Flash light emitting apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium storing control program

Abstract

The invention discloses a flash light emitting apparatus, a control method thereof, and a storage medium storing a control program. The flash light emitting device can reduce the workload of setting a role configuration related to wireless communication. The light-emitting unit emits flashes. The first communication unit communicates with the imaging apparatus. The second communication unit wirelessly transmits control information to and receives control information from another flash light emitting apparatus. The setting unit sets any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information, a receiver that receives the control information, and a communication shutdown as a role configuration related to wireless communication. The setting unit changes the role configuration to the transmitter when the role configuration is a receiver and the first communication unit is capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus, and changes the role configuration to the receiver when the role configuration is the transmitter and the first communication unit is not capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One disclosed aspect of the present embodiment relates to a flash lighting device, a control method thereof, and a storage medium storing its control program. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, wireless flash photography is known, in which a plurality of flash lighting devices are connected by wireless communication using light or radio waves, and the wirelessly connected flash lighting devices emit light synchronously at the shutter timing of an imaging device.

[0003] Generally, the connection setting of wireless communication requires manual setting of two or more flash lighting devices to be connected. Items to be set in the connection setting include a wireless role configuration (assignment of transmitter / receiver) indicating a role related to wireless communication, a communication channel configuration, and a network ID configuration in radio wave wireless communication.

[0004] In wireless flash photography, since the main flash lighting device needs to send an instruction of the light emission timing synchronized with the shutter timing of the imaging device to the slave flash lighting device, the flash lighting device mounted on the imaging device must be the main device. If it is necessary to manually set the wireless role configuration when mounting the flash lighting device on the imaging device, it is troublesome.

[0005] In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-89309 (JP 2000-89309A, one of the priority applications of US 6404987B1) discloses a technique for changing the wireless role configuration in association with mounting a flash lighting device on an imaging device. In this technique, when a flash lighting device set as a receiver is connected to the imaging device and performs communication detection, the mode changes to a mode in which normal light emission is possible. Therefore, when connected to the imaging device, the flash lighting device set as a receiver can always emit a flash.

[0006] However, the change in the wireless role configuration disclosed in the above disclosure is limited to the operation in the state where the flash lighting device is set as a receiver, and automatic setting of the wireless role configuration cannot be achieved regardless of the state of the flash lighting device. Therefore, there is room for improvement in reducing the workload of setting the wireless role configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a flash light-emitting device detachable from an imaging device, the flash light-emitting device including: a light-emitting unit configured to emit a flash; at least one processor; and a memory coupled to the processor storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to function as the following units: a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion; a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to and receive control information from another flash light-emitting device; and a setting unit configured to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash light-emitting device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash light-emitting device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash light-emitting device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit. In a case where the role configuration is the receiver and it is determined that the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device, the setting unit changes the role configuration to the transmitter, and in a case where the role configuration is the transmitter and it is determined that the first communication unit cannot communicate with the imaging device, the role configuration is changed to the receiver.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the workload of role configuration related to wireless communication can be reduced.

[0009] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless flash photography system.

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a wireless flash photography system.

[0012] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a front view of a flash.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic wireless role setting process.

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a manual wireless role setting process.

[0015] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a pairing process.

[0016] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a manual wireless role setting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless flash photography system to which a flash emission device according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0019] As examples of the flash emission device, there are flash devices 300S and 300R. The flash devices 300S and 300R may be referred to as flashlights. The wireless flash photography system includes a camera 100 as a camera device main body, a lens unit 200, a flash device 300S directly attached to the camera 100, and a flash device 300R independent of the camera 100.

[0020] The flash devices 300S and 300R communicate wirelessly with each other through a wireless module 312 ( Figure 2 ). The flash device 300S and the flash device 300R may be of the same model or different models as long as they can communicate wirelessly with each other.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a state where it is assumed that flash photography is performed in a photography studio, and the camera 100 is fixed by a tripod 503 and faces the subject 501 and the screen 502. In the present embodiment, the flash device 300S connected to the camera 100 is used as the main unit, and the flash device 300R independent of the camera 100 is used as the slave unit, thereby realizing flash synchronization photography in which the light emission timing is synchronized with the shutter timing of the camera 100.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the wireless flash photography system. The system includes a camera 100, a lens unit 200 that can be attached to and detached from the camera 100, and a flash device 300S that can be attached to and detached from the camera 100. It is not necessary that the camera device main body and the lens unit are separately configured, and it is also applicable to a camera device in which the camera device main body and the lens unit are integrally configured. The plurality of flash devices 300S and 300R should have the same configuration.

