recording indicator light

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recording indicator light for devices with cameras that provides tamper-proof protection so that the recording indicator light cannot be easily disabled or obscured. Described are recording indicator lights that are integrated in the camera of a device and emit visible light through the camera lens aperture. Additionally, described are modular accessories that a user must attach to the device to enable recording; the presence of the modular accessories indicates to people in the environment that they can be being recorded.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Virtual reality (VR) allows users to experience and / or interact with immersive artificial environments, making them feel as if they are actually in those environments. For example, a VR system can display stereoscopic scenes to create a depth illusion, and the computer can adjust the scene content in real time to provide the illusion that the user is moving within the scene. When a user views images through a VR system, they can thus feel as if they are moving within the scene from a first-person perspective. Similarly, mixed reality (MR) combines computer-generated information (called virtual content) with real-world images or views to enhance or add content to the user's world view. Therefore, the simulated environment of VR and / or the mixed environment of MR can be used to provide interactive user experiences for a variety of applications, such as applications that add virtual content to a viewer's real-time environment, applications that interact with virtual training environments, gaming applications, applications that remotely control drones or other mechanical systems, applications that view digital media content, and applications that interact with the Internet. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing a recording indicator light in a device with a camera are described. The device (e.g., a mobile, handheld, or head-mounted device) may include one or more cameras that can be used to capture still images or video frames of a user's environment. In at least some devices, the device may include a recording function that allows the user to record images or videos of the real environment captured by the camera. Various embodiments of a recording indicator light for a device are described, which provides tamper-proof protection such that the recording indicator light cannot be easily disabled or obscured.

[0003] An embodiment of a recording indicator light integrated into a device camera and emitting visible light through the camera lens aperture is described. The recording indicator light includes a light source (e.g., an LED light) inside the camera, which emits light through the camera lens during a time period between frame capture (integration) cycles. Because the recording indicator lights are integrated into the camera, they cannot be easily disabled mechanically. Furthermore, since the recording indicator lights emit light through the camera lens, applying tape over the indicator lights will prevent the camera from recording.

[0004] In some implementations, an optical element (e.g., a prism) may be positioned in front of the lens barrel. A first surface S1 of the element faces the object field in front of the camera. A second surface S2 of the element faces the lens barrel. A recording indicator (e.g., one or more LEDs) may be positioned at surface S2 of the element. Light from the object field passes through surface S1 and the third surface S3 of the element and enters the lens barrel. The recording indicator emits a light pulse through surface S2 of the element; the light from the recording indicator is then reflected by surface S3 of the element (e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR) ​​at surface S3) and exits through surface S1 of the element to provide visible light that effectively covers the camera's field of view.

[0005] In addition to using the internal visible light recording indicator as described above as a tamper-proof recording indicator solution for the device's camera, implementation schemes for a modular solution that provides an indication that a user may be recording with the device's camera are described. In some implementations, a modular accessory containing the entire recording functionality of the device can be provided. To record video, the user must attach the accessory to the device. Alternatively, in some implementations, a modular "key" can be provided, which the user must attach to the device to enable recording using the integrated camera. In both cases, the presence of the modular accessory will indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded. It should be noted that the internal visible light recording indicator described above can be used in conjunction with any of the modular solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary device including a camera capable of implementing a recording indicator light is shown according to some embodiments.

[0007] Figures 2A to 2C The recording indicator component and method in a camera according to some embodiments are shown.

[0008] Figure 3 An exemplary camera according to some implementation schemes is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 Examples of implementation schemes are shown. Figure 3 The exemplary camera shown includes a recording indicator located at or near the image sensor.

[0010] Figure 5 Examples of implementation schemes are shown. Figure 3 The exemplary camera shown includes a recording indicator positioned between the image side of the lens barrel and the image sensor.

[0011] Figure 6 Examples of implementation schemes are shown. Figure 3The exemplary camera shown includes a recording indicator located on the image side of the camera aperture stop.

[0012] Figure 7 Examples of implementation schemes are shown. Figure 3 The exemplary camera shown includes a recording indicator located in a lens barrel (e.g., at the first (objective) lens in the lens barrel) on the object side of the camera aperture stop.

[0013] Figure 8 It is based on some implementation schemes for use in, for example Figures 2A to 7 The flowchart shows a method for providing a recording indicator light in the device shown.

[0014] Figure 9A and Figure 9B A recording indicator light according to some embodiments is shown, which includes an optical element ring surrounding a camera lens that generates light pulses in an encrypted pattern.

[0015] Figure 10 It is based on some implementation schemes for use in, for example Figure 9A and Figure 9B The flowchart shows a method for providing a recording indicator light in the device shown.

[0016] Figure 11 A recording indicator light, including a prism in front of a camera lens, is shown according to some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 12 An exemplary head-mounted device (HMD) according to some implementation schemes is shown.

[0018] Figure 13 Modular camera accessories for HMDs are shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0019] Figure 14 Modular accessories for HMDs, acting as "keys" according to some implementations, are shown to enable recording functionality for HMD cameras.

[0020] Figures 15A to 15C This illustrates, according to some embodiments, the components and implementations that may be included in the device as shown in Figures 2 to 2. Figure 14 A block diagram of an exemplary system for the recording indicator method shown.

[0021] This specification includes references to "one embodiment" or "implementation". The use of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

[0022] The term "comprising" is open-ended. As used in the claims, it does not exclude additional structures or steps. Consider the following cited claim: "An apparatus comprising one or more processor units..." Such claims do not exclude the inclusion of additional components (e.g., network interface units, graphics circuitry, etc.).

[0023] "Configured as" refers to various units, circuits, or other components that can be described or stated as being "configured as" to perform one or more tasks. In such a context, "configured as" is used to imply a structure by indicating that the unit / circuit / component includes a structure (e.g., a circuit) that performs this one or more tasks during operation. Thus, a unit / circuit / component is allegedly configured to perform the task even when the specified unit / circuit / component is currently inoperable (e.g., not switched on). Units / circuits / components used with the language "configured as" include hardware—e.g., circuits, memory storing program instructions that can be executed to perform the operation, etc. The reference to a unit / circuit / component being "configured as" to perform one or more tasks is explicitly intended to exclude paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.SC §112 for that unit / circuit / component. Furthermore, "configured as" can include general structures (e.g., general circuits) manipulated by software or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) in a manner capable of performing one or more tasks to be solved. "Configured to" may also include adjusting the manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor manufacturing facility) to manufacture equipment (e.g., an integrated circuit) suitable for performing one or more tasks.

