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US 7,925,151 B2Granted
Device for redirecting and reflecting light from camera flash and methods for using same
OwnerKenneth R. Kobreinventor
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OwnerKenneth R. Kobreinventor
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Devices and methods are provided for redirecting or reflecting light from a camera's built-in flash unit. An exemplary device has a reflector member having a substantially planar surface, at least a portion of which is a reflective surface. A connecting member is provided that has a distal end portion and an opposing proximal end portion. The distal end portion can be attached to the reflector member and the proximal end portion can be configured for releasable mounting to a portion of the camera. The device can be operatively attached to the camera such that the reflector member is spaced from and opposes the flash and is configured to receive and reflect substantially all light produced from the flash.
A device for use with a camera having a built-in flash having a flash axis that extends from the camera toward a subject, comprising:
A device for use with a camera having a built-in flash having a flash axis that extends from the camera toward a subject, comprising:
A device for use with a camera having a built-in flash having a flash axis, comprising:
A device for use with a camera having a built-in flash having a flash axis, comprising:
A device for use with a camera having a built-in flash having a flash axis, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Illuminating scene: special arrangements of screening, diffusing, or reflecting devices, e.g. in studio
Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units: combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
Accessories: optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors
Reflector: movable reflector, e.g. change of illumination angle or illumination direction
About 2 years 1 month of term left · ends 5 Dec 2028 (estimated)
Devices are provided for redirecting and/or reflecting light from a camera flash unit. More specifically, a device is provided for selectively mounting to a camera having a built-in flash, and reflecting light from the flash unit when a picture is taken.
Over the past decade, camera technology has increased significantly, with much focus being placed on digital cameras. However, despite this technological development, certain drawbacks of cameras have yet to be solved.
Generally, all cameras with built-in flash units have one feature in common: they have a relatively small flash unit located generally in the front of the camera. Conventionally, when the shutter is activated to take a picture, the flash unit sends out a direct light flash when an in-camera sensor determines that a scene has insufficient light to make a correctly exposed picture. The user can often manually turn this flash unit on and off.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for redirecting light from a camera's built-in flash unit, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “reflective surface” can include two or more such reflective surfaces unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.