Photographic wireless communication protocol system and method

• US 8,600,224 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
• 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:
  US13/183,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20120181948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 396/56, 348/370, 455/151.5, 455/352, 455/151.1
• US Class Current: 396/56
• 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 2215/0571 With second light source

Abstract

A system and method for converting power control value standards during photographic wireless communication from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices. A power control value of a camera may be converted to a different standard for wireless communication and converted to another standard for delivery to a remote lighting device. Different lighting devices may utilize different standards and have conversion to those appropriate standards at the receiver side even where the lighting device standard differs from the camera standard.

Claims

1. A method of wirelessly communicating a photographic lighting power control value from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices, the method comprising:

receiving a first lighting power control value based on a first standard at a first wireless communication functionality associated with a camera;

converting the first lighting power control value to a second lighting power control value based on a second standard, said converting including reference to an index;

wirelessly communicating the second lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a second wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a third lighting power control value based on a third standard that is compatible with the power control of the first remote lighting device, said converting including reference to an index; and

delivering the third lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the first remote lighting device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein any one or more of the first and second wireless communication functionalities identifies the power control standard of the device to which it is associated by a process including, but not limited to, being programmed to work with a specific device, knowing the device make by predetermined connection limitation, detecting the device make via an external connection, detecting the device model via an external connection, detecting the device make internally to the device, detecting the device model internally to the device, using a cross-over table, and any combinations thereof.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said converting the second lighting power control value includes use of an offset value.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third standards are different.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein any two or more of the first, second, and third standards are the same.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and third standards are different.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

recognizing at the first wireless communication functionality the first standard of the camera;

referencing a memory having information for converting the first standard to the second standard for wireless communication.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third standards are based on an f-stop power scale.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third standards are based on a power output range.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third standards are based on a time duration value.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein any one or more of the first wireless communication functionality and the second wireless communication functionality determines the power control standard of the device to which it is associated at a time prior to receiving a lighting power control value.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving the second lighting power control value at a third wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a fourth lighting power control value based on a fourth standard that is compatible with the power control of the second remote lighting device; and

delivering the fourth lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the second remote lighting device.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the third standard is the same as the fourth standard.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the third standard differs from the fourth standard.

16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a fourth lighting power control value based on the first standard at the first wireless communication functionality;

converting the fourth lighting power control value to a fifth lighting power control value based on a fourth standard;

wirelessly communicating the fifth lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a third wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device;

converting the fifth lighting power control value to a sixth lighting power control value based on a fifth standard that is compatible with the power control of the second remote lighting device; and

delivering the sixth lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the second remote lighting device.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the second standard and the fifth standard are the same.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the second standard and the fifth standard are different.

19. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:

emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level; and

emitting light from the second remote lighting device based on the sixth lighting control power value at a second power output level.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the first and second power output levels are different.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication functionality is at least in part internal to the camera.

22. A method according to claim 13, wherein the second lighting power control value includes different power settings for each of the first and second remote lighting devices.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising:

emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level; and

emitting light from the second remote lighting device based on the fourth lighting control power value at a second power output level.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the first and second power output levels are different.

25. A photographic wireless communication system comprising:

a transmitting wireless communication functionality associated with a camera including;

a memory including information for converting a first power control value standard of the camera to a second power control value standard for wireless communication to one or more remote lighting devices;

a processing element for receiving a first power control value based on the first power control value standard from the camera and using reference index information from the memory to convert the first power control value to a second power control value based on the second power control value standard; and

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate the second power control value; and

a first receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device including;

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a third power control value standard compatible with the first remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the first remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a third power control value based on the third power control value standard, and delivering the third power control value to the power control circuitry via the connection.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the first and third power control value standards are different.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein the first and third power control value standards are the same.

28. A system according to claim 25, further comprising a second receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device including:

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a fourth power control value standard compatible with the second remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the second remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a fourth power control value based on the fourth power control value standard, and delivering the fourth power control value to the power control circuitry of the second remote lighting device via the connection.

