Abstract: Accessory lens structures for cameras are described. For example, an image capture device may include a mother lens assembly including a first stack of lenses; an image sensor positioned at a first end of the mother lens assembly and configured to detect images based on light incident on the image sensor through the first stack of lenses; a conversion lens assembly including a second stack of lenses, wherein the second stack of lenses is afocal; and a conversion lens mounting apparatus configured to removably attach the conversion lens assembly to the image capture device in a position over a second end of the mother lens assembly, opposite from the image sensor, such that light incident on an outer lens of the second stack of lenses will be refracted through the second stack of lenses and the first stack of lenses to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a lens barrel disposed in a body of the image capture device and an adjustable lens module coupled to the lens barrel. The adjustable lens module includes a housing, an external ring, an internal ring, and an internal movable barrel. The external ring is coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about an optical axis. The internal ring is coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about the optical axis based upon rotation of the external ring about the optical axis. The internal movable barrel includes a movable internal lens, is coupled to the internal ring, and is configured to move axially along the optical axis based upon rotation of the internal ring.

Abstract: Systems and processes for cameras with a reconfigurable lens assembly are described. For example, some methods include automatically detecting that an accessory lens structure has been mounted to an image capture device including a mother lens and an image sensor configured to detect light incident through the mother lens, such that an accessory lens of the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; responsive to detecting that the accessory lens structure has been mounted, automatically identifying the accessory lens from among a set of multiple supported accessory lenses; accessing an image captured using the image sensor when the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; determining a warp mapping based on identification of the accessory lens; applying the warp mapping to the image to obtain a warped image; and transmitting, storing, or displaying an output image based on the warped image.

Abstract: A coupler (mount) is disclosed that is configured to releasably connect an image capture device and an accessory. The coupler includes a shaft and a lever that is operatively connected to the shaft, and is repositionable between unlocked and locked positions as well as between disengaged and engaged positions. When the coupler is in the unlocked positioned, the image capture device and the accessory are movable in relation to each other, and when the coupler is in the locked positioned, the image capture device and the accessory are fixed in relation to each other. When the coupler is in the disengaged position, the shaft is removable from the image capture device and the accessory, and when the coupler is in the engaged position, the shaft is non-removable from the image capture device and the accessory.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a lens barrel disposed in a body of the image device, a bayonet, a replaceable lens module that is configured to releasably couple to the bayonet, and a biasing element coupled to the housing or coupled to the bayonet that is configured to bias the housing against the lens barrel. The replaceable lens module includes a housing and a lens positioned in a lens recess of the housing. Additionally, when an impact force that meets a predetermined threshold is applied to an exterior surface of the replaceable lens module, the housing is configured to compress the biasing element and disengage the lens barrel.

Abstract: An image capture system for enhanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) includes an image capture device and an adapter lens. The image capture device includes an image sensor, a lens housing, a processor, and a lens assembly that includes a first group of optical elements disposed within the lens housing. The first group of optical elements are used project an image onto the image sensor. The processor performs EIS. The adapter lens is used to enhance EIS of the image capture device. The adapter lens has an adapter lens housing that interfaces with the lens housing. The lens housing automatically detects the adapter lens.

Abstract: Systems and processes for cameras with a reconfigurable lens assembly are described. For example, some methods include automatically detecting that an accessory lens structure has been mounted to an image capture device including a mother lens and an image sensor configured to detect light incident through the mother lens, such that an accessory lens of the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; responsive to detecting that the accessory lens structure has been mounted, automatically identifying the accessory lens from among a set of multiple supported accessory lenses; accessing an image captured using the image sensor when the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; determining a warp mapping based on identification of the accessory lens; applying the warp mapping to the image to obtain a warped image; and transmitting, storing, or displaying an output image based on the warped image.

Abstract: An integrated sensor-lens assembly for an image capture apparatus. The integrated sensor-lens assembly defines an optical axis and includes: a lens holder, a cover glass holder that is secured to the lens holder at a first interface; and a printed circuit board that is secured to the cover glass holder at a second interface, whereby the cover glass holder indirectly connects the lens holder to the printed circuit board such that the lens holder and the printed circuit board are devoid of any direct connection.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes first and second image sensors that generates heat and are opposed a space from each other and a housing assembly that encloses the first and second image sensors. The image capture apparatus includes first and second circuit boards that are connected respectively and separately with the first and second image sensors, and the first and second circuit boards include a peripheral edge that extends from the first and second image sensors to an outside of the housing assembly. The image capture apparatus includes a heatsink assembly positioned on the outside of the housing assembly and a heat conductor assembly that is extended between the heatsink assembly and the first and second circuit boards.

Abstract: An image capture device with a series of elements, a forward element, and a sensor assembly. The series of elements are aligned along an optical axis and have a field of view of about 180 degrees or more. The forward element removably covers the series of elements, wherein the forward element is curved and configured to capture the field of view of about 180 degrees or more and provide optical power to the series of elements. A sensor assembly is located on the optical axis. The forward element is made of glass.

