Patent ID: 6154612
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A flash control device for use with a camera, comprising:a light emission unit which emits light to illuminate a subject to be imaged by the camera;a preliminary light emission control unit which causes said light emission unit to emit light during a preliminary light emission operation prior to a main exposure operation to be performed by the camera and until a predetermined amount of light is received at the camera during said preliminary light emission operation;a light guide unit disposed before an imaging unit of said camera configured to guide light reflected by said subject to be imaged to said preliminary light emission control unit;a main light emission calculation unit which calculates an amount of light that said light emission unit is to emit during a main light emission operation based on said guided light reflected by said subject to be imaged during said preliminary light emission; anda main light emission control unit which controls the emission of light by said light emission unit during a main exposure operation within the camera based on an output of said main light emission calculation unit.