29. A method of wirelessly communicating a photographic lighting power control value from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices, the method comprising:

receiving a first lighting power control value based on a first standard at a first wireless communication functionality associated with a camera, the first standard based on an f-stop power scale;

converting the first lighting power control value to a second lighting power control value based on a second standard, the second standard based on an f-stop power scale;

wirelessly communicating the second lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a second wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a third lighting power control value based on a third standard that is compatible with the power control of the first remote lighting device, the third standard based on an f-stop power scale; and

delivering the third lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the first remote lighting device.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein any one or more of the first and second wireless communication functionalities identifies the power control standard of the device to which it is associated by a process including, but not limited to, being programmed to work with a specific device, knowing the device make by predetermined connection limitation, detecting the device make via an external connection, detecting the device model via an external connection, detecting the device make internally to the device, detecting the device model internally to the device, using a cross-over table, and any combinations thereof.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein said converting the second lighting power control value includes use of an offset value.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein the first, second, and third standards are based on different f-stop power scales.

33. A method according to claim 29, wherein any two or more of the first, second, and third standards are based on the same f-stop power scales.

34. A method according to claim 29, wherein the first and third standards are based on different f-stop power scales.

35. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

recognizing at the first wireless communication functionality the first standard of the camera;

referencing a memory having information for converting the first standard to the second standard for wireless communication.

36. A method according to claim 29, wherein any one or more of the first wireless communication functionality and the second wireless communication functionality determines the power control standard of the device to which it is associated at a time prior to receiving a lighting power control value.

37. A method according to claim 29, further comprising emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level.

38. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving the second lighting power control value at a third wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a fourth lighting power control value based on a fourth standard that is compatible with the power control of the second remote lighting device; and

delivering the fourth lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the second remote lighting device.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the third standard is the same as the fourth standard.

40. A method according to claim 38, wherein the third standard differs from the fourth standard.

41. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

receiving a fourth lighting power control value based on the first standard at the first wireless communication functionality;

converting the fourth lighting power control value to a fifth lighting power control value based on a fourth standard;

wirelessly communicating the fifth lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a third wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device;

converting the fifth lighting power control value to a sixth lighting power control value based on a fifth standard that is compatible with the power control of the second remote lighting device; and

delivering the sixth lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the second remote lighting device.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the second standard and the fifth standard are based on the same f-stop power scales.

43. A method according to claim 41, wherein the second standard and the fifth standard are based on different f-stop power scales.

44. A method according to claim 41, further comprising:

emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level; and

emitting light from the second remote lighting device based on the sixth lighting control power value at a second power output level.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the first and second power output levels are different.

46. A method according to claim 29, wherein the first wireless communication functionality is at least in part internal to the camera.

47. A photographic wireless communication system comprising:

a transmitting wireless communication functionality associated with a camera including;

a memory including information for converting a first power control value standard of the camera to a second power control value standard for wireless communication to one or more remote lighting devices, the first and second power control value standards each based on an f-stop power scale;

a processing element for receiving a first power control value based on the first power control value standard from the camera and using information from the memory to convert the first power control value to a second power control value based on the second power control value standard; and

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate the second power control value; and

a first receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device including;

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a third power control value standard compatible with the first remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the first remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a third power control value based on the third power control value standard, and delivering the third power control value to the power control circuitry via the connection, the third power control value standard based on an f-stop power scale.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein the first and third power control value standards are based on different f-stop power scales.

49. A system according to claim 47, wherein the first and third power control value standards are based on the same f-stop power scales.

50. A system according to claim 47, further comprising a second receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a second remote lighting device including:

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a fourth power control value standard compatible with the second remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the second remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a fourth power control value based on the fourth power control value standard, and delivering the fourth power control value to the power control circuitry of the second remote lighting device via the connection.

51. A method of wirelessly communicating a photographic lighting power control value from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices, the method comprising:

receiving a first lighting power control value based on a first standard at a first wireless communication functionality associated with a camera, the first standard based on a power output range;

converting the first lighting power control value to a second lighting power control value based on a second standard, the second standard based on a power output range;

wirelessly communicating the second lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a second wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a third lighting power control value based on a third standard that is compatible with the power control of the first remote lighting device, the third standard based on a power output range; and

delivering the third lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the first remote lighting device.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein any one or more of the first and second wireless communication functionalities identifies the power control standard of the device to which it is associated by a process including, but not limited to, being programmed to work with a specific device, knowing the device make by predetermined connection limitation, detecting the device make via an external connection, detecting the device model via an external connection, detecting the device make internally to the device, detecting the device model internally to the device, using a cross-over table, and any combinations thereof.

53. A method according to claim 51, wherein said converting the second lighting power control value includes use of an offset value.

54. A method according to claim 51, wherein the first, second, and third standards are based on different power output ranges.

