Lighting control device and system, imaging device

Abstract

To perform light emission control according to the remaining battery level of a plurality of illumination devices.SOLUTION: A control device control unit 301 communicates with an illumination device 400 via a control device ACC shoe 306 or a control device radio communication unit 302. The control device control unit 301 acquires necessary amount of luminescence Y that is needed for the light emission of an illumination device 400 at photographing, and acquires maximum amount of luminescence Amax to Dmax that can be emitted by each of illumination devices 400, and acquires remaining battery level information from each illumination device 400. The control device control unit 301 transmits (outputs) to a camera 100, light quantity information that indicates the total amount of light quantity indicating the light quantity of a plurality of illumination devices 400. On the basis of the necessary amount of luminescence Y, the amount of luminescence Amax to Dmax, and the remaining battery level information, the control device control unit 301 determines the amount of luminescence of each illumination device 400 at imaging time (amount of luminescence (A-D), and controls the illumination device in such a manner that the illumination devices 400 emit light with the amount of luminescence A-D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control device and system, and an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, shooting has been performed using clip-on lighting devices or lighting devices fixed to stands. In these shootings, the photographer arranges, for example, a lighting device fixed to a stand around the subject, and diffuses the light of the lighting device with an umbrella or a diffuser to control the shadow of the subject. In shooting using such a lighting device, the arrangement and light amount of the lighting device are adjusted and controlled to emit light with a desired light amount.

[0003] Also, as an example of shooting, in order to eliminate insufficient light amount in a wide space or when the distance from the subject is far, a plurality of lighting devices are fixed to the same stand, and the light sources of the lighting devices are brought close to each other to enable pseudo-high light amount emission. Shooting is known. In shooting using such a lighting device, due to repeated high light amount emission, the charging of the lighting device may not keep up with the continuous shooting speed of the camera, resulting in light emission omission or inability to emit light due to heat generation limitation.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system that assigns numbers to a plurality of sub-accessories connected to a main accessory and communicates independently with each sub-accessory to make it easier to recognize the identification number. The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an identification function of a main accessory and sub-accessories in a plurality of lighting devices, and a communication function for communicating with these.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, when using multiple lighting devices, if some of them run out of batteries, it becomes difficult to achieve the simulated high-intensity light emission, so it is necessary to replace depleted batteries promptly. However, if the remaining battery life differs among the lighting devices, the timing of battery replacement will vary from device to device, increasing the frequency of replacement work. From the perspective of maintaining the simulated high-intensity light emission for a long period of time, it is desirable to have a low frequency of battery replacement work.

[0007] The present invention aims to control the light emission of multiple lighting devices according to their remaining battery levels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention comprises: communication means for communicating with a plurality of lighting devices; a first acquisition means for acquiring required light emission amount information indicating the amount of light emission required for imaging by an imaging unit; a second acquisition means for acquiring maximum light emission amount information indicating the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device with which communication has been established by the communication means; a third acquisition means for acquiring remaining battery information indicating the remaining battery charge of each lighting device; an output means for outputting light emission amount information based on the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device with which communication has been established by the communication means; a determination means for determining the amount of light emission of each lighting device during imaging based on the required light emission amount information acquired by the first acquisition means, the maximum light emission amount information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the remaining battery charge information acquired by the third acquisition means; and a control means for causing the lighting devices to emit light at the amount of light emission determined by the determination means. The determination means determines, based on the maximum light emission amount information and the remaining amount information, an amount corresponding to the maximum number of times each of the lighting devices can emit light as the light emission amount of each of the lighting devices, and the determination means sets the light emission amount of the lighting device whose maximum number of times is a first number to a value greater than the light emission amount of the lighting device whose maximum number of times is a second number which is less than the first number. It is characterized by doing so. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to control the light emission of multiple lighting devices according to their battery levels. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]It is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the imaging system. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing camera processing. [Figure 3] It is a continuation flowchart of FIG. 2 showing camera processing. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the first control device. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the second control device. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the combined light quantity calculation processing. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the lighting device. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the light emission operation processing. [Figure 9] It is an external view of the control device. [Figure 10] It is an external view of the control device. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the light emission control processing. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation processing. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation processing. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation processing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an imaging system to which the lighting control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. This imaging system (lighting control system) includes a camera 100 as an imaging device (imaging unit), a photographing lens 200, a control device 300 as a lighting control device, and a plurality of lighting devices 400 (400a to 400d).

[0013] The photographing lens 200 is mounted on the front part of the camera 100. The photographing lens 200 is replaceable, and the camera 100 and the photographing lens 200 are electrically connected via the mount contact group 103. A camera ACC shoe 109 is provided on the upper surface of the camera 100. The camera control unit 101 is a microcomputer that controls the operations of each part of the camera 100. The camera control unit 101 also has a built-in memory that stores various adjustment values, programs for executing various controls, etc. This built-in memory also serves as a buffer memory for temporarily storing various data processed at various locations.

[0014] The imaging device 102 converts the light from the subject incident through the lens 202 into an electrical signal, generates an image signal including a still image and a moving image, and outputs it to the camera control unit 101. The shutter 104 is a focal plane shutter. The shutter 104 is disposed between the imaging device 102 and the lens 202 and operates according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101. The shutter 104 is composed of a front curtain and a rear curtain. When the front curtain runs and the shutter opens, the exposure of the imaging device 102 starts, and when the rear curtain runs and the shutter closes, the exposure of the imaging device 102 ends.

[0015] The camera operation unit 105 includes operation members operated by the user. The camera operation unit 105 detects the operations performed by the user via buttons, switches, dials, connected devices, etc., and sends a signal corresponding to the operation instruction to the camera control unit 101. In the still image mode, the camera operation unit 105 outputs an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as SW1 signal) generated when the user half-presses the release button to the camera control unit 101. Also, the camera operation unit 105 outputs an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as SW2 signal) generated when the user performs a full-press operation of deeply pressing the release button to the camera control unit 101. In the moving image mode, the camera operation unit 105 outputs an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as REC signal) generated when the user operates the recording button to the camera control unit 101. The camera display unit 106 displays photographing information and a photographed image according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101.

[0016] The camera control unit 101 controls the operation of the camera 100 based on the output signal from the camera operation unit 105. When the output signal from the camera operation unit 105 is the SW1 signal, the camera control unit 101 drives the image sensor 102 to take an image and outputs focus information such as the defocus amount of each metering point. Furthermore, the camera control unit 101 detects a subject from the image result and repeatedly performs metering control (AE operation) to measure the brightness of the subject, and determines the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity to be used during shooting from the metering result. Here, the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity to be used during shooting are collectively referred to as the "exposure control value". The determined exposure control value is displayed on the screen of the camera display unit 106.

[0017] When the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is a SW2 ON signal, the camera control unit 101 drives the aperture 203 in the lens 202, sets the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) of the image sensor 102, and controls the shutter 104 to illuminate the image sensor 102 with light. When the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is a REC signal, the camera control unit 101 sets the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) and frame rate of the image sensor 102, drives the image sensor 102 to take an image, and outputs focus information such as the amount of defocus at each distance measurement point. Furthermore, the camera control unit 101 detects a subject from the imaging result and illuminates the image sensor 102 with light while repeatedly performing photometering control (AE operation) to measure the brightness of the subject. The lens control unit 201 drives the focus lens (not shown) in the lens 202 to adjust the focus according to instructions from the camera control unit 101 and repeatedly performs autofocus. The camera control unit 101 controls the display of the captured image on the screen of the camera display unit 106 according to the image data acquired from the image sensor 102, and also controls the writing of the image data (including sound information) to the storage unit 107.

[0018] The camera wireless communication unit 108 is a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth® communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module. The camera wireless communication unit 108 communicates wirelessly with external devices and transmits and receives data such as image signals, audio signals, compressed image data, and compressed audio data. The camera wireless communication unit 108 also transmits and receives control signals related to shooting, such as start and end commands, and other information.