[0023] The camera 100 includes an image sensor 101 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The image sensor 101 performs photoelectric conversion on the optical image formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 101 through the optical system of the lens unit 200, and outputs the obtained analog image signal as image data to the A / D converter.

[0024] The shutter 103 is provided on the optical path of the light incident via the lens unit 200 to control the exposure state of the image sensor 101. The shutter 103 is in a closed state when no image is being captured to block light from reaching the image sensor 101, and is in an open state when an image is being captured (when performing live view, when capturing a still image, or when obtaining a still image) to guide the incident light to the image sensor 101. The operation of the shutter 103 is controlled by the camera controller 102, and the opening and closing of the shutter 103 are controlled according to the exposure time determined for imaging. Although Figure 2 the example in

[0025] shows a configuration in which the exposure control of the image sensor 101 is performed by a so-called mechanical shutter, the exposure control can also be achieved by a so-called electronic shutter, which is realized by cumulative control through the image sensor 101.

[0026] The camera controller 102 sends signals to the focus unit 205 and the aperture driver 204 of the lens unit 200 via the camera mounting portion 120, the lens mounting portion 220 in the lens unit 200, and the lens controller 206.

[0027] The photometry unit 105 can perform amplification, logarithmic compression, A / D conversion, etc. on the signal obtained from the image sensor 101 that also serves as a photometry sensor (specifically, the luminance signal corresponding to the brightness of the object field), and obtain the result as object field luminance information.

[0028] The autofocus detection unit 106 performs A / D conversion on the signal voltage from the detection elements (pixels) for phase difference detection included in the pixels constituting the image sensor 101. Then, the camera controller 102 calculates the distance to the subject corresponding to each focus detection point from the conversion signal of the detection element. This is a known technique called image plane phase difference AF.

[0029] The image processor 108 performs various image processes on the image data stored in the RAM. Specifically, the image processor 108 performs various image processes for developing, displaying, and recording digital image data, such as correction processes for pixel defects caused by the optical system or the image sensor, demosaicing processes, white balance correction processes, color interpolation processes, and gamma processes.

[0030] The signal input unit 107 is, for example, a release button and includes a switch SW1 that is turned on by a first tap and a switch SW2 that is turned on by a second tap. When the switch SW1 is turned on, it indicates the start of photometry and distance measurement of the camera 100, and when the switch SW2 is turned on, it sends the start of a shooting operation to the camera controller 102.

[0031] The recording / output unit 109 records data including the image data in a recording medium such as a removable memory card and outputs the recorded data to an external device via an external interface.

[0032] The flash device 300S is physically mounted on the camera 100 by connecting the camera-side ACC mounting portion 140 of the camera 100 and the flash-side ACC mounting portion 340 of the flash device 300S. The flash-side ACC mounting portion 340 is an example of a “mounting portion” that detachably mounts the flash device 300S on the camera 100.

[0033] The camera-side ACC mounting portion 140 includes a communication terminal 140a, and the flash-side ACC mounting portion 340 includes a communication terminal 340a. When the flash device 300S is mounted on the camera 100, the camera 100 and the lens unit 200 can communicate with each other via the communication terminals 140a and 340a of the ACC mounting portions 140 and 340. The communication terminal 340a serves as a first communication unit that communicates with the camera 100 via the flash-side ACC mounting portion 340. When an instruction signal from the camera controller 102 is sent to the flash controller 311, the flash emission of a flash light-emitting tube 321, which will be described later, is controlled according to an instruction from the flash controller 311 that has received the instruction signal.

[0034] The lens unit 200 has an optical system including a zoom lens 201, a focusing lens 202, an aperture 203, etc. The lens unit 200 guides the light beam from the subject to the image sensor 101 in a state of being mounted on the camera 100 and forms an object image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 101.

[0035] The lens controller 206 receives an instruction signal from the camera controller 102 via mounting portion contacts (not shown) provided in the camera mounting portion 120 and the lens mounting portion 220. The aperture driver 204 and the focusing unit 205 are driven and controlled by an instruction from the lens controller 206.

