Abstract: A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) one or more processors configured to operate the video camera assembly in a day mode and in a night mode; (2) an image sensor having a field of view of a scene and configured to capture video of a first portion of the scene while in the day mode of operation and in the night mode of operation, the first portion corresponding to the field of view of the image sensor; (3) one or more infrared (IR) illuminators configured to provide illumination during the night mode of operation while the image sensor captures video; and (4) an IR reflector component configured to: (i) substantially restrict the illumination onto the first portion of the scene, and (ii) illuminate the first portion in a substantially uniform manner across the field of view of the image sensor.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene; (2) infrared illuminators to selectively illuminate the scene; and (3) a single-piece cover positioned in front of the image sensor and the illuminators such that light from the illuminators is directed through the cover and light from the scene passes through the cover prior to entering the image sensor, including: (a) a first portion corresponding to the image sensor and substantially transparent to visible light and IR light; (b) a second portion corresponding to the one or more IR illuminators and coated to be substantially transparent to IR light; and (c) a third portion between the first portion and the second portion and coated to be substantially opaque to IR and visible light.

Abstract: This application is directed to a lens assembly configured to focus light on a sensor array of an optical device. The lens assembly comprises one or more optical lenses and an electrochromic layer positioned between the one or more optical lenses and the sensor array. The electrochromic layer has one or more optical properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the layer, including a first optical property related to optical transmissivity. The first optical property includes a first state, responsive to a first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially opaque to a predefined band of IR wavelengths. The first optical property also includes a second state, responsive to a second applied voltage distinct from the first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially transparent to the predefined band of IR wavelengths and visible wavelengths.

Abstract: This application is directed to controlling a camera that includes an electrochromic glass layer. The electrochromic glass layer is disposed in front of a sensor array of the camera and has optical transmission properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the electrochromic glass layer. In accordance with a determination to transition the camera mode to a Day mode, a camera controller generates a first voltage, which is then applied to the electrochromic glass layer to cause the lens assembly to enter a first transmission state. In response to the first voltage, the electrochromic glass layer removes a substantial portion of a predefined band of infrared wavelengths in ambient light incident on the camera, and simultaneously passes by the electrochromic glass layer a substantial portion of visible wavelengths in the ambient light, thereby exposing the sensor array to the substantial portion of the visible wavelengths of the ambient light.

Abstract: This application is directed to a lens assembly configured to focus light on a sensor array of an optical device. The lens assembly comprises one or more optical lenses and an electrochromic layer positioned between the one or more optical lenses and the sensor array. The electrochromic layer has one or more optical properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the layer, including a first optical property related to optical transmissivity. The first optical property includes a first state, responsive to a first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially opaque to a predefined band of IR wavelengths. The first optical property also includes a second state, responsive to a second applied voltage distinct from the first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially transparent to the predefined band of IR wavelengths and visible wavelengths.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) one or more processors configured to operate the video camera assembly in a day mode and in a night mode; (2) an image sensor having a field of view of a scene and configured to capture video of a first portion of the scene while in the day mode of operation and in the night mode of operation, the first portion corresponding to the field of view of the image sensor; (3) one or more infrared (IR) illuminators configured to provide illumination during the night mode of operation while the image sensor captures video; and (4) an IR reflector component configured to: (i) substantially restrict the illumination onto the first portion of the scene, and (ii) illuminate the first portion in a substantially uniform manner across the field of view of the image sensor.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene; (2) infrared illuminators to selectively illuminate the scene; and (3) a single-piece cover positioned in front of the image sensor and the illuminators such that light from the illuminators is directed through the cover and light from the scene passes through the cover prior to entering the image sensor, including: (a) a first portion corresponding to the image sensor and substantially transparent to visible light and IR light; (b) a second portion corresponding to the one or more IR illuminators and coated to be substantially transparent to IR light; and (c) a third portion between the first portion and the second portion and coated to be substantially opaque to IR and visible light.

Abstract: This application is directed to controlling a camera that includes an electrochromic glass layer. The electrochromic glass layer is disposed in front of a sensor array of the camera and has optical transmission properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the electrochromic glass layer. In accordance with a determination to transition the camera mode to a Day mode, a camera controller generates a first voltage, which is then applied to the electrochromic glass layer to cause the lens assembly to enter a first transmission state. In response to the first voltage, the electrochromic glass layer removes a substantial portion of a predefined band of infrared wavelengths in ambient light incident on the camera, and simultaneously passes by the electrochromic glass layer a substantial portion of visible wavelengths in the ambient light, thereby exposing the sensor array to the substantial portion of the visible wavelengths of the ambient light.