[0024] "First," "second," etc. As used herein, these terms serve as labels for the nouns preceding them and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations on a "first" value and a "second" value. The terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value.

[0025] The terms "based on" or "depending on," as used herein, are used to describe one or more factors that influence a determination. These terms do not exclude additional factors that may influence the determination. That is, a determination may be based solely on these factors or at least in part on them. Consider the phrase "A is determined based on B." In this case, B is a factor influencing the determination of A, and such phrases do not exclude the possibility that the determination of A may also be based on C. In other instances, A may be determined solely on B.

[0026] When used in the claims, the term "or" is interpreted as an inclusive "or," not an exclusive "or." For example, the phrase "at least one of x, y, or z" means any one of x, y, and z, and any combination thereof. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing recording indicator lights in a device are described herein. Embodiments of the recording indicator light methods and apparatus described herein can be applied, for example, to cameras in mobile, handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets or tablet devices. Figure 1 An exemplary handheld device including a camera capable of displaying a recording indicator light is shown according to some embodiments. Device 100 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or tablet device. Device 100 may include a display screen 102 (referred to as the front) on one side and one or more cameras 150 (referred to as the back) on the opposite side. Figure 1 A view of the rear of device 100 is shown. However, it should be noted that the device may also include one or more cameras on the front side. In some embodiments, camera 150 may include, for example... Figures 2A to 2C and Figures 4 to 7 The recording indicator 158 shown herein employs technology where an LED integrated in camera 150 emits visible light through the camera lens aperture to provide visible light that effectively covers the camera's field of view. In some embodiments, camera 150 may include, for example, Figures 9A to 9B The recording indicator 158 shown herein employs technology where LEDs arranged around the lens of camera 150 emit visible light in an encrypted pattern. In some embodiments, camera 150 may include, for example, Figure 11 The recording indicator 158 shown is a technique in which optical elements (e.g., prisms) are positioned in front of the lens barrel of the camera 150. In some embodiments, such as Figure 14 The modular "key" shown may have to be attached to device 100 to enable recording by camera 150.

[0028] Device 100 may include controller 160, which may include one or more of various types of processors, image signal processors (ISPs), graphics processing units (GPUs), encoders / decoders (codecs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), CPUs, and / or other components for processing and rendering video and / or images. For example, controller 160 may render frames at least in part based on input obtained from camera 150, and may provide frames to display screen 102, for example.

[0029] Device 100 may include memory 170, which may be used, for example, to record video or images captured by the one or more cameras 150. Memory 170 may include any type of memory, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Dual Data Rate (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.) SDRAM (including mobile versions of SDRAM, such as mDDR3, or low-power versions of SDRAM, such as LPDDR2), RAMBUS DRAM (RDRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), etc. In some embodiments, one or more memory devices may be coupled onto a circuit board to form a memory module, such as a Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM), a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), etc. Alternatively, the device may be mounted with the integrated circuits implementing the system in a chip stack configuration, a package stack configuration, or a multi-chip module configuration.

[0030] Various implementations of a recording indicator light for a device are described, which provides tamper protection, including but not limited to, such as Figure 1 The mobile, handheld device shown makes it impossible to easily disable or cover the recording indicator light.

[0031] An embodiment of a recording indicator light integrated into a device camera and emitting visible light through the camera lens aperture is described. The recording indicator light includes a light source (e.g., an LED) that emits light through the camera lens during a time period between frame capture (integration) cycles. Because the recording indicator lights are integrated into the camera, they cannot be easily disabled mechanically. Furthermore, since the recording indicator lights emit light through the camera lens, applying tape over the indicator lights will prevent the camera from recording.

[0032] Implementations of recording indicator lights external to the camera of the device are also described. These implementations may include one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged around the camera lens, which emit visible light in a cryptographic pattern. The LEDs may be arranged closely around the camera lens, which may make it difficult to block the LEDs using, for example, tape. Additionally, the emitted light pattern may be reflected by one or more objects or surfaces in the environment and captured by the camera. The device controller may process the captured frames to detect the cryptographic pattern. If the cryptographic pattern cannot be detected (e.g., because the user has blocked or disabled the LEDs), the controller may disable recording of the video captured by the camera. The device controller may also implement methods for removing or reducing the cryptographic pattern from the captured frames before recording or further processing the frames.

[0033] In addition to using internal or external visible light recording indicators as described above as tamper-proof recording indicator solutions for cameras within a device, embodiments of a modular solution for providing indication that a user may be recording with the device's camera are described. In some embodiments, a modular accessory containing the entire recording functionality of the device may be provided. To record video, the user must attach the accessory to the device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a modular "key" may be provided, which the user must attach to the device to enable recording using the integrated camera. In both cases, the presence of the modular accessory will indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded. It should be noted that the internal or external visible light recording indicators described above can be used in conjunction with any of the modular solutions.

[0034] The implementation schemes of the recording indicator method and apparatus described herein can be applied to cameras in various devices and systems, including but not limited to cameras in smartphones, tablets or tablet devices, cameras in HMDs, handheld camcorders, cameras in mobile phones, cameras in laptop or desktop computer systems, and surveillance cameras.

[0035] Figures 2A to 2C A recording indicator component and method for emitting light through a camera lens aperture, according to some embodiments, are shown.

[0036] Figure 2A This is a block diagram illustrating components of an exemplary camera 250 according to some embodiments. Camera 250 includes, but is not limited to, a lens barrel 254, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more refractive lens elements and at least one aperture stop. Camera 250 also includes an image sensor 256 configured to integrate pixels during an integration period. Element 252 illustrates the “aperture” of camera 250, which is visible to a person in front of camera 250 and also corresponds to the field of view of camera 250. A recording indicator 258 is integrated into camera 250. Recording indicator 258 may include, but is not limited to, one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) that emit light pulses through camera aperture 252 during a time period between frame capture (integration) periods. Because recording indicator 258 emits light pulses through the same aperture 252 used for capturing images, recording indicator 258 is visible to anyone in the camera's field of view. Because recording indicator 258 is integrated into camera 250, it cannot be easily disabled mechanically. Furthermore, since the recording indicator 258 emits light through the same aperture 252 used for capturing images, applying tape over the indicator 258 will prevent the camera 250 from recording. Note that the camera 250 can be operated to capture frames for processing by the device controller without recording video; in this case, the recording indicator 258 may be disabled.