[0019] The camera ACC shoe 109 can connect to various external accessories equipped with a shoe, and communication with external accessories is possible via a group of contacts (not shown) located within the camera ACC shoe 109. The camera audio input unit 110 picks up sound from the area around the camera 100 using a built-in microphone or an external microphone connected via the audio input terminal, and sends the acquired audio data to the camera control unit 101 after analog-to-digital conversion. The camera control unit 101 performs audio-related processing such as optimizing the level of the input digital audio signal, reducing specific frequencies, and audio detection. The camera control unit 101 then performs synthesis processing on the image data acquired by the image sensor 102 and the audio data acquired from the external microphone, and controls the writing of image data with audio information to the storage unit 107.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the photographic lens 200 will be described. The lens control unit 201 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each part of the photographic lens 200. The lens 202 is composed of multiple lenses, including, for example, a focusing lens, and forms an image of the subject on the image sensor 102. Furthermore, the photographic lens 200 is equipped with an aperture 203 for adjusting the amount of light. The lens control unit 201 adjusts the amount of light taken into the camera and the focus according to instructions from the camera control unit 101 via control through the mount contact group 103, and sends distance information and other data to the camera control unit 101.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the control device 300 will be described. The control device control unit 301 (control means) is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each part of the control device 300. The control device control unit 301 can communicate wirelessly with the camera wireless communication unit 108 and external lighting devices, etc., via the control device wireless communication unit 302. The control device wireless communication unit 302 is a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth® communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module. For example, the control device wireless communication unit 302 can receive light emission instructions and camera information from the camera 100, as well as transmit and receive control device information, lighting device information, etc. The control device wireless communication unit 302 also transmits and receives control signals related to shooting, such as shooting start and end commands, and other information.

[0022] The control unit 301 may be connected to the camera ACC shoe 109 via the control unit shoe 305 and communicate with the camera control unit 101. In other words, communication with the camera control unit 101 can be wired or wireless.

[0023] The control device operation unit 303 is equipped with operating elements that the user operates, and detects operations performed by the user via buttons, dials, etc., and sends signals corresponding to the operation instructions to the control device control unit 301. The control device display unit 304 displays information such as the communication status with the camera 100 and the connection status with the lighting device 400, based on instructions from the control device control unit 301.

[0024] The control device ACC shoe 306 (306a to 306d) is a connection part (communication means: shoe part) that connects (holds) the lighting device 400. Figure 1 shows the state in which the lighting device shoes 406 (406a to 406d) of the lighting devices 400a to 400d are connected to the control device ACC shoes 306a to 306d.

[0025] The control device ACC shoe 306 is provided in four locations, but the number is not specified. The control device ACC shoe 306, the lighting device 400, and the lighting device shoe 406 are all assigned the same symbols a, b, c, and d to correspond to each other in terms of connection. The configurations of the lighting devices 400a to 400d are common to each other. The configurations of the lighting device shoes 406a to 406d are common to each other. The configurations of the control device ACC shoes 306a to 306a are common to each other. Therefore, in describing these configurations, the configurations of the control device ACC shoe 306a, the lighting device shoe 406a, and the lighting device 400a will be described as representative. The appearance of the control device 300 connected to the control device ACC shoes 306a to 306d, respectively, and the lighting devices 400a to 400d will be described later in Figure 10.

[0026] Any lighting device 400 can be connected to the control device ACC shoe 306a. The lighting device 400 connected to the control device ACC shoe 306a becomes the lighting device 400a. The control device ACC shoe 306a can communicate with the lighting device control unit 401 of the lighting device 400a via a group of contacts (not shown) provided within the control device ACC shoe 306a, and can send and receive lighting device information, control device information, etc.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the lighting device 400a will be described. The lighting device control unit 401 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each part of the lighting device 400a. The lighting device control unit 401 can communicate with the control unit 301 via the lighting device shoe 406a and the control unit ACC shoe 306a, and can send and receive light emission instructions, light intensity instructions, illumination angle instructions, and information on each lighting device.

[0028] The lighting device wireless communication unit 402, like the camera wireless communication unit 108 and the control device wireless communication unit 302, can communicate wirelessly with the camera 100, the control device 300, and other lighting devices (not shown). The lighting device wireless communication unit 402 is, for example, a wireless communication module such as an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth® communication module, or a wireless LAN communication module.

[0029] The lighting device operation unit 403 includes operating components such as a power switch, a mode setting switch for setting the operating mode, and setting buttons for setting various parameters. The lighting device control unit 401 performs various processes in response to input to the lighting device operation unit 403.

[0030] The lighting device display unit 404 displays setting information corresponding to the input of the lighting device operation unit 403, as well as information such as the communication status with the control device 300 and the lighting device 400a, based on instructions from the lighting device control unit 401. The lighting device light-emitting unit 405 receives a light emission operation instruction from the lighting device control unit 401 and emits light at a specified timing and amount. The lighting device light-emitting unit 405 mainly consists of a discharge tube, a reflector umbrella, a zoom optical system, etc. (not shown), and the light emission range can be changed by moving the zoom optical system.

[0031] The processing operation of camera 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts of camera processing. This processing is achieved by the CPU in the camera control unit 101 loading a program stored in ROM into RAM (not shown) and executing it. This processing starts when the power switch (not shown) of camera 100 is turned on and the camera becomes operational.

[0032] In step S100, the camera control unit 101 initializes the memory and ports. The camera control unit 101 also reads the switch status and pre-set input information from the camera operation unit 105 and sets various shooting modes, such as how to determine the shutter speed and aperture.

[0033] In step S101, the camera control unit 101 determines whether the shutter button is half-pressed (whether SW1, which instructs the shooting preparation operation, is on or off), waits until SW1 is turned on, and proceeds to step S102 when SW1 is turned on.

[0034] In step S102, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the lens control unit 201 via a communication line (mount contact group 103) to acquire lens information, including focal length information of the photographic lens 200 and information necessary for focus detection processing and photometric processing. In step S103, the camera control unit 101 controls the camera wireless communication unit 108 to determine whether or not it is possible to communicate with the control device 300. If the camera control unit 101 is able to communicate with the control device 300, it proceeds to step S104; otherwise, it proceeds to step S106.

[0035] In step S104, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control unit control unit 301 of the control device 300 via communication lines (camera wireless communication unit 108 and control device wireless communication unit 302). The camera control unit 101 then transmits the focal length information acquired in step S102 and the pre-set emission mode, etc., as camera information to the control unit control unit 301. In response, the control unit control unit 301 transmits the received focal length information to the illumination device control unit 401. The control unit control unit 301 also instructs the illumination device control unit 401 to output the illumination device information stored in its memory, and the illumination device control unit 401 outputs the illumination device information to the control unit control unit 301. This illumination device information includes the current emission mode information, main capacitor charge information, battery level information, etc.

[0036] In step S105, the camera control unit 101 receives total light intensity information as control device information. This total light intensity information is light intensity information that indicates the total light intensity obtained by summing the light intensity of multiple lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300, and is calculated by a control calculation (step S307 in Figure 4) described later. In other words, the total light intensity is the total light intensity when multiple lighting devices 400 that have established communication with the control device 300 are simultaneously illuminated.

[0037] In step S106, the camera control unit 101 determines whether the shooting mode set on the camera 100 is an autofocus detection mode (AF mode). If the set shooting mode is AF mode, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S107; if the set shooting mode is not AF mode but MF mode (manual mode), it proceeds to step S109.

[0038] In step S107, the camera control unit 101 performs focus detection using a well-known phase difference detection method. The camera control unit 101 also determines which of the multiple focus detection areas to prioritize for focusing, based on the input result from the camera operation unit 105 and a well-known automatic selection algorithm that is based on the principle of nearest focus priority.

[0039] In step S108, the camera control unit 101 stores the focus detection region determined in step S107 in its RAM. The camera control unit 101 also calculates the amount of lens drive based on the focal length information output result. The camera control unit 101 communicates with the lens control unit 201 and instructs it to drive the lens. In response, the lens control unit 201 drives the lens 202 based on the calculation result (amount of lens drive) from step S107. After step S108, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S109.

