Abstract: An optical evaluation workstation evaluates quality metrics (e.g., optical contrast) of optical elements of a HMD. The workstation includes a test pattern, an optical element feed assembly, a light source, a camera and a control module. The light source backlights the test pattern with diffuse light. The optical element feed assembly receives an optical element of a HMD and places the optical element at a first distance from the test pattern corresponding to a distance between the optics block in the HMD and an exit pupil of the HMD. The camera images the test pattern through the optical element and the camera is positioned at a second distance from the test pattern corresponding to a distance between the exit pupil and an electronic display in the HMD. The control module generates a test report for presentation to a user based on the evaluation of the optical element.

Abstract: Beacon devices transmit wireless beacon messages to alert an application on a mobile phone of the Beacon device's proximity. Contemplated beacon devices may also include an ultrasonic emitter and one or more microphones. The ultrasonic emitter may be used to complement other beacon operations, communicate information to a user mobile device, and monitor the beacon device's environment. Ultrasonic data may also be used to determine if a person or object is in proximity to the beacon device. Short echolocation travel times may be used to indicate that a user is “touching” the beacon device. Inter-beacon device communication may also be accomplished using the ultrasonic emitter.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences of how to process digital images. The computing device can record a user image selection, associated with a user account, of at least one of digital image versions of a base digital image. The computing device can determine a context attribute to associate with the user image selection. The computing device can compute an image processing rule associated with the user account by applying machine learning or statistical analysis on multiple user image selections associated with the context attribute, the multiple user image selections including the user image selection.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a virtual image generation device, a receptacle for a digital camera, and a light booth. The virtual image generation device is configured to generate a plurality of test images within the light booth in accordance with a test sequence. The receptacle is configured to enable detection of the test images by the digital camera.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes an electronic display element and an optics block. The electronic display element includes a plurality of display panels that together output image light. The plurality of panels including a first display panel and a second display panel. The first display panel includes a first plurality of sub-pixels that are separated from each other by a non-emission area. The second panel includes a second plurality of sub-pixels. The second display panel is positioned offset from the first display panel such that the second plurality of sub-pixels emit light through the non-emission area of the first display panel. The optics block configured to direct the image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or devices for directing flash illumination. In one aspect, a method is performed at a device including a camera, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. The method includes directing flash illumination to an identified area of interest in a scene by adjusting power supplied to respective elements of a flash array. The method further includes capturing, via the camera, an image of the scene as illuminated by the flash illumination.

Abstract: An eyecup assembly includes an electronic display element of a head-mounted display (HMD), a transparent plastic frame, an eyecup of the HMD, and a coupling interface. The plastic frame is laminated to the electronic display element and includes a center portion and a peripheral portion. The center portion includes an optical component and the peripheral portion including at least two protruding alignment structures. The eyecup includes alignment structures coupled to the at least two protruding alignment structures on the frame. The coupling interface interfaces with an alignment system. The alignment system is configured to align the eyecup assembly to the electronic display by adjusting a position of the electronic display relative to the eyecup so that a test image displayed by the electronic display after transmission through the optical component in the frame and an aperture of the eyecup is within a threshold value of a reference image.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or systems for depth mapping. In one aspect, a method of depth mapping is performed at an apparatus including a projector, a camera, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The method includes identifying one or more areas of interest in a scene in accordance with variation of depth in the scene as detected at a first resolution. The method also includes, for each area of interest: (1) applying, via the projector, a respective structured-light pattern to the area of interest; (2) capturing, via the camera, an image of the area of interest with the respective structured-light pattern applied to it; and (3) creating a respective depth map of the area of interest using the captured image, the respective depth map having a higher resolution than the first resolution.

Abstract: An electronic display includes a substrate and a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer deposited on a top surface of the substrate. The TFT layer includes a plurality of driving TFTs that are configured to provide current to one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The electronic display also includes an emission layer deposited on a top surface of the TFT layer. The emission layer includes emission areas and non-emission areas that separate the emission areas. The emission areas include a plurality of OLEDs and each of the OLEDs are configured to be driven by one or more of the TFTs to emit light. The electronic display also includes a reflective layer formed on a bottom surface of the substrate. The reflective layer is configured to reflect at least some of the light emitted from the OLEDs toward the non-emission areas.