[0037] Figure 2B and Figure 2C The recording indicator 258, which emits light pulses during the non-integration period, is shown graphically. Figure 2B The period of pixel integration by the image sensor 256 of the camera 250 is illustrated graphically. For example... Figure 2B As shown, camera 250 can be configured such that a short period exists between frame captures when no pixel integration is performed. For example, camera 250 can capture frames at a frame rate of 30 or 60 frames per second. A relatively short non-integration period between frame captures can be provided, wherein the recording indicator 258 emits light pulses through camera aperture 252, such as... Figure 2C As shown. Figure 2B and Figure 2C As shown, emitting light pulses during the non-integration period can prevent the light emitted by the recording indicator 258 from interfering with the light captured during the integration period.

[0038] The recording indicator 258 can be implemented in any of the various ways. Figures 3 to 7 Several exemplary embodiments of a recording indicator light are shown, which, as... Figures 2A to 2C The light pulse emitted during the non-integral time period is shown to pass through the camera lens aperture.

[0039] Figure 3 An exemplary camera 350 is shown, which includes (but is not limited to) a lens barrel 354, an image sensor 356, and an optional element 357 (e.g., an infrared (IR) filter) positioned between the lens barrel 354 and the image sensor 356. The lens barrel 354 may include, but is not limited to, one or more refractive lens elements (four lens elements in this example) and an aperture stop 355 positioned within the lens barrel. It should be noted that the number and shape of the lens elements are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting. The lens elements in the lens barrel 354 refract light received from a field of view 352 in front of the camera 350 through the aperture 355 to form an image at or near the surface of the image sensor 356. The image sensor 356 may be configured to, for example... Figure 2B The frames are captured during the integration period shown.

[0040] Figure 4 As shown Figure 3 The exemplary camera 450 shown includes a recording indicator 458 positioned at or near an image sensor 456. For example, the recording indicator 458 may include two or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged around the periphery of the image sensor 456. The recording indicator 458 may be configured to, for example... Figure 2B and Figure 2CDuring the non-integration period shown, a light pulse is emitted. The lens element in the lens barrel 454 refracts the emitted light through the aperture 455 to provide visible light that effectively covers the field of view 452 of the camera 450.

[0041] Figure 5 As shown Figure 3 The exemplary camera 550 shown includes a recording indicator 558 positioned between the image side of the lens barrel and the image sensor 556. The camera 550 may, but inevitably will, include an optional element 557 positioned between the lens barrel and the image sensor 556. Element 557 may be, for example, an IR filter or some other type of filter, a polarizer, or a cover glass positioned on or near the object-side surface of the image sensor 556. For example, the recording indicator 558 may include two or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged around the periphery of the image side of the last lens element in the lens barrel. The recording indicator 558 may be configured to, for example... Figure 2B and Figure 2C During the non-integration period, a light pulse is emitted toward the image sensor 556. If an optional element 557 is present, the light pulse can be reflected by the surface of element 557 toward the lens barrel 554. Alternatively, if the optional element 557 is not present, the light pulse can be reflected by the surface of the sensor 556. The lens element in the lens barrel 554 refracts and reflects the light through the aperture 555 to provide visible light that effectively covers the field of view 552 of the camera 550.

[0042] Figure 6 As shown Figure 3 The exemplary camera 650 shown includes a recording indicator 658 positioned on the image side of a camera aperture stop 655. For example, the recording indicator 658 may include two or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged around the outer edge of a glass or plastic element 659 (e.g., a glass or plastic plate) positioned on the image side of the camera aperture stop 655. The LEDs of the recording indicator 658 may be configured to, for example... Figure 2B and Figure 2C During the non-integration period shown, a light pulse is emitted into the outer edge of element 659. Before exiting element 659 at aperture stop 655, the light pulse may be reflected once or multiple times by the surface of element 659 toward aperture stop 655, for example, via total internal reflection (TIR) ​​of the surface. Alternatively, element 659 may be a holographic element or a waveguide through which light emitted by the LED is "guided" from the outer edge of element 659 to exit at aperture stop 655. 650.

[0043] Figure 7 As shown Figure 3The exemplary camera 750 shown includes a recording indicator 758 positioned in a lens barrel 754 (e.g., at a first (objective) lens in the lens barrel 754) on the object side of a camera aperture stop 755. For example, the recording indicator 758 may include two or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged around the outer edge or flange of the first (objective) lens in the lens barrel 754. The LEDs of the recording indicator 758 may be configured to, for example... Figure 2B and Figure 2C During the non-integration period shown, a light pulse is emitted into the outer edge or flange of the lens (S2). The light pulse may be reflected by the inner (image-side) surface of the lens (S3) via, for example, total internal reflection (TIR) ​​of the image-side surface, and then exit the lens through the outer (object-side) surface of the lens (S1) to provide visible light that effectively covers the field of view 752 of the camera 750.

[0044] Figure 8 It is based on some implementation schemes for use in, for example Figures 2A to 7 The diagram shows a high-level flowchart of the method for providing a recording indicator in the device. As shown at 800, the camera's image sensor captures light refracted through the camera lens during an integration time period to generate a frame. As shown at 810, the recording indicator emits light pulses through the camera lens during a non-integration time period between frame captures to provide an indication that the camera is recording, which effectively covers the camera's field of view. As indicated by the arrow returning to element 800, this process continues as long as the camera captures and records video. Note that the camera may still be operable to capture frames for processing by the device controller without recording video; in this case, the recording indicator may be disabled.

[0045] Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 10 An implementation of a recording indicator light located outside the camera of the device is shown.

