Edge light device for photography system

• US 10,274,811 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lifetouch Incorporated (Shutterfly, LLC)
• Inventors: Peterson, Trygve D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harris, William N
• Application Number:
  US15/435,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20180239219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 362 11, 362 16
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/04 Hoods or caps for eliminating unwanted light from lenses, viewfinders or focusing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/041 Separatable flash apparatus; Means for mounting the flash apparatus on the photographic apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/07 Arrangements of lamps in studios

Abstract

An edge light device of the present disclosure creates edge light effects, such as spectral highlight or artistic effect, on a subject. The edge light device emits light to provide an illumination zone which can be generally out of the field of view of the camera. The edge light device includes a housing having features for controlling light to create edge light effects on a subject. In certain examples, the housing provides a light blocker for concentrating light toward the subject and blocking the light from illuminating the other areas, such as the camera, in the photography station. The housing further includes at least one aperture that cooperates with the light blocker and defines a light passage through which the light is directed toward the subject.

Claims

1. An edge light assembly for a photography system, the edge light assembly comprising:

a housing, having an inner surface made of non-reflective material defining an interior, the housing configured to at least partially receive a light source, the light source configured to emit light, the housing including;

a light blocker at least partially surrounding the light source and blocking the light from reaching a camera of the photography system; and

at least one aperture provided at the housing and configured to define a light passage through which the light is directed toward a subject space between a background and the camera.

2. The edge light assembly of claim 1, further comprising the light source mounted to the housing.

3. The edge light assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support device configured to detachably mount the housing to a light stand.

4. The edge light assembly of claim 1, wherein the light blocker includes a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels, the front panel, the rear panel, and the side panels defining the interior of the housing.

5. The edge light assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing provides a plurality of apertures at the front panel, the plurality of apertures spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and wherein the edge light assembly is configured to pass light from the light source through at least one of the plurality of apertures.

6. The edge light assembly of claim 5, the edge light assembly configured to pass light from the light source selectively through at least one of the plurality of apertures.

7. The edge light assembly of claim 2, wherein the light source includes a plurality of lighting elements mounted to the housing, the plurality of lighting elements spaced apart at a predetermined distance,

wherein the housing provides a plurality of apertures at the front panel, the plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of lighting elements, respectively.

8. The edge light assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of lighting elements are independently operable.

9. The edge light assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the front panel of the housing.

10. The edge light assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of lighting elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the housing.

11. The edge light assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing includes a light socket configured to mount the light source at the rear panel.

12. The edge light assembly of claim 2, wherein the light source includes a flashlight bulb.

13. A photography system comprising:

a digital camera arranged and configured to capture a digital image of a subject;

a foreground light assembly;

an edge light assembly including a housing, having an inner surface made of non-reflective material defining an interior, the housing configured to at least partially receive a light source, the light source configured to emit light, the housing including;

a light blocker at least partially surrounding the light source and blocking the light from reaching a camera of the photography system; and

at least one aperture provided at the housing and configured to define a light passage through which the light is directed toward a subject space between a background and the camera; and

a controller operable to control the photography system to;

illuminate the subject with the foreground light assembly;

illuminate the subject with the edge light assembly; and

capture a digital image with the digital camera.

14. The photography system of claim 13, further comprising:

a background; and

a background light assembly;

wherein the controller is further operable to control the photography system to;

illuminate the subject with the background light assembly.

15. A photography method comprising:

setting up a photography station by;

arranging a digital camera with respect to a subject space;

arranging a foreground light assembly with respect to the subject space; and

aligning an edge light assembly with the subject space, the edge light assembly including a housing having an inner surface made of non-reflective material defining an interior, the housing configured to at least partially receive a light source, the light source configured to emit light, the housing including;

a light blocker at least partially surrounding the light source and blocking the light from reaching the camera of the photography system; and

at least one aperture provided at the housing and configured to define a light passage through which the light is directed toward the subject space; and

operating a controller to synchronize operations of the digital camera, the foreground light assembly, and the edge light assembly.

16. The photography method of claim 15, wherein aligning the edge light assembly comprises:

aligning an edge of the housing of the edge light assembly with the subject space.

17. The photography method of claim 15, wherein aligning the edge light assembly comprises:

aligning a center of the housing of the edge light assembly with the subject space.

18. The photography method of claim 15, wherein the light blocker includes a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels, the front panel, the rear panel, and the side panels defining the interior of the housing.

19. The photography method of claim 15, wherein the housing provides a plurality of apertures at the front panel, the plurality of apertures spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and wherein the edge light assembly configured to pass light from the light source through at least one of the plurality of apertures.