[0036] The configuration of the flash device 300S will now be described. The flash device 300S generally consists of a flash main body 310, a flash head 320, and a reflection mechanism 330.

[0037] The flash main body 310 includes a main substrate (not shown) on which a flash controller 311 for controlling the entire flash device 300S is mounted, etc. The flash main body 310 includes a wireless module 312, a power supply 313, a flash operation member 314 including a power switch, a display unit 315, a memory unit 316, and a flash-side ACC mount 340.

[0038] The flash controller 311 communicates with the camera controller 102 via a communication terminal 340a provided in the flash-side ACC mount 340, and controls flash emission in response to a light emission instruction from the camera controller 102 or an instruction from the flash operation member 314.

[0039] The memory unit 316 stores the change history of the set wireless role configuration (described later). The memory unit 316 includes areas for storing the "communicating / non-communicating" state and the "automatically changed / manually changed" state that change when the wireless role configuration changes.

[0040] The wireless module 312 includes an antenna (not shown) and performs wireless communication with another flash device 300R equipped with the wireless module 312 via the antenna by means such as IEEE802.15.4, which is a known wireless communication standard. Therefore, the wireless module 312 is an example of a "second communication unit" that wirelessly transmits control information to another flash device 300R and receives control information from it.

[0041] The flash controller 311 sends information for controlling the light emission timing and light emission amount to another flash device 300R via the wireless module 312. The reflection mechanism 330 is a known irradiation direction changing mechanism in an external flash device. The reflection mechanism 330 holds the flash head 320 so that it can rotate in the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the flash main body 310, thereby enabling reflective photography that changes the irradiation direction of flash emission. The reflection mechanism 330 houses a main capacitor 331. A boost circuit (not shown) boosts the voltage of the power supply 313 to several hundred volts and charges electrical energy into the main capacitor 331. A resistor for detecting the voltage of the main capacitor 331 is incorporated in a part of the boost circuit.

[0042] The flash head 320 houses a flash emission tube 321 required for flash emission. The flash emission tube 321 is an example of a "light emission unit" that emits a flash. The flash emission tube 321 is a xenon tube or a quartz tube, and emits a flash by converting the electric energy charged in the main capacitor 331 into light energy according to a light emission signal from the flash controller 311. A reflector umbrella and a Fresnel lens (not shown) are arranged around the flash emission tube 321 to adjust the light distribution.

[0043] Next, various configurations for wirelessly connecting flash devices will be described with reference to Figure 3A and Figure 3B Descriptions will be given of various configurations for wirelessly connecting flash devices. Figure 3A and Figure 3B are front views of the flash devices 300S and 300R, respectively. The main difference between the flash device 300S and the flash device 300R lies in the display content on the display unit 315.

[0044] In settings related to wireless communication of radio waves in the flash device, three configurations need to be set, including a wireless role configuration, a communication channel configuration, and a network ID configuration. The wireless role configuration is a configuration that indicates the role related to wireless communication of the wireless module 312, and can be switched between a transmitter, a receiver, and wireless connection off. The transmitter is a configuration in which the flash device 300S becomes a device that sends control information to another flash device 300R. The receiver is a configuration in which the flash device 300R receives control information from another flash device 300S. Wireless connection off (communication off) is a configuration in which wireless communication with another flash device 300R is not performed. The flash controller 311, which is a setting unit, sets any one of these as the wireless role configuration.

[0045] The flash device 300S set as the transmitter functions to communicate with the camera 100, and sends the light emission timing and the light emission amount synchronized with the shutter of the camera 100 as instructions to other surrounding flash devices 300R. The flash device 300R set as the receiver is arranged at a position far from the camera 100, and emits light synchronously with the instructions from the flash device 300S set as the transmitter. The flash device 300S in the wireless connection off state does not perform wireless communication with another flash device 300R.

[0046] Communication channel configuration (hereinafter referred to as CH configuration) is a configuration for specifying the frequency band to be used, and is set to match the frequency channel of the flash device 300S set as the transmitter and the frequency channel of the flash device 300R set as the receiver. In recent years, many devices are equipped with wireless communication methods in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), and Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark). Since these may cause communication interference and make the wireless connection unstable, it is necessary to set the CH configuration by avoiding the frequency channels where the wireless connections cross.