[0046] Figure 9A and Figure 9B A recording indicator 958 according to some embodiments is shown, which includes a ring of optical elements 959 surrounding a camera lens 954, the ring of optical elements generating light pulses in an encrypted pattern. Figure 9A As shown, the light emitted by the recording indicator 958 can provide an indication that the camera 950 is recording, which effectively covers the field of view of the camera 950. The light element 959 (e.g., an LED) can be arranged closely around the camera lens 954, such as... Figure 9BAs shown, this may make it difficult to block the LED using, for example, tape. Additionally, the emitted light pattern can be reflected by one or more objects or surfaces in the environment and captured by camera 950. Instead of or in addition to reflected light from the environment, at least some of the light from light element 959 can be directly returned to camera lens 954. Device controller 960 can process the captured frames to detect the encryption pattern. If the encryption pattern cannot be detected (e.g., because the user has blocked or disabled the LED), controller 960 can disable recording of the video captured by camera 950. Device controller 960 can also implement methods to remove or reduce the encryption pattern from the captured frames before recording or further processing the frames.

[0047] Figure 10 It is based on some implementation schemes for use in, for example Figure 9A and Figure 9B The flowchart illustrates a method for providing a recording indicator in the device. As shown at 1000, the recording indicator emits light pulses in an encrypted pattern. As shown at 1010, the light pattern is reflected by an object or surface in the environment and captured in a frame by the camera's image sensor. As shown at 1020, the device controller processes one or more of the captured frames to look for the encrypted pattern. At 1030, if the pattern is detected, a recording mode can be enabled for the camera, as shown at 1040. Otherwise, the recording mode can be disabled, as shown at 1050. Note that when the recording mode is disabled, the camera can still operate to capture frames for the device controller to process, and when the recording mode is enabled and disabled, the controller can continue to process the video frames captured by the camera to detect the encrypted pattern formed by the light emitted by the recording indicator captured from the image sensor.

[0048] In some implementations, an encryption mode can be randomly selected each time a user starts recording to prevent the user from "cheating" the mode.

[0049] Although Figure 10 Not shown, but the device controller may also implement methods to remove or reduce encryption patterns from captured frames before recording or further processing the frames.

[0050] Figure 11A recording indicator light, including a prism in front of a camera lens, is shown according to some embodiments. Camera 1150 may include, but is not limited to, a lens barrel 1154 and an image sensor 1156. An optical element 1180 (e.g., a prism) may be positioned in front of the lens barrel 1154. Surface S1 of element 1180 faces the object field in front of camera 1150. Surface S2 of element 1180 faces the lens barrel 1154. A recording indicator light 1158 (e.g., one or more LEDs) may be positioned at surface S2 of element 1180. Light from the object field passes through surfaces S1 and S3 of element 1180 and enters the lens barrel 1154. Recording indicator light 1158 emits light pulses through surface S2 of element 1180; the light from recording indicator light 1158 is then reflected by surface S3 of element 1180 (e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR) ​​at surface S3) and exits through surface S1 of element 1180 to provide visible light that effectively covers the field of view of camera 1150.

[0051] like Figure 11 The recording indicator system shown can be configured to, for example, Figure 2B and Figure 2C The light pulse is emitted during the non-integration period, or alternatively, a pulse may be emitted during the integration period. In the second case, the camera and / or controller can be configured to filter the light emitted by the recording indicator captured by the camera.

[0052] Recording indicator light in CGR system

[0053] In addition to Figure 1 Beyond its application in mobile handheld devices, the recording indicator scheme described herein can also be applied to computer-generated reality (CGR) systems. CGR systems can include wearable devices such as headsets, helmets, goggles, or glasses (referred to herein as head-mounted devices (HMDs)). HMDs can implement any of a variety of display technologies. For example, an HMD can include a near-eye display system that displays left and right images on an opaque display screen in front of the user's eyes for the user to view. As another example, instead of an opaque display, an HMD can have a transparent or semi-transparent display and medium through which the user views the real environment, through which light representing the image is directed to the user's eyes to provide an enhanced view of reality.

[0054] The HMD may also include one or more cameras that can be used to capture still images or video frames of the user's environment. The video frames captured by the cameras can be processed, for example, by the HMD's controller and used to provide the user with an enhanced view of the real-world environment via a display system. In at least some systems, the HMD may include a recording function that allows the user to record images or videos of the real-world environment captured by the HMD's cameras.

[0055] Conventional video recording systems (e.g., conventional handheld cameras) may include indicator lights (e.g., red or green LEDs) that turn on when the camera is recording video and off when it is not. These recording indicators signal to people in the environment that the video recording system is (or is not) recording video of the environment in front of the camera. However, these conventional recording indicators can be easily obstructed, for example, by mechanically disabling the light or by simply placing a piece of opaque tape over the light. For handheld devices such as conventional handheld cameras, smartphones, and tablets or tablet devices, the physical act of recording with these devices itself can indicate to a person that they are being (or may be) being recorded. However, HMDs are worn on the user's head, so there is no clear physical movement to indicate whether the user is currently recording video. Therefore, there is a need for recording indicators for HMDs that cannot be easily obstructed, allowing a person to know that they are being recorded.

[0056] Figure 12 Exemplary head-mounted devices (HMDs) according to some implementation schemes are shown. It should be noted that, as... Figure 12 The HMD 1200 shown is given by way of example and is not intended to be limiting. In various embodiments, the shape, size and other features of the HMD 1200 may differ, and the location, number, type and other features of the components of the HMD 1200 may vary.

[0057] The HMD 1200 can implement any of a variety of display technologies. For example, the HMD 1200 can be a near-eye display system that displays left and right images (viewed by the subject) on a screen in front of the user's eyes, such as DLP (Digital Light Processing), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology display systems. As another example, the HMD 1200 may include a direct retinal projector system that scans the left and right images pixel-by-pixel to the subject's eyes. To scan the images, the left and right projectors generate beams of light that are directed to the left and right displays (e.g., ellipsoidal mirrors) positioned in front of the user's eyes; the displays reflect the beams back to the user's eyes. To create a three-dimensional (3D) effect, virtual content at different depths or distances is shifted left or right in the two images according to distance triangulation, with closer objects shifting more than farther objects.