Abstract: A method at a system having a virtual image generation device includes: receiving an image capture device; generating, using the virtual image generation device, a plurality of test images in accordance with a test sequence, where each test image corresponds to a respective focal distance with respect to the image capture device; obtaining test data corresponding to respective captures of the test images by the image capture device; and providing the test data.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) includes a sparse projection system configured to generate a plurality of clusters using one or more diffractive optical elements. Each generated cluster has a unique configuration that corresponds to a unique location in a virtual mapping of a local area. The sparse projection system projects the generated clusters throughout the local area. A VR console receives a series of images of the local area from the imaging device, with at least one image includes at least one cluster. The VR console determines a location of a VR headset within the virtual mapping of the local area based at least in part on a configuration of the at least one cluster included in the series of images. Content is generated based at least in part on the determined location of the VR headset and is provided to the VR headset for presentation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences of how to process digital images. The computing device can record a user image selection, associated with a user account, of at least one of digital image versions of a base digital image. The computing device can determine a context attribute to associate with the user image selection. The computing device can compute an image processing rule associated with the user account by applying machine learning or statistical analysis on multiple user image selections associated with the context attribute, the multiple user image selections including the user image selection.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences of how to process digital images. The method can include: aggregating a user image selection and a context attribute associated therewith into a preference training database for a user, wherein the user image selection represents a record of the user's preference over at least one of adjusted versions of a base image when the adjusted versions are separately processed by different visual effects; determining a visual effect preference associated based on machine learning or statistical analysis of user image selections in the preference training database, the user image selections representing experimental records corresponding to the visual effects; updating a photo preference profile with the visual effect preference; and providing the photo preference profile to an image processor to adjust subsequently captured photographs provided to the image processor.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments use ITO and ITO-like materials or structures to serve as a waveguide for device communications, e.g., for mobile phone communication. Various embodiments employ an economical design, wherein one or more wireless antennas are integrated into or in conjunction with the display of a communications device as a waveguide antenna. The waveguide may use space more economically than traditional designs. In some embodiments, the waveguide can provide a wider range of viable operational frequencies. Additionally, in some embodiments, a square surface area of the waveguide optimizes the area to length ratio, which may reduce the resistance when the structure includes a lossy material. The waveguide antenna may be composed of ITO or ITO-like materials, which facilitate waveguide propagation while retaining a visually transparent character.

Abstract: Beacon devices transmit wireless beacon messages to alert an application on a mobile phone of the Beacon device's proximity. Contemplated beacon devices may also include an ultrasonic emitter and one or more microphones. The ultrasonic emitter may be used to complement other beacon operations, communicate information to a user mobile device, and monitor the beacon device's environment. Ultrasonic data may also be used to determine if a person or object is in proximity to the beacon device. Short echolocation travel times may be used to indicate that a user is “touching” the beacon device. Inter-beacon device communication may also be accomplished using the ultrasonic emitter.

Abstract: A camera lens actuator unit includes a first lens group that includes at least one lens; a second lens group that includes at least one lens; an inner lens element configured to move along an optic axis between the first lens group and the second lens group; one or more magnetostrictive elements coupled to the inner lens element; and at least one voice coil. An image is focused on a digital image sensor by moving the inner lens element along the optic axis between the first lens group and the second lens group. The one or more magnetostrictive elements move the inner lens element along the optic axis in response to a current applied to the at least one voice coil.

Abstract: A method at a system having a virtual image generation device includes: receiving an image capture device; generating, using the virtual image generation device, a plurality of test images in accordance with a test sequence, where each test image corresponds to a respective focal distance with respect to the image capture device; obtaining test data corresponding to respective captures of the test images by the image capture device; and providing the test data.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences of how to process digital images. The method can include: aggregating a user image selection and a context attribute associated therewith into a preference training database for a user, wherein the user image selection represents a record of the user's preference over at least one of adjusted versions of a base image when the adjusted versions are separately processed by different visual effects; determining a visual effect preference associated based on machine learning or statistical analysis of user image selections in the preference training database, the user image selections representing experimental records corresponding to the visual effects; updating a photo preference profile with the visual effect preference; and providing the photo preference profile to an image processor to adjust subsequently captured photographs provided to the image processor.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a calibration server for a camera module. The method can include: receiving, by the computing server, a first training image taken by the camera module in a mobile device and a corresponding image-context attribute from the mobile device; aggregating, by the computing device, the first training image into a set of contextually similar images based on the image-context attribute; computing a calibration parameter model based on the set of contextually similar images utilizing dimension reduction statistical analysis; and scheduling to update the calibration parameter model to configure an image processor to adjust a raw photograph of the camera module according to the calibration parameter model.

Abstract: Optical characteristics of an optical component for a high volume manufacture consumer electronics device can be tested using a test chart composed of a superposition of two or more groups of parallel line pairs, wherein all the groups of parallel line pairs are oriented at a different inclination. The groups of line pairs could be oriented so that they are perpendicular to each other. A test system can quickly and objectively assess for example the sharpness of the optical component in different directions across a full image field of view of an imaging system that is capturing a digital image of the chart using the optical component for through-the-lens imaging. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.