Method and device to relay short duration light pulses via radio signal for camera flash operation
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G03B-017/00
출원번호
US-0284629
(2008-09-24)
등록번호
US-8190010
(2012-05-29)
발명자
/ 주소
King, Kevin James
출원인 / 주소
King, Kevin James
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
19
초록▼
A device and method for retrofitting a camera system is disclosed. The method may include detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system to a remote device of the camera system, and wirelessly transmitting a data stream, which may include control instructions
A device and method for retrofitting a camera system is disclosed. The method may include detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system to a remote device of the camera system, and wirelessly transmitting a data stream, which may include control instructions and trigger instructions, detected in the first signal using a transmitter unit. The method may also include wirelessly receiving the data stream using a receiver unit, converting the data stream into a second signal that is substantially the same as the first signal which may include configuring the second signal as light pulses. The method may also include directing the second signal toward the remote device which may be responsive to the light pulses.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for retrofitting a camera system comprising the steps of: detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system to a remote device of the camera system;wirelessly transmitting a data stream, which includes control instructions and trigger instructions, d
1. A method for retrofitting a camera system comprising the steps of: detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system to a remote device of the camera system;wirelessly transmitting a data stream, which includes control instructions and trigger instructions, detected in the first signal using a transmitter unit;wirelessly receiving the data stream using a receiver unit;converting the data stream into a second signal that is substantially the same as the first signal and forming the second signal as light pulses; anddirecting the second signal toward the remote device, the remote device being responsive to the light pulses. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preventing the first signal from being detected by the remote device. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of preventing is characterized by covering a portion of the camera system with a material. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of detecting is characterized by electrically connecting the transmitter unit to an external port on the source device. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting the first signal is characterized by detecting IR pulses. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting is further characterized by inductively detecting an electric field produced by the source device when the source device generates the first signal in the form of IR pulses. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning an optical fiber between the source device and the transmitter unit. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning an optical fiber between the remote device and the receiver unit. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of at least partially refracting the first signal toward the transmitter unit. 10. A method for providing a radio bridge for a camera system comprising the steps of: detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system;changing a state of a radio transmission transmitted by a transmitter module substantially upon detecting a first bit of the first signal;wirelessly transmitting the state using the radio signal;wirelessly receiving the state at a receiver module;powering an emitter to send a first bit of a second signal in the form of a light pulse upon receiving the state; anddirecting the light pulse toward a remote device of the camera system. 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: starting a precise interval;changing the state of the radio transmission transmitted by the transmitter module at the end of the precise interval; andwherein the radio signal is using frequency-shift keying modulation. 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: waiting, substantially near the end of the precise interval, for the state to change at the receiver module; andassuming that a change in the state received while waiting is not part of the first signal. 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: canceling the precise interval after detecting the first bit of the first signal; andstarting a second precise interval after canceling the precise interval. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: changing the state on the transmitter module while detecting a second bit of the first signal; andpowering an emitter to send a second bit of the second signal. 15. The method of claim 10 characterized by powering the emitter to send the first bit of the second signal before detecting a second bit of the first signal. 16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of deleting a memory of the first bit before detecting a complete data stream in the first signal. 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the precise interval is less than six milliseconds and accurate to within 20 microseconds. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the precise interval is shorter than the second precise interval. 19. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of detecting is characterized by inductively detecting. 20. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of directing is at least partially characterized by an internal reflection of light. 21. A method for providing a radio bridge for a camera system comprising the steps of: inductively detecting a first signal while it is being sent by a source device of the camera system;changing a state on a transmitter module substantially while detecting a first bit of the first signal;wirelessly transmitting the state using a radio signal;wirelessly receiving the state at a receiver module;powering an emitter to sent a first bit of a second signal; anddirecting the second signal toward a remote device of the camera system. 22. A device for use with a camera system comprising: an antenna configured to receive a radio signal indicative of flash control instructions for controlling a flash unit;an emitter for emitting light pulses, the light pulses corresponding with respective state changes of the radio signal wherein the light pulses are perceptible to the flash unit to produce a desired light output for flash photography. 23. The device of claim 22 wherein the emitter includes an LED configured to produce the light pulses, a first end of an optical fiber optically coupled with the LED, a second end of the optical fiber configured to be positioned so the light pulses produced by the LED can be observed by the flash unit. 24. The device of claim 23 wherein the light pulses are infrared light pulses. 25. The device of claim 22 wherein the antenna is further configured to receive a radio signal indicative of triggering instructions, and the emitter is further configured to emit additional light pulses which are perceptible to the flash unit to cause the flash unit to emit a flash. 26. A method for providing a radio bridge for a camera system comprising the steps of: detecting the generation of a pulsed light signal emitted by a source device of the camera system to convey a data stream, which includes control instructions and trigger instructions, to a remote device thereof;changing a state of a radio transmission transmitted by a transmitter module upon detecting the generation of the signal;wirelessly transmitting the state using a radio signal;wirelessly receiving the state at a receiver module;powering an emitter to generate a pulsed light signal configured to convey the data stream upon receiving the state; anddirecting the pulsed light signal toward the remote device. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein detecting the generation of a pulsed light signal emitted by a source device of the camera system includes inductively detecting an electric field produced by the source device when generating the pulsed light signal. 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the data stream includes a series of bits of data, wherein detecting the generation of a pulsed light signal is performed in real time, wherein changing a state of a radio transmission is performed upon detecting the first bit of data in the data stream, and wherein powering an emitter to generate a pulsed light signal is performed prior to the detection of the second bit of data in the data stream. 29. A receiver unit for use with a camera system having a source device operable to generate instructions for controlling the operation of a remote flash unit, the receiver unit comprising: a receiving component adapted to receive a radio signal representing the instructions generated by the source device;an emitter adapted to emit light pulses perceptible to the remote flash unit to produce a desired operation thereof; andcircuitry adapted, upon receiving the radio signal by the receiving component, to operate the emitter to emit light pulses representative of the instructions of the received radio signal. 30. The receiver unit of claim 29, wherein the instructions generated by the source device include control instructions for setting operating parameters of the remote flash unit to produce a desired light output, and triggering instructions for operating the remote flash unit to emit a light output; and wherein the circuitry is adapted to prompt the emitter to emit light pulses representative of the instructions, with the light pulses representing the control instructions preceding the light pulses representing the triggering instructions. 31. The receiver unit of claim 29, wherein the emitter is configured to direct the emitted light pulses to the remote flash unit. 32. A radio communication device for use with a flash device operable to generate a pulsed light signal conveying a data stream and consisting of one or more pulses of light, the radio communication device comprising: a microprocessor;a sensing element adapted to detect the generation of at least one pulse of light by the flash device; anda radio signal transmitter;wherein the microprocessor is adapted, upon detection of the generation of the at least one pulse of light by the sensing element, to operate the radio signal transmitter to transmit a radio signal representative of the at least one pulse of light generated by the flash device. 33. A radio communication device for use with a flash device adapted to perceive a data stream conveyed by a pulsed light signal consisting of one or more pulses of light, the radio communication device comprising: a microprocessor;a light element operable to emit one or more pulses of light; anda radio signal receiver;wherein the microprocessor is adapted, upon receiving a radio signal by the radio signal receiver, to operate the light element to emit a pulsed light signal conveying a data stream representative of the received radio signal.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (19)
Dainty Robert L. (Shoreview MN), Aerial photography system.
Tohyama, Kei, Light emitting system, transmitting apparatus for use in light emitting system, and receiving apparatus for use in light emitting system.
Dockery Devan T. (Rte. 8 ; Box 14 Defuniak Springs FL 32433), System for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system.
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