A lens module for autofocus of a camera in passive mode includes a lens barrel containing a first lens, a second lens, a pressure sensor, an image sensor, and a processor. In the passive autofocus mode, the first lens is located at a first end of the lens barrel and moves within the lens barrel when a distance to a target object changes. The pressure sensor between the first and the second lenses senses both pulling and pushing pressures which the first lens applies. The image sensor is adjacent to an end of the lens barrel and is behind the first and second lenses. The processor can apply formulas to calculate a distance between the target object and the lens module.

A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.

The invention describes a system for or recording the usage of a firearm and helping a user during usage of the firearm using multiple sensors to gather various information. The system includes a plurality of sensors to record various usage and status data of the firearm. The system further includes a communication module communicatively coupled to the sensors. The communication module is further connected to a processor. The system further includes a memory, a clock chip and an information disseminating device that includes a communication port. The plurality of sensors are configured to gather various information about a firearm device that may be a pistol, a revolver, a gun, etc. after being attached to the firearm device. In addition to the operational information, some of the sensors out of the plurality of sensors may gather information about surrounding environment of the firearm like lighting conditions, wind flow etc. to help a user of the firearm device to use it efficiently.

An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit; a focus detection unit that detects a focus position of an imaging optical system based on a phase-difference detection method; an imaging control unit that controls the image capturing unit to make the image capturing unit acquire pieces of light field data in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of focus positions of the imaging optical system; and a generation unit that generates a refocused image corresponding to a focus position between the plurality of focus positions of the imaging optical system using the pieces of light field data, the generation depending on a direction of phase-difference detection by the focus detection unit and on a direction of parallax in the pieces of light field data.

A system and method for detecting laser pulses is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present system detects an extrasolar laser pulse, ideally repeated pulses, by observing the pulse, characterizing the pulse, and confirming the data related to the pulse.

The invention relates to a TDI line detector (1), comprising n TDI lines (Z1-Zn), wherein each TDI line (Z) has m pixels (P), and at least one read-out electronics (11-14), wherein the TDI line detector (1) is subdivided into x submodules (S1-S4), wherein the number of lines (Z) of a submodule (S1-S4) is n/x, wherein a discrete read-out electronics (11-14) is associated with the last line of each submodule (S1-S4), wherein the length (L1) of the read-out electronics (11-14) corresponds to an integer multiple of the length (L2) of a pixel (P), wherein x≥2 is, wherein the associated pixels (P) of different submodules (S1-S4) are arranged pixel to pixel relative to one another or the submodules (S1-S4) or groups of submodules (S1-S4) are laterally interlinked alternately by half a pixel (P).

An articulated device may include a first steerable multi-linked mechanism and a second steerable multi-linked mechanism. The second steerable multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links and a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The articulated device may include a camera located within at least a portion of the second link and a protective shield connected to a distal end of the second link. The protective shield may surround at least a portion of the camera.

An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode is arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a storage element is arranged, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect the photodiode and the storage element, a first transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a first pixel group to the storage element, a first readout unit configured to read out the pixel signals of the first pixel group, a second transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a second pixel group to the storage element, and a second readout unit configured to read out some of the pixel signals of the second pixel group, wherein an image of one frame is generated by composing the pixel signals of the second pixel group and the first pixel group.

A device and a method to measure the concentrations of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in tissue around a tumor via near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with a photonic mixer device (PMD) is described.

A device for imaging comprising an image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes rows and columns of pixels. The image sensor further includes a first control structure for controlling transfer of accumulated electric charges from photo-active regions to transmission regions in pixels. The image sensor further includes a second control structure for controlling transfer of accumulated charge in the transmission region of each row to the adjacent row below. The first and second control structures control the image sensor to alternately transfer accumulated charges in photo-active regions to the transmission regions and transfer charges to the adjacent row below. The control structure includes a plurality of row structures which are arranged to select whether the charge in the photo-active regions of respective rows are added to the transmission region. Each row of pixels is controlled by one of the row structures of the first control structure.