Abstract: An accessory is capable of communicating with a camera, and the accessory includes a light emitting section that is capable of being continuously turned on and an accessory control section that is configured to control turn-on of the light emitting section. The accessory control section turns on the light emitting section on the basis of reception of focusing state information, indicating that a focusing state is detect in the camera, from the camera.

Abstract: A camera includes a circuit board that includes a plurality of terminals disposed on a top surface of the circuit board to correspond to connection terminals of an external flash, and a support unit that supports the circuit board.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device which can prevent color mixture by using a layout of a capacitor region provided separately from a floating diffusion region and a camera using such a device are provided. A photodiode region is a rectangular region including a photodiode. A capacitor region includes a carrier holding unit and is arranged on one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region as a region having a side longer than the one side. In a MOS unit region, an output unit region including an output unit having a side longer than the other side which crosses the one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region is arranged on the other side. A gate region and the FD region are arranged between the photodiode region and the capacitor region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device, comprising an image sensor; a flash; a lens having a flash portion for covering the flash, an image sensor portion for covering the image sensor and an etching for reducing optical interference at the image sensor from the flash; and, a housing for housing the image sensor and the flash.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a wireless communication interface arranged to transmit and receive data with a wireless data network; a microprocessor in operable connection with memory storing one or more computer applications that include a digital image capture application; a housing at least partially surrounding the wireless communication interface and the microprocessor and defining an outer surface for the mobile communication device; a camera lens in an aperture in the housing and arranged on a first side of the wireless communication device and located at least partially in the housing, and serving as a centerpoint for an intersection of a pair of axes that define four quadrants; and a plurality of flash generating devices on the first side of, and on the outer surface of, the wireless communication device, two of the flash generating devices located in quadrants that are positioned opposite of, and not adjacent to, each other.

Abstract: A pop-up flash assembly including a main body comprising an opening; a moving unit linearly movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the moving unit is received in the opening at the first position and protrudes from the opening at the second position; a flash installed on the moving unit and generates light; a first link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to the main body; a second link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to another end of the first link, and another end of the second link being rotatably coupled to the moving unit; and a driver for rotating the first link.

Abstract: A portable digital image acquisition device includes multiple lenses and/or multiple flashes. A main digital image and first and second reference images are acquired. The first and second reference images are acquired with different flash-lens combinations that have different flash-lens distances. One or more flash eye defects are detected and corrected in the main image based on analysis of the first and second reference images.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a flash lighting module for providing flash lighting for a camera of a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone or a tablet computer having a phone communication capability. The flash lighting module includes a relay, at least one driver, and a plurality of light sources; the relay is in serial communication with the driver; the driver is electrically connected to the light sources; the light sources include at least three LEDs which are equidistantly arranged around the camera.

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus includes a base capable of supporting an object, a camera configured to capture a plurality of images of the object, an illumination system housing a plurality of illuminators, an illumination control system configured to control illumination provided by the plurality of illuminators, and a focus control system configured to control a focus of the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a color image of a scene are provided. The systems and methods involve illuminating at least a portion of the scene with a light having a known spectral power distribution, and detecting a finite number of spectral components of light received from the scene under such illumination. The detected values of spectral components of light received from the scene are used to modify the color image or rendition of the scene.

Abstract: A photographic flash unit comprises a direct flash unit and a bounce flash unit rotatably connected to the direct flash unit. Status and control lines coupled between a hot shoe and each flash unit enable independent triggering and control of each flash unit. The direct and bounce flash units may be a part of a digital camera adapted to make a first test exposure using direct flash illumination and second test exposure using bounce flash illumination, then computing an attenuation factor for compensating a selected flash exposure parameter by dividing the selected parameter by the attenuation factor. Steps in a method embodiment include making a first test image, making a second test image, selecting regions in the first and second test images, computing an attenuation factor from luminosity values for the first and second test images, and compensating settings for a final bounce flash image by the attenuation factor.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and business method for automatic image glare removal. Glare is often caused by direct reflection of a photographic flash. Images are acquired from at least two different locations, possibly simultaneously, and from one or more cameras, and digitized if necessary. A glare pattern is identified, typically by recognition of a fully overexposed area or known test glare patterns. The images are processed to remove the glare pattern by subtraction of the glare pattern from at least one image and substitution of corresponding data from a related image not identically impacted. The substituted data typically comprises chrominance data, which may be from a luminance-adjusted exposure-bracketed image. The processing may be performed by a camera, a pc, or a networked server, and the processed image is output. The business method includes automated image glare removal via a fee-based per-transaction or subscription service.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for enabling control of an illuminator having predetermined operating parameters by a vision system processor/core based upon stored information regarding parameters that are integrated with the illuminator. The parameters are retrieved by the processor, and are used to control the operation of the illuminator and/or the camera during image acquisition. In an embodiment, the stored parameters are a discrete numerical or other value that corresponds to the illuminator type. The discrete value maps to a corresponding value in look-up table/database associated with the camera that contains parameter sets associated with each of a plurality of values in the database. The data associated with the discrete value in the camera contains the necessary parameters or settings for that illuminator type. In other embodiments, some or all of the actual parameter information can be stored with the illuminator and retrieved by the camera processor.

