Apple Sees Way of Using Multiple iPhones as Camera Flashes

Apple have filed a new patent, in which a primary iOS device controls many other secondary devices as assistant flashes; to light the scene. When taking photos in low light the outcome may not always be as desired, that's why we use flashes to light the scene up. But, one flash might not be enough or it might ruin a face shot, that is why Apple have come up with this new system. 

The US Patent and Trademark Office filed it as an "Illumination system" and stated: "A method for capturing an image with an image capture device, such as a camera or mobile electronic device. The method includes initiating a master-slave relationship between the image capture device and at least one secondary device. Once the master-slave relationship is initiated, remotely activating one of an at least one light source of the at least one secondary device. As the light source is activated, capturing a test image of a scene illuminated by the at least one light source by the image capture device. Then, analyzing the test image to determine if an illumination of the scene should be adjusted and if the illumination of the scene is to be adjusted, providing a control signal to the at least one secondary device including at least one of a position instruction, an intensity level, or timing data." The original idea is credited to Richard L. Baer, Apple's engineering manager, and was first filed in November 2011.

The patent can be considered as a "social camera flash" seeing as multiple devices are used to light up a scene; all of them being controlled by the main device (an iPhone, iPod or iPad). The main device can either be a camera enabled handset or a normal camera, whilst the secondary devices can be ones with lighting capabilities or be the same product as the primary device. All of the secondary devices can be controlled manually or automatically, to make sure they flash at the same time or in a desired sequence.

Taking photos with iPhones is becoming more and more popular, due to the large number of photo editing and camera apps, such as Instagram. The photos taken with phones aren't always the best, which is why many people choose to use different filters on their photos. Whilst this is trending, the sales of compact cameras are declining, meaning that not everyone prefers to carry bulky cameras around with them. Phones are much smaller, lighter and give you many photo editing options. Which do you prefer?