CONTROLLING AN EXPOSURE TIME FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A digital photography device comprising:
- a sensor array configured to receive light from an object propagating along an optical path;
a mechanical global shutter disposed in the optical path and characterized by a shutter speed;
a flash configured to generate pulsed illumination; and
a controller in electrical communication with the flash, wherein the controller is configured to provide a trigger signal to the flash and wherein a shutter speed during a pre-flash illumination period is substantially equal to a shutter speed during a flash illumination period.
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Abstract
Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a digital photography device includes a global shutter to control exposure time, a sensor array, and a flash illumination are described. The global shutter is in the optical path of light going to the sensor. The flash illumination generates a pulsed illumination. The shutter speed of the global shutter during a pre-flash illumination substantially matches the shutter speed during the flash illumination during the taking of a picture using the flash illumination based on the global shutter receiving a trigger signal from a controller.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A digital photography device comprising:
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a sensor array configured to receive light from an object propagating along an optical path; a mechanical global shutter disposed in the optical path and characterized by a shutter speed; a flash configured to generate pulsed illumination; and a controller in electrical communication with the flash, wherein the controller is configured to provide a trigger signal to the flash and wherein a shutter speed during a pre-flash illumination period is substantially equal to a shutter speed during a flash illumination period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a digital photography device having a sensor array, a mechanical global shutter, and a flash, the method comprising:
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opening the mechanical global shutter during a pre-flash illumination period characterized by a predetermined time; and opening the mechanical global shutter during a flash illumination period characterized by the predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A digital camera comprising:
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a flash configured to generate pulsed illumination along a first optical path extending from the flash to an object to be imaged; a lens disposed along a second optical path extending from the object toward the digital camera; a mechanical global shutter disposed along the second optical path; a sensor array disposed along the second optical path; and a controller in electrical communication with the flash, the mechanical global shutter, and the sensor array, wherein the controller is configured to provide a trigger signal to open the mechanical global shutter during a pre-imaging flash period and during an imaging flash period, the pre-imaging flash period being within a factor of two of the imaging flash period. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification