HK1168660A - Early photographic synchronization system and method - Google Patents

Description

Early photography synchronization system and method

Data of related applications

The present application claims priority benefits of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/152,089, filed on 12.2.2009 and entitled "Early Photographic Synchronization System and Method," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of synchronizing photographic illumination to image acquisition. In particular, the present invention relates to an early photography synchronization system and method.

Background

Conventional cameras generate a synchronization signal called an "X sync" signal. The X-sync signal is initiated when the first shutter of the camera moves to a fully open position during image acquisition. In one example, a mechanical sensor detects a shutter blade that is to be stopped in motion. The X sync signal can be used to energize (fire) the flash device to emit light during image acquisition. As discussed further below, cameras typically have a maximum shutter speed (e.g., a "faster" shutter speed associated with a shorter opening of the shutter) at which synchronization using X-sync can occur without "cropping" occurring in the image. This shutter speed defines the maximum X-sync for a given camera. Clipping is when the flash illumination illuminates the imaging sensor (or alternatively the film) unevenly due to light emission during the passage of the shutter blade across the sensor. Cropping appears as a darker exposure in the image (e.g., at the top or bottom of the image).

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate timing diagrams related to one example of a conventional photographic flash synchronization system and method for an exemplary camera having a dual blade focal plane shutter system. In the present example of fig. 1, the shutter speed is set at a relatively slow shutter speed setting (i.e., with a longer shutter opening) compared to the example discussed below with respect to fig. 2. FIG. 1 includes a timing diagram 105 showing the movement of the mirror from an initial closed position to an open position (i.e., a position that blocks the optical path from the camera lens from reaching the shutter mechanism to a position that allows light to pass to the shutter mechanism). Fig. 2 includes a timing diagram 205 illustrating the movement of the mirror from the initial closed position to the open position. The timing diagram of FIG. 1 and the timing diagram 210 of FIG. 2 each illustrate movement of an edge of the first shutter blade across the imaging sensor of the camera in examples to a position where the first shutter blade allows light to pass to the entire imaging sensor. Timing diagram 115 of FIG. 1 and timing diagram 215 of FIG. 2 each illustrate movement of an edge of the second shutter blade across the imaging sensor in examples to a position where all light is blocked from passing to the imaging sensor. In each of the diagrams 105, 110, 115, 205, 210, 215, the lower horizontal line of the diagram indicates a fixed position before movement, the upper horizontal line of the diagram indicates a fixed position after movement, and the oblique line therebetween indicates the time of movement.

In the example of the figure, the time 127 between the dashed vertical line 120 and the dashed vertical line 125 is the time where both shutter blades are in a fixed open position that allows light to travel from the camera lens to the camera's imaging sensor. In this example, the first and second shutter blades do not obstruct light from reaching the sensor during the time between lines 120 and 125. In some examples, the first shutter blade of the camera will start moving at a time before starting allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor (i.e., the starting position of the first shutter blade is a distance from the edge of the imaging sensor), and the first shutter blade completely stops obstructing light from passing to the imaging sensor at a time before the first shutter blade stops moving (e.g., at time 120). The camera may have a distance between the edge of the imaging sensor and the location where the shutter blade stops (e.g., to prevent damage to the shutter blade due to a momentary sudden stop). Likewise, the second shutter blade of the camera may begin moving at a distance from the edge of the imaging sensor such that it does not begin blocking light from passing to the imaging sensor until a time after the second shutter blade begins moving (e.g., at time 125), and the second shutter blade completely blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor until a time before the second shutter blade stops moving. Dashed lines 130 and 230 mark the time at which the second shutter blade in each example stopped moving, respectively.

In the example of FIG. 2, the time 227 between dashed vertical line 220 and dashed vertical line 225 is the time where both shutter blades are in a fixed open position that allows light to travel from the camera lens to the camera's imaging sensor. In this example, the first and second shutter blades do not obstruct light from reaching the sensor during the time between lines 220 and 225.

The time between the first shutter blade stop movement and the second shutter blade stop movement of the camera (shown as time period 135 in the example of fig. 1 and time period 235 in the example of fig. 2) may be referred to as the exposure time and is typically measured as the shutter speed of the camera. Fig. 140 and 240 illustrate conventional synchronization signals (commonly referred to as "synchronization signals" or X synchronization signals) of the examples of fig. 1 and 2, respectively. Synchronization signals 140 and 240 are indicated by voltage changes at times 120 and 220, respectively, and return to the previous voltage at times 130 and 230, respectively. The conventional synchronization signal starts when the first shutter blade stops moving. In one example, a sensor in the camera detects that the first shutter blade stops and causes an electrical signal that initiates the X sync signal. In one such example, there may be some additional movement of the first shutter blade after activation of the sensor (e.g., due to actuation of mechanical elements of the sensor, blade bounce due to forces from taking a picture of the opening). Such movement after the normal time position of the X-sync signal for activating the camera is not included in the time determination for stopping the movement of the first shutter blade.

Graph 145 shows a graph of light emission over time from a photographic lighting device associated with the camera of the example of fig. 1. The dashed horizontal line 150 marks a critical level above which the light emission of the lighting device above ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor of the camera. The hatched area under the curve of the light emission distribution represents the light emission that contributes to the imaging of the camera sensor. Fig. 245 shows a graph of light emission over time from a photographic lighting device associated with the camera of the example of fig. 2. The dashed horizontal line 250 marks a critical level above which the light emission of the lighting device above ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor of the camera. The hatched area under the curve of the light emission distribution represents the light emission that can contribute to the imaging of the camera sensor. Light emission is initiated in response to the synchronization signal. In the examples of fig. 1 and 2, a slight delay between the synchronization signal and the lighting device initiating light emission is shown (e.g., which may be caused by circuit delays in the lighting device and/or the time required to wirelessly communicate the light emission initiation signal to the lighting device remote from the camera).

The entire area over the wire 150 falls between the wire 120 and the wire 125 during the time period 127, in which time period 127 the first and second shutter blades do not move and the sensor is completely unobstructed by both shutter blades. Thus, light emission from the photographic lighting device in the example of fig. 1 with a relatively long shutter speed does not contribute to imaging during the time the shutter blade is traversing the imaging sensor. This is not the case for the example of fig. 2 with a faster shutter speed. A substantial amount of detectable light emission of the illumination device of diagram 245 occurs after the second shutter blade begins to move and obstruct the imaging sensor. This can cause uneven illumination of different parts of the imaging sensor and cause areas of uneven darkening (e.g., referred to as "cropping") of the resulting image. Because of this limitation of conventional synchronization methods, photography with flash illumination is typically limited to shutter speeds that are slower (i.e., longer) than a particular shutter speed. For example, many cameras cannot properly synchronize flash illumination at shutter speeds greater than 1/200 seconds.

One way to allow for shorter shutter speeds includes utilizing a fast pulsed light burst of the lighting device to produce a quasi-continuous light source having a duration that spans from before the initial shutter blade movement to well after the last shutter blade movement. Such systems utilize a lot of extraneous energy before and after the actual image acquisition period. This can result in excessive consumption of the lighting power supply. This type of synchronization is often referred to as "FP synchronization". It is also referred to as HSS, HS synchronization, and/or "high speed" synchronization in some cameras manufactured by Canon. This type of synchronization is referred to herein as "FP-sync" and/or "FP-type sync". Fig. 3 illustrates a timing diagram associated with one such example of an FP-type synchronization process. Diagram 310 illustrates the movement of a first shutter blade of a camera similar to diagrams 110 and 210 discussed above. Diagram 315 shows movement of a second shutter blade of a camera similar to diagrams 115 and 215 discussed above. Dashed line 320 marks the time when the first shutter blade stops moving. Dashed line 325 represents the time at which the second shutter blade begins to move. The time 327 between lines 320 and 325 marks a period of time in which the first and second shutter blades are not moving and are in a fully open position that allows light to pass to the camera's imaging sensor. Dashed line 330 marks the time at which the second shutter blade stops moving after the edge of the second shutter blade has traversed the imaging sensor. The time 335 between lines 320 and 330 represents the shutter speed. Graph 340 shows a conventional synchronization signal as a voltage change starting at time 320 to time 330. Fig. 345 shows a photographic light emission distribution intensity curve. The dotted line 350 indicates the start of movement of the first shutter blade. The light emission starts at a time before the first shutter blade starts to move. The light emission reaches a peak and the lighting device is pulsed rapidly so that the quasi-continuous light emission level starts before the first shutter blade starts moving. This light emission must be maintained at this level until a time after the wire 330 (i.e., after the second shutter blade completely obstructs the light from passing to the imaging sensor). This is an almost constant light emission over ambient light during all times when the imaging sensor is partly or completely unobstructed by the shutter blades. However, the graph 345 illustrates significant light emission over an extended period of time. Such light emission may utilize a large amount of energy and may exhaust the lighting device power supply.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The method comprises the following steps: allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an imaging portion of an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

In another embodiment, a method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The method comprises the following steps: associating a photographic lighting device having a light emission profile with an initial critical point and a final critical point with a camera; and initiating light emission from the photographic lighting device before the first shutter blade stops moving such that the initial critical point occurs at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

In another embodiment, a method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The method comprises the following steps: detecting a predictor signal and/or event; determining an amount of time from occurrence of a predictor signal and/or event until a desired time for initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device; transmitting an instruction to the photographic lighting device to initiate 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 and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

In another embodiment, a method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The method comprises the following steps: identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that occurred before a first shutter blade of the camera moved to a point that allows light to pass to an imaging portion of the sensor, the predictor event and/or signal not being an event or signal intended to command initiation of X-sync, the predictor event and/or signal occurring before a time of X-sync; and transmitting, to the photographic lighting device, an instruction to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or the signal.

In another embodiment, a method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The method comprises the following steps: allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before the camera detects that the shutter travel completes switching.

In another embodiment, a system for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. The system comprises: means for allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an imaging portion of an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and means for initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

In another embodiment, a system for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition of a camera having an image acquisition sensor and a shutter system with a first shutter blade is provided. The system comprises: a connection to the camera circuitry providing access to a camera forecast signal; a memory including information related to an instruction to initiate light emission after a first shutter blade begins to expose an image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement; a processor element configured to generate an illumination emission initiation signal using the information and the camera predictor signal; and a connection to a photographic lighting device in communication with the processing element to transmit a lighting emission initiation signal to the photographic lighting device.

Detailed Description

A system and method for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera is provided. In one embodiment, light emission of the one or more lighting devices is initiated after a first shutter blade movement of the camera begins to allow light to pass from the camera lens to an imaging sensor of the camera and before an X-sync associated with completion of the first shutter blade movement.

As discussed above, there may be some additional movement of the first shutter blade after the normal time position for initiating X-sync. When the completion of the first shutter blade movement is discussed with respect to the timing of photographic light emission in embodiments of the present disclosure, the movement stop being referred to is the stop of the normally initiated point for the X-sync of the camera. If there is subsequent movement of the shutter blade, the time at which the first shutter blade stops moving is determined without consideration to determine a time for initiating photographic light emission before the first shutter blade movement is complete.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method of synchronizing photographic lighting devices. At step 405, one or more photographic lighting devices are provided in association with a camera. Any one or more photographic lighting devices may be utilized. Example photographic lighting devices include, but are not limited to, a flash device inside the camera body (e.g., a pop-up flash of a digital SLR camera), a strobe tube, a studio flash cluster, a flash tube (e.g., a hot-shoe mountable flash), and any combination thereof. In one example, the one or more lighting devices associated with the camera include one or more internal flash devices. In another example, one or more lighting devices associated with a camera include one or more groups of chambered flash lamps (e.g., connected to the camera via wires and/or wirelessly). In another example, the one or more lighting devices associated with the camera include one or more hot shoe mountable flash devices (e.g., directly and/or indirectly connected to a hot shoe of the camera and/or wirelessly connected to the camera).

At step 410, a first shutter blade of a camera begins to allow light to pass to an imaging sensor of the camera. The imaging sensor has an imaging portion that becomes exposed when the shutter of the camera is fully opened. The sensor itself may have additional surface area, portions, and/or components that are not exposed for image acquisition when the camera's shutter is fully open. When the term "sensor" is utilized herein with respect to allowing light to pass through the shutter to the sensor device, it refers to the imaging portion of the sensor.

At step 415, light emission of at least one of the one or more lighting devices is initiated after the first shutter blade movement begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade movement stops.

