Wireless communication activation system and method

• US 7,362,965 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LAB Partners Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LAB Partners Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Clark, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLACKMAN, ROCHELLE ANN J
• Application Number:
  US11/529,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20070058959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 396 56- 59, 396/263, 396/429, 396/661, 396/180, 396/189, 348/14.02, 348/14.05, 348/114, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.11, 348/211.14, 348/211.99, 348/725, 348/734
• US Class Current: 396/56
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/0473 Remote controlled ignition mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/70 with flash-synchronising contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A system and method for removable connection of an antenna element to a first flash synchronization connector of a camera body having wireless communication capability therein. An electrical event may be produced when the antenna element is connected to the first flash synchronization connector, the electrical event providing an indication to the wireless communication capability of the presence of the antenna element.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly for removable connection to a first flash synchronization connector of a camera body having wireless communication capability therein, the antenna assembly comprising:

(a) an antenna element;

(b) a second flash synchronization connector including a male connector pin in electrical communication with said antenna element, said male connector pin providing electrical communication between said antenna element and the wireless communication capability when said second flash synchronization connector is connected to the first flash synchronization connector of the camera body; and

(c) an antenna notification module in electrical communication with said antenna element and said second flash synchronization connector, said antenna notification module producing an electrical event when said second flash synchronization connector is connected to the first flash synchronization connector of the camera body, the electrical event providing an indication to the wireless communication capability that said antenna element is present.

2. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication capability is configured to be switched to an active state upon said indication that said antenna element is present and to an inactive state upon absence of said indication.

3. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication capability comprises a transmitter for communicating a signal from the camera body to said antenna element, said transmitter being in electrical communication with said antenna element via said male connector pin when said second flash synchronization connector is connected with said first flash synchronization connector, said antenna notification module being in electrical communication with said wireless communication capability via said male connector pin.

4. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said antenna notification module includes an inductor in electrical communication with said antenna element, said inductor also being in electrical communication with a ground element of the first flash synchronization connector.

5. An antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication capability is configured to communicate wirelessly via said antenna element at a first frequency, said inductor having an inductance that produces an open circuit between the wireless communication capability and said ground element at said first frequency and a short circuit to ground at a second frequency, the wireless communication capability being configured to detect said short circuit at said second frequency.

6. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication capability comprises a wireless communication module inside the camera body.

7. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical event includes a measured current.

8. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrical event includes a short circuit.

9. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second flash synchronization connector is configured to allow rotation of the antenna assembly with respect to the camera body when said second flash synchronization connector is connected to the first flash synchronization connector.

22. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second flash synchronization connector is a PC-type flash synchronization connector.

10. A wireless communication system for a camera body, the camera body including a flash synchronization connector and a wireless communication module having an antenna sensing means, the wireless communication module being in electrical communication with the flash synchronization connector, the system comprising:

(a) an antenna element external to the camera body;

(b) a connecting means for connecting said antenna element to the flash synchronization connector of the camera body, said connecting means being in electrical communication with said antenna element; and

(c) a notification means for electrically communicating the presence of said antenna element to the antenna sensing means when said connecting means is connected to the flash synchronization connector of the camera body, said antenna element being adapted to transmit and receive one or more signals from and to the camera body.

11. A wireless communication system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to switch to an active state upon the antenna sensing means sensing said presence of said antenna element and to switch to an inactive state upon the antenna sensing means sensing the lack of said presence of said antenna element.

12. A wireless communication system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly via said antenna element at a first frequency, said notification means being configured to produce an open circuit between the wireless communication module and ground at said first frequency and a short circuit to ground at a second frequency, the antenna sensing means being configured to detect said short circuit at said second frequency.

13. A wireless communication system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication module comprises a transmitter for communicating a signal from the camera body to said antenna element, said transmitter being in electrical communication with said antenna element via a first connection element of said connecting means when said connecting means is connected with the flash synchronization connector, said notification means being in electrical communication with said wireless communication module via said first connection element.

23. A wireless communication system according to claim 10, wherein said flash synchronization connector is a PC-type flash synchronization connector.

14. A camera capable of wirelessly communicating with a remote device, the camera comprising:

(a) a first flash synchronization connector exposed to an outside surface of a body of the camera;

(b) a wireless communication module having an antenna sensing means, said wireless communication module being in electrical communication with said first flash synchronization connector;

(c) an antenna element external to said body of the camera;

(d) a second connector operatively configured to connect said antenna element to said first flash synchronization connector, said second connector being in electrical communication with said antenna element; and

(e) a notification means for electrically communicating the presence of said antenna element to said antenna sensing means.

15. A camera according to claim 14, wherein said wireless communication module is configured to switch to an active state upon the antenna sensing means sensing said presence of said antenna element and to switch to an inactive state upon the antenna sensing means sensing the lack of said presence of said antenna element.

16. A camera according to claim 14, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly via said antenna element at a first frequency, said notification means being configured to produce an open circuit between said wireless communication module and ground at said first frequency and a short circuit to ground at a second frequency, said antenna sensing means being configured to detect said short circuit at said second frequency.

17. A camera according to claim 14, wherein said wireless communication module includes a transmitter for communicating a signal from said camera body to said antenna element, said second connector comprising a first connector means for communicating said signal between said transmitter and said antenna element and for electrically connecting said notification means to said sensing means.

24. A camera according to claim 14, wherein said first flash synchronization connector is a PC-type flash synchronization connector.

18. A method of activating a wireless communication capability of a camera body, the method comprising:

(a) producing an electrical event by connecting an external antenna to a flash synchronization connector of the camera body; and

(b) using said electrical event to notify the wireless communication capability of the presence of said external antenna.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said producing step (a) includes providing an open circuit between the wireless communication capability and ground at a first frequency used by the wireless communication capability for wireless communication, and producing a short circuit to ground at a second frequency used by the wireless communication capability to detect the presence of said external antenna.

20. A method according to claim 18, further comprising switching the wireless communication capability to or from an active state based on the presence or lack of connection of said external antenna.

25. A method according to claim 18, wherein said flash synchronization connector is a type flash synchronization connector.

21. An antenna assembly for removable connection to a first connector of a camera body having wireless communication capability therein, the first connector being connected to circuitry within the camera body, the circuitry being for generating a flash synchronization signal, the antenna assembly comprising:

(a) an antenna element;

(b) a second connector configured to connect to the first connector and providing electrical communication between said antenna element and the wireless communication capability, and providing an electrical pathway for transmitting the flash synchronization signal to said antenna element when said second connector is connected to the first connector of the camera body; and

(c) an antenna notification module in electrical communication with said antenna element and said second connector, said antenna notification module producing an electrical event when said second connector is connected to the first connector of the camera body, the electrical event providing an indication to the wireless communication capability that said antenna element is present.

26. A antenna assembly according to claim 21, wherein said second connector is a PC-type flash synchronization connector.