Abstract: An optical device may include an optic disposed in an optical path. The optical device may include a mount to dispose the optic in the optical path. The optical device may include a plurality of spring clamps to attach the optic to the mount. The spring clamp, of the plurality of spring clamps, may include a body, a spring, and a screw. The screw may be to attach to the mount and to compress the spring. The spring may be to dispose a leading edge of the body against the optic. The spring clamp may be to maintain the optic in the optical path for a thermal cycle of at least between approximately ?50° C. and approximately 130° C.

Abstract: An optical device may include an optic disposed in an optical path. The optical device may include a mount to dispose the optic in the optical path. The optical device may include a plurality of spring clamps to attach the optic to the mount. The spring clamp, of the plurality of spring clamps, may include a body, a spring, and a screw. The screw may be to attach to the mount and to compress the spring. The spring may be to dispose a leading edge of the body against the optic. The spring clamp may be to maintain the optic in the optical path for a thermal cycle of at least between approximately ?50° C. and approximately 130° C.

Abstract: The use of one or more angled or curved and diverging light pipes or reflectors placed in a light source's, e.g. diode's, emission path at appropriate distances, angles and divergence, such that a diode's emission spot size is modified and or redirected from the diode's natural emission path to alternative planes at angle to the diode's natural emission path so that a diode emission safe spot size can be achieved on any plane at angle to the original diode natural emission path at minimum distances from the diode's point of emission.

Abstract: In order to maximize the dynamic range and depth of field for a depth camera used in a time of flight system, the light source is modulated at a plurality of different frequencies, a plurality of different peak optical powers, a plurality of integration subperiods, a plurality of lens foci, aperture and zoom settings during each camera frame time. The different sets of settings effectively create subrange volumes of interest within a larger aggregate volume of interest, each having their own frequency, peak optical power, lens aperture, lens zoom and lens focus products consistent with the distance, object reflectivity, object motion, field of view, etc. requirements of various ranging applications.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor pixel is provided that performs in-pixel subtraction. The TOF sensor pixel includes a photodetector, a capacitor, and circuitry. The photodetector detects light pulses emitted at a clock frequency, after a time of flight, to provide a photocurrent. The capacitor integrates the photocurrent over an integration period, while the circuitry reverses a flow direction of the photocurrent through the capacitor at twice the clock frequency. At the end of the integration period, the capacitor provides a differential photocharge, corresponding to a capacitor voltage. The capacitor voltage is related to the time of flight of the light pulses and may be used to determine a distance to a target.

Abstract: A user interface apparatus and a method for adjusting the apparatus are disclosed. A position and/or a viewing angle of the user is tracked, and graphical interface objects are adjusted to keep them visible at different user's distances and viewing angles. For example, as the user steps away from the display, the objects on the display can be proportionally enlarged to make them appear of the same size to the user. The sensitivity of a gesture recognition system to the user's movements and gestures can be also adjusted to facilitate manipulation of the objects by the user at different distances from the display of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor pixel is provided that performs in-pixel subtraction. The TOF sensor pixel includes a photodetector, a capacitor, and circuitry. The photodetector detects light pulses emitted at a clock frequency, after a time of flight, to provide a photocurrent. The capacitor integrates the photocurrent over an integration period, while the circuitry reverses a flow direction of the photocurrent through the capacitor at twice the clock frequency. At the end of the integration period, the capacitor provides a differential photocharge, corresponding to a capacitor voltage. The capacitor voltage is related to the time of flight of the light pulses and may be used to determine a distance to a target.

Abstract: A user interface apparatus and a method for adjusting the apparatus are disclosed. A position and/or a viewing angle of the user is tracked, and graphical interface objects are adjusted to keep them visible at different user's distances and viewing angles. For example, as the user steps away from the display, the objects on the display can be proportionally enlarged to make them appear of the same size to the user. The sensitivity of a gesture recognition system to the user's movements and gestures can be also adjusted to facilitate manipulation of the objects by the user at different distances from the display of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: In order to maximize the dynamic range and depth of field for a depth camera used in a time of flight system, the light source is modulated at a plurality of different frequencies, a plurality of different peak optical powers, a plurality of integration subperiods, a plurality of lens foci, aperture and zoom settings during each camera frame time. The different sets of settings effectively create subrange volumes of interest within a larger aggregate volume of interest, each having their own frequency, peak optical power, lens aperture, lens zoom and lens focus products consistent with the distance, object reflectivity, object motion, field of view, etc. requirements of various ranging applications.

Abstract: The use of one or more angled or curved and diverging light pipes or reflectors placed in a light source's, e.g. diode's, emission path at appropriate distances, angles and divergence, such that a diode's emission spot size is modified and or redirected from the diode's natural emission path to alternative planes at angle to the diode's natural emission path so that a diode emission safe spot size can be achieved on any plane at angle to the original diode natural emission path at minimum distances from the diode's point of emission.

Abstract: A method for processing image data using a digital camera includes providing a digital camera having a first transformation program as a default program, the first transformation program supporting a first transformation technology. A first communication link is formed between the digital camera and a first remote image processing device. Transformation-related information is obtained from the first remote device, the transformation-related information including information about one or more transformation technologies supported by the first remote device. Whether the first transformation program is supported by the first remote device is determined. A second transformation program supported by the first remote device is searched if the first transformation program is determined not to be supported by the first remote device, the second transformation program supporting a second transformation technology.

