Abstract: A photographing device includes a camera module assembly, a glass disposed external to the camera module assembly to protect the camera module assembly, a heating element disposed on the glass and a controller configured to control the heating element to heat the glass.

Abstract: A photographing device includes a camera module assembly, a glass disposed external to the camera module assembly to protect the camera module assembly, and a temperature sensor configured to detect an internal temperature of the photographing device. The photographing device also includes a heating element disposed on the glass. The photographing device further includes a controller configured to obtain the external temperature and to control the heating element to heat the glass when a difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile platform includes determining a threshold angle relative to the mobile platform of an imaging device mounted to the mobile platform that avoids obstruction of a field-of-view of the imaging device by one or more components of the mobile platform, and controlling the mobile platform according to the threshold angle.

Abstract: A lens locking apparatus is configured to be coupled to a lens module. The lens module is configured to focus on an object by translating along an optical axis of the lens module. The lens locking apparatus is configured to fix a position of the lens module by applying a compressive force on the lens module when the lens module is at a focused position.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a housing, a carrier arranged within the housing, an optical assembly supported by the carrier within the housing, and a plurality of non-optical components arranged within the housing. The carrier includes one or more frame structures that are configured to rotate relative to the housing about two or more axes of rotation. The optical assembly includes a plurality of lenses and an image sensor, and the optical assembly is movable relative to the housing via the carrier about the two or more axes of rotation. The one or more frame structures are coupled to one or more motors and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of lenses and the image sensor to move inside a limited movement space of the optical assembly.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a housing, a carrier arranged within the housing, an optical assembly supported by the carrier within the housing, and a plurality of non-optical components arranged within the housing. The carrier includes one or more frame components that are configured to rotate relative to the housing about one or more axes of rotation. The optical assembly includes one or more lenses and an image sensor. The optical assembly is movable relative to the housing via the carrier about the one or more axes of rotation. At least one of the non-optical components is (1) operably coupled to the optical assembly and (2) not supported by the carrier.

Abstract: A damping structure configured for connecting a gimbal with a carrier includes a first connecting member connectable with the gimbal, a second connecting member connectable with the carrier, and a damper elastically disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The damper includes a damper body, a first fixed portion, and a second fixed portion. The first fixed portion and the second fixed portion are configured to connect with two opposite sides of the damper body, respectively. The first fixed portion includes an elastic ring sleeve configured to sleeve couple with the first connecting member. The second fixed portion is connected with the second connecting member.

Abstract: A damping structure configured for connecting a gimbal with a carrier includes a first connecting member connectable with the gimbal, a second connecting member connectable with the carrier, and a damper elastically disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The damper includes a damper body, a first fixed portion, and a second fixed portion. The first fixed portion and the second fixed portion are configured to connect with two opposite sides of the damper body, respectively. The first fixed portion includes an elastic ring sleeve configured to sleeve couple with the first connecting member. The second fixed portion is connected with the second connecting member.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile platform includes determining a threshold angle relative to the mobile platform of an imaging device mounted to the mobile platform that avoids obstruction of a field-of-view of the imaging device by one or more components of the mobile platform, and controlling the mobile platform according to the threshold angle.

Abstract: Protective cover for a gimbal camera of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and UAV are provided. The protective cover includes a stopper slidingly connected to the UAV and a locking member rotatably connected to the stopper. The locking member is configured to be locked to the UAV such that the stopper and the locking member are fixed to the UAV. The locking member is closed with the stopper to at least partially cover the gimbal camera.

Abstract: A damping structure configured for connecting a gimbal with a carrier is provided. The damping structure includes a first connecting member connectable with the gimbal. The damping structure also includes a second connecting member connectable with the carrier. The damping structure also includes a damper elastically disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The damping structure further includes a separation-proof member connected with the damper and configured to cause the damper to abut against at least one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member through a stretching force generated by vibration of the damper.

Abstract: A photographing device includes a camera module assembly, a glass disposed external to the camera module assembly to protect the camera module assembly, and a temperature sensor configured to detect an internal temperature of the photographing device. The photographing device also includes a heating element disposed on the glass. The photographing device further includes a controller configured to obtain the external temperature and to control the heating element to heat the glass when a difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method of imaging on a mobile platform includes exposing an imaging device mounted aboard the mobile platform at a plurality of positions of a component of the mobile platform to obtain images, determining, using the images, allowed positions of the component that do not obstruct a field-of-view of the imaging device, and controlling the imaging device according to the allowed positions to avoid imaging the component.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a housing, a carrier arranged within the housing, an optical assembly supported by the carrier within the housing, and a plurality of non-optical components arranged within the housing. The carrier includes one or more frame components that are configured to rotate relative to the housing about one or more axes of rotation. The optical assembly includes one or more lenses and an image sensor. The optical assembly is movable relative to the housing via the carrier about the one or more axes of rotation. At least one of the non-optical components is (1) operably coupled to the optical assembly and (2) not supported by the carrier.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body and a plurality of arms extending away from the central body. The central body includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion is configured to move translationally relative to the second body portion to transform the central body between a first configuration and a second configuration. Each of the plurality of arms is configured to couple to at least one propulsion unit configured to generate lift for the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system includes a first device including a housing space, a second device configured to be housed and held at the housing space, and a retaining structure configured to hold the second device at the housing space.

Abstract: A damping structure configured for connecting a gimbal with a carrier is provided. The damping structure includes a first connecting member connectable with the gimbal. The damping structure also includes a second connecting member connectable with the carrier. The damping structure also includes a damper elastically disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The damping structure further includes a separation-proof member connected with the damper and configured to cause the damper to abut against at least one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member through a stretching force generated by vibration of the damper.

Abstract: A method of imaging on a mobile platform includes exposing an imaging device mounted aboard the mobile platform at a plurality of positions of a component of the mobile platform to obtain images, determining, using the images, allowed positions of the component that do not obstruct a field-of-view of the imaging device, and controlling the imaging device according to the allowed positions to avoid imaging the component.

Abstract: A lens locking apparatus is configured to be coupled to a lens module. The lens module is configured to focus on an object by translating along an optical axis of the lens module. The lens locking apparatus is configured to fix a position of the lens module by applying a compressive force on the lens module when the lens module is at a focused position.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light polarization state detection apparatus, a detection method and a light polarization state modulation method. The light polarization state detection apparatus comprises a lens with a variable birefringence feature as an optical phase modulator, a polarizer as a SOP analyzer, a plurality of common lenses and a CCD as imaging devices, and a data processing and displaying unit. The SOP detection apparatus uses wide special birefringence distribution of birefringence optical elements such as a GRIN lens to obtain the Stokes parameters of light to be measured by CCD single frame imaging, and can rapidly accurately measure the SOP. The SOP detection apparatus is simple in structure, lower in cost without containing any motion parts and electrical modulation devices, and is a fully static full Stokes parameters SOP detection apparatus.