Having Preexposure Illumination Patents (Class 396/157)
  • Patent number: 11363179
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing a flash image based on ambient and flash metering. In use, a first ambient condition is metered for a first ambient frame. Next, a first ambient capture time is determined based on the metering of the first ambient condition. Further, a first flash condition is metered for a first flash frame, and a first flash capture time is determined based on the metering of the first flash condition. Next, a first ambient frame is captured based on the first ambient capture time. After capturing the first ambient frame, a flash circuit is enabled during an active period and, a first flash frame is captured based on a combination of the first ambient capture time and the first flash capture time. Finally, a final image is generated based on the first ambient frame and the first flash frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DUELIGHT LLC
    Inventors: William Guie Rivard, Brian J. Kindle, Adam Barry Feder
  • Patent number: 11314957
    Abstract: A method of verifying an identity of objects in a production line may include transporting a plurality of objects along a production line. The method may include detecting an individual object of the plurality of objects using a proximity sensor. The method may include triggering a plurality of imaging sensors to capture an image of a barcode on an outer surface of the individual object based on detection of the individual object by the proximity sensor. The method may include determining whether data from the barcode matches predetermined barcode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CANPACK S.A.
    Inventors: René Eve, Jari Visa
  • Patent number: 11272117
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to determine a setting of a light emitting unit according to concept data indicating a characteristic of a desired image and a light emission result of the light emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamaguchi, Seijiro Inaba, Daisuke Nakao
  • Patent number: 11187966
    Abstract: A set-top flash lamp of a camera, comprising a lamp holder (2) and a lamp cap (1). A battery accommodating cavity (4) and a battery accommodating cavity cover (3) are formed in the lamp holder (2). A lithium battery (5) is accommodated in the battery accommodating cavity (4), and the lithium battery (5) comprises an electrical output contact (6). The electrical output contact (6) is in the shape of a right-angled sheet, and is composed of end surface right-angled sides (61) and bottom surface right-angled sides (62), wherein the end surface right-angled sides (61) are located on the front end surface (51) of the lithium battery (5); and the bottom surface right-angled sides (62) are arranged on the bottom surface (52) of the lithium battery (5). An electrical access contact (7) is contained in the battery accommodating cavity (4), and is arranged on a side wall of the battery accommodating cavity (4) which is opposite to the bottom surface (52) of the lithium battery (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: GODOX PHOTO EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weijun Zeng
  • Patent number: 11172553
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Edwin W. Foo, Michael F. Jean, Mohamad H. Suleiman, Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 11165968
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to determine a setting of a light emitting unit according to concept data indicating a characteristic of a desired image and a light emission result of the light emitting unit, and the control unit controls the determined setting to maintain the concept data in a case where change in an object has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamaguchi, Seijiro Inaba, Daisuke Nakao
  • Patent number: 11119387
    Abstract: With a pre-light emission quantity adjusted to an appropriate value, the accuracy of light control for main light emission can be enhanced. A first pre-light emission quantity is obtained with no use of distance information. An appropriate light emission quantity is obtained with use of distance information, and a second pre-light emission quantity is obtained by decreasing the appropriate light emission quantity by a predetermined quantity according to a photometric wave detection capacity. A final pre-light emission quantity is obtained by mixing the first pre-light emission quantity and the second pre-light emission quantity, at a ratio corresponding to the accuracy of the distance information used to obtain the appropriate light emission quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiro, Katsunari Oda, Shohei Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11044413
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus that is capable of photographing a proper exposure image by utilizing light control performance of a flash at the maximum even in photographing under a minute flash emission amount. The light emitting apparatus is connected with an image pickup apparatus communicably. The light emitting apparatus includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit receives a request from the image pickup apparatus. The sending unit sends information about a first emission amount lower limit value that is settable by the image pickup apparatus as an emission amount lower limit value to the image pickup apparatus in a case where the receiving unit receives the request from the image pickup apparatus in a first emission mode in which light is emitted at a time of photographing with an emission amount set by the image pickup apparatus in a case where automatic light control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Shu
  • Patent number: 10880416
    Abstract: A foldable display device has a flexible display panel, a support module, and at least one positioning module. The support module has a middle platform and a pair of side platforms. The positioning module has a pair of positioning gears respectively fixed to the intermediate platform on a pair of gear axes parallel to each other and a pair of planetary gears respectively fixed to the pair of side platforms on a pair of gear axes parallel to each other. The pair of planetary gears are respectively engaged with the pair of positioning gears to respectively move around the pair of positioning gears along a pair of motion paths, so that the pair of side platforms are switched between a flattened state and a folded state with respect to the intermediate platform to flatten or bend the flexible display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Ho Li, Hsiu-Fan Ho, Ching-Feng Li
