Hot Shoe Triggered Focus Light for Photography
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Solution Overview
Problem
In photography, the continuous light source (CLS) used for focusing and modeling often interferes with the pulsed light source (PLS) during image acquisition, causing unwanted lighting effects like specular reflections and shadows, especially in macro photography where the distance between the camera lens and subject is small, and the CLS takes time to cool down, making it impractical to deactivate.
Innovation Solution
A signal-responsive control system that activates the CLS during focusing and automatically deactivates it before the PLS is used for image recording, utilizing a hot shoe adapter and a control circuit with a switch to ensure the CLS is extinguished during image capture, compatible with existing flash adapters and cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a continuous light source (CLS) is used for focusing and modeling during photography, then the photographer can observe and focus on the subject effectively, but the CLS causes unwanted lighting effects such as specular reflections and shadows during image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the continuous light source (CLS) on and off in synchronization with the pulsed light source (PLS) firing sequence. The CLS is deactivated during the brief moment when the PLS illuminates the subject for image capture, then reactivated immediately afterward. This periodic switching eliminates unwanted lighting effects during acquisition while maintaining focusing capability during framing and modeling, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and harmful lighting effects.
2Illumination intensity
If an incandescent continuous light source is used, then sufficient illumination is provided for focusing and modeling, but the light source takes seconds to cool down and cannot be rapidly deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from an incandescent continuous light source to an LED-based continuous light source. LEDs have significantly faster response times and can be deactivated almost instantaneously compared to incandescent bulbs that take seconds to cool down. This parameter change in the light source technology enables the CLS to be rapidly switched off during image acquisition and immediately reactivated afterward, maintaining both sufficient illumination intensity and rapid switching capability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the continuous light source remains actuated during image recordation, then no interruption in lighting occurs, but the CLS intensity adds little appreciable light and may interfere with optimal subject lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing the CLS deactivation with the PLS firing timing. The CLS is turned off only during the brief acquisition window when the PLS illuminates the subject, maintaining continuous illumination before and after this moment. This timed periodic interruption eliminates lighting interference during recordation while preserving the benefits of continuous lighting for the majority of the photography process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for rapid image capture without interference from the continuous light source, eliminating unwanted lighting effects and ensuring optimal lighting conditions by automatically controlling the CLS to be off during PLS activation, enhancing the quality of recorded images.
Implementation Method 1
The CLS comprises an LED or other suitable light source
Implementation Method 2
a pulsed light source (PLS), such as a gaseous discharge flash or a light-emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system for photography comprises at least a normally unlit pulsed light source (PLS) (112) with first and second electrical conduits (108, 110), a normally lit continuous light source (CLS) (300) with first and second electrical conduits (308, 310), and a hot shoe (104) with first and second electrical conduits, that is connected to a camera (100). The first conduits of all three components (112, 300, 100) are electrically connected together and the second conduits of all three components (112, 300, 100) are separately electrically connected together. When camera (100) is actuated, a switch closure from camera (100) actuates continuous light source (300), causing it to cease emitting light, and also actuates pulsed light source (112), causing it to briefly emit light, whereby both sources emit light at different times, thereby providing focus lighting while preventing light interference by CLS (300) during exposure of a subject by PLS (112).