In one example, the first shutter blade movement is movement of a first shutter blade of a focal plane shutter having two shutter blades that move cooperatively to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor. In one such example, a first shutter blade moves to begin allowing light to pass through (e.g., at the beginning of image acquisition) and a second shutter blade moves to begin blocking light from passing to the sensor (e.g., to end image acquisition). In another example, the first shutter blade movement is a first movement of a leaf shutter mechanism having two or more shutter blades that move together from a position that blocks light from passing to the imaging sensor to a position that allows light to pass. As the one or more shutter blades begin a first movement, an opening is created in a central area of the shutter mechanism, and the one or more shutter blades move outward to a fully open position. For purposes of discussing shutter blades herein, the one or more shutter blades of such shutter mechanisms that move together in this first movement will be referred to herein as a first shutter blade. The two or more shutter blades then begin a second movement to close together, such that light is blocked from passing to the imaging sensor. For purposes of discussing shutter blades herein, the one or more shutter blades of such shutter mechanisms that move together in this second movement will be referred to herein as a second shutter blade.

Initiation of light emission as used herein refers to initiation of light emission for exposing image acquisition. Such light emissions do not include incidental light emissions such as optical light used by certain photographic equipment for focus assistance, optical wireless communication, and other non-exposure uses of light. The initiation of light emission may occur in a variety of ways. Ways to initiate light emission include, but are not limited to, generating a light emission initiation signal, initiating light emission of a lighting device connected directly or indirectly to the camera via a wired electrical connection (e.g., directly connected to the camera hot shoe, connected to the camera hot shoe via a wire, connected to a synchronization connector of the camera via a wire), initiating light emission of a lighting device built into the camera, wirelessly initiating light emission of a remote lighting device, and any combination thereof. In one example, the process of initiating light emission from a lighting device includes a determination that light emission should be initiated at a given time, generation of a light emission initiation signal, initiating communication of a signal to the lighting device, and actual initiation of light emission by the lighting device as set forth in the various embodiments and implementations herein.

There may be a delay between the generation of the light emission initiation signal and the initiation of the light emission by the lighting device. Examples of such delays include, but are not limited to, delays due to electronic circuitry between the generator of the light emission initiation signal and the light generating element of the lighting device, delays due to wireless transmission of the light emission initiation signal, and any combination thereof. In addition, there may be an additional delay before light is emitted from the device when the light emission is initiated. Such delay may be due to the charging time of the light generating element of the lighting device.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a timing diagram associated with exemplary synchronization in which light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving. Diagram 505 illustrates movement of the camera's mirror from an initial closed position (represented by an initial horizontal line) to a position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph) that allows light to pass to the camera's shutter mechanism. Diagram 510 illustrates movement of an edge of a first shutter blade from an initial position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the graph) that blocks light from reaching an imaging sensor of a camera to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph) that allows light to pass through the first shutter blade to reach the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the first shutter blade from a position completely blocking light through the time where the imaging sensor is blocked by the first shutter blade portion to the time where the first shutter blade no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. The initiation of the movement of the first shutter blade may occur in a variety of ways. In one example, the first shutter blade occurs as a result of a magnet that holds the shutter blade in place being released. In such examples, the magnet may be released with a magnet release signal. Diagram 515 illustrates movement of an edge of a second shutter blade from an initial position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the graph) to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph) where the second shutter blade completely blocks light from the lens to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion of the graph connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the second shutter blade from a position where it does not block light from reaching the sensor to a time where it partially blocks light from reaching the sensor to a time where it completely blocks light from reaching the sensor. Dashed line 520 marks the time when the edge of the first shutter blade is completely away (clear) from the imaging sensor so that it no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. This time occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving. Dashed line 525 marks the time when the leading edge of the second shutter blade begins to block light from passing to the imaging sensor. This time occurs at a point after the second shutter blade has begun to move. The time 530 between times 520 and 525 is the time when the imaging sensor is completely unobstructed by the shutter blade. Graph 535 shows an alternative voltage variation graph associated with time period 530. Plot 540 shows a plot of the voltage change of a conventional X-sync signal for a camera starting with the voltage change when the first shutter blade stops moving and ending with the voltage change when the second shutter blade stops moving.

The graph 545 shows a light emission intensity distribution of the lighting device. The dashed line 550 marks the intensity level above which the light emission of the lighting device above the ambient illumination can be detected by the imaging sensor. The initial critical point 555 is the point on the light emission distribution at which light emission above ambient light can be first detected by the imaging sensor. The final critical point 560 is the point on the light emission distribution where the light emission above the ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor last. The hatched area under the light emission curve represents the light emission that can be detected by the imaging sensor. Light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

There are several possible benefits that may result from the initiation of light emission after the first shutter blade starts to allow light to pass to the sensor, but before the first shutter blade stops moving. In one exemplary aspect, the timing of the initiation of light emission may allow the light emission intensity during the time the imaging sensor is exposed to light from the camera lens to be balanced across the time from the first shutter blade exposing the imaging sensor to the second shutter blade completely blocking the imaging sensor. In another exemplary aspect, light emission may be initiated such that darkened portions of the resulting image are minimized. In another exemplary aspect, light emission during shutter blade travel across an imaging sensor can be minimized (e.g., eliminated). In another exemplary aspect, light emission energy may not be wasted prior to exposure of the imaging sensor.

In the example of fig. 5, the early initiation of light emission causes the initial critical point 555 to occur soon enough after time 520 such that the final critical point 560 occurs before time 525. The entire portion of the light emission detectable above the ambient light occurs during time period 530. Detectable light that does not occur above ambient light while the first shutter blade or the second shutter blade is partially blocking light from reaching the imaging sensor.

Initiation of light emission that is synchronized to image acquisition such that the light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving may be useful in any of a variety of image acquisition environments. Examples of such environments include, but are not limited to, a camera with a built-in flash, a camera with built-in wireless functionality with one or more remote lighting devices, a camera with external wireless functionality with one or more remote lighting devices, and any combination thereof. Many direct and indirect wiring embodiments are known for connecting cameras and lighting devices via wired electrical connections. Examples of wireless functionality for wirelessly connecting the camera to the remote lighting device include, but are not limited to, optical wireless functionality (e.g., infrared), radio frequency wireless functionality, and any combination thereof.

Various wireless implementations of synchronizing the initiation of light emission are described below. In one exemplary aspect, wireless synchronization of the remote lighting device with the camera includes using a wireless communication device having a transmitter (and possibly a receiver) associated with the camera side and a wireless communication device having a receiver (and possibly a transmitter) associated with the lighting device side. Example associations of wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to: a wireless communication function at least partially internal to the camera; a wireless communication function externally connected to the camera's internal circuitry (e.g., via a hot shoe connector); a wireless communication function at least partially internal to the lighting device; a wireless communication function externally connected to the internal circuitry of the lighting device (e.g., via a hot shoe connector); and any combination thereof. Examples of such associations are described in detail below (e.g., with respect to fig. 33-36). The wireless communication functionality may include circuitry and/or machine executable instructions of an early synchronizer system, such as the early synchronizer system 3700 of fig. 37, for simulating light emission of a photographic lighting device at times relative to image acquisition as described in any aspect of embodiments and implementations herein.

The light emission initiation signal may be wirelessly transmitted as a transmission signal from the camera-side transmitter to the lighting device receiver. Exemplary embodiments of wirelessly transmitting signals are described below (e.g., with respect to fig. 16-18). The light emission initiation signal may include instructions for initiating light emission at a desired time as described herein. The calibration of the initiation timing may affect the information in the instructions. The timing delay factor may be utilized in the instruction for setting the light emission initiation time. The timing delay factor may be based on the time between the forecasted event and/or signal and the expected time of light emission initiation. Example relationships that may affect the timing delay factor include, but are not limited to, a relationship to a time at which the first shutter blade is completely away from the imaging sensor such that it no longer obstructs light from reaching the sensor, a relationship to a time at which the first shutter blade stops moving, a relationship to a time at which an initial critical point of a flash profile of the lighting device, a relationship to a time at which a final critical point of the flash profile of the lighting device, a time at which a predictor event and/or signal is, a time at which movement of the second shutter blade is initiated, and any combination thereof. The values for any of these times may be stored in the memory of the early synchronizer system for one or more cameras and imaging conditions (e.g., shutter speed), and used to generate the timing delay factor. In one example, the delay factor is an absolute time value (e.g., related to a prior event and/or signal such as a forecasted event and/or signal). In such examples, an early synchronizer system on the camera side or the lighting device side may generate an absolute time value for initiating light emission based on information from the camera and transmit a light emission initiation signal to the lighting device. In another example, the delay factor is an offset value from one or more other events (e.g., receipt of a light emission initiation signal transmission). In one such example, an early synchronizer system on the luminaire side includes a delay factor with an offset value. When receiving the transmission signal, the early synchronizer system calculates a time for initiating light emission from the reception time using the offset value. In another such example, the transmission signal includes information having a delay factor with an offset value. When receiving the transmission signal, the early synchronizer system calculates a time for initiating light emission from the reception time using the offset value.

In one embodiment, the timing delay factor may be modified by applying an adjustment delay. Adjusting the delay may allow a user to modify the timing of the light emission initiation. The early synchronization system may include an interface for inputting adjustment values that are applicable to one or more timing delay factors utilized in synchronizing one or more lighting devices. Example interfaces and input devices are described below with respect to the example systems of fig. 33-38.

Multiple light emission initiation signal transmissions may be transmitted simultaneously. In one example, the remote lighting devices may be grouped into two or more zones (e.g., with different settings, different desired emission initiation times, and/or with different capabilities for processing delays). In one such example, one or more lighting devices may be grouped together because they cannot implement a timing delay factor (e.g., the lighting device and/or an associated wireless communication device do not have an associated early synchronization device as described herein). Another packet may be able to be delayed. A camera-side wireless communication device having an early synchronization function associated therewith may generate two transmission signals, one having a timing delay factor and transmitting on a first frequency prior to X-synchronization and the other configured to provide direct initiation of an optical emission procedure without a delay factor, transmitting on a second frequency to receive at a desired time of light emission initiation.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a timeline showing the initiation of flash emission during a time 605 after the first shutter blade of the camera begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the time that the first shutter blade stops moving. Fig. 6 is not intended to convey a particular relationship in terms of duration. As discussed above, a light emission initiation signal may be generated to cause initiation of a flash emission during time 605. The time between generation of the light emission initiation signal and initiation of light emission may be affected by any of a variety of factors. Examples of such factors include, but are not limited to, the time required to transmit a light emission initiation signal to a light emitting element of a lighting device via electronic wiring and circuitry, the time required to wirelessly transmit a light emission initiation signal to a wireless device associated with a remote lighting device, the charging time of a light emitting element of a lighting device, and any combination thereof. One or more such factors may be considered in determining the timing for generating the light emission initiation signal and/or the timing of the wireless transmission of such signals. In one example, the light emission initiation signal may be wirelessly transmitted prior to the desired light emission initiation time. In one such example, the wirelessly transmitted initiation signal may include a time code (e.g., data including a time delay) that a receiving remote device (e.g., a receiving wireless device) may interpret to determine a desired time of light emission initiation.

In one embodiment, the signal and/or event of the camera may be utilized to predict the time for light emission initiation. In one such example, a camera that is not configured for early synchronization may be modified (e.g., via internal modification and/or external additional components, such as an external wireless device) to initiate synchronization of image acquisition with light emission that occurs after a first shutter blade of the camera begins to allow light to pass to an imaging sensor of the camera and before the first shutter blade stops moving. Fig. 7 illustrates one example of a timeline showing detection of a predictor signal and/or a predictor event to initiate flash emission after a first shutter blade of a camera begins to allow light to pass to an imaging sensor and before a time at which the first shutter blade stops moving. Fig. 7 shows the time of detection of a predictor signal and/or event of a camera. It should be noted that detection is envisaged to include receiving a predictor signal and/or event. The flash initiation occurs after the first shutter blade starts to allow light to pass to the sensor and before the time the first shutter blade stops moving. In one example, the time 705 between the predictor signal and/or event and the first shutter blade stopping movement may be an approximately fixed time from which the time of flash initiation can be determined to maximize the desired image quality. The fixed nature of time 705 may depend on any one or more of a variety of factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the camera model, the nature of the detected signals and/or events, the camera settings, and any combination thereof.