  • Patent number: 10841472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting device, the method comprising: receiving data relating to settings on a camera; determining an illuminance for at least one lighting device in dependence on said data; and modifying the illuminance of a lighting device to said determined illuminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Rotolight Limited
    Inventors: Roderick Allen Gammons, Jan Christoph Winter, Andrew Francis, Roderick Aaron Gammons
  • Patent number: 10768509
    Abstract: The present invention is an on-camera flashlight, comprising a lower light holder and a top light holder freely rotatably connected to the lower light holder. A flashlight light source is mounted on the top of the top light holder. The light emitting diode and the flashlight light source are mounted on the on-camera flashlight, combined for ease of use. Two functions-in-one lighting device saves space, avoids overloading the camera, and makes it portable. Because the two light sources are set in combination, the cooperation and sequence of the two light sources are easier to control. As the light emitting diode is mounted on the top light holder which may freely rotate with respect to the lower light holder, the light emitting diode may also freely rotate. It is also convenient to adjust the light direction. Above features all remarkably facilitate operation and versatility of the on-camera flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: YUEQING CHUANGYI PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10602072
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a digital camera and illuminating devices. The digital camera includes an imaging optical system, a shutter, a shutter driving mechanism, an imaging element, an illumination control unit, and a wireless I/F. The shutter is a focal-plane shutter. In a case in which a main imaging operation is performed in a plural illumination control mode, the shutter driving mechanism drives the shutter to generate a transition period for which a partial exposure region is transferred to the lower side of an imaging area of the imaging element over time. The illumination control unit controls the emission times of the illuminating devices to be different times within the transition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Tamura
  • Patent number: 10477087
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing a flash image based on ambient and flash metering. In use, a first ambient condition is metered for a first ambient frame. Next, a first ambient capture time is determined based on the metering of the first ambient condition. Further, a first flash condition is metered for a first flash frame, and a first flash capture time is determined based on the metering of the first flash condition. Next, a first ambient frame is captured based on the first ambient capture time. After capturing the first ambient frame, a flash circuit is enabled during an active period and, a first flash frame is captured based on a combination of the first ambient capture time and the first flash capture time. Finally, a final image is generated based on the first ambient frame and the first flash frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DUELIGHT LLC
    Inventors: William Guie Rivard, Brian J. Kindle, Adam Barry Feder
  • Patent number: 10455207
    Abstract: Provided is a method and device for processing white balance. The method includes: acquiring a first image frame with a face image at a first acquisition time point, and a second image frame without a face image at a second acquisition time point different from the first acquisition time point; performing a white balance processing for the first image frame based on a first gain value; performing a white balance processing for the second image frame based on a second gain value; determining a transitional gain value for a transitional image frame acquired between the first acquisition time point and the second acquisition time point, based on a transition strategy for transition between the first image frame and the second image frame; and performing a white balance processing for the transitional image frame based on the transitional gain value. A computing device and a nonvolatile computer readable storage medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
    Inventor: Quan Yuan
  • Patent number: 10122935
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile terminal includes the steps of injecting a laser signal to a direction at which a camera is facing, receiving a reflected laser signal corresponding to the injected laser signal returned in a manner of being reflected to a subject, calculating a distance from the subject using a difference between time of injecting the laser signal and time of receiving the reflected laser signal, calculating standard illuminance of a flash based on the distance from the subject, injecting light by controlling the flash according to the standard illuminance and storing a first image including the subject using a camera module. According to the method, since it is able to obtain an image of which a whole screen is maintained by a reasonable brightness, a subject and a background can be included in an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byungwook Jung, Jinsool Lee, Kyunghee Kang, Sungmin Woo
  • Patent number: 9897693
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for controlling a gesture sensor of the same are provided. The electronic device includes a gesture sensor and a threshold determining module configured to receive a light amount measurement with respect to light incident to the gesture sensor, to compare the light amount measurement with a light amount reference value, and to determine a light amount threshold that is used based on object recognition of the gesture sensor by adding the weight value to the light amount measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Ho Cho, Seung-Geol Baek, Dong-Han Lee, Jae-Yub Kim, Jong-Woo Kim, Ki-Hong Min, Hyeon-Chang Son, Ki-Hun Eom, Kyeong-Mun Jo
  • Patent number: 9888189
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a light emission controller configured to make a light emitter provide a first light emission and a second light emission with a light emission amount calculated based on a result of photometry in the first light emission, the light emitter being configured to emit illumination light of the object field, and a switch configured to switch a readout of an exposure control signal between first and second signal readouts to obtain a result of the photometry in the first light emission. In the first signal readout signals from a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are synthesized and read out. In the second signal readout, an output of a first photoelectric conversion element is read out among a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in an image sensor and then an output of a second photoelectric conversion element is read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9572489
    Abstract: A fundus camera, which does not take time for adjustment of illumination light amount and focusing even if brightness of the fundus is different for each eye to be inspected, includes an illumination unit for illuminating the fundus of the eye to be inspected, a photometry unit for performing photometry of reflection light from the fundus illuminated by the illumination unit, an illumination light amount control unit for controlling a light amount of the illumination unit, a focus detection area determining unit for determining a focus detection area with respect to a fundus image taken by an image pickup unit, and a focus detection unit for detecting a focus position in the area determined by the focus detection area determining unit. The photometry unit calculates a photometry value of the focus detection area, and the illumination light amount is controlled based on the photometry value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiraku Ogura
  • Patent number: 9521308
    Abstract: A method for controlling a flash of an electronic device by detecting an illumination intensity and a color temperature of a current environment from a RGB sensor. When the illumination intensity is lower than a first predetermined value, a pre-flash of the flash is turned on. Control a color temperature of the pre-flash to be equal to the color temperature when the color temperature is lower than a second predetermined value. A distance between a target object and the camera is obtained, adjusting the current of the high color temperature LED and the current of the low color temperature LED simultaneously according to the obtained distance after turning on a main-flash of the flash to capture an image of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuei-Lin Chu
  • Patent number: 9456145
    Abstract: An apparatus for photographing by using an electronic flash has a photography controller that carries out a pre-flash photography by emitting strobe light in a pre-flash exposure period and subsequently carries out a main flash photography by emitting strobe light; and an exposure adjuster that sets at least one exposure value associated with the pre-flash photography and/or the main flash photography. The exposure adjuster sets an aperture value of a diaphragm that suppresses an occurrence of saturation in image-pixel signals that are generated in an image sensor in the pre-flash exposure period. The photography controller drives the diaphragm in accordance to the set aperture value for the pre-flash photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ueno
  • Patent number: 9438811
    Abstract: There is provided an exposure control apparatus including a photometry amount acquisition unit for acquiring a measured light amount as a photometry amount; a light emission amount control unit for increasing a light emission amount of a light emission unit as the photometry amount is smaller when the photometry amount is within a certain light amount range; and a gain control unit for increasing a gain to an output signal of an image sensor as the photometry amount is smaller when the photometry amount is not within the light amount range and setting the gain to a constant value when the photometry amount is within the light amount range, an image capturing apparatus including the exposure control apparatus, and a method of controlling exposure using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Okuno, Ayumu Kobayashi, Masaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9357920
    Abstract: System and Method pertaining to the modification and integration of an existing consumer digital camera, for example, with an optical imaging module to enable point and shoot fundus photography of the eye. The auto-focus macro capability of existing consumer cameras is adapted to photograph the retina over an extended diopter range, eliminating the need for manual diopter focus adjustment. The thru-the-lens (TTL) auto-exposure flash capability of existing consumer cameras is adapted to photograph the retina with automatic flash exposure eliminating the need for manual flash adjustment. The consumer camera imaging sensor and flash are modified to allow the camera sensor to perform both non-mydriatic focusing of the retina using infrared illumination and standard color flash photography of the retina without the need for additional imaging sensors or mechanical filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Yates, Kenneth Tran
  • Patent number: 9286497
    Abstract: An image reading device includes an illumination system and a processor that causes the illumination system to produce illumination according to an illumination period having a continuous or substantially continuous, illumination sub-period and at least one pulsed, illumination sub-period. The illumination period allows the image reading device to determine a proper exposure for imaged indicia by sectioning a single frame into individual exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: Optoelectronics Co., Ltd., Opticon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Fukuba, Yasutake Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9286666
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus that includes an ambient-light image obtaining section, a cumulative image generation section, and a high-quality image generation section. The ambient-light image obtaining section obtains an ambient-light image in a first time range, the ambient-light image being an image of an object captured with a predetermined exposure time. The cumulative image generation section generates a cumulative image in a second time range, the cumulative image being obtained by cumulative addition of each pixel value in a plurality of images, the plurality of images being of the object sequentially captured with the predetermined exposure time. The high-quality image generation section generates a high-quality image, the high-quality image being obtained by subtracting a pixel value in the ambient-light image from a corresponding pixel value in a normalized image, the normalized image being the cumulative image normalized based on a total sum of the exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shioya
