Strobe Light Attenuation Control via Color Filter Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

When an optical accessory that changes color characteristics is attached to the light emission section of an illumination device, such as a camera strobe, the light emission amount is often inaccurately calculated due to attenuation, leading to insufficient light during photography, as the image pickup apparatus fails to account for the attenuation information.

Innovation Solution

An illumination device with an acquisition unit to determine the characteristics of the optical accessory and a transmission unit to send this information to the image pickup apparatus, allowing for accurate calculation of the main light emission amount and proper light emission control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an optical accessory (color filter) is attached forward of the light emission section to change color temperature, then color characteristics of emitted light are improved, but light emission amount is attenuated and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor temperatureVSAvoidlight emission amount measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary light emission before main light emission to acquire object information. The acquisition unit captures light information during this preliminary phase, and the determination unit calculates attenuation information based on this captured data, enabling the control unit to adjust main light emission amount accurately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the photometry sensor measures light information during preliminary emission, the determination unit processes this information to calculate attenuation, and the control unit uses this attenuation information to adjust main light emission, creating a closed-loop control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If an optical accessory is attached to change color characteristics, then color temperature control is improved, but light emission amount is reduced leading to insufficient light during photography

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor temperatureVSAvoidlight emission amount

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit adjusts the light emission amount parameter based on attenuation information calculated from preliminary emission data. By changing the emission amount parameter in response to the optical accessory's attenuation effect, the system maintains adequate illumination intensity while preserving color temperature control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If preliminary light emission is performed to acquire object information, then main light emission control is improved, but light emission time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject information acquisitionVSAvoidlight emission time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary light emission for a limited duration just long enough to acquire sufficient object information. The photometry sensor captures light information during this partial emission phase, and the determination unit calculates attenuation information based on this data, avoiding excessive time consumption while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Ensures appropriate main light emission even with optical accessories attached, preventing insufficient light and ensuring better image quality by accurately accounting for light attenuation.

Implementation Method 1

an optical accessory that changes color characteristics of light transmitted through the optical accessory

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a photometry sensor that receives the strobe flash light, and monitors an amount of light emitted from the strobe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9049361B2Illumination device capable of having optical accessory attached forward of light emission section thereof, image pickup system, film holder, light emission control device, and light emission control method

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 CANON KK

AI summary

Light emission control makes it possible to determine an appropriate main light emission amount even when an optical accessory that changes color characteristics of transmitted light is attached forward of a light emission section of an illumination device. A strobe capable of having a color filter attached thereto, which changes color characteristics of transmitted light. The strobe includes a strobe microcomputer that acquires information on characteristics of the color filter attached forward of the light emission section, and transmits the acquired information on the characteristics to an image pickup apparatus on which the strobe is mounted.