Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide a flash module and an electronic apparatus using the flash module. The electronic apparatus has a sensor and a processor. The sensor is used by the processor to detect an environmental brightness and issue a flash order. The flash module comprises a flash cartridge, a linkage lever set, a housing, an electromagnetic actuator, a mechanical linkage, and a latching mechanism. When necessary, the elements of the flash module perform a process to automatically move the flash to an open position.

Abstract: An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an optical system for producing a subject's image; an imager with multiple photodiodes, which reads an electrical signal representing the intensity of light that has been incident on each photodiode from the photodiode, thereby generating an image signal representing the subject's image; a controller, which acquires sensitivity information by photometry in order to adjust the sensitivity of the imager to light and which selects one of multiple methods for reading the electrical signal from each photodiode according to the sensitivity information acquired; and a driver for driving the imager by the reading method selected. The multiple reading methods include a mixing reading method, by which the electrical signals supplied from the photodiodes are added together and then output.

Abstract: A device and method for retrofitting a camera system is disclosed. The method may include detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system to a remote device of the camera system, and wirelessly transmitting a data stream, which may include control instructions and trigger instructions, detected in the first signal using a transmitter unit. The method may also include wirelessly receiving the data stream using a receiver unit, converting the data stream into a second signal that is substantially the same as the first signal which may include configuring the second signal as light pulses. The method may also include directing the second signal toward the remote device which may be responsive to the light pulses.

Abstract: A digital camera function, such as can be implemented in a cellular telephone handset, and that includes automated segmentation of foreground subjects in acquired digital photos and images. Successive images are captured by the digital camera function at different flash exposure levels, for example using existing light only and using flash exposure. After alignment and registration of the images, luminance difference values in the two images are determined for each pixel, and the luminance difference values compared against a threshold value on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Those pixels with luminance difference values exceeding the threshold are segmented from the image as foreground subjects.

Abstract: Methods and systems to relay short duration coded pulses of light emitted by a first flash device to a second flash device, which may be remote, using radio signals, wherein radio signals comprise data representative of short duration coded pulses of light from the first flash device which may comprise one or more binary commands and/or activation signals emitted by the first flash device. A first radio communication device may sense coded pulses of light from a first flash device and in response transmit radio signals representative of the coded pulses of light, and may subsequently stop transmitting radio signals following the transmission of radio signals representative of the coded pulses of light.

Abstract: The Anti-Picture with a means for detecting camera's radio frequency, a way of decoding said detected radio frequency, a switch/driver to trigger device, a way of producing light with one or more lighting elements, means of allowing said lighting element to reflect off of a one or more reflective surface to allow light to be directed and a means for all of said above to be encased a body wherein the said components are able to communicate with a light element allowing the light to reflect off of the said reflective surfaces to over expose and or interrupt a photograph.

Abstract: A lighting system of the present invention includes a master flash device, a remote flash device, a support part, and a light guiding member. The master flash device emits light in accordance with a light emission control of a camera. The remote flash device has a light-receiving part that receives the light of the master flash device and emits light in accordance with the light-receiving result of the light-receiving part. The support part has the remote flash device mounted at a place where the light of the master flash device is shielded by a shooting lens or a camera. The light guiding member optically forms a detour optical path that guides the light of the master flash device to the light-receiving part.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an emission device for illuminating a subject, a preliminary emission control device for controlling preliminary emission before photographing, a photometry device for measuring a reflected light volume from the subject in the preliminary emission so as to obtain a photometric result, and a main emission control device for controlling main emission when photographing, the main emission control device has a first emission control for conducting emission by adjusting emission volume by using the photometric result, and a second emission control for conducting emission until the reflected light volume from the subject reaches a predetermined volume, the main emission control device conducts an emission control by either the first emission control or the second emission control according to the photometric result.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing image capture and a light source has a first strobing light emitting diode (LED) array with a plurality of LEDs located to light an illumination area. The LED array has an on cycle during which the LED array is activated and an off cycle during which the LED array is inactivated. The system also has a camera located with a view of the illumination area. The camera has an image exposure that coincides with the on cycle of the strobing LED array.

