Flash Timing Coordination with Camera Time Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photography systems face challenges in synchronizing flash pulses with image capture, particularly when dealing with multiple flash devices and varying clock skews between devices, which can lead to inconsistent and undesired lighting effects.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and control system that coordinates the timing of flash pulses with image capture using a camera, involving time base estimation and scheduling across devices with different clock skews, ensuring synchronization through a communication interface, such as Bluetooth, to achieve precise flash timing relative to image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple flash devices are used to provide additional light to the scene, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the synchronization precision between flash pulses and image capture deteriorates due to clock skew between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera device as an intermediary central coordinator that receives timing information from all flash devices and distributes synchronized timing commands back to them. The camera's processor element acts as a master time base reference, with all flash devices adjusting their timing relative to the camera's time base, thereby eliminating the clock skew problem that would otherwise occur between independently synchronized flash devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the time base references of multiple flash devices into a single unified time base derived from the camera device. Instead of each flash device maintaining its own independent time base, all flash devices synchronize their timing to the camera's time base, effectively combining multiple time references into one coherent timing system that ensures precise synchronization across all flash devices with the image capture.
2Device complexity
If flash devices operate with independent time bases, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coordination reliability between flash pulses and image capture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional synchronization approach by making the camera device (the device capturing the image) the master time base reference instead of making each flash device independent or using a separate external synchronizer. The camera's processor element generates the authoritative timing information that all flash devices must follow, reversing the conventional hierarchy and thereby simplifying the system while improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If time base estimation is performed continuously to account for clock drift, then the synchronization precision is improved, but the loss of time for communication and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs time base estimation and drift compensation in advance, before the actual image capture and flash operation. The camera device continuously monitors and estimates the time base relationships with all flash devices during idle periods or setup phases, so that when the actual photographing occurs, the timing is already pre-synchronized and ready, minimizing the time loss during the critical capture moment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method and system for coordinating taking of a picture using a camera and initiation of a flash pulse of at least one flash device. The method is adapted for a system including a first device and at least one remote device. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a time base for a processor element of the first device, estimating a time base for a processor element of each at least one remote device in relation to the time base of the processor element of the first device, scheduling a timing for initiation of the flash pulse of the respective at least one flash device and/or a timing for taking a picture using the camera in the time base of the first device so that the coordination with the timing for taking the picture is obtained, and obtaining at the respective remote device of the system the scheduled timing of initiation of the remote device in the time base of that device.