[0058] The HMD 1200 may include a display 1210 mounted in a wearable housing or frame. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the HMD 200 can be worn on a user's head, such that the display 1210 (e.g., the screen and optics of a near-eye display system, or the reflective components (e.g., an ellipsoidal lens) of a direct retinal projector system) is positioned in front of the user's eyes. In embodiments including a near-eye display system, the HMD 1200 may also include two optical lenses (eyepieces); the user looks at the display 1210 through the eyepieces.

[0059] The HMD 1200 may also include one or more sensors (e.g., eye or gaze tracking sensors) that collect information about the user's environment (video, depth information, lighting information, etc.) and information about the user. The sensors may include, but are not limited to, one or more eye-tracking cameras (e.g., infrared (IR) cameras) that capture the user's view, one or more cameras 1250 (e.g., RGB cameras) that capture images of the real-world environment in the field of view in front of the user, and one or more ambient light sensors that capture lighting information of the environment.

[0060] The controller 1260 of the system may be implemented in the HMD 1200, or alternatively, may be implemented at least in part by an external device (e.g., a computing system) communicatively coupled to the HMD 1200 via a wired or wireless interface. The controller 1260 may include one or more of various types of processors, image signal processors (ISPs), graphics processing units (GPUs), encoders / decoders (codecs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), CPUs, and / or other components for processing and rendering video and / or images. The controller 1260 may render frames including virtual content (each frame including a left image and a right image) based at least in part on input obtained from sensors, and may provide the frames to the display 1210.

[0061] The memory 1270 used in this system may be implemented within the HMD 1200, or alternatively, may be implemented at least in part by an external device (e.g., a computing system) communicatively coupled to the HMD 1200 via a wired or wireless interface. The memory 1270 may be used, for example, to record video or images captured by the one or more cameras 1250. The memory 1270 may include any type of memory, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Dual Data Rate (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.) SDRAM (including mobile versions of SDRAM, such as mDDR3, or low-power versions of SDRAM, such as LPDDR2), RAMBUS DRAM (RDRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), etc. In some embodiments, one or more memory devices may be coupled onto a circuit board to form a memory module, such as a Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM), a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), etc. Alternatively, the device may be mounted with the integrated circuits implementing the system in a chip-stacked configuration, a package-stacked configuration, or a multi-chip module configuration.

[0062] Figures 15A to 15C Further shown are components of a system that may include an HMD according to some embodiments, the HMD being able to implement recording indicator technology.

[0063] like Figure 12The illustrated HMD 1200 implementation can be used, for example, in augmented or mixed reality (AR) applications to provide an augmented or mixed reality view to a user. The HMD 1200 may include one or more sensors, for example, positioned on the outer surface of the HMD 1200, that collect information about the user's external environment (video, depth information, lighting information, etc.); the sensors may provide the collected information to the controller 1260 of the CGR system. The sensors may include one or more visible light cameras 1250 (e.g., RGB cameras) that capture video of the user's environment, which can be used to provide the user with a virtual view of their real environment. In some implementations, the video stream of the real environment captured by the visible light camera 1250 may be processed by the controller 1260 of the HMD 1200 to render augmented or mixed reality frames including virtual content overlaid on the view of the real environment, and the rendered frames may be provided to a display 1210.

[0064] The HMD 1200 may include a recording function that allows a user to record images or videos of the real environment captured by the HMD camera 1250, for example, by storing the video in memory 1270 or alternatively by streaming the video to a remote device via a wired or wireless connection. Various embodiments of a recording indicator for the HMD 1200 are described, which provides tamper-proof protection so that the recording indicator cannot be easily disabled or obscured. It should be noted that the camera 1250 may operate to capture frames for processing by the HMD controller 1260 without recording video; in this case, the recording indicator 258 may be disabled.

[0065] refer to Figures 2A to 8 An implementation scheme for a recording indicator light integrated into an HMD camera 1200 and emitting visible light through the camera lens aperture is described.

[0066] Modular Recording Indicator Solution

[0067] An implementation scheme for a modular solution is described, which provides an indication that a user may be recording with a camera in an HMD. However, it should be noted that these modular solutions can also be applied to, for example... Figure 1 The handheld devices shown, as well as other devices including cameras.

[0068] Figure 13A modular camera accessory for an HMD is shown according to some embodiments. The HMD 1300 may include, but is not limited to, a frame, a display 1310, a controller 1360, and a memory 1370. In some embodiments, a modular accessory 1350 may be provided, which contains all the recording functions of the HMD 1300 (e.g., a camera, one or more processors for processing video frames, and memory for storing captured video). To record video using the HMD 1300 and accessory 1350, the user must attach accessory 1350 to the HMD 1300 frame. Therefore, the presence of the modular accessory 1350 on the HMD 1300 will serve to indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded. This will also have the added benefit of making the HMD 1300 frame (without accessory 1350) lighter, which will benefit users who do not need to record or are not interested in the recording function. The modular accessory 1350 will also allow the HMD 1300 frame (without accessory 1350) to enter venues where the modular accessory 1350 is prohibited (such as bars and theaters).

[0069] Modular accessory 1350 can be attached to the HMD 1300 frame via magnetic or mechanical connection. Modular accessory 1350 can communicate with the HMD 1300 controller 1360 via electrical contacts or via a wireless connection. Modular accessory 1350 must be coupled to the HMD 1300 and communicate with the controller 1360 to enable recording of video captured by modular accessory 1350. In some embodiments, modular accessory 1350 may include a power source (e.g., a battery). In some embodiments, modular accessory 1350 may include one or more processors (e.g., an ISP coupled to the camera's image sensor). In various embodiments, a user can control accessory 1350 via one or more physical buttons on the HMD 1300 and / or accessory 1350, voice commands, or gestures.

[0070] In some embodiments, modular accessory 1350 may enable video recording to HMD memory 1370. In some embodiments, modular accessory 1350 may include memory for recording video. Alternatively or additionally, modular accessory 1350 may include wired or wireless communication technologies to transmit video to a smartphone or other external device for recording. In some embodiments, accessory 1350 may include smart authentication technology such that each accessory 1350 is uniquely paired with a specific HMD 1300. Smart authentication can, for example, prevent theft and mitigate risk through accidental "exchange" of accessories 1350.

