Light barrier system Joker²

The infrared camera trigger system Joker² consists of two functional units: one analogue unit, which controls the three light beams and one digital unit that operates the four outputs. Linking up of the analogue and the digital parts creates totally new possibilities for actuating cameras, flashes or other devices arise.

For example, it is fairly easy to have one output react to light beam 1 and control a camera, while another one reacts to light beam 3, for example, and releases a flash. In addition, the user can individually determine the release time delay, the lentgh of release, number of releases etc. for each output. Apart from that it is possible to define a timeframe with a start- and stop time within which (and only during this time!) the output is allowed to respond to incidents.

There is a variety of parameters which control the properties of the infreared camera trigger.

The following ssettings can be made for the analogue unit, which constitues the infrared light-beams themselves:

• The action mode is a combination of several light beams. As soon as one action mode is considered fulfilled (e.g. light beam interrupted), an output can react and trigger a camera, for example. The infrared camera trigger system Joker² contains eight action modes:
  

  	Simple light barrier As soon as the light beam is interrupted, the action mode is considered fulfilled.
  	Cross light