[0047] Network ID configuration (hereinafter referred to as ID configuration) is a configuration for identifying the wireless network to participate in, and is set to match the ID configuration of the flash device 300S set as the transmitter and the ID configuration of the flash device 300R set as the receiver. By setting the same network ID, the flash devices 300S and 300R can perform mutual wireless communication.

[0048] As Figure 3A shown, the icon 315S indicating the transmitter is displayed on the display unit 315 of the flash device 300S set as the transmitter. As Figure 3B shown, the icon 315R indicating the receiver is displayed on the display unit 315 of the flash device 300R set as the receiver. In addition, the frequency channel 315CH and the network ID 315ID are also displayed on each display device 315.

[0049] The flash operation unit 314 includes a dial, a cross key, a determination button, and a power slide switch. The user can move the cursor position to the setting display of each wireless connection displayed on the display unit 315 and operate the determination button to switch to the screen of each wireless connection configuration and perform setting and change operations.

[0050] When a wireless communication link is established between the flash device 300S and the flash device 300R, the control LED 317 is turned on. If the wireless communication link is not established, the control LED 317 blinks or is turned on in a color different from that in the case of establishing the link. With such a configuration, the LED 317 can notify the user of the link state of the wireless communication.

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the automatic wireless role setting process. This process is achieved by the CPU (not shown) of the flash controller 311 loading the program stored in the ROM (not shown) of the memory unit 316 into the RAM (not shown) of the memory unit 316 and executing the program.

[0052] This process starts when the flash device 300S is attached to or detached from the camera 100, or when the flash device 300 is powered on. Attachment / detachment to / from the camera 100 can be detected by conduction / non-conduction between the communication terminal 140a and the communication terminal 340a, or can also be detected by another sensor. In addition, when a signal is received from the camera 100 by turning on the switch SW1, or the above process is executed at a predetermined time interval. Note that the wireless role configuration is automatically set by the process in Figure 4 , but the user manually sets the ID configuration and the CH configuration.

[0053] In step S101, the flash controller 311 determines whether the communication state with the camera controller 102 of the camera 100 (the communication state via the communication terminals 340a and 140a) has changed. For example, when the flash device 300S is mounted on the camera 100 and communication starts, or when the flash device 300 is removed from the camera 100 and communication is lost, it is determined that the communication state has changed.

[0054] As a result of the determination in step S101, when the communication state with the camera 100 has not changed, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the communication state with the camera 100 has changed, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0055] In step S102, the flash controller 311 confirms the latest record in the change history of the wireless role configuration stored in the memory unit 316. As will be described in detail later, the change history of the wireless role configuration includes an automatic change record and a manual change record. The automatic change record is stored in step S107 or step S304 in Figure 6 , and the manual change record is stored in step S203 in Figure 5 . The latest record in the change history is the information stored in the memory unit 316 as the latest record in the change history of the wireless role configuration.

[0056] In step S103, the flash controller 311 determines whether the latest record in the change history stored in the memory unit 316 is a manual change record. When the latest record in the change history is a manual change record, the flash controller 311 ends this process because this indicates that an interruption of the manual change of the wireless role configuration has occurred. On the other hand, when the latest record in the change history is not a manual change record, the flash controller 311 proceeds with the process to step S104.

[0057] In step S104, the flash controller 311 determines whether communication with the camera controller 102 of the camera 100 (hereinafter referred to as ACC communication to distinguish it from the wireless communication with the flash device 300R) is possible. Here, when the flash-side ACC mounting portion 340 of the flash device 300S is attached to the camera-side ACC mounting portion 140 and communication is established through the communication terminals 140a and 340a, it is determined that ACC communication is possible. This means that the flash device 300S and the camera 100 are in communication.

[0058] Then, when ACC communication is possible, the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S105. However, when ACC communication is not possible, the flash controller 311 determines that the flash device 300S is located at a position far from the camera 100 and proceeds to step S108.

[0059] In step S105, the flash controller 311 determines whether the current wireless role configuration is wireless connection off. Then, when the current wireless role configuration is wireless connection off, the flash controller 311 ends this process. Thus, the wireless connection off state is maintained. On the other hand, when the current wireless role configuration is not wireless connection off, the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S106.

[0060] In step S106, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to transmitter. Thus, when the wireless role configuration is transmitter, the configuration is maintained, and when the wireless role configuration is receiver, the configuration is automatically changed to transmitter.

