Abstract: An image processing system having on-the-fly calibration uses the placement of the imaging sensor and the light source for calibration. The placement of the imaging sensor and light source with respect to each other affect the amount of signal received by a pixel as a function of distance to a selected object. For example, an obstruction can block the light emitter, and as the obstruction is positioned an increasing distance away from the light emitter, the signal level increases as light rays leave the light emitters, bounce off the obstruction and are received by the imaging sensor. The system includes a light source configured to emit light, and an image sensor to collect incoming signals including reflected light, and a processor to determine a distance measurement at each of the pixels and calibrate the system.

Abstract: Far field devices typically rely on audio only for enabling user interaction and involve only audio processing. Adding a vision-based modality can greatly improve the user interface of far field devices to make them more natural to the user. For instance, users can look at the device to interact with it rather than having to repeatedly utter a wakeword. Vision can also be used to assist audio processing, such as to improve the beamformer. For instance, vision can be used for direction of arrival estimation. Combining vision and audio can greatly enhance the user interface and performance of far field devices.

Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to detect a temperature pattern of the cooking chamber corresponding to a flame out condition of the burn pot. The controller is further configured, in response to detecting the temperature pattern, to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber increased during the first duration. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not increased during the first duration, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.

Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a waste collection drawer and one or more processors. The waste collection drawer is movable between a closed position and an open position. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether a duty cycle of the waste collection drawer has violated a threshold corresponding to a predetermined usage expectancy of the waste collection drawer. In response to determining that the duty cycle has violated the threshold, the one or more processors are configured to generate a notification indicating that the threshold has been violated.

Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.

Abstract: Far field devices typically rely on audio only for enabling user interaction and involve only audio processing. Adding a vision-based modality can greatly improve the user interface of far field devices to make them more natural to the user. For instance, users can look at the device to interact with it rather than having to repeatedly utter a wakeword. Vision can also be used to assist audio processing, such as to improve the beamformer. For instance, vision can be used for direction of arrival estimation. Combining vision and audio can greatly enhance the user interface and performance of far field devices.

Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a grease deflection bar assembly located within the main body. the grease deflection bar assembly includes a first rack removably positioned on first tabs of the main body, a second rack removably positioned on second tabs of the main body, and a grease deflection bar extending between and removably positioned on the first and second racks.

Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.

Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.

Abstract: An image processing system having on-the-fly calibration uses the placement of the imaging sensor and the light source for calibration. The placement of the imaging sensor and light source with respect to each other affect the amount of signal received by a pixel as a function of distance to a selected object. For example, an obstruction can block the light emitter, and as the obstruction is positioned an increasing distance away from the light emitter, the signal level increases as light rays leave the light emitters, bounce off the obstruction and are received by the imaging sensor. The system includes a light source configured to emit light, and an image sensor to collect incoming signals including reflected light, and a processor to determine a distance measurement at each of the pixels and calibrate the system.

Abstract: Example transversely-loadable rotisserie baskets are disclosed. An example rotisserie basket includes a base and a lid coupled to the base. The lid is movable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position. The example rotisserie basket further includes a first mounting bracket coupled to a first side of the base, and a second mounting bracket coupled to a second side of the base located opposite the first side of the base. The first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are respectively configured to be transversely loadable onto a rotisserie spit.

Abstract: Example transversely-loadable rotisserie forks are disclosed. An example rotisserie fork includes a first upper prong and a second upper prong spaced apart from the first upper prong. The example rotisserie fork further includes a first lower prong and a second lower prong spaced apart from the first lower prong. The example rotisserie fork further includes a mounting bracket coupled to the first upper prong, the second upper prong, the first lower prong, and the second lower prong. The mounting bracket is configured to be transversely loadable onto a rotisserie spit.

Abstract: Example transversely-loadable rotisserie skewer racks are disclosed. An example rotisserie skewer rack includes a first support plate and a second support plate spaced apart from the first support plate. The example rotisserie skewer rack further includes a plurality of skewers extending between the first support plate and the second support plate. The example rotisserie skewer rack includes a first mounting bracket coupled to the first support plate, and a second mounting bracket coupled to the second support plate. The first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are respectively configured to be transversely loadable onto a rotisserie spit.