Example signals and events that may be used to predict timing for light emission initiation include, but are not limited to: a flash power level setting command, a flash mode setting command, a voltage change on a clock signal of the camera, a magnet release associated with a start of movement of the first shutter blade, a magnet release signal associated with a start of movement of the first shutter blade, one or more data signals generated by the camera, an FP synchronization signal of the camera, and any combination thereof. In one example, a magnet release signal is utilized as the predictor signal. The magnet release signal may occur via one or more circuit elements of the camera at or about the time the mirror has moved to the open position. A time period may occur between the magnet release signal (and/or the actual magnet release) and the time the first shutter blade starts to move. This may be due to the magnetic discharge effect. The FP-sync pattern of the camera is a pattern that generates a flash emission similar to that discussed above with respect to fig. 3, where the light emission is initiated before the first shutter blade begins to move, such that a quasi-constant light emission occurs from before the first shutter blade allows light to pass to the sensor to after the second shutter blade completely blocks the sensor. A camera capable of FP synchronization mode may generate an FP synchronization signal to initiate light emission prior to movement of the first shutter blade. In one example, the time between the FP-sync signal and the stop of the movement of the first shutter blade is determined and reliably used to determine the time of desired light emission after the first shutter blade has begun to allow light to pass to the sensor. In another example, the voltage change of the clock signal that occurs before X-sync is utilized as the predictor signal. In one such example, the time from the voltage drop on the clock signal initiation to the desired light emission initiation time may be reliably utilized in synchronizing the light emission. In another example, a data signal of a camera is utilized as a predictor signal. In one such example, the data signal is a power set command on the data line of the camera that occurs prior to X-sync, reliably used to initiate flash emission at the desired time.

Calibration of the light emission initiation time may occur. In one example, calibration of the light emission initiation timing can occur prior to the image acquisition session (e.g., via data determined during manufacture of a synchronization device used to add early synchronization capabilities to the camera, via data determined during modification of the camera). In another example, calibration of the light emission initiation timing may occur at or near the time of the image acquisition session.

In one embodiment of calibration, the appropriate timing of light emission initiation timing may be determined by a qualitative check of the image quality produced by light emission initiated at one or more times during period 705.

In another exemplary embodiment, a camera may be tested to determine a time period 705 for the camera and a given predictor signal and/or event. In one example, an image acquisition procedure is performed (e.g., a camera trigger is pressed and an image is acquired). A predictor signal and/or predictor event (e.g., detecting a magnet release signal) is detected. The timing at which the first shutter blade stops moving is detected (for example, an X sync signal is detected). The time between the time of the predictor signal and/or predictor event and the time at which the first shutter blade stops moving is determined. This time (e.g., time 705) may be stored for later use (e.g., in a memory element of the camera, in a memory element of a flash synchronizer device, such as a hot shoe connector added to the camera or a wireless device internal to the camera). The time 705 may be determined for multiple cameras and stored in memory. Data representing time 705 may be associated with data representing a corresponding camera model. Some cameras generate a data signal that identifies the camera model (e.g., via the camera's hot shoe connector). The data signal may be detected and used to correlate data representing time 705 with data representing the camera model.

In another example, the image acquisition procedure is performed with a camera at a shutter speed for which the camera generates an X-sync signal when the first shutter blade of the camera stops moving. Data regarding the time of the X sync signal is detected and recorded (e.g., in memory). Another image acquisition is performed with the camera at the shutter speed for which the camera generates the FP sync signal (e.g., the camera does not generate the X sync signal). The timing of the FP synchronization signal is determined and recorded (e.g., in memory). The time between the FP sync signal and the X sync signal is determined and recorded (e.g., in memory) as the time for the camera 705.

The determination of time 705 may be made at any time. In one example, time 705 is determined when a synchronization device (e.g., an external device, a device for internal connection in a camera) is manufactured. In another example, the time is determined 705 when the camera is modified to perform early synchronization in accordance with any one or more of the implementations or embodiments disclosed herein. In another example, time 705 is determined by a camera user at or about the time of calibration of the early synchronization function to produce a desired image quality at a particular shutter speed at light emission and image acquisition.

Referring again to fig. 7, time period 710 represents the time from the occurrence of the predictor event and/or signal to the initiation of the desired light emission. Time period 715 represents the time between when the light emission is expected to be initiated and when the first shutter blade stops moving. The time periods 710 and 715 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and the actual scale of fig. 7 is not intended to imply a relative quantitative duration between the time periods 710 and 715. Time period 710 and time period 715 may divide time period 705 into any two durations (e.g., which would cause light emission to occur to produce a desired effect in the captured image). The light emission initiation may be calibrated using time periods 705, 710, and/or 715 to obtain a desired image quality.

In another exemplary embodiment, the camera user may determine a desired value for time period 715 such that light emission initiation occurs at a desired time (e.g., to produce a desired effect on the captured image). The time period 715 may then be used in conjunction with stored information about the time period 705 (and possibly a known time delay between light emission signal generation and actual light emission initiation) to initiate light emission at a desired time. In one example, the early synchronization function may detect data from the camera regarding the camera model and use this information to correlate with a stored value for the time period 705. In another example, the user may input camera model data to the early synchronization function via a user input. In one such embodiment, the user initiates an image acquisition procedure to acquire an image with a light emission at a particular set camera shutter speed and at a starting value of time period 715. In one example, the fastest desired shutter speed may be used as the initial calibration (e.g., 1/500 seconds). In another example, a desired shutter speed slower than the maximum may be used as the initial calibration. The user empirically evaluates the expected impact of the time period 715 calibration on image quality. The user may then decrease the time period 715 (e.g., via user inputs on the synchronization device, user inputs on the camera, and/or a user calibration utility that may be used to program the synchronization function), for example if the resulting image has a darkened area due to excessive light emission during blade travel across the sensor. The user may also increase the time period 715 (e.g., via a user input), for example, if the resulting image does not have a darkened area due to excessive light emission during travel across the blade of the sensor. The process of examining the picture and adjusting the time period 715 may be repeated until the desired calibration is obtained. The desired time period 715 calibration may be stored in memory. The data for the time period 715 may be associated with data representing a respective shutter speed and/or data representing a respective lighting device utilized.

In another example, the time period adjusted during calibration may be time period 705. In another example, the calibration values for any one or more of the time periods 705, 710, 715 may be in units other than time-based units (e.g., absolute numerical units, such as a shift from minimum to maximum from the time that the first shutter blade stops moving).

As discussed above, the timing of light emission initiation can be maximized such that the darkened area of the resulting image is minimized at a given shutter speed (e.g., a shutter speed at which synchronization at a conventional synchronization signal is not possible). A darkened area is an area that is significantly darker than other areas of the image. In one such example, calibration may be utilized to cause the timing of light emission initiation such that darkened areas of the image are not produced. In another example, calibration may be utilized to cause the timing of light emission initiation to darken only tiny areas of the edges of the image. Image acquisition in such examples may occur such that these tiny regions do not interfere with the subject matter of the image (e.g., edges may be clipped). In another example, calibration may occur such that light emission initiation occurs such that the overall light emission is balanced across the time period between the first blade beginning to expose the sensor and the second blade fully blocking the sensor. In such examples, a discontinuous light intensity source may be utilized to achieve substantially uniform illumination across the sensor. In another example, the technical clipping of the light emission (i.e., the initial critical point occurs before the first shutter blade no longer blocks the sensor, and the final critical point occurs after the second shutter blade begins to mask light from reaching the sensor) may occur with little to no significant impact on the resulting image quality (e.g., no significantly detectable image darkened area on the resulting image).

Table 1 includes example data for exemplary calibrations performed on various Canon cameras (listed in the first column) using different light devices (e.g., flash tube, Dynalite strobe, Profoto Acute 22400, and elinchrom Style 300 RX). To determine a desired time to initiate light emission for each camera having each flash at the shutter speed according to a table, utilizing additional calibration values: time from occurrence of the predictor signal/event to X sync. The values in table 1 are subtracted from this value to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the time of initiation of light emission. This determined time may be used together with other values (e.g. knowledge of the time requirements to initiate the wireless transmission of the signal, the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the start of the transmission of the initiation signal transmission, knowledge of the pulse length of the wireless transmission) to calculate a time delay value that will be included by the transmission signal transmitted to the lighting device before the desired time or light emission is initiated. For example, Canon 1D mk II with a flash tube at a shutter speed of 1/500 seconds is used to determine the desired image quality by using a value for time period 1115 of 320 microseconds (us). In another example, note that the blade travel time for Canon 5D Mark II is relatively slow. This allows a calibration value of 1400 microseconds, still allowing the initiation of light emission to occur after the first shutter blade starts exposing the sensor.

Table 1 example calibration adjustments for example camera and flash at certain shutter speeds

In another exemplary embodiment, dynamic adjustment of the calibration value (e.g., time period 715 value) may be implemented based on a stored value at a given shutter speed. For example, if the value for the time period 715 is 300 microseconds at 1/500 second shutter speed for a given camera and light combination, the values for the time period 715 at other shutter speeds can be dynamically assigned (e.g., via a processing element and/or other circuitry of the camera and/or synchronization device). In one example, the total calibration value (e.g., the time value of time period 715) may be divided by the number of partial f-stop apertures between the shutter speed for the known calibration value and the shutter speed known to be operating at X-sync (typically the time the first shutter blade stops moving). For the above example of 300 microseconds at 1/500 seconds, it can be known that a shutter speed of 1/250 seconds is the fastest X-sync shutter speed supported by the camera. There may be three partial f-stops (e.g., l/500) between 1/500 and 1/250 seconds^th、1/400^th、l/320^th、l/250^th). A dynamic allocation of calibration values of 200 microseconds may be assigned to 1/400^th100 microseconds may be allocated to a shutter speed of 1/320 seconds and zero microseconds may be allocated to 1/250 seconds.

Fig. 8 illustrates timing data for a camera and flash combination operating at 1/200, 1/250, 1/320, and 1/400 second shutter speeds. Fig. 8 shows a flash pulse profile for light emission for each shutter speed initiated at different calibration values of the time period 715. In each case, light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the sensor but before the x-sync signal. Earlier initiation times for faster shutter speeds eliminate cropping in the resulting image.

Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a method of early synchronization. At step 905, a photographic lighting device having a light emission profile with an initial critical point and a final critical point is provided. The initial and final critical points are discussed above. At step 910, light emission is initiated from a photographic lighting device before a first shutter blade of a camera associated with the photographic lighting device stops moving. The initiation of light emission causes an initial critical point to occur at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor.

In one example, the initial critical point occurs 500 microseconds after the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor. In another example, the initial critical point occurs 250 microseconds after the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor. In another example, the initial critical point occurs at approximately the same time as the time when the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor. In another example, the initial critical point occurs after the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor. In another example, the initial critical point occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving. In another example, the final critical point occurs before 500 microseconds after the second shutter blade moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor. In another example, the final critical point occurs before 250 microseconds after the second shutter blade moves to the point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor. In another example, the final critical point occurs at about the time that the second shutter blade moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor. In another example, the final critical point occurs before the second shutter blade moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor. It is contemplated that various embodiments exist that combine any one or more of the examples of this paragraph to provide an initial time limit for an initial critical point occurrence, a final time limit for a final critical point occurrence, and/or a final time limit for an initial critical point occurrence. For example, in one embodiment, the initial critical point occurs after the first shutter blade moves to a point where the first shutter blade no longer obstructs light to the sensor, and the final critical point occurs before the second shutter blade moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light to the sensor.

Fig. 10 illustrates a timing diagram showing the time 1005 between flash initiation and the initial critical point. This time may be used in the calibration process discussed above to offset the time at which light emission is initiated so that the initial critical point occurs at a desired time. In one example, time is measured 1005 for each flash device. The measured time value may be stored in memory for use in calibration and operation of an early synchronization system (e.g., system 1300). In one example, empirical observations of image acquisition with results of calibration offset values that vary based on time 1005 may indicate an optimal location of the initial critical point relative to a time at which the edge of the first shutter blade is completely clear of the sensor.

Fig. 11 illustrates a timing diagram showing the time 1105 between a desired flash initiation and an initial critical point. Time 1110 is the time between the detected predictor signal and the desired flash initiation.

Fig. 12 illustrates a timing diagram showing the time 1205 between the desired flash initiation and the initial critical point. Time 1215 is the time between the generation time of the flash initiation signal and the desired flash initiation time. As discussed above, time 1215 may be affected by, for example, circuit transmission times and/or wireless transmission times.

Fig. 13 illustrates a timing diagram showing the time 1305 between a desired flash initiation and an initial critical point. Time 1310 is the time between the detected predictor signal and the desired flash initiation. Time 1315 is the time between the generation time of the flash initiation signal and the desired flash initiation time.