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.

Abstract: An image processing method generates first developed image data by correcting first image data with use of a white balance correction value corresponding to flash light, generates second developed image data by correcting the first image data with use of a second white balance correction value corresponding to external light, calculates a combining ratio of each block based on a flash component and an external light component of each of blocks into which the first image data is divided, and combines the first developed image data and the second developed image data according to the calculated combining ratio.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a terminal having an image sensor array and a plurality of operator selectable operating modes. The image sensor array can have an associated light source bank. The operator selectable operating modes can include at least one camera operating mode and at least one flashlight operating mode. In the at least one camera operating mode the image sensor array and light source bank can be controlled for optimization of frame capture. In the at least one flashlight operating mode the image sensor array and the light source bank can be controlled for optimizing illumination of an operators viewing area with reduced average power consumption.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a solid-state image pickup device, an optical system, and a flash. The solid-state image pickup device has an electronic shutter function of outputting accumulated signal charges at a timing corresponding to a shutter speed. The optical system collects incident light to an image pickup area of the solid-state image pickup device. The flash irradiates light to an object to be photographed by the solid-state image pickup device. The solid-state image pickup device includes a pulse generator circuit for generating one or more of an electronic shutter pulse for controlling an accumulation time of signal charges by using the electronic shutter function, an optical system movement pulse for controlling movement of the optical system, and a flash pulse for controlling an emission timing of the flash.

Abstract: An image capturing device employing as illumination source(s) (flash apparatus(es)) a plurality of light emitting diodes emitting light of different colors; wherein such light emitting diodes are respectively made to emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color during exposure time(s). Furthermore, during exposure time(s), such light emitting diodes may be made to sequentially emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color, and/or such light emitting diodes may be made to sequentially emit light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted color over multiple iterations.

Abstract: The invention discloses a mobile communication apparatus including an optical module, a flashlight module and a control unit. The optical module is configured for sensing an ambient color temperature of an ambient light. The flashlight module includes a plurality of light-emitting units. Each of the light-emitting units corresponds to a different spectrum band. The control unit is coupled to the optical module and the flashlight module respectively. According to the ambient color temperature of the ambient light, the control unit dynamically adjusts a relative intensity proportion between the light-emitting units while the flashlight module performing a lighting operation. In addition, a flash controlling method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spectrum synthesis for use in a flash unit, wherein the spectrum synthesis includes combining a plurality of emissive light sources in order to provide a combine output beam and producing the output spectrum for the combined output beam at least based on a reference spectrum. The reference spectrum can be obtained by sensing the spectrum of ambient light or selected from a plurality of stored spectra. The flash unit has at least two emissive light sources and each of the light sources can be adjusted relative to each other so that the outputs from the light sources can mimic a selected illumination scenario. It is possible to use a mixture of quantum dots to tailor each light source so that the combined spectra from different light sources can reasonably mimic a number of frequently used illumination scenario.

Abstract: When capturing images of a subject with an imaging device that uses a CMOS image sensor, a white band-shaped artifact appears in the imaging signal due to the influence of a rolling shutter operation performed when an external flash has been emitted. Manipulating or removing images in which such an artifact appears requires specifying the frames in which the artifact appears. A line averaging unit (11) calculates the average luminance level of each line in the imaging signal, the average luminance levels are temporarily stored by a storage unit (12), and thereafter a frame difference calculation unit (13) calculates the difference between the line average luminance levels and the line average luminance levels of the next frame. These frame difference values are compared with a reference value, and it is determined that the influence of an external flash is present if a portion of interest with high values is continuous for one frame period.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a main body having an image sensor, a flash apparatus having a flash unit installed to the main body to selectively protrude from the main body and to rotate in the protrusion, and a controller to determine whether to protrude the flash unit by determining whether the main body is disposed in an indoor location or in an outdoor location through an image sensor and locating a face of a person in a subject captured by the image sensor, and to control a flash direction by rotating the flash unit in accordance with surroundings of the face of the person in the subject image after protruding the flash unit.

