Abstract: A time-of-flight camera for generating a depth map indicating distance(s) to target(s) includes a processor and multi-pixel time-of-flight image sensor. The camera: (a) determines, at each pixel, a plurality of phase-correlation values associated with at least one exposure duration and at least one phase offset; (b) determines for each pixel an accumulated correlation in response to the plurality of phase-correlation values; and (c) generates the depth map in response to a plurality of the accumulated correlations. A set of accumulated correlations may be determined in response to a plurality of sets of phase-correlation values such that each accumulated correlation is associated with one unique phase offset in response to each set of phase-correlation values being associated with one exposure duration, the depth map being generated in response to a plurality of sets of accumulated correlations. A computer-implemented method of generating a depth map using a time-of-flight image sensor is provided.

Abstract: An image sensor attached to a printed circuit board is installed in a camera. A holder includes first and second rails comprising first and second printed circuit boards, respectively, and the holder is fastened to a lens mount of the camera. The holder may be fastened to captively hold the image sensor, and the image sensor may be resiliently supported when captively held. A gripper grasps the image sensor proximate to the holder and aligns the image sensor to an aligned position of the image sensor relative to the lens mount. The image sensor may be moved to the aligned position after directing an image toward the image sensor to produce a processed image for determining relative alignment. The printed circuit board is soldered to the first and/or second printed circuit board such that the holder fixedly holds the image sensor so it is unmovable in its aligned position.

Abstract: An image sensor attached to a printed circuit board is installed in a camera. A holder includes first and second rails comprising first and second printed circuit boards, respectively, and the holder is fastened to a lens mount of the camera. The holder may be fastened to captively hold the image sensor, and the image sensor may be resiliently supported when captively held. A gripper grasps the image sensor proximate to the holder and aligns the image sensor to an aligned position of the image sensor relative to the lens mount. The image sensor may be moved to the aligned position after directing an image toward the image sensor to produce a processed image for determining relative alignment. The printed circuit board is soldered to the first and/or second printed circuit board such that the holder fixedly holds the image sensor so it is unmovable in its aligned position.

Abstract: A camera has a lens mount and an image sensor for sensing images. A holder of the camera can captively hold the image sensor such that the image sensor is moveable relative to the lens mount when the image sensor is not attached to the holder. The holder is further operable to fixedly hold the image sensor such that the image sensor is unmoveable relative to the lens mount at an aligned position of the image sensor when the image sensor is attached to the holder. The image sensor may be attached to a printed circuit board. The holder may include first and second rails comprising first and second printed circuit boards, respectively. The holder is then operable to fixedly hold the image sensor by the printed circuit board being soldered to at least one of the first and second printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A camera includes: (a) a printed circuit board supporting a first circuit component; (b) a second printed circuit board; (c) a PCB holder for holding the printed circuit boards spaced apart from each other and pivotable relative to each other; and (d) a housing for enclosing the printed circuit boards and the PCB holder, the PCB holder being dimensioned for fastening to the housing such that the printed circuit boards are not parallel to each other and the first circuit component is placed in thermal communication with the housing.

Abstract: A time-of-flight camera for generating a depth map indicating distance(s) to target(s) includes a processor and multi-pixel time-of-flight image sensor. The camera: (a) determines, at each pixel, a plurality of phase-correlation values associated with at least one exposure duration and at least one phase offset; (b) determines for each pixel an accumulated correlation in response to the plurality of phase-correlation values; and (c) generates the depth map in response to a plurality of the accumulated correlations. A set of accumulated correlations may be determined in response to a plurality of sets of phase-correlation values such that each accumulated correlation is associated with one unique phase offset in response to each set of phase-correlation values being associated with one exposure duration, the depth map being generated in response to a plurality of sets of accumulated correlations. A computer-implemented method of generating a depth map using a time-of-flight image sensor is provided.

Abstract: A camera includes: (a) a lens mount; (b) an image sensor for sensing images; and (c) a holder for fixedly holding the image sensor unmoveable relative to the lens mount at an aligned position after being aligned by gripping the image sensor. The same or different camera includes: (a) a printed circuit board supporting a first circuit component; (b) a second printed circuit board; (c) a PCB holder for holding the printed circuit boards spaced apart from each other and pivotable relative to each other; and (d) a housing for enclosing the printed circuit boards and the PCB holder, the PCB holder being dimensioned for fastening to the housing such that the printed circuit boards are not parallel to each other and the first circuit component is placed in thermal communication with the housing. Methods of installing the image sensor and an image processing assembly are provided.