[0040] In step S109, the camera control unit 101 performs photometry using a photometer (not shown) and obtains the subject brightness value for each of the multiple photometering areas. In step S110, the camera control unit 101 processes the gain setting input from the camera operation unit 105 using a gain switching unit (not shown). The camera control unit 101 also transmits the gain setting information to the control unit control unit 301 of the control device 300. In step S111, the camera control unit 101 calculates the exposure value from the subject brightness values ​​for each of the multiple photometering areas using a well-known algorithm.

[0041] In step S112, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not it has received a charge completion signal (output in step S311, described later) from the control device control unit 301 indicating that the lighting device 400 has finished charging. If the camera control unit 101 has received the charge completion signal, it proceeds to step S113; otherwise, it proceeds to step S114.

[0042] In step S112, the result of determining whether or not a charging completion signal has been received from the lighting device control unit 401 is stored in the RAM or similar within the camera control unit 101. If the camera control unit 101 determines in step S103 that it is unable to communicate with the control device 300, there is no lighting device 400 with which communication has been established, so it proceeds to step S114 without determining whether or not a charging completion signal has been received in step S112.

[0043] In step S113, the camera control unit 101 determines the shutter speed (Tv) and aperture value (Av) suitable for strobe photography using the lighting device, based on the exposure value calculated in step S111. Meanwhile, in step S114, the camera control unit 101 determines the shutter speed (Tv) and aperture value (Av) suitable for natural light photography without using the lighting device (non-flash photography), based on the exposure value calculated in step S111. After steps S113 and S114, the camera control unit 101 proceeds to step S115.

[0044] In step S115, the camera control unit 101 determines whether the shutter button is fully pressed (SW2 is on). If SW2 is not on, the camera control unit 101 returns to step S101; if SW2 is on, it proceeds to step S116 (Figure 3).

[0045] In step S116, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control unit control unit 301 of the control device 300 and transmits camera information. In step S117, the camera control unit 101 performs the first photometric operation (photometric measurement of steady light) without issuing a light emission instruction to the illumination device 400.

[0046] In step S118, the camera control unit 101 transmits camera information to the control unit 301 in order to perform pre-flash communication to pre-flash the illumination device 400. The camera information here includes information such as the pre-flash communication information and flashing mode that will be transmitted in step S314 of Figure 5, which will be described later. The transmitted camera information is then transferred by the control unit 301 to the illumination device control unit 401 via the control unit wireless communication unit 302 and the control unit ACC shoe 306.

[0047] In step S119, the camera control unit 101 performs a second photometering operation with the illumination device 400 pre-emitting. Based on the photometering results in steps S117 and S119, the camera control unit 101 calculates the shutter speed, aperture value, and the amount of light emitted by the illumination device 400 using a well-known calculation method.

[0048] In step S120, the camera control unit 101 performs light intensity setting communication. Here, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control unit control unit 301 of the control device 300 and transmits the required light emission amount Y (required light emission amount information) which indicates the amount of light emission obtained in step S119. This required light emission amount Y is the amount of light emission required for the illumination device 400 to emit light during shooting, and is received by the control device 300 in step S315 (Figure 5), which will be described later.

[0049] In step S121, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the control device control unit 301 and sends a light emission command. In step S122, the camera control unit 101 operates the shutter and aperture. At this time, based on the delay information of the illumination device 400 and a correction value stored in the memory of the camera control unit 101 to compensate for variations due to variations in the operation of the front curtain, the camera control unit 101 changes the output timing of the front curtain travel signal (front curtain operation start signal).

[0050] In step S123, the camera control unit 101 initiates the main flash, that is, the illumination device 400, to emit light for exposure. At this time, the camera control unit 101 communicates with the illumination device 400 via the control device 300 to initiate a flash trigger. The camera control unit 101 transmits flash trigger information, which is a flash instruction, to the control device 300, and in response, the control control unit 301 of the control device 300 instructs the illumination device 400 used for this shooting to emit light.

[0051] When the exposure operation is complete, in step S124, the camera control unit 101 converts the analog signal output from the image sensor 102 and amplified by the gain switching unit into a digital signal using an A / D converter. Furthermore, the camera control unit 101 performs predetermined signal processing, such as white balance, on the image data converted into a digital signal using a signal processing circuit. In step S125, the camera control unit 101 records the processed image data into a memory (not shown) and completes the camera processing shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0052] Next, the operation of the control device 300 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the first control device process. This process is realized by the CPU in the control device control unit 301 loading the program stored in ROM into RAM (not shown) and executing it. This process starts when the power to the control device 300 is turned on and it becomes operational.

[0053] In step S300, the control unit 301 initializes the memory and ports. The control unit 301 also reads the switch status and pre-set input information input by the control unit operation unit 303 and sets the lighting device shooting mode and light output. This information regarding the lighting device shooting mode and light output is stored in the RAM of the lighting device control unit 401. If wireless communication is enabled, the control unit 301 controls the control device wireless communication unit 302 to scan channels by changing the wireless frequency and search for the camera wireless communication unit 108 and the lighting device wireless communication unit 402, which are the communication partners.

[0054] In step S301, the control unit 301 controls the control unit wireless communication unit 302 to determine whether or not it is possible to communicate with the camera 100. If it is possible to communicate with the camera 100, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S302; otherwise, it proceeds to step S309.

[0055] In step S302, the control unit 301 communicates with the camera control unit 101 of the camera 100 via a communication line (camera wireless communication unit 108 and control unit wireless communication unit 302). The control unit 301 then receives camera information such as the focus detection distance and emission mode of the camera 100 that was transmitted in step S104.

[0056] In step S303, the control unit 301 determines whether there is a lighting device 400 that can communicate via the control unit ACC shoe 306 or a lighting device 400 that can communicate via the control unit wireless communication unit 302. If there is a lighting device 400 that can communicate, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S304; otherwise, it proceeds to step S309. In step S304, the control unit 301 identifies the lighting device 400 that can communicate via the control unit ACC shoe 306 or the control unit wireless communication unit 302 (identifies the connection port).

[0057] In step S305, the control unit 301 transmits camera information such as the focus detection distance and light emission mode received in step S302 to the illumination device 400. This information is received by the illumination device 400 in step S403 (Figure 7).

[0058] In step S306, the control unit 301 receives information such as the individual ID, setting conditions, and maximum light output of the lighting device 400 identified as communicable. Accordingly, the control unit 301, acting as a second acquisition means, acquires information (maximum light output information) indicating the maximum light output (Amax~Dmax) that each of the lighting devices 400 with which communication has been established via the control unit ACC shoe 306 or the control unit wireless communication unit 302 can emit.

[0059] In step S307, the control unit 301 performs the combined light intensity calculation process (Figure 6), described later, based on the information of the communicable lighting device 400. In step S308, the control unit 301, acting as an output means, communicates with the camera control unit 101 of the camera 100 and transmits (outputs) the information of the lighting device 400 (lighting device information) acquired in step S306 and the combined light intensity information acquired in step S307 to the camera 100.

[0060] In step S309, the control unit 301 displays the lighting device information stored internally on the control unit display 304. If communication with the camera 100 or lighting device 400 was not possible in step S301 or step S303, notification processing such as displaying a warning may be performed. After step S309, the control unit 301 terminates the process shown in Figure 4.

[0061] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the second control device process. This process is implemented by the CPU in the control device control unit 301 loading the program stored in ROM into RAM (not shown) and executing it. This process starts when the first control device process shown in Figure 4 is completed.

[0062] In step S310, the control unit 301 determines whether the communicationable lighting device 400 is fully charged. This is determined by whether it receives a charge completion signal or an incomplete charge signal transmitted in step S408 or S407 (Figure 7), which will be described later. If a charge completion signal is received, it is determined that the lighting device 400 is fully charged. If the lighting device 400 is not fully charged, the control unit 301 waits until charging is complete. If charging is complete, it proceeds to step S311.