In one exemplary embodiment, using the time period 1005 and the calibration information discussed above (e.g., the time between the predictor signal/event and X sync, the time of the calibration offset value, and the time from the predictor signal/event to the desired light emission initiation time), the timing of the initial critical point can be located at the desired time after 1ms before the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor.

Fig. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a method of synchronizing one or more lighting devices to image acquisition using a predictor signal and/or event. At step 1405, a predictor signal and/or event is detected. At step 1410, the time from the time forecast signal and/or event to the expected time of the initial critical point is correlated. In one example, the correlation of the time of the initial critical point includes: the time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the occurrence of the initial critical point is determined and the known value for the time from the initiation of the light emission of the lighting device and the time at which the lighting device generates light at the initial critical point are subtracted. In another example, the correlation of the time of the initial critical point includes referencing a table with time values (e.g., including time delay values) for the lighting devices that provide a time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the desired light emission initiation time. Other ways of correlating the appropriate time at which light emission is initiated will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein. At step 1415, light emission is initiated such that the initial critical point is at a desired time after 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade is completely off the imaging sensor. At step 1420, an image is acquired using the one or more illumination devices.

Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a method of synchronizing image exposing light emission of a given type of one or more lighting devices to image acquisition. At step 1505, a camera predictor event and/or signal is identified that is not an event or signal intended for commanding initiation of X-sync and occurs prior to the time of X-sync. In one example, the predictor event and/or signal occurs before the first shutter blade of the camera moves to a point that allows light to pass to the imaging portion of the sensor. At step 1510, instructions for initiating light emission are communicated to the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or signal. At step 1515, light emission is initiated. In one example, light emission is initiated after a first shutter blade begins to expose an imaging portion of an imaging acquisition sensor of a camera and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade moving to a stop. In another example, the light emission is initiated such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

As discussed above, various camera predictor events and signals may be used for use in synchronization. In one example, the camera predictor event and/or signal is a serial data communication of the camera. In one such example, the serial data communication is a power setting command. In another example, the serial data communication is a mode setting command. In another example, the camera predictor event and/or signal is a voltage drop of a clock signal of the camera. In another example, the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of a shutter magnet release signal. In another example, the camera prediction event and/or signal is the initiation of an FP-sync signal and the initiating light emission does not include an FP-type flash emission.

Communicating the instruction to initiate light emission to the photographic lighting device can occur in a variety of ways. As discussed above, light emission initiation can occur in many environments. In one example, such transmission includes delivering instructions internal to the camera to the interior lighting device. This may be accomplished by a wired electrical connection. In another example, such transmitting includes delivering the instruction to the photographic lighting device via a hot shoe connector of the camera, the photographic lighting device being located in the hot shoe connector. In another example, such transmitting includes wirelessly transmitting the instructions to the photographic lighting device. Various wireless transmission functions and procedures are discussed herein with respect to other embodiments and are useful herein where appropriate. In one such example of wireless transmission, the wireless communication device is connected to the camera (e.g., via a hot shoe connector, via a USB connector, via a dedicated connector, etc.) and provides wireless communication functionality to the camera to wirelessly transmit instructions to the remote lighting device. In another such example, the wireless communication function is internal to the camera and is used to wirelessly transmit instructions to the remote lighting device.

The wireless communication of the instructions can occur at multiple times. In one example, the instruction is wirelessly transmitted before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor. In another example, the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor. In another example, the instruction is wirelessly transmitted prior to the occurrence of a normal flash initiation event or signal. In another example, the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device prior to the occurrence of the normal flash initiation event or signal.

The instructions for initiating light emission include information for the lighting device to determine an appropriate time for actual light emission. As discussed above, various factors may affect the timing of actual light emission relative to the transmission and reception of instructions for initiating the emission. The light emission may occur at a time that is delayed from the receipt of an instruction by a lighting device (e.g., a wireless receiving device associated with the lighting device). In one example, the instructions include a pre-calculated time for initiating light emission. In another example, the instruction includes a delay factor.

Fig. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of synchronizing one or more lighting devices to image acquisition of a camera. The method is illustrated from the left to the right of the figure by means of various graphs 1600 over time. The method utilizes a predictor signal 1605, which is a serial data transmission of the camera's serial data output represented in a voltage map 1610. In one example, the forecast signal 1605 is a series of data communications of power setting commands. In one such example, the power setting command occurs before movement of the first shutter blade begins. FIG. 1615 illustrates physical movement of a mirror of a camera from an initial closed position (represented by an initial lower horizontal line) to a position that allows light to pass to a shutter mechanism of the camera (represented by a second upper horizontal portion of the figure). Diagram 1620 represents the movement of the edge of the first shutter blade from an initial position (represented by the initial horizontal portion of the graph) that blocks light from reaching the camera's imaging sensor to a second stop position (represented by the second horizontal portion of the graph). In the stopped position, the first shutter blade does not block light from passing to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the first shutter blade from a position that completely blocks light through the time in which the imaging sensor is partially blocked by the first shutter blade to the time in which the first shutter blade no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. The initiation of the movement of the first shutter blade may occur in a variety of ways. In one example, the first shutter blade occurs as a result of a magnet that holds the shutter blade in place being released. In such examples, the magnet may be released with a magnet release signal. Plot 1625 illustrates a movement of an edge of the second shutter blade from an initial open position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the plot) to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the plot) where the second shutter blade fully blocks light from the lens to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion of the graph connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the second shutter blade from a position that does not obstruct light from reaching the sensor through a time in which the shutter blade partially obstructs light from reaching the sensor to a time that completely obstructs light from reaching the sensor. Dashed line 1630 marks the time when the edge of the first shutter blade completely exits the imaging sensor so that it no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving. Dashed line 1635 marks the time when the leading edge of the second shutter blade begins to block light from passing to the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs at a point after the second shutter blade has begun moving. The time 1640 between dashed lines 1630 and 1635 is the time when the imaging sensor is completely unobstructed by the shutter blade. Graph 1645 shows an alternative voltage variation graph associated with time period 1640. Plot 1650 shows a plot of the voltage change of a conventional X-sync signal for a camera starting at approximately the voltage change when the first shutter blade stops moving and ending with the voltage change when the second shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 1655 represents a wireless transmission signal used to transmit synchronization information from a camera to one or more photographic lighting devices according to any of the embodiments for initiating light emission described herein. Diagram 1655 includes representations for first and second synchronization transmissions 1660, 1662, and data transmissions 1664. The first synchronization transmission 1660 is a transmission including instructions for synchronizing initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device according to any one or more of the examples and implementations of timing of initiation of transmission discussed herein. The second synchronization transmission 1662 is an optional transmission. In this example, the second synchronization transmission 1662 is for receipt by one or more lighting devices that are not associated with the function for early synchronization with a time delay factor. The second synchronization transmission 1662 provides a wireless light emission initiation direct signal for such devices such that the time of initiation is approximately at the time of reception of the wireless transmission (e.g., at the time of X synchronization or another predetermined time). In one example, transmissions 1660 and 1662 are configured to have the initiation of light emission by their respective lighting devices occur simultaneously. In another example, transmissions 1660 and 1662 are configured to cause light emission initiation at different times. Data transmission 1664 is also an optional transmission. The early transmitted data transmission can provide information about image acquisition (e.g., in addition to timing information), information about the camera, and any combination thereof to the remote lighting device. In this example, data transmission 1664 conveys information regarding the power setting obtained from power setting command 1605.

Fig. 1670 shows a light emission intensity distribution of the lighting device. Dashed line 1672 marks the intensity level above which the light emission of the lighting device above ambient lighting can be detected by the imaging sensor. The initial critical point 1674 is the point on the light emission distribution at which light emission above ambient light may be first detected by the imaging sensor. The final critical point 1676 is the point on the light emission distribution where the light emission above the ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor last. The hatched area under the light emission curve represents the light emission that can be detected by the imaging sensor. Light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

In the present embodiment, a prediction signal 1605 is detected. In one example, the occurrence is calculated from the last data bit at the time represented by dashed line 1680. Based on the occurrence of the forecast signal 1605, a first synchronization transmission 1660 is transmitted to the lighting device. The first synchronization transmission 1660 includes instructions to initiate light emission of the lighting device such that light emission is initiated as shown in fig. 1670. In this example, light emission is initiated before X-sync and after the first shutter blade begins to expose the sensor. The initial critical point 1674 and the final critical point 1676 each occur within the time window 1640. As discussed above, light emission may be initiated such that the critical point 1674 occurs at any one of a plurality of times relative to the X sync time and/or the time represented by line 1630. It is contemplated that the examples discussed above may be applied to the timing of the initial critical point 1674.

As shown with respect to fig. 16, the first synchronization transmission is initiated at time 1685 after the occurrence of the predictor signal 1605 and at time 1690 when the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor (i.e., the time shown by line 1630). The instructions for initiating light emission included in the synchronous transmission 1660 may utilize the total time between time 1680 and time 1630, time 1685, time 1690, a time delay factor, a known delay due to transmission, a known delay due to activation of the lighting device, and/or other factors in determining time 1685 for transmission after the predictive signal 1605 and/or a time delay factor included in the instructions for determining when light emission initiation occurred after receipt of the transmission 1660. Various calibration procedures are discussed above. Additional calibration procedures are discussed further below (e.g., with respect to fig. 19 and 20).

Fig. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of synchronizing one or more illumination devices to image acquisition by a camera. The method is illustrated from the left side to the right side of the graph by means of various graphs 1700 over time. The method utilizes the FP sync signal as a predictor signal as discussed below. Data signal 1705 is a serial data transmission of the serial data output of the camera shown in voltage diagram 1710. FIG. 1715 shows the physical movement of the camera's mirror from an initial closed position (represented by the initial lower horizontal line) to a position that allows light to pass to the camera's shutter mechanism (represented by the second upper horizontal portion of the figure). Diagram 1720 shows the movement of the edge of the first shutter blade from an initial position (represented by the initial horizontal portion of the graph) that blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor of the camera to a second stop position (represented by the second horizontal portion of the graph). In the stopped position, the first shutter blade does not block light from passing to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the first shutter blade from a position completely blocking light through the time where the imaging sensor is partially blocked by the first shutter blade to the time where the first shutter blade no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. The initiation of the movement of the first shutter blade may occur in a variety of ways. In one example, the first shutter blade occurs as a result of a magnet that holds the shutter blade in place being released. In such examples, the magnet may be released with a magnet release signal. Diagram 1725 illustrates movement of an edge of a second shutter blade from an initial open position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the graph) to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph) where the second shutter blade fully blocks light from the lens to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion of the graph connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the second shutter blade from a position that does not obstruct light from reaching the sensor through a time in which the shutter blade partially obstructs light from reaching the sensor to a time that completely obstructs light from reaching the sensor. Dashed line 1730 marks the time when the edge of the first shutter blade completely leaves the imaging sensor so that it no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving. Dashed line 1735 marks the time when the leading edge of the second shutter blade starts to block light from passing to the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs at a point after the second shutter blade has begun moving. The time 1740 between dashed lines 1730 and 1735 is the time when the imaging sensor is completely unobstructed by the shutter blade. FIG. 1745 illustrates an alternative voltage variation graph associated with time period 1740. Graph 1750 shows a voltage change graph of a conventional X-sync signal for a camera starting from approximately the voltage change when the first shutter blade stops moving and ending with the voltage change when the second shutter blade stops moving. Fig. 1752 shows a voltage change diagram of a conventional FP sync signal of a camera starting from a voltage change at a time represented by line 1780 that occurs before the first shutter blade starts exposing the imaging sensor. In one exemplary aspect of some systems having FP synchronization signals, there is no X synchronization signal generated by the camera. In this case, the timing of X-sync (and the timing of the light emission initiation associated therewith) can be determined using other indications, such as the determination of the first shutter blade movement stop time. Other options will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein.

Fig. 1755 represents a wireless transmission signal used to transmit synchronization information from a camera to one or more photographic lighting devices according to any of the embodiments for initiating light emission described herein. Fig. 1755 includes representations for a first synchronous transmission 1760 and a second synchronous transmission 1762, a data transmission 1764. The first synchronization transmission 1760 is a transmission including instructions for synchronizing initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device in accordance with any one or more of the examples and implementations of timing of initiation of transmission discussed herein. The second synchronous transmission 1762 is an optional transmission. In this example, the second synchronization transmission 1762 is for receipt by one or more lighting devices that are not associated with the function for early synchronization with a time delay factor. Second synchronization transmission 1762 provides such a device with a wireless light emission initiation direct signal such that the time of initiation is approximately at the time of reception of the wireless transmission (e.g., at the time of X synchronization or another predetermined time). In one example, transmissions 1760 and 1762 are configured to cause the initiation of light emission by their respective lighting devices to occur simultaneously. In another example, transmissions 1760 and 1762 are configured to cause light emission initiation at different times. Data transmission 1764 is also an optional transmission. The early transmitted data transmission can provide information about image acquisition (e.g., in addition to timing information), information about the camera, and any combination thereof to the remote lighting device. In this example, data transmission 1764 conveys information regarding the power setting obtained from power setting command 1705.

