Speaker: Russel A. Martin, Ph.D., Director of Research, Foveon, Inc.
Title: Image Sensor Technology
Abstract: Even when separated by many years, there are often striking parallels between the image sensor and display technologies as they develop. This talk will explore two of those similarities. The first is the parallel between the development of photographic film and digital imagers. The second is between that of the active matrices used in imagers and those used in displays. These parallels include Foveon’s X3 technology, which allows three color signals to be acquired simultaneously at a single location on an imager. This Direct Image Sensor technology has the highest area efficiency and is applicable to a wide variety of camera systems.
Instead of spatial dither, it is better to use an amplitude dither. In addition, dynamic displays allow for the use of a temporal dithering component. This paper will report on techniques and observations made in achieving contone quality on ~100 or less ppi LCD displays starting with from 4 to 8 bits driver limits, and resulting with no visible dither patterns, noise, contours, or loss of amplitude detail at viewing distances as close as the near focus limit (~ 120 mm).
Speaker Background: As the Director of Research at Foveon, Inc, Russel Martin is responsible for process technology, image processing, imager characterization and patents. Dr. Martin has been involved in semiconductor and imaging technology for twenty-two years. He has worked on the development of electronics for electrostatic plotters for Versatec, AMLCDs for Xerox PARC and dpiX, and display electronics for Silicon Image and Gyricon Media. Dr. Martin spent a sabbatical at NASA Ames where he developed computational models of human visual perception of displays. He has been active in organizing conferences with the IEEE, the SID and the SPIE. He has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from UC Davis and an A.B. in Physics from UC Berkeley.
Location:
Apple Computer, Inc.
Singapore at Gate One
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino California 95014
How to get to Apple’s Singapore Conference Room. From Interstate 280, take De Anza Blvd. south to Mariani Avenue (the first stoplight).
Post-Seminar Dinner: The seminar is free. Please join our speaker for dinner ($10-20) afterwards. Directions to the restaurant will be given at the seminar.