[0063] In step S311, the control unit 301 outputs a charge completion signal to the camera control unit 101 for each communicationable lighting device 400. This charge completion signal is used by the camera control unit 101 to determine when the lighting device 400 has finished charging in step S112 in Figure 2.

[0064] In step S312, the control unit 301 determines, based on information from the camera 100, whether or not SW2, which instructs the start of shooting, has been turned on. If SW2 is off, the control unit 301 returns to step S310; if SW2 is on, it proceeds to step S313.

[0065] In step S313, the control unit 301 receives again the camera information, such as pre-flash communication information and flash mode information, that was transmitted from the camera control unit 101 in step S118. In step S314, the control unit 301 transmits the camera information, such as the pre-flash communication information (including the pre-flash start signal) and flash mode, received in step S313 to the illumination device control unit 401. When the illumination device 400 performs pre-flash in response to the transmission of camera information in step S314, the second photometric operation of the camera 100 is performed in step S119 of Figure 3.

[0066] In step S315, the control unit 301, acting as the first acquisition means, receives the required light emission amount Y transmitted from the camera control unit 101 in step S120 and the light emission trigger information transmitted in step S123. In step S316, the control unit 301 executes light emission control processing (Figure 11). As will be described in detail later, in the light emission control processing, the control unit 301 performs processes such as transmitting this light emission instruction to the communicationable lighting device 400 based on the required light emission amount Y received in step S315 and the information received in step S306.

[0067] In step S317, the control unit 301 receives light emission termination information transmitted in step S414 (described later) from the lighting device 400 that sent the light emission instruction. As a result, the control unit 301 recognizes that the light emission from the lighting device 400 has been completed. In step S318, the control unit 301 performs a light emission termination process by sending a packet to the camera control unit 101 notifying it that the sequence of shooting operations using the lighting device has ended, and terminates the process shown in Figure 5.

[0068] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the total light intensity calculation process performed in step S307 of Figure 4.

[0069] In step S319, the control unit 301 determines whether there are two or more lighting devices that can communicate (have established communication) via the control unit ACC shoe 306 or the control unit wireless communication unit 302. If there is only one lighting device that can communicate, the control unit 301 terminates the process shown in Figure 6. If there are two or more lighting devices that can communicate, the process proceeds to step S320.

[0070] In step S320, the control unit 301 associates the connection locations by storing the correspondence between the communicable lighting devices 400 identified in step S304 and the lighting device shoes 406a to 406d. At this time, even if the lighting devices include those for which communication has been established between the control unit wireless communication unit 302 and the lighting device wireless communication unit 402, the control unit 301 associates the connection locations by storing the respective communication lines (identification ports).

[0071] In step S321, the control unit 301 acquires lighting device setting information for the communicationable lighting devices 400. This lighting device setting information includes mode information. This mode information is setting information that indicates the operation performed by the lighting device 400, such as the mode in which the main light is emitted after the pre-flash as described above, or the mode in which the main light is emitted when the camera is released at a preset light intensity. In step S322, the control unit 301 acquires information indicating the maximum light output for each communicationable lighting device 400. This information is the same as that received in step S306 in Figure 4.

[0072] In step S323, the control unit 301 calculates the total light output Xmax, which is the maximum light output (upper limit of the total light output) when the lighting devices 400 that have established communication emit light simultaneously, based on the maximum light output of each lighting device 400, using equation (1). For example, if there are four lighting devices 400 that have established communication, the individual maximum light outputs of lighting devices 400a to 400d are shown as Amax to Dmax.

[0073]

number

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9 later, it is desirable that the distance between the multiple lighting devices 400 and the subject be approximately uniform. This is because the combined light amount Xmax is the total light amount obtained from the maximum light emission amounts Amax, Bmax, Cmax, and Dmax of each lighting device 400, and does not take into account the positional relationship between each lighting device 400 and the subject, so the difference in distance will affect the amount of light reaching the subject. However, if the positional relationship of each lighting device 400 is known by communication, the difference in distance between each lighting device from the lighting device 400 to the subject may be reflected in equation (1). For example, the difference in distance may be expressed as a relational expression for the light emission amounts Amax, Bmax, Cmax, and Dmax and applied to equation (1).

[0075] In step S324, the control unit 301 displays the lighting device setting information obtained in steps S321 to S323 and information indicating the total light intensity Xmax on the control unit display unit 304. The information displayed on the control unit display unit 304 may also include the communication capability information of each control unit ACC shoe 306 and the linking information of the multiple lighting devices 400 obtained in step S320.

[0076] In step S325, the control unit 301 determines whether the settings of each communicationable lighting device 400 have been changed. If there are any lighting devices 400 whose settings have been changed, the control unit 301 returns to step S321; otherwise, it terminates the process shown in Figure 6.

[0077] Therefore, once the control device 300 has finished calculating the total light intensity, the camera control unit 101 transmits the information of the multiple lighting devices 400 obtained via the control device 300 to the camera 100 (S308). This allows it to be considered that one lighting device with a total light intensity Xmax as its upper limit has been connected.

[0078] In this embodiment, the light intensity information transmitted represents the total light intensity obtained by summing the light intensity of multiple lighting devices connected to the control device. However, it does not have to be the sum of the maximum light intensity values ​​of each lighting device. In this embodiment, since there are four lighting devices connected to the control device, the sum of the maximum light intensity values ​​is about four times the maximum light intensity of one lighting device. However, if there are many lighting devices that can be connected to the control device, the sum of the maximum light intensity values ​​of each lighting device will become very large, and the camera that receives the light intensity information may recognize it as error information. For example, if there are 10 lighting devices that can be connected to the control device, the sum of the maximum light intensity values ​​will be about 10 times the maximum light intensity of one lighting device, which may exceed the maximum light intensity of the lighting device that the camera expects. In that case, the camera will consider the received light intensity information as error information and will not be able to perform shooting with the lighting devices emitting light. Therefore, a predetermined upper limit may be set for the light intensity information, which represents the total light intensity obtained by summing the light intensity of multiple lighting devices connected to the transmitting control device. If the total light intensity obtained by summing the maximum light output of each lighting device exceeds this upper limit, the upper limit may be transmitted as light intensity information. This upper limit may be changed depending on the camera to which the control device is attached.

[0079] Referring to Figure 7, the processing operation of the lighting device 400 will be explained. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the lighting device processing. All of this processing is achieved by the CPU in the lighting device control unit 401 loading the program stored in ROM into RAM (not shown) and executing it. This processing starts when the power to the lighting device 400 is turned on and it becomes operational.

[0080] In step S401, the lighting device control unit 401 initializes the memory and ports. The lighting device control unit 401 also reads the switch status and pre-set input information input from the lighting device operation unit 403 and sets the lighting device shooting mode, light output, etc. This information regarding the lighting device shooting mode, light output, etc., is stored in the RAM within the lighting device control unit 401.

[0081] In step S402, the lighting device control unit 401 starts the boost circuit to begin charging the main capacitor (not shown). In step S403, the lighting device control unit 401 acquires camera information such as focal length information and emission mode from the control device control unit 301 via the communication line (camera wireless communication unit 108 and control device wireless communication unit 302). This camera information is the same as that transmitted in step S305 (Figure 4).

[0082] In step S404, the lighting device control unit 401 displays the lighting device information stored in memory on the lighting device display unit 404. In step S405, the lighting device control unit 401 communicates with the control device control unit 301 and transmits lighting device information, including wireless lighting device setting information.

[0083] In step S406, the lighting device control unit 401 determines, via the voltage detection circuit, whether the voltage boosted by the boost circuit (not shown) has reached the voltage level required for the discharge tube to emit light, that is, whether charging is complete. If the voltage level has not reached the required level and charging is not complete, the lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S407. If the voltage level has reached the required level and charging is complete, the unit proceeds to step S408.