The graph 1770 shows the light emission intensity distribution of the lighting device. Dashed line 1772 marks the intensity level above which the light emission of the lighting device above the ambient illumination can be detected by the imaging sensor. The initial critical point 1774 is the point on the light emission distribution at which light emission above ambient light can be first detected by the imaging sensor. The final critical point 1776 is the point on the light emission distribution where the light emission above the ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor last. The hatched area under the light emission curve represents the light emission that can be detected by the imaging sensor. Light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

In this embodiment, a data signal 1705 is detected. This signal 1705 is utilized, in this example, to provide data for a data transmission 1764. The initiation of the FP sync signal (indicated by the voltage drop at time zzz 80) is utilized as the predictor signal. Based on the occurrence of the predictor signal, a first synchronization transmission 1760 is transmitted to the lighting device. The first synchronization transmission 1760 includes instructions to initiate light emission of the lighting device such that light emission is initiated as shown in diagram 1770. In this example, light emission is initiated before X-sync and after the first shutter blade begins to expose the sensor. The initial critical point 1774 and the final critical point 1776 each occur within a time window 1740. As discussed above, the light emission can be initiated such that the critical point 1774 occurs at any of a plurality of times relative to the X sync time and/or the time represented by line 1730. It is contemplated that the examples discussed above may be applied to the timing of the initial critical point 1774.

As shown with respect to fig. 17, the first synchronization transmission is initiated at a time 1785 after the occurrence of the FP-sync forecast signal and at a time 1790 before the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor (i.e., the time shown by line 1730). The instructions for initiating light emission included in the synchronization transmission 1760 may utilize the total time between time 1780 and time 1730, time 1785, time 1790, a time delay factor, a known delay due to transmission, a known delay due to activation of the lighting device, and/or other factors in the time 1785 determined for transmission after the predictor signal 1705 and/or in the time delay factor included in the instructions determining when the light emission initiation occurred after receipt of the transmission 1760. Various calibration procedures are discussed above. Additional calibration procedures are discussed further below (e.g., with respect to fig. 19 and 20).

Fig. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of synchronizing one or more illumination devices to image acquisition by a camera. The method is illustrated from the left to the right of the figure by means of various diagrams 1800 over time. The method utilizes a combination of the indication signal 1805 and the predictor signal (e.g., the voltage drop of the clock line of the camera as represented by the plot zzz 08). Data signal 1805 is a serial data transmission of the camera's serial data output represented in voltage map 1810. The predictor signal 1812 initiates at a time represented by dotted line 1880 that occurs before the first shutter blade completely exits the sensor at time 1830. FIG. 1815 shows physical movement of a mirror of a camera from an initial closed position (represented by an initial lower horizontal line) to a position that allows light to pass to a shutter mechanism of the camera (represented by a second upper horizontal portion of the figure). Diagram 1820 illustrates movement of an edge of a first shutter blade from an initial position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the graph) that blocks light from reaching an imaging sensor of the camera to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph). In the stopped position, the first shutter blade does not block light from passing to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the first shutter blade from a position completely blocking light through the time where the imaging sensor is partially blocked by the first shutter blade to the time where the first shutter blade no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. The initiation of the movement of the first shutter blade may occur in a variety of ways. In one example, the first shutter blade occurs as a result of a magnet that holds the shutter blade in place being released. In such examples, the magnet may be released with a magnet release signal. Diagram 1825 illustrates movement of an edge of the second shutter blade from an initial open position (represented by an initial horizontal portion of the graph) to a second stop position (represented by a second horizontal portion of the graph) where the second shutter blade completely blocks light from the lens to the imaging sensor. The diagonal portion of the graph connecting the two horizontal portions represents the movement of the second shutter blade from a position that does not obstruct light from reaching the sensor through a time in which the shutter blade partially obstructs light from reaching the sensor to a time that completely obstructs light from reaching the sensor. Dashed line 1830 marks the time when the edge of the first shutter blade completely leaves the imaging sensor so that it no longer blocks light from reaching the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving. Dashed line 1835 marks the time at which the leading edge of the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the imaging sensor. In this example, this time occurs at a point after the second shutter blade has begun moving. The time 1840 between dashed lines 1830 and 1835 is the time when the imaging sensor is completely unobstructed by the shutter blade. FIG. 1845 illustrates an alternative voltage variation graph associated with a time period 1840. Graph 1850 shows a voltage change graph of a conventional X-sync signal for a camera starting from approximately the voltage change when the first shutter blade stops moving and ending with the voltage change when the second shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 1855 represents a wireless transmission signal used to transmit synchronization information from a camera to one or more photographic lighting devices according to any of the embodiments for initiating light emission described herein. The diagram 1855 includes representations for the first 1860 and second 1862 isochronous transfers, the data transfer 1864. The first synchronization transmission 1860 is a transmission including instructions for synchronizing initiation of light emission of the photographic lighting device according to any one or more of the examples and implementations of timing of initiation of transmission discussed herein. The second synchronization transmission 1862 is an optional transmission. In this example, the second synchronization transmission 1862 is for receipt by one or more lighting devices that are not associated with a function for early synchronization with a time delay factor. The second synchronization transmission 1862 provides a wireless light emission initiation direct signal for such devices such that the time of initiation is approximately at the time of reception of the wireless transmission (e.g., at the time of X synchronization or another predetermined time). In one example, transmissions 1860 and 1862 are configured to cause light emission initiation by their respective lighting devices to occur simultaneously. In another example, transmissions 1860 and 1862 are configured to cause light emission initiation at different times. Data transfer 1864 is also an optional transfer. The early transmitted data transmission can provide information about image acquisition (e.g., in addition to timing information), information about the camera, and any combination thereof to the remote lighting device. In this example, data transmission 1864 conveys information regarding the power setting obtained from power setting command 1805.

The graph 1870 shows a light emission intensity distribution of the lighting apparatus. Dashed line 1872 marks the intensity level above which the light emission of the lighting device above ambient illumination can be detected by the imaging sensor. The initial critical point 1874 is a point on the light emission distribution at which light emission above ambient light may be first detected by the imaging sensor. The final critical point 1876 is the point on the light emission distribution at which light emission above ambient light can be detected by the imaging sensor last. The hatched area under the light emission curve represents the light emission that can be detected by the imaging sensor. Light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

In this embodiment, a data signal 1805 is detected. In this example, this signal 1805 is utilized to provide data for data transmission 1864. The signal 1805 is also used as an indicator that the next major dip in the clock line 1808 is a reliable predictor signal that can be utilized in timing the initiation of one or more lighting devices. The initiation of the voltage drop of the clock line is used as a predictor signal 1812. Based on the occurrence of the forecast signal 1812, a first synchronization transmission 1860 is transmitted to the lighting device. The first synchronization transmission 1860 includes instructions to initiate light emission of the lighting device such that light emission is initiated as shown in diagram 1870. In this example, light emission is initiated before X-sync and after the first shutter blade begins to expose the sensor. The initial critical point 1874 and the final critical point 1876 each occur within the time window 1840. As discussed above, the light emission may be initiated such that the critical point 1874 occurs at any one of a plurality of times relative to the X sync time and/or the time represented by line 1830. It is contemplated that the examples discussed above may be applied to the timing of the initial critical point 1874.

As shown with respect to fig. 18, the first synchronization transmission is initiated at a time 1885 after the occurrence of the predictor signal 1812 and at a time 1890 before the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor (i.e., the time shown by line 1830). The instructions for initiating light emission included in the synchronized transmission 1860 may utilize the total time between time 1880 and time 1830, time 1885, time 1890, a time delay factor, a known delay due to transmission, a known delay due to activation of a lighting device, and/or other factors in determining time 1885 for transmission after the predictor signal 1805 and/or a time delay factor included in the instructions for determining when light emission initiation occurred after receipt of the transmission 1860. Various calibration procedures are discussed above. Additional calibration procedures are discussed further below (e.g., with respect to fig. 19 and 20).

Fig. 19 illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment of a calibration procedure for determining a time calibration value for use in determining timing of light emission initiation. At step 1905, a predictor signal and/or event is detected. At step 1910, the time of occurrence of X-sync (e.g., the first shutter blade stopped moving) and/or the time of occurrence of the first shutter blade completely off the sensor is determined. In one example, at step 1915, a time from the predictor signal and/or event to the time of occurrence of the X sync is determined. In another example, at step 1915, a time is determined from the time of occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the time at which the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor. The resulting data value from step 1915 is stored as a calibration value for use in calibration synchronization as discussed herein.

FIG. 20 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a calibration procedure. At step 2005, a calibration image acquisition sequence is initiated. At step 2010, a movement start time of a second shutter blade of the camera body is determined. In one example, a signal indicating the start of movement of the second shutter blade may be provided by a camera. At step 2015, the shutter speed for image acquisition, shutter blade travel time for the camera, and time from occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to start of movement of the second shutter blade are used to determine a time from the predictor signal and/or event to stop (e.g., X-sync) of movement of the first shutter blade. At step 2020, the resulting value is stored as and/or used as a calibration value that can be used to help timing the initiation of light emission. In one example, step 2015 further includes utilizing a shutter blade travel time and a shutter speed for the camera to determine a time from when movement of the first shutter blade stopped to when movement of the second shutter blade started. In one such example, the shutter speed indicates a time between a start of movement of the first shutter blade and a start of movement of the second shutter blade. Using the blade travel time of the first shutter blade from start to end and subtracting it from the shutter speed indication, the time from the stop of the movement of the first shutter blade to the start of the movement of the second shutter blade can be determined. The blade travel time may be different for different camera models and can be determined by analysis and/or from literature (literacy) values. The shutter speed of the camera during image acquisition can be determined in a number of ways. Example ways of determining shutter speed include, but are not limited to, detection via an external connector of the camera (e.g., to which a wireless communication function is connected, see, e.g., fig. 35 and 36 below), observation of a user interface of the camera, and any combination thereof. Blade travel times for one or more cameras may be stored for retrieval during calibration and/or implementation of any one or more of the embodiments and/or implementations discussed herein.

Step 2105 may also include determining a time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of the movement of the first shutter blade using the time from the occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to the start of the movement of the second shutter blade and the time from the stop of the movement of the first shutter blade to the start of the movement of the second shutter blade. In one aspect of calibration, image analysis at various adjustments to the time from the predictor signal to the X-sync can be used in various embodiments to determine an approximation of the time that the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor by looking at any clipping that may occur (e.g., with a time value from the initiation of light emission to the initial critical point of a given flash, such as provided by literature values from the manufacturer).

The determination of when the first shutter blade is completely away from the sensor can be made in a number of ways. In one example, a shutter speed setting may be made such that an X sync signal can be detected and the time from a prior event (e.g., triggering image acquisition) to the initiation of the X sync signal can be measured. The shutter speed setting can be made such that the FP sync signal can be detected and the time from the same prior event to the initiation of the FP sync signal can be measured. The center point difference can be determined. For example, if the time to X sync is 50 msec and the time to FP sync is 45 msec, the time from the FP sync signal to the X sync signal is 5 msec. The wireless communication device is connected to the camera using the camera in the FP sync mode. The wireless communication device has the capability of including a time delay from the receipt of the FP-sync signal from the camera and the start of the remote light emission. The delay is adjusted in successive image acquisitions and the images are analyzed to determine when to stop cropping in the images. The delay at this point is used to determine the time from the initiation of the FP sync signal to the time of completely leaving the sensor. The time between FP-sync and the other prediction signal can be measured and used to determine the time between the prediction signal and the time when the first shutter blade is completely off the sensor.

As discussed above, the calibration table may be stored for use (e.g., including calibration values for one or more cameras). Additionally, calibration can occur dynamically at or near the time of image acquisition.