Abstract: A camera executes a photographing operation with multiple flashes. The camera includes a photometering unit and a control unit. The control unit controls light emission at a first electronic flash unit which is either built into or externally mounted at the camera and transmits a light signal constituting a preliminary light emission command to a second electronic flash unit provided separately from the camera by engaging the first electronic flash unit in light emission. The photometering unit photometers a subject when the second electronic flash unit executes a preliminary light emission. The control unit allows a photographing operation to be executed if a photometered value detected at the photometering unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A flash control device has selectable two light emission modes. The first light emission mode causes a remote flash part to perform a light emission with a main light emission of a master flash part. The second light emission mode causes a remote flash part to perform a light emission with a pulse light emission (communication light emission) of the master flash part. Light emission indication of the communication light emission is transmitted at a timing preceding the main light emission by a predetermined wait time period. When the main light emission is performed within a predetermined light-emission start time period after the shutter is released, the flash control device automatically selects the first light emission mode, and selects the second light emission mode otherwise. Accordingly, when performing a rear synchronous photographing operation, the remote flash part can be effectively prevented from mistakenly performing a light emission.

Abstract: A digital image capture device including circuits capable of measuring the distance between the image capture device and an imaged object allows the capture of three-dimensional data of the surface of the object facing the image capture device. The distance data is obtained by the addition of a flash unit, and very high resolution timers to multiple pixels within the image capture device to measure the time required for the flash to reflect from the object. Since the speed of light is constant, the distance from the flash to the object to the image capture device may be calculated from the delay for the light from the flash to reach the device. Multiple pixels may be used to construct a three-dimensional model of the surface of the object facing the image capture device. Multiple images including distance data may be taken in order to generate a complete three-dimensional model of the surface of the object.

Abstract: A flash control device for controlling a slave SB that emits a flash upon receiving an operational instruction via optical communication has a flash emitting part for emitting an optical signal used for the optical communication, and a power supply detecting part detecting the attachment of a power pack. The detection result is transmitted to a camera microcomputer via an SB microcomputer. A communication intensity designating part and a communication intensity determining part decide, based on the detection result received via the camera microcomputer, the intensity of the optical signal to be emitted by the flash emitting part.

Abstract: A flash photography system includes a camera body, a main flash device and at least one sub-flash device, wherein the main flash device emits at least one low flash emission serving as a main-flash emission command signal to transmit the main-flash emission command signal to the sub-flash device, the sub-flash device emitting a flash emission in accordance with the main-flash emission command signal. The flash photography system includes a designating device for designating a flash emission mode of a main-flash emission, and a command device which activates the main flash device to emit the low flash emission serving as the main-flash emission command signal to transmit the main-flash emission command signal to the sub-flash device in a manner corresponding to the designated flash emission mode.

Abstract: For controlling emission of light from an outer flash lamp having a light receiving part and externally attached to a camera, which may be a digital camera and may be enclosed inside a watertight housing for underwater photography, having an inner lamp which is provided internally and includes a light emitting part, a filter which passes infrared and near infrared light but prevents visible light from passing through may be attached to the light emitting part of the inner lamp or on the housing of the camera. Light emitted from the inner lamp has sufficiently strong infrared intensity and the portion passing through the filter is sufficiently strong to activate the outer lamp. The filter may be substituted with a light intensity-reducing filter for reducing the intensity of incident light thereon with an amplifier added to the light receiving part of the outer lamp such that the light with reduced intensity through such a filter can activate the outer lamp.

