Video timing test equipment and methods of using the same for measuring light integration time of a camera

A video timing test equipment for measuring light integration time of a camera under test, comprising:

• a control unit capable of generating a plurality of input timing signals adjustable by a user;
• and
• a shutter timing test unit operatively coupled to said control unit, said shutter timing test unit comprising:
• a plurality of timing LEDs, including:
• at least one left timing LED, a center timing LED, and at least one right timing LED;
• a timing logic capable of generating a first timing LED start time signal and a pulse width signal, based on said plurality of input timing signals;
• wherein said first timing LED start time signal corresponds to a start time as to when a first of said plurality of timing LEDs begins to illuminate and wherein said pulse width signal corresponds to a time period for illuminating each of said plurality of timing LEDs;
• an output controller capable of regulating an illumination of said plurality of timing LEDs by generating a plurality of timing LED output signals, each having an offset time occurring sequentially and corresponding to an associated one of said plurality of timing LEDs, said plurality of timing LED output signals being adjusted based on:
• (1) said first timing LED start time signal and (2) said pulse width signal and including a center timing LED output signal associated with said illumination of said center timing LED;
• wherein said output controller is configured to:
• i) illuminate said center timing LED based on said offset time of said center timing LED output signal;
• ii) illuminate said at least one left timing LED before said illumination of said center timing LED;
• and
• iii) illuminate said at least one right timing LED after said illumination of said center timing LED.

A method for measuring light integration time of a camera under test with a video timing test equipment, comprising:

• providing a video timing test equipment having a control unit and a shutter timing test unit;
• wherein said control unit is capable of generating a plurality of input timing signals adjustable by a user and comprises:
• (1) a toggle switch and (2) at least one rotary control knob;
• wherein said toggle switch is selectable between a start of light integration and an end of light integration and wherein said at least one rotary control knob is used to adjust an offset time of said start and said end of light integration;
• wherein said shutter timing test unit is operatively coupled to said control unit and comprises:
• a plurality of timing LEDs, including:
• at least one left timing LED, a center timing LED, and at least one right timing LED;
• and
• an output controller capable of regulating an illumination of said plurality of timing LEDs by generating a plurality of timing LED output signals, each having an offset time increasing successively and corresponding to an associated one of said plurality of timing LEDs, said plurality of timing LED output signals being adjusted based on said plurality of input timing signals and includes a center timing LED output signal associate with said illumination of said center timing LED;
• wherein said output controller is configured to:
• i) illuminate said center timing LED based on said offset time of said center timing LED output signal;
• ii) illuminate said at least one left timing LED before said illumination of said center timing LED;
• and
• iii) illuminate said at least one right timing LED after said illumination of said center timing LED;
• positioning said shutter timing test unit in view of a camera under test, such that, a monitor in video communication with said camera under test displays a video image of said timing LEDs of said shutter timing test unit;
• adjusting said toggle switch of said control unit to select said start of light integration;
• and
• while viewing said timing LEDs on said monitor, adjusting said at least one control knob of said control unit until said at least one left timing LED stops illuminating and said center timing LED illuminates in order to measure said start of said light integration.