[0084] In step S407, the lighting device control unit 401 outputs a charging incomplete signal indicating that charging is not complete, notifying the control device control unit 301 that it is not ready to emit light, and then returns to step S402. Meanwhile, in step S408, the lighting device control unit 401 outputs a charging complete signal indicating that charging is complete, notifying the control device control unit 301 that it is ready to emit light.

[0085] In step S409, the lighting device control unit 401 checks the charging status and determines whether the charging level is below a threshold. If the charging level is below the threshold, it returns to step S402 and starts recharging. On the other hand, if the charging level exceeds the threshold, the lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S410. In step S410, the lighting device control unit 401 determines, based on information from the camera 100, whether the SW2 that instructs the start of shooting has been turned on. If SW2 is off, the lighting device control unit 401 returns to step S409, and if SW2 is on, it proceeds to step S411.

[0086] In step S411, the lighting device control unit 401 performs pre-flash communication by the lighting device 400, provided that a pre-flash start signal has been transmitted. Specifically, the lighting device control unit 401 first determines whether pre-flash communication information (including a pre-flash start signal) has been output and transmitted from the control device control unit 301 in step S314 of Figure 5. If the pre-flash start signal has been output and transmitted, the lighting device control unit 401 performs pre-flash communication by the lighting device 400. In response, the camera control unit 101 performs the second photometric operation in step S119 of Figure 3.

[0087] In step S412, the lighting device control unit 401 receives light intensity setting information transmitted from the control device control unit 301. This light intensity setting information indicates the actual light emission amount (light emission amount A to D) and is transmitted from the control device control unit 301 in step S603 of the light emission control process (Figure 11) described later.

[0088] In step S413, the lighting device control unit 401 executes the light emission operation process for this light emission (Figure 8). Therefore, the lighting device 400 performs this light emission operation, provided that the lighting device light emission start signal (light emission trigger information) has been transmitted.

[0089] In step S414, the lighting device control unit 401 performs a light emission termination process, sending a packet as light emission termination information to the control device control unit 301 to notify it that the sequence of lighting device shooting operations has ended, and terminates the process shown in Figure 7.

[0090] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the light emission operation process. This process is performed in step S411 or step S413. If this process is performed in step S411, it is the pre-light emission operation process; if it is performed in step S413, it is the main light emission operation process.

[0091] In step S501, the lighting device control unit 401 determines, via the control device control unit 301, whether or not light emission trigger information, which is a signal for starting light emission, has been transmitted from the camera control unit 101. If the light emission trigger information has not been transmitted, the lighting device control unit 401 terminates the process shown in Figure 8. On the other hand, if the light emission trigger information has been transmitted, the lighting device control unit 401 proceeds to step S502.

[0092] In step S502, the lighting device control unit 401 performs a process to start emitting light. In step S503, the lighting device control unit 401 continues to emit light until the condition for stopping light emission is met. That is, the lighting device control unit 401 monitors whether the light emission level has reached the main light emission amount received in step S412, and if the light emission level has reached the main light emission amount, it determines that the condition for stopping light emission has been met. In this case, first, the lighting device control unit 401 receives the light from the discharge tube directly or via a glass fiber or the like with a photodiode (not shown). Then, the lighting device control unit 401 integrates the photoreceiving current of the photodiode with an integrating circuit and emits light to reach the main light emission amount. Note that in the case of pre-emitting light, the pre-emitting light amount may be set to a small light amount, for example, 1 / 32 of the full light emission amount, and the main light emission amount may be set to a relative value of the pre-emitting light amount.

[0093] In step S504, the lighting device control unit 401 stops the light emission by outputting a light emission stop signal, and the process shown in Figure 8 is terminated.

[0094] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show the external view of the control device 300. The control device 300 is equipped with, for example, four control device ACC shoes 306a to 306d, which are arranged at equal intervals around the mounting hole 307. The shafts of umbrellas, diffusers, etc., can be fixed to the mounting hole 307 by umbrella fixing screws 308. The control device 300 can be installed by the stand part 309 and its orientation can be changed by the movable part 310. After determining the direction of light emission, the movable part 310 is fixed by the vertical angle fixing screw 311 and the rotation fixing screw 312. As shown in Figure 9(b), the control device operation unit 303 and the control device display unit 304 are located on the opposite side of the control device ACC shoe 306.

[0095] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a control device 300 with multiple lighting devices 400 attached. For simplicity of explanation, assume that lighting devices 400a to 400d are each connected to control device ACC shoes 306a to 306d. When four lighting devices 400 are attached to the control device 300, by setting the vertical bounce angle of the lighting devices 400 to 45 degrees, it is possible to orient the light-emitting parts 405 of the lighting devices in a common direction. In the state shown in Figure 10, lighting devices 400a to 400d can all irradiate light in the axial direction of the umbrella shaft 313.

[0096] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the light emission control process performed in step S316 of Figure 5.

[0097] In step S601, the control unit 301 determines whether there are two or more lighting devices that can communicate (have established communication) via the control unit ACC shoe 306 or the control unit wireless communication unit 302. If there is one lighting device that can communicate, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S604; if there are two or more lighting devices that can communicate, it proceeds to step S602. Here, as an example, let's assume that four lighting devices 400a to 400d can communicate with the control unit 300.

[0098] In step S602, the control unit 301 performs light emission calculation processing (described later in Figure 12). Briefly, the control unit 301 determines the light emission amounts A to D, which are the main light emission amounts of each illumination device 400 during imaging, based on the required light emission amount Y, the light emission amounts Amax to Dmax, and battery level information indicating the remaining battery level of each illumination device 400.

[0099] Here, the unit of light emission can be expressed in Wsec (watt-seconds). Although the lighting devices 400a to 400d are arranged at a constant interval as shown in Figure 10, the calculation is performed by treating them as the same light source for the subject. In this process, the main light emission of each lighting device is calculated so that the total light emission when lighting devices 400a to 400d are emitted simultaneously is close to the required light emission Y. As an example, the main light emission of each lighting device is calculated so that the above total light emission matches the required light emission Y.

[0100] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation process performed in step S602.

[0101] In step S1001, the control unit 301, acting as a third acquisition means, communicates with the lighting device control units 401 of the lighting devices 400a to 400d via a battery communication unit (not shown) provided in the control unit 301, and acquires battery level information from each lighting device 400. This communication may be achieved via the lighting device shoe 406 and the control unit ACC shoe 306, or via the control unit wireless communication unit 302 and the lighting device wireless communication unit 402.

[0102] For example, the lighting device control unit 401 obtains the battery's unique number and remaining battery level information by having its battery communication unit (not shown) communicate with the microcontroller (not shown) of the battery (not shown) inserted into the lighting device 400. The lighting device control unit 401 then stores the obtained remaining battery level in its battery information storage unit (not shown). If the battery does not have a microcontroller, the lighting device control unit 401 can also determine the battery type using a battery type identification function and calculate the remaining battery level based on the battery voltage information. The lighting device control unit 401 then transmits the remaining battery level information to the control device 300.

[0103] In step S1002, the control unit 301 calculates the remaining number of flashes N for each lighting device 400 based on the maximum light emission amounts Amax to Dmax of each lighting device 400 acquired in step S306 and the battery remaining charge information of each lighting device 400 acquired in step S1001. Here, the remaining number of flashes N is the maximum number of times each lighting device 400 can emit light at its respective (corresponding) maximum light emission amount (full emission). The remaining number of flashes N for lighting devices 400a, 400b, 400c, and 400d are Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd, respectively.

[0104] In step S1003, the control unit 301 calculates a provisional light emission amount, which is a provisional value of the actual light emission amount for each lighting device 400, based on the ratio (Na:Nb:Nc:Nd) of the required light emission amount Y received in step S315 (Figure 5) and the remaining number of light emission cycles N. The provisional light emission amounts for lighting devices 400a, 400b, 400c, and 400d are denoted as provisional light emission amounts Ap, Bp, Cp, and Dp. The provisional light emission amounts Ap to Dp are calculated by equations (2) to (5). Ap={Na / (Na+Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y···(2) Bp={Nb / (Na+Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y...(3) Cp={Nc / (Na+Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y...(4) Dp={Nd / (Na+Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y···(5)

[0105] Focusing on the two lighting devices 400, according to equations (2) to (5), the control unit 301 sets the light emission amount of the lighting device with a maximum number of uses of the first number to a value greater than the light emission amount of the lighting device with a maximum number of uses of the second number, which is less than the first number. This makes it easier for the battery depletion timings between the lighting devices to be closer to each other.

