Method and apparatus for synchronizing a camera flash accessory for mobile electronic device using a display and optical sensor

An apparatus for a mobile electronic device comprising:

• a means for generating a flash of light to illuminate a target surface;
• a means for sensing light intensity and generating an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of light sensed, said means for sensing light intensity operative to generate a first signal while sensing a light signal from a display of the mobile electronic device, said means for sensing light intensity operative to generate a second signal while not sensing the light signal from the display;
• and
• wherein said means for generating a flash of light turns on to illuminate the target surface in response to the first signal and turns off in response to the second signal.

A system for substantially synchronizing a flash device with an image acquisition of a target by a camera of a mobile electronic device comprising:

• an optical sensor operative to:
• sense a light signal from a display of the mobile electronic device, the light signal comprising a brightening of a select portion of the display of the mobile electronic device, the select portion of the display corresponding to an area of the display where the optical sensor is positioned;
• generate a first signal when sensing the light signal from the display;
• generate a second signal when not sensing the light signal from the display;
• a flash device operative to:
• turn on and illuminate the target in response to the generation of the first signal;
• turn off in response to the generation of the second signal;
• and
• a management system operative to:
• instruct the display to generate the light signal;
• commence the image acquisition of the target by the camera of the mobile electronic device after the flash device illuminates the target in response to the first signal;
• and
• terminate the image acquisition of the target by the camera of the mobile electronic device before the flash device turns off in response to the generation of the second signal.