[0061] In step S107, the content of the wireless role configuration and the record of the automatic change of the wireless role configuration are saved in the memory unit 316. Thus, when the process transfers from step S106, the fact that the wireless role configuration has been automatically changed during communication with the camera 100 (including the case of maintaining the transmitter) is stored.

[0062] On the other hand, in step S108, since the flash controller 311 is not communicating with the camera 100, the flash controller 311 determines whether the current wireless role configuration is transmitter. If the current wireless role configuration is not transmitter (is receiver or wireless connection off), the flash controller 311 ends this process. This will maintain the receiver or wireless connection off.

[0063] On the other hand, when the current wireless role configuration is the transmitter, the flash controller 311 proceeds with the process to step S109, changes the wireless role configuration from the transmitter to the receiver, and proceeds with the process to step S107. When the process transfers from step S109 to step S107, the fact that the wireless role configuration automatically changes to the receiver during the period when communication with the camera 100 is not established is stored. Therefore, every time the wireless role configuration is automatically changed, the latest record in the change history is updated. After step S107, the flash controller 311 ends this process.

[0064] In this way, when the wireless role configuration is the transmitter or the receiver, it can be determined that the user intends to perform wireless photography. Therefore, when ACC communication is available, the wireless role configuration is set to the transmitter (S106). On the other hand, if the wireless role configuration is the transmitter when ACC communication is disconnected (released), the wireless role configuration changes from the transmitter to the receiver (S109).

[0065] This is because, in wireless flash photography, it is appropriate that the flash device connected to the camera serves as the master unit and the flash lamp arranged at a position far from the camera serves as the slave unit. Therefore, the master unit is set as the transmitter and the slave unit is set as the receiver. For example, when the user intends to perform wireless flash photography in advance, the wireless connection configuration does not automatically change to wireless connection off. Therefore, wireless role setting is supported by considering the user's intention.

[0066] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the manual wireless role setting process. The execution subject of this process is the same as that of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ). This process is started in response to an operation of manually changing the wireless role configuration, for example, by the flash operation component 314. Even during the execution of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ), this process can be executed by interruption.

[0067] In step S201, the flash controller 311 determines whether there is a manual change operation of the wireless role configuration by the user. The flash controller 311 can set the wireless role configuration based on a user instruction. For example, the user can indicate a change in the wireless role configuration by operating the flash operation component 314 and changing the item of the wireless role configuration displayed on the display unit 315. Then, when there is no manual change operation of the wireless role configuration, the flash controller 311 ends this process. On the other hand, when there is a manual change operation of the wireless role configuration, the flash controller 311 proceeds with the process to step S202.

[0068] In step S202, the flash controller 311 changes the content of the wireless role configuration according to a manual change operation. In step S203, the flash controller 311 stores the content of the manually changed wireless role configuration and the manual change record of the wireless role configuration in the memory unit 316. Note that the manual change record also stores information indicating whether the flash controller 311 is communicating with the camera 100 in an associated manner. Therefore, every time the wireless role configuration is manually changed, the latest record in the change history is updated. Thereafter, the flash controller 311 ends this process.

[0069] The latest record in the change history is used in the determination in step S103. According to the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ), in principle, the flash device 300S mounted on the camera 100 automatically becomes a transmitter. On the other hand, the manual change operation is an operation intentionally performed by the user. Therefore, as described above, when the latest record in the change history in step S103 is a manual change record, the current wireless role configuration is maintained. That is, when the manual change operation is performed, the result of the interrupt process is prioritized. Therefore, even when the flash device is mounted on the camera 100, or even after the mounting on the camera 100 is removed, the settings of the manual change operation are observed.

[0070] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the pairing process. The execution subject of this process is the same as that of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ). This process starts in response to an operation to start pairing with the flash operation unit 314, for example. Even during the execution of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ), this process can be executed by interruption.

[0071] Pairing is a known technique for automatically matching the CH configuration and the ID configuration when the flash devices to be connected are close to each other and the pairing operation of each flash device is started. In pairing, the user operates the flash operation units 314 of the flash devices 300S and 300R placed nearby within 1m, for example, and performs the pairing start operation of each flash device. For example, when pairing starts, the CH configuration and the ID configuration of the transmitter are notified to the receiver, and the same CH configuration and ID configuration are set on both sides. Conventionally, before starting pairing, the user needs to manually set the wireless role configuration (transmitter / receiver) by himself / herself. On the other hand, the pairing process ( Figure 6 ) can automatically set the wireless role configuration simultaneously with the pairing settings.

