Wireless Flash Synchronization via Early Packet Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless light synchronization systems for cameras struggle with accuracy in synchronizing the light emission timing between a master electronic flash device and auxiliary devices, leading to inconsistencies in photography processing.
Innovation Solution
An external device connected wirelessly to a camera or electronic flash unit, utilizing a synchronization data creation unit, packet creation unit, and signal output unit to establish precise timing synchronization through communication packets, ensuring accurate synchronization of processing events like shutter opening and light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the auxiliary electronic flash device starts measurement by a timer from the time when the light emission of the master electronic flash device is detected, then the light emission timing can be synchronized, but the accuracy of synchronization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds synchronization data at the beginning of the communication packet before all data is transmitted. The external device detects this synchronization data as soon as it arrives, without waiting for the complete packet or using timer-based measurement. This preliminary detection approach allows the external device to start its processing immediately upon receiving the synchronization signal, achieving both high synchronization accuracy and fast response time.
2Measurement precision
If the external device waits for the complete communication packet to be read before detecting synchronization data, then data integrity is ensured, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication packet is segmented such that synchronization data is placed at the beginning, separate from the rest of the control information. This allows the external device to detect and process the synchronization data independently and immediately upon its arrival, while the remaining packet data can be read subsequently without affecting the timing accuracy. The segmentation resolves the conflict between early detection and complete data integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses wireless communication for flash control, then device connectivity is improved, but synchronization accuracy between camera and external flash deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization data is transmitted as the first element of the wireless communication packet, allowing the external flash device to detect and act on the synchronization signal immediately upon receiving the wireless transmission. This preliminary placement of synchronization information compensates for the inherent delays and variability of wireless communication, maintaining high synchronization accuracy despite the wireless connectivity advantage.
Data Source
AI summary
The external device, for example, an electronic flash device, is wirelessly connectable to an information communication device, for example, a camera. The external device includes: a synchronization data creation unit that outputs synchronization data for synchronization of timing of processing related to photography; a packet creation unit that creates a communication packet including control information; and a packet output unit that outputs the communication packet to the exterior by wireless communication. The packet creation unit includes a packet reception unit that receives the communication packet; a detection unit that detects the synchronization data before all of the received communication packets received by the packet reception unit has been read in; and a signal output unit that outputs a synchronization signal used for establishing synchronization of the timing of the processing related to photography on the basis of detection by the detection unit of the synchronization data.