Photography – Flash system responsive to focal length or distance – Illumination angle responds to focal length or distance
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-26
2004-08-03
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photography
Flash system responsive to focal length or distance
Illumination angle responds to focal length or distance
C396S175000, C396S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06771898
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of photography and more specifically to the control of the direction and collimation of a camera flash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the development of the electronic flash many cameras have incorporated a small built-in flash into their design. While limited in power, these flashes often serve as a fill flash for backlit subjects or a primary light source for nearby subjects. Some cameras with zoom lenses also include means for controlling the collimation of a built-in flash. The flash collimation often is configured to be proportional to the present focal length of the zoom lens. As the focal length of the lens increases the collimation of the flash also increases to substantially match the angle of view of the lens.
Some current electronic flash units are configured to tilt and swivel the flash head or the entire unit. This allows the user to bounce the flash off of a ceiling or wall to create indirect, diffuse lighting instead of the often harsh lighting of a direct flash.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronic flash is constructed with the ability to vary both collimation and direction allowing a user to direct the flash to a portion of the subject. Collimation and direction of the flash may be displayed in the viewfinder of the camera and may be independently controlled by the user.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3783261 (1974-01-01), Hartmann
patent: 5055866 (1991-10-01), Takebayashi
patent: 5272570 (1993-12-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 6400905 (2002-06-01), Tenmyo
Bean Heather N
Robins Mark N.
Adams Russell
Gebman Leslie P.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Smith Arthur A
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