| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080284903 | IMAGE SENSOR - 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. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080303938 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PHOTOFLASH - A system for controlling photoflash includes a signal processing unit, a calculating unit, a photoflash module and an adjusting unit. The photoflash module includes a capacitor. The signal processing unit is configured for analyzing image information to get a current brightness value of the image, and the calculating unit is configured for calculating a first photoflash time of the photoflash module based on a first voltage value of the capacitor via analyzing the current brightness value. The adjusting unit is configured for adjusting the first photoflash time to get a second photoflash time according to a second voltage value of the capacitor, and outputting the second photoflash time to the photoflash module to control flashing of the photoflash module. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090091652 | LED FLASH CONTROL - 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. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090102964 | LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, CAMERA WITH LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - A camera comprises a lens and an LED array at its front. The LED array is composed of red, green and blue LEDs, which are individually turned on and off for light emitting purposes, as well as changeable in their quantities of red, green and blue lights to be emitted under control of an MPU. Thus, the LED array is capable of emitting light having any color having a different brightness by controlling the respective quantities of red, green and blue lights to be emitted by the corresponding LEDs. That is, the camera is capable of irradiating an object with light having a desired color for image pickup. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090141164 | Reduced-component flash assembly for a digital image capturing apparatus, and a digital image capturing apparatus including the same - A reduced-component flash assembly for a digital image capturing apparatus, and a digital image capturing apparatus including the same are provided. The digital image capturing apparatus includes a frame; a flash module including a flash lamp which is capable of emitting a flash and a flash lamp housing which contains the flash lamp; a top PCB fitted with the flash module, which is disposed on a top part of the frame, on which a flash lamp control component controlling the flash lamp is mounted, and on which a button correspondence component corresponding to a button disposed on a top part of the digital image capturing apparatus is mounted; and a main PCB which is disposed in a side part of the frame, which is electrically connected to the top PCB, and on which a control component controlling the digital image capturing apparatus is mounted. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090153729 | Reflowable Camera Module With Integrated Flash - A reflowable camera module is implemented using a Chip Scale Package (CSP). An image sensor is formed on one portion of the carrier. A light emitting diode (LED) is formed on another portion of the carrier. The LED serves as an integrated camera flash. Additional optical isolation is provided within the camera module to prevent stray light generated by the LED from degrading image quality. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090207301 | METHOD OF CAPTURING AN IMAGE WITH A MOBILE DEVICE AND MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device including an image capturing unit, a flash unit and a control unit. The control unit may initiate the image capturing unit to capture an image with activating the flash unit. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090278979 | Method, apparatus, system and software product for using flash window to hide a light-emitting diode - A method, apparatus, and software are devised for providing an enable signal indicative that an illuminating element of an apparatus will be illuminated. In response to that enable signal, a light transmission property of an electrically switchable material is increased, the electrically switchable material being located at an exterior of the apparatus. Also, the illuminating element is activated, so that it shines through the electrically switchable material, at least after the light transmission property of the electrically switchable material has been increased. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090284646 | FLASH MODULE AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE HAVING SAME - An image capturing device includes a main body and a flash module disposed on a surface of the main body. The flash module includes a lamp tube, a reflector, and a rotating shaft. The reflector is configured for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp tube. The rotating shaft is assembled on the main body and rotatable relative to the main body. The rotating shaft is secured on a surface of the reflector facing away from, and parallel to the lamp tube. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090284647 | Electronic flash apparatus and camera provided with the same - To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090310013 | FLASH DEVICE, IMAGING APPARATUS, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FLASH DEVICE - A flash device connectable to an imaging apparatus includes a light emission unit arranged for continuous light emission, a calculation unit configured to calculate a reach distance of flash light from the light emission unit based on an exposure time for flash photographing set in the imaging apparatus, and a display control unit configured to cause information indicating the reach distance calculated by the calculation unit to be displayed. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100020227 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A CAMERA AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A FLASH - A method of controlling a flash output for capturing an image in a portable electronic device having a digital camera includes receiving light at an image sensor, determining a flash output adjusted for colour and brightness based on the light received at the image sensor, providing the flash output, and capturing a resultant image at a digital image processor. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100045854 | FLASH ASSIST SYSTEM, DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE USING SAME AND FLASH ASSIST METHOD THEREOF - A flashing assist system is used in a digital image capture device that includes a camera module, a flash unit and a display. The camera module is capable of determining an object distance from the image capture device to an object. The flash unit is capable of providing varying flash intensity by determining a flash distance. The display is capable of displaying digital images and interactive information. The flash assist system includes a read unit, a determination unit and a generating unit. The read unit is configured for reading the object distance and the flash distance. The determination unit is configured for determining a target area of the flash unit using the object distance and the flash distance. The generating unit is configured for generating a preview of the object and the target area on the display. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100079661 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH CAMERA MODULE - An exemplary portable electronic device includes: a main body, a camera module, a protecting cover, and a fill-in light emitting module. The camera module has a camera, and the camera module is disposed in the main body. The camera is exposed and positioned against an outer surface of the main body to take pictures. The fill-in light emitting module is fixed on the protecting cover. The protecting cover is movably connected to the main body adjacent to the camera for covering the camera or exposing the camera. