SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FLASH COLOR TEMPERATURE

• US 20100124041A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vitaly Druchinin
• Original Assignee: Vitaly Druchinin
• Inventors: DRUCHININ, VITALY
• Application Number:
  US12/272,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20100124041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/16
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/88 for colour balance, e.g. white-balance circuits or colour temperature control

Abstract

An adjustable camera flash unit is provided, including a camera flash unit, and an adjustable light filter affixed in a light path of said camera flash unit. The adjustable light filter may be electronically adjustable when coupled to an appropriately configured electronic controller, and may be adjustable along a continuous range of color temperatures. By adjusting the adjustable light filter to a desired setting prior to discharging said camera flash unit, a flash of a desired color temperature is produced.

Claims

1. An electronically adjustable camera flash unit, comprising:

a camera flash unit;

an electronically adjustable light filter affixed in a light path of said camera flash unit, said electronically adjustable light filter modifying a flash color temperature produced upon discharge of said camera flash unit.

2. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, further comprising an electronic controller coupled to said electronically adjustable light filter, said electronic controller further coupled to an ambient light sensor.

3. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 2, wherein said electronic controller automatically adjusts said electronically adjustable light filter to produce a flash color temperature substantially matching an ambient light color temperature.

4. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, further comprising an electronic controller coupled to said electronically adjustable light filter and a human interface for controlling flash color temperature via said electronic controller.

5. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, wherein said electronically adjustable light filter is adjustable along a continuous range of color temperatures.

6. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, wherein said electronically adjustable light filter comprises a liquid crystal light filter.

7. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, wherein said camera flash unit is housed in a camera as an internal flash and said electronically adjustable light filter is affixed to said camera.

8. The electronically adjustable camera flash unit of claim 1, further comprising a flash energy adjuster, said flash energy adjuster adjusting flash energy to accommodate for flash energy attenuation at a flash color temperature setting.

9. A continuously adjustable camera flash unit, comprising:

a camera flash unit;

an adjustable light filter affixed in a light path of said camera flash unit, wherein said adjustable light filter is adjustable along a continuous range of color temperatures.

10. The continuously adjustable camera flash unit of claim 9, wherein said adjustable light filter comprises a moving filter component.

11. The continuously adjustable camera flash unit of claim 10, further comprising an ambient light sensor and a display, the display indicating an ambient light color temperature measured by said ambient light sensor.

12. The continuously adjustable camera flash unit of claim 9, further comprising a flash energy adjuster, said flash energy adjuster adjusting flash energy to accommodate flash energy attenuation at a flash color temperature setting.

13. A method of adjusting flash color temperature produced by a camera flash unit, comprising:

receiving a flash color temperature setting at an electronic controller;

said electronic controller electronically adjusting a light filter affixed in a light path of said camera flash unit to produce a flash color temperature designated by said flash color temperature setting upon a flash of said camera flash unit.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said flash color temperature setting is received from a user interface.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein said flash color temperature setting is received from an ambient light sensor.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein said light filter comprises a liquid crystal light filter.

18. A method according to claim 13, further comprising adjusting flash energy to accommodate flash energy attenuation at said flash color temperature setting.

19. An electronically adjustable camera flash attachment for adjusting a color temperature produced by a camera flash unit, comprising:

an electronically adjustable light filter affixable in a light path of said camera flash unit; and

an electronic controller that receives a flash color temperature setting and electronically adjusts said electronically adjustable light filter to said flash color temperature setting.

20. The electronically adjustable camera flash attachment of claim 19, further comprising an ambient light sensor coupled to said electronic controller, said electronic controller receiving said flash color temperature setting from said ambient light sensor.

21. The electronically adjustable camera flash attachment of claim 19, further comprising a human interface coupled to said electronic controller, said electronic controller receiving said flash color temperature setting from said human interface.

22. The electronically adjustable camera flash attachment of claim 19, further comprising a camera interface coupled to said electronic controller, said electronic controller receiving said flash color temperature setting from said camera interface.