  • Patent number: 9151797
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aehr Test Systems
    Inventors: Donald P. Richmond, II, Kenneth W. Deboe, Frank O. Uher, Jovan Jovanovic, Scott E. Lindsey, Thomas T. Maenner, Patrick M. Shepherd, Jeffrey L. Tyson, Mark C. Carbone, Paul W. Burke, Doan D. Cao, James F. Tomic, Long V. Vu
  • Patent number: 9113397
    Abstract: A wireless network communication card usable with a host apparatus is disclosed. The wireless network communication card includes an access point detection circuit that detects a wireless access point through a wireless antenna. A power inlet to which power is supplied in response to an access point detection request from a user when the power of the host apparatus is suspended, the power inlet being connected to the access point detection circuit is included, as is an indicator coupled to said access point detection circuit that indicates a presence of an available wireless access point in response to a detection by said access point detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Horikoshi, Shigefumi Odaohhara
  • Patent number: 9081257
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that uses luminance information obtained through a test flash by a flash unit for illuminating a subject to determine a flash quantity of a flash unit for main photographing sets exposure conditions for the test flash based on exposure conditions for the main photographing. The imaging apparatus changes a predetermined test flash quantity for the test flash to compensate a difference between the set exposure conditions and predetermined initial values of exposure conditions for the test flash and performs the test flash based on the set exposure conditions and the changed test flash quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuyoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9049361
    Abstract: Light emission control makes it possible to determine an appropriate main light emission amount even when an optical accessory that changes color characteristics of transmitted light is attached forward of a light emission section of an illumination device. A strobe capable of having a color filter attached thereto, which changes color characteristics of transmitted light. The strobe includes a strobe microcomputer that acquires information on characteristics of the color filter attached forward of the light emission section, and transmits the acquired information on the characteristics to an image pickup apparatus on which the strobe is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ginta Hirasawa, Toshiki Miyakawa
  • Publication number: 20140369673
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote lighting device to a camera using a hot shoe connection and an external device connected via the hot shoe connector. The external device receives TTL data and a synchronization signal from the camera via the hot shoe connector. The external device wirelessly communicates using a radio frequency transmitter an exposure compensation value from the external device to a remote lighting device. The external device also wirelessly communicates a synchronization signal and a TTL information to the remote lighting device for use in synchronizing the remote lighting device to image acquisition by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8824882
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote lighting device to a camera using a hot shoe connection and a wireless communication device connected via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device receives a request for flash data from the camera via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device responds to the request with response data that mocks information that a flash would provide if the flash were connected to the hot shoe connector, such that the camera continues to provide TTL data via the hot shoe connector to the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8810716
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing photographing in which a light emitting unit executes main light emission includes a photometric unit that executes photometry, a selection unit that selects a certain area in a photographing screen, and a control unit that determines a main light emission amount of the light emitting unit based on a photometric value acquired by photometry executed by the photometric unit when the light emitting unit executes pre-flash emission and controls, based on a position of the area selected by the selection unit, a light receiving amount of the photometric unit during a photometry period for acquiring the photometric value used for determining the main light emission amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Nakagawara
  • Patent number: 8731391
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising a processor, a camera module, and a flash configured to generate at least one of a reduced pre-flash, a standard pre-flash and a flash. The processor, in response to receiving an image capture request, is configured to receive a brightness value and determine a flash status based on a flash setting with the flash status being one of an off mode, on mode, and auto mode. In the event the flash status is one of the on mode and auto mode, determine whether there is sufficient light to capture an image based at least in part on a comparison of the brightness value and a flash threshold. In the event the brightness value is greater than the flash threshold, cause the flash to generate a shortened pre-flash and obtain only a white balance measurement and an auto-exposure measurement during the shortened pre-flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Cliel Yochanan Manoach Gilbert Schachter, Qian Wang
  • Publication number: 20140099091
    Abstract: Methods for providing a flash management feature (“FMF”) in a camera system include obtaining a flash intensity value calculated for a flash device by a camera, saving the calculated flash intensity value in memory, accepting a user-provided adjustment of the calculated value, saving the adjusted flash intensity value in a memory, and providing, when the camera transmits the calculated value to the flash device for use during image acquisition, the adjusted value to the flash device instead of the calculated value. A communication device to provide a FMF includes a microprocessor configured to obtain a calculated flash intensity value from a camera, a memory, and a user interface configured to display and allow a user to adjust the calculated value. The microprocessor stores the adjusted flash intensity value in memory, and signals the flash device to emit light at the adjusted value during image acquisition by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin J. King
