A system and method is provided for using a case and/or skin having various components for improving and/or enhancing a camera (e.g., photographic, video, etc.) feature of a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone. The system preferably includes a case and/or skin having a lens (e.g., focusable lens) that is aligned with a lens on the smartphone, a light (e.g., a flash, etc.), and at least one shutter release button. An application operating on the smartphone may then be used to control the light (or flash) and to capture an image in response to a user depressing the shutter release button. Communications between the smartphone and the case can be accomplished via either a wired or wireless communication link, which may involve the inclusion of at least one transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver) and/or processor on the case.

Provided herein is an on-camera light or a double-sided light for a camera. Both the on-camera light and the double-sided light have a hollow body with a front light-transmitting surface and a back light-transmitting surface and a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to a pair of circuit boards disposed within the hollow body. A control board is operably connected to the pair of LED circuit boards, to a power source, which is connected to a switch, to a brightness adjustment knob, and to a display. The on-camera light has a camera mount, for example, a cold shoe head with a male mounting foot for attachment on a camera.

An accessory device capable of preventing setting information to be written from being destroyed is provided. The accessory device capable of being attached to or detached from an electronic apparatus, comprising an operation member, a lock mechanism configured to perform a locking operation to lock the accessory device and the electronic apparatus in response to an operation of the operation member, a movement restriction release mechanism configured to release a restriction on a movement of the operation member, and an operation restricting member configured to restrict an operation of the movement restriction release mechanism. The operation restricting member makes it more difficult to perform the operation of the movement restriction release mechanism when a power of the accessory device is in an on state than when the power of the accessory device is in an off state.

An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

Embodiments of this application provide an illuminator control method, an illuminator fitting, and an electronic device. The method may be applied to an electronic device, and the electronic device includes an image-shooting apparatus. The method includes: after obtaining an image-shooting start instruction, determining whether there is an available illuminator fitting, where the illuminator fitting includes an illuminator; and after determining that there is the available illuminator fitting, starting the image-shooting apparatus, and controlling to turn on the illuminator. This improves flexibility for controlling the illuminator.

An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of terminals including a terminal used for electrical connection with an accessory, and a first mount portion connectable with a second mount portion on the accessory. With the accessory and the image capturing apparatus detachably attached, a first terminal is configured to output a signal from the image capturing apparatus to the accessory, a second terminal is configured to input a signal output from the accessory to the image capturing apparatus, and a third terminal is configured to supply first power to the accessory. A second signal is detected as a signal input to the second terminal when a first signal is output to the first terminal. When it is detected that the second signal is a signal changing in synchronization with the first signal, the first power is supplied to the accessory via the third terminal.

Various embodiments of enclosures for machine-vision cameras are disclosed. The enclosures are designed to fit\hug the camera to be as small as physically possible, and also integrate other features such as better cabling, IP-67 compliance, and end-effectors. Further, the embodiments herein have also integrated a way to mount extra lights as part of the design. The embodiments herein accommodate the specific need of the particular application. The embodiments herein can accommodate numerous shapes and sizes of cameras, including square, cylindrical, or cubical cameras, and encompass either rectangular or round enclosures.

An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

A camera accessory housing device has a connector element that receives a camera accessory. The connector element may be a substantially planar ferromagnetic plate that couples to a sustainably planar face of a camera accessory. The camera accessory may a have a camera accessory attachment element, such as a band with magnets. The magnets facilitate coupling of the camera accessory to the connector element.