Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical element driving mechanism, which includes a movable part, a fixed assembly, and a driving assembly. The movable part is configured to be connected to an optical element. The fixed assembly has a first opening, and the movable part is movable relative to the fixed assembly along a first axis. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable part to move between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed assembly, so that the optical element selectively overlaps the first opening.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a cabin camera is provided. The mounting assembly includes a camera housing for the camera. The mounting assembly further includes a headliner mount removably coupled to the camera housing. The headliner mount includes a base and one or more retention members hingably coupled to the base. The one or more retention members are movable relative to the base to selectively secure the headliner mount to a headliner of a vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable scoop includes a scoop body and a plunger. The scoop body has a cylindrical interior sidewall, a hollow interior, an open top, and an open bottom. The plunger is arranged in the interior of the scoop body such that a top surface of the plunger faces the open top. A volume of the interior of the scoop body above the plunger defines a volume of the adjustable scoop. The plunger is rotatable in the interior of the scoop body to adjust the volume of the adjustable scoop. The plunger includes a first engagement element, and a surface of the interior sidewall of the scoop body includes a second engagement element extending from the surface. The first and second engagement elements mutually cooperate to translate rotation of the plunger to adjustment of the volume of the adjustable scoop.

Abstract: An accessory includes a plurality of communication contacts that includes a first contact, and a control unit that notifies an electronic apparatus of a communication request by changing a signal level of the first contact from a first signal level to a second signal level different from the first signal level, and transmits information indicating a communication factor in response to a reception of a request for the information indicating the communication factor in response to a notification of the communication request. In a case where the control unit notifies the electronic apparatus of the communication request via the first contact in response to a start of a power supply, the control unit performs predetermined communication without receiving the request for the information indicating the communication factor or transmitting the information indicating the communication factor.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a casing, a camera assembly, an adjustment element, a first stopping structure and a second stopping structure. The camera assembly is disposed within the casing. A portion of the camera assembly is exposed outside the casing. The adjustment element is connected with the camera assembly, and rotatable relative to the casing. As the adjustment element is rotated, the camera assembly is correspondingly rotated. The adjustment element includes a contacting structure. The first stopping structure and the second stopping structure are arranged between the casing and the adjustment element and located at different positions. When the camera assembly is switched to a horizontal photographing mode, the contacting structure is positioned at the first stopping structure. When the camera assembly is switched to a vertical photographing mode, the contacting structure is positioned at the second stopping structure.

Abstract: A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a movable portion, a fixed portion configured to hold the movable portion, and a controller configured to control a position of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion. At least part of the outer surface of the movable portion is a spherical surface. The fixed portion includes a plurality of vibrators configured to press and contact the spherical surface of the movable portion and to rotate the movable portion, and a pressure receiver configured to hold pressure contact states of the plurality of vibrators against the movable portion. The movable portion is held by the plurality of vibrators and the pressure receiver, and a spherical center of the spherical surface of the movable portion is located between a plane passing through the plurality of vibrators and the pressure receiver.

Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is provided, including a bottom plate, a housing, connected to the bottom plate, a movable portion movably received between the housing and the bottom plate, and a biasing assembly connecting the bottom plate to the base of the movable portion. The movable portion includes a frame, a holder, and a base, wherein the holder is received in the frame and configured to sustain the optical lens, and the base is connected to the frame and the holder. The biasing assembly connects the bottom plate to the base of the movable portion, wherein when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the base and the biasing assembly partially overlap.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a base plate including an opening, a blade unit configured to switch a state of the opening, a driving member configured to drive the blade unit, a motor, a decelerator configured to decelerate power from the motor, a first connector engaged with the decelerator, a second connector having one end attached to the driving member and another attached to the first connector, a first position detector configured to detect passage through a predetermined position in a moving locus of the driving member or the first connector, and a second position detector configured to detect a relative difference from the first position detector. The blade unit switches the state of the opening from the closed state to the opened state by continuous rotation of the first connector. Driving of the motor is controlled based on results of the detection by the first and second position detectors.

