Abstract: A polarization device can comprise a layer of liquid crystal material and a polarizing layer. The layer of liquid crystal material can be sandwiched between two layers of electrodes. A voltage can be applied across the two layers of electrodes to the layer of liquid crystal material. The voltage can cause the orientation of liquid crystals to change. The direction of polarization of light passing through the layer of liquid crystal material must conform to the orientation of the liquid crystals. As such, the direction of the polarization of light passing through the polarization device (comprising the two electrodes layers sandwiching the liquid crystal material, and the polarizing layer) can be manipulated by altering the voltage applied. Manipulating the polarization of light passing through the polarization device, before the light is received by an image sensor of a camera, can improve image quality in photographs captured by the camera.

Abstract: Approaches are described for managing the processing of image or video data captured by a portable computing device. The device provides a set of images to a remote server executing “in the cloud”. The set of images can include a reference image and at least one other image captured subsequent or prior to the reference. Upon receiving the set of images at the remote server operating, the remote server can process the images to determine a similarity between the reference image and each of the other images. Thereafter, each image having a similarity value above a similarity value threshold can be aligned with the reference image, and the pixel values for corresponding locations in each of the images can be combined to create a processed image. The processed images can be provided to the computing device from the remote server, where the user can decide to accept or discard the image.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for obtaining high quality image data from lower resolution and/or lower quality image data. An electronic device can be calibrated comprehensively prior to being provided to a user. The calibrated electronic device can be used to capture image data, image metadata, and other sensor data substantially simultaneously. Super-resolution processing can be applied to the captured image data to obtain higher quality image data than the captured image data, such as image data that corresponds to a higher resolution, has less blur, has less noise, has fewer photometric imperfections, and/or has fewer artifacts.

Abstract: A device and method for optically converting a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional planar image includes a camera, a lighting source and a concentric-shaped mirror positioned about a concentric inspection surface of an object to be inspected. A planar image of the object inspection surface about 360 degrees is generated and inspected for defects, marking indicia or other qualities of interest without having to rotate the camera or object.