Wireless Flash Synchronization via Timing Packet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless light supplementation systems for cameras face challenges in synchronizing the light emission timings between the main electronic flash unit and external auxiliary flash units, as the auxiliary units detect light emission based on the main unit's timing, leading to inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
An information communication device with a packet generation unit, transmitting unit, and transmission control unit is used to generate and transmit packets with timing data to external devices, such as electronic flash units, to synchronize light emission timings, including command data for light emission and check data for error verification, ensuring accurate synchronization in both front curtain and rear curtain sync modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary electronic flash unit detects light emission by the main electronic flash unit to determine its own light emission timing, then the auxiliary flash unit can operate independently, but the light emission timings of the main and auxiliary flash units cannot be synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication unit is introduced as an intermediary between the camera body and the auxiliary flash unit. This mediator transmits timing information from the camera body to the auxiliary flash unit, enabling synchronization without requiring the auxiliary flash to detect the main flash's light emission. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by allowing independent operation while achieving precise timing coordination through wireless signal transmission.
2Measurement precision
If timing data is transmitted continuously to ensure synchronization, then the external device can accurately determine light emission timing, but the communication load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit transmits timing data periodically rather than continuously. The transmission is activated at specific intervals or triggered by camera operations (such as shutter release detection), maintaining timing accuracy while minimizing communication energy consumption. This periodic action allows the system to achieve precise synchronization without the constant energy drain of continuous data transmission.
3Loss of information
If multiple packets are transmitted to convey command data and timing data, then the external device receives complete information, but the transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit merges command data and timing data into a single integrated packet structure. This combination allows the external device to receive all necessary information (operation commands and precise timing data) in one transmission, ensuring information completeness while minimizing transmission time. The merged packet structure eliminates the need for multiple separate transmissions, directly resolving the contradiction between information completeness and transmission efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An information communication device includes: a packet generation unit that generates a packet including timing data at an end of the packet for specifying to an external device a start timing for processing related to photography; a transmitting unit that transmits the packet to the external device by wireless communication; and a transmission control unit that changes a state of packet transmission by the transmission unit according to a start timing of the processing related to photography.