Abstract: An example technique may include performing, by a virtual reality application provided on a computing device, video rendering at a first video rendering rate based on updating an entire image on a screen of the computing device at a first update rate, determining that a performance of the video rendering is less than a threshold, performing, based on the determining, video rendering at a second video rendering rate by updating a first portion of the image at the first update rate, and by updating a second portion of the image at a second update rate that is less than the first update rate. Another example technique may include shifting, during an eye blinking period, one or both of a left eye image and a right eye image to reduce a disparity between a left viewed object and a right viewed object.

Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a goggle portion having a chassis that is open on a first side, a lens assembly disposed on a second side of the chassis of the goggle portion and a ledge disposed around an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion. The ledge can be configured to physically support an electronic device inserted in the goggle portion. The apparatus can also include a cover portion having a chassis that is open on a first side and at least partially closed on a second side. The cover portion can be configured to be placed over the goggle portion, such that at least a portion of the goggle portion is disposed within the cover portion and the electronic device is retained between the ledge and an interior surface of the second side of the cover portion.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for determining failure modes of balloons within a balloon network are described. One example method includes: (a) determining at least one cohort balloon of a first balloon, where the first balloon is operating as part of a balloon network and where each cohort balloon shares at least one property with the first balloon, (b) determining at least one expected failure mode based at least in part on at least one failure of at least one cohort balloon, (c) determining a predicted failure mode of the first balloon based at least in part on the at least one expected failure mode, and (d) causing the first balloon to operate within the balloon network based at least in part on the predicted failure mode of the first balloon.

Abstract: A method includes determining at least one preferred view perspective associated with a three dimensional (3D) video, encoding a first portion of the 3D video corresponding to the at least one preferred view perspective at a first quality, and encoding a second portion of the 3D video at a second quality, the first quality being a higher quality as compared to the second quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are related to a camera rig and generating stereoscopic panoramas from captured images for display in a virtual reality (VR) environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligently zooming to and capturing a first image of a feature of interest are provided. The feature of interest may be determined based on a first interest criteria. The captured image may be provided to a user, who may indicate a level of interest in the feature of interest. The level of interest may be based upon to store the captured image and capture another image. The level of interest may be a gradient value, or a binary value. The level of interest may be based upon to determine whether to store the captured image, and if so, a resolution at which the captured image is to be stored. The level of interest may also be based upon to determine whether to zoom to and capture a second image of a second feature of interest based on the first interest criteria or a second interest criteria.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for assigning tasks to balloons within a balloon network are described. One example system includes a first sub-fleet of balloons assigned a first set of one or more tasks within a balloon network, a second sub-fleet of balloons assigned a second set of one or more tasks within the balloon network, and a control system configured to determine that a first balloon in the first sub-fleet of balloons initially has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the first set of tasks, subsequently determine that the first balloon has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the second set of tasks, and reassign the first balloon from the first sub-fleet of balloons to the second sub-fleet of balloons.

Abstract: Example methods and systems determine a position of a portion of a human eye based on electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface of the human eye. A sensor associated with a computing device can be calibrated in response to an event. The computing device can receive data indicative of electromagnetic radiation reflected from a human eye. The computing device can determine a position of a portion of the human eye based on the received data indicative of electromagnetic radiation. The computing device can generate an indication including the position of the portion of the human eye. The computing device can transmit the indication from the computing device. In some embodiments, the data indicative of electromagnetic information can be provided by electromagnetic emitter/sensors mounted on a wearable computing device directed toward a human eye of a wearer of the wearable computing device.

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for assigning tasks to balloons within a balloon network are described. One example system includes a first sub-fleet of balloons assigned a first set of one or more tasks within a balloon network, a second sub-fleet of balloons assigned a second set of one or more tasks within the balloon network, and a control system configured to determine that a first balloon in the first sub-fleet of balloons initially has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the first set of tasks, subsequently determine that the first balloon has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the second set of tasks, and reassign the first balloon from the first sub-fleet of balloons to the second sub-fleet of balloons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving and transmitting signals at a balloon. Received signals can be received at the balloon, which can include a payload and an envelope. The envelope can include at least a first antenna section and a second antenna section. Both the first and second antenna sections are configured at least to receive the received signals and convey at least the received signals to the payload. The first antenna section can include a first metallization pattern to receive a first type of signal. The second antenna section can include a second metallization pattern to receive a second type of signal, with the first metallization pattern being different from the second metallization pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the balloon network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers.

Abstract: A wearable computing device is authenticated using bone conduction. When a user wears the device, a bone conduction speaker and a bone conduction microphone on the device contact the user's head at positions proximate the user's skull. A calibration process is performed by transmitting a signal from the speaker through the skull and receiving a calibration signal at the microphone. An authentication process is subsequently performed by transmitting another signal from the speaker through the skull and an authentication signal is received at the microphone. In the event that frequency response characteristics of the authentication signal match the frequency response characteristics of the calibration signal, the user is authenticated and the device is enabled for user interaction without requiring the user to input any additional data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligently zooming to and capturing a first image of a feature of interest are provided. The feature of interest may be determined based on a first interest criteria. The captured image may be provided to a user, who may indicate a level of interest in the feature of interest. The level of interest may be based upon to store the captured image and capture another image. The level of interest may be a gradient value, or a binary value. The level of interest may be based upon to determine whether to store the captured image, and if so, a resolution at which the captured image is to be stored. The level of interest may also be based upon to determine whether to zoom to and capture a second image of a second feature of interest based on the first interest criteria or a second interest criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment takes the form of a computer-implemented method comprising causing a field-sequential color display of a wearable computing device to initially operate in a first color space; and based at least in part on data from one or more sensors of the wearable computing device, detecting movement of the wearable computing device that is characteristic of color breakup perception. The method further comprises, in response to detecting the movement that is characteristic of color breakup perception, causing the field-sequential color display to operate in a second color space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving and transmitting signals at a balloon. Received signals can be received at the balloon, which can include a payload and an envelope. The envelope can include at least a first antenna section and a second antenna section. Both the first and second antenna sections are configured at least to receive the received signals and convey at least the received signals to the payload. The first antenna section can include a first metallization pattern to receive a first type of signal. The second antenna section can include a second metallization pattern to receive a second type of signal, with the first metallization pattern being different from the second metallization pattern.

Abstract: A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope, a payload positioned beneath the balloon envelope, and a drag plate positioned beneath the balloon envelope and attached to the payload, and a control system configured to initiate a process to cause the balloon envelope to no longer provide lift to the payload, wherein the drag plate serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth.

Abstract: Example embodiments may facilitate altitude control by a balloon in a balloon network. An example method involves: (a) causing a balloon to operate in a first mode, wherein the balloon comprises an envelope, a high-pressure storage chamber, and a solar power system, (b) while the balloon is operating in the first mode: (i) operating the solar power system to generate power for the balloon and (ii) using at least some of the power generated by the solar power system to move gas from the envelope to the high-pressure storage chamber such that the buoyancy of the balloon decreases; (c) causing the balloon to operate in a second mode; and while the balloon is operating in the second mode, moving gas from the high-pressure storage chamber to the envelope such that the buoyancy of the balloon increases.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for determining correlated movements associated with movements caused by driving a vehicle are provided. In an example, a computer-implemented method includes identifying a threshold number of sets of correlated movements. The method further includes determining that the threshold number of sets of correlated movements is associated with movements caused by driving a vehicle. The method still further includes causing the wearable computing system to select a driving user interface for the wearable computing system.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the balloon network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers.