US Patent 9268197 External shutter and flash for rolling shutter camera

Methods and apparatus for providing an external flash and a global shutter for a device with an integrated rolling shutter camera entail synchronization of the external flash and shutter with the rolling shutter. Responsive to an indication from the device associated with the capture of one or more images, the external flash and shutter are controlled so that exposure is completed before the rolling shutter readout of the camera sensor begins. The disclosed methods and apparatus allow for high quality flash photography not previously possible with such cameras, commonly found in mobile devices, or the like.