[0072] In step S301, the flash controller 311 determines whether there is a pairing operation of the flash operation unit 314. When there is no pairing operation, the flash controller 311 ends this process. When there is a pairing operation, the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S302.

[0073] In step S302, similar to step S104, the flash controller 311 determines whether it is possible to perform ACC communication with the camera controller 102. When ACC communication is possible, the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S303. However, when ACC communication is not possible, the flash controller 311 determines that the flash is located at a position far from the camera 100 and proceeds to step S305.

[0074] In step S303, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to the transmitter and enters step S304. In step S305, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to the receiver and proceeds to step S304.

[0075] In step S304, the content of the wireless role configuration set in step S303 or S305, the information indicating whether the flash controller 311 is communicating with the camera 100, and the record of the automatic change of the wireless role configuration are stored in the memory unit 316, and this process is terminated.

[0076] In this way, when a pairing operation is performed, the transmitter / receiver can be set based on whether communication with the camera 100 is possible, thus saving the user the trouble of pre-setting the transmitter / receiver.

[0077] According to this embodiment, when it is confirmed that the ACC communication with the camera 100 starts via the communication terminals 140a and 340a, and when the wireless role configuration is the receiver, the wireless role configuration becomes the transmitter (S106). When it is confirmed that the ACC communication is released, and when the wireless role configuration is the transmitter, the wireless role configuration is changed to the receiver (S109). This basically automates the wireless role setting and reduces the burden on the user. Therefore, the burden of role setting related to wireless communication can be reduced.

[0078] Except when the latest record in the change history is a manually changed record, unless the wireless role configuration is wireless connection off, when it is confirmed that the ACC communication starts, the wireless role configuration will become the transmitter (S104 to S105 to S106). That is, when the flash device 300S is installed on the camera 100, it is set as the transmitter. From this perspective, the burden of role setting related to wireless communication can be reduced.

[0079] In addition, when the wireless role configuration is a transmitter or the wireless connection is closed upon confirmation of the start of ACC communication, the wireless role configuration remains as it is (S105, S106). Further, when the release of ACC communication is confirmed and the wireless role configuration is a receiver or the wireless connection is closed (No in S108), the wireless role configuration remains as it is. Thus, the wireless role setting is supported by considering the user's intention.

[0080] In addition, when a change in the communication state with the camera 100 is confirmed and the latest record in the change history stored in the memory unit 316 is a manual change record (set based on a user instruction (Yes in S103)), the wireless role configuration indicated by the latest record in the change history remains as it is. This allows respecting the manual setting of the wireless role configuration according to the user's intention.

[0081] In addition, when pairing is indicated during communication with the camera 100, the wireless role configuration is set to a transmitter, and when pairing is indicated during non-communication with the camera 100, the wireless role is set to a receiver. This can eliminate the need for the user to manually set the wireless role during pairing.

[0082] It should be noted that the display device 315 is not necessarily used for the pairing operation. For example, if the flash operation component 314 has a button dedicated to pairing, this button can be used to set the transmitter / receiver together with the settings of the CH configuration and the ID configuration.

[0083] In addition, the automatic change of the wireless role configuration can be triggered by the setting operation of the CH configuration or the ID configuration, and is not limited to the pairing operation.

[0084] Manual wireless role setting process ( Figure 5 ) and pairing process ( Figure 6 ) can be executed independently, and are not limited to the interruption process during the execution of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ).

[0085] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the manual wireless role setting process in the second embodiment. The execution subject and start condition of this process are the same as those of the automatic wireless role setting process ( Figure 4 ).

[0086] In this embodiment, the automatic wireless role setting process is different from that of the first embodiment, and other configurations ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , etc.) are the same. Note that the manual wireless role setting process ( Figure 5 ) and / or the pairing process ( Figure 6 ) can be used in combination.

[0087] The flash operation unit 314 ( Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B ) includes a wireless role switch as an operation unit operated by the user. The wireless role switch can be configured, for example, by providing four positions of power-off, wireless connection off, receiver, and transmitter for a power slide switch included in the flash operation unit 314. Alternatively, the wireless role switch can be a slide switch dedicated to wireless role setting with three independent positions of wireless connection off, receiver, and transmitter. For example, the position of the wireless role switch indicates the wireless role configuration that the user wants to set.

