Abstract: Cleaning systems for optics of optical readers to periodically clean one or more surfaces of the optics of matter that may deposit on surface(s) and that might interfere with the performance of the reader. In an example, the cleaning system is used on a chemical indicator apparatus that includes one or more chemical indicators that are read by an optical reader having an optic. During use, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved relative optic during a reading mode. A cleaning element is engaged with the chemical indicator apparatus so as to have a neutral position in which it cannot contact the optic during the reading mode. When it is desired to clean the optic, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved in a manner that causes the cleaning element to move from the neutral position to a deployed position in which it contacts the optic in a manner that cleans the optic as the apparatus continues to be moved.

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.

Abstract: A control system for communicating with a wirelessly remote device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a camera body backlighting control signal. In response to detecting of the camera body backlighting control signal, the control system generates a power state control signal for controlling the power state of the wirelessly remote device. The control system then causes the power state control signal to be wirelessly transmitted to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate in a first power state. The control system also causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state. Such a system can allow a photographer to easily control the remote device while remaining at the camera body.

Abstract: A system and method for converting power control value standards during photographic wireless communication from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices. A power control value of a camera may be converted to a different standard for wireless communication and converted to another standard for delivery to a remote lighting device. Different lighting devices may utilize different standards and have conversion to those appropriate standards at the receiver side even where the lighting device standard differs from the camera standard.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera such that initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device occurs after the first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose an image acquisition sensor of the camera to light and before X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

Abstract: A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

Abstract: An external device for wirelessly synchronizing a remote device to image acquisition of a camera with switching of a transceiver from receive mode to transmit mode in response to receipt of a first signal by the external device generated after a trigger of the camera is activated. The external device includes a wireless communication functionality and a connector for connecting the external device to a port of the camera providing access to the first signal. The external device includes auto mode switcher for switching the transceiver from a receive mode to a transmit mode. A system including a camera and an external device configured to switch from receive mode to transmit mode in response to a signal from the camera generated after a trigger of the camera is activated.

Abstract: A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera body having a lower portion and an upper portion. An antenna is connected to the upper portion of the camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and the antenna. The wireless communication can be utilized for actuating one or more remote devices, such as for triggering one or more remote flash devices.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a metal camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and an external antenna to one or more remote flash devices for triggering the one or more remote flash devices.

Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a switching element for selectively disconnecting one or more of the plurality of contacts in one hot shoe connector from a corresponding respective one of the other hot shoe connector.

Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a tapping connection from a synchronization connector between the two hot shoe connectors and a processing element.

Abstract: A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.

Abstract: A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera using light emission profile information to position a light emission profile at a desired location in an image acquisition window. A light energy balance point of a light emission profile can be used to position the balance point at a desired location in an image acquisition window.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera such that initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device occurs after the first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose an image acquisition sensor of the camera to light and before X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera such that initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device occurs after the first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose an image acquisition sensor of the camera to light and before X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

Abstract: A system and method for converting power control value standards during photographic wireless communication from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices. A power control value of a camera may be converted to a different standard for wireless communication and converted to another standard for delivery to a remote lighting device. Different lighting devices may utilize different standards and have conversion to those appropriate standards at the receiver side even where the lighting device standard differs from the camera standard.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a metal camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and an external antenna to one or more remote flash devices for triggering the one or more remote flash devices.