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100085471 | DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ELECTRONIC PENS - A miniaturized optical component ( | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100091177 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device; an imaging device control portion supplying the imaging device with a read command signal; an operation input portion accepting an input of a flash light emission command; a control portion setting a predetermined interval as an output interval of the read command signal and setting output timing of a flash control signal to make the flash to emit light so that a period since a start till an end of light emission is included within a period since completion of reading of the signal charges till an input of a following second read command signal; and a timing control portion supplying the flash control signal to the flash and supplies a read control signal to make the read command signal be outputted at the predetermined interval according to an input of the flash light emission command and the output timing. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100118177 | Wireless camera flash trigger device - A flash accessory device readily adaptable to most compact digital camera models provides a hand grip with a mounting base for attachment to the bottom of a compact digital camera. The hand grip contains a multi-mode digital pre-flash detector circuit, a wireless transmitter and a battery power source. An articulating arm extends from the hand grip and is adjustably movable relative to the front of the camera in order to position a sensor on the end of the articulating arm directly in front of the camera's built-in flash. A cup member surrounding the sensor covers the built-in flash to block light emitted by the built-in flash. Light from the built-in flash is detected by the sensor which triggers transmission of a wireless signal from the transmitter to a receiver in a remote flash device to thereby activate illumination of the remote flash in synchronization with activation of the built-in camera flash. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100118178 | CONDUCTIVE HOLDER FOR FLASH AND FLASH ASSEMBLY HAVING SAME - A conductive holder for a flash comprises a base, an elastic first holding arm, and an elastic second holding arm. The base includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first holding arm extends from the first end. The second holding arm extends from the second end and faces the first holding arm. The first holding arm and the second holding arm cooperatively forms a gap for firmly holding the flash. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100118179 | Image Capture Using Display Device As Light Source - A digital image capture system and method uses a display device to illuminate a target with light for improved image capture under poor lighting conditions. Various characteristics of the flash (e.g., brightness, color, duration, etc.) can be adjusted to improve image capture. Users are provided with feedback (e.g., live video feed, audio and/or visual countdowns, etc.) to assist them in preparing for image capture. The captured images are seamlessly integrated with existing applications (e.g., video conferencing, instant text messaging, etc.). | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100123821 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT EMISSION OF FLASH AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS USING THE METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100134679 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING A CAMERA FLASH ACCESSORY FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING A DISPLAY AND OPTICAL SENSOR - A system and method for using an optical sensor with the display of a mobile electronic device for providing and synchronizing a high power flash device with the mobile electronic device's integrated camera. The system and method features a flash unit subsystem that comprises an optical sensor, a controller, and a flash device that works in conjunction with a management system installed onto the mobile electronic device. The management system controls whether the flash device turns off or on by causing a select portion of the display of the mobile electronic device to brighten or dim, the change in intensity of which is sensed by the optical sensor. The system is substantially synchronized in that the flash device turns on slightly before the image capture process begins and turns off slightly after the image capture process ends. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100157141 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH LENS MODULE - A portable electronic device includes a housing, a lens module, and a flash lamp module. The lens module is secured in the housing and configured for receiving incident light from the outside of the housing. The flash lamp module is secured in the housing adjacent to the lens module. The flash lamp module includes a flash lamp member and a recess. The flash lamp member emits light to the outside of the housing. The recess receives the flash lamp member and blocks flash light from refracting inside the housing into the lens module. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100165178 | ADJUSTING METHOD OF FLASH INTENSITY - An adjusting method of flash intensity is applied in an image capture apparatus with a flash lamp, where two pre-flash images corresponding the object are retrieved under two different pre-flash lights, respectively, and then a flash intensity of main-flash light is calculated according to one of the retrieved pre-flash images, so as to retrieve a main-flash image corresponding the object under the main-flash light with the calculated main-flash light. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100165179 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging method for taking an image using an imaging apparatus including an imaging device which includes first rows of pixels including first groups of light receiving elements and second rows of pixels including second groups of light receiving elements; first charge transfer lines; and second charge transfer lines, includes steps of: consecutively performing a subject-illuminating imaging and a subject-non-illuminating imaging, responsive to an input of an imaging instruction; reading out the charges accumulated in the first groups and the second groups of light receiving elements, and transferring the charges via the first and second charge transfer lines, respectively, after the subject-illuminating imaging and the subject-non-illuminating imaging; and acquiring an image by the subject-illuminating imaging and an image by the subject-non-illuminating imaging from the charges having been read out and transferred from the first groups and the second groups of light receiving elements, respectively. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100165180 | DIGITAL CAMERA AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - 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. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100165181 | IMAGING APPARATUS WITH STROBE CONSECUTIVE SHOOTING MODE - When the mode is set to a strobe consecutive shooting mode, an imaging apparatus sets the mode to a pixel addition drive mode for reading out image data using pixel addition drive, performs metering operation using preliminary flashing and calculates an appropriate amount of flashing on the basis of the metering operation. Next, the imaging apparatus judges whether or not it is possible to flash three times consecutively with the calculated amount of flashing. If it is judged that it is not possible to flash three times consecutively with the calculated amount of flashing, the imaging apparatus limits the amount of flashing to the largest amount of flashing within the range of amounts of flashing with which flashing of strobe light three times consecutively is possible, and performs strobe consecutive shooting with the limited amount of flashing. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100309369 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE FLASH SHUTTER - An electronic device may have a camera module for acquiring still and video digital images of a subject. A light source such as a light-emitting diode may serve as a flash for the camera module. A shutter may be mounted above the light-emitting diode. When the light-emitting diode is not being used to produce a flash of light for illuminating the subject, the shutter may be closed to block the light-emitting diode from view by a user. During image acquisition operations in which it is desired to illuminate the subject, the shutter may be opened to allow light from the light-emitting diode to exit the electronic device. The electronic device may have a touch screen display with an active region and an inactive region. The camera module and light source may be mounted under a portion of the inactive region of the display. The shutter may include a filter structure. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100309370 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH INPUT SYSTEM UTILIZING STROBOSCOPE - A stroboscope is utilized as an input device of a golf game system ( | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100321559 | CAMERA FLASH MITIGATION - 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. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110050986 | WINDOW FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A portable electronic device includes a housing and a window. The housing includes a first through hole and a second through hole. The window is attached to the housing. The window includes a first transparent portion corresponding to the first through hole, a second transparent portion corresponding to the second through hole, and a wall surrounding the first through hole. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110069219 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT ENABLES SHOOTING WITH LIGHT EMISSION DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - 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. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110115970 | Photographic illumination device, image-capturing system, camera system and camera - An image-capturing system includes: an image-capturing device that captures an image of a subject; and an illumination device that illuminates the subject. The image-capturing device includes a control unit that calculates a light quantity needed to illuminate the subject based upon at least, either an exposure time or an aperture value and image-capturing sensitivity. The illumination device includes a current-controlled light emission unit that emits light used to illuminate the subject and a light emission control unit that controls the light emission unit so as to emit light in the light quantity calculated by the control unit. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115971 | IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention provides an image capture device that can omit calculating a pulse signal that should otherwise be used to get a flash fired during a flash-ON sequential shooting operation. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110128436 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a semiconductor light-emitting device functioning as a strobe light having a current limitation unit for limiting current to flow to the semiconductor light-emitting device. The current limitation unit limits current to flow to the semiconductor light-emitting device under a predetermined condition for increasing a current consumption amount. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110181771 | IMAGING APPARATUS - On a drive ring, a first flash lamp cam and a second flash lamp cam are formed. The first flash lamp cam engages with a flash unit to bring the flash unit into an in-use state when an imaging apparatus becomes a imaging state, and to bring the flash unit into a stored state when the imaging apparatus becomes a non-imaging state. If the flash unit is moved from the in-use state to the stored state by a manual operation, when the imaging apparatus is in the imaging state, the second flash lamp cam releases engagement between the flash unit and the first flash lamp cam to engage with the flash unit, and brings the imaging apparatus into the non-imaging state from the imaging state while maintaining the flash unit in the stored state. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181772 | IMAGING APPARATUS - On a drive ring, a first cam and a second cam are formed. The first cam engages with a slider when a light emitting unit is in a stored state. The second cam releases engagement between the slider and the first cam to engage with the slider when the light emitting unit in the stored state is brought into the in-use state by a manual operation. When the light emitting unit is moved from the stored state to the in-use state by the manual operation, a gap is formed between the light emitting unit that becomes the stored state and the slider so that the light emitting unit moves from the stored state to the first state with a state in which the slider is in engagement with the first cam without moving. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110187920 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - A photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an accumulation control section controlling an accumulation operation in an imaging section; an accumulation start timing setting section setting a timing of accumulation start in the imaging section; and a flash light emission control section controlling the start and stop of light emission in the flash light emission section, wherein the accumulation control section instructs the flash light emission control section to start the flash light emission and causes the imaging section to start the accumulation based on an output of the accumulation start timing setting section, and the flash light emission control section causes the flash light emission to be started in response to the flash light emission start instruction of the accumulation control section and causes the flash light emission section to stop the light emission based on an appropriate light emission amount output by an exposure calculation section. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110292277 | EXTERNAL PHOTOFLASH ASSEMBLY FOR MOBILE PHONE - An external photoflash assembly is composed of a back cover, a control circuit, an illuminant, a battery, and an illuminant switch. The back cover is fixed to a mobile phone. The control circuit, the illuminant, the battery, and the illuminant switch are mounted onto the back cover and electrically connected with one another. The illuminant and the shutter button of the mobile phone are located at two sides of the mobile phone separately and correspond to each other in position. When the shutter button is pushed, the illuminant switch can be pushed at the same time to activate the illuminant for illumination to further improve the photographing quality. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120026389 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAXIMIZING THE SUSTAINABLE FLASH OF A HANDHELD PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120069240 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - 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. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120127361 | Early Photographic Synchronization System and Method - 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. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120182465 | FLASH MODULE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS - Embodiments of this invention provide a flash module and an image-capturing apparatus having the flash module. The flash module includes a flash, a base, a solenoid, a linkage bar, a hook, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member. When necessary, the elements of the flash module perform a process to automatically move the flash to an open position. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120194732 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An apparatus includes a display control section configured to control display of image data for an image, the image data including flash reach information identifying at least one portion of the image corresponding to at least one region reached by light from a flash. Also described are a method and computer-readable storage medium for controlling display of image data for the image. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120218465 | ILLUMINATION ADJUSTMENT CIRCUIT FOR FLASH, FLASH DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE USING SAME - An illumination adjustment circuit for flash of the present invention includes a light receiving element for generating a photoelectric current responsive to the intensity of the light reflected from a subject, a voltage integrating section for voltage-integrating the photoelectric current from the light receiving element, and a voltage comparing section for comparing a voltage of the voltage integrating section with a reference voltage. The illumination adjustment circuit further includes a current ratio varying section for outputting a variable current to the voltage integrating section with the passage of light emission time. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120229700 | PROTECTIVE COVER, CAMERA MODULE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE EMPLOYING THE SAME - 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. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120249864 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A CAMERA AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A FLASH - A method of controlling a flash output for capturing an image in a portable electronic device having a digital camera includes receiving light at an image sensor, determining a flash output adjusted for colour and brightness based on the light received at the image sensor, providing the flash output, and capturing a resultant image at a digital image processor. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120257102 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus capable of performing photographing in which a light emitting unit executes main light emission includes a photometric unit that executes photometry, a selection unit that selects a certain area in a photographing screen, and a control unit that determines a main light emission amount of the light emitting unit based on a photometric value acquired by photometry executed by the photometric unit when the light emitting unit executes pre-flash emission and controls, based on a position of the area selected by the selection unit, a light receiving amount of the photometric unit during a photometry period for acquiring the photometric value used for determining the main light emission amount. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120274838 | ILLUMINATION AND IMAGE CAPTURE - The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel methods and systems for providing illumination in association with image capture. Disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention include illumination apparatus adjustable in angle with respect to the image capturing apparatus and target locus. Preferred embodiments also include variability of the illumination intensity by means of controlling the power to the illuminations apparatus. Additional preferred embodiments also include techniques for selecting from or combining a plurality of images based on their illumination characteristics for providing and improved image output. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120307137 | LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE, VIDEO CAMERA COMPRISING THE SAME AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME - The present invention provides a lighting control module, a video camera comprising the same and a control method of the same. The video camera of the invention includes a sensing module, a light-emitting module and a control module. The sensing module receives a reflected light beam from a recording direction of the video camera, and generates an image of a scene in the recording direction. The light-emitting module emits a light toward the recording direction. Additionally, the lighting control module is connected to the light-emitting module for controlling the light-emitting module to periodically emit the light from a first brightness to a second brightness. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130038786 | SYSTEM WITH FLASHLIGHT AND CONTINUOUS LIGHT REFLECTOR ARM FOR FIXING TO A PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS OR A CAMERA - The present invention relates to a system comprising a flashlight and continuous light reflector arm ( | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130128101 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A communication device capable of preventing a failure in light emission control caused due to communication with a lighting device such as the master and the slave. The communication device is capable of connecting to an image pickup device and transmits a lighting instruction from the image pickup device to a lighting device through a communication unit capable of performing bidirectional communication. It is determined whether or not the lighting device is ready for lighting. The lighting device is prevented from transmitting information to the communication unit when the lighting device is ready for lighting. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130128102 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus capable of performing shooting with flash light emitted by a flash device includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object to output image data, and a charging control unit configured to perform charging control of a capacitor configured to accumulate energy for performing flash emission by the flash device. The charging control unit, in a case where shooting with flash light emitted by the flash device is performed, among a plurality of shooting operations for acquiring a plurality of pieces of image data to be used for image combining processing, performs the charging control so that charging of the capacitor is not performed until the last shooting of the plurality of shooting operations for acquiring a plurality of pieces of image data to be used for the image combining processing is finished. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130128103 | Real-Time Adjustment Of Illumination Color Temperature For Digital Imaging Applications - An approach is provided to adjust illumination color temperature at a flash unit of a camera. Data that corresponds to the ambient light of a physical environment is collected, such as at a color temperature meter included in the camera. The ambient light has a distribution of color temperatures that cycle over a fixed time period. When a flash request is received, a time is calculated at which the flash unit will flash. One of the color temperatures is identified from the distribution of color temperatures with the identified color temperature being the predicted color of the ambient light that will be present in the physical environment when the flash unit flashes. The color temperature of the flash unit is set to the identified color temperature. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130155316 | IMAGING APPARATUS, LIGHT EMITTING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - 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. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130222681 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE BACKGROUND REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT - Electronic devices may be provided with image sensors and light sources. The image sensors may include image pixels each having a photosensitive element, first and second storage nodes, and first and second transfer transistors coupled between the photosensitive element and the first and second storage nodes. The first and second transfer transistors may be synchronized with the light source so that charges generated by the photosensitive element of each image pixel when the light source is on are transferred to the first storage node of that pixel and charges generated by the photosensitive element of each image pixel when the light source is off are transferred to the second storage node of that pixel. The light source may be an oscillating light source that is configured to turn on and off multiple times during an image exposure. The generated charges may be used in flash-matting operations. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130222682 | STROBE DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A strobe device of the present invention includes a reflector having an opening on the subject side, a cylindrical flashtube disposed in the reflector, and a first trigger electrode disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the flashtube. The first trigger electrode is disposed on the subject side of the outer peripheral surface of the flashtube. Thus, a flash of light emitted from the flashtube is reflected in a large range, from the bottom side to the opening side of the reflector, and a strobe device having a large range of light distribution can be achieved. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130258179 | IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING HOT SHOE - An imaging apparatus includes a hot shoe to which one of a plurality of peripheral devices including an external strobe is selectively attachable. The imaging apparatus further includes a USB controller, a flash controller configured to output a flash control signal for controlling the external strobe, and a video signal controller configured to output a video signal. An apparatus-side connector to be electrically connected to a peripheral-side connector provided in a corresponding one of the peripheral devices upon attachment of the corresponding one of the peripheral devices to the hot shoe is provided in an inner region of the hot shoe or an adjacent region outside the hot shoe. The apparatus-side connector includes a USB terminal, a flash terminal, and a video terminal. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130308045 | SENSOR-SYNCHRONIZED SPECTRALLY-STRUCTURED-LIGHT IMAGING - 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. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130342757 | Variable Flash Control For Improved Image Detection - 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. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140002724 | ILLUMINATION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140009671 | ACCESSORY, CAMERA, ACCESSORY CONTROL METHOD, ACCESSORY CONTROL PROGRAM, AND CAMERA CONTROL PROGRAM - 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. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140016026 | CAMERA FLASH MITIGATION - 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. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140071338 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLASH - 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. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140078382 | LENS FOR A CAMERA - 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. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140078383 | Steerable Illumination Source for Portable Devices - 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. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140078384 | STROBE DEVICE, IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD THEREOF - 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. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140085534 | CAMERA FLASH WITH RECONFIGURABLE EMISSION SPECTRUM - 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. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140146225 | STRUCTURE OF A RING FLASH MODULE - 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. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140184896 | ACCESSORY, CAMERA, ACCESSORY CONTROL PROGRAM, AND CAMERA CONTROL PROGRAM - 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. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140198250 | MODIFIED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING PHOTOGRAPHIC AND/OR VIDEOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A light-supporting structure and methods of using same that includes a central hub including a suspension point, a plurality of arms extending from the central hub, a separate support rod extending from each of the plurality of arms distal to the central hub, a separate lighting element mounted to each support rod, and a control system configured to orient each lighting element using motors with respect to a photographic zone. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting elements can be oriented with respect to a photographic zone in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140232931 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND IMAGING METHOD - Provided is an imaging system, including: a light source; an imaging device; a first optical system for irradiating an imaging object with light from the light source; a second optical system for causing one of light reflected from the imaging object and light transmitted through the imaging object to enter the imaging device; a control device for controlling the light source to irradiate the light with a predetermined period; and a processing device for acquiring time-series image data over a plurality of frames by controlling the light source to irradiate the light with the predetermined period, and allocating a maximum pixel intensity among the time-series pixel data of each pixel as pixel data of the each pixel to thereby obtain first image data when the light source irradiates the light. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140240587 | FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION USING IMAGE SENSOR INTERFACE TIMING SIGNAL - 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. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140285709 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR FLASH EXPOSURE CONTROL USING PREFLASH STATISTICS - Systems, methods, and devices for obtaining a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image are provided. One method for doing so may include, for example, gathering image capture statistics during a first period when a strobe is not emitting light and during a second period when the strobe emits a preflash. These image capture statistics may include distinct image capture control statistics and luma values associated with the periods. Final image capture control statistics then may be determined based at least in part on the first luma value normalized to the first image capture control statistics and the second luma value normalized to the second image capture control statistics. Thereafter, the final image capture control statistics may be used to capture a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image when the strobe emits a main flash. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140313401 | Rapid Synchronized Lighting and Shuttering - 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. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140333827 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF FLASH LIGHT EMISSION - A photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an accumulation control section controlling an accumulation operation in an imaging section; an accumulation start timing setting section setting a timing of accumulation start in the imaging section; and a flash light emission control section controlling the start and stop of light emission in the flash light emission section, wherein the accumulation control section instructs the flash light emission control section to start the flash light emission and causes the imaging section to start the accumulation based on an output of the accumulation start timing setting section, and the flash light emission control section causes the flash light emission to be started in response to the flash light emission start instruction of the accumulation control section and causes the flash light emission section to stop the light emission based on an appropriate light emission amount output by an exposure calculation section. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140340573 | Light Emitting Mobile Device Case - The present disclosure provides a mobile device case comprising a flash detector and one or more light sources. The mobile device case can mount a mobile device. The flash detector can detect the illumination of a mobile device's flash, while at least a portion of the illumination from the mobile device's flash is blocked by other opaque components of the mobile device case. When the flash detector detects illumination of the mobile device's flash, the mobile device case can activate at least some of the light sources to replace the blocked illumination of the mobile device's flash with stronger illumination, diffused illumination, and/or illumination with a different color or color temperature than the light output by the mobile device's flash. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140347555 | Light-Emitting Device and Camera - A small light-emitting device is provided. A light-emitting device which is less likely to produce a shadow is provided. A structure including a switching circuit for supplying a pulsed constant current and a light-emitting panel supplied with the pulsed constant current has been conceived. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140368729 | IMAGING APPARATUS, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an operation unit and a control unit to perform photographing using an illumination apparatus capable of automatically driving a movable unit, including a light emitting unit, for changing an irradiation direction of the light emitting unit. The operation unit receives an instruction to start a photographing operation. The control unit performs control, in a case where the operation unit receives an instruction to start a photographing operation while the movable unit is being automatically driven to change the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit, not to perform flash photography in which the light emitting unit is caused to emit light. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150036042 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING ILLUMINATION DIRECTION ANGLE OF STROBE DEVICE, STROBE DEVICE, AND IMAGING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH STROBE DEVICE - A method for adjusting the illumination direction angle of a strobe device includes the steps of: transmitting to a specific strobe device, a first signal related to the present illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted; based on the first signal, causing the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device to correspond to the illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted; changing the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device to a state desirable for the strobe device being adjusted; transmitting, to the strobe device being adjusted, the amount of further change in the illumination direction angle of the specific strobe device, as a second signal; and changing the illumination direction angle of the strobe device being adjusted, based on the second signal. With this method, the illumination direction angle of the strobe device can be remotely adjusted. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150085181 | HANDHELD COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR FLASHLIGHT MODULE OF HANDHELD COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - An adjustment method for a flashlight module of a handheld communications device includes following steps: detecting a light field of at least one frame and obtaining at least one attribute; determining whether the at least one attribute satisfies a specific criterion; and selecting a specific lighting configuration from a plurality of lighting configurations supported by the flashlight module after the at least one attribute satisfies the specific criterion, wherein the plurality of lighting configurations respectively correspond to different light fields. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150092103 | Method and Apparatus for Optimization During Camera Flash Pulses - Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a camera, a camera flash, and a current optimization system. The current optimization system is connected to the camera and the camera flash. The current optimization system is configured to calculate a shutdown period based on a flash mode of the camera. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150092104 | STROBE DEVICE AND PHOTOGRAPHY DEVICE PROVIDED WITH SAME - A strobe device according to the present invention includes: a strobe main body; a light emitter; a vertical direction changer that includes a first driver that drives the light emitter in a vertical direction and that includes a vertical direction angle detector that detects vertical direction angle information; a horizontal direction changer that includes a second driver that drives the light emitter in a horizontal direction and that includes a horizontal direction angle detector that detects horizontal direction angle information; a distance measurer that obtains distance information; an imager; a subject recognizer that generates subject recognition information; and a drive controller. The drive controller controls operations of the first driver and the second driver, based on the vertical direction angle information, the horizontal direction angle information, the distance information, and the subject recognition information. With this, the strobe device that does not miss a photo opportunity even when the subject is moving is realized. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150098014 | Method and Apparatus for Obtaining Image - A method comprising reading out first lines of pixels of a sensor, when the first lines are read out in a sequence of the first lines in a first direction along the sensor also reading out different second lines of the pixels of the sensor, when the second lines are read out in a sequence of the second lines in a different second direction along the sensor and interleaving the read outs from the first lines of pixels and the different second lines of pixels. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150098015 | LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE HAVING FUNCTION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST STATIC ELECTRICITY, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A mechanism excellent in assembly workability of a light emitting device and capable of stably protecting a soldered portion between a lead wire and the electrode part of a flash discharge tube against static electricity. A strobe panel scatters light emitted by the flash discharge tube. A strobe base holds the strobe panel. A strobe cover is attached to the strobe base in a manner covering the flash discharge tube and the strobe panel. An elastic case shields between a gap between the strobe base and the strobe cover meet and the electrode part of the flash discharge tube, and between another gap between the strobe base and the strobe panel and the electrode part of the flash discharge tube. A non-conductive elastic adhesive is filled between the elastic case and the electrode part in a manner sealing the electrode part. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150312458 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONFIGURING PHOTOGRAPHING PARAMETERS - The present disclosure discloses a method and a device for configuring photographing parameters, which relate to the field of terminal device technology. The method for configuring photographing parameters in a main device includes: acquiring photographing parameters, which include at least an output color temperature and an output time, for configuring a supplemental device with a flashlight component capable of adjusting color temperature according to a currently set photographing mode; and transmitting the photographing parameters to the supplemental device through a wireless data network, such that the supplemental device sets an output color temperature and an output time of the flashlight component in the supplemental device according to the photographing parameters when photographing. In the present disclosure, the accuracy of the output color temperature of the supplemental device, which supplements light during photographing using multiple terminal devices, is improved, and the quality of the photograph captured is also improved. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150326767 | LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A light-emitting device includes a board, a light-emitting diode chip disposed on the board, a molding part disposed on the board and covering the light-emitting diode chip, and a lens cap disposed on the board that is coupled with the substrate thereon and covering the molding part. An air gap is disposed between the lens cap and the molding part. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150355527 | LENS MODULE AND PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHY DEVICE - Provided is portable photography device capable of appropriately control an on/off state of a light source during photography, and reliably carrying out photography by a camera of a portable terminal when the light source is on. The portable photography device includes a smartphone with a camera, and a lens module including LEDs, having different wavelengths, a conversion lens, and light source control unit. The smartphone includes light on/off detection unit that detects the on/off state of each of the LEDs, photography control unit that controls photography by the camera, and display control unit that associates a photographed image taken by the camera with the LEDs, for display on the screen of the smartphone. As a result, it is possible to appropriately control the on/off state of the LEDs, during carrying out photography and reliably photographing skin with the camera of the smartphone. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150381868 | FLASH COLLISION DETECTION, COMPENSATION, AND PREVENTION - Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for flash collision detection, compensation, and prevention. For example, the flash of another camera or other sudden increases in ambient lighting of an image scene can introduce unwanted quality degradations into captured images, such as over-exposure of part or all of the captured image. Flash collision can be detected through a row sum calculation and comparison process in some examples. In some examples, flash collision can be compensated for by analysis of row sum data from a number of preview frames. In other examples, flash collision can be mitigated or prevented through use of a flash traffic controller. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150382428 | Method for Illuminating an Environment, Illumination Device and Camera Comprising an Illumination Device - In a method, a spectral performance of the electromagnetic radiation is chosen in such a way that an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 380 nm and 780 nm has a nominal value, an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 420 nm and 460 nm has a first value, an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 510 nm and 550 nm has a second value, and an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 580 nm and 620 nm has a third value. The ratios of these values are chosen to be within certain ranges. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160014311 | PEER TO PEER LIGHTING COMMUNICATION | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160044225 | Rapid Synchronized Lighting and Shuttering - 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. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160072992 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A light-emitting-part holder moves between a housing position in which the light-emitting-part holder is housed in a housing part formed in a strobe base and a light emission position in which the light-emitting-part holder projects from the housing part. One end of an arm member is supported by the light-emitting-part holder, and the other end thereof is supported by the strobe base. An arm cover member holds a magnet, and in a case where the arm member is housed in the housing part, the arm cover member is fixed to the face of the arm member facing the housing part. A part of a light-emitting-part flexible board (flexible wire member) is disposed between the magnet held by the arm cover member and the arm member. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160072994 | IMAGING SYSTEM, ILLUMINATION APPARATUS, AND CONTROLLING METHOD - An imaging system includes an illumination apparatus and imaging apparatus, and the illumination apparatus includes a light emitting unit, a movable unit including the light emitting unit, and configured to be rotatably held to a main body unit, a driving unit configured to drive the movable unit, a calculating unit configured to calculate an illumination direction of the light emitting unit, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the imaging apparatus, information about a charged voltage of a capacitor for storing energy to cause the light emitting unit to emit light. The transmitting unit transmits, to the imaging apparatus, information indicating that the charged voltage of the capacitor is less than the predetermined value, when the driving unit is used to drive the movable unit to cause the calculating unit to calculate the illumination direction, even if the charged voltage of the capacitor is a predetermined value or more. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160072995 | IMAGING SYSTEM, ILLUMINATION DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD - To enable light emission shooting according to the condition of an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, which includes an illumination device capable of automatically driving a movable portion including a light emission unit to change a radiation direction of the light emission unit and an imaging apparatus, includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information classifying a lens unit attached to the imaging apparatus, and a control unit configured to control the radiation direction of the light emission unit based on the information classifying the lens unit acquired by the acquisition unit. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160088278 | MULTI-LED CAMERA FLASH FOR COLOR TEMPERATURE MATCHING - Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for color temperature analysis and matching. For example, three or more camera flash LEDs of different output colors can be used to match any of a range of ambient color temperatures in a non-linear space on the black body curve. The scene color temperature can be analyzed in a preliminary image by determining actual sensor R/G and B/G ratios, enabling more accurate matching of foreground flash lighting to background lighting by the reference illuminant for subsequent white balance processing. The current provided to, and therefore brightness emitted from, each LED can be individually controlled based on the determined sensor response to provide a dynamic and adaptive mix of the output colors of the LEDs. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160119524 | External Photographic Wireless Communication Device - An external photographic wireless communication device and related systems including 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. The device includes a processor. The processor is connected to one or more of the contacts of the camera side hot shoe connector and to one or more of the contacts of the accessory side hot shoe connectors without the same contacts being directly connected to each other. The processor controls communication over the connections between the contacts. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160119526 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a first image of an object shot with flashing of an illumination device and distance information of distances to a plurality of positions of the object; a determination unit configured to determine a position of a virtual light source that emits virtual light; and a processing unit configured to obtain shape information of the object based on the distance information, and generate an image in which the object is illuminated by the virtual light source by processing the first image based on the obtained shape information of the object, the distance information, and the position of the virtual light source with respect to the object. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160142600 | METHOD FOR TAKING PHOTO WITH EXTENSION FLASH MODULE OF MOBILE DEVICE - A method for taking photo with an extension flash module of a mobile device is provided in the present invention. The mobile device operates in coordination with an extension flash module to achieve fill light while taking photo. The method includes the following steps: detecting a specific event before a flashable period. The flashable period starts from the time at which a last row of photo sensors begins exposure to the time at which a first row of photo sensors ends exposure. The time at which the specific event occurs is a fixed period of time compared to the flashable time. Then, triggering a flash instruction according to a flash delay time and a period from the time at which the specific event occurs to the flashable time, such that the extension flash module flashes during the flashable time. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160142602 | Method for Controlling Flash Timing of Extension Flash Module - The present invention provides a method for controlling flash timing of an extension flash module cooperating with a mobile device. The method includes: detecting a specific event, wherein a time period from when the specific event occurs to the start of an exposure of the first row of a photo sensor is a constant; determining whether there is one single flashable time period wherein one flash is receivable by every row of the photo sensor; when there is such a single flashable time period, conducting one single flash after a delay time from the specific event; and when there is no such single flashable time period, conducting a first flash after a delay time from the specific event, and conducting a second flash after a delay time from the first flash. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160142603 | Method for Controlling Flash Timing of Extension Flash Module - The present invention discloses a method for controlling flash timing of an extension flash module cooperating with a mobile device to provide supplemental light. The method includes: detecting a specific event before a flashable time period, wherein the flashable time is a period from the time at which a last photo sensor row of a specific frame begins exposure to the time at which a first photo sensor row in the specific frame ends exposure, wherein the time period from when the specific event occurs to a flashable time in the flashable time period has a fixed length of time; and triggering a flash instruction after a delay time from when the specific event occurs, such that the flash timing of the extension flash module is in the flashable time period. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160156821 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160182790 | SYNCHRONIZATION OF ROLLING SHUTTER CAMERA AND DYNAMIC FLASH LIGHT | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160182797 | Apparatus and method for optimizing a light source for image capturing | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160191778 | FRAMEWORK AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATION OF OBJECT BEING PHOTOGRAPHED - A method for controlling illumination of an object being photographed includes generating and sending an invitation signal to a number of secondary electronic devices to join a group for photographing the object, generating and sending a photosensing signal to each of the secondary electronic devices in the group to detect an illumination value of the object, focusing an image of the object and detecting an illumination value of the object, detecting a distance value between the object and the primary electronic device, detecting a distance value between the object and each of the secondary electronic devices, and calculating a required flash driving current and a required flash duration of the primary electronic device and each of the secondary electronic devices and a required exposure time for photographing the object. The object is photographed by the first electronic device. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160198078 | METHOD, TRANSMISSION UNIT, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A CAMERA AND AT LEAST ONE REMOTE FLASH DEVICE | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160254410 | ILLUMINATION DEVICE HAVING DUAL-EMITTING LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) DIE STRUCTURES | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160381265 | CASSETTE ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR DETECTING INTENSITY OF TEST STRIP CASSETTE - Techniques for fast and accurate measuring test strip intensities are disclosed herein. A cassette attachment device for detecting intensity of a test strip cassette includes a strip chamber configured to accommodate at least a portion of a test strip, a light source configured to provide illumination to the test strip cassette via indirect lighting, an attaching mechanism configured to attach the device to a mobile device, and a camera window configured to transmit light signal reflected from the test strip cassette such that the mobile device can capture an image of the test strip cassette illuminated by the light source. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20180027183 | WIRELESS BATTERY-LESS MINI CAMERA AND SYSTEM FOR INTERIOR INSPECTION OF CLOSED SPACES | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190149706 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CAPTURING A FLASH IMAGE BASED ON AMBIENT AND FLASH METERING | 05-16-2019 |
