Patent Description:
Photoflash units, also called flash devices, flash lighting devices etc., of various kinds are commonly used in photography for producing a flash of artificial light to help illuminate a scene, a scene which would otherwise be perceived as underexposed, i.e. too dark, to the viewer of a captured picture of the scene. Other uses of flashes are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light. Most current flash lighting devices are electronic and have been developed through xenon-based flash devices to state of the art light emitting diode (LED) flash devices. Modern cameras often activate connected flash lighting devices automatically.

In order to utilize various commonly used flash lighting devices, camera bodies are according to internationally accepted standards equipped with a so-called hot shoe accessory connector. A flash lighting device may be connected, directly or through an extension cord, to the hot shoe connector. The emission of flash light from the lighting device can be synchronized to an image acquisition by the camera by a synchronization signal received by the lighting device. In prior art camera systems, this synchronization signal is transmitted from the camera to the flash device via its connection to the hot shoe connector.

In modern applications of camera systems and in studio equipment for photography, a remote flash lighting device can be triggered by wireless synchronization, which has been realized using optical, such as infrared, and radio frequency communications to the remote flash device. Wireless synchronization typically involves connecting a separate, intermediate signal transmission unit to the hot shoe of the camera, for bidirectionally exchanging signals with the camera. The intermediate signal transmission unit further includes a radio transmitter that sends a signal to a radio receiver provided on the remote flash device, in order to activate the remote flash device in synchronization with image acquisition by the camera. Such a radio frequency communication systems may also include a transmitter at the remote flash device for sending a confirmation signal back to the camera side radio, indicating that the flashside radio has successfully activated the flash lighting device in use.

Examples of such systems and intermediate signal transmission units are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

An intermediate signal transmission unit often comprises a user interface with a number of buttons connected to switches that control a set of functions of the intermediate signal transmission unit itself and also functions of the remote flash device. The most common functions are on/off of the intermediate signal transmission unit, auto-mode of the remote flash device e.g. by TTL of the camera, manual mode of the remote flash device. Such buttons may be physical buttons or buttons on a touch screen. An example of how a user interface of an intermediate signal transmission device can be designed is shown in <CIT>, showing physical buttons and a display screen.

<CIT> describes a wireless communication device for connection to an external port of a camera that provides access to a power supply of the camera and at least one of a photographic synchronization signal and trigger release signal.

<CIT> describes a flash unit capable of being used as a supplementary light source for taking photographs.

The present disclosure is based on the realisation that it would be an advantage to have a more simplified intermediate signal transmission device that would be easy to operate and preferably without having to look at buttons in order to operate the device. A problem to be solved is thus how to obtain an intermediate signal transmission device that can provide this advantage and possibly also other advantages.

Hereby is disclosed a housing for an intermediate signal transmission unit for wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device, the housing comprising.

By providing a housing for an intermediate signal transmission device that makes it possible to control switches of the intermediate signal transmission device by a simple relative movement of two housing parts is obtained the advantage that there is no need for any external buttons, should it be mechanical or on a touch screen, on the device in order to switch on or off a certain switch of the device. This makes it possible to manoeuvre and control the device without having to look at buttons or touch screen. A person taking a photo can e.g. continue to look through the viewfinder of the camera. Moreover, the housing will make the intermediate signal transmission device less sensitive to inadvertent pushing of buttons and it may be possible to have a smooth external surface. The referred to positions of the actuator can e.g. be on/off positions in which the switch is activated or de-activated. The relative movement comprises that the first housing part is configured to be displaceable in relation to the second housing part when the two housing parts are connected, i.e. mounted together to form the housing.

The actuator may comprise a protrusion located on an internal surface of the first housing part. This is a very simple type of actuator that easily can be produced as an integral part of the housing wall.

The housing may comprise a tactile indicator device configured to give tactile feedback to a user, which tactile feedback is associated with the positions of the actuator. This will further improve the advantages mentioned above, e.g. the possibility to manoeuvre and control the device without having to look at buttons or touch screen. This also allows for a more intuitive handling of the device when the user senses a tactile feedback upon reaching e.g. an off position or on position.