[0106] In step S1004, the control unit 301 determines whether the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1003 for each lighting device exceeds the maximum light emission amount for each lighting device. That is, at the time the light emission amount is provisionally determined, the control unit 301 determines whether there are any lighting devices (hereinafter referred to as "light-excess lighting devices") whose provisional light emission amount exceeds the corresponding maximum light emission amount. If there are no light-excess lighting devices, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S1007. In step S1007, the control unit 301, as the determination means, determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1003 as the final light emission amount for all lighting devices 400.

[0107] On the other hand, if an over-illumination device exists, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, the control unit 301 sets the temporary light emission amount of the over-illumination device to the maximum light emission amount of the over-illumination device.

[0108] For example, let's consider the case where lighting device 400a is an over-excessive lighting device. That is, let's assume that equation (6) holds true and the provisional light emission Ap of lighting device 400a exceeds the maximum light emission Amax. Ap>Amax···(6)

[0109] In this case, since lighting device 400a is responsible for the maximum light emission Amax, the remaining light emission required for this emission is the remaining required light emission (Y-Amax). Therefore, the control unit 301 recalculates the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp of the other lighting devices (other than the light intensity overload lighting device), namely lighting devices 400b to 400d, using equations (7) to (9).

[0110] First, the control unit 301 calculates the remaining number of flashes (Nb+Nc+Nd), which is the maximum number of times each of the lighting devices 400b to 400d can emit light at its maximum emission level (full emission). Then, the control unit 301 calculates the provisional emission level of lighting devices 400b to 400d based on the remaining required emission level (Y-Amax) and the ratio of the remaining number of flashes N (Nb:Nc:Nd). Equations (7) to (9) are shown below. Bp={Nb / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Amax)...(7) Cp={Nc / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Amax)...(8) Dp={Nd / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Amax)...(9)

[0111] In step S1006, the control unit 301 determines whether the provisional light emission amount (e.g., Bp to Dp) of each lighting device (e.g., 400b to 400d) calculated in step S1005 exceeds the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device. That is, the control unit 301 determines whether there are any lighting devices (referred to here as over-illuminated devices) whose provisional light emission amount (Bp to Dp) exceeds the corresponding maximum light emission amount (Bmax to Dmax). If there are over-illuminated devices, the control unit 301 returns to step S1005. Therefore, the calculation of the provisional light emission amount for the over-illuminated devices is performed again.

[0112] On the other hand, if there are no lighting devices exceeding the light intensity limit, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S1007. In this case, in step S1007, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1003 as the actual light emission amount for lighting devices for which the provisional light emission amount was calculated in step S1003. On the other hand, for lighting devices other than those for which the provisional light emission amount was calculated in step S1003, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1005 as the actual light emission amount.

[0113] After step S1007, the control unit 301 terminates the process as shown in Figure 12. Therefore, the light emission amounts A to D are set within a range that does not exceed the light emission amounts Amax to Dmax.

[0114] In step S603 of Figure 11, the control unit 301 transmits light intensity setting information indicating the light emission amounts A to D determined in step S602 (S1007) to each of the lighting devices 400a to 400d that were determined to be fully charged in step S310 of Figure 5.

[0115] In step S604, the control unit 301 instructs the communicable lighting devices 400 to emit light. For example, if the process is completed via step S603, lighting devices 400a to 400d are instructed to emit light. The light emission operation by lighting devices 400a to 400d in response to this instruction is the same as the operation in step S413 in Figure 7.

[0116] According to this embodiment, the control unit 301 communicates with the camera control unit 101 of the camera 100 and transmits (outputs) light intensity information to the camera 100 that indicates the total light intensity Xmax, which is the sum of the light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control unit 300.

[0117] Furthermore, the control unit 301 determines the light emission amounts A to D of the illumination devices 400 during imaging based on the required light emission amount Y, the individual light emission amounts Amax to Dmax of the illumination devices 400, and the battery level information of each illumination device 400 (Figure 12). The control unit 301 then controls each illumination device 400 to emit light at the determined light emission amounts A to D (S603, S604). Thus, light emission control can be performed according to the battery level. As a result, the timing of battery depletion is synchronized among the illumination devices 400, which reduces the frequency of battery replacement work for multiple illumination devices 400. In addition, it is possible to increase the number of times that an illumination device can be simulated to emit light as a single device under the current battery level.

[0118] Furthermore, according to equations (2) to (5), the amount of light emitted by each lighting device 400 is determined according to the ratio of the remaining number of flashes N for each lighting device 400. In particular, the light emitted by lighting devices with a large number of remaining flashes N is set to be larger. Therefore, it is easier to synchronize the timing of battery replacement.

[0119] Furthermore, if there is an over-illumination device whose provisional light emission exceeds its corresponding maximum light emission, the provisional light emission of the over-illumination device is set to the maximum light emission corresponding to that device. Then, the amount remaining after subtracting the maximum light emission corresponding to the over-illumination device from the required light emission Y is determined as the light emission of each of the other lighting devices, in proportion to the ratio of the remaining number of flashes N for each of the other lighting devices (S1004~S1006). In this way, the light emission of each lighting device is determined within a range that does not exceed the maximum light emission corresponding to each lighting device.

[0120] Furthermore, the control unit 301 causes each lighting device 400 to emit light simultaneously. Therefore, multiple lighting devices 400 can be controlled to emit light as if they were a single lighting device, making it easy to meet the required amount of light during shooting. Consequently, insufficient light during this illumination can be suppressed.

[0121] In steps S1004 and S1006, if there is an over-illumination device whose temporary light emission exceeds the corresponding maximum light emission, the temporary light emission of the over-illumination device is set to the maximum light emission corresponding to the over-illumination device. However, the value set is not limited to the maximum light emission. For example, the temporary light emission of an over-illumination device may be set to a value smaller than the maximum light emission corresponding to the over-illumination device, or for example, a value obtained by multiplying the maximum light emission by a predetermined coefficient less than 1 may be set. In this case, the amount obtained by subtracting the "value smaller than the maximum light emission" from the required light emission Y is determined as the light emission of each of the lighting devices other than the over-illumination device, according to the ratio of the remaining number of flashes N of each lighting device other than the over-illumination device.

[0122] Furthermore, the camera 100 can communicate virtually wirelessly with lighting devices that do not have wireless capabilities, via the control device 300.

[0123] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment of the present invention, the amount of light emitted by a specific lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300 is fixed. Here, "specific lighting device" refers to, for example, a lighting device connected to an external power supply or a lighting device into which a battery that cannot communicate with the lighting device control unit 401 is inserted. Therefore, lighting devices that receive power from an external power supply or lighting devices that receive power from a battery that does not have a communication function are considered specific lighting devices. Regarding the light emission calculation processing, the processing shown in Figure 13 is adopted instead of Figure 12 for the first embodiment.

[0124] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation process performed in step S602. In steps S1101 and S1102, the control unit 301 performs the same processing as in steps S1001 and S1002 in Figure 12.

[0125] In step S1103, the control unit 301 sets the temporary light emission amount of a specific lighting device 400 to a preset fixed value. This temporary light emission amount is stored in the memory unit of the control unit 301. The fixed value may be different for each lighting device 400, or it may be the same for all of them. Information indicating the fixed value is stored in the memory unit of the control unit 301 in advance.

[0126] Here, let's take the example where the specific lighting device 400 is lighting device 400a. Let Aset be the fixed value corresponding to lighting device 400a. Therefore, the temporary light emission amount Ap of lighting device 400a is set to the fixed value Aset.