[0088] In step S401, the flash controller 311 determines whether the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch of the flash operation unit 314 is wireless connection off. Then, when the wireless role setting indicated by the wireless role switch is wireless connection off, the flash controller 311 ends this process. Therefore, when the wireless role switch indicates wireless connection off, the wireless role configuration is wireless connection off regardless of the communication state with the camera 100.

[0089] On the other hand, when the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch is not wireless connection off (is a transmitter or a receiver), the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S402. In step S402, as in step S104, the flash controller 311 determines whether it is possible to perform ACC communication with the camera controller 102. When ACC communication is possible, the flash controller 311 proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, when ACC communication is not possible, the flash controller 311 determines that the flash device 300S is located away from the camera 100 and proceeds to step S404.

[0090] In step S403, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to a transmitter. Therefore, regardless of the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch (even if the wireless role switch is a receiver), the wireless role configuration is set to a transmitter.

[0091] In step S404, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch. Therefore, when the current wireless role configuration is different from the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch, the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch is restored.

[0092] As described above, through the automatic setting of the wireless role in the case of having a mechanical switch for determining the wireless role configuration, the time and effort of the user are reduced by supporting the setting that enables the flash device 300S connected to and communicating with the camera 100 to automatically become a transmitter.

[0093] According to the present embodiment, when the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch is a transmitter or a receiver, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to a transmitter when confirming the start of communication with the camera 100. In addition, when the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch is a transmitter or a receiver, the flash controller 311 sets the wireless role configuration to the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless role switch when confirming the release of communication with the camera 100. This can achieve the same effect as the first embodiment in terms of reducing the burden of role setting for wireless communication.

[0094] Unless the wireless role configuration is wireless connection off, when confirming the start of ACC communication, the wireless role configuration will become a transmitter (S402 to S403). On the other hand, unless the wireless role configuration is wireless connection off, when confirming the release of ACC communication, the wireless role configuration is set to the wireless role configuration indicated by the wireless switching function (S402 to S404). From this perspective, the burden of role setting related to wireless communication can be reduced.

[0095] Note that regardless of the presence or absence of a wireless role switch, the wireless role configuration can be a transmitter when confirming the start of ACC communication. In addition, the wireless role configuration can be a receiver when confirming the release of ACC communication.

[0096] Other Embodiments

[0097] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by the following method, that is, by providing software (program) that executes the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device through a network or various storage media, and a method in which a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0098] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0099] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-006637 filed on January 19, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A flash lighting device detachable from a camera device, the flash lighting device comprising: A lighting unit configured to emit a flash; At least one processor; And A memory coupled to the processor storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to function as the following units: A first communication unit configured to communicate with the camera device via a mounting portion; A second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to another flash lighting device and wirelessly receive control information from the another flash lighting device; And A setting unit configured to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the another flash lighting device, a receiver that receives the control information from the another flash lighting device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the another flash lighting device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, wherein, when the role configuration is the receiver and it is determined that the first communication unit can communicate with the camera device, the setting unit changes the role configuration to the transmitter, and when the role configuration is the transmitter and it is determined that the first communication unit cannot communicate with the camera device, the role configuration is changed to the receiver.

2. The flash light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein, When the role configuration is the transmitter or the communication shutdown and it is determined that the first communication unit can communicate with the camera device, the setting unit maintains the role configuration unchanged.

3. The flash lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, When the role configuration is the receiver or the communication shutdown and it is determined that the first communication unit cannot communicate with the camera device, the setting unit maintains the role configuration unchanged.

4. The flash lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit storing a change history of the role configuration, Among them, the setting unit being able to set the role configuration based on a user instruction, and wherein, when setting the latest record in the change history stored in the memory unit based on the user instruction and confirming a change in the communication state between the first communication unit and the camera device, the setting unit maintains the role configuration indicated by the latest record in the change history.

5. The flash light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein, When indicating pairing during communication with the camera device, the setting unit sets the role configuration to the transmitter.

6. The flash lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, When indicating pairing during non-communication with the camera device, the setting unit sets the role configuration to the receiver.