Abstract: In the present invention, slave light emissions are controlled in such a manner that a flash light amount ratio between master and slave flash lights during pre-flash is caused to be approximately equal to a flash light amount ratio between master and slave flash lights during main flash. In another aspect of the present invention, the slave light emissions are controlled in such a manner that a flash time ratio between master and slave flash lights during pre-flash is caused to be approximately equal to a flash time ratio between master and slave flash lights during main flash. Such a control over the slave light emissions realizes a flash illumination having an appropriate amount of light.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera with a built-in flash, an external flash unit therefor and system in which the camera and external flash unit have mating mounting structures enabling the external flash unit to be mounted on the camera in manner that blocks direct flash emission from camera flash unit onto a subject being photographed and the flash emission device of the external flash unit is positioned farther away from the camera taking lens than the built-in flash thereby substantially eliminating red-eye effect on the subject being photographed. The external flash unit includes a flash re-directing channel which directs built-in flash emission generally upwards to provide indirect illumination of the photographed subject.

Abstract: A flash control system remotely controls an external flash by a camera. In the camera, a stop value is calculated as a photographic exposure factor for the external flash, and a flash-light emission timing of the external flash is calculated. A built-in flash of the camera is controlled to emit two light signals at a time interval representing the stop value. The external flash detects the two light signals. A timing of a flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled in accordance with one of the two light signals. An amount of the flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled in accordance with the time interval.

Abstract: A flash control system remotely controls a an external flash by a camera. In the camera, a first factor is calculated to determine an amount of a flash-light to be emitted from a built-in flash of the camera, and a second factor to determine an amount of a flash-light to be emitted from the external flash, a total amount of both the flash-light emissions of the flashes corresponding to a proper exposure with which an object should be photographed. The built-in flash emits two light signals therefrom at a time interval such that the second factor is represented by the time interval between the signals. An amount of the flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled according to the time interval such that the flash-light amount of the external flash coincides with the second factor.

Abstract: A flash control system remotely controls an external flash by a camera. In the camera, a guide number is calculated as an exposure factor for the external flash, and a flash-light emission timing of the external flash is calculated. A built-in flash of the camera is controlled to emit two light signals at a time interval representing the guide number. The external flash detects the two light signals. A timing of a flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled in accordance with one of the two light signals. An amount of the flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled in accordance with the time interval.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera with a built-in flash unit and an external flash unit system in which the external flash unit is devoid of a charger circuit and battery power supply. The external flash unit is connected to the camera built-in flash unit's flash capacitor and flash trigger circuit via interconnecting terminals provided on the camera and external flash unit. The external flash unit includes circuit means for disabling camera flash trigger circuit so as to prevent the camera flash emission device from operating. A signal pulse is sent from the camera trigger circuit to an SCR trigger switch in the external flash trigger switch to initiate flash operation in the external flash unit. By virtue of mounting the flash emission device of the external unit farther away from the taking lens than the built-in flash device and disabling the operation of the internal flash unit, red-eye on the subject being photographed is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a remote light source in synchronization with an indication provided from a camera. A transducer is coupled to the external electrical connector of a conventional camera in order to convert the electrical signals that are output from the camera into an alternative form (e.g., optical signals). A different transducer is coupled to the external electrical connector of a remote light source, such as a photographic strobe. The light source transducer receives the signal from the camera transducer and converts the signal back into one or more conventional electrical signals to activate the remote light source. A light source activation signal and a light source modulation signal are multiplexed onto a single communication channel. A first indication is provided on the communication channel to activate the remote light source (i.e., cause the light source to emit light).

Abstract: A time measurement device useful with laser range cameras and time-of-flight measuring methods includes a light transmitter responsive to start and stop signals for transmitting the light during a time interval to be measured, and a light receiver for receiving the light and for providing an output signal related to an exposure of the light during the time interval time between start and stop signals to the transmitter The output signal thus providing a measurement of the time between the start and the stop signals. The transmitter includes a light emitting diode to which an electrical current is provided for generating a constant output light source for the transmitter. The light receiver includes charged coupled devices (CCD) having a linear response to an amount of exposure to the light received from the light transmitter. As a result, the CCD provides the output signal in a linear relationship to the amount of exposure to the light, and thus a measurement of the time interval.

Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with an electronic flash module comprising a plurality of flash subunits to illuminate a photographed scene in flash photography. Each flash subunit comprises a flash-tube and associated charging and triggering circuits; a modeling lamp to allow a photographer to set up the lighting pattern. Each module comprises a trip circuit to synchronously trip all the triggering circuits in the module. It is preferred that the module further comprises a photosensor to activate the trip circuit upon sensing a trigger pulse sent out by a remote device. Preferably, the module comprises connection means so that two or more modules can be linked up to form a panel with a larger illuminating source area. Furthermore, it is preferred that the flash subunits can be selectively and individually disabled to allow the photographer to adjust the illuminating pattern.

Abstract: An electronic flash device with a slave emission function, includes a light-receiving circuit unit for starting slave emission in response to the steep leading edge of an optical signal, a light-emitting unit for irradiating illumination light for a photographing operation onto an object, an attachment member to a camera, for detecting the attachment state of the to the camera, and light emission stopping means for, when the detects that the attachment member is mounted on the camera, stopping the light emission by the light-emitting unit in response to light received by the light-receiving circuit unit.

Abstract: A wireless light amplifying strobe system appropriately regulates the commencement and cessation of each strobe's light emission to enable the radiation intensity of the light emissions to be accurately set. For example, a wireless light-amplifying system has a strobe that is attached to a camera (the primary strobe) and a strobe that is separated from the first strobe (the auxiliary strobe). The primary strobe repeatedly emits a low-intensity flash of light, and the auxiliary strobe detects the emission of light from the primary strobe and repeatedly emits a fixed, low-intensity flash of light upon each emission of light from the primary strobe. The camera measures the light that is reflected from the subject being photographed, which is illuminated by both strobes, with a photometer circuit that passes through the photographic lens. When the proper exposure has been reached, the primary strobe's light emission ceases.

Abstract: An easy to use camera accessory, when mounted onto a camera, will trigger an external strobe upon excitation of a built-in electronic flash while simultaneously blocking from the scene the light emitted by the built-in electronic flash. The camera accessory typically is snap-in mountable and includes: a flash slave for triggering the external strobe, a PC connector for connection via a cable with the external strobe, and openings for camera features including, but not limited to, a lens, a sonar detection device, a viewfinder and a photocell. Light emitted from the built in electronic flash is physically blocked from being cast upon the scene. A more basic version of the inventive camera accessory does not require the camera feature openings.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which is capable of holding and fixing a trigger lead with firmness and reliability to a reflector without fixing by soldering or screws. This device forms an opening portion in the back surface of a housing for holding the reflector. In this opening portion there is provided an elastic interposing member, and the core wire of the trigger lead is interposed between this interposing member and the reflector. According to this, the core wire can be held firmly by the elastic interposing member, and also the connection state of the core wire to the reflector can be checked. Also, a holding member comprising bar-shaped projections is provided near the interposing member, and the firm fixation state of the trigger lead can be obtained by winding and fixing the trigger lead to this holding member.

Abstract: An electronic flash device having a slave emission function and a standby mode, includes a setting member for setting the slave emission function, activation means activated in response to an input generated upon the function setting operation of the setting member, and power supply control means for controlling a power supply of the electronic flash device to be turned on based on the activation of the activation means.

Abstract: A camera system including an electronic flash device with a slave emission function, includes an electronic flash device including: a light-receiving unit for receiving a steep optical signal; a light-emitting unit for slave-emitting illumination light toward an object in response to the optical signal received by the light-receiving unit; a timer for starting a time measurement operation in response to the optical signal input to the light-receiving unit, and permitting an operation of the light-emitting unit after an elapse of a predetermined period of time; an attachment member used for attaching/detaching the device to/from a camera body; and a data communication function unit for exchanging various data including photographing information with the camera body via the attachment member; and a camera body electrically connected to the electronic flash device.