[0071] Figure 14A modular accessory 1490, acting as a "key" for the HMD 1400 according to some embodiments, is shown to enable recording functionality of the HMD camera 1450. In these embodiments, the modular accessory 1490 can be provided, which the user must attach to the HMD 1400 to enable recording using the integrated camera 1450. Therefore, the presence of the modular accessory 1490 on the HMD 1400 serves to indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded. The modular accessory 1490 also allows venues that prohibit the modular accessory 1490 (such as bars and theaters) to still allow the HMD 1400 frame (without accessory 1490) into the venue.

[0072] Modular accessory 1490 can be attached to the HMD 1300 frame via magnetic or mechanical connection. Modular accessory 1490 can communicate with the HMD 1400 controller 1460 via electrical contacts or wireless connection. In some embodiments, modular accessory 1490 enables recording of video captured by integrated camera 1450 to HMD memory 1470; video recording is impossible without accessory 1490. In some embodiments, modular accessory 1490 may include memory for recording video captured by integrated camera 1450; video recording is impossible without accessory 1490. Alternatively or additionally, modular accessory 1490 may include wired or wireless communication technologies to transmit video to a smartphone or other external device for recording. In some embodiments, accessory 1490 may include smart authentication, such that each accessory 1490 is uniquely paired with a specific HMD 1400. Smart authentication can, for example, prevent theft and mitigate risk through accidental "exchange" of accessories 1490.

[0073] Please note, as shown in Figures 2 to 3 above. Figure 11 The internal or external visible light recording indicator light can be connected to, for example... Figure 13 and Figure 14 Any of the modular solutions shown can be used in combination. However, in both implementations, the presence of modular attachments can be used to indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded.

[0074] Figures 15A to 15C The illustration shows components and implementations that may be included in some embodiments for providing, as shown in Figures 2 to 30, in a device including a handheld device and an HMD. Figure 11 The diagram shows a block diagram of an exemplary system for the recording indicator method. It should be noted that while these examples relate to a recording indicator for a camera in an HMD, similar recording indicator methods can be applied to other devices, including but not limited to... Figure 1 The mobile, handheld devices shown.

[0075] Figure 15A This illustrates that, according to some implementation schemes, may include, for example... Figures 2A to 11 The diagram illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system for recording indicator components and methods. In some embodiments, the system may include an HMD 2000, such as a headset, helmet, goggles, or glasses. The HMD 2000 may implement any of a variety of display technologies. For example, the HMD 2000 may include a near-eye display system that displays a left and right image viewed by the user on opaque displays 2022A and 2022B in front of the user's eyes. As another example, instead of opaque displays, the HMD may include transparent or semi-transparent displays 2022A and 2022B (glasses lenses) through which the user can view the real environment, and includes a medium integrated with displays 2022A and 2022B through which light representing a virtual image is directed to the user's eyes to provide the user with an enhanced view of reality.

[0076] In some embodiments, the HMD 2000 may include a controller 2030 configured to implement the functions of the system and generate frames (each frame including a left image and a right image) provided to displays 2022A and 2022B. In some embodiments, the HMD 2000 may also include a memory 2032 configured to store system software (code 2034) executable by the controller 2030, and data 2038 usable by the system when executed on the controller 2030. In some embodiments, the memory 2032 may also be used to store video captured by the camera 2050. In some embodiments, the HMD 2000 may also include one or more interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth interface, USB interface, etc.) configured to communicate with an external device 2090 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, at least some of the functions described for the controller 2030 may be implemented by the external device 2090. External device 2090 may be or may include any type of computing system or computing device, such as desktop computer, laptop or notebook computer, tablet or tablet device, smartphone, handheld computing device, game controller, gaming system, etc.

[0077] In various implementations, controller 2030 may be a single-processor system including one processor, or a multiprocessor system including several processors (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Controller 2030 may include a central processing unit (CPU) configured to implement any suitable instruction set architecture and may be configured to execute instructions defined in that instruction set architecture. For example, in various implementations, controller 2030 may include a general-purpose processor or embedded processor implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs) (such as x86, PowerPC, SPARC, RISC, or MIPS ISA, or any other suitable ISA). In a multiprocessor system, each processor may collectively implement the same ISA, but this is not required. Controller 2030 may employ any microarchitecture, including scalar, superscalar, pipelining, hyper-pipelined, out-of-order, ordered, speculative, non-speculative, etc., or combinations thereof. Controller 2030 may include circuitry implementing microcode technology. Controller 2030 may include one or more processing cores, each configured to execute instructions. Controller 2030 may include one or more levels of cache, which may be of any size and configuration (set-associative, direct mapping, etc.). In some embodiments, controller 2030 may include at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), which may include any suitable graphics processing circuitry. Typically, the GPU may be configured to render objects to be displayed into a frame buffer (e.g., a frame buffer that includes pixel data for the entire frame). The GPU may include one or more graphics processors that can execute graphics software to perform some or all of the graphics operations or hardware acceleration of some graphics operations. In some embodiments, controller 2030 may include one or more other components for processing and rendering video and / or images, such as an image signal processor (ISP), encoder / decoder, etc.

[0078] The memory 2032 may include any type of memory, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Dual Data Rate (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.) SDRAM (including mobile versions of SDRAM, such as mDDR3, or low-power versions of SDRAM, such as LPDDR2), RAMBUS DRAM (RDRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), etc. In some embodiments, one or more memory devices may be coupled onto a circuit board to form a memory module, such as a Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM), a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), etc. Alternatively, the devices may be mounted with the integrated circuits implementing the system in a chip stack, package stack, or multi-chip module configuration.

[0079] In some implementations, the HMD 2000 may include one or more sensors (not shown) that collect information about the user's environment (video, depth information, lighting information, etc.). The sensors may provide this information to the system's controller 2030. In some implementations, the sensors may include, but are not limited to, at least one visible light camera 2050 (e.g., an RGB camera) and an ambient light sensor.

