little or no motion detected, the exposure parameters may be selected to improve the depth of field and reduce the noise in the captured image. | 10-15-2009 |
20090244399 | UNIFIED SINGLE AND MULTIPLE CARRIER RECEIVER ARCHITECTURE - A device and method for receiving and processing single carrier and multiple carrier signals through substantially common elements within a receiver that uses a radix 2 FFT on the signal, equalizes both types of signals in the frequency domain and then, for the multiple carrier signal performs a polynomial interpolation to bring the signal to symbol rate and for the single carrier signal performs an IFFT and samples the output to produce a signal at symbol rate. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244370 | ADAPTIVE WINDOWING IN MOTION DETECTOR FOR DEINTERLACER - According to aspects of embodiments, a method of determining an aperture window in a video deinterlacer includes: computing a first mean absolute difference (MAD) value for a pixel based on a 1×5 window; computing a second MAD value for the pixel using a 3×5 window; and selectively blending the first and second MAD values to form a resultant motion value. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244369 | RECURSIVE MOTION FOR MOTION DETECTION DEINTERLACER - A recursive motion detector, comprises: a first frame motion detector receiving a next field and a first previous field; a second frame motion detector receiving a current field and a second previous field; and a third frame motion detector receiving a next field and a third previous field; wherein motion is detected when the first, second and third frame motion detectors combine to produce a frame motion result. | 10-01-2009 |
20090238053 | DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE OPTICAL POWER CALIBRATION - A method and apparatus are presented for optimizing write operations for optical storage media. A determination is made, at least in part by iteration, of a next power range and a current score for a current power range. If it is determined that the current score is relatively equivalent to a maximum score, a plurality of final parameters is updated and provided, including an optimal power range and a final score. If it is determined that the current score is relatively greater than the final score, then the plurality of final parameters is updated. If it is determined that a maximum number of iterations has been performed, the plurality of final parameters is provided. Otherwise, the current power range is updated with the next power range. One or more of the returned plurality of final parameters are employed to optimize write operations for optical storage media. Determination of the score may also include determining validity of test data segments, selecting a score calculation criterion, and calculating the score based at least in part on the score calculation criterion and on a number and a sequence of valid test data segments. The score calculation criterion may be based on such criterion as beta criterion or modulation amplitude. | 09-24-2009 |
20090231449 | IMAGE ENHANCEMENT BASED ON MULTIPLE FRAMES AND MOTION ESTIMATION - A system and method for capturing images is provided. In the system and method, preview images are acquired and global local and local motion are estimated based on at least a portion of the preview images. If the local motion is less than or equal to the global motion, a final image is captured based at least on an exposure time based on the global motion. If the local motion is greater than the global motion, a first image is captured based on at least a first exposure time and at least a second image is captured based on at least one second exposure time less than the first exposure time. After capturing the first and second images, global motion regions are separated from local motion regions in the first and second images, and the final image is reconstructed at least based on the local motion regions. | 09-17-2009 |
20090220148 | AUTOMATIC RED EYE ARTIFACT REDUCTION FOR IMAGES - Systems and methods are provided for reducing eye coloration artifacts in an image. In the system and method, an eye is detected in the image and a pupil color for the eye in the image and a skin color of skin in the image associated with the eye are determined. At least one region of artifact coloration in the eye in the image is then identified based on the pupil color and the skin color, and a coloration of the region is modified to compensate for the artifact coloration. | 09-03-2009 |
20090190030 | VIDEO SIGNAL MOTION DETECTION - Systems and methods directed to determining motion in a video signal are provided. A plurality of pixels of a plurality of adjacent field lines of alternating parity of the video signal are evaluated to generate a plurality of differential values. A sign of each differential value is determined, and when each differential value has the same sign, at least one differential value can be compared with a threshold value. Responsive to the comparison of at least one differential value with a threshold value, a motion coefficient indicative of a magnitude of motion associated with one of the plurality of pixels can be generated. | 07-30-2009 |
20090185058 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NOISE REDUCTION WITH 3D LUT - A device for noise reduction is provided. The device includes a noise reduction three-dimensional look-up table (LUT) and a noise reduction unit. The noise reduction LUT transforms an input image into a noise reduction factor and noise reduction threshold for each color component of each pixel of the input image. The noise reduction unit performs noise reduction on the input image based on the noise reduction factors and noise reduction thresholds determined from the noise reduction LUT. | 07-23-2009 |
20090183622 | PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA OR ENTERTAINMENT STORAGE AND PLAYBACK DEVICE WHICH STORES AND PLAYS BACK CONTENT WITH CONTENT-SPECIFIC USER PREFERENCES - A portable multimedia device stores multimedia content and sets of user preferences (“settings”) for one or more users (karaoke participants), on a title by title basis, that the one or more users may wish to apply upon playback of the content. The content and settings are initially stored in the portable device with the use of a practice playback system. Once this is done, the portable device may be transported and connected to any performance playback system. The portable device and the performance system may be operated to select and play back any title of content stored in the device, applying the corresponding stored set of user preferences for the user. | 07-23-2009 |
20090180026 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO SIGNAL PROCESSING - Systems and methods of processing a video signal are provided. A potential block boundary can be detected between a first block and a second block of a frame of the video signal, wherein the frame, the first block, and the second block each include a plurality of pixels. An offset parameter can be determined for at least one pixel of at least one of the first block and the second block. Based on the offset parameter, a boundary verification value of at least one of the first block and the second block can also be determined. Based on the boundary verification value, it can further be determined if the potential block boundary includes a block boundary. | 07-16-2009 |