Abstract: A method for processing image data using a digital camera includes providing a digital camera having a first transformation program as a default program, the first transformation program supporting a first transformation technology. A first communication link is formed between the digital camera and a first remote image processing device. Transformation-related information is obtained from the first remote device, the transformation-related information including information about one or more transformation technologies supported by the first remote device. Whether the first transformation program is supported by the first remote device is determined. A second transformation program supported by the first remote device is searched if the first transformation program is determined not to be supported by the first remote device, the second transformation program supporting a second transformation technology.

Abstract: A method for processing image data using a digital camera includes providing a digital camera having a first transformation program as a default program, the first transformation program supporting a first transformation technology. A first communication link is formed between the digital camera and a first remote image processing device. Transformation-related information is obtained from the first remote device, the transformation-related information including information about one or more transformation technologies supported by the first remote device. Whether the first transformation program is supported by the first remote device is determined. A second transformation program supported by the first remote device is searched if the first transformation program is determined not to be supported by the first remote device, the second transformation program supporting a second transformation technology.

Abstract: A method and a system for dynamically detecting and correcting anomalous pixels in the raw data taken from an image sensor array such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor array, thus allowing the use of dumb cameras to capture digital images for subsequent use by an intelligent host—such as being displayed on a computer monitor. This invention uses software algorithms running on an intelligent host processor to dynamically correct the anomalous pixels in the raw data taken from an image sensor array typical of those in a digital still or a video camera. Using the combination of a dumb camera which provides raw data to an intelligent host, which does all the subsequent image processing, the system works by scanning an image frame for pixels that vary more than a specified amount in their brightness value from their neighboring pixels and designating those as defective pixels. The location and frequency of the photosites sending the defective pixels are stored in a statistical database in the computer's memory.

Abstract: A low cost camera by implementing the major functions in host software is provided. This is accomplished by sending raw, digitized data from the camera directly to the host. The increased volume of raw data is handled by either an improved compression/decompression scheme using lossless compression, using lossy compression or using a shared bus with higher bandwidth. By moving such functions as color processing and scaling to the host, the pixel correction can also be moved to the host. This in turn allows the elimination of the frame buffer memory from the camera. Finally, the camera can use a low cost lens by implementing vignetting, distortion, gamma or aliasing correction with a correction value stored in a register of the camera for later access by the host to perform corrections.

Abstract: A method for processing image data using a portable image processing device includes forming a communication link between the portable image processing device and a remote device configured to process image data. The image processing device is associated with a first user interface. A request to a user is made whether or not the user wishes to use the first user interface to process the image data. The image data is processed using the first user interface if the user indicates that the user wishes to use the first user interface to process the image data.

Abstract: A system and a method for the transfer of data between a digital camera and a host using a novel combination of hardware and software related elements. An aspect of the hardware-related elements provides a camera base unit which remains connected with the host, and which the camera is connected with to facilitate the transfer of data to the host. The camera base unit significantly simplifies the connection between the camera and the host by alleviating the need to directly connect the camera with a host. Furthermore, the camera base unit, by providing a pass-through connection and placement guides that mate with the camera, assures that an intuitive placement of the camera on the camera base unit also enables an electronic connection between the camera and the host. Therefore, the simple placement of the camera in contact with the camera base unit ensures a proper interface between the camera and the host, which is connected with the camera base unit.

Abstract: A low cost camera by implementing the major functions in host software is provided. This is accomplished by sending raw, digitized data from the camera directly to the host. The increased volume of raw data is handled by either an improved compression/decompression scheme using lossless compression, using lossy compression or using a shared bus with higher bandwidth. By moving such functions as color processing and scaling to the host, the pixel correction can also be moved to the host. This in turn allows the elimination of the frame buffer memory from the camera. Finally, the camera can use a low cost lens by implementing vignetting, distortion, gamma or aliasing correction with a correction value stored in a register of the camera for later access by the host to perform corrections.

Abstract: A simple, versatile support device supports a camera on different surfaces in various dispositions. In one embodiment, a device comprises a front support member including a left end and a right end. The front support member includes an upper surface having a camera support location between the left end and the right end on which to support a camera, and includes a lower inwardly arched surface and a bottom support surface below the lower inwardly arched surface. The front support member is configured to either rest the bottom support surface on a generally horizontal surface of an object on which to place the camera supporting device or to engage the lower inwardly arched surface with a vertical front surface and a horizontal top surface forming an edge of an object on which to place the camera supporting device. A left flexible leg is coupled between the left end of the front support member and a tail end. A right flexible leg is coupled between the right end of the front support member and the tail end.

Abstract: A system which marries a tethered, digital bus with image broadcasting to allow multiple, low-cost cameras to communicate with a host. This is done by using an external receiver on a tethered bus, and by putting much of the processing circuitry in the receiver, rather than the camera. The broadcasting can be either a NTSC/PAL type of analog broadcasting or a digital broadcasting technique. The camera can be made with low cost, readily available NTSC/PAL, other analog video components, or with readily available digital telephone components. The external receiver unit of the present invention does all the necessary data processing and compression to fit the available bandwidth of the bus to which it is communicating, and provides for a low cost and extensible method of inputting digital image data into a personal computer (PC) or other host.