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Introduction
The flash bulb is a common feature in modern cameras. When a picture is taken of a not so well lit scene, the bulb flashes light so that the picture taken will be brighter. While a typical digital camera uses a Xenon flash [1], Bigshot uses an LED (Light Emitting Diode, pronounced L.E.D) [2] flash. LEDs are tiny light bulbs that are smaller than Xenon flashes and last longer than they do. Since almost all of the power that LEDs consume is converted into light instead of heat, they are highly efficient. They can also produce light in a variety of colors, unlike Xenon flashes. Due to these advantages, LEDs have become popular in many electronic lighting devices and are rapidly replacing regular light bulbs. They are a staple of such everyday items as TVs, computer monitors, traffic signals, and street lights [2]. Nowadays, LEDs are also being used in homes and automobiles. Since LEDs can emit a wide range of colors, they can even replace sunlight to increase photosynthesis in greenhouse plants [2]! Bigshot's flash has three different settings: No Flash (never flash), Forced Flash (always flash), and Auto Flash (flash only when necessary). In Auto Flash mode, Bigshot decides when a location is dark enough to need the flash. Since the flash is very bright, a AA battery is required to power it.
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