Abstract: A camera includes: (a) a lens mount; (b) an image sensor for sensing images; and (c) a holder for fixedly holding the image sensor unmoveable relative to the lens mount at an aligned position after being aligned by gripping the image sensor. The same or different camera includes: (a) a printed circuit board supporting a first circuit component; (b) a second printed circuit board; (c) a PCB holder for holding the printed circuit boards spaced apart from each other and pivotable relative to each other; and (d) a housing for enclosing the printed circuit boards and the PCB holder, the PCB holder being dimensioned for fastening to the housing such that the printed circuit boards are not parallel to each other and the first circuit component is placed in thermal communication with the housing. Methods of installing the image sensor and an image processing assembly are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for altering the software of engine controllers. The method comprises determining a version of the current software in the engine controller, identifying one or more data blocks of upgraded software associated with the current software and replacing portions of the current software with the data blocks of upgraded software. The apparatus comprises an interface, a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine the version of the current software in the engine controller and replace one or more data blocks of the current software with one or more data blocks of upgraded software stored in the memory.

Abstract: An imaging device has a plurality of predefined regions of interest. The predefined regions of interest may be selected or deselected. Image data from selected regions of interest is transmitted to a host. In some embodiments the regions of interest comprise tiles. A set of selected tiles may be identified by a bit vector. An example application provides a digital camera configured to provide predefined regions of interest. The camera may be configured to permit a host to select or deselect the regions of interest.

Abstract: A camera system has a chassis carrying one or more cameras. Each camera has support member mounted to the chassis and an imaging chip mounted to the support member. An optical system for imaging onto the imaging chip may also be mounted to the chassis. The chassis and support members may have coefficients of thermal expansion that are substantially matched. In some embodiments the support members are located between the imaging chips and one or more circuit boards to which the imaging chips are electrically connected. In some embodiments the imaging chips are located over apertures or other channels through the chassis and light is incident on the imaging chips by way of the channels. The relative locations of the imaging chips can be maintained constant to preserve calibration for stereo imaging.

Abstract: An imaging device has a plurality of predefined regions of interest. The predefined regions of interest may be selected or deselected. Image data from selected regions of interest is transmitted to a host. In some embodiments the regions of interest comprise tiles. A set of selected tiles may be identified by a bit vector. An example application provides a digital camera configured to provide predefined regions of interest. The camera may be configured to permit a host to select or deselect the regions of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synchronizing one or more devices on a first bus with one or more devices on a second bus. The method comprises acquiring timing information from the first bus and the second bus, determining a timing offset between the first bus and the second bus, and, broadcasting the timing offset to the one or more devices on the second bus so that the one or more devices on the second bus can adjust their timing to be synchronized with the one or more devices on the first bus.

Abstract: A camera system has a chassis carrying one or more cameras. Each camera has support member mounted to the chassis and an imaging chip mounted to the support member. An optical system for imaging onto the imaging chip may also be mounted to the chassis. The chassis and support members may have coefficients of thermal expansion that are substantially matched. In some embodiments the support members are located between the imaging chips and one or more circuit boards to which the imaging chips are electrically connected. In some embodiments the imaging chips are located over apertures or other channels through the chassis and light is incident on the imaging chips by way of the channels. The relative locations of the imaging chips can be maintained constant to preserve calibration for stereo imaging.

Abstract: A camera has a strobe output. When the camera acquires a sequence of images, a strobe pattern control determines for each image whether or not to apply a strobe signal to the strobe output according to a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern and the length of the sequence can be user defined by way of a suitable software interface, for example. The strobe output may be used to control a device such as a flash unit, a sound recorder or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synchronizing one or more devices on a first bus with one or more devices on a second bus. The method comprises acquiring timing information from the first bus and the second bus, determining a timing offset between the first bus and the second bus, and, broadcasting the timing offset to the one or more devices on the second bus so that the one or more devices on the second bus can adjust their timing to be synchronized with the one or more devices on the first bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for altering the software of engine controllers. The method comprises determining a version of the current software in the engine controller, identifying one or more data blocks of upgraded software associated with the current software and replacing portions of the current software with the data blocks of upgraded software. The apparatus comprises an interface, a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine the version of the current software in the engine controller and replace one or more data blocks of the current software with one or more data blocks of upgraded software stored in the memory.