Systems and methods for changing power states of a remote device using one or more camera body controls and a preset delay

• US 8,326,141 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:
  US12/705,052
• 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, 396/439, 348/333.13
• US Class Current: 396/198
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/03 Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• 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 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

Claims

1. A method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control, said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal including detecting a camera body wake signal;

generating a first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal, said generating of the first power state change signal including generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body wake signal;

transmitting the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

implementing a preset delay; and

causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body wake signal includes detecting the camera body wake signal via the hotshoe.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said implementing the preset delay includes starting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting of the first power state change signal includes transmitting a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting an illumination output level for the lighting.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the device includes a motor and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting a motor speed level for the motor.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting at least one second camera body signal, wherein said implementing of the preset delay includes setting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal includes detecting a camera body sleep signal and said implementing of the preset delay includes setting the delay timer in response to said detecting of the camera body sleep signal.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

generating a second power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

transmitting the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising transmitting a second power level change setting in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

12. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, the machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control, the at least one first camera body signal including a camera body signal selected from the group consisting of a camera body wake signal and a camera body autofocus assist signal;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for generating a first power state change signal in response to the detection of a camera body wake signal or a camera body autofocus assist signal;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing a preset delay; and

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

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 at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control.

14. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detecting a camera body wake signal.

15. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a camera body autofocus assist signal.

16. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 12, wherein said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for starting a delay timer in response to the detection of the at least one first camera body signal.

17. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 12, wherein said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

18. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for initiating transmitting of an illumination output level for the lighting.

19. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the device includes a motor and said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a motor speed level for the motor.

20. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 12, further comprising machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one second camera body signal, wherein said fourth set of machine executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for setting a delay timer in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

21. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 20, wherein said machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of the at least one second camera body signal includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a camera body sleep signal and said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for setting the delay timer in response to the detection of the camera body sleep signal.

22. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 20, further comprising:

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for generating a second power state change signal in response to the detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

a seventh set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

23. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 21, further comprising machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a second power level change setting in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

24. A method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control, said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal including detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal;

generating a first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal, said generating of the first power state change signal including generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal;

transmitting the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

implementing a preset delay; and

causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body wake signal.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body wake signal includes detecting the camera body wake signal via the hotshoe.

27. A method according to claim 24, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein said implementing the preset delay includes starting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal.

29. A method according to claim 24, wherein said transmitting of the first power state change signal includes transmitting a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting an illumination output level for the lighting.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein the device includes a motor and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting a motor speed level for the motor.

32. A method according to claim 24, further comprising detecting at least one second camera body signal, wherein said implementing of the preset delay includes setting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal includes detecting a camera body sleep signal and said implementing of the preset delay includes setting the delay timer in response to said detecting of the camera body sleep signal.

34. A method according to claim 32, further comprising:

generating a second power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

transmitting the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

35. A method according to claim 33, further comprising transmitting a second power level change setting in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

36. A method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control, said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal including detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control;

generating a first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal;

transmitting the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

implementing a preset delay; and

causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body wake signal, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body wake signal includes detecting the camera body wake signal via the hotshoe.

38. A method according to claim 36, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal includes detecting the camera body autofocus assist signal via the hotshoe.

39. A method according to claim 36, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal.

40. A method according to claim 36, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal.

41. A method according to claim 36, wherein said implementing the preset delay includes starting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal.

42. A method according to claim 36, wherein said transmitting of the first power state change signal includes transmitting a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting an illumination output level for the lighting.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein the device includes a motor and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting a motor speed level for the motor.

45. A method according to claim 36, further comprising detecting at least one second camera body signal, wherein said implementing of the preset delay includes setting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal includes detecting a camera body sleep signal and said implementing of the preset delay includes setting the delay timer in response to said detecting of the camera body sleep signal.

47. A method according to claim 45, further comprising:

generating a second power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

transmitting the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

48. A method according to claim 46, further comprising transmitting a second power level change setting in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

49. A method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control;

generating a first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal;

transmitting the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state, said transmitting of the first power state change signal including transmitting a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device, wherein the device includes a motor and the first power level change setting includes a motor speed level for the motor;

implementing a preset delay; and

causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body wake signal.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body wake signal includes detecting the camera body wake signal via the hotshoe.

52. A method according to claim 49, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal.

53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal includes detecting the camera body autofocus assist signal via the hotshoe.