55. A method according to claim 51, wherein any two or more of the first, second, and third standards are based on the same power output ranges.

56. A method according to claim 51, wherein the first and third standards are based on different power output ranges.

57. A method according to claim 51, further comprising:

recognizing at the first wireless communication functionality the first standard of the camera;

referencing a memory having information for converting the first standard to the second standard for wireless communication.

58. A method according to claim 51, wherein any one or more of the first wireless communication functionality and the second wireless communication functionality determines the power control standard of the device to which it is associated at a time prior to receiving a lighting power control value.

59. A method according to claim 51, further comprising emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level.

60. A method according to claim 51, wherein the first wireless communication functionality is at least in part internal to the camera.

61. A photographic wireless communication system comprising:

a transmitting wireless communication functionality associated with a camera including;

a memory including information for converting a first power control value standard of the camera to a second power control value standard for wireless communication to one or more remote lighting devices, the first and second power control value standards each based on a power output range;

a processing element for receiving a first power control value based on the first power control value standard from the camera and using information from the memory to convert the first power control value to a second power control value based on the second power control value standard; and

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate the second power control value; and

a first receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device including;

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a third power control value standard compatible with the first remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the first remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a third power control value based on the third power control value standard, and delivering the third power control value to the power control circuitry via the connection, the third power control value standard based on a power output range.

62. A system according to claim 61, wherein the first and third power control value standards are based on different power output ranges.

63. A system according to claim 61, wherein the first and third power control value standards are based on the same power output range.

64. A method of wirelessly communicating a photographic lighting power control value from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices, the method comprising:

receiving a first lighting power control value based on a first standard at a first wireless communication functionality associated with a camera, the first standard based on a time duration value;

converting the first lighting power control value to a second lighting power control value based on a second standard, the second standard based on a time duration value;

wirelessly communicating the second lighting power control value from the first wireless communication functionality to a second wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device;

converting the second lighting power control value to a third lighting power control value based on a third standard that is compatible with the power control of the first remote lighting device, the third standard based on a time duration value; and

delivering the third lighting power control value to a power control processing element of the first remote lighting device.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein any one or more of the first and second wireless communication functionalities identifies the power control standard of the device to which it is associated by a process including, but not limited to, being programmed to work with a specific device, knowing the device make by predetermined connection limitation, detecting the device make via an external connection, detecting the device model via an external connection, detecting the device make internally to the device, detecting the device model internally to the device, using a cross-over table, and any combinations thereof.

66. A method according to claim 64, wherein said converting the second lighting power control value includes use of an offset value.

67. A method according to claim 64, wherein the first, second, and third standards are different.

68. A method according to claim 64, wherein any two or more of the first, second, and third standards are the same.

69. A method according to claim 64, wherein the first and third standards are different.

70. A method according to claim 64, further comprising:

recognizing at the first wireless communication functionality the first standard of the camera;

referencing a memory having information for converting the first standard to the second standard for wireless communication.

71. A method according to claim 64, wherein any one or more of the first wireless communication functionality and the second wireless communication functionality determines the power control standard of the device to which it is associated at a time prior to receiving a lighting power control value.

72. A method according to claim 64, further comprising emitting light from the first remote lighting device based on the third lighting control power value at a first power output level.

73. A method according to claim 64, wherein the first wireless communication functionality is at least in part internal to the camera.

74. A photographic wireless communication system comprising:

a transmitting wireless communication functionality associated with a camera including;

a memory including information for converting a first power control value standard of the camera to a second power control value standard for wireless communication to one or more remote lighting devices, the first and second power control value standards each based on a time duration value;

a processing element for receiving a first power control value based on the first power control value standard from the camera and using information from the memory to convert the first power control value to a second power control value based on the second power control value standard; and

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate the second power control value; and

a first receiving wireless communication functionality associated with a first remote lighting device including;

a wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the second power control value;

a memory including information for converting the second power control value standard to a third power control value standard compatible with the first remote lighting device;

a connection to the power control circuitry of the first remote lighting device; and

a processing element for receiving the second power control value from the wireless communication circuitry, converting the second power control value to a third power control value based on the third power control value standard, and delivering the third power control value to the power control circuitry via the connection, the third power control value standard based on a time duration value.

75. A system according to claim 74, wherein the first and third power control value standards are different.

76. A system according to claim 74, wherein the first and third power control value standards are the same.