Abstract: A subsystem is disclosed providing a steerable-beam light source. An array of micromechanical reflectors may be disposed to selectively direct portions of light from a light source to selected targets in a scene, such as for providing composed illumination for still or video photography. The array of reflectors may be continuously steerable, thereby achieving more than the mere inefficient patterning of illumination light available from prior art projection approaches, but instead efficiently redirecting light to the desired regions of the scene. The subsystem may be sufficiently compact so as to permit integration with a compact camera into a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a digital still-image camera, a digital video-image camera, and so on. The array may be operated in conjunction with a camera controller to selectively illuminate one or more targets of focus or zoom, omit illumination of undesirable image regions, etc.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus, a strobe device connected to the image photographing apparatus, and a photographing method. The image photographing apparatus includes a strobe emitter which emits strobe lights, a control glass arranged on a front of the strobe emitter, and a controller which changes a diffusing rate of the strobe lights with respect to the control glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising an image sensor; a flash adjacent to the image sensor; an image sensor lens covering the image sensor; a flash lens covering the flash, the flash lens defining a chamfer on a flash surface, the flash surface adjacent to the image sensor lens; and a housing for housing the image sensor and the flash.

Abstract: R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.

Abstract: An image processing method generates first developed image data by correcting first image data with use of a white balance correction value corresponding to flash light, generates second developed image data by correcting the first image data with use of a second white balance correction value corresponding to external light, calculates a combining ratio of each block based on a flash component and an external light component of each of blocks into which the first image data is divided, and combines the first developed image data and the second developed image data according to the calculated combining ratio.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a flash are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a statistical gray value of a preview image. If the statistical gray value of the preview image is less than a preset threshold, a corresponding fill light parameter is searched for in a preset dynamic fill light table according to the statistical gray value of the preview image and the fill light drive current is set according to the fill light parameter. The fill light drive current is configured to drive a flash lamp to fire a pre-flash. A corresponding exposure drive current in the preset exposure parameter table is configured according to the fill light parameter and the exposure drive current is configured to drive the flash lamp to flash.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, and a camera module. The camera module includes a camera unit, a flash device, and a protective cover. The camera unit records and stores images, and the protective cover protects the camera unit and the flash device. The protective cover includes an opening, a light hole, and a separation portion located between the opening and the light hole. The light from the flash device is diffused and passes through the light hole. The camera unit and the flash device are separated by the separation portion to prevent the light of the flash device from entering camera unit through the opening.

Abstract: A method is described comprising: applying a random pattern to specified regions of an object; tracking the movement of the random pattern during a motion capture session; and generating motion data representing the movement of the object using the tracked movement of the random pattern.

Abstract: Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an image signal processing system that includes a flash controller that is configured to activate a flash device prior to the start of a target image frame by using a sensor timing signal. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a delayed sensor timing signal and determines a flash activation start time by using the delayed sensor timing signal to identify a time corresponding to the end of the previous frame, increasing that time by a vertical blanking time, and then subtracting a first offset to compensate for delay between the sensor timing signal and the delayed sensor timing signal. Then, the flash controller subtracts a second offset to determine the flash activation time, thus ensuring that the flash is activated prior to receiving the first pixel of the target frame.

Abstract: An apparatus which processes a substrate including a mark to be detected for positioning the substrate, comprises an illuminator configured to illuminate the mark, the illuminator including a shutter which opens and closes an optical path thereof, an image pickup device configured to pick up an image of the mark illuminated by the illuminator, and a storage configured to store correction data for correcting an output of the image pickup device with respect to each of a plurality of illumination periods that depend on operations of the shutter. The apparatus is configured to obtain the correction data from the storage in accordance with the illumination period, and to correct the output of the image pickup device using the obtained correction data.

Abstract: R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described for an image capture system that may include an image sensor, a flash for providing illumination, a data storage, and a processor operatively associated with the data storage. The processor may be adapted to execute computer implemented instructions to pre-store one or more image capture device characteristics in the data storage, acquire data in a pre-capture phase, model shadow effects based on either or both of the pre-stored data and the acquired data, modify one or more image capture device settings based on the modeled shadow effects, and record image data with the image sensor. Illumination may be provided substantially coincident with recording of the image data.

Abstract: Information relating to object distances in a plurality of areas in an imaging plane is acquired, and a threshold value for an object luminance at which imaging is performed by flashing an illumination device according to a difference between an object distance in a reference area and the object distances in the plurality of areas.

Abstract: Provided is an accessory which is capable of communicating with a camera, including an illumination light emitting section that emits illumination light, a nonvolatile memory that stores light-emittable time information indicating the longest time for which the illumination light emitting section is capable of continuously emitting the illumination light, and an accessory control section that transmits the light-emittable time information stored in the nonvolatile memory to the camera.

Abstract: Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception.