The tactile indicator device may comprise.

This is an example of a tactile indicator device of a useful design. However, modifications and also other types of tactile indicator devices are possible. For example, instead of a ball or cylinder it may be possible to have a corresponding member having at least a partly spherical or cylindrical surface configured to cooperate with the recesses and being movable along the internal surface of the first housing part. Other modifications may also include to have the spring-loaded ball/cylinder or corresponding element arranged on the internal wall surface of the first housing part and recesses arranged in the second housing part.

The at least one actuator may be movable between three positions in relation to the second housing part, wherein a third position is a position in which the actuator can control a second switch. This will increase the usability of the housing. In addition to e.g. two positions representing on and off of a first switch, it will be possible to have a third position representing e.g. an on position of a second switch.

The second housing part may comprise an USB-port. There may be different uses for a USB-port. For example it may be used for connection to a rechargeable battery of the intermediate signal transmission device.

The function that the first housing part is displaceable in relation to the second housing part may be obtained, for example, by having a connection between the first housing part and the second housing part that enables the first housing part to be slideable in relation to the second housing part. This can be achieved in different ways. The first housing part may have a first contact surface and the second housing part may have a second contact surface, and said first and second contact surfaces are configured have corresponding shapes and are arranged to face each other when the first and second housing part are connected, such that the first contact surface is slideable along the second contact surface when the first housing part is displaced in relation to the second housing part. The respective contact surfaces may e.g. be contact surfaces that are at least partly annular or cylindrical such that a relative rotational movement can be obtained, or they may have a longitudinal shape such that a relative longitudinal movement can be obtained.

According to one example, the housing may comprise an intermediate connection part by means of which the first housing part is movably connected to the second housing part and thereby displaceable in relation to the second housing part.

As an example, the intermediate connection part may be movably mounted to the second housing part, the first housing part may comprise resilient protruding snap connectors, and the intermediate connection part may comprise corresponding connector recesses configured to receive a respective snap connector upon connection of the first housing part to the second housing part. In other words, the first housing part will be connected to the second housing part via the intermediate connection part. The intermediate connection part will then be locked to the first housing part and form a unit that is movable in relation to the second housing part by means of the intermediate connection part being movably mounted to the second housing part. The above mentioned first contact surface will then be a contact surface of the intermediate connection part. There may also be stop members arranged to limit the relative movement between the first housing part and the second housing part. Such stop members may e.g. be arranged in the first housing part.

As an alternative, the first housing part may comprise resilient snap connectors protruding inwards from an internal surface of the first housing part, and the second housing part may comprise corresponding connector recesses configured to receive a respective snap connector upon connection of the first housing part to the second housing part, and each connector recess having a length that exceeds the length of a corresponding snap connector, whereby the snap connectors are displaceable in the connector recesses and the first housing part is displaceable in relation to the second housing.

Other types of connection arrangements between the first housing part and the second housing part are also conceivable.

The first housing part and the second housing part have a cylindrical shape when connected and the first housing part is displaceable in relation to the second housing part by means of a rotational movement. This has the advantage that the housing may be configured as a knob, that the user can rotate in order to obtain different positions that represent different functions or operation modes of the intermediate signal transmission unit and the remote flash device. Such a knob can also be made relatively big in order to provide a good grip for the user. A cylindrical shape is also advantageous since there will be less risk that other objects get inadvertently caught on the housing as compared to e.g. rectangular housings having protruding corner edges. When the housing parts have a cylindrical shape, the intermediate connection part may be shaped as a ring arranged in e.g. an annular groove provided in the circumferential external surface of the second housing part, and slideable/rotatable in said groove. The connector recesses configured to receive the snap connectors of the first housing part are then provided in e.g. a circumferential external surface of the ring.

