A direction control device includes: a camera unit that acquires an image captured by photographing a subject by a camera targeted for adjustment of a photographing direction; an image-processing unit that calculates a position of a first setting image that represents the subject in the captured image; a posture detection unit that detects a difference between a position of a second setting image that represents the subject in a reference image registered in advance and the position of the first setting image; and a camera control unit that shifts the photographing direction of the camera based on the difference.

A direction control device includes: a camera unit that acquires an image captured by photographing a subject by a camera targeted for adjustment of a photographing direction; an image-processing unit that calculates a position of a first setting image that represents the subject in the captured image; a posture detection unit that detects a difference between a position of a second setting image that represents the subject in a reference image registered in advance and the position of the first setting image; and a camera control unit that shifts the photographing direction of the camera based on the difference.

The present invention relates to a lighting control device, the device comprising means for receiving a trigger; and means for switching operation of a lighting device from a continuous mode to a flash mode upon receipt of said trigger; wherein said lighting device comprises at least one light emitting diode; and said flash mode is at a higher brightness than said continuous mode. The invention also relates to a lighting system comprising: a lighting device comprising at least one light emitting diode; and a lighting control device; wherein the lighting control device is operable to switch operation of said lighting device between a continuous mode and a flash mode; wherein the flash is at a higher brightness than said continuous mode.

The present invention relates to a lighting control device, the device comprising means for receiving a trigger; and means for switching operation of a lighting device from a continuous mode to a flash mode upon receipt of said trigger; wherein said lighting device comprises at least one light emitting diode; and said flash mode is at a higher brightness than said continuous mode. The invention also relates to a lighting system comprising: a lighting device comprising at least one light emitting diode; and a lighting control device; wherein the lighting control device is operable to switch operation of said lighting device between a continuous mode and a flash mode; wherein the flash is at a higher brightness than said continuous mode.

A mobile device case for coupling around a miniature camera-enabled mobile device a case shutter button mechanism for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile camera system. A half-press or single tap triggers a precapture settings menu and a full-press or double tap triggers capture of an image.

Provided is an imaging system capable of acquiring images that favorably show the situation in a mobile object seen through a window regardless of the height of a passing mobile object. The imaging device 3 images a mobile object. The first lighting device 1 irradiates the mobile object with light. The second lighting device 2 is installed at a position higher than the first lighting device 1 and irradiates the mobile object with light. The control unit 4 causes the first lighting device 1 and the second lighting device 2 to emit light in respective patterns while the imaging device 3 is imaging a mobile object over a plurality of frames. The selector 5 selects images acquired by imaging a mobile object irradiated with light in a preset manner depending on the height of the mobile object from among images for a plurality of frames.

Provided is an imaging system capable of acquiring images that favorably show the situation in a mobile object seen through a window regardless of the height of a passing mobile object. The imaging device 3 images a mobile object. The first lighting device 1 irradiates the mobile object with light. The second lighting device 2 is installed at a position higher than the first lighting device 1 and irradiates the mobile object with light. The control unit 4 causes the first lighting device 1 and the second lighting device 2 to emit light in respective patterns while the imaging device 3 is imaging a mobile object over a plurality of frames. The selector 5 selects images acquired by imaging a mobile object irradiated with light in a preset manner depending on the height of the mobile object from among images for a plurality of frames.

An apparatus includes a camera unit and a circuit board unit connected to the camera unit and disposed at a periphery of the camera unit. The circuit board unit includes a plurality of rigid boards and at least one flexible board connecting the plurality of rigid boards. The plurality of rigid boards are disposed on different side portions of the camera unit by bending the at least one flexible board.

An apparatus includes a camera unit and a circuit board unit connected to the camera unit and disposed at a periphery of the camera unit. The circuit board unit includes a plurality of rigid boards and at least one flexible board connecting the plurality of rigid boards. The plurality of rigid boards are disposed on different side portions of the camera unit by bending the at least one flexible board.

An observation unit (30) for underwater deployment on/in a submerged earth layer (12) or structure. The unit comprises a housing (32), a light source (36), an underwater imaging device (40), a processor device (44), and a communication device (35). The housing supports the underwater observation unit relative to the submerged layer or structure. The light source is fixed to the housing, and configured to emit light into the unit's surroundings. The imaging device is attached to the housing, and configured to acquire image data of a second light source located within a FOV of the camera that covers the surroundings of the unit. The processor device is configured to determine positional data of the second light source relative to the imaging device, from the image data. The communication device is configured to transmit the positional data to another underwater observation unit, an underwater vehicle, or an underwater processing station.