Red-eye reduction using multiple function light source
US6259862A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B2215/0571
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A camera auxiliary light system provides supplemental illumination for a passive ranging system in determining camera-to-object distance, provides a self-timer activation status light to persons in a scene, provides a point of visible light to assist in aiming the camera, and provides red-eye reduction illumination. Thus, multiple functions are performed by a single auxiliary light, thereby reducing the number of camera elements and reducing camera cost, size, and weight. The system includes an auxiliary light source, a mode control switch that selects between a self-timer mode, a red-eye reduction mode, and a flash defeat mode, a light sensor that receives light from the scene and produces a signal that indicates the relative amount of light that was received, and a light source controller that controls operation of the auxiliary light source in response to actuation of a shutter release of the camera.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.