White LEDs from Lumileds improve functionality of phone flashes
The products are rated for 100,000 flashes at 1A, and for 168 hours of flashlight/torch (DC) mode operation, a function which provides a safety feature for phone users.
Lumileds says that the products are capable of illuminating subjects at a distance of 1-2 m, and provide excellent color illumination resulting in high quality images.
As cameras in mobile phones become more sophisticated, higher-performance flashes are required to meet the lighting demands of megapixel CMOS image sensors now being employed.
"Although some camera phones have conventional LEDs that operate as a 'fun' flash, these don't provide sufficient light for picture-taking in dimly lit environments such as clubs and restaurants," said Julian Carey, Lumileds business development manager.
Lumileds says that it expects phone models using Luxeon Flash to be available in time for the 2004 holiday season.