# US 10,455,130 B2 · Method, transmission unit, system and computer program for wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,455,130 B2 - Document ID: US10455130B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/902,959 - Filed: 2018-02-22 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Granted: 2019-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-16 - Assignees: Profoto AB - Applicants: Profoto AB - Inventors: Anton Falk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10455130B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - H04N 5/04: Synchronising (for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56) - H04N 5/44: Receiver circuitry {for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards} (H04N5/14 takes precedence) - H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices - G03B 2206/00: Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing - G03B 2215/0557: Multiple units, e.g. leader-follower systems - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract The present invention generally relates to the field of communication between electronic devices used for photography. In particular, the invention relates to a method, transmission unit, system and computer program for wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device, such as photoflash units and related equipment. More in particular, the invention provides a way of controlling a plurality of flash devices from an intermediate radio transmission unit mountable on the camera, and utilized a delay a sequence flash control sequence so as to synchronize the function of the camera and the remote flash devices during image acquisition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for controlling flash power of at least one remote flash device and for synchronizing preflash occurrence with measurement using a camera at a point in time when light is captured, using an intermediate radio transmission unit for wireless transmission of radio signals to the remote flash device and for bi-directionally exchanging signals with the camera via a physical connection between the intermediate radio transmission unit and the camera, the method comprising the steps of: the camera transmitting to the intermediate radio transmission unit a preflash activation signal, the intermediate radio transmission unit starting a timer causing a delay, which delay together with a subsequent time period for forwarding the preflash activation signal to the remote flash device and another subsequent time period for the remote flash device to receive and transform the preflash activation signal into emission of light energy, the delay together with subsequent time periods being adapted to coincide in time with a predetermined delay between the point in time when the camera transmits the preflash activation signal and the point in time when the camera initiates capture of the light emitted as a preflash by the remote flash device coinciding with the predetermined delay, in dependence on preflash image analysis based on the captured light, determining a flash power change to be applied during a main flash subsequent to the preflash, transmitting, from the camera via the intermediate radio transmission unit to the remote flash device, the flash power change for the remote flash device to apply during the main flash, and transmitting, from the camera via the intermediate radio transmission unit to the remote flash device, a main flash activation signal upon which the main flash and image acquisition occurs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timer delay applied by the intermediate radio transmission unit is adapted based on a sequence in which the intermediate radio transmission unit determines the predetermined delay of the camera based on the amount of light energy captured by successive measurements during the preflash image analysis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timer delay applied by the intermediate radio transmission unit is adapted based on data retrieved from the camera relating to the predetermined delay applied by that particular camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timer delay applied by the intermediate radio transmission unit is adapted based on data retrieved from an associated data carrying memory indicative of predetermined delays of different cameras. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate radio transmission unit is mountable in a hot shoe connector of the camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the preflash image analysis is made to determine settings relating to the amount of light energy required for the exposure of an image acquisition in present lighting conditions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined delay is between 650 and 750 μs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timer delay is integrated in anyone of the other subsequent time periods for forwarding the preflash activation signal and for receiving and transforming the preflash activation signal following the timer delay. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timer delay is 100 μs, the subsequent time period for forwarding the preflash activation signal to the remote flash device is 490 μs, and a the another subsequent time period for the remote flash device to receive and transform the preflash activation signal into emission of light energy is 100 μs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a confirmation signal is transmitted to the camera indicating that the remote flash device is momentarily unavailable, the indication being is realized by setting a clock signal of the intermediate radio transmission unit in its low state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein an availability signal is transmitted to the camera indicating that the remote flash device is available, the indication being realized by setting a clock signal of the intermediate radio transmission unit in its high state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate radio transmission unit is adaptable to operational properties of the camera to which it is connected. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein operational properties of the intermediate radio transmission unit relate to physical properties and/or the communication interface of the camera to which the unit is connected. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according claim 1, wherein the remote flash device uses an in-built flash radio receiver unit for receiving signals from the intermediate radio transmission unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Intermediate radio transmission unit for wireless transmission of radio signals to at least one remote flash device and for bi-directionally exchanging signals with a camera via a physical connection between the intermediate radio transmission unit and the camera, the intermediate radio transmission unit being adapted to control settings of the remote flash device and to synchronize its function to image acquisition of the camera in accordance with the method of claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) Camera system for controlling settings of at least one remote flash device and for synchronizing its function to image acquisition of a camera, the camera system including the intermediate radio transmission unit in accordance with claim 15, and being adapted to control settings of the remote flash device and to synchronize its function to image acquisition of the camera in accordance with the method. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A non-transitory computer readable medium having a program stored thereon for executing a computer to perform the method in accordance with claim 1. ### Claim 18 A method for controlling flash power of at least one remote flash device and for synchronizing preflash occurrence with measurement using a camera at a point in time when light is captured, the method comprising the steps of: the camera transmitting to an intermediate radio transmission unit a preflash activation signal, the intermediate radio transmission unit starting a timer causing a delay, which delay together with a subsequent time period for forwarding the preflash activation signal to the remote flash device and another subsequent time period for the remote flash device to receive and transform the preflash activation signal into emission of light energy, the delay together with subsequent time periods being adapted to coincide in time with a predetermined delay between the point in time when the camera transmits the preflash activation signal and the point in time when the camera initiates capture of the light emitted as a preflash by the remote flash device coinciding with the predetermined delay, and in dependence on preflash image analysis based on the captured light, determining a flash power change to be applied during a main flash subsequent the preflash. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the timer delay is determined before or at the point in time when the preflash activation signal is transmitted. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the timer delay of the intermediate radio transmission unit is synchronized with the predetermined delay of the camera before or the point in time when the preflash activation signal is transmitted.