The housing may comprise a locking mechanism configured to lock the connector to the camera when connected to the camera, and a release button for releasing the locking mechanism. This prevents that the intermediate signal transmission unit can be inadvertently removed from the camera. It is also an advantage if the intermediate signal transmission unit can be properly locked and fixed to the camera in order to prevent it from moving in relation to the camera when rotating the upper, first housing part. This will also make it possible to make the intermediate signal transmission unit smaller.

Hereby is also disclosed an intermediate signal transmission unit configured to provide wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device, the unit comprising a housing in accordance with any claim describing such a housing and as described above, and signal transmission components accommodated in the housing and including a signal transmitter configured to send control signals to the at least one remote flash device, wherein.

The advantages of the intermediate signal transmission unit correspond to the advantages described above in relation to the housing.

The signal transmission components may comprise a first switch and a second switch, both configured to control the communication between the camera and the at least one remote flash device, wherein the first switch controls one operation mode of the intermediate signal transmission unit, and the second switch controls another operation mode of the intermediate signal transmission unit. The first switch and the second switch may be controlled separately by the actuator when the first housing part is displaced in relation to the second housing part.

As an example, a first switch may be configured to be in a first state corresponding to the first operation mode when the actuator is in the first position and in a second state corresponding to the second operation mode when the actuator is in the second position, , and the second switch may be configured to be in a first state corresponding to a third operation mode when the actuator is in a third position, wherein said positions are obtainable by displacing the first housing part in relation to the second housing part.

Both the first switch and the second switch may be configured to be in a respective second disconnected state corresponding to the second operation mode when the actuator is in the second position. The second operation mode may thus be a default mode in which none of the switches are actuated by the actuator and therefore not connected.

The three operation modes may e.g. comprise one mode that is an off mode in which the intermediate signal transmission unit does not transmit any signals to the flash device, one mode that is a manual mode in which the flash device is controllable manually, and one mode that is an auto-mode in which the flash device is controlled automatically by the camera. This allows the user to trigger the flash light from the top of the camera with only three settings, off, auto and manual. In prior art manual mode is usually only possible to choose from the remote flash device itself. Naturally, it would be possible to have only two modes, e.g. a manual mode and an auto mode. It would also be possible to have additional modes of operation and additional switches, as well as other, different modes of operation.

According to one example, the first operation mode may be an off mode in which the intermediate signal transmission unit does not transmit any signals to the flash device, the third operation mode may be a manual mode in which the flash device is controllable manually, and the second operation mode may be an auto-mode obtained when the actuator is in the second position and in which the flash device is controlled automatically by the camera.

The intermediate signal transmission unit may comprise a re-chargeable battery, which may be chargeable via an USB-port provided in the housing. This can e.g. be a Latium polymer battery.

The intermediate signal transmission unit may comprises a status indicator indicating the status of at least one function of the intermediate signal transmission unit, and which status indication is visible from outside of the housing. This may be configured to show the status of e.g. one or more of the following functions:.

The status may be indicated by a light emitted to the outside of the housing, and the light may have different colours depending on the different functions. a LED light device may be arranged in the housing.

The housing allows for the intermediate signal transmission device to be fairly small and light while at the same time the actual grip element can be fairly big since the entire upper part of the housing, i.e. the movable first part of the housing, can be designed as a knob that can be turned or moved e.g. by sliding. Thus it will be easy to handle also for persons with big hands and persons having problems related to reduced finger gripping capability.

By the expression that the actuator can control a switch is intended that the actuator can actuate or operate the switch. the actuator can actuate/operate the switch such that in a first state or position of the switch, the switch is in a connected state in which a function controlled by the switch activated. When the actuator actuates or operates the switch to be in a second state or position, the switch is disconnected such that the mentioned function is no longer activated. It is possible that instead another function is activated and this can e.g. be a default function.

The intermediate signal transmission device as such may be configured to transmit radio signal, blue tooth, or any other suitable type of signals.

Further features and advantages will also become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and examples.

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the enclosed schematic drawings illustrating different examples according to the present disclosure, and in which:.

Elements that are the same or represent corresponding or equivalent elements have been given the same reference numbers in the different figures.

