Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly is disclosed that includes: an image sensor assembly defining an optical axis; a lens holder; and a lens barrel. The lens holder is coupled to the image sensor assembly and includes a tubular body portion terminating in a tapered surface that extends at an angle to the optical axis. The lens barrel is coupled to the lens holder by an adhesive that is applied between the lens holder and the lens barrel such that the adhesive extends in non-perpendicular relation to the optical axis.

Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.

Abstract: A multi-modal interactive apparatus provides for output and input using a plurality of modalities. A display presents image output and speakers provide audio output. A sensor module includes sensors such as a microphone array, camera, radar, ambient light sensor, and so forth. Based on how the apparatus is mounted to a supporting structure, in one implementation the overall orientation of the apparatus may be arranged to provide a desired field-of-view (FOV) to the sensors. For example, based on mounting height, the orientation places the sensor module on a top or bottom of the mounted device. Within the sensor module, one or more sensors may be mounted with a pitch angle that directs the FOV to encompass users during typical operation. In another implementation, the sensor module may be repositioned with respect to the apparatus to provide the desired FOV, such as moved from top to bottom.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly may include a lens barrel, a collet, and a lens mount. The lens barrel may be coupled to the collet which is coupled to the lens mount. The lens barrel and the collet may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. Alternatively, the collet and the lens mount may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. The optical distance between the set of lenses and the image sensor may be tuned such that the focal plane of the lenses coincides with the image plane. The fastening structures allow the lens barrel to be adjusted relative to the lens mount in order to shift the focal plane in a direction along the optical axis to compensate for focal shifts occurring during assembly/cure and/or temperature cycling.

Abstract: A camera, having: microphones including: a first microphone; and a second microphone. The camera including a sensor controller. The sensor controller being configured to receive audio, select between the microphones, and record the audio. The sensor controller receives the audio inputs from the first microphone and the second microphone. The sensor controller selects the first microphone or the second microphone based on the audio inputs so that one of the first and second microphones is a selected microphone, wherein the selected microphone receives the audio input having the lowest level of background noise within a predetermined frequency range associated with background noise. The sensor controller records audio data from only the selected microphone.

Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly may include a lens barrel, a collet, and a lens mount. The lens barrel may be coupled to the collet which is coupled to the lens mount. The lens barrel and the collet may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. Alternatively, the collet and the lens mount may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. The optical distance between the set of lenses and the image sensor may be tuned such that the focal plane of the lenses coincides with the image plane. The fastening structures allow the lens barrel to be adjusted relative to the lens mount in order to shift the focal plane in a direction along the optical axis to compensate for focal shifts occurring during assembly/cure and/or temperature cycling.

Abstract: Images captured by multi-camera arrays with overlap regions can be stitched together using image stitching operations. An image stitching operation can be selected for use in stitching images based on a number of factors. An image stitching operation can be selected based on a view window location of a user viewing the images to be stitched together. An image stitching operation can also be selected based on a type, priority, or depth of image features located within an overlap region. Finally, an image stitching operation can be selected based on a likelihood that a particular image stitching operation will produce visible artifacts. Once a stitching operation is selected, the images corresponding to the overlap region can be stitched using the stitching operation, and the stitched image can be stored for subsequent access.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that capture and process frames of frame data. An image sensor captures frames of frame data representative of light incident upon the image sensor using a rolling shutter and outputs the frames of frame data. The image sensor captures at least one of the frames over a frame capture interval and then waits over a blanking interval before capturing another frame. A buffer receives and stores the frames output by the image sensor. An image signal processor retrieves the frames from the buffer and processes the frames over successive frame processing intervals to generate a video having a time interval per frame greater than the frame capture interval. At least one of the successive frame processing intervals is greater than the frame capture interval and is less than or equal to a sum of the frame capture interval and the blanking interval.

