Abstract: Electronic devices, methods, and program storage devices for achieving improved optical character recognition (OCR) operations are disclosed. Performing OCR operations on captured images, e.g., images captured by cameras that are affixed to a user's body (e.g., from mixed reality devices, such as smart HMDs) requires a low-power, robust camera design. Obtaining high spatial resolution in such captured images faces many challenges. However, images with higher spatial resolution can be created by combining information extracted from multiple images captured by such devices, leveraging information obtained from positional sensors of such devices, and performing SR post-processing operations. Such higher spatial resolution images may then be used to enable high-acuity OCR capabilities. The solutions disclosed herein also compensate for the missing ability of such devices due to the lack of a vestibulo-ocular reflex (i.e.

Abstract: Operating an outward-facing display device for low light conditions may include receiving information indicative of ambient lighting conditions for the display device's environment; in accordance with a determination that the ambient lighting conditions do not satisfy a brightness criterion, determining a set of pixels in the outward-facing display device corresponding to an area of interest in the environment; and driving the set of pixels at a particular brightness to improve lighting in the area of interest.

Abstract: Operating an outward-facing display device for low light conditions may include receiving information indicative of ambient lighting conditions for the display device's environment; in accordance with a determination that the ambient lighting conditions do not satisfy a brightness criterion, determining a set of pixels in the outward-facing display device corresponding to an area of interest in the environment; and driving the set of pixels at a particular brightness to improve lighting in the area of interest.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that adjust a focus of a camera based on a distance associated with a determined user attention. For example, an example process may include obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors in a physical environment. The process may include determining at least one gaze direction of at least one eye based on the sensor data. The process may further include determining a distance associated with user attention based on a convergence determined based on an intersection of gaze directions of the at least one gaze direction, or a distance of an object in a 3D representation of the physical environment based on the at least one gaze direction. The process may further include adjusting a focus of a camera of the one or more sensors based on the distance associated with the user attention.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module having an optical axis and a set of one or more lenses centered along the optical axis. The electronic device also includes a display panel including an enhanced light transmission region. The enhanced light transmission region permits a greater amount of light to pass therethrough compared to at least one other region of the display panel. The electronic device further includes a display printed circuit board (PCB). In addition, the electronic device includes an aperture stop positioned between the set of one or more lenses and the display panel. The electronic device includes a transparent cover positioned over the display panel on an opposite side of the display panel from the display PCB. The electronic device also includes a housing configured to retain the camera module, the display panel, the display PCB, and the aperture stop therein.

Abstract: A method for selectively granting access to an access-controlled space includes obtaining an image of the person requesting access using a camera that is located inside the access-controlled space, and permitting an authorized user of the access-controlled space to grant authorization using the image.

Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure. Displays may present images to eye boxes at the rear of the head-mounted support structure. Cameras and other sensors may be supported by the head-mounted support structure. Tracking cameras may be used to track the movement of a user's hands or other external objects. In dim ambient lighting conditions, a supplemental illumination system may be activated to provide supplemental illumination for the tracking cameras. A single beam of supplemental illumination may be emitted over a given coverage area or a smaller beam of supplemental illumination may be steered across the given coverage area. Light-emitting devices such as infrared light-emitting diodes and infrared lasers may be used to form infrared light sources for the supplemental illumination system.

Abstract: Operating an outward-facing display device for low light conditions may include receiving information indicative of ambient lighting conditions for the display device's environment; in accordance with a determination that the ambient lighting conditions do not satisfy a brightness criterion, determining a set of pixels in the outward-facing display device corresponding to an area of interest in the environment; and driving the set of pixels at a particular brightness to improve lighting in the area of interest.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: In a portable camera device, a variable voltage regulator produces a power supply voltage of a VCM driver circuit that conducts the coil current of a VCM actuator as part of an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism. A processor signals the variable voltage regulator to increase the power supply voltage when the camera device transitions from still capture mode or preview mode to video capture mode, where the increase causes an increase in stroke of the VCM OIS actuator. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An electrically activated lens filter with an electro-optic portion having a radially and circumferentially symmetric electric field gradient is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the lens filter include an electro-optic portion having one or more conductive plugs arranged around a center region such that an electric field within the electro-optic portion varies from a maximum at an outer rim to a minimum outside of the center region. The lens filter may include a plurality of front electrodes and rear electrodes accessible in an axial direction for electrically activating front and rear transparent conductive layers, respectively.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: A sequence of digital images are produced using an imaging sensor circuit, wherein each of the digital images was a result of light capture by the imaging sensor circuit during a respective pixel integration phase followed by analog to digital conversion during a respective readout phase. A camera actuator is driven while producing the sequence of images, wherein during a part of every respective readout phase for the sequence of digital images the actuator is driven using a linear drive circuit, and wherein during a part of every respective pixel integration phase the actuator is driven using a switch mode drive circuit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an optics assembly. In some embodiments, the optics assembly includes an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus on one or more axes orthogonal to an optical axis of the optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus, each wire of the plurality of wires being substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optics component. Some embodiments include a base assembly component or substrate having an upper surface plane and a lower surface plane. In some embodiments, one or more terminations are disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the terminations are located beyond the upper surface plane of the base assembly component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices, systems and methods for using or manufacturing a camera enclosure or mobile device that includes a thermally conductive camera module, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), that enhances heat transfer between a stiffener and cap of the enclosure. This allows heat produced by the camera to be conducted forward, away from the bottom of the stiffener, through the stiffener, and to the top of can so that the bottom of the stiffener does not heat to a high temperature, components of the device or an outer surface of a cover of the device near the bottom of the stiffener. This substantially increases the time before or avoids having the temperature of outer surface reach a high temperature, such as one that will be uncomfortable to the user. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices, systems and methods for using or manufacturing a camera enclosure or mobile device that includes a thermally conductive camera module, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), that enhances heat transfer between a stiffener and cap of the enclosure. This allows heat produced by the camera to be conducted forward, away from the bottom of the stiffener, through the stiffener, and to the top of can so that the bottom of the stiffener does not heat to a high temperature, components of the device or an outer surface of a cover of the device near the bottom of the stiffener. This substantially increases the time before or avoids having the temperature of outer surface reach a high temperature, such as one that will be uncomfortable to the user. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In a portable camera device, a variable voltage regulator produces a power supply voltage of a VCM driver circuit that conducts the coil current of a VCM actuator as part of an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism. A processor signals the variable voltage regulator to increase the power supply voltage when the camera device transitions from still capture mode or preview mode to video capture mode, where the increase causes an increase in stroke of the VCM OIS actuator. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electrically activated lens filter with an electro-optic portion having a radially and circumferentially symmetric electric field gradient is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the lens filter include an electro-optic portion having one or more conductive plugs arranged around a center region such that an electric field within the electro-optic portion varies from a maximum at an outer rim to a minimum outside of the center region. The lens filter may include a plurality of front electrodes and rear electrodes accessible in an axial direction for electrically activating front and rear transparent conductive layers, respectively.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an optics assembly. In some embodiments, the optics assembly includes an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus on one or more axes orthogonal to an optical axis of the optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus, each wire of the plurality of wires being substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optics component. Some embodiments include a base assembly component or substrate having an upper surface plane and a lower surface plane. In some embodiments, one or more terminations are disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the terminations are located beyond the upper surface plane of the base assembly component.