FIG. 21 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a routine for determining a type of synchronization to be achieved based on shutter speed. At step 2105, the shutter speed of the camera is identified. At step 2110, it is determined whether the shutter speed is so fast that the time between the initial critical point for the distribution of the lighting device and the final critical point for the device, the first blade is completely off the sensor and the second shutter blade starts to obstruct the imaging window between the sensors is less than the time between the critical points. Unacceptable clipping may occur in some examples if the imaging window is less than the difference in critical points. In this case, at step 2110, the method proceeds to step 2115. If the time difference of the critical point fits within the imaging window for shutter speed, the method proceeds to step 2120. At step 2115, synchronization is initiated that will utilize FP type light emission, as discussed above. At step 2120, it is determined whether the shutter speed is less than or equal to a maximum X-sync shutter speed for the camera (e.g., set by the manufacturer, determined by analysis of images acquired at various shutter speeds). If the shutter speed is less than or equal to the maximum X sync value, the method proceeds to step 2125. If the shutter speed is greater than the maximum X sync, the method proceeds to step 2130. At step 2125, light emission is initiated using a conventional X sync signal. At step 2130, two options are provided in the present exemplary embodiment for initiating light emission. In one example, the determination between the two choices is made by determining whether the FP sync signal is available from the camera. If the FP synchronization signal is not available, the method proceeds to step 2135. If the FP synchronization signal is available, the method proceeds to step 2150. At step 2135, a power setting command is detected on the data signal line of the camera. At step 2140, a time from the power setting command and a desired time for initiating light emission are determined using one or more of the implementations and/or embodiments discussed herein. At step 2145, non-FP type light emission is initiated. At step 2150, the FP sync signal is detected. At step 2155, the time from the FP-sync signal and the time at which light emission is expected to originate are determined using one or more of the implementations and/or embodiments discussed herein. At step 2160, non-FP type light emission is initiated.

Fig. 22 illustrates an exemplary timing diagram for image acquisition with a camera and one or more flash devices synchronized to the image acquisition. Timing diagram 2205 represents the camera clock signal measured in voltage (y-axis) over time (x-axis). Timing diagram 2205 shows a voltage change 2210 at the beginning of a signal relating to the release of the magnet associated with the first shutter blade of the camera. In this example, the voltage change 2210 is detectable as a reliable predictor of when the first shutter blade of the camera stops moving (e.g., under X-sync). Timing diagram 2215 shows the X-sync signal of the camera as a voltage (y-axis) over time (X-axis). Timing diagram 2215 shows a voltage change 2220 indicating the start of X synchronization (the point in time when the first shutter blade of the camera stops moving). Timing diagram 2225 represents the light emission intensity (y-axis) distribution over time (x-axis) for the synchronized lighting devices. In this example, light emission is initiated in response to the X sync signal. The light emission curve 2230 is initiated completely in time after the start of the X sync signal. Such synchronization systems and methods are generally limited to 1/250^thAnd slower (for cameras with fast shutter blade travel time) or 1/200^thAnd flash synchronization at a slower (for cameras with slower shutter blade travel times) shutter speed.

FIG. 23 illustrates another set of timing diagrams for exemplary image acquisition using early synchronization. The set of timing diagrams shows events that are earlier in time in the process after triggering image acquisition. The timing chart 2305 shows clock information of the camera. Timing diagram 2310 represents a camera data signal. Timing diagram 2315 shows monitoring of the X-sync line of the camera. Timing diagram 2320 represents the light intensity distribution over time. The clock signal line 2305 and data signal line 2310 of the camera indicate the information pulse 2325 after image acquisition is triggered but before the mirror moves out of the optical path to the shutter mechanism. These pulses represent TTL power setting commands. At a time after the mirror stops moving, the magnet release signal is indicated as a voltage change 2330 on the camera clock signal line 2305. The time between the magnet release signal 2330 and the time associated with the first shutter blade movement stopping (indicated as the voltage change 2335 on the X sync line 2315) is pre-learned by an early synchronization system, such as early synchronization system 1300. The threshold comparator of the synchronization system detects the pulse 2325 and, with reference to stored information about the camera (e.g., learned during calibration), the processor identifies the pulse 2325 as an indication that the next larger voltage change to occur on the clock line 2305 will be indicative of a mirror release signal. The threshold comparator then detects the magnet release signal 2330, the processor references the memory for stored information about the time from this predictor signal and the X-sync for this camera, and the processor references calibration values that include information for the light emission initiation timing. The processor generates a light emission initiation signal in time to cause light emission to initiate at time 2340 after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving at 2335. The clock line 2305, data line 2310 and X sync line 2315 are detectable via the hot shoe connector of the camera. Fig. 23 also shows post image capture data transfer (e.g., via the camera hot shoe) on clock line 2305 at voltage change 2345 and on data line 2310 at voltage change 2350.

FIG. 24 illustrates another set of timing diagrams for another exemplary image acquisition. As discussed in various examples above, this image acquisition utilizes a forecast of the first shutter blade movement stop time 2405 (considered as the start of X-sync on X-sync line 2410) from the magnet release signal detected from the clock line 2415. A zero point calibration is applied based on a determination of when the first shutter blade will stop moving. This results in the initiation of light emission by the lighting device occurring at time 2420. As seen on the timing diagram 2425 of light emission intensity over time, the light emission initiation 2420 occurs at approximately the same time as the first shutter blade stops moving (as opposed to before this time). The timing diagram 2425 also shows a theoretically derived initial critical point 2430 for the light emission profile.

FIG. 25 illustrates another set of timing diagrams for another exemplary image acquisition. This image acquisition utilizes a forecast of the first shutter blade movement stop time 2505 (considered as the start of X-sync on X-sync line 2510) from the magnet release signal detected on clock line 2515. Based on a determination of when the first shutter blade will stop moving, a calibration of 200 microseconds is applied. This results in the initiation of light emission by the lighting device occurring at time 2520. As seen on the timing diagram 2525 of the intensity of light emission over time, the initiation 2520 of light emission occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving (approximately 200 microseconds).

FIG. 26 illustrates another set of timing diagrams for another exemplary image acquisition. This image acquisition utilizes a forecast of the first shutter blade movement stop time 2605 (considered as the start of X-sync on X-sync line 2610) from the magnet release signal detected on clock line 2615. Based on the determination of when the first shutter blade will stop moving, a calibration of 400 microseconds is applied. This results in the initiation of light emission by the lighting device occurring at time 2620. As seen on the timing diagram 2625 of the intensity of the light emission over time, the light emission initiation 2620 occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving (approximately 400 microseconds).

FIG. 27 illustrates another set of timing diagrams for another exemplary image acquisition. These timing diagrams include a timing diagram 2705 of the camera clock line, a timing diagram 2710 of the camera data line, a timing diagram 2715 of the camera X synchronization line, and a timing diagram 2720 of a radio frequency signal over time representing wireless transmission associated with image acquisition and synchronization of a remote lighting device with wireless communication capability, which is equipped with an early synchronization system such as system 1300, and another remote lighting device with wireless communication capability, which is only configured to initiate light emission upon receipt of a conventional synchronization signal. In this exemplary embodiment, a TTL command data pulse 2725 is detected. As shown by RF pulses 2730, power control information is transmitted to one or more of the remote devices via radio frequency. The pulse 2725 also serves to determine that the next full voltage drop on line 2705 will be indicative of the predictor signal (in this case, the magnet release signal), as indicated by the voltage drop 2735. The known time for timing when the first shutter blade stops moving (indicated by voltage drop 2740) and a calibration value are utilized to determine when light emission initiation should occur. The time at which the radio frequency is transmitted to the remote device is utilized to determine a timing code to be wirelessly transmitted to a wireless receiving device capable of managing early synchronization data. For example, if the time that the first shutter blade stops moving is 5 milliseconds (ms), then the calibration value is 400 microseconds and the time to transmit via RF is 500 microseconds, the RF transmission to the remote device would need to occur approximately 4.1 milliseconds from the detected predictor signal. In another example (as shown in fig. 27), a timing code delay feature can be utilized. The timing code delay feature can command the receiving wireless device to delay from receiving for a period of time before generating a light emission initiation signal to the flash device. The receiving wireless device has appropriate circuitry and/or machine-readable instructions to perform such delays on instructions from the timing code. In such examples (using numbers from above), the camera-side wireless device is able to transmit the timing code earlier than above and still have the light emission initiate at the appropriate time. For example, a timing code delay of 2 milliseconds would allow the RF signal to be transmitted approximately 2.1 milliseconds from the detected precursor signal. Note that this example does not take into account circuit delays at the receiving end. It is contemplated that the receiving wireless device/early flash synchronization device and/or the camera-side wireless device may include circuitry, memory, and/or instructions for accounting for known delays due to circuit transmissions. In an exemplary aspect, early transmission of the RF timing code along with delay information can allow multiple RF transmissions (e.g., for multi-zone remote devices, different types of remote devices, etc.) with appropriately varying delays before the desired light emission initiation time. Referring again to the example shown in fig. 27, RF pulse 2745 is transmitted with a timing code delay to a remote device configured to manage the delayed data. The second RF pulse 2750 is transmitted at a time that will cause light emission initiation from a remote flash with a standard receiving device to occur at the desired initiation time (e.g., transmitted approximately 4.1 milliseconds from the detected predictor signal using the above example theoretical timing data). In this way, multiple types of receiving devices may be utilized to synchronize the light emission initiation.

Fig. 28A illustrates a photograph 2805 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/200 seconds, which uses a radio frequency wireless system to synchronize the flash device to the X sync signal. Fig. 28B illustrates a photograph 2810 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/200 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system configured to initiate light emission after the first shutter blade has moved to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 29A illustrates a photograph 2905 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/250 seconds, which uses a radio frequency wireless system to synchronize the flash device to the X sync signal. Fig. 29B illustrates a photograph 2910 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/250 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system configured to initiate light emission after the first shutter blade has moved to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 30A illustrates a photograph 3005 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/320 seconds, which uses a radio frequency wireless system to synchronize the flash device with the X sync signal. Fig. 30B illustrates a photograph 3010 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/320 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system configured to initiate light emission after the first shutter blade has moved to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 31A illustrates a photograph 3105 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of l/400 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system to synchronize the flash device to the X sync signal. Fig. 31B illustrates a photograph 3110 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/400 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system configured to initiate light emission after the first shutter blade has moved to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 32A illustrates a photograph 3205 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/500 seconds, which uses a radio frequency wireless system to synchronize the flash device with the X sync signal. Fig. 32B illustrates a photograph 3210 taken using flash photography with a shutter speed of 1/500 seconds using a radio frequency wireless system configured to initiate light emission after the first shutter blade has moved to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

Fig. 28A, 29A, 30A, 31A, and 32A show increasing "cropping" levels (the image darkens at one edge as the shutter speed becomes faster). At 1/200 seconds, the standard X sync shows a little crop, which may be acceptable (e.g., cropping may eliminate darkening at the bottom of the image). However, at 1/250 seconds and faster, standard X sync shows a much larger clip level. In contrast, fig. 28B, 29B, 30B, 31B, and 32B illustrate examples of much higher performance at higher synchronization speeds using an exemplary early synchronization process with light emission initiation and predictor signal detection after the first shutter blade has moved to a position to begin allowing light to pass to the imaging sensor and before the first shutter blade stops moving. The visually detectable dimming level at the edge is 1/400^thAnd not before fasterSevere. This cropping may be calibrated out of the image by adjusting the calibration offset value.

Fig. 33 illustrates one example of a camera 3305 having a built-in flash device 3310. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera 3305 may include suitable circuitry and/or instructions executable by one or more circuit elements of the camera 3305 that generate a light emission initiation signal such that light is emitted by the flash device 3310 after the first shutter blade of the camera 3305 has begun to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera 3305 but before the first shutter blade stops moving. The circuitry and/or instructions may also be configured to implement any one or more of the implementations and other aspects of the embodiments described herein.