Abstract: Folded cameras comprising a movable lens having a lens optical axis and positioned in an optical path between an optical path folding element (OPFE) and an image sensor, wherein the OPFE folds light from a first direction to a second direction, the second direction being substantially along the lens optical axis, and an actuator for controlled lens movement, the actuator including or being attached to a shield partially surrounding the lens, the shield having an opening positioned and dimensioned to enable installation of the lens into the shield from an insertion direction substantially parallel to the first direction. A folded camera disclosed herein may be included together with an upright camera in a dual-camera.

Abstract: A lens module includes: a carrier having an internal space; a lens unit including a plurality of lens groups, the lens unit being installed on the carrier such that at least one of the lens groups is configured to move in a length direction of the carrier; a lens guide assembly including a plurality of guide members disposed on side surfaces of each of the lens groups, and configured to guide movement of at least two lens groups among the plurality of lens groups; and at least two driving wires connected to the plurality of guide members and formed of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens holder accommodating a lens module therein, a housing accommodating the lens module and the lens holder therein, a shake correction unit including first and second magnets, disposed in the lens holder, and first and second coils disposed to face the first and second magnets, a focusing unit including a third magnet, disposed in the lens module, and a third coil disposed on a first substrate disposed on the lens holder, and a plurality of ball members configured to support movement of the lens module in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The lens module, the lens holder, the third magnet, and the third coil are moved together in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, by driving force of the shake correction unit.

Abstract: An underwater system is disclosed for use with a digital image capturing device (DICD) in underwater environments. The underwater system includes a center band having first and second support bands; a first housing fixedly connected to the first support band and including an optically clear material; a second housing fixedly connected to the second support band and including an optically clear material; a cradle connected to the first support band and configured to receive the DICD; and a latching mechanism positioned between the cradle and the first support band. The second support band is pivotally connected to the first support band such that the underwater system is repositionable between an open position and a closed position, and the latching mechanism is repositionable between a locked position, in which the latching mechanism securely engages the DICD, and an unlocked position, in which the latching mechanism is disengaged from the DICD.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes a plurality of optical lenses. The optical lenses are arranged along an optical axis to capture an image in an image capture direction and project the image on an imaging plane. The plurality of optical lenses are divided into at least one fixed lens set and at least one movable lens set. The fixed lens set is fixedly disposed, and the movable lens set is configured to move relative to the fixed lens set, so as to adjust focal lengths of the optical lenses.

Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an electronic communication device having a camera to take a selfie picture or video comprising a hand mirror comprising a housing and a mirror surface engaged with the housing. The apparatus further comprises a fastener adapted to engage directly to the mirror surface and the electronic communication device to position the camera in front of the mirror surface. The apparatus further comprises a light source. The apparatus further comprises a control circuit. The apparatus further comprises an input device connected with the control circuit. The input device comprising a first button to activate the camera and a second button to activate the light source.

Abstract: An imaging camera driving module includes a lens unit, a driving mechanism, a sensing mechanism and an image surface. At least a part of the driving mechanism is coupled to the lens unit to drive the lens unit to move in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The sensing mechanism includes sensing magnets fixed to the lens unit and sensing elements not facing the driving mechanism. The sensing elements are disposed on an image side of the imaging lens assembly of the lens unit and corresponding to the sensing magnets. The sensing elements are configured to detect a relative position of the sensing magnets. The image surface is disposed on the image side of the imaging lens assembly, and the optical axis passes through the image surface. The sensing mechanism is configured to detect a tilt of the optical axis with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface. A lens barrel supports the lens and has outer and inner lens barrel ends separated by a longitudinal axis. The lens is arranged along the longitudinal axis to span the outer lens barrel end such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. A heater element is located within the lens barrel. The heater element has a heater element electrical lead extending radially and longitudinally therefrom to provide power to the heater element. A carrier ring extends circumferentially around at least a portion of an outside lens barrel surface adjacent the inner lens barrel end. The carrier ring includes at least one lead station radially aligned with the heater element electrical lead.

Abstract: A lens module includes a carrier having an internal space, a lens unit including lens groups and installed in the carrier so that at least two of the lens groups are independently movable in a length direction of the carrier, a guide unit including guide members arranged on both side surfaces of the lens groups to guide movement of the movable lens groups, and driving wires connected to each of the guide members and formed of a shape memory alloy, wherein each of the movable lens groups is connected to a pair of guide members disposed on both sides of the carrier.

Abstract: A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.