A control method applied to a photographing apparatus that includes a lens, an external device, and a body communicatively connected to the lens and the external device. The control method includes the body sending a shutter opening command to the lens; the lens sending a trigger signal to the body according to the shutter opening command, the trigger signal including a first pulse and a second pulse; and the body receiving the trigger signal sent from the lens, triggering a resetting operation of an image sensor inside the body according to the first pulse and triggering activation of the external device according to the second pulse.

A system and a method for object selective camera flash are provided herein. The steps of the method may include: capturing a raw image of a scene using a capturing device, wherein a scene comprises background and objects viewed by the capturing device; indicating at least one location on the captured raw image, wherein the location on the captured image corresponds with a location in the scene; calculating a volume portion within the scene based on the indicated at least one location on the captured raw image; generating a flash pulse having specified parameters directed at the scene; synchronizing an exposure of the capturing device to be carried out when reflections of the flash pulse from the calculated volume portion reaches the capturing device; and accumulating the reflections to yield an enhanced image.

A communication apparatus which is capable of, when remotely instructing an image pickup apparatus to execute a shooting operation, instructing execution of a shooting operation using a suitable method. A first sending unit sends a first signal for instructing execution of a shooting operation to a mounted image pickup apparatus via a cable connected to the mounted image pickup apparatus. A second sending unit sends a second signal for instructing execution of the shooting operation to the mounted image pickup apparatus via a signal terminal that is electrically connected to a terminal provided in an accessory shoe of the mounted image pickup apparatus. A control unit controls the first and second sending units so that, when execution of the shooting operation is instructed, a signal to be sent to the mounted image pickup apparatus is switched between the first signal and the second signal.

A communication apparatus which is capable of, when remotely instructing an image pickup apparatus to execute a shooting operation, instructing execution of a shooting operation using a suitable method. A first sending unit sends a first signal for instructing execution of a shooting operation to a mounted image pickup apparatus via a cable connected to the mounted image pickup apparatus. A second sending unit sends a second signal for instructing execution of the shooting operation to the mounted image pickup apparatus via a signal terminal that is electrically connected to a terminal provided in an accessory shoe of the mounted image pickup apparatus. A control unit controls the first and second sending units so that, when execution of the shooting operation is instructed, a signal to be sent to the mounted image pickup apparatus is switched between the first signal and the second signal.

An optical sensor system comprises a rolling shutter camera, a laser, and a liquid lens placed in a path of the laser, wherein the liquid lens is synchronized to the camera. A related method for synchronized optical profilometry comprises providing a camera, providing a laser beam source, providing a liquid lens, and synchronizing the liquid lens to the camera. A computer program product is also provided.

An optical sensor system comprises a rolling shutter camera, a laser, and a liquid lens placed in a path of the laser, wherein the liquid lens is synchronized to the camera. A related method for synchronized optical profilometry comprises providing a camera, providing a laser beam source, providing a liquid lens, and synchronizing the liquid lens to the camera. A computer program product is also provided.

An image capturing apparatus capable of reducing exposure variation in opposite end areas of an image when photographing is performed with flash light emission while shortening a flash synchronization time. A system controller determines a shutter speed for flash light emission photographing. The system controller selectively executes first control for controlling a traveling speed of a front curtain of a shutter and a traveling speed of a rear curtain of the shutter to the same speed, and second control for controlling the traveling speed of the front curtain to be higher than the traveling speed of the rear curtain. Before flash light emission photographing is performed, the system controller determines which of the first control and the second control is to be adopted according to the shutter speed.

An image capturing apparatus capable of reducing exposure variation in opposite end areas of an image when photographing is performed with flash light emission while shortening a flash synchronization time. A system controller determines a shutter speed for flash light emission photographing. The system controller selectively executes first control for controlling a traveling speed of a front curtain of a shutter and a traveling speed of a rear curtain of the shutter to the same speed, and second control for controlling the traveling speed of the front curtain to be higher than the traveling speed of the rear curtain. Before flash light emission photographing is performed, the system controller determines which of the first control and the second control is to be adopted according to the shutter speed.