  • Patent number: 8630535
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a light emission device. The control device includes a light metering unit configured to acquire respective light metering values from a plurality of light metering regions. The control device further includes a correction unit configured to correct information about a light metering value of a target region based on a result of comparison between the light metering value of the target region and the light metering value of the light metering region at the periphery of the target region among the plurality of light metering regions, the result being acquired by the light metering unit allowing the light emission device to perform pre-flashing. Also, a calculation unit is provided which is configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on the information about the light metering value corrected by the correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8587714
    Abstract: A method for capturing an image, suitable for an image capturing apparatus with a flash lamp, is provided. In the invention, a pre-flash image is captured when a pre-flash is fired by the flash lamp. An intensity of a main flash is estimated. Whether the pre-flash image is overexposed is determined for calculating an overexposure number. A brightness comparison data is looked up according to the overexposure number and a brightness target value, so as to reduce a photosensitivity. A raw image is captured according to the reduced photosensitivity when the main flash is fired by the flash lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Lu, Yi-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8577218
    Abstract: An illumination device contains a light-emitting semiconductor chip containing a plurality of individually drivable emission regions. The illumination device furthermore contains an optical element designed to shape light emitted by the emission regions to form a beam of rays. The illumination device is designed such that different beam profiles of the beam of rays can be set by the individually drivable emission regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Norwin von Malm, Jürgen Moosburger, Ulrich Streppel, Michael Brandl, Stefan Morgott
  • Patent number: 8571400
    Abstract: Methods for providing a flash management feature (“FMF”) in a camera system include obtaining a flash intensity value calculated for a flash device by a camera, saving the calculated flash intensity value in memory, accepting a user-provided adjustment of the calculated value, saving the adjusted flash intensity value in a memory, and providing, when the camera transmits the calculated value to the flash device for use during image acquisition, the adjusted value to the flash device instead of the calculated value. A communication device to provide a FMF includes a microprocessor configured to obtain a calculated flash intensity value from a camera, a memory, and a user interface configured to display and allow a user to adjust the calculated value. The microprocessor stores the adjusted flash intensity value in memory, and signals the flash device to emit light at the adjusted value during image acquisition by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin James King
  • Patent number: 8559809
    Abstract: An image shooting device includes an image shooting part, an operation part, a display part that displays a first image which is being shot by the image shooting part under a first light source on a display medium, a recording part that records a second image shot under a second light source by the image shooting part which receives the image shooting instruction from the operation part in a storage medium, a shooting condition setting part that sets a first shooting condition for the first image and a second shooting condition for the second image when the first light source is different from the second light source, and a shooting condition control part that performs control on shooting conditions of the image shooting part such that the first image is shot under the first shooting condition and the second image is shot under the second shooting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8526808
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote lighting device to a camera using a hot shoe connection and a wireless communication device connected via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device receives a request for flash data from the camera via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device responds to the request with response data that mocks information that a photographic lighting device would provide if the photographic lighting device were connected to the hot shoe connector, such that the camera continues to provide TTL data via the hot shoe connector to the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130156413
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising a processor, a camera module, and a flash configured to generate at least one of a reduced pre-flash, a standard pre-flash and a flash. The processor, in response to receiving an image capture request, is configured to receive a brightness value and determine a flash status based on a flash setting with the flash status being one of an off mode, on mode, and auto mode. In the event the flash status is one of the on mode and auto mode, determine whether there is sufficient light to capture an image based at least in part on a comparison of the brightness value and a flash threshold. In the event the brightness value is greater than the flash threshold, cause the flash to generate a shortened pre-flash and obtain only a white balance measurement and an auto-exposure measurement during the shortened pre-flash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8459811
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a light source capable of illuminating a target scene and an adjustable light filter coupled with the light source, the adjustable light filter adapted to display a filter image, the filter image created to spatially filter the illumination based at least in part on at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Sakari Tapio Alenius, Markku Kalevi Vehvilainen, Radu Ciprian Bilcu
  • Patent number: 8391703