In <FIG> is schematically illustrated an example of a camera system comprising a camera <NUM>, an intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM> and a remote flash device <NUM>. The camera <NUM> comprises a connector <NUM>, e.g. a hot shoe, to which the intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM> is connectable.

<FIG> illustrate schematically an example of a housing <NUM> for an intermediate signal transmission unit for wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device. The housing <NUM> comprises a first housing part <NUM> and a second housing part <NUM> which are connected. The second housing part <NUM> is configured to accommodate signal transmission components of the intermediate signal transmission unit. The housing <NUM> further comprises a connector <NUM> by means of which the housing is physically connectable to a camera, and said connector is arranged on the second housing part <NUM>. The connector can provide both mechanical connection and electric/electronic connection between the camera and the housing and any signal transmission components in the housing.

The first housing part <NUM> is displaceable in relation to the second housing part <NUM>. The first housing part <NUM> comprises at least one actuator <NUM> configured to control at least one switch <NUM>, <NUM> that is part of the signal transmission components that are accommodated in the second housing part <NUM>. The at least one actuator <NUM> is movable between at least two positions in relation to the second housing part <NUM>, comprising a first position in which the actuator can control the switch <NUM>, <NUM> to be in a first state and a second position in which the actuator can control the switch <NUM>,<NUM> to be in a second state, by means of displacing the first housing part <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> in relation to the second housing part <NUM>.

The cross section in <FIG> is a cross sections of the upper, first housing part, as seen from above, along A-A as shown in <FIG>. The cross sections in <FIG> are corresponding cross section with the first housing part in other positions. In the interior of the housing <NUM>, when the first and second housing parts are mounted together, there is a cavity <NUM> in which the signal transmission components of an intermediate signal transmission unit can be accommodated.

The actuator <NUM> may comprise a protrusion <NUM> located on an internal surface <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may comprise a tactile indicator device <NUM> configured to give tactile feedback to a user, which tactile feedback is associated with the positions of the actuator <NUM>.

The tactile indicator device <NUM> may comprise recesses <NUM> located in an internal surface <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM>, the number of recesses corresponding to at least the number of positions of the actuator <NUM>. The tactile indicator device <NUM> may comprise a spring loaded ball or cylinder <NUM> located in or on the second housing part <NUM>, and configured for cooperation with the recesses <NUM>, such that the ball/cylinder is pressed into a first recess <NUM> by means of a spring <NUM>, when the actuator <NUM> is in a first position. The spring-loaded ball or cylinder <NUM> is further configured to move along the internal surface <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> during displacement of the first housing part <NUM> in relation to the second housing part <NUM>, until it reaches a second recess <NUM> being located to correspond to the actuator <NUM> being in a second position.

The at least one actuator <NUM> may be movable between three positions in relation to the second housing part <NUM>, wherein a third position is a position in which the actuator can control a second switch <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate examples of three different positions of the first housing part in relation to the second housing part, as will be further described later.

The second housing part <NUM> may comprise a USB-port <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may comprise an intermediate connection part <NUM> by means of which the first housing part <NUM> is movably connected to the second housing part <NUM> and thereby displaceable in relation to the second housing part <NUM>. An example and a view of the intermediate connection part <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

The movable connection of the first housing part <NUM> to the second housing part <NUM> may be achieved by the intermediate connection part <NUM> being movably mounted to the second housing part, in combination with the first housing part <NUM> comprising resilient protruding snap connectors <NUM>, and the intermediate connection part comprising corresponding connector recesses <NUM> configured to receive a respective snap connector <NUM> upon connection of the first housing part <NUM> to the second housing part <NUM>. The intermediate connection part <NUM> will then be locked to the first housing part <NUM>. The intermediate connection part <NUM> and the first housing part <NUM> will then form a unit that is movable in relation to the second housing part <NUM> by means of the intermediate connection part <NUM> being movably mounted to the second housing part <NUM>. This is shown in <FIG> by the arrow P.

The first housing part <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM> have a cylindrical shape when connected and the first housing part <NUM> may be displaceable in relation to the second housing part <NUM> by means of a rotational movement.