Abstract: A propeller blade includes a first material and a second material. The first material includes fibers. The second material is different from the first material. The fibers are interspersed through the second material and the fibers are oriented in a same direction within the second material. The propeller blade is anisotropic and includes sections of the fibers.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly is disclosed that includes: an image sensor assembly defining an optical axis; a lens holder; and a lens barrel. The lens holder is coupled to the image sensor assembly and includes a tubular body portion terminating in a tapered surface that extends at an angle to the optical axis. The lens barrel is coupled to the lens holder by an adhesive that is applied between the lens holder and the lens barrel such that the adhesive extends in non-perpendicular relation to the optical axis.

Abstract: An image capture device having multiple image sensors having overlapping fields of view that aligns the image sensors based on images captured by image sensors. A pixel shift is identified between the images. Based on the identified pixel shift, a calibration is applied to one or more of the image sensors. To determine the pixel shift, a processor applies correlation methods including edge matching. Calibrating the image sensors may include adjusting a read window on an image sensor. The pixel shift can also be used to determine a time lag, which can be used to synchronize subsequent image captures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that capture and compress frames of pixel data. In an implementation, an image sensor chip is configured to convert light into pixel data and generate compressed pixel data at a variable compression rate including applying a transform to pixel data associated with a pixel category from a plurality of pixel categories. The variable compression rate is within an available bandwidth of an output bus configured to output the compressed pixel data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that capture and process frames of frame data. An image sensor captures frames of frame data representative of light incident upon the image sensor using a rolling shutter and outputs the frames of frame data. The image sensor captures at least one of the frames over a frame capture interval and then waits over a blanking interval before capturing another frame. A buffer receives and stores the frames output by the image sensor. An image signal processor retrieves the frames from the buffer and processes the frames over successive frame processing intervals to generate a video having a time interval per frame greater than the frame capture interval. At least one of the successive frame processing intervals is greater than the frame capture interval and is less than or equal to a sum of the frame capture interval and the blanking interval.

Abstract: A variable pitch propeller is designed to adjust the pitch of the propeller blade during flight to maximize the propeller efficiency. The propeller blade may comprise airfoil cross-sections. Each cross-section may be composed of different materials at the leading edge and trailing edge. In various embodiments, these materials are selected and oriented to achieve the necessary elastic moduli of the leading and trailing edge for the airfoil cross-section. During liftoff, the airfoil at the blade tip possesses a high blade pitch (e.g. 20 degrees), thereby increasing the generated lift on the propeller blades. During flight or hover conditions when maximal lift is no longer required, the trailing edge of the airfoil displaces upward and reduces the blade pitch to minimize the drag forces on the blade tip.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly comprises an image sensor substrate, an image sensor assembly mounted on the image sensor substrate and housing an image sensor, the image sensor assembly having one or more side walls, a lens barrel including one or more lenses, and an adhesive formed between a region of the lens barrel and the one or more side walls, the region being directly adhered to the one or more side walls via the adhesive.

Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.

Abstract: A camera, having: microphones including: a first microphone; and a second microphone. The camera including a sensor controller. The sensor controller being configured to receive audio, select between the microphones, and record the audio. The sensor controller receives the audio inputs from the first microphone and the second microphone. The sensor controller selects the first microphone or the second microphone based on the audio inputs so that one of the first and second microphones is a selected microphone, wherein the selected microphone receives the audio input having the lowest level of background noise within a predetermined frequency range associated with background noise. The sensor controller records audio data from only the selected microphone.

Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.

Abstract: A camera is configured with multiple microphones to reduce wind noise in audio data collected by the camera. The camera receives motion data, which may comprise data indicating acceleration of the camera, a plurality of video frames received by the camera, or a background level of noise associated with one or more microphones configured on the camera. The camera determines a motion vector from the motion data. The motion vector is parallel to the direction of motion of the camera. The camera selects a subset of one or more microphones in the direction of the motion vector. By recording audio data using the one or more selected microphones, the camera reduces wind noise in the audio data.