Abstract: An optical module for an image capture system is disclosed. The optical module includes a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that is oriented in a first direction and which defines a first optical axis and first mounting surfaces; a second ISLA that is oriented in a second, opposite direction and which defines a second optical axis coincident with the first optical axis and second mounting surfaces; and an adhesive that is located between the first mounting surfaces and the second mounting surfaces such that the first ISLA and the second ISLA are directly connected together.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an image capture device that defines an optical axis and includes an optical module having: a lens holder; a first optical group supported by the lens holder; a lens barrel axially movable in relation to the lens holder along the optical axis; a second optical group supported by the lens barrel such that the second optical group is axially movable in relation to the first optical group along the optical axis to thereby adjust focus of the image capture device; and an adjustment member in engagement with the lens barrel such that rotation of the adjustment member causes axial movement of the lens barrel and the second optical group along the optical axis. In various embodiments, the adjustment member may be configured for rotation about an axis of rotation that extends in (generally) parallel relation or in (generally) orthogonal relation to the optical axis.

Abstract: An image capture system for enhanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) includes an image capture device and an adapter lens. The image capture device includes an image sensor, a lens housing, a processor, and a lens assembly that includes a first group of optical elements disposed within the lens housing. The first group of optical elements are used project an image onto the image sensor. The processor performs EIS. The adapter lens is used to enhance EIS of the image capture device. The adapter lens has an adapter lens housing that interfaces with the lens housing. The adapter lens has a second group of optical elements disposed within the adapter lens housing. The second group of optical elements are used to project the image as an image circle on the image sensor.

Abstract: A digital image capturing device (DICD) that includes: a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) facing in a first direction; a second ISLA facing in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and a bridge member that is positioned between the first ISLA and the second ISLA, wherein the bridge member is configured as a discrete structure that is separate from the first ISLA and the second ISLA.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for lens water dispersion. For example, an image capture device may include a lens mounted on a body of the image capture device; an image sensor mounted within the body, behind the lens and configured to detect images based on light incident on the image sensor through the lens; and a dispersion structure around a perimeter of the lens on an external surface of the body, wherein the dispersion structure includes gaps sized to cause capillary action to move water away from the lens, from a first edge of the dispersion structure to a second edge of the dispersion structure.

Abstract: The present teachings provide an image capture device including an optical system. The optical system includes a rearward lens assembly, a forward lens assembly, and a bias device. The forward lens assembly is axially aligned with the rearward lens assembly along an optical axis. The bias device is located between the rearward lens assembly and the forward lens assembly and is configured to allow the forward lens assembly to move relative to the rearward lens assembly.

Abstract: An image capture device is disclosed that includes: a body; an optical module that is positioned within the body and which defines an optical axis; and an isolation assembly that supports (suspends) the optical module within the body and which facilitates resilient displacement of the optical module in relation to the body upon the application of an external force to the image capture device to thereby inhibit transmission of the external force to the optical module.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a digital image capturing device (DICD) is described that includes a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) defining a first optical axis and facing in a first direction; a second ISLA defining a second optical axis offset from the first optical axis and facing in a second direction generally opposite the first direction (i.e., such that the second ISLA is rotated approximately 180 from the first ISLA); and a bridge member that is positioned between the first and second ISLAs to fixedly secure together the first and second ISLAs. The bridge member is configured as a discrete structure (i.e., as being separate from both the first ISLA and the second ISLA), and defines a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel in relation to the first and second optical axes.

Abstract: Devices for active athermalization and lens position indexing include an image capture device that includes a lens assembly, a lens mount, a memory, a printed circuit board (PCB), an image sensor, a temperature sensor, and actuator, and a processor. The memory stores a calibration look up table (LUT) that includes focus positions across a temperature range. The image sensor may be disposed on the PCB. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of the lens assembly. The processor determines a position of the lens assembly relative to the image sensor to maintain a focus point over the temperature range based on the calibration LUT, the measured temperature, or both. The processor may be configured to transmit a control signal to the actuator to modify the position of the lens assembly relative to the image sensor to maintain the focus point based on the measured temperature.

Abstract: Modular lens assemblies and mounting systems are disclosed. A modular lens assembly includes a removable portion and a fixed portion. The removable portion includes a first lens stack configured to produce a near-collimated ray path or a collimated ray path. The fixed portion includes a second lens stack configured to receive the near-collimated ray path or the collimated ray path from the removable portion. The modular lens assembly may be implemented in an image capture device. An image sensor of the image capture device is positioned at an end of the modular lens assembly. The image sensor is configured to capture images based on light incident on the image sensor through the first lens stack and the second lens stack such that the light incident on an outer lens of the first lens stack is refracted through the second lens stack to the image sensor.