The housing <NUM> may comprise a locking mechanism <NUM> configured to lock the connector <NUM> to the camera when connected to the camera, and a release button <NUM> for releasing the locking mechanism.

In <FIG> is schematically illustrated an intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM> configured to provide wireless communication between a camera <NUM> and at least one remote flash device <NUM>, and which comprises a housing <NUM> as described above. The unit further comprises signal transmission components <NUM> accommodated in the housing. The signal transmission components <NUM> include a signal transmitter <NUM> configured to send control signals to the at least one remote flash device, see also <FIG>. The connector <NUM> of the housing is configured to enable bi-directional exchange of signals between the signal transmission components <NUM> and the intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM> and the camera. The signal transmission components also comprise at least one switch <NUM>, <NUM> configured to control the communication between the camera and the at least one remote flash device by controlling operation modes of the intermediate signal transmission unit, and which switch <NUM>, <NUM> can be controlled by means of the actuator <NUM> when the first housing part <NUM> is displaced in relation to the second housing part <NUM> such that when the actuator is in a first position the switch is in a first state wherein the intermediate signal transmission unit functions in a first operation mode, and when the actuator is in a second position the switch is in a second state wherein the intermediate signal transmission unit functions in a second operation mode.

Generally, by signal transmission components is intended any electric or electronic components and circuitry that is necessary to perform the required functions of the intermediate signal transmission unit. Reference is made to <FIG> schematically illustrating such components including switches <NUM>, <NUM>, battery <NUM>, signal transmitter <NUM> to flash, signal processing element <NUM>, and optionally a controller for status indicator <NUM>.

The signal transmission components may comprise a first switch <NUM> and a second switch <NUM>, both configured to control the communication between the camera <NUM> and the at least one remote flash device <NUM>. The first switch may control one operation mode of the intermediate signal transmission unit. The second switch may control another operation mode of the intermediate signal transmission unit. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> may be controlled separately by the actuator <NUM> when the first housing part <NUM> is displaced in relation to the second housing part <NUM>.

Generally, a first switch <NUM> may be configured to be in a first state corresponding to the first operation mode when the actuator <NUM> is in the first position. This is illustrated in <FIG>. A second switch <NUM> can be configured to be in a first state corresponding to a third operation mode when the actuator <NUM> is in a third position. This is illustrated in <FIG>. The positions are obtainable by displacing the first housing part <NUM> in relation to the second housing part <NUM>, and thereby displacing the actuator <NUM> in relation to the switches <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown by the arrows P in <FIG>.

Both the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> may be configured to be in a respective second disconnected state corresponding to the second operation mode when the actuator <NUM> is in the second position. This is illustrated in <FIG>.

The three operation modes may comprise one mode that is an off mode in which the intermediate signal transmission unit does not transmit any signals to the flash device, one mode that is a manual mode in which the flash device is controllable manually, and one mode that is an auto-mode in which the flash device is controlled automatically by the camera. An auto-mode may e.g. be a TTL mode.

The first operation mode controlled by the first switch <NUM> may be an off mode in which the intermediate signal transmission unit does not transmit any signals to the remote flash device. Preferably the intermediate signal transmission unit is also turned off such that it does not receive any signals from the camera. The third operation mode controlled by the second switch <NUM> may be a manual mode in which the flash device is controllable manually. The second operation mode may be an auto-mode obtained when the actuator <NUM> is in the second position and in which the flash device is controlled automatically by the camera. These examples can be seen in <FIG>. The auto-mode may be a default mode.

The intermediate signal transmission unit may comprise a re-chargeable battery <NUM>, which is chargeable via an USB-port <NUM> provided in the housing <NUM>.

The intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM> may comprise a status indicator <NUM> indicating the status of at least one function of the intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM>, and which status indication is visible from outside of the housing <NUM>.

Further examples and details will now be described with reference to the figures.