[0127] In step S1104, the control unit 301 determines whether the amount of light emitted (Y-Aset) obtained by subtracting the provisional light emission amount Ap (fixed value Aset) of the lighting device 400a determined in step S1103 from the required light emission amount Y can be covered by the other lighting devices 400b to 400d. In other words, the control unit 301 determines whether the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp can be determined by whether equation (10) is satisfied. At that time, it may also be determined whether the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp can be determined within a range that does not exceed the light emission amounts Bmax to Dmax. Bmax+Cmax+Dmax≧(Y-Aset)...(10)

[0128] The control unit 301 then proceeds to step S1105 if equation (10) is true, and to step S1106 if equation (10) is not true.

[0129] In step S1105, the control unit 301 calculates the provisional light emission amounts of lighting devices other than the specific lighting device (400b to 400d) using equations (11) to (13). Here, the amount obtained by subtracting the fixed value Aset from the required light emission amount Y is determined as the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp for each of the lighting devices 400b to 400d, according to the ratio (Nb:Nc:Nd) of the remaining number of light emission cycles N for each of the lighting devices 400b to 400d other than the specific lighting device. Equations (11) to (13) are shown below. Bp={Nb / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Aset)...(11) Cp={Nc / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Aset)...(12) Dp={Nd / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×(Y-Aset)...(13)

[0130] Subsequently, in step S1107, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in steps S1103 and S1105 as the final light emission amount for each lighting device 400. Note that the same process as in step S1006 in Figure 12 may be added after step S1105. After that, the control unit 301 terminates the process shown in Figure 13.

[0131] In step S1106, equation (14) holds true. Bmax+Cmax+Dmax<(Y-Aset)...(14)

[0132] In this case, the control unit 301 releases the fixed value Aset that was set to the temporary light emission amount Ap of the specific lighting device 400a, and sets the temporary light emission amount Ap to the maximum light emission amount Amax of the specific lighting device 400a. Furthermore, the control unit 301 performs the same processing as in steps S1005 and S1006 in Figure 12. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, an amount corresponding to the ratio of the remaining number of light emission cycles N of each lighting device 400 is determined as the light emission amount of each lighting device 400.

[0133] In step S1107, which follows from step S1106, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount calculated and determined in step S1106 as the final light emission amount for all lighting devices 400.

[0134] According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved in that the light emission control is performed according to the remaining battery level, thereby reducing the frequency of battery replacement work for the multiple lighting devices 400.

[0135] Furthermore, the light output of a specific lighting device is set to a fixed value, and the resulting deficit is determined by an amount corresponding to the ratio of the remaining number of flashes N of each of the other lighting devices, which is then set as the light output of each of the other lighting devices. Therefore, if Yes is determined in step S1104, the specific lighting device can be made to emit light at a fixed value.

[0136] If there are two or more specific lighting devices, a fixed value may be set for the light output of two or more specific lighting devices, and the light output of other lighting devices may be determined by formulas equivalent to formulas (11) to (13). Alternatively, one lighting device may be designated as a specific lighting device according to a predetermined priority order.

[0137] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment of the present invention, among the plurality of lighting devices 400 connected to the control device 300, the amount of light emitted by lighting devices whose remaining number of light emission cycles N falls below a predetermined number is set to 0 (not emitted). For the light emission calculation process, the process shown in Figure 14 is adopted instead of Figure 12 for the first embodiment.

[0138] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the light emission calculation process performed in step S602. In steps S1201 and S1202, the control unit 301 performs the same processing as in steps S1001 and S1002 in Figure 12.

[0139] In step S1203, the control unit 301 determines whether there are any lighting devices (hereinafter referred to as "lighting devices with insufficient number of flashes") whose remaining flash count N falls below a predetermined number Nlow (threshold). The predetermined number Nlow is set by the control device 300 and stored in the memory unit of the control unit 301. If there are no lighting devices with insufficient number of flashes, the control unit 301 proceeds to step S1207; if there are lighting devices with insufficient number of flashes, it proceeds to step S1204.

[0140] In step S1204, the control unit 301 sets the temporary light emission amount of the insufficient lighting device to 0. Here, we take the case where the insufficient lighting device is lighting device 400a as an example. Therefore, the temporary light emission amount Ap of lighting device 400a is set to 0.

[0141] In step S1205, the control unit 301 determines whether the required light emission amount Y can be supplied by the other lighting devices 400b to 400d. That is, the control unit 301 determines whether the sum of the light emission amounts Bmax to Dmax of the other lighting devices 400b to 400d is equal to or greater than the required light emission amount Y, based on whether equation (15) is true. At that time, it may also be determined whether the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp can be determined within a range that does not exceed the light emission amounts Bmax to Dmax. Bmax + Cmax + Dmax ≥ Y ···(15)

[0142] The control unit 301 then proceeds to step S1207 if equation (15) is not true, and to step S1206 if equation (15) is true.

[0143] In step S1206, the control unit 301 calculates the provisional light emission amounts of the lighting devices other than the lighting device with insufficient number of flashes (400b to 400d) using equations (16) to (18). Here, the required light emission amount Y is determined as the provisional light emission amounts Bp to Dp of each lighting device 400b to 400d, corresponding to the ratio (Nb:Nc:Nd) of the remaining number of flashes N for each of the lighting devices 400b to 400d other than the lighting device with insufficient number of flashes. Equations (16) to (18) are shown below. Bp={Nb / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y···(16) Cp={Nc / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y···(17) Dp={Nd / (Nb+Nc+Nd)}×Y···(18)

[0144] In step S1208, which follows step S1206, the control unit 301 determines the actual light emission amount to be 0 for lighting devices with insufficient flashes, and determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1206 as the actual light emission amount for lighting devices other than those with insufficient flashes. Note that the same processing as in step S1006 in Figure 12 may be provided after step S1206.

[0145] In step S1207, which follows from step S1203, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount of all lighting devices 400 by applying the same processing as in steps S1003 to S1006 in Figure 12. Meanwhile, in step S1207, which follows from step S1205, equation (19) holds true. Bmax + Cmax + Dmax <Y···(19)

[0146] In this case as well, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount of all lighting devices 400 by applying the same processing as in steps S1004 to S1006 in Figure 12.

[0147] In step S1208, which follows from step S1207, the control unit 301 determines the provisional light emission amount calculated in step S1207 as the final light emission amount for all lighting devices 400. After step S1208, the control unit 301 terminates the process shown in Figure 14.

[0148] According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved in that the light emission control is performed according to the remaining battery level, thereby reducing the frequency of battery replacement work for the multiple lighting devices 400.

[0149] Furthermore, the light output of lighting devices with insufficient remaining flash counts N below a predetermined number (Nlow) is set to 0, and the required light output Y is determined according to the ratio of the remaining flash counts N of each lighting device other than the insufficient flash count. This makes it possible to slow down the battery depletion of lighting devices with low battery levels by preventing lighting devices 400 with low remaining flash counts N from emitting light. Consequently, it becomes easier to synchronize the battery replacement timing among the lighting devices.

[0150] In this embodiment, the light emission amount of the insufficient-cycle lighting device is set to 0, but it may be set to a predetermined light amount greater than 0. This predetermined light amount may be predetermined as a value close to 0, or a value sufficiently small compared to the maximum light emission amount Amax~Dmax, etc. If the predetermined light amount is considered to be a fixed value in the second embodiment, the light emission amount of lighting devices other than the insufficient-cycle lighting device can be provisionally determined by applying the same process as in steps S1104, S1105, and S1106 in Figure 13.

[0151] In the above embodiments, four lighting devices were determined to be capable of emitting light; however, if there are two or more, the amount of light emitted from each lighting device that satisfies the above equations can be calculated.

[0152] Furthermore, the method for determining the amount of light emitted by the lighting device used for this emission is not limited to the formulas described above; methods using tables or the like may also be used.

