Imaging System Optimizing Release Time Lag via Flash Preparation Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing imaging systems face challenges in optimizing the release time lag, which is the delay between the shutter button press and the actual image capture, due to variations in communication performance between cameras and external flashes.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an imaging system that communicates with external flashes to determine the light emission preparation time, which is the time needed for the flash to prepare for light emission after receiving a command. This information is then used to optimize the output timing of the light emission trigger, thereby reducing the release time lag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the camera waits for the external flash to complete light emission preparation before capturing the image, then the light emission timing is synchronized properly, but the release time lag increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission synchronizationVSAvoidrelease time lag
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The camera performs preliminary communication with the external flash before the actual light emission trigger to obtain the light emission preparation time. This preliminary action allows the camera to know in advance how long the flash needs to prepare, enabling optimization of the release time lag without compromising synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The external flash provides feedback information about its light emission preparation time to the camera through wireless communication. The camera uses this feedback to adjust the release timing, creating an optimized synchronization mechanism that reduces delay while ensuring the flash is ready when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the camera uses a fixed release time lag setting, then the system is simple to operate, but the release time lag cannot be optimized for different flash devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidimage capture efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic optimization of the release time lag through communication between the camera and external flash. The camera autonomously obtains the light emission preparation time from the flash and adjusts the release timing accordingly, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maximizing capture efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The release time lag parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the light emission preparation time obtained from the external flash. Instead of using a fixed setting, the system changes the release timing parameter to match the specific characteristics of each flash device, optimizing performance for different hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4057061B1Photographing system, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4057061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4057061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4057061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an imaging system, a control method, and a program capable of optimizing a release time lag. An external flash transmits a light emission preparation time from when reception of a light emission command is completed until when a light emission trigger is acceptable. An imaging device communicates with the external flash, acquires the light emission preparation time, and optimizes an output timing of the light emission trigger on the basis of the light emission preparation time. The present technology is applicable to, for example, an imaging system including an external flash and an imaging device.