# US 11,310,437 B2 · Control apparatus, control method, image capturing apparatus, and storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,310,437 B2 - Document ID: US11310437B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/196,554 - Filed: 2021-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-16 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-10 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Azusa Sugawara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310437B2 ## CPC - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - H04N 23/74: by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means - G03B 3/10: Power-operated focusing - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/661: Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet - G03B 2206/00: Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing - 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) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A control apparatus that controls a strobe to fire in synchronization with an end of an exposure period of an image capturing apparatus, includes a wireless communication device that communicates wirelessly with the strobe, and a controller that controls the wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device periodically sends a signal for maintaining communication with the strobe during the exposure period of the image capturing apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control apparatus that controls a strobe to fire in synchronization with an end of an exposure period of an image capturing apparatus, the control apparatus comprising: a wireless communication device that communicates wirelessly with the strobe; and a controller that controls the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device periodically sends a signal for maintaining communication with the strobe during the exposure period of the image capturing apparatus, wherein the wireless communication device stops the signal, then sends a firing trigger signal to the strobe immediately before the exposure period ends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device sends the signal before the exposure period starts, suspends the signal after a state in which communication with the strobe is possible has been established, and resumes sending the signal after the exposure period has started. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication device resumes sending the signal when the exposure period is longer than a predetermined time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls a timing at which the signal is suspended on the basis of a notification from the image capturing apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets a timing at which the signal is stopped before the exposure period ends on the basis of a shutter speed value set in the image capturing apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets a timing at which the signal is stopped before the exposure period ends on the basis of a timing at which a release switch of the image capturing apparatus is deactivated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a beacon signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is a transmitter connected to a hot shoe of the image capturing apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter includes a light-emitting unit and functions as a master strobe, and controls the strobe as a slave strobe. ### Claim 10 An image capturing apparatus comprising a control apparatus that controls a strobe to fire in synchronization with an end of an exposure period of an image capturing apparatus, wherein the control apparatus comprises: a wireless communication device that communicates wirelessly with the strobe; and a controller that controls the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device periodically sends a signal for maintaining communication with the strobe during the exposure period of the image capturing apparatus, wherein the wireless communication device stops the signal, then sends a firing trigger signal to the strobe immediately before the exposure period ends. ### Claim 11 A control method of controlling a strobe to fire in synchronization with an end of an exposure period of an image capturing apparatus, the method comprising: communicating wirelessly with the strobe; and controlling the wireless communication, wherein in the wireless communication, a signal for maintaining communication with the strobe is periodically sent during the exposure period of the image capturing apparatus, and wherein in the wireless communication, immediately before the exposure period ends, the signal is stopped, then a firing trigger signal is sent to the strobe. ### Claim 12 A computer-readable storage medium in which is stored a program that causes a computer to execute a control method of controlling a strobe to fire in synchronization with an end of an exposure period of an image capturing apparatus, the method comprising: communicating wirelessly with the strobe; and controlling the wireless communication, wherein in the wireless communication, a signal for maintaining communication with the strobe is periodically sent during the exposure period of the image capturing apparatus, and wherein in the wireless communication, immediately before the exposure period ends, the signal is stopped, then a firing trigger signal is sent to the strobe.