Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Apple to patent smart flash

MY PAPER, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2010, PAGE A9
From
http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya270910cnd_opf_files/mya270910cnd.js&ver=Gen
By
CUPERTINO, AGENCIES



PICTURE:
NEW FLASH SYSTEM
SOURCE: PATENTLY APPLE

MY PAPER, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2010, PAGE A9



APPLE is designing an advanced camera flash system that is said to optimise the lighting on the subject, according to a patent application filed by the tech giant.

The filing was related to flash re-directors and new imaging sensors, LA News Monitor reported, quoting technology blog Patently Apple.

According to the patent, the company could integrate the system into a wide variety of Apple products, including its iMac desktop and MacBook laptops.

The company is also planning to use the system in devices based on its iOS operating system and in Apple cameras as well, said LA News Monitor.

This latest move suggests that Apple wants a bigger piece of the imaging business, after having improved the imaging capabilities of its devices, including the iPhone 4 and the iPod touch, according to CNet.

Patently Apple revealed that the flash re-directors would work by selectively illuminating certain areas of a scene with an array of flash lights that point at different directions.

According to the filing, as reported by Patently Apple, the camera flash system will not provide blanket lighting for the whole photograph. It will, however, allow for a lens that redirects a fixed light source, or multiple flashes, said LA News Monitor.

The light source can either be automatically aimed at the place where it is needed or the photographer can control it.

This means that the camera could detect where the subject is and turn on the nearest flash accordingly for a picture with better illumination, reported CNet.

LA News Monitor said that Apple has improved the photographic capabilities of its hugely successful smartphone – the iPhone range – by releasing the iOS 4.1 software update.

The update added high dynamic range, which takes several versions of the same photograph automatically. It also tweaks the exposure for each one automatically, said LA News Monitor.

The technology will then combine the photographs into a single image with near-perfect colour tone and balance.
By CUPERTINO, AGENCIES



HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn


Patent: 专利权 - zhuān lì quán
Illuminating: 照明 - zhào míng
Flash: 闪光灯 - shǎn guāng dēng
Tone: 色调 - sè diào


Reference

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