Figure 34 illustrates one example of a camera 3405 with a built-in radio frequency wireless transceiver (not shown). The transceiver may be utilized to communicate wirelessly with one or more remote devices via radio frequency transmissions such as transmission 3410. A remote lighting device 3415 is shown. The remote lighting device 3415 is an example of a hot-boot mountable flash tube flash device. The built-in transceiver of the camera 3405 may be utilized to wirelessly communicate with the remote lighting 3415 and/or one or more other types of lighting (e.g., one or more other hot shoe mountable lights, one or more studio strobe lighting). A remote lighting device 3415 connected to an external wireless device 3420 is shown. It is contemplated that any one or more of the remote devices may include internal wireless functionality. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera 3405 may include suitable circuitry and/or instructions executable by one or more circuit elements of the camera 3405 that generate a light emission initiation signal such that the light emission initiation signal is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless device 3420 to communicate with the lighting device 3415 such that light emission is initiated by the lighting device 3415 after the first shutter blade of the camera 3405 has begun to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera 3405 but before the first shutter blade stops moving. In another exemplary embodiment, the camera 3405 may include suitable circuitry and/or instructions executable by one or more circuit elements of the camera 3405 (e.g., circuitry and/or machine executable instructions associated with the internal wireless capabilities of the camera 3405) that detect a predictor signal and/or predictor event of the camera 3405 from which a time at which the first shutter blade stopped moving can be determined. Using the predictor signal and/or predictor event, a light emission initiation signal can be generated such that light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor but before the first shutter blade stops moving. Additional aspects and embodiments of using a predictor signal and/or predictor event are discussed above. The circuitry and/or instructions may also be configured to implement any one or more of the implementations and other aspects of the embodiments described herein.

Fig. 35 illustrates one example of a camera 3505 with an external wireless device 3510 connected via a hot shoe connector of the camera 3505. External wireless devices are known. In one aspect, the external wireless device may be configured to communicate data (e.g., camera and/or flash data) to and/or from the camera via one or more of the contacts of the hot shoe connector. Examples of external wireless devices configured for connecting to a camera hot shoe and methods for communicating via a hot shoe connector are discussed in more detail in co-pending U.S. patent application No. 12/129,402 filed on 29/5/2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The camera 3505 can wirelessly communicate with one or more remote devices via wireless transmissions, such as transmission 3515, using the wireless device 3510. A remote lighting device 3520 is shown connected to a wireless device 3525 via a hot shoe connector. As discussed above, the camera may communicate with one or more remote lighting devices to synchronize the one or more lighting devices to image acquisition. The one or more remote lighting devices may each include external wireless functionality, internal wireless functionality, or any combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the camera 3505 (and/or the wireless device 3510) can include appropriate circuitry (and/or instructions capable of being executed by one or more circuit elements) that generates a light emission initiation signal such that the light emission initiation signal is wirelessly communicated to the wireless device 3525 to communicate with the lighting device 3520 such that light emission is initiated by the lighting device 3520 after the first shutter blade of the camera 3505 has begun to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera 3505 but before the first shutter blade stops moving. In another exemplary embodiment, the camera 3505 (and/or the wireless device 3510) can include suitable circuitry and/or instructions executable by one or more circuit elements that detect a predictor signal and/or a predictor event of the camera 3505, from which a time at which the first shutter blade stops moving can be determined. Using the predictor signal and/or predictor event, a light emission initiation signal can be generated such that light emission is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor but before the first shutter blade stops moving. Additional aspects and embodiments of using the predictor signal and/or the predictor event are discussed further above. The circuitry and/or instructions may also be configured to implement any one or more of the implementations and other aspects of the embodiments described herein.

Fig. 36 illustrates one example of a camera 3605 with an external wireless device 3610 connected via a hot shoe connector. The camera 3605 can utilize a wireless device 3610 to wirelessly communicate (e.g., via transmission 3615) to one or more remote lighting devices 3620 having wireless functionality 3625 (e.g., internal wireless functionality and/or external wireless functionality, as shown). A hot shoe mountable flashlight device 3630 is connected to a second hot shoe connector of the wireless device 3610. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more remote lighting devices 3620 and/or flash devices 3630 may cause an associated light emission to be initiated after the first shutter blade of the camera 3605 begins to allow light to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera 3605 but before the first shutter blade stops moving. In one such implementation, the wireless device 3610 may include appropriate circuitry (and/or instructions capable of being executed by one or more circuit elements) that detects signals and/or events of the camera 3605 from which an initiation time of light emission can be determined and an initiation signal generated accordingly. The initiation signal may then be utilized to initiate light emission by one or more of the lighting device 3620 and/or the flash device 3630. Additional aspects and embodiments of using a predictor signal and/or predictor event are discussed above. The circuitry and/or instructions may also be configured to implement any one or more of the implementations and other aspects of the embodiments described herein.

Fig. 37 illustrates an exemplary early synchronizer system 3700. In one exemplary aspect, the early synchronizer system 3700 can provide the ability to initiate light emission at a time after the first shutter blade of the camera moves such that light begins to be allowed to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera and before the first shutter blade of the camera stops moving. In one example, the early synchronizer system 3700 includes one or more components internal to the camera. In another example, one or more components of the early synchronizer system 3700 may be added to a camera that does not yet have the ability to initiate light emission at a time after the first shutter blade of the camera moves such that light begins to be allowed to pass to the imaging sensor of the camera and before the first shutter blade of the camera stops moving. In another example, the early synchronizer system 3700 includes one or more components (e.g., a transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver associated with a camera and/or one or more remote devices) that are part of the photographing wireless communication device. In one such example, at least a portion of the photographic wireless communication device is internal to the camera. In another such example, at least a portion of the photographic wireless communication device is external to the camera.

The early synchronizer system 3700 includes a processor 3705. The processor 3705 may be a shared processing element. In one example, the processor 3705 is shared with other functions of the camera. In another example, the processor 3705 is shared with other functions of the photographic wireless communication device. One of the functions of the processor 3705 may include generating a light emission initiation signal 3710 for initiating light emission of the one or more lighting devices 3715. In an alternative embodiment, the early synchronizer system 3700 can include a light emission initiation signal generator separate from the processor 3705. The processor 3705 is configured to be in electrical communication with the circuitry and/or electronics 3720 of the camera. In one example, the processor 3705 is electrically connected (e.g., via electrical wiring and/or other electrical contacts) to the circuitry and/or electronics 3720. In another example, the processor 3705 is connected to one or more connectors (not shown) configured to connect to the circuitry and/or electronics 3720 of the camera. Connectors for electrically connecting an external device to internal circuitry and/or electronics of a camera are known. Examples of such connectors include, but are not limited to, flash synchronization connectors, hotshoe connectors, PC flash synchronization connectors (note that the term PC as used in this example refers to the photography industry standard "PC connector" rather than "personal computer"); a universal serial bus ("USB") connector, a Fire Wire connector, a connector proprietary to a given camera manufacturer, a motor drive connector, and any combination thereof.

The early synchronization system 3700 can optionally include a predictor signal detector 3725 electrically connected and/or configured to be electrically connected to circuitry and/or electronics 3720 to detect (e.g., receive) a predictor signal of the camera and/or an indication of a predictor event. The predictor signal detector 3725 may include circuitry and/or machine-executable instructions configured to detect predictor signals and/or events and communicate the detection to the processor 3705 and/or other light emission initiation signal generator functions. In one example, the predictor signal detector 3725 includes a threshold comparator. In another example, the predictor signal detector 3725 includes an input/output (I/O) port of a processor element (e.g., processor element 3705). In one such example, at least a portion of the predictor signal detector 3725 can share common components with the processor 3705.

Early synchronization system 3700 includes memory 3730. Memory 3730 may be any memory device capable of storing data and/or other information. Examples of memory devices include, but are not limited to, random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, hard drive memory devices, optical memory devices, and any combination thereof. A memory 3730 is shown in electrical communication with the processor 3705. In alternative embodiments, the memory 3730 may be in electrical communication with (and/or configured to be electrically connected to) any one or more additional components of the early synchronization system 3700 that may require information storage capabilities, directly and/or indirectly. Memory 3730 is shown as a separate component. It is contemplated that any portion of memory 3730 and/or any other component of early synchronization system 3700 may have any portion thereof shared with another component. It is also contemplated that memory 3730 and/or any other components of early synchronization system 3700 may also be divided into more than one component element. Memory 3730 may include information (e.g., in one or more tables) such as, but not limited to, calibration time values, other calibration values not in increments of time, data regarding camera model, data regarding the time between the predictor signal and/or event and the time at which the first shutter blade stopped moving, one or more time delay factors, other calibration values as discussed above, shutter speed correlations, information regarding instructions for initiating light emission after the first shutter blade begins exposing the image acquisition sensor and before the X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopped moving, and any combination thereof.

The early synchronization system 3700 may optionally include one or more data inputs 105. The one or more data inputs 105 may be in electrical communication with and/or configured to be electrically connected to the processor 3705, the memory 3730, and/or other components of the early synchronization system 3700. Example data inputs include, but are not limited to, a dial, a trigger, a touch screen, a USB connector, another data connector, and any combination thereof. In one example, the USB connector may connect to a computing device (e.g., a general computing device such as a laptop or desktop computer) having a software program thereon for interfacing with the early synchronization system 3700. In one such example, the software program may provide a graphical user interface for inputting data (e.g., calibration time values, other calibration values not in increments of time, data regarding the camera model, data regarding the time between the predictor signal and/or event and the time at which the first shutter blade stopped moving, one or more time delay factors, etc.). Such data may be stored in the memory 3730.

One or more data inputs 3735 can be accompanied by a data/information output (not shown) for communicating information from the system 3700 (e.g., to a user). Examples of data/information outputs include, but are not limited to, LEDs, LCDs, display screens, audio devices, and any combination thereof.

Fig. 38 illustrates a plurality of views of the photographing wireless communication device 3805. Wireless communication device 3805 includes an internal transmitter assembly (not shown) for wirelessly transmitting information to one or more remote devices and an internal antenna assembly (not shown). The wireless communication device 3805 also includes components of an early synchronization system, such as the system 3700 of fig. 37. The wireless communication device 3805 includes a first hot shoe connector 3810 configured to connect to a hot shoe connector of the camera and provide electrical communication (e.g., communication with data, clock, and/or X-sync signals) with circuitry and/or electronics of the camera. The wireless communication device 3805 also includes a second hot shoe connector 3815 configured to allow another device having a hot shoe connector to be connected to the top of the wireless communication device 3805. In one example, a flash tube flash device may be connected to a hot shoe connector 3815. The wireless communication device 3805 also includes a fastening ring 3820 for securely connecting the hot shoe connector 3810 to a corresponding hot shoe of the camera.

The wireless communication device 3805 includes a USB data connector 3825 for inputting and outputting information from the wireless communication device 3805 and an early synchronization function therein. The input 3830 and the input 3835 provide information input and control to the wireless communication device 3805. The wireless communication device 3805 includes an optical output element 3840 for outputting information.

In an exemplary embodiment, the predictor signal is detected from a camera connected thereto through one or more of the contacts of the hot shoe connector 3810. The wireless communication device 3805 may also receive data representing the model of the camera and the operating shutter speed of the camera via the hot shoe connector 3810. The processor of the wireless communication device 3805 accesses a memory having a correlation between data representing the model of the camera and a corresponding time from the predictor signal to a time at which the first shutter blade of the camera stopped moving. The processor also accesses the memory to obtain data representing calibration values for the received camera operating shutter speed. Based on the calibration values, the known time from the predictor signal to the stop of the first shutter blade for the camera model, and the detection time of the predictor signal, the processor generates a light emission initiation signal and transmits a signal to one or more wireless receiving devices each associated with a remote lighting device. In this example, the processor of the wireless communication device 3805 takes into account the time required for the wireless communication and the circuit communication when generating the light emission initiation signal so that initiation of light emission will occur at a desired time between when the first shutter blade of the camera moves to allow light to begin passing to the sensor and when the first shutter blade stops moving.

In another exemplary embodiment, the wireless remote device may be configured to handle varying times between initial critical points for various lighting devices and initiation of light emission. In one example, the flash tube may have a time from flash initiation to initial critical point of 40 microseconds, and the studio strobe light may have a time from flash initiation to initial critical point of 100 microseconds. A wireless early synchronization device remote from the camera (e.g., having a remote flash device connected thereto) may have a memory storing data for changing the time for the changing flash. For example, when connecting the flash tube (e.g. to a hot shoe connector), the synchronization device may utilize an offset based on the value stored for the flash tube. In another example, when connecting a strobe (e.g., to a small phone connector), the synchronization device may utilize an offset based on a value stored for the strobe light. Receiver-side offsets may be utilized to ensure that when a desired time for light initiation is determined (as discussed above) and transmitted to a remote light device, the changing light devices simultaneously contribute detectable light to the scene (e.g., their initiation times are offset from each other such that their initial critical points occur simultaneously).

It is noted that the aspects and embodiments described herein may be conveniently implemented using one or more circuit elements as described above and/or included in one or more of a camera, a wireless communication device, and a lighting device programmed according to the teachings of the present specification. Appropriate software coding for combination with appropriate circuitry and other electronic components can be readily prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art.