Abstract: The illumination apparatus includes a reflector unit to reflect a light flux from a light source. The reflector unit includes a first reflector and a second reflector whose relative positions are changeable to change an illumination angle. At a first illumination angle, the second reflector is disposed inside the first reflector, and the light flux from the light source is reflected by the second reflector to exit from the reflector unit. At a second illumination angle smaller than the first illumination angle, the first reflector is disposed further on a light exit side than the second reflector, and the light flux from the light source is reflected by at least one of the first and second reflectors to exit from the reflector unit. A distance between the light source and the second reflector at the second illumination angle is shorter than that at the first illumination angle.

Abstract: A light-emitting apparatus which is capable of emitting light at desired emission color temperature even when aged deterioration of a light-emitting unit occurs. The light emitting unit has a plurality of LEDs that emit light in different colors, and is capable of changing emission color temperature of the light-emitting unit by changing the ratio of an amount light emitted by the LEDs. A emission color temperature of the light-emitting unit is set, and the light-emitting unit is flashed based on parameters corresponding to the set emission color temperature. Color temperature data on the image data is obtained based on image data obtained by performing image pickup by flashing the light-emitting unit based on the parameters. The parameters corresponding to the set emission color temperature are corrected based on the color temperature data on the set emission color temperature and the obtained color temperature data.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern controlling a variable flash to improve image detection. One example apparatus includes a digital camera and a variable flash configured to be controllable to operate at different selected illumination levels. The apparatus may be configured to identify a current imaging condition associated with the digital camera and to then determine a lux setting for the variable flash as a function of the current imaging condition. The flash may then be controlled as a function of the lux setting for subsequent image acquisition. The acquisition, analysis, and flash control may be exercised until a desired illumination is achieved. In one embodiment, determining the current imaging condition may include analyzing a frame acquired from the digital camera for attributes including image brightness, and edge detectability. In one embodiment, input from a light sensor may also be considered.

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: An image processing apparatus calculates a difference in color temperature between a first white balance (WB) correction value based on image data with flash and a second WB correction value based on image data without flash. The image forming apparatus calculates motion amounts of an object and the apparatus, and corrects the first and second WB correction values based on the difference in color temperature and the motion amounts. The image processing apparatus, based on the corrected first WB correction value, develops first image data from the image data with flash, and, based on the corrected second WB correction value, develops second image data from the image data without flash. The image processing apparatus calculates a signal component of external light and a signal component of flash and calculates a combination ratio of the first and second image data to combine the first and second image data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using one or more displays as a lighting source to illuminate a field of view captured by an image capture device. An image capture engine may be provided for ensuring synchronization of the one or more displays with the image capture device so that the one or more displays may be illuminated concurrently with capturing the image by the image capture device. In one example, the image capture engine flashes the display to white light for capture of a single frame of image data.

Abstract: Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling light emission of a flash. The method includes: during a pre-emission flash, exposing an image sensor by opening a global shutter; measuring light reflected from a subject by using the image sensor, and calculating a flash emission time of the flash based on the measured light; and controlling the flash to fire a main-emission flash for the calculated flash emission time. Accordingly, a partial exposure during a pre-emission flash, even in an image sensor that operates by using a rolling shutter, can be prevented.

Abstract: A smartphone is adapted for use as an imaging spectrometer, by synchronized pulsing of different LED light sources as different image frames are captured by the phone's CMOS image sensor. A particular implementation employs the CIE color matching functions, and/or their orthogonally transformed functions, to enable direct chromaticity capture. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A digital camera may include a flash unit configured to emit light to illuminate a subject using a preliminary light emission operation followed by a main light emission operation, an image sensor having a pixel array arranged along a plurality of lines, and a digital signal processor. The image sensor may be configured to convert an image of the subject into an electrical signal by reading an image frame corresponding to one screen using the pixel array during the preliminary light emission operation and reading another image frame corresponding to one screen during the main light emission operation. The digital signal processor may be configured to control the light emitting operation of the flash unit to maintain the preliminary light emission from a start to an end of the reading of one image frame.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing an image on an electronic device having a flash comprising a first light source and a second light source is presented herein. A detection of a color spectrum of ambient light is made using image data sensed by an image sensor of a camera module. Additionally, a determination of an intensity of a first light when combined with an associated intensity of a second light results in a color spectrum that substantially matches the color spectrum of the ambient light. The flash emits a first light from the first light source of the flash and second light from the second light source of the flash. An image from a camera module is recorded during the emission of the first and second light.

Abstract: A photographic device includes a body, and at least an optical assembly and multiple auxiliary light sources surrounding the optical assembly are disposed in the body. A front cover is disposed on a front end of the body, and a protecting mirror is disposed on the front cover. Light emitted by the auxiliary light sources passes through the protecting mirror and illuminates a photographic area. A light-blocking film is disposed on the protecting mirror corresponding to the optical assembly, so as to prevent the light emitted by the auxiliary light sources from entering the optical assembly after reflected by the protecting mirror.