Abstract: A portable apparatus for providing acoustic and/or weather shielding for audio and/or video recording devices. The apparatus includes a collapsible housing case having a top panel, two side panels each attached to opposite sides of the top panel, and a rear panel attached to the top panel and a rigid side support attached to each side panel. The apparatus additionally includes a mounting bar that is attachable to each of the rigid side supports and at least one sound absorbing inner liner arranged on an interior side of the top panel, the two side panels and the rear panel. When the apparatus is in an operable configuration, the rear panel is structured and arranged to be moveable from a rear-access covering position to a rear-access non-covering position to provide a selectively openable rear access to an interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for measuring the position of a camera lens carrier moveable by an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, the method includes generating a measurement of a magnetic field resulting at least in part from the one or more position sensor magnets. In some embodiments, the generating the measurement of the magnetic field includes measuring a magnetic field component created at least in part by the one or more position sensor magnets fixedly mounted to the camera lens carrier. In some embodiments, the camera lens carrier is moveably coupled to a substrate by the autofocus actuator to provide motion in a direction orthogonal to the substrate. In some embodiments, the generating the measurement of the magnetic field component includes measuring the magnetic field component at a sensor fixedly mounted to the substrate of the autofocus actuator.

Abstract: An image-capture system is provided. The image-capture system includes a lens, a motor, a first sensing unit, and a control unit. The lens has an effective focal length. The motor carries the lens and adjusts a position of the lens according to a driving signal. The first sensing unit senses a shaking amount of the image-capture system and generates a first sensing signal. The control unit provides the driving signal according to predetermined information and the first sensing signal.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a pointing angle of an actively stabilized camera is provided. The camera is housed by an active stabilization system configured to stabilize the camera in accordance with a commanded pointing angle. The active stabilization system comprises a steering member rotatable around one or more of a pan axis, tilt axis, and roll axis of the system. The method comprises: deriving a joint angle measurement of the steering member associated with a rotational movement of the steering member and adjusting the pointing angle of the camera, based on the derived joint angle measurement, in a direction of the rotational movement of the steering member, if the joint angle measurement exceeds the threshold window. If the joint angle measurement is within the threshold window, the pointing angle of the camera is actively stabilized in accordance with the commanded pointing angle.

Abstract: A damping mechanism of a camera tripod head includes a fixing seat, a spindle connected to the fixing seat, damping devices fitted on the spindle, and a rotary seat. Each damping device includes a damping disc, a stop block fitted on the spindle, and a drive device for pushing the stop block to slide along the spindle. The damping disc includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The stop block is movable to disengage from the inner ring of the damping disc by the drive device. The drive device includes a push lever, a seesaw plate hinged to the fixing seat, and a cam mounted on the fixing seat. One end of the push lever leans against the stop block. One end of the seesaw plate leans against another end of the push lever. Another end of the seesaw plate leans against the cam.

Abstract: There is provided a blade drive device including a substrate that has an opening, a front curtain and a rear curtain that are movable along an opening surface of the opening so as to open and close the opening, a front curtain locking portion that interlocks with opening and closing operations of the front curtain, a rear curtain locking portion that interlocks with opening and closing operations of the rear curtain, and a regulation lever that is configured to be pivotally movable around a lever axis, and that is capable of entry and escape between an entry position which enters each operation trajectory of the front curtain locking portion and the rear curtain locking portion in response to the opening and closing operations of the front curtain and the rear curtain and an escape position escaped from the operation trajectory.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first member including a holding member, the retaining member holding a lens; a second member surrounding the first member; an imaging device arranged opposite to the first member and the lens; and a driving member arranged in a region adjacent to the first member driving the first member in the vertical direction relative to the imaging device. The first member includes at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first outer diameter and the second portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter, the first and second portions respectively having a first corner and a second corner, the first and second corners respectively having a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion. At least a portion of the driving member is disposed at a region corresponding to the second portion.

Abstract: In one example, a camera is provided that includes: a plurality of MEMS electrostatic comb actuators, each actuator operable to exert a force on at least one lens; and an optical image stabilization (OIS) algorithm module operable to command the plurality of actuators to actuate the at least one lens responsive to motion of the camera.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a collapsible light box. An apparatus includes a substantially cube-shaped structure comprising a top side, a bottom side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side. An inside of the structure is accessible through a front side of the structure, which is open. An apparatus includes one or more joints located on each of the right side and the left side of the structure. The one or more joints allow the structure to collapse into a substantially flat shape. An apparatus includes one or more support elements providing support for the top side of the structure.