[0080] In some implementations, the HMD 2000 can be configured to render and display frames to provide an augmented or mixed reality (MR) view to a user, at least in part, based on sensor input. The MR view may include rendering the user's environment, including rendering real objects in the user's environment based on video captured by one or more cameras 2050, which capture high-quality, high-resolution video of the user's environment for display. The MR view may also include virtual content (e.g., virtual objects, virtual labels of real objects, the user's avatar, etc.) generated by the system and composited with the displayed view of the user's real environment.

[0081] The HMD 2000 may include a recording function that allows users to record images or videos of the real environment captured by the HMD camera 2050. The HMD 2000 may include a recording indicator 2058, integrated into the camera 2058, which emits visible light through the camera lens aperture or through the camera objective lens, such that the recording indicator covers the camera's field of view, for example... Figures 2A to 8 As shown in the figure. Alternatively, the HMD 2000 may include, as shown in the figure. Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 10 The recording indicator 2058 shown, or including a prism positioned in front of the camera lens, as shown... Figure 11 As shown.

[0082] Figure 15B This illustrates that, according to some implementation schemes, may include, for example... Figure 13 The diagram shows a block diagram of an exemplary system for the recording indicator components and method. In these embodiments, the HMD 2000 includes a camera receiver 2051, referenced... Figure 13 The described camera accessory 2050 module is physically or magnetically attached to the HMD 2000. The modular accessory 2050 contains the complete recording functionality of the HMD 2000. To record video, the user must attach the accessory 2050 to the HMD 2000 frame. Therefore, the presence of the modular accessory 2050 on the HMD 2000 serves to indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded.

[0083] Figure 15C This illustrates that, according to some implementation schemes, may include, for example... Figure 14 The diagram shows a block diagram of an exemplary system for the recording indicator components and method. In these embodiments, the HMD 2000 includes a key receiver 2081, referenced... Figure 14 The described key accessory 2080 module is physically or magnetically attached to the HMD 2000. The user must attach the accessory 2080 to the HMD 2000 to enable recording using the integrated camera 2050. Therefore, the presence of the modular accessory 2080 on the HMD 2000 serves to indicate to people in the environment that they may be being recorded.

[0084] Please note, as shown in Figures 2 to 3 above. Figure 11 The internal or external visible light recording indicator light can be connected to, for example... Figure 15B and Figure 15C Any of the modular solutions shown can be used in combination.

[0085] like Figures 15A to 15C The HMD 2000 implementation shown can also be used in virtual reality (VR) applications to provide a VR view to a user. In these implementations, the HMD 2000 controller 2030 can render or acquire virtual reality (VR) frames that include virtual content, and the rendered frames can be displayed to provide a virtual reality (as opposed to mixed reality) experience to the user.

[0086] At least some embodiments of the present invention are further illustrated by the following clauses:

[0087] Clause 1. An apparatus comprising:

[0088] Camera, the camera comprising:

[0089] Image sensors; and

[0090] A camera lens, comprising one or more refractive lens elements configured to refract light received from an object field to form an image at an image plane on the surface of the image sensor; and

[0091] A recording indicator light includes one or more light sources arranged around the camera lens, wherein the recording indicator light is configured to emit visible light pulses toward the object field in an encrypted pattern;

[0092] The controller includes one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to:

[0093] Process one or more video frames captured by the camera to detect an encrypted pattern formed by the light emitted by the recording indicator captured by the image sensor;

[0094] Upon detecting an encryption pattern in one or more video frames, the camera's recording mode is activated, enabling the recording of the captured video; and

[0095] If no encryption pattern is detected in one or more video frames, the camera's recording mode is disabled, preventing the captured video from being recorded.

[0096] Clause 2. The device according to Clause 1, wherein the visible light emitted by the recording indicator covers the field of view of the camera.

[0097] Clause 3. The device according to Clause 1, wherein the encryption pattern is formed in one or more video frames by reflected light from a field of objects captured by the image sensor.

[0098] Clause 4. The device according to Clause 1, wherein the recording indicator further emits pulses of visible light in an encrypted pattern directly into the camera lens, and wherein the encrypted pattern is formed in the one or more video frames by light emitted from the recording indicator into the camera lens and captured by the image sensor.

[0099] Clause 5. The device as described in Clause 1, wherein the recording indicator light is activated in response to the user of the device initiating recording by the camera.

[0100] Clause 6. The device as described in Clause 5, wherein the controller is further configured to randomly select a different encryption pattern each time recording is initiated by a user of the device.

[0101] Clause 7. The device as described in Clause 1, wherein the controller is further configured to remove the cryptographic pattern from video frames captured by the camera.

[0102] Clause 8. The device according to Clause 1, wherein the controller is configured to continuously process video frames captured by the camera to detect an encrypted pattern formed by light emitted from the recording indicator when the recording mode is enabled and disabled.

[0103] Clause 9. The device according to Clause 1, wherein the one or more light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0104] Clause 10. The device described in Clause 1, wherein the device is a mobile handheld device.

[0105] Clause 11. The device described in Clause 1, wherein the device is a head-mounted device (HMD).

[0106] Clause 12. The device according to Clause 1 further includes a memory for storing video frames captured by the camera when the recording mode is enabled.

[0107] Clause 13. A method comprising:

[0108] The recording indicator emits visible light pulses toward the object field in an encrypted pattern;

[0109] Video frames of the scene are captured by the camera;

[0110] Executed by a controller that includes one or more processors:

[0111] Process one or more of the video frames captured by the camera to detect an encrypted pattern formed by the light emitted from the recording indicator;

[0112] Upon detecting an encryption pattern in one or more video frames, the camera's recording mode is activated, enabling the recording of the captured video; and

[0113] If no encryption pattern is detected in one or more video frames, the camera's recording mode is disabled, preventing the captured video from being recorded.

[0114] Clause 14. The method according to Clause 13, wherein the encrypted pattern is formed in the one or more video frames by reflected light from the object field captured by the camera.

[0115] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 13, wherein the encryption pattern is formed in the one or more video frames by light from a recording indicator light emitted directly into the lens of the camera.

[0116] Clause 16. The method described in Clause 13 further includes randomly selecting an encryption pattern when camera recording is initiated.

[0117] Clause 17. The method described in Clause 13 further includes removing the cryptographic pattern from video frames captured by the camera.

[0118] Clause 18. The method described in Clause 13 further includes processing video frames captured by the camera when recording mode is enabled and when recording mode is disabled.