20090161150 | LASER COLOR COPY IMAGE PROCESSING INDEPENDENT OF CLASSIFICATIONS - An apparatus and a method are described for processing and reproducing a document including both text and half-tone images without generating undesirable image artifacts. A band-pass FIR filter with a predetermined frequency response is used to transform pixels in an input image to sharpen text edge and smooth pre-half-toned areas, and perform error diffusion and cluster dot screening methods on the transformed pixels. The FIR filter has unity gain at DC to preserve image brightness. An integrated error diffused cluster-dot screening approach is used to suppress moiré and other image artifacts, while providing a robust, crisp output. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160552 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLASS D AMPLIFIER WITH SAMPLING RATE CONVERSION - A class D amplifier is provided. The class D amplifier includes an interpolator, a sampling rate converter, a pulse width modulator, a sigma-delta modulator, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse generator (PPG). The sampling rate converter interpolates the output of the interpolator such that the sampling rate converter up-samples the interpolator output by a factor that is greater than one and less than two. The pulse width modulator outputs a multi-bit digital signal. The sigma-delta modulator performs sigma-delta modulation on the pulse width modulator output, the order of the sigma-delta modulation is programmable, and the output of the sigma-delta modulator is a multi-bit, digital signal. At least one of the orders to which the sigma-delta modulator can be programmed is greater than two. The PPG provides a pulse signal such that the width of each pulse is based on the value of the sigma-delta modulator output. | 06-25-2009 |
20090147635 | DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE OPTICAL POWER CALIBRATION - A method and apparatus are presented for optimizing write operations for optical storage media. A determination is made, at least in part by iteration, of a next power range and a current score for a current power range. If it is determined that the current score is relatively equivalent to a maximum score, a plurality of final parameters is updated and provided, including an optimal power range and a final score. If it is determined that the current score is relatively greater than the final score, then the plurality of final parameters is updated. If it is determined that a maximum number of iterations has been performed, the plurality of final parameters is provided. Otherwise, the current power range is updated with the next power range. One or more of the returned plurality of final parameters are employed to optimize write operations for optical storage media. Determination of the score may also include determining validity of test data segments, selecting a score calculation criterion, and calculating the score based at least in part on the score calculation criterion and on a number and a sequence of valid test data segments. The score calculation criterion may be based on such criterion as beta criterion or modulation amplitude. | 06-11-2009 |
20090028459 | METHOD FOR REDUCING BLOCKING ARTIFACTS - A method for removing blocking artifacts from moving and still pictures, comprising classifying horizontal and vertical boundaries in each picture as blocky or non-blocky; for each blocky boundary, defining an adaptive, picture contentdependent, one-dimensional filtered pixels region of interest (ROI) that crosses the boundary and is bound at each of its ends by a bounding pixel; defining a finite filter having a length correlated with the length of the ROI; defining a filtering pixels expansion that uniquely determines the padding values of the finite length filtered pixels ROI for the finite length filtering; and filtering the ROI pixels using the finite filter and the filtering expansion. | 01-29-2009 |
20080310493 | Fast training equalization of a signal by using adaptive-iterative algorithm with main path phase correction - A signal receiver inputs a signal, computes a set of equalizer tap values during a signal acquisition phase by applying an algorithm iteratively to a given set of training data contained within the signal, and uses the set of equalizer tap values to perform signal equalization during the signal acquisition phase. The algorithm includes computing and applying phase correction to the pre-equalized signal at each adaptation step to correct for phase error related to the main path only, of the input signal. | 12-18-2008 |
20080273103 | TECHNIQUES FOR MODIFYING IMAGE FIELD DATA AS A FUNCTION OF RADIUS ACROSS THE IMAGE FIELD - A technique for modifying data of an image, such as can be implemented in a still camera or video recorder in order to correct for defects in its optical and/or electronic systems, includes generating data to modify the image as a function of radial position across it. A variation of the intensity across an image (lens shading) that appears in data from a two-dimensional detector is an example of an application of the technique. In order to make modifications to the data, positions of a two-dimensional raster scan pattern of an image sensor are converted to radial positions and this is then used to generate the modification data. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor. | 11-06-2008 |
20080239941 | System and method for FFT window timing synchronization for an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed data stream - A system and method for determining an FFT window location for reception of an OFDM signal received over a transmission channel. The OFDM signal includes a plurality of symbols each having a guard interval. The system includes a correlation module that determines a location of maximum correlation in a first symbol, an FFT module to perform an FFT on the OFDM signal based upon an initial FFT window location, and an adjustment module. The adjustment module determines a plurality of permissible echo location options based upon the initial FFT window location, selects a permissible echo location option that corresponds most closely to the location of maximum correlation, and adjusts the initial FFT window location based upon the selected permissible echo location option so that the adjusted FFT window location includes substantially all of a useful symbol length of the first symbol while a maximum number of echoes are included within the guard interval of the first symbol. | 10-02-2008 |
20080232453 | Combining least squares and least mean squares algorithms to determine equalizer tap values - A method of operating an equalizer includes combining a Least Mean Squares (LMS) algorithm and a Least Squares (LS) algorithm to determine a set of equalizer tap values to be used in processing a signal. A channel impulse response (CIR) is computed, and an equalizer taps interval is then determined based on the CIR. The LS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer major taps based on the interval, and the LMS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer minor taps based on the interval. | 09-25-2008 |