Patent ID: 8384823

Claim:
A method for adjusting a flash current of a flash in a handheld electronic portable device powered by a battery, the method comprising: determining any high current load from sources other than the flash during measurement of the voltage across the battery prior to initiation of the flash; determining any high current load from sources other than the flash during measurement of the voltage across the battery after initiation of the flash; determining a maximum current based on an equivalent series resistance (ESR) value for a predetermined flash current pulse duration, the equivalent series resistance (ESR) value determined as a function of an ESR of the battery after initiation of the flash, any high current loads that occurred during measurement of the voltage across the battery prior to initiation of the flash, any high current loads that occurred during measurement of the voltage across the battery after initiation of the flash, and potential high current loads due to variable loads placed on the battery; and adjusting the flash current to approximate the maximum current to maintain a maximum sustainable flash current over the predetermined flash current pulse duration.