54. A method according to claim 49, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal.

55. A method according to claim 49, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal.

56. A method according to claim 49, wherein said implementing the preset delay includes starting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal.

57. A method according to claim 49, further comprising detecting at least one second camera body signal, wherein said implementing of the preset delay includes setting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal includes detecting a camera body sleep signal and said implementing of the preset delay includes setting the delay timer in response to said detecting of the camera body sleep signal.

59. A method according to claim 57, further comprising:

generating a second power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

transmitting the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

60. A method according to claim 58, further comprising transmitting a second power level change setting in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

61. A method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, comprising:

detecting at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control;

generating a first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal;

detecting at least one second camera body signal;

transmitting the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

implementing a preset delay, said implementing a preset delay including a delay timer that is set in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

62. A method according to claim 61, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body wake signal, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body wake signal includes detecting the camera body wake signal via the hotshoe.

63. A method according to claim 61, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal and said generating of the first power state change signal includes generating the first power state change signal in response to said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal, wherein the camera body has a hotshoe and said detecting of the camera body autofocus assist signal includes detecting the camera body autofocus assist signal via the hotshoe.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body wake signal.

65. A method according to claim 63, further comprising detecting at least one second camera body signal, wherein said implementing of the preset delay includes setting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal, wherein said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal includes detecting a camera body autofocus assist signal.

66. A method according to claim 61, wherein said implementing the preset delay includes starting a delay timer in response to said detecting of the at least one first camera body signal.

67. A method according to claim 61, wherein said transmitting of the first power state change signal includes transmitting a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting an illumination output level for the lighting.

69. A method according to claim 67, wherein the device includes a motor and said transmitting of the first power level change setting includes transmitting a motor speed level for the motor.

70. A method according to claim 61, wherein said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal includes detecting a camera body sleep signal and said implementing of the preset delay includes setting the delay timer in response to said detecting of the camera body sleep signal.

71. A method according to claim 61, further comprising:

generating a second power state change signal in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

transmitting the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

72. A method according to claim 70, further comprising transmitting a second power level change setting in response to said detecting of the at least one second camera body signal.

73. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, the machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control, the at least one first camera body signal including at least one camera body signal that is generated by the camera body in response to a partial pressing of a shutter release control;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for generating a first power state change signal in response to the detection of the at least one first camera body signal;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing a preset delay; and

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

74. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 73, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detecting a camera body wake signal.

75. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 73, wherein said first set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a camera body autofocus assist signal.

76. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 73, wherein said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for starting a delay timer in response to the detection of the at least one first camera body signal.

77. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 73, wherein said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device.

78. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 77, wherein the remote device includes lighting and said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for initiating transmitting of an illumination output level for the lighting.

79. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 77, wherein the device includes a motor and said third set of machine-executable instructions includes machine executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a motor speed level for the motor.

80. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 73, further comprising machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one second camera body signal, wherein said fourth set of machine executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for setting a delay timer in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

81. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 80, wherein said machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of the at least one second camera body signal includes machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of a camera body sleep signal and said fourth set of machine-executable instructions includes machine-executable instructions for setting the delay timer in response to the detection of the camera body sleep signal.

82. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 80, further comprising:

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for generating a second power state change signal in response to the detecting of the at least one second camera body signal; and

a seventh set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the second power state change signal along with the preset delay in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

83. A machine-readable hardware storage medium according to claim 81, further comprising machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a second power level change setting in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal.

84. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, the remote device including a motor, the machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for generating a first power state change signal in response to the detection of the at least one first camera body signal;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state, said third set of machine-executable instructions including machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of a first power level change setting corresponding to the first power state of the remote device, the first power level change setting including a motor speed level for the motor;

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing a preset delay; and

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.

85. A machine-readable hardware storage medium containing machine-executable instructions for performing a method of changing power states of a remote device using a camera body, the machine-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one first camera body signal that is generated as a function of a user actuation of at least one camera body control;

a second set of machine-executable instructions for generating a first power state change signal in response to the detection of the at least one first camera body signal;

a third set of machine-executable instructions for implementing detection of at least one second camera body signal;

a fourth set of machine-executable instructions for initiating transmitting of the first power state change signal so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state;

a fifth set of machine-executable instructions for implementing a preset delay that includes a delay timer set in response to the detection of the at least one second camera body signal; and

a sixth set of machine-executable instructions for causing the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state different from the first power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.