<FIG> show an example of a housing <NUM> having cylindrical shape. The upper, first housing part <NUM> is rotatable in relation to the lower, second housing part <NUM>. Inside the housing is provided a cavity <NUM> in which signal transmission components of an intermediate signal transmission unit can be accommodated. <FIG> shows different positions of the upper, first housing part <NUM> in relation to the lower second housing part <NUM>, which are obtainable by rotating the first housing part <NUM> in relation to the second housing part <NUM>, as illustrated by the arrows P. The first housing part has three recesses <NUM> in the internal wall thereof, and each recess corresponds to a position of the actuator <NUM>. The different positions correspond to different operation modes of an intermediate signal transmission unit, e.g. manual, auto, off. In <FIG> the upper, first housing part <NUM> is shown in cross section and the only element of the lower, second housing part <NUM> that is shown is the part of the tactile indicator device <NUM> that is located in, or on the second housing part, namely the housing <NUM> for the indicator device and the spring <NUM>. The spring loaded ball or cylinder <NUM> is located in a first recess <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, corresponding to a first position in which the actuator <NUM> by means of the protrusion <NUM> interacts with the first switch <NUM>. This position represents an off mode of the intermediate signal transmission unit, as an example.

The switches <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are actually not part of the housing but are part of the signal transmission components <NUM> of the intermediate signal transmission unit, but are included in the figures in order to facilitate the understanding of the functions.

In <FIG>, a user has rotated the upper, first housing part such that the spring-loaded ball <NUM> has moved along the internal surface <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> and come to rest in a second recess <NUM>. In this position the actuator <NUM> does not interact with any of the switches. In this example it corresponds to an auto mode. In <FIG> the user has rotated the first housing even further and the spring loaded ball <NUM> has moved along the internal surface <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> and come to rest in a third recess <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> has thus been moved to a third position in which it interacts with a second switch <NUM> representing a third mode of operation, which in the example represents a manual mode. As can be seen in the figures, there may be provided stop elements <NUM> that limit the rotational movement of the first housing part <NUM> relative the second housing part <NUM>. The stop elements <NUM> can be configured as members projecting from the internal wall surface of the first housing part or from the top cover part of the upper, first housing part <NUM>. The tactile indicator will provide the user with a distinct tactile feedback when the ball enters a recess.

The interaction with between the actuator <NUM> and the switches <NUM>, <NUM> can be implemented in different ways. For example the switches may be spring loaded. When the actuator <NUM> enters into contact with a switch, e.g. by a sideways motion that physically moves a switch element, the switch is activated. This can be referred to as a first state of the switch. Activation of a switch entails that the intermediate signal transmission unit enters into a different operation mode. For example, it may change from an auto mode into an off mode, as in <FIG>. When the actuator is moved in the opposite direction, the switch will spring back into its previous de-activated position as shown in <FIG>. This can be referred to as a second state of the switch. The corresponding course of events occurs with regard to the second switch <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. However, an activated position of the switch here represents a manual operation mode. Naturally, the relative positions of the operation modes may be shifted and also other operation modes may be conceivable.

The resilient snap connectors <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> are three in the illustrated example and the corresponding recesses <NUM> in the intermediate connection part <NUM> are also three, but the number may of course vary. In the shown example, see <FIG>, the snap connectors <NUM> are configured as elongated elements protruding from the lower edge of the first housing part <NUM>, in a direction inwards. The corresponding recesses <NUM> in the intermediate connection part <NUM> are recesses formed in the lower edge of the intermediate connection part. This can also be seen in <FIG>.

As mentioned, when the housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> have a general cylindrical or annular shape as shown in the illustrated example, the intermediate connection <NUM> part may be shaped as a ring, as shown in <FIG>. The ring is arranged in e.g. an annular groove <NUM> provided in the circumferential external surface of the second housing part <NUM>, and the ring is slideable/rotatable in said groove. See also <FIG>. The connector recesses <NUM> configured to receive the snap connectors <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> are then provided in e.g. a circumferential external surface of the ring <NUM>.