Such software may be a computer program product employing a machine-readable medium. A machine-readable medium may be any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a processor or other electrical component of a camera, a wireless communication device, a flash device), and that cause the machine to perform any one of the methods and/or embodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable medium include, but are not limited to, magnetic disks (e.g., conventional floppy disks, hard drive disks), optical disks (e.g., compact disk "CD", such as a readable, writable, and/or re-writable CD; digital video disk "DVD", such as a readable, writable, and/or re-writable DVD), magneto-optical disks, read-only memory "ROM" devices, random access memory "RAM" devices, magnetic cards, optical cards, solid-state memory devices (e.g., flash memory), EPROM, EEPROM, and any combination thereof. Machine-readable media as used herein is intended to include a single medium as well as the possibility of including many (a collection of) physically separate media, such as, for example, many compact disks or one or more hard disk drives in combination with computer memory.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (114)

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

allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an imaging portion of an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and

light emission of the photographic lighting device is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 500 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 250 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at about a time when the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs less than about 500 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to block light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs less than about 250 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to block light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at about a time when the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs before a time when the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that occurs before a first shutter blade of the camera moves to a point that allows light to pass to the sensor, the predictor event and/or signal not being an event or signal for commanding initiation of light emission from the photographic lighting device, the predictor event and/or signal occurring before a normal flash initiation event or signal intended for commanding light emission of the photographic lighting device; and

transmitting, to the photographic lighting device, an instruction to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or the signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying comprises identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that is not an event or signal intended for commanding initiation of an X-sync flash pulse and occurs prior to a time of X-sync.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is a serial data communication of the camera.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the serial data communication is a power set command.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is a voltage drop of a clock signal of a camera.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of a shutter magnet release signal.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of an FP-sync signal and the initiating light emission does not comprise an FP-type flash emission.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting comprises delivering instructions internal to the camera to the interior lighting device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating comprises delivering the instructions to the photographic lighting device via a hot shoe connector of the camera, the photographic lighting device being located in the hot shoe connector.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting comprises wirelessly transmitting the instruction to the photographic lighting device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises a radio frequency transmission.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the instruction is transmitted wirelessly before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the instruction is wirelessly transmitted prior to occurrence of a normal flash initiation event or signal.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device prior to the occurrence of a normal flash initiation event or signal.

27. The method of claim 12, wherein the initiating light emission occurs at a time delayed from completion of transmitting an instruction.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the instruction comprises a delay factor.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the instruction comprises a pre-calculated time for initiating light emission.

30. The method according to claim 12, wherein said identifying comprises detecting a predictor event and/or signal external to the camera.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the detecting occurs via a hot shoe connector of a camera.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a predictor signal and/or event;

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

transmitting an instruction to the photographic lighting device to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device at a desired time.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of an FP-sync signal of the camera.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying an occurrence of a power setting command of the camera.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying an occurrence of a voltage drop of a clock signal of a camera, said voltage drop occurring after triggering image acquisition and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

determining a start of movement of a second shutter blade; and

the shutter speed for 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 are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the using step comprises:

determining a time from when movement of the first shutter blade stops to when movement of the second shutter blade starts using a shutter blade travel time and a shutter speed for the camera; and

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 stop of movement of the first shutter blade to the start of movement of the second shutter blade are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

analyzing the resulting image; and

an adjustment factor that affects a value of a delay factor of an instruction is modified.

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

associating a photographic lighting device having a light emission profile with an initial critical point and a final critical point with a camera; and

light emission is initiated from the photographic lighting device before the first shutter blade stops moving such that an initial critical point occurs at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the initial critical point occurs at a point in time after about 500 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the initial critical point occurs at a point in time after about 250 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

42. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the initial critical point occurs at a point in time after the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

43. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the initial critical point occurs at approximately the time when the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

44. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the initial critical point occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving.

45. A method as in claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the final critical point occurs before about 500 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

46. A method as in claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the final critical point occurs before about 250 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

47. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the final critical point occurs at approximately the time at which the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the imaging portion of the sensor.

48. A method according to claim 39, wherein initiating light emission occurs such that the final critical point occurs before a time when the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

49. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that occurs before a first shutter blade of the camera moves to a point that allows light to pass to an imaging portion of the sensor, the predictor event and/or signal not being an event or signal for commanding initiation of light emission from the photographic lighting device, the predictor event and/or signal occurring before a normal flash initiation event or signal intended for commanding light emission of the photographic lighting device; and

transmitting, to the photographic lighting device, an instruction to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or the signal.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is a serial data communication of the camera.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the serial data communication is a power set command.

52. A method according to claim 49, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of a shutter magnet release signal.

53. A method according to claim 49, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of an FP synchronisation signal and the initiating light emission does not comprise FP-type flash emission.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the transmitting comprises delivering instructions internal to the camera to the interior lighting device.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the communicating comprises delivering the instruction to the photographic lighting device via a hot shoe connector of the camera, the photographic lighting device being located in the hot shoe connector.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the transmitting comprises wirelessly transmitting the instruction to the photographic lighting device.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the wirelessly transmitting comprises a radio frequency transmission.

58. A method as in claim 56, wherein the instruction is transmitted wirelessly before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the instruction is wirelessly transmitted prior to occurrence of a normal flash initiation event or signal.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein the instruction is received by a wireless communication receiver associated with the photographic lighting device prior to an occurrence of a normal flash initiation event or signal.

62. The method of claim 49, wherein the initiating light emission occurs at a time delayed from completion of transmitting an instruction.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the instruction comprises a delay factor.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the instruction comprises a pre-calculated time for initiating light emission.

65. A method according to claim 49, wherein said identifying comprises detecting a predictor event and/or signal external to the camera.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the detecting occurs via a hot shoe connector of a camera.

67. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

detecting a predictor signal and/or event;

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

transmitting an instruction to the photographic lighting device to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device at a desired time.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of an FP-sync signal of the camera.

69. A method according to claim 67, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of a power setting command of the camera.

70. A method according to claim 67, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of a voltage drop of a clock signal of the camera, said voltage drop occurring after triggering image acquisition and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

determining a start of movement of a second shutter blade;

the shutter speed for 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 are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the using step comprises:

determining a time from when movement of the first shutter blade stops to when movement of the second shutter blade starts using a shutter blade travel time and a shutter speed 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 and the time from the stop of movement of the first shutter blade to the start of movement of the second shutter blade are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

analyzing the resulting image; and

an adjustment factor that affects a value of a delay factor of an instruction is modified.

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

detecting a predictor signal and/or event;

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

transmitting, to a photographic lighting device, an instruction to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device at a desired time; and

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

75. A method according to claim 74, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of an FP-sync signal of the camera.

76. A method according to claim 74, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of a power setting command of the camera.

77. A method according to claim 74, wherein said detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises identifying the occurrence of a voltage drop of a clock signal of the camera, said voltage drop occurring after triggering image acquisition and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

determining a start of movement of a second shutter blade;

the shutter speed for 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 are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the using step comprises:

determining a time from when movement of the first shutter blade stops to when movement of the second shutter blade starts using a shutter blade travel time and a shutter speed 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 and the time from the stop of movement of the first shutter blade to the start of movement of the second shutter blade are used to determine the time from the predictor signal and/or event to the stop of movement of the first shutter blade.

80. The method of claim 74, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

analyzing the resulting image; and

an adjustment factor that affects a value of a delay factor of an instruction is modified.

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

identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that occurred before a first shutter blade of the camera moved to a point that allows light to pass to an imaging portion of the sensor, the predictor event and/or signal not being an event or signal intended to command initiation of X-sync, the predictor event and/or signal occurring before a time of X-sync; and

transmitting, to the photographic lighting device, an instruction to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or the signal.

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

allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and

light emission of the photographic lighting device is initiated after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before the shutter travel completion switch is detected by the camera.

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

means for allowing a first shutter blade of the camera to move such that light is allowed to pass to an imaging portion of an image acquisition sensor of the camera; and

means for initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device after the first shutter blade begins to expose the image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 1 millisecond before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 500 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

86. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after about 250 microseconds before the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

87. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at a point in time after the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

88. A system according to claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs at about a time when the first shutter blade moves to a position that no longer obstructs light to the imaging portion of the sensor.

89. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that an initial critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs before the first shutter blade stops moving.

90. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs less than about 500 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

91. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs less than about 250 microseconds after a second shutter blade of the camera moves to a point where the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to an imaging portion of the sensor.

92. A system as described in claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs approximately at a time when the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor.

93. The system of claim 83, wherein the means for initiating light emission is configured to cause light emission to occur such that a final critical point of a flash profile of the photographic lighting device occurs before a time when the second shutter blade begins to obstruct light from passing to the sensor.

94. The system of claim 83, further comprising:

means for identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that occurred before the first shutter blade of the camera moved to a point that allows light to pass to the sensor, the predictor event and/or signal not being an event or signal for commanding initiation of light emission from the photographic lighting device, the predictor event and/or signal occurring before a normal flash initiation event or signal intended for commanding light emission of the photographic lighting device; and

means for transmitting instructions to the photographic lighting device for initiating light emission of the photographic lighting device based on the occurrence of the predictor event and/or signal.

95. A system according to claim 94, wherein the means for identifying comprises means for identifying a camera predictor event and/or signal that is not an event or signal intended for commanding the initiation of an X-sync flash pulse and that occurs before the time of X-sync.

96. A system according to claim 94, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is a serial data communication of the camera.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the serial data communication is a power setting command.

98. A system according to claim 94, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is a voltage drop of a clock signal of the camera.

99. A system according to claim 94, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of a shutter magnet release signal.

100. A system according to claim 94, wherein the camera predictor event and/or signal is the initiation of an FP synchronisation signal and the initiating light emission does not include FP-type flash emission.

101. The system of claim 94, wherein the means for communicating comprises means for delivering instructions internal to the camera to the interior illumination device.

102. The system of claim 94, wherein the means for communicating comprises means for delivering the instruction to the photographic lighting device via a hot shoe connector of the camera, the photographic lighting device being located in the hot shoe connector.

103. The system of claim 94, wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for wirelessly transmitting the instruction to the photographic lighting device.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein the means for wirelessly transmitting comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

105. A system according to claim 94, wherein the means for identifying comprises means for detecting a predictor event and/or signal external to the camera.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein the means for detecting comprises a hot shoe connector of the camera.

107. The system of claim 83, further comprising:

means for detecting a predictor signal and/or event;

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

means for transmitting an instruction to the photographic lighting device to initiate light emission of the photographic lighting device at a desired time.

108. A system according to claim 107, wherein the means for detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises means for identifying the occurrence of an FP-sync signal for the camera.

109. A system according to claim 107, wherein the means for detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises means for identifying the occurrence of a power setting command of the camera.

110. A system according to claim 107, wherein the means for detecting a predictor signal and/or event comprises means for identifying an occurrence of a voltage drop of a clock signal of the camera, the voltage drop occurring after triggering image acquisition and before the first shutter blade stops moving.

111. The system of claim 107, wherein means for determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

means for initiating an image acquisition sequence;

means for determining a start of movement of a second shutter blade;

means for determining a time from the predictor signal and/or event to a stop of movement of the first shutter blade using a shutter speed of image acquisition, a shutter blade travel time for the camera, a time from an occurrence of the predictor signal and/or event to a start of movement of the second shutter blade.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein the means for using comprises:

means for determining a time from when movement of the first shutter blade stops to when movement of the second shutter blade begins using a shutter blade travel time and a shutter speed for the camera; and

means for determining a time from the predictor signal and/or the event to a stop of movement of the first shutter blade using a time from an occurrence of the predictor signal and/or the event to a start of movement of the second shutter blade and a time from a stop of movement of the first shutter blade to a start of movement of the second shutter blade.

113. The system of claim 107, wherein the determining an amount of time comprises utilizing a time value determined using a calibration comprising:

initiating an image acquisition sequence;

analyzing the resulting image; and

an adjustment factor that affects a value of a delay factor of an instruction is modified.

114. A system for synchronizing a photographic lighting device to image acquisition by a camera having an image acquisition sensor and a shutter system with a first shutter blade, the system comprising:

a connection to the camera circuitry providing access to a camera forecast signal;

a memory including information regarding an instruction to initiate light emission after a first shutter blade begins to expose an image acquisition sensor and before an X-sync associated with the first shutter blade stopping movement;

a processor element configured to generate an illumination emission initiation signal using the information and a camera predictor signal; and

a connection to a photographic lighting device in communication with the processing element to communicate the lighting emission initiation signal to the photographic lighting device.