Early photographic predictor signal synchronization system and method

• US 8,571,406 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): REISNER, NOAM S
• Application Number:
  US13/208,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20120207460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 396/180, 396/187, 396/194
• US Class Current: 396/180
• 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: G03B 9/40 Double plate

Abstract

A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera such that initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device occurs after the first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose an image acquisition sensor of the camera to light and before X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera, the method comprising:

detecting an FP-sync predictor signal and/or event, the FP-sync predictor signal and/or event occurring prior to X-sync;

determining an amount of time from the occurrence of the FP-sync predictor signal and/or event until a desired time for the initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device;

transmitting to the photographic lighting device an instruction for the initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device at the desired time; and

initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after a first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose the image acquisition sensor to light and before the first shutter blade stops movement.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining an amount of time includes utilization of a time value determined using a calibration that includes:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

determining a start of movement of a second shutter blade;

using the shutter speed of the image acquisition, the shutter blade travel time for the camera, the time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the start of movement of the second shutter blade to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stopping of movement of the first shutter blade.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the using step includes:

determining the time from the stopping of movement of the first shutter blade to the start of movement of the second shutter blade utilizing the shutter speed and the shutter blade travel time for the camera;

determining the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stopping of movement of the first shutter blade utilizing the time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the start of movement of the second shutter blade and the time from the stopping of movement of the first shutter blade to the start of movement of the second shutter blade.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining an amount of time includes utilization of a time value determined using a calibration that includes:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

analyzing the resultant image; and

modifying an adjustment factor that impacts the value of a delay factor of the instruction.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting is performed prior to the first shutter blade moving to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting is completed prior to the camera generating a signal intended to initiate conventional flash emission.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting is completed prior to X-sync.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said initiating light emission occurs at a time delayed from completion of said transmitting.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the instruction includes a delay factor.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the instruction includes a precalculated time for the initiating light emission.

11. A system for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a by a camera, the system comprising:

a connection to a camera circuitry providing access to a camera FP-sync prediction signal, the camera FP-sync predictor signal occurring prior to X-sync;

a memory including information related to instructions for initiating light emission after a first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose the image acquisition sensor to light and before the first shutter blade stops movement;

a processor element configured to use the information and the camera FP-sync predictor signal to generate a lighting emission initiation signal; and

a connection to the photographic lighting device in communication with the processing element for communicating the lighting emission signal to the photographic lighting device.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said connection to camera circuitry is internal to the camera.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said connection to camera circuitry includes one or more contacts of a hot shoe connector.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein said connection to the photographic lighting device includes one or more components of a wireless communication device.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein one or more components of said wireless communication device are internal to the camera.

16. A system for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera, the system comprising:

a means for detecting an FP-sync predictor signal and/or event, the FP-sync predictor signal and/or event occurring prior to X-sync;

a means for determining an amount of time from the occurrence of the FP-sync predictor signal and/or event until a desired time for the initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device;

a means for transmitting to the photographic lighting device an instruction for the initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device at the desired time; and

a means for initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after a first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose the image acquisition sensor to light and before the first shutter blade stops movement.

17. A wireless communication device for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera, the device comprising:

a connection to a camera circuitry providing access to a camera FP-sync predictor signal, the camera FP-sync predictor signal occurring prior to X-sync;

a memory including information related to instructions for initiating light emission after a first shutter blade of the camera begins to expose the image acquisition sensor to light and before the first shutter blade stops movement;

a processor element configured to use the information and the camera FP-sync predictor signal to generate a lighting emission initiation signal; and

a wireless communication element including a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the information to one or more remote photographic lighting devices for initiation of flash emission based on the lighting emission initiation signal.

18. A wireless communication device according to claim 17, wherein one or more of the components of the device are internal to the camera.

19. A wireless communication device according to claim 17, wherein said connection to camera circuitry includes one or more contacts of a hot shoe connector.