Patent ID: 6885405
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A flash method operable each time a flash picture is taken with a digital camera, said method comprising performing the following steps with the camera each time the camera takes a flash picture: a) activating a flash with a flash energy lower than the energy normally required for an acceptable final flash energy level for achieving a correct exposure; b) grabbing an image of a subject located a distance from said camera to create image intensity data; c) analyzing said image intensity data to determine a flash degree of exposure, wherein the analyzing does not require knowledge of said distance; d) calculating a subsequent flash energy level to achieve a corrected degree of exposure; e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until the acceptable final flash energy level for achieving a correct exposure is determined; and f) activating a flash at the determined acceptable final flash energy; wherein each of steps (a) through (f) is performed automatically each time the camera takes a flash picture.