An apparatus body of an image pickup apparatus that ensures reliability of an electric connection between a lens adapter and the apparatus body with a simple configuration even when a spacer is inserted between the lens adapter that has an electrical communication unit and the apparatus body. A lens adapter to which an interchangeable lens is detachably attached is detachably attached to a fixing unit. An electrical connecting portion is formed as a comb-shaped terminal that is electrically connected with a terminal of the electrical communication unit provided in the lens adapter. A contact portion of the comb-shaped terminal contacting with the terminal of the electrical communication unit is slidable with respect to the terminal of the electrical communication unit.

Embodiments are described for detecting optical discrepancies associated with image capture analyzing pixels in multiple images corresponding to common points of reference in a physical environment. In an embodiment, photometric error values are averaged over time to compute the mean error at each pixel. Once the estimate of the mean error has a sufficient number of updates above a specified value, the estimate is thresholded to provide a mask of any optical discrepancies occurring in the stereo pair of images. Applications include detecting optical discrepancies in images captured for use by a visual navigation system in guiding an autonomous vehicle (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle).

Example embodiments relate to microlensing for real-time sensing of stray light. An example device includes an image sensor that includes a plurality of light-sensitive pixels. The device also includes a first lens positioned over a first subset of light-sensitive pixels selected from the plurality of light-sensitive pixels. Further, the device includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine a first angle of incidence of a first light signal detected by the first subset of light-sensitive pixels. The controller is also configured to, based on the first determined angle of incidence, determine an amount of stray light incident on the image sensor.

The present teaching relates to method, system, and implementations for glare control. A sensor housing assembly is provided on an autonomous vehicle to house at least one sensor therein and protect the at least one sensor from negative impact from an environment including glare from the environment that prevents the at least one sensor from capturing accurate information regarding a field of view with respect to the environment to facilitate autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle. The negative impact on the at least one sensor is determined by a controller, which then activates a glare blocking mechanism in response to the determined negative impact. The glare blocking mechanism being mounted on the sensor housing assembly and configured to assist in blocking glare with respect to the at least one sensor.

A camera module is provided. The camera module includes: a housing; a lens barrel disposed in the housing; a cover screen disposed over the lens barrel; a blade pivotably coupled to the cover screen and configured to have at least a portion in contact with a surface of the cover screen; and a rotation member disposed on the blade and configured to pivot the blade with respect to the cover screen.

A wiping device for an optical device with a lens includes a surface, such as a curved or calotte-shaped surface, where the wiping device has a wiping element for wiping the surface of the lens free from water and dirt particles with at least one passage channel and at least one outlet channel which branches off from the passage channel in order to guide cleaning fluid onto the surface of the lens. In addition, a rear view device for a motor vehicle with an optical device includes such a wiping device.

Embodiments are described for detecting optical discrepancies associated with image capture analyzing pixels in multiple images corresponding to common points of reference in a physical environment. In an embodiment, photometric error values are averaged over time to compute the mean error at each pixel. Once the estimate of the mean error has a sufficient number of updates above a specified value, the estimate is thresholded to provide a mask of any optical discrepancies occurring in the stereo pair of images. Applications include detecting optical discrepancies in images captured for use by a visual navigation system in guiding an autonomous vehicle (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle).

Example embodiments relate to identifying defects in optical detector systems based on extent of stray light. An example embodiment includes a method. The method includes capturing, using an optical detector system, an image of a scene that includes a bright object. The method also includes determining a location of the bright object within the image. Further, the method includes determining, based on the location of the bright object within the image, an extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image. In addition, the method includes determining, by comparing the extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image to a predetermined threshold extent of stray light, whether one or more defects are present within the optical detector system. The predetermined threshold extent of stray light corresponds to an expected extent of stray light.

A foreign matter removal device (1) is configured to remove foreign matters on a lens (101) of an in-vehicle camera (100) attached to a vehicle so that the lens (101) of the in-vehicle camera (100) is exposed toward an outside of a body panel of the vehicle. The foreign matter removal device includes a single-cylinder type reciprocating pump (5) configured to generate high-pressure air and a nozzle (22) configured to inject the high-pressure air toward the lens (101). A volume of an internal space of the pump is 10 cm.sup.3 or less. Exhaust time (t1) per cycle required for exhausting the air in the internal space is 0.03 seconds or less.

Embodiments of the present disclosure address problems presented by contaminants, such as dirt and debris, by providing an optical apparatus with techniques and methodologies for self-cleaning. In that regard, embodiments of the present disclosure employ techniques and methodologies for maintaining a very thin (e.g., few microns thick) layer of liquid, such as a non-stick liquid, on an optical window of an optical body that shields or protects an optical device.