Systems and methods for communicating with a device using one or more camera body controls

• US 8,326,136 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LAB Partners Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LAB Partners Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Clark, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jr., Leon W
• Application Number:
  US12/705,096
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 396 1- 5, 396 56- 58, 396/166, 396/175, 396/201, 396/280, 396/299, 396301-303, 348/333.13
• US Class Current: 396/56
• 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 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0557 Multiple units, e.g. slave-unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.

Claims

1. A method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body;

in response to said detecting of the first preset pattern of actuation, changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device, wherein the third camera body control of the camera body is provided for camera body control functionality;

detecting user actuation of the third camera body control while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, said detecting of the user actuation of the third camera body control including detecting a rotating of a rotary control;

generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control;

wirelessly transmitting the plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control so as to cause the controlled device to continually change power states in accordance with the power adjustment signal;

after wirelessly transmitting the plurality of power adjustment signals, detecting a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body; and

in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation, changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting of the first preset pattern includes detecting a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said detecting of the second preset pattern includes detecting a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a first sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control and said detecting of the second sequential actuation includes detecting a second sequential partial-pressing of the shutter release button.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the controlled device is a lighting device and said generating of a plurality of power adjustment signals includes generating an illumination output change signal.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the lighting device is a wirelessly remote modeling lighting device.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the lighting device is an in-scene lighting device.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the lighting device is an ambient lighting device.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said generating of a plurality of power adjustment signals includes generating a first-motor speed change signal.

11. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, said machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body;

a second set of machine-executable instruction for, in response to said detecting of the first preset pattern of actuation, changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device, wherein the third camera body control of the camera body is provided for camera body control functionality;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for detecting user actuation of the third camera body control while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, said detecting of the user actuation of the third camera body control including detecting a rotating of a rotary control

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control;

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for controlling wireless transmission of the plurality of power adjustment signals so as to cause the controlled device to continuously change power states in accordance with the power adjustment signal;

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing, following the wireless transmission of the plurality of power adjustment signals, detection of a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body; and

a seventh set of machine-executable instructions for, in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation, changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality.

12. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

13. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 12, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control.

14. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 12, wherein said sixth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

15. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 14, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a first sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control and said sixth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a second sequential partial-pressing of the shutter release button.

16. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the controlled device is a lighting device and said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for generating an illumination output change signal.

17. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for generating a motor speed change signal.

18. A method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body;

in response to said detecting of the first preset pattern of actuation, changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control of the camera body to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device;

detecting user actuation of the third camera body control while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, said detecting user actuation of the third camera body control including detecting a rotating of a rotary control;

generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control;

wirelessly transmitting the plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control so as to cause the controlled device to continually change power states;

after said changing of the camera body functionality to the power adjustment functionality, detecting a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body; and

in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation, changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlled device is a lighting device and said generating of the plurality of power adjustment signals includes generating a first illumination output adjustment signal.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said generating of the plurality of power adjustment signals includes generating a first motor speed signal.

21. A method according to claim 18, wherein said detecting of the first preset pattern includes detecting a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein said detecting of the second preset pattern includes detecting a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a First sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control and said detecting of the second sequential actuation includes detecting a second sequential partial-pressing of the shutter release button.

25. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, said machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control of the camera body to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device in response to the detection of the first preset pattern of actuation;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for detecting user actuation of the third camera body control while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, said detecting user actuation of the third camera body control including detecting a rotating of a rotary control;

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control;

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for controlling the wireless transmission the plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control so as to cause the controlled device to continually change power states;

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body after said changing of the camera body functionality to the power adjustment functionality; and

a seventh set of machine executable instructions for changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation.

26. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the controlled device is a continuous lighting device and said fourth set of machine-readable instructions includes machine executable instructions for generating a first illumination output adjustment signal.

27. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said fourth set of machine-readable instructions includes machine executable instructions for generating a first motor speed signal.

28. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

29. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control.

30. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said seventh set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

31. A method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body, wherein said detecting of the first preset pattern includes detecting a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control;

in response to said detecting of the first preset pattern of actuation, changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control of the camera body to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device;

after said changing of the camera body functionality to the power adjustment functionality, detecting a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body; and

in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation, changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality.

32. A method according to claim 31, further comprising while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality:

detecting user actuation of the third camera body control;

generating a power adjustment signal in response to said detecting of user actuation of the third camera body control; and

communicating the power adjustment signal so as to cause the controlled device to operate in accordance with the power adjustment signal.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said detecting of the user actuation of the third camera body control includes detecting a rotating of a rotary control.

34. A method according to claim 33, further including:

generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of a rotary control; and

wireless transmitting the plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control so as to cause the controlled device to continually change power states.

35. A method according to claim 32, wherein the controlled device is a lighting device and said generating of the power adjustment signal includes generating a first illumination output adjustment signal.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said generating of the power adjustment signal includes generating a first motor speed signal.

37. A method according to claim 31, wherein said detecting of the second preset pattern includes detecting a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said detecting of the second sequential actuation includes detecting a second sequential partial-pressing of the shutter release button.

39. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of communicating with a controlled device using a camera body, said machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for detecting a first preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one first camera body control on the camera body, wherein said detecting of the first preset pattern includes detecting a first sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body, wherein said detecting of the first sequential actuation includes detecting a sequential partial-pressing of a shutter release control;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for, in response to said detecting of the first preset pattern of actuation, changing the camera body functionality of a third camera body control of the camera body to a power adjustment functionality for controlling the controlled device;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for, after said changing of the camera body functionality to the power adjustment functionality, detecting a second preset pattern of actuation by a user of at least one second camera body control on the camera body; and

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for in response to said detecting of the second preset pattern of actuation, changing the power adjustment control functionality of the third camera body control back to the camera body control functionality.

40. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 39, further comprising:

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of user actuation of the third camera body control while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality;

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for generating, while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, a power adjustment signal in response to said detecting of user actuation of the third camera body control; and

a seventh set of machine-executable instructions for controlling, while the third camera body control has the power adjustment control functionality, communication of the power adjustment signal so as to cause the controlled device to operate in accordance with the power adjustment signal.

41. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 40, wherein said fifth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a rotating of a rotary control.

42. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 41, further including:

an eighth set of machine-executable instructions for generating a plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of a rotary control; and

a ninth set of machine-executable instructions for controlling wireless transmission of the plurality of power adjustment signals in substantial synchronicity with the rotating of the rotary control so as to cause the controlled device to continually change power states.

43. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 40, wherein the controlled device is a lighting device and said generating of the power adjustment signal includes generating a first illumination output adjustment signal.

44. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 40, wherein the controlled device includes a motor and said generating of the power adjustment signal includes generating a first motor speed signal.

45. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 39, wherein said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes instructions for detecting a second sequential actuation of a particular camera body control on the camera body.

46. A machine-readable storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes instructions for detecting a second sequential partial-pressing of the shutter release button.