The present disclosure discloses an electro-hydraulic varifocal lens-based method for tracking a 3D trajectory of a moving object. The method includes the following steps of: (1) obtaining a functional relation between a focusing control current and camera's intrinsic parameters; (2) obtaining a functional relation between focusing control currents of the electro-hydraulic varifocal lens and an optimal object distance; (3) initializing an object tracking algorithm, and taking an object tracking box as a subsequent focusing window; (4) carrying out first autofocusing, recording a focusing control current value after the autofocusing is completed, as well as a size and center point coordinates of the object tracking box; (5) calculating and recording coordinates of the object in 3D space; and (6) repeating steps (4) and (5) for the same object, and sequentially connecting the recorded coordinates of the object in 3D space into a trajectory.

Methods and systems to implement a miniature long range imaging engine with auto-focus, auto-zoom, and auto-illumination are disclosed herein. An example method includes detecting, by a microprocessor, a presence of an aim light pattern within the FOV; determining, by the microprocessor and in response to the detecting, a target distance of an object in the FOV based on a position of the aim light pattern in the FOV, the target distance being a distance from the imaging engine to the object; causing, by the microprocessor, a variable focus optical element to focus on the object based on the target distance; responsive to making a first determination, by the microprocessor, selecting, based on the target distance, one of a plurality of zoom operation modes; and responsive to making a second determination, by the microprocessor, selecting, based on the target distance, one of a plurality of illumination modes.

An imaging device stores a focal length and a position of a focus lens in a storage unit in a case in which a focal state is determined to be a focus state in which a subject is in focus and at least one of the imaging device or the subject is determined to be stationary; generates tracking data for changing the position of the focus lens according to a change in focal length, using a plurality of stored focal lengths and a plurality of stored positions of the focus lens; and performs a zoom tracking control using the generated tracking data.

An imaging device stores a focal length and a position of a focus lens in a storage unit in a case in which a focal state is determined to be a focus state in which a subject is in focus and at least one of the imaging device or the subject is determined to be stationary; generates tracking data for changing the position of the focus lens according to a change in focal length, using a plurality of stored focal lengths and a plurality of stored positions of the focus lens; and performs a zoom tracking control using the generated tracking data.

There are provided a lens guide device, a lens moving device, and an imaging apparatus that can accurately position a lens frame regardless of an attitude, such as an imaging direction. A first-rail supports a first-rolling-body so as to allow the first-rolling-body to be rollable in a first-direction parallel to an optical-axis of a first-focus-lens. A second-rail supports a second-rolling-body so as to allow the second-rolling-body to be rollable in the first-direction. A biasing-mechanism supports the first-rolling-body so as to allow the first-rolling-body to be movable in the first-direction, and biases the first-rolling-body toward the first-rail. A third-rail is provided in parallel with the second-rail. The third-rail supports the second-rolling-body so as to allow the second-rolling-body to be movable in the first-direction. Since the first-rail and the second-rail are moved and guided in a first direction by the first-rolling-body and the second-rolling-body, a lens frame is not inclined.

An imaging control apparatus includes an identification unit that identifies an object to be introduced and an object introducer who introduces the object to be introduced individually as subjects on the basis of captured image data obtained by an imaging unit of an imaging device, a selection unit that selects one of the object to be introduced and the object introducer as a target subject on the basis of a positional relationship between at least any two of the object to be introduced, the object introducer, and the imaging device, and an imaging control unit that performs imaging control on a subject selected as the target subject by the selection unit.

An optical apparatus and a driving method therefor according to an embodiment are disclosed. The optical apparatus comprises: a lens assembly including a liquid lens; and a control circuit for generating a driving signal for driving the liquid lens, wherein the driving signal includes a first section and a second section having driving signals with different waveform shapes.

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element that captures an image for detecting a phase difference in a predetermined direction on an image surface in order to detect a focal state of an image formed by an image formation lens, an imaging element driving unit configured to be able to drive the imaging element in a parallel movement direction and a rotation direction within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image formation lens, and a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus by rotating the imaging element using the imaging element driving unit in accordance with a result of an image captured by the imaging element.

An imaging apparatus includes a processor, and an image sensor, in which a focus lens is moved while avoiding a period of main exposure by the image sensor in accordance with an instruction of the processor and the main exposure is continuously performed to perform continuous imaging at a predetermined time interval, and a processor calculates a first focus position of the focus lens with respect to a specific subject in a specific frame in which the main exposure is performed in a continuous imaging period, predicts a second focus position of the focus lens with respect to the specific subject in a frame ahead of the specific frame by a plurality of frames with reference to the first focus position in the continuous imaging period, and moves the focus lens toward the second focus position.

A system and method for automated lens adjustment for hyperspectral imaging is described. The system includes an image sensor and an electrically-controllable element arranged to set a spectral band for image capture by (i) selectively providing light for a selected spectral band or (ii) selectively filtering light to a selected spectral band. The system includes a tunable lens that is adjustable to change a focal length of the lens; and one or more data storage devices storing data that indicates different focus adjustment parameters corresponding to different spectral bands. The system includes a control system configured to perform operations including: selecting a spectral band; controlling the electrically-controllable element to set the spectral band for image capture; retrieving the focus adjustment parameter that corresponds to the spectral band; adjusting the lens based on the retrieved focus adjustment parameter; and capturing an image of the subject while the lens remains adjusted.