[0119] Clause 19. The method according to Clause 13, wherein the recording indicator comprises one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0120] Clause 20. The method of Clause 13 further includes storing video frames captured by the camera to a memory when recording mode is enabled.

[0121] In various implementations, the methods described herein can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the order of the blocks of the method can be changed, and various elements can be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. The various implementations described herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Thus, multiple examples may be provided for a component described herein as a single example. The boundaries between various components, operations, and data repositories are somewhat arbitrary, and specific operations are shown in the context of a particular exemplary configuration. Other allocations of functionality are contemplated, which may fall within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, the structures and functions of discrete components presented in exemplary configurations can be implemented as combined structures or components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the implementations as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A camera, the camera comprising: Image sensor; A lens barrel comprising one or more refractive lenses, wherein the lens barrel is configured to refract light received from an object field to form an image at an image plane at the surface of the image sensor; as well as A recording indicator light, comprising one or more light sources, wherein the recording indicator light is located between the camera aperture and the image sensor; The image sensor is configured to capture video frames during the integration period, and the recording indicator is deactivated during the integration period. and The recording indicator light is configured to emit pulses of visible light toward the object field through the camera aperture during non-integration periods between the integration periods, and the image sensor receives light from the object field through the camera aperture and the lens barrel to form an image at an image plane on the surface of the image sensor. An optical element, positioned on the object side of the lens barrel, wherein the optical element comprises: The first surface facing the object field; Second surface; and The third surface facing the lens barrel; and The one or more light sources of the recording indicator face the second surface of the optical element, the one or more light sources are configured to emit visible light through the second surface of the optical element, and the third surface of the optical element redirects the visible light received through the second surface through the first surface of the optical element toward the object field; and The light received from the object field passes through the first and second surfaces of the optical element and enters the lens barrel.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the visible light emitted by the recording indicator covers the field of view of the camera.

3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the recording indicator light is activated when the camera is in recording mode and deactivated when the camera is not in recording mode.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged around the image sensor, the two or more LEDs emitting light pulses during the non-integration period, wherein the light pulses emitted by a lens element in the lens barrel are refracted by an aperture stop in the lens barrel to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned between the lens barrel and the image sensor, the two or more LEDs emitting light pulses toward the image sensor during the non-integration period, wherein the light pulses are reflected toward the lens barrel by a surface at or near the image sensor, and wherein a lens element in the lens barrel refracts the reflected light pulses through an aperture stop in the lens barrel to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the camera further comprises a glass or plastic element positioned on the image side of an aperture stop in the lens barrel, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned at the outer edge of the glass or plastic element, wherein the LEDs emit light pulses into the outer edge of the glass or plastic element during a non-integration period, wherein the light pulses are guided by the glass or plastic element toward the aperture stop before leaving the aperture stop, and wherein one or more lens elements on the object side of the aperture stop in the lens barrel refract the light pulses through the aperture stop to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera.

7. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is a prism.

8. The camera of claim 1, wherein the optical element is one of the one or more refractive lenses in the lens barrel.

9. A system comprising: Camera, the camera comprising: Image sensor; A lens barrel comprising one or more refractive lenses, wherein the lens barrel is configured to refract light received from an object field to form an image at an image plane at the surface of the image sensor; A recording indicator light, comprising one or more light sources, wherein the recording indicator light is activated when the camera is in recording mode and deactivated when the camera is not in recording mode, and wherein the recording indicator light is located between the camera aperture and the image sensor; and A glass or plastic element positioned on the image side of an aperture stop within the lens barrel, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned at the outer edge of the glass or plastic element, wherein the LEDs emit light pulses into the outer edge of the glass or plastic element during a non-integration period, wherein the light pulses are guided by the glass or plastic element toward the aperture stop before leaving the aperture stop, and wherein one or more lens elements on the object side of the aperture stop within the lens barrel refract and emit light pulses through the aperture stop to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera; A memory, the memory being used to store video captured by the camera when the camera is in recording mode; The system is configured to capture and store video frames during an integration period when the camera is in recording mode, wherein the recording indicator is deactivated during the integration period; and The recording indicator light is configured to emit pulses of visible light toward the object field through the camera aperture during a non-integration period between the integration periods when the camera is in recording mode, and wherein the image sensor receives light from the object field through the camera aperture and the lens barrel to form an image at an image plane on the surface of the image sensor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged around the image sensor, the two or more LEDs emitting light pulses during the non-integration period, wherein the light pulses emitted by a lens element in the lens barrel are refracted by an aperture stop in the lens barrel to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the recording indicator comprises two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned between the lens barrel and the image sensor, the two or more LEDs emitting light pulses toward the image sensor during the non-integration period, wherein the light pulses are reflected toward the lens barrel by a surface at or near the image sensor, and wherein a lens element in the lens barrel refracts the reflected light pulses through an aperture stop in the lens barrel to provide visible light covering the field of view of the camera.

12. The system according to claim 9, further comprising: An optical element, positioned on the object side of the lens barrel of the camera, wherein the optical element comprises: The first surface facing the object field; Second surface; and The third surface facing the lens barrel; and The one or more light sources of the recording indicator face the second surface of the optical element, the one or more light sources are configured to emit visible light through the second surface of the optical element, and the third surface of the optical element redirects the visible light received through the second surface through the first surface of the optical element toward the object field; and The light received from the object field passes through the first and second surfaces of the optical element and enters the lens barrel.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a device, wherein the camera and the memory are integrated in the device, and wherein the device includes one or more processors for processing video frames captured by the camera.

14. The system according to claim 9, further comprising: equipment; as well as Modular attachments, which are configured to be physically or magnetically attached to the device; When attached to the device, the modular accessory communicates with the device's controller via a wired or wireless connection, enabling the recording of video captured by the camera to the memory.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera and the memory are integrated in the device, wherein the device includes one or more processors for processing video frames captured by the camera.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the camera is a component of the modular accessory.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the modular accessory includes the memory for storing video captured by the camera while the camera is in a recording mode, and one or more processors for processing video frames captured by the camera.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the modular accessory includes smart authentication technology such that the modular accessory is uniquely paired with a particular device.

Images