Theia optimises control of zoom and focus lenses

Lenses are designed for high detail imaging tasks such as ANPR or OCR in ITS
March 1, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
The motor control board connects to the host computer via USB, UART or I2C connection (image: Theia Technologies)

Theia Technologies’ MCR IQ™ Motor Control Board series and new MCR IQ™ application facilitate operation of Theia's motorised lenses, allowing users to control zoom, focus, P-iris and optional IR filters. Theia’s motorised lenses are designed for use in high detail imaging tasks such as ANPR or OCR in intelligent traffic systems. 

The motor control boards include the MCR IQ™ application with graphical user interface (GUI) and Python module to easily send and receive commands from the board for rapid and convenient evaluation and integration of the lenses. The user doesn’t have to worry about formatting the commands for the board.

The Theia MCR IQ Python module converts motor steps into the specific commands required by the board and sends the commands to the board. The companion GUI (see Fig.1) allows the user to easily operate the lens through the MCR IQ™ control board. These programs are built and tested on Windows but are easily adapted for other operating systems. 

(Fig.1) Graphical user interface allows the user to easily operate the lens through the MCR IQ™ control board

The motor control board connects to the host computer via USB, UART, or I2C connection. The byte-string commands are the same regardless of connection method. The Theia MCR IQ Python module assumes a USB connection to a computer with a Windows operating system. The user may change this software to fit their needs.

The purchase of the board now includes access to this application through a royalty-free licence and by using the application software (GUI and/or Python code), the user agrees to the terms of Theia’s (standard BSD) license. 

Theia’s motorised lenses come in 4-10mm, 9-36mm, and 12-50mm focal ranges, provide up to 12 megapixel, 300lp/mm resolution and are excellently IR-corrected from 435 – 940nm to maintain their high-resolution performance in the near IR spectrum. The lenses are offered in manual, DC Auto, or P-iris versions, in CS, C mount, and D25 board mount depending on the model. The lenses cover up to 1/1.7” or ½.3” sensor formats depending on the model. 

The fully motorised lenses come with motorised zoom and focus and combinations with optional integrated IR cut or bandpass filters and photo-interrupter motor stops. The motorised lenses allow for remote set up and occasional zooming and re-focus.

Content produced in association with Theia Technologies

Enforcement Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Theia develops innovative distortion-free ultra-wide-angle lenses
    October 26, 2022
    Today’s high-resolution cameras have many advantages if they have the right lens for the job. When that includes covering large areas or reducing cost by installing fewer cameras, you need a wide-angle lens. Fisheye style lenses with barrel distortion are routinely used to cover an ultra-wide field of view; however, they create a curved and distorted image which causes significant loss of resolution at the image edges. This presents a variety of issues for ITS applications such as difficulty in identification or recognition of objects and details.
    Read More
  • Theia Technologies works to cover the angles
    March 1, 2025
    Rectilinear lenses provide ultra-wide field of view without distortion
    Read More
  • Fujinon CCTV lens range enlarged
    July 17, 2012
    Fujifilm has launched a number of new megapixel Varifocal lenses for day/night as well as high-resolution telezoom lenses for long range surveillance applications in high definition. Three new Varifocal lenses offer high resolutions of three megapixel and IR-correction for applications by day and night: YV3x6SR4A (f = 6~18 mm) and YV3.3x15SR4A (f = 15~50 mm) for a maximum sensor size of 1/2.7” and the DV4x12.5SR4A (f = 12.5~50 mm) for 1/1.8” sensors. Locking screws for zoom and focus, metal mounts and Fuji
    Read More
  • Azure Photonics presents zoom and IR-corrected lenses
    October 25, 2018
    Azure Photonics says its zoom lenses and IR-corrected lenses are optimised for long working distance of 1m~ infinity. The zoom lenses cover different focal lengths ranging from 4-60mm with low distortion and high definition. The IR-corrected lenses are expected to cover 2/3”, 1/1.2” and 1” image circle with the design wavelength of 400-950nm at the resolution of 3MP, 5MP and 10MP. The company says the lenses are suitable for vision applications such as traffic laws and rules enforcement, security, parking
    Read More

Highlighted Content