[0153] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention. Some of the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0154] Furthermore, the entity that performs the processing related to light emission control may be provided in any or all of the multiple lighting devices 400. That is, the lighting control device of the present invention may be realized by a single lighting device 400, and the lighting control device itself may be configured to become the lighting device used for this light emission. In that case, the lighting device wireless communication unit 402 will be able to communicate wirelessly with the camera 100 and the other lighting devices 400. The lighting device 400 that becomes the lighting control device of the present invention determines the amount of light emitted by the lighting device to be used for this light emission from among the lighting devices 400 with which communication has been established and itself, based on the required amount of light emitted Y, etc. Furthermore, there may be multiple lighting devices that have the function of performing processing related to light emission control, and one of them may actually perform the processing related to light emission control.

[0155] Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained by providing the camera control unit 101 with a function to perform processing related to light emission control. In other words, the camera 100 may be provided with the functions that the control device 300 has. In that case, the camera 100 becomes an imaging device equipped with the illumination control device of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 301 Control Unit 302 Control device wireless communication unit 306a~306d Control device ACC shoe 400a~400d Lighting Equipment

Claims

1. A communication means for communicating with multiple lighting devices, A first acquisition means for acquiring required light emission amount information indicating the amount of light emission required for imaging by the imaging unit, A second acquisition means for acquiring maximum light emission information indicating the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device whose communication has been established by the aforementioned communication means, A third acquisition means for acquiring remaining battery information indicating the remaining battery level in each of the aforementioned lighting devices, An output means that outputs light intensity information based on the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device whose communication has been established by the aforementioned communication means, A determination means for determining the amount of light emitted by each of the illumination devices during imaging, based on the required light emission amount information obtained by the first acquisition means, the maximum light emission amount information obtained by the second acquisition means, and the remaining amount information obtained by the third acquisition means. The system includes a control means for causing the lighting device to emit light at the amount of light determined by the determination means, The determination means determines, based on the maximum light emission amount information and the remaining amount information, an amount corresponding to the maximum number of times each of the lighting devices can emit light is determined as the light emission amount for each of the lighting devices. The determination means is characterized by setting the amount of light emitted from a lighting device whose maximum number of uses is a first number of uses to a value greater than the amount of light emitted from a lighting device whose maximum number of uses is a second number of uses that is less than the first number of uses.

2. A communication means for communicating with a plurality of lighting devices, A first acquisition means for acquiring required light emission amount information indicating the amount of light emission required for imaging by the imaging unit, A second acquisition means for acquiring maximum light emission information indicating the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device whose communication has been established by the aforementioned communication means, A third acquisition means for acquiring remaining battery information indicating the remaining battery level in each of the aforementioned lighting devices, An output means that outputs light intensity information based on the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device whose communication has been established by the aforementioned communication means, A determination means for determining the amount of light emitted by each of the illumination devices during imaging, based on the required light emission amount information obtained by the first acquisition means, the maximum light emission amount information obtained by the second acquisition means, and the remaining amount information obtained by the third acquisition means. The system includes a control means for causing the lighting device to emit light at the amount of light determined by the determination means, The determination means determines, based on the maximum light emission amount information and the remaining amount information, an amount corresponding to the maximum number of times each of the lighting devices can emit light is determined as the light emission amount for each of the lighting devices. The lighting control device is characterized in that the determination means calculates the ratio of the maximum number of times for each of the lighting devices based on the maximum light emission amount information and the remaining amount information, and determines an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times as the light emission amount for each of the lighting devices, within a range in which the light emission amount for each of the lighting devices does not exceed the respective maximum light emission amount.

3. The illumination control device according to claim 2, wherein the determination means determines an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices, calculates the amount of light emitted for each illumination device calculated according to the ratio of the maximum number of times as a provisional amount of light emitted, and if there is an over-illumination device which is an illumination device in which the provisional amount of light emitted exceeds the corresponding maximum amount of light emitted, the amount of light emitted for the over-illumination device is set to the maximum amount of light emitted corresponding to the over-illumination device, and for the amount obtained by subtracting the maximum amount of light emitted corresponding to the over-illumination device from the required amount of light emitted, an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times for illumination devices other than the over-illumination device is determined as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices other than the over-illumination device, and the amount of light emitted set to the maximum amount of light emitted for the over-illumination device and the amount of light emitted determined for each of the illumination devices other than the over-illumination device according to the ratio of the maximum number of times are determined as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices at the time of imaging.

4. The determination means, in determining an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices, calculates the amount of light emitted for each illumination device calculated according to the ratio of the maximum number of times as a provisional amount of light emitted. If there is an over-illumination device whose provisional amount of light emitted exceeds the corresponding maximum amount of light emitted, the amount of light emitted for the over-illumination device is set to a value obtained by multiplying the maximum amount of light emitted corresponding to the over-illumination device by a predetermined coefficient less than 1. For the amount obtained by subtracting the value obtained by multiplying the maximum amount of light emitted by the predetermined coefficient from the required amount of light emitted, an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times for illumination devices other than the over-illumination device is determined as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices other than the over-illumination device. The illumination control device according to claim 2 is characterized in that the amount of light emitted for the over-illumination device set to the value and the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices other than the over-illumination device determined according to the ratio of the maximum number of times are determined as the amount of light emitted for each of the illumination devices during imaging.

5. The lighting control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the determination means sets the amount of light emitted from a predetermined specific lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices to a fixed value, and for the amount remaining after subtracting the fixed value from the required amount of light emitted, an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of times for lighting devices other than the specific lighting device is determined as the amount of light emitted from each of the lighting devices other than the specific lighting device.

6. The lighting control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the aforementioned specific lighting device is a lighting device that receives power from an external power source.

7. The lighting control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the aforementioned specific lighting device is a lighting device that receives power from a battery that does not have a communication function.

8. The lighting control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, if there is a lighting device with insufficient number of uses, which is a lighting device whose corresponding maximum number of uses is less than a predetermined number, the light emission amount of the lighting device with insufficient use is set to 0, and the required light emission amount is determined as the light emission amount of each lighting device other than the lighting device with insufficient use, in proportion to the ratio of the maximum number of uses of the lighting devices other than the lighting device with insufficient use.

9. The lighting control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, if there is a lighting device with insufficient number of uses, which is a lighting device whose corresponding maximum number of uses is less than a predetermined number, the light emission amount of the lighting device with insufficient use is set to a predetermined amount of light, and the amount remaining after subtracting the predetermined amount of light from the required light emission amount is determined as the light emission amount of each of the lighting devices other than the lighting device with insufficient use, in proportion to the ratio of the maximum number of uses of the lighting devices other than the lighting device with insufficient use.

10. The lighting control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, if there are no lighting devices with insufficient number of uses, the determination means determines the amount of light emitted by each lighting device to be an amount corresponding to the ratio of the maximum number of uses, within a range in which the amount of light emitted by each lighting device does not exceed the respective maximum amount of light emitted.

11. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the determination means determines the amount of light emitted from each of the lighting devices so that the sum of the light emitted from each of the lighting devices matches the required amount of light emitted.

12. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control means causes the plurality of lighting devices to emit light simultaneously.

13. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the output means outputs information indicating the total amount of light obtained by summing the maximum light emission amounts of each lighting device with which communication has been established, as light quantity information based on the maximum light emission amount of each lighting device with which communication has been established.

14. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, if the total amount of light obtained by summing the maximum light emission amounts of each of the lighting devices with which communication has been established exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the communication means outputs information indicating the upper limit as light amount information based on the maximum light emission amounts of each of the lighting devices with which communication has been established.

15. It has multiple shoe portions for holding the multiple lighting devices, The second acquisition means acquires the maximum light emission amount information via the shoe portion, The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the third acquisition means acquires the remaining amount information via the shoe portion.

16. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the communication means can communicate with the imaging unit wirelessly.

17. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, A lighting control system characterized by having the aforementioned plurality of lighting devices.

18. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, An imaging device characterized by having the aforementioned imaging unit.

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