Abstract: Methods and systems for using a photosintering system to sinter one or more paint layers for a paint circuit. In one aspect, a photosintering system includes a photosintering device including a light source and multiple proximity sensors, a data communication link, and one or more processors in data communication with the photosintering device over the data communication link, and is operable to perform the operations of obtaining an image of a sintering area, generating a grid of the sintering area including multiple sub-areas, and for each sub-area of the multiple sub-areas: determine a respective fractional sintering energy for the sub-area, indicate how to position a photosintering device relative to the sub-area, obtain current positional information for the photo sintering device, determining that the current positional, determine an exposure sintering energy for the particular sub-area, and trigger exposure of the exposure sintering energy to the particular sub-area.

Abstract: The present application related to a camera system and a camera fill light method. The camera system establishes a wireless communications connection with a fill light, captures an original image by a camera in the camera system, and then transmits a first test light signal to the fill light such that a first flash is performed by the fill light. The camera captures a first light source image during the first flash period of the fill light. A fill light controller in the camera system compares differences of the brightness or the chroma of different image information and, after determining the present location of the fill light, calculates a dislocation result of the present location of the fill light and the best placement location of the fill light. The camera system yields the dislocation result to the photographer via a notification message.

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 soft box includes a housing and a main body detachably connected to the housing by a connecting device. The connecting device includes a first locking portion and a second locking portion. An installing base is connected to the bottom of the housing and the main body is embedded in the installing base, thereby the housing can rotate around the main body. The first locking portion passes through the installing base and the main body to tightly fix with the second locking portion. The housing includes a snap-fitting member and a light passageway which is a cylindrical hole and a flash lamp cap fixing device formed therein. The flash lamp cap fixing device includes a supporting platform and a pressing plate opposite to the supporting platform and having an adjustable position relative to the supporting platform. The present disclosure can quickly disassembly and be easy to carry.

Abstract: An imaging device connectable via a connector to a flash control device which is connectable via the connecting section and which has a memory storing information on whether or not to incorporate a flash function, the imaging device comprising: a controller which communicates with the flash control device connected to the connector, and controls the flash control device, wherein the controller communicates with the flash control device to determine the information, and switches control of the flash control device according to a determination result.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of operating a device to capture an image of a high dynamic range (HDR) scene. Upon the device entering an HDR mode, the method captures and stores multiple images at a first image exposure level. Upon receiving a command to capture the HDR scene, the method captures a first image at a second image exposure level. The method selects a second image from the captured plurality of images. The method composites the first and second images to produce a composite image that captures the HDR scene. In some embodiments, the method captures multiple images at multiple different exposure levels.

Abstract: Illumination control methods and apparatuses and various devices having a photographing function are disclosed. An example illumination control method comprises: determining a to-be-adjusted region that needs optical parameter adjustment in a photograph framing image; determining, according to light source modulation information carried in received imaging rays corresponding to the to-be-adjusted region, at least one external light source that needs to be illumination controlled; determining illumination control instruction information of the to-be-adjusted region; and sending the illumination control instruction information to the at least one external light source determined, so as to instruct the at least one external light source to perform at least one optical adjustment according to the illumination control instruction information. Imaging quality and photographing effect can be improved thereby.

Abstract: A lighting system mounted on any surface, such as on an article of clothing. The light system comprises at least one illuminating object. The illuminating object is connected to a power source and a processing unit. The processing unit is capable of analyzing the rhythm of music and commanding the illuminating object to flash based on the music. The lighting system can also communicate wirelessly with other electronic devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency, and voice command. The lighting effects of the lighting systems on different articles of clothing can be coordinated to form a special light show such as a light symphony. The lighting system can also be coupled with software application and flash based on the user command and the validity of the user command. The light system can also be installed in a vehicle and coupled with stereo component and other component to signify the road condition.