    Abstract: A lens unit is detachably connected via a communication interface with a camera body having a strobe and constituting a camera device. The lens unit is configured to include an optical system including a lens; an imaging unit including an image sensor which photo-electrically converts light from a subject having transmitted through the lens; an image processor which generates image data from an output of the imaging unit; and a strobe controller which controls a flash operation of the strobe provided in the camera body in accordance with a release signal from the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Shitomi
  • Patent number: 8391702
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising a processor, a camera module, and a flash configured to generate at least one of a reduced pre-flash, a standard pre-flash and a flash. The processor, in response to receiving an image capture request, is configured to receive a brightness value and determine a flash status based on a flash setting with the flash status being one of an off mode, on mode, and auto mode. In the event the flash status is one of the on mode and auto mode, determine whether there is sufficient light to capture an image based at least in part on a comparison of the brightness value and a flash threshold. In the event the brightness value is greater than the flash threshold, cause the flash to generate a shortened pre-flash and obtain only a white balance measurement and an auto-exposure measurement during the shortened pre-flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yochanan Cliel Manoach Gilbert-Schachter, Qian Wang
  • Publication number: 20120251090
    Abstract: A camera including a main body, a lens and a flashlight module is provided. The main body has an image capturing unit. The lens is disposed on the main body at a position corresponding to the image capturing unit for guiding lights to the image capturing unit. The flashlight module includes a first light source and second light sources. The first light source is disposed on the main body and has a first emitting area. The second light sources are disposed on the main body and surround the first light source. Each second light source has a second emitting area. The second emitting areas surround the first emitting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Lu, Yi-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8275252
    Abstract: A camera including a main body, a lens and a flashlight module is provided. The main body has an image capturing unit. The lens is disposed on the main body at a position corresponding to the image capturing unit for guiding lights to the image capturing unit. The flashlight module includes a first light source and second light sources. The first light source is disposed on the main body and has a first emitting area. The second light sources are disposed on the main body and surround the first light source. Each second light source has a second emitting area. The second emitting areas surround the first emitting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Lu, Yi-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20120200723
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus, which is capable of performing wireless communication with a light emitting apparatus via a wireless communication unit using a radio wave, includes a light metering unit configured to meter light of an object, a calculation unit configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emitting apparatus based on a light metering value acquired by metering the light, and a control unit configured to perform control such that at least a part of a communication operation of the wireless communication unit with the light emitting apparatus is performed during a light metering operation for acquiring the light metering value to be used when the calculation unit calculates the main light emission amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichiro Yano
  • Publication number: 20120189290
    Abstract: When information associated with an object distance cannot be acquired, an image capture apparatus sets a condition required to determine a reference area used to determine weighting coefficients for respective photometry areas from a plurality of photometry areas, based on photometric values of the plurality of photometry areas obtained by making preliminary light emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshifumi Osawa
  • Publication number: 20120189291
    Abstract: An illumination device contains a light-emitting semiconductor chip containing a plurality of individually drivable emission regions. The illumination device furthermore contains an optical element designed to shape light emitted by the emission regions to form a beam of rays. The illumination device is designed such that different beam profiles of the beam of rays can be set by the individually drivable emission regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Norwin von Malm, Jürgen Moosburger, Ulrich Streppel, Michael Brandl, Stefan Morgott
  • Publication number: 20120155846
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising a processor, a camera module, and a flash configured to generate at least one of a reduced pre-flash, a standard pre-flash and a flash. The processor, in response to receiving an image capture request, is configured to receive a brightness value and determine a flash status based on a flash setting with the flash status being one of an off mode, on mode, and auto mode. In the event the flash status is one of the on mode and auto mode, determine whether there is sufficient light to capture an image based at least in part on a comparison of the brightness value and a flash threshold. In the event the brightness value is greater than the flash threshold, cause the flash to generate a shortened pre-flash and obtain only a white balance measurement and an auto-exposure measurement during the shortened pre-flash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yochanan Cliel Manoach Gilbert-Schachter, Qian Wang
  • Publication number: 20120141104
    Abstract: A method and portable device for capturing a still image is described. The portable device comprises both an image projector for projecting images and a sensor for capturing images. A first image is captured and a flash image is generated based on the captured first image to adjust lighting of the image subject. The generated flash image is projected onto the image subject using the projector and a second image is captured while the flash image is projected onto the image subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Joseph DeLuca