When the first housing part <NUM> is lowered onto the second housing part <NUM>, the resilient snap connectors <NUM> will be slightly pressed outwards until they reach the recesses <NUM> and are able to enter and snap into the recesses. The first housing part is then locked to the intermediate connection part <NUM>. Naturally, other designs for the snap connectors and connector recesses are possible. For example, the snap connectors may be located higher up on the internal surface of the first housing part and the connector recesses may be configured as openings in the external surface of the intermediate connection part. It may also be possible to have other designs that do not involve a snap function.

Since the ring shaped intermediate connection part <NUM> is locked to the first housing part <NUM> they can be said to form a unit. This unit has what may be called a contact surface that faces a corresponding contact surface of the second housing part <NUM>, The contact surface of first housing part mounted on the intermediate connection part <NUM> is then the internal circumferential surface of the ring shaped intermediate connection part <NUM>. This contact surface is thus rotatable and slideable along the corresponding contact surface of the groove <NUM> in the second housing part <NUM>, when the first housing part is displaced in relation to the second housing part. A relative rotational movement can be obtained when gripping and rotating the upper first housing part.

In <FIG> is shown an example of a locking mechanism <NUM> configured to lock the housing connector <NUM> to the camera when connected to the camera. The locking mechanism comprises a lock pin <NUM> that protrudes from the connector and which is insertable into a hole in the hot shoe of the camera. The lock pin <NUM> is pressed down in the locking position by means of a spring-loaded lock member <NUM>, to which it is connected. The locking mechanism further comprises a release button <NUM>. When the release button <NUM> is pushed, the spring <NUM> is compressed by means of a stem <NUM> connected to the release button and this will force the lock member <NUM> upwards and thereby lifting the lock pin <NUM> into an unlocked position. The locking mechanism may of course also be implemented on other types of housings for intermediate signal transmission units.

As mentioned above, the intermediate signal transmission unit may comprises a status indicator <NUM> indicating the status of at least one function of the intermediate signal transmission unit <NUM>, and which status indication is visible from outside of the housing. This may be arranged by means of an opening, preferably covered by a transparent material, in the upper cover of the first housing part <NUM>. The status indicator may be configured to show the status of e.g. one or more of the following functions: connection to Blue tooth, battery is fully charged, low battery level, critically low battery, charging of battery, status: ready for operation. The status indicator may be configured with a light emitter that is controlled to emit lights of different colours depending on what status information is intended to transmit to the user. The status indicator comprises a controller <NUM> that comprises the necessary components that controls what functions are to be represented by the status indicator, which detects the status of the functions, and emits a corresponding signal, e.g. a light, that is visible from outside of the intermediate signal transmission unit. The status indicator arrangement may of course also be implemented on other types of intermediate signal transmission units.

Claim 1:
A housing (<NUM>) for an intermediate signal transmission unit for wireless communication between a camera and at least one remote flash device, the housing comprising
- a first housing part (<NUM>) and a second housing part (<NUM>) which are connected, said second housing part being configured to accommodate signal transmission components (<NUM>) of the intermediate signal transmission unit,
- a connector (<NUM>) by means of which the housing is physically connectable to a camera, said connector being arranged on the second housing part (<NUM>),
wherein
- the first housing part (<NUM>) is displaceable in relation to the second housing part (<NUM>),
- the first housing part (<NUM>) comprises at least one actuator (<NUM>) configured to control at least one switch (<NUM>; <NUM>), said switch being part of the signal transmission components (<NUM>) and located in the second housing part (<NUM>),
- the at least one actuator (<NUM>) is movable between at least two positions in relation to the second housing part (<NUM>), comprising a first position in which the actuator can control the switch (<NUM>; <NUM>) to be in a first state and a second position in which the actuator can control the switch to be in a second state, by means of displacing the first housing part (<NUM>) and the actuator (<NUM>) in relation to the second housing part (<NUM>), and characterized in that
- the first housing part (<NUM>) and the second housing part (<NUM>) have a cylindrical shape when connected and the first housing part (<NUM>) is displaceable in relation to the second housing part (<NUM>) by means of a rotational movement.