Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for low power, variable focus. An example method can include obtaining, based on a trigger, a first image of a scene captured by an image sensor, the first image being captured with a lens of the image sensor in a first configuration of a plurality of available lens configurations; determining, based on the first image and a first detection result, whether an object of interest is present in the first image; in response to determining that the object of interest is not present in the first image, adjusting the lens to a second configuration selected from the plurality of lens configurations; obtaining, by the image sensor, a second image of the scene while the lens is in the second configuration; and determining, based on the second image and a second detection result, that the object of interest is present in the second image.

A lens driving device and a driving method thereof are provided. The lens driving device includes a lens frame, a magnetic group, a driving element group and a control device. The lens frame carries at least one optical element. The magnetic group includes a plurality of pairs of magnetic elements. The driving element group includes at least two coils. The control device supplies power to the driving element group so that the lens frame is driven by the driving element group to move. The driving element group is disposed on the lens frame, and the amount of the lens frame is equal to that of the driving element group. The control device in a first driving state supplies the power to the coils in sequence so that the driving element group is moved from a pair of magnetic elements to another pair of magnetic elements.

An imaging device includes a lens barrel in which a plurality of lenses are held and that has a thread groove in a cylindrical outer periphery thereof; an imaging element that captures a subject image incident on the imaging element through the lenses; a housing that holds the imaging element and that includes a threaded portion configured to engage with the thread groove in the outer periphery of the lens barrel; and an adhesive member positioned between the thread groove in the outer periphery of the lens barrel and the threaded portion of the housing. The thread groove is provided in a range including a position at which a principal plane of an optical system including the plurality of lenses crosses the outer periphery of the lens barrel.

When filming a scene, the focal distance of the video camera is often controlled remotely, and can be switched between manual and autofocus modes. To overcome sudden movements in the lens upon reverting to manual mode, and to avoid disrupting a user's grip on the manual control during autofocus, the traditional distance ring indicator is split into separate controller and indicator components. The controller permits manual input, while the indicator tracks the desired distance. In manual mode, the controller and indicator move in unison. In autofocus mode, the indicator tracks a rangefinder input but the controller is not moved. In a hybrid mode, the controller offsets the rangefinder input. In all cases, the position of the lens moves with the indicator.

When filming a scene, the focal distance of the video camera is often controlled remotely, and can be switched between manual and autofocus modes. To overcome sudden movements in the lens upon reverting to manual mode, and to avoid disrupting a user's grip on the manual control during autofocus, the traditional distance ring indicator is split into separate controller and indicator components. The controller permits manual input, while the indicator tracks the desired distance. In manual mode, the controller and indicator move in unison. In autofocus mode, the indicator tracks a rangefinder input but the controller is not moved. In a hybrid mode, the controller offsets the rangefinder input. In all cases, the position of the lens moves with the indicator.

A lens module includes a carrier having an internal space; a lens unit including a plurality of lens groups, and installed in the carrier to move at least one of the lens groups in a length direction of the carrier; a lens guide unit including a plurality of guide members arranged on first and second surfaces of the plurality of lens groups, to guide movement of at least two lens groups of the plurality of lens groups; and a plurality of driving wires connected to each of the plurality of guide members. The carrier includes an auxiliary guide member having an auxiliary guide hole, and disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the plurality of lens group, the auxiliary guide hole being disposed parallel to a movement direction of the at least two lens groups to guide movement of the at least two lens groups.

A lens module includes a carrier having an internal space; a lens unit including a plurality of lens groups, and installed in the carrier to move at least one of the lens groups in a length direction of the carrier; a lens guide unit including a plurality of guide members arranged on first and second surfaces of the plurality of lens groups, to guide movement of at least two lens groups of the plurality of lens groups; and a plurality of driving wires connected to each of the plurality of guide members. The carrier includes an auxiliary guide member having an auxiliary guide hole, and disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the plurality of lens group, the auxiliary guide hole being disposed parallel to a movement direction of the at least two lens groups to guide movement of the at least two lens groups.

A driving mechanism is provided. The driving mechanism includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a driving assembly. The movable portion is movably connected to the fixed portion. The driving assembly is used for driving the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly is driven by a control signal provided by a control assembly. The driving assembly includes shape memory alloy.

A stereo lens apparatus includes two optical systems arranged in parallel. Each of the two optical systems includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first to third lens units. An optical path is bent at a position between the first and second lens units and at a position between the second and third lens units in each of the two optical systems so that an inter-optical axis distance between two third lens units is narrower than an inter-optical axis distance between two first lens units. Part of one holding mechanism of two holding mechanisms that are configured to respectively hold the two third lens units is located in a concave portion provided on the other holding mechanism, and part of the other holding mechanism is located in a convex portion provided on the one holding mechanism.

An imaging system having a forward and rearward orientation and comprising: (a) one or more parabolic reflectors having a base, a focus, and a reflector axis, said one or more parabolic reflectors defining a central reflector axis; (b) at least one a light source disposed near or essentially at said focus of each of said one or more parabolic reflectors forward of its base; and (c) an imaging device disposed within said one or more parabolic reflectors, and comprising a zooming lens having an optical axis essentially coincident with said central reflector axis.