Abstract: A correcting optical device including: a fixing member; a rotating member; a movable member; first and second drive units; and at least first and second contact members. For the regulation of movement of the movable member, rotational driving force is produced by the first and second drive units and, the rotating member is rotated in the opposite direction of the rotational direction of the movable member after the movable member is rotated to be brought into contact with the first contact member, whereby translational movement of the movable member is regulated. For image deflection correction, rotational driving force in the opposite direction of the rotational force is produced and, the rotating member is rotated in the opposite direction of the rotational direction of the movable member after the movable member is rotated to be brought into contact with the second contact member, whereby regulation on the movable member is released.

Abstract: An instrument for use with an endoscope may include an elongate section configured to move exterior to the endoscope. The elongate section may include a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument may also include an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate section, and an actuation device attached to the proximal end of the elongate section. The actuation device may be configured to operate the end effector. The instrument may also include a guiding member coupled to the elongate section. The guiding member may be configured to be coupled to an external surface of the endoscope to permit the guiding member to move longitudinally relative to the endoscope. The guiding member may be coupled to the elongate section such that the end effector may extend past a distal end of the endoscope and move in a transverse direction independent of the movement of the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus detects presence or absence of change in a distance between an object and the automatic focusing apparatus while operating in an operation mode to continuously perform an adjustment of the position of a focus lens to focus on the object, and stops a movement of the focus lens if a change in the distance is not detected.

Abstract: A camera slider has a base and a tubular hollow arm pivotally attached to the base. A counterweight carriage is supported on the arm on carriage rollers. An electric drive motor moves the counterweight carriage linearly on top of the arm. A slider counterweight is movable from a first position, wherein the counterweight carriage is at or adjacent to a first end of the arm and the slider counterweight is at or adjacent to a second end of the arm, and a second position wherein the counterweight carriage is at the second end of the arm, opposite from the first end, and the slider counterweight is at or adjacent to the first end of the arm.

Abstract: A camera slider has a base and a tubular hollow arm pivotally attached to the base. A counterweight carriage is supported on the arm on carriage rollers. An electric drive motor moves the counterweight carriage linearly on top of the arm. A slider counterweight is movable between ends of the arm to maintain the arm in balance. A telescoping locking strut allows the arm to be held at a wide range of elevation angles.

Abstract: Provided are an unmanned aerial vehicle system for taking a close-up picture of a facility and a photography method using the same. The unmanned aerial vehicle system can safely bring a drone, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle, close to a facility surface, which is a subject, using supports and settling members to precisely photograph damage, deterioration, and defects on the facility surface and can safely bring the unmanned aerial vehicle close to the facility and fix the unmanned aerial vehicle on the facility in a perpendicular direction with respect to the subject surface of the facility to improve the quality of an image captured by a camera when the unmanned aerial vehicle is remotely controlled or autonomously navigates.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are auxiliary optical systems for removably attaching to mobile devices, including mobile telephones with onboard cameras, to provide enhanced optical features. Some auxiliary optical systems can be configured to attach to multiple different types and sizes of mobile devices. Some auxiliary optical systems can be configured to attach to a mobile device that includes a protruding onboard camera. For example, in some embodiments, a retainer portion of an auxiliary optical system can comprise a region for receiving the protruding onboard camera in a clearance or friction fit.

Abstract: A camera flash is provided with a lens element adjacent a light source, wherein the lens element has a plurality of concentric ridges projecting from a surface of the generally planar member to define facets of a Fresnel lens, and wherein the plurality of concentric ridges define a generally square or rectangular shape having rounded corners.

Abstract: The invention speeds up operation of an interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens, which is removably mounted on a camera body, includes a communication control microcomputer, a lens driving circuit and a lens driving actuator. A body-side microcomputer and the communication control microcomputer of the interchangeable lens are connected and are capable of communicating with each other. Lines are provided in such a manner that the lens driving circuit and body-side microcomputer can communicate directly. A command from the body-side microcomputer is input to the lens driving circuit. This allows the lens driving circuit to be controlled directly and makes it possible to control the interchangeable lens at high speed.

Abstract: A camera mount, assembly, and method for supporting a number of cameras side-by-side along a linear or curvilinear path. The camera mount includes a rigid body having a tab and a coupling flange extending from opposite ends thereof. Tabs and flanges of adjacent mounts are overlapped and coupled via a fastener installed therethrough. A spring washer is installed on the fastener to preload the joint against relative movements, but the mounts are pivotable by hand about an axis formed by the fastener. Angular orientation between adjacent mounts can be defined using a gauge inserted between opposing faces of the mounts. Cameras are disposable on each mount and retained thereon by an elastic band extending over the camera and retained on catches provided on each side of the mount. The assembly of camera mounts is substantially rigid thus requiring few support devices.