Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: This application is directed to a surveillance camera system including a magnet mount for physically receiving a camera module. The camera module includes a housing having an exterior surface of a first shape. A surface of the magnet mount has a second shape that is substantially concave and complementary to the first shape, and is configured to engage the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module. A magnetic material is disposed inside the magnet mount and configured to magnetically couple to a magnetic material of the camera module. A friction pad is embedded on the surface of the magnet mount, has a substantially concave shape and protrudes beyond the second surface. The friction pad is configured to come into contact with the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module at least via a peripheral edge of the substantially concave friction pad.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a camera device that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; (3) at least one infrared (IR) illuminator positioned with the housing, the IR illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene; and (4) a front face that is at least partially concave-shaped and coupled to the housing, the front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor, and the front face positioned in front of the IR illuminator such that IR light from the IR illuminator is directed through the front face.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: A pole cleaning apparatus for cleaning a vertical pole or dance pole is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to enable the user to hygienically and comfortably cleaning the vertical pole or dance pole using a cleaning fabric. The apparatus comprises a handle, an elongated tube having a first end and a second end, and an attachment member. The attachment member is securely affixed to the first end of the elongated tube via threads or using fasteners and/or an adhesive, wherein the attachment member is configured to securely engage a loop or at least a portion of the cleaning fabric, which is securely wrapped around the vertical pole or dance pole using a releasable fabric strip. The handle is slidably affixed to the second end of the elongated tube and configured to enable the user to extend to a length, thereby reaching a great height for hygienically and comfortably cleaning the vertical pole or dance pole using the cleaning fabric with minimal effort.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: The disclosed materials, methods, and apparatus, provide novel ultra-high temperature materials (UHTM) in fibrous forms/structures; such “fibrous materials” can take various forms, such as individual filaments, short-shaped fiber, tows, ropes, wools, textiles, lattices, nano/microstructures, mesostructured materials, and sponge-like materials. At least four important classes of UHTM materials are disclosed in this invention: (1) carbon, doped-carbon and carbon alloy materials, (2) materials within the boron-carbon-nitride-X system, (3) materials within the silicon-carbon-nitride-X system, and (4) highly-refractory materials within the tantalum-hafnium-carbon-nitride-X and tantalum-hafnium-carbon-boron-nitride-X system. All of these material classes offer compounds/mixtures that melt or sublime at temperatures above 1800° C.—and in some cases are among the highest melting point materials known (exceeding 3000° C.).

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: This application is directed to a surveillance camera system including a magnet mount for physically receiving a camera module. The camera module includes a housing having an exterior surface of a first shape. A surface of the magnet mount has a second shape that is substantially concave and complementary to the first shape, and is configured to engage the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module. A magnetic material is disposed inside the magnet mount and configured to magnetically couple to a magnetic material of the camera module. A friction pad is embedded on the surface of the magnet mount, has a substantially concave shape and protrudes beyond the second surface. The friction pad is configured to come into contact with the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module at least via a peripheral edge of the substantially concave friction pad.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: This application is directed to a surveillance camera system including a magnet mount for physically receiving a camera module. The camera module includes a housing having an exterior surface of a first shape. A surface of the magnet mount has a second shape that is substantially concave and complementary to the first shape, and is configured to engage the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module. A magnetic material is disposed inside the magnet mount and configured to magnetically couple to a magnetic material of the camera module. A friction pad is embedded on the surface of the magnet mount, has a substantially concave shape and protrudes beyond the second surface. The friction pad is configured to come into contact with the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module at least via a peripheral edge of the substantially concave friction pad.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus improve the fabrication of solid fibers and microstructures. In many embodiments, the fabrication is from gaseous, solid, semi-solid, liquid, critical, and supercritical mixtures using one or more low molar mass precursor(s), in combination with one or more high molar mass precursor(s). The methods and systems generally employ the thermal diffusion/Soret effect to concentrate the low molar mass precursor at a reaction zone, where the presence of the high molar mass precursor contributes to this concentration, and may also contribute to the reaction and insulate the reaction zone, thereby achieving higher fiber growth rates and/or reduced energy/heat expenditures together with reduced homogeneous nucleation. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to the permanent or semi-permanent recording and/or reading of information on or within fabricated fibers and microstructures.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face has a concave shape that extends around an entirety of an outer periphery.

Abstract: This application is directed to a surveillance camera system including a magnet mount for physically receiving a camera module. The camera module includes a housing having an exterior surface of a first shape. A surface of the magnet mount has a second shape that is substantially concave and complementary to the first shape, and is configured to engage the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module. A magnetic material is disposed inside the magnet mount and configured to magnetically couple to a magnetic material of the camera module. A friction pad is embedded on the surface of the magnet mount, has a substantially concave shape and protrudes beyond the second surface. The friction pad is configured to come into contact with the exterior surface of the housing of the camera module at least via a peripheral edge of the substantially concave friction pad.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.