7. A flash lighting device detachable from a camera device, the flash lighting device comprising: A lighting unit configured to emit a flash; At least one processor; And A memory coupled to the processor storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to function as the following units: A first communication unit configured to communicate with the camera device via a mounting portion; A second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to another flash lighting device and wirelessly receive control information from the another flash lighting device; A setting unit configured to set any one of a transmitter that sends the control information to the other flash device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit; And An operation component operated by a user to manually set the role configuration, wherein, when the role configuration indicated by the operation component is the transmitter or the receiver and it is determined that the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device, the setting unit sets the role configuration as the transmitter.

8. The flash light emitting device according to claim 7, wherein, When the role configuration indicated by the operation component is the transmitter or the receiver and the first communication unit cannot communicate with the imaging device, the setting unit sets the role configuration indicated by the operation component.

9. The flash lighting device according to claim 7, wherein, When the role configuration indicated by the operation component is communication shutdown, regardless of the communication state with the imaging device, the setting unit sets the role configuration as communication shutdown.

10. A flash device detachable from an imaging device, the flash device comprising: A light-emitting unit configured to emit a flash; At least one processor; And A memory coupled to the processor storing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to function as the following units: A first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion; A second communication unit configured to wirelessly send control information to another flash device and wirelessly receive control information from the other flash device; A setting unit configured to set any one of a transmitter that sends the control information to the other flash device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, wherein, when it is determined that the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device, the setting unit sets the role configuration as the transmitter.

11. A control method for a flash device detachable from an imaging device, the flash device comprising a light-emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, and a second communication unit configured to wirelessly send control information to another flash device and wirelessly receive control information from the other flash device, and the flash device being able to set any one of a transmitter that sends the control information to the other flash device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, the control method comprising: Determining whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; When the role configuration is the receiver and it is determined that communication is possible, change the role configuration to the transmitter; and When the role configuration is the transmitter and it is determined that communication is not possible, change the role configuration to the receiver.

12. A control method for a flash device detachable from an imaging device, the flash device including a light emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to another flash device and wirelessly receive control information from the other flash device, and an operation member operated by a user to manually set a role configuration related to wireless communication of the second communication unit, and the flash device being able to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash device, and communication off that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash device as the role configuration, the control method including: Determine whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; and When the role configuration indicated by the operation member is the transmitter or the receiver and it is determined that communication is possible, set the role configuration to the transmitter.

13. A control method for a flash device detachable from an imaging device, the flash device including a light emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, and a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to another flash device and wirelessly receive control information from the other flash device, and the flash device being able to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash device, and communication off that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash device as a role configuration related to wireless communication of the second communication unit, the control method including: Determine whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; and When it is determined that communication is possible, set the role configuration to the transmitter.

14. A non - transitory computer - readable storage medium storing a control program, the control program causing a computer to execute a control method for a flash - emitting device detachable from an imaging device, the flash - emitting device including a light - emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, and a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to and receive control information from another flash - emitting device, and the flash - emitting device being able to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash - emitting device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash - emitting device, and a communication - off that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash - emitting device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, the control method including: Determining whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; And When the role configuration is the receiver and it is determined that communication is possible, changing the role configuration to the transmitter; And When the role configuration is the transmitter and it is determined that communication is not possible, changing the role configuration to the receiver.

15. A non - transitory computer - readable storage medium storing a control program, the control program causing a computer to execute a control method for a flash - emitting device detachable from an imaging device, the flash - emitting device including a light - emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to and receive control information from another flash - emitting device, and an operation component operated by a user to manually set a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, and the flash - emitting device being able to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash - emitting device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash - emitting device, and a communication - off that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash - emitting device as the role configuration, the control method including: Determining whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; And When the role configuration indicated by the operation component is the transmitter or the receiver and it is determined that communication is possible, setting the role configuration as the transmitter.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a flash light-emitting device detachable from an imaging device, the flash light-emitting device including a light-emitting unit configured to emit a flash, a first communication unit configured to communicate with the imaging device via a mounting portion, and a second communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit control information to and receive control information from another flash light-emitting device, and the flash light-emitting device being able to set any one of a transmitter that transmits the control information to the other flash light-emitting device, a receiver that receives the control information from the other flash light-emitting device, and a communication shutdown that does not perform wireless communication with the other flash light-emitting device as a role configuration related to the wireless communication of the second communication unit, the control method including: Determining whether the first communication unit can communicate with the imaging device; And When it is determined that communication is possible, setting the role configuration to the transmitter.

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