An example shutter assembly for protecting cameras, such as webcams, integrated into computing devices is disclosed. The shutter assembly includes an actuator element and shutter element. The actuator element can rotate an axis to pivot the shutter element into and out of the field of view of the camera assembly. The actuator can extend through or be otherwise accessible through the housing of the computing device so that the shutter can move in a plane parallel to the front surface or bezel of the computing device. Because the shutter element operated from a surface other than the front facing surface, the bezel can include a single surface with a window to protect the camera assembly and allow for a touch control capabilities. The shutter element can be disposed between the bezel and the camera assembly to provide privacy from the camera being inadvertently or maliciously activated.

An aperture set comprises: a support including a first opening overlapping with a lens; a rotor rotatably disposed on the support and including a second opening overlapping with the lens and the first opening; and a plurality of blades disposed on the support and respectively rotatably disposed on the rotor, wherein an inner surface of the blade for adjusting an amount of light incident on the lens includes a curved portion and a straight portion.

An aperture set comprises: a support including a first opening overlapping with a lens; a rotor rotatably disposed on the support and including a second opening overlapping with the lens and the first opening; and a plurality of blades disposed on the support and respectively rotatably disposed on the rotor, wherein an inner surface of the blade for adjusting an amount of light incident on the lens includes a curved portion and a straight portion.

An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a first optical module with a first light-entering hole, a second optical module with a second light-entering hole, and a third optical module with a third light-entering hole. The second light-entering hole is close to the first light-entering hole and the third light-entering hole. The focal length of the second optical module is different from the focal length of the first optical module and the focal length of the third optical module.

A shutter and a photographing apparatus are provided. The shutter includes: a shutter base including an exposure opening; a shutter mechanism including a blade assembly and a synchronizer ring for driving the blade assembly, the synchronizer ring being movable between a first position and a second position, and the exposure opening being open when the synchronizer ring is in the first position and closed when the synchronizer ring is in the second position; and a braking member for decelerating the shutter mechanism. In the shutter and the photographing apparatus according to the present disclosure, the shutter mechanism may be buffered when the blade assembly closes the exposure opening of a camera, so as to prevent the shutter mechanism from being damaged.

A lens module including a base, a lens, a front cover, at least a shielding plate and a gasket is provided. The lens is disposed on the base. The front cover is disposed above the base and the lens, and the base and the front cover may rotate relatively. The shielding plate is pivoted on the base and has a first guide portion. The gasket is fixed on the front cover, the shielding plate is located between the gasket and the base. The gasket has a through hole corresponding to the lens and a second guide portion coupled to the first guide portion. When the base and the front cover rotate relatively, the first guide portion is guided by the second guide portion, the shielding plate can limitedly swing to move to the through hole to cover the lens or move away from the through hole to expose the lens.

A lens unit with a central axis is provided. The lens unit includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a first driving assembly. The fixed portion includes an outer frame and a bottom combined with the outer frame. The outer frame and the bottom are arranged along the central axis. The movable portion is movably connected to the fixed portion, and carries a lens with an optical axis. The central axis is not parallel to the optical axis. The first driving assembly is connected to the movable portion, and drives the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The first driving assembly also includes a biasing element made of a shape memory alloy.

A vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed in which at least one wiper is positioned on an underside surface of a camera cover to clean a lens of a vehicle camera. In one embodiment, the system includes an inner ring fixedly attached to an underside surface of the cover, and a plurality of aperture members pivotally connected to the inner ring on one end and pivotally connected on another end to an outer gear that is movable relative to the inner gear, where at least one of the plurality of aperture members comprises a wiper configured to clean a lens of the camera when the aperture members are moved over the lens. In other embodiments, the wiper may be positioned on an underside surface of a cover of the camera that either rotates in a circular manner or translates over the lens of the camera.

A vehicle camera protection and cleaning system is disclosed in which at least one wiper is positioned on an underside surface of a camera cover to clean a lens of a vehicle camera. In one embodiment, the system includes an inner ring fixedly attached to an underside surface of the cover, and a plurality of aperture members pivotally connected to the inner ring on one end and pivotally connected on another end to an outer gear that is movable relative to the inner gear, where at least one of the plurality of aperture members comprises a wiper configured to clean a lens of the camera when the aperture members are moved over the lens. In other embodiments, the wiper may be positioned on an underside surface of a cover of the camera that either rotates in a circular manner or translates over the lens of the camera.

A shutter for an optical system, such as a small infrared camera, for alternately blocking and exposing an optical sensor to light includes an electrically conductive coil, having a center long axis, a magnet element rotatably mounted within the coil with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the center long axis of the coil, a shutter flag element connected to the magnet element, and a shutter base element supporting the shutter flag, magnet, and coil. Energizing the coil in a first manner causes the rotatable magnet to rotate from a first position to a second position and energizing the coil in a second manner returns the magnet to the first position, causing the flag to alternately block and expose the optical sensor.