Abstract: A camera system can include a portable camera and a docking station for storing the portable camera, re-charging the portable camera, or transferring image data from the portable camera. The portable camera can be removably coupled with the docking station with any of multiple different rotational orientations. A portable camera can include a unibody housing, a foldable printed circuit board assembly, and a battery. The foldable printed circuit board assembly can be folded at least partially around the battery. A method of assembling a portable camera can include providing a unibody housing. The unibody housing can have one or more sidewalls and an open end. One or more components of the portable camera can be inserted through the open end into the unibody housing.

Abstract: A camera system including an integrated coupling system configured to releasable couple the camera system with a user head accessory such as a pair of glasses, a hat, a headband, an item of jewelry, etc. The camera module may have an outer dimension smaller than three cubic inches and may further include a data coupler, battery, lens, image sensor, circuit board, and microphone. The camera module may transmit and receive data from the portable computer device including video data and on/off recording, respectively. A magnetic coupling system configured to selectively releasably couple the camera module directly with the user head accessory including magnet(s) disposed within each of the camera module and the user head accessory.

Abstract: A camera system including an integrated coupling system configured to releasable couple the camera system with a user head accessory such as a pair of glasses, a hat, a headband, an item of jewelry, etc. The camera module may have an outer dimension smaller than three cubic inches and may further include a data coupler, battery, lens, image sensor, circuit board, and microphone. The camera module may transmit and receive data from the portable computer device including video data and on/off recording, respectively. A magnetic coupling system configured to selectively releasably couple the camera module directly with the user head accessory including magnet(s) disposed within each of the camera module and the user head accessory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wireless camera systems including a camera module and power module which are configured to wireless transmit data to a portable computing device. The camera module may be configured to generate data from an image sensor or microphone. The electrical input may be configured to receive a direct current to charge the primary battery and the battery receptacle may include both a physical camera receptacle and an electrical camera coupler. In a first embodiment, the camera module may further include a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device in the separated state. In a second embodiment, the power module may be configured to receive the data from the camera module in the coupled state and wirelessly transmit the data to the portable computer device in the coupled state via a wireless communication module.

Abstract: A system and method adaptively control sensitivity, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, of a digital imager. An illumination intensity level mapping controller determines a number of pixels of image data having illumination intensity levels within a first defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an illumination intensity level mapping function based upon the determined number of pixels within the first defined range of illumination intensity levels. An exposure controller determines a number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within a second defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an integration time based upon the determined number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within the second defined range of illumination intensity levels.

Abstract: A compact digital camera including a control subsystem, which itself includes a microprocessor, and an imaging subsystem and a power management subsystem, each in communication with the control subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes a retractable and extendable lens holder including a lens mount adapted to hold a lens assembly, a camera body surface and a biasing component positioned between the lens mount and the camera body surface. The biasing component is configured to move the lens assembly from a stored position to an operating position. The power management subsystem includes power selection-isolation circuitry, battery charging circuitry in communication with the power selection-isolation circuitry and power arbitration circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method adaptively control sensitivity, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, of a digital imager. An illumination intensity level mapping controller determines a number of pixels of image data having illumination intensity levels within a first defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an illumination intensity level mapping function based upon the determined number of pixels within the first defined range of illumination intensity levels. An exposure controller determines a number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within a second defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an integration time based upon the determined number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within the second defined range of illumination intensity levels.