Abstract: A speaker system comprises a plurality of modules, each having an enclosure. One enclosure is a speaker enclosure that houses at least one outwardly facing driver. At least one other enclosure encloses electronic components for wirelessly receiving audio and driving at least one driver. The electronic components may be distributed among many modules. The modules are mechanically and electrically connected to each other through mounts. At least one half of a mount is connected to each enclosure. Each mount has a first half and a second half. The first half of any mount can be mechanically connected to the second half of any other mount. Each mount half includes electrical contacts that align when two halves are connected. So when the mounts of each enclosure are mechanically connected, the electronics are electrically coupled to form a circuit that wirelessly receives audio, amplifies it, and drives the driver.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, which can communicate with a light emitting apparatus via a radio wave communication unit using radio waves, is configured to control timing at which the imaging apparatus starts an operation corresponding to a light emission performed according to a light emission start instruction based on a first light emission delay time that the light emitting apparatus requires for the processing from completion of reception of data indicating the light emission start instruction issued from the radio wave communication unit to a start of the light emission, and a second light emission delay time required for the processing from an output of the light emission start instruction issued from a light emission start instruction unit to completion of transmission of the data indicating the light emission start instruction issued from the radio wave communication unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of generating a strobe emission signal in a proper timing even when an electronic front curtain shutter is used in strobe photographing. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device having pixels arranged in matrix and configured to store charges generated according to a received amount of light. A vertical scanning circuit controls travel of the electronic front curtain shutter such that the image pickup device sequentially receives light on a per line basis, starting from a first scan line. When it is detected that the electronic front curtain shutter reaches a predetermined scan line, a NOR gate outputs a light emission timing signal, whereby light is emitted from a light emission unit such as a strobe.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating image capture using multiple devices, including for example multiple image capture devices (cameras), multiple lighting devices (flash), and/or the like. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is configured to collect image information from multiple image capture devices, such as cameras, and/or to collect multiple images having different lighting configurations. The collected image data can be processed to generate various effects, such as relighting, parallax, refocusing, and/or three-dimensional effects, and/or to introduce interactivity into the image presentation. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented using any combination of any number of image capture device(s) and/or flash (lighting) device(s), which may be equipped to communicate with one another via any suitable means, such as wirelessly.

Abstract: The device (1) comprises a controllable illumination module (2) comprising a laser source (3) capable of emitting a laser pulse, a controllable high-speed shutter (5), and an activatable control unit (6) which controls said illumination module (2) and said shutter (5) simultaneously, and which synchronises the generation of laser pulses by the illumination module (2) and the opening of the shutter (5) so as to move said shutter (5) into an open position, an adjustable time lag after the generation of a laser pulse, and this over an adjustable opening period, said illumination module (2) and said shutter (5) forming part of an assembly (12) having mechanical integrity.

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: This document describes various apparatuses and techniques for rapid synchronized lighting and shuttering. These apparatuses and techniques are capable of capturing two images, where one of the images integrates multiple exposures during which an image area is illuminated by a light source and another of the images integrates multiple exposures during which the image is not illuminated by the light source. The image area can be illuminated by rapidly flashing the image area with the light source and synchronizing a shutter to permit one image sensor to capture an image when the image area is illuminated and another image sensor to capture the image area when the image area is not illuminated. These two images can be captured concurrently or nearly concurrently, thereby reducing or eliminating motion artifacts. Further, these apparatuses and techniques may do so with slow and relatively low-cost cameras and relatively low computational costs.

Abstract: A row scanning unit activates a synchronous curtain shutter mode in which pixel reset scan is performed and exposure of the imaging area is started by the pixel reset scan and is ended by light shielding by a mechanical curtain shutter, the pixel reset scan meaning that scan on a row-by-row basis is performed on pixel reset in which the photodiodes are reset by turning on the transfer transistors and a corresponding reset transistor, wherein in the mechanical curtain synchronous shutter mode, the pixel reset scan according to the traveling characteristics of the mechanical curtain shutter is performed, and the pixel reset scan includes performing a pixel reset operation simultaneously on the unit cells of different rows.

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 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 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 method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an image signal transmitter, an image signal receiver, a signal processor and a control unit. The imaging element includes pixels arranged in two-dimensional array. The pixels output an imaging signal in synchronization with a first synchronizing signal. The image signal transmitter superimposes a second synchronizing signal on the imaging signal and transmits an image signal. The second synchronizing signal indicates a start position in vertical and horizontal directions in the two-dimensional array and is different from the first synchronizing signal. The image signal receiver receives the image signal from the image signal transmitter, and separates the received image signal into the imaging signal and second synchronizing signal. The signal processor processes the separated imaging signal based on the separated second synchronizing signal.

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 data reader preferably includes an imaging device that operates on a rolling reset basis to capture images of a moving target. Images of moving targets are preferably analyzed to determine the ambient light intensity, and a processor in the data reader preferably adjusts operation of the imager and of a light source based on the intensity of the ambient light. Other data readers may use an imager with a mechanical shutter that is designed for rapid, frequent operation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that enables shooting with a light emission device. An image pickup unit accumulates electric charge corresponding to an incident light. A mechanical shutter runs from an impervious position that blocks the incident light to the image pickup unit to a pervious position. An accumulation control unit controls a start timing of the accumulation of electric charge by the image pickup unit. A determination unit determines whether a communication with the light emission device is possible. A control unit controls the mechanical shutter to start running from the impervious position to the pervious position before the determination unit determines that the communication with the light emission device is possible, and controls the accumulation control unit to start accumulation of electric charge after the determination unit determines that the communication with the light emission device is possible, when shooting with the light emission device.

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: In a method and apparatus for controlling flash emission, the brightness during pre-emission may be accurately measured even when operating an image sensor using a rolling shutter. When pre-emission of flash light is performed, partial exposure during the pre-emission when operating an image sensor using a rolling shutter may be prevented by synchronizing an exposure time of the image sensor to a pre-emission time.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus with a solid state light emitting device is provided that controls one or more exposure settings for an image recording in low light conditions in response to a level of light reflected from a scene illuminated with the solid state light emitting device.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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.

Abstract: Methods of using software to synchronize the control of a camera on portable media device with the photoflash on an external lighting apparatus. The Camera-Equipped Portable Media Device (CEPMD) utilizes an External Lighting Apparatus (ELA) as a light source to improve the lighting conditions for portable media device photography. Both ELA and CEPMD are controlled by software, which synchronize the photoflash image capture as well as post process the image to further enhance the image quality. Furthermore, in a preferred ELA embodiment, it acts as a protective case for the CEPMD.

Abstract: A system for artificial enhancement of contrast in image visualization may include at least one illumination source that emits short light pulses in a divergent beam, an optical system which forms an output image from the light reflected by objects that have been illuminated, a device which selectively blocks during specific time intervals the output image of the system, and an electronic system for synchronizing the instants of time when the illuminating pulses are emitted as well as when the output images are blocked.

Abstract: An imaging device, such as a digital camera, has a mechanism for compensating an image blur caused by hand jiggling and is capable of consecutively shooting, through one operation of a shutter operation section (36), frames of an image in a state where the mechanism (20) is operational and in a state where the mechanism is not operational.

Abstract: Two photography operations are performed without emitting flash during a second photography operation, to obtain image signals P1 and P2. A flash influence signal value F1 is calculated in image signal P1. A flash influence signal value F2, which is the amount of influence due to flash in the case that flash was emitted during the second photography operation, is calculated based on the differences between the imaging conditions of the first photography operation and the second photography operation and the flash influence signal value F1. An image signal P2?, which is an image signal which is estimated to be obtained in the case that flash was emitted during the second photography operation, is obtained by adding flash influence signal value F2 to image signal P2 obtained by the second photography operation. A dynamic range expanded image signal Pc is calculated based on image signal P1 and image signal P2?.

Abstract: A relatively rapidly moving object is imaged with a sensor incorporating a rolling electronic shutter, while using flash illumination which is comparable to or dimmer than ambient light. This is achieved by utilizing a physical shutter between the object and sensor which is synchronized to the flash. Preferably, the physical shutter is also operated so as to be open for a time interval which is coextensive with the presence of the flash. Preferably, an optical mechanism is provided between the object and sensor which causes the image to be focused when the light is flashed and blurred otherwise. Preferably, an optical filter is positioned between the object and sensor, and this filter is constructed to transmit to the CMOS sensor light at the wavelength of the flashing light source but to attenuate ambient light.

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 conntecting 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: A camera is provided that includes a face detection means, an AE&AWB detection circuit, and a processor. The face detection means detects a face from an input image signal and extracts a facial region comprising the face and an upper body region. The AE&AWB detection circuit calculates a brightness appraisal amount on the basis of brightness of the facial region and the upper body region extracted by the face detection circuit. The processor calculates an exposure amount on the basis of the brightness appraisal amount calculated by the AE&AWB detection circuit.

Abstract: A communications apparatus is shown having an imaging device for capturing an image, and a flash for lighting an image to be captured. Also shown is the use of the apparatus. Software for matching a flash performance to other functions of a device is also shown. A radio communications apparatus embodiment is shown that comprises an imaging device including an image sensor and a rolling shutter, and a flash unit. The flash unit is operated at a certain flash frequency, and an exposure time is determined according to the flash frequency so that the image sensor is uniformly exposed by the rolling shutter during the determined exposure time.

Abstract: An illumination controller for controlling an illumination device that irradiates an object to be photographed with illumination light. The illumination controller includes an introducing unit that introduces ambient light emitted to the object from a light source other than the illumination device; a processing unit that processes the ambient light introduced by the introducing unit to have a same characteristic as that of the illumination light; and an irradiation controlling unit that controls the ambient light processed by the processing unit so as to irradiate the object therewith as illumination, from a same path as the irradiation path of the illumination light.

Abstract: Methods of using software to synchronize the control of a camera on portable media device with the photoflash on an external lighting apparatus. The Camera-Equipped Portable Media Device (CEPMD) utilizes an External Lighting Apparatus (ELA) as a light source to improve the lighting conditions for portable media device photography. Both ELA and CEPMD are controlled by software, which synchronize the photoflash image capture as well as post process the image to further enhance the image quality. Furthermore, in a preferred ELA embodiment, it acts as a protective case for the CEPMD.

Abstract: A camera includes a mode setting unit which sets an operation mode of the camera to a normal mode or an illumination apparatus control mode. A display unit selectively displays an image and information. A setting unit sets and changes operating conditions of an illumination apparatus. A communication unit instructs the operating conditions to the illumination apparatus. A control unit controls the mode setting unit to set the operation mode to the illumination apparatus control mode, and changes a display form of the display unit, when predetermined conditions are satisfied. The predetermined conditions include any one of the followings (1) the communication unit is attached to the camera, (2) the communication unit set to an illumination apparatus control mode is attached to the camera, and (3) the communication unit which is incorporated in the camera is set to an illumination apparatus control mode.

Abstract: A commander flash apparatus for use in a wireless flash system which continuously emits light from the commander flash apparatus, transmits from the commander flash apparatus to a slave flash apparatus the data corresponding to the emission time interval of the commander flash apparatus, and controls the flash emission of a slave flash apparatus includes: a data setting unit for setting emission control data for control of the emission of the slave flash apparatus and emission amount determination data for determination of an amount of emission of the slave flash apparatus as the transmission data; and a data transmission control unit for controlling the emission of the commander flash apparatus so that the emission time interval per bit of the digital data configuring the emission control data can be longer than the emission time interval per bit of the digital data configuring the emission amount determination data.

Abstract: A system and method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from a camera body to a remote device with a wireless camera flash synchronizer that prior to detecting a synchronization signal loads transmit frequency information to a transceiver and automatically switches from a wireless receive mode to a wireless transmit mode after detecting a first signal from a camera that is generated after the activation of a camera trigger.

Abstract: An imaging device, such as a digital camera, has a mechanism for compensating an image blur caused by hand jiggling and is capable of consecutively shooting, through one operation of a shutter operation section (36), frames of an image in a state where the mechanism (20) is operational and in a state where the mechanism is not operational.

Abstract: An apparatus employing a flashlight device such as an electronic still camera, a camcorder, etc. with an adequate luminous quantity during sensing an image, independently of an electric charge accumulation period in an image sensing device, thereby to make an adequate exposure obtainable no matter what a shutter speed may be.

Abstract: A synchronizer is provided to establish a mechanical switching interface between an electronic digital color camera and a fundus camera for appropriately coordinating the complete opening of the color camera shutter with the energization of fundus camera flash unit, and for fully disconnecting the flash unit at the completion of an image capture sequence thereby enabling resetting of the flash unit.

Abstract: The camera of this invention includes an improved shutter system that has the same shutter waveform when a flash is employed and when a flash is not employed. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter system includes a shutter that is rotatably mounted to the camera and a shutter opening over which the shutter blade is disposed. A slidable plate in which a first aperture and a second aperture are disposed is coupled to the camera, so that the first aperture is disposed between the first shutter opening and the lens of the camera prior to taking a picture with the camera. The first aperture is preferably smaller than the second aperture. When a picture is taken, the shutter blade moves to uncover the shutter opening, and when the shutter opening is uncovered the shutter blade causes the slidable plate to slide with respect to the shutter opening so that the second larger aperture is disposed between the shutter opening and the camera lens.

Abstract: Flash light is repeatedly emitted in a pulse state by intermittently turning on and off an IGBT. The flash light reflected by a subject is received by a phototransistor to integrate a received light amount with a capacitor. While the IGBT is turned off, a charging voltage of the capacitor is converted to digital data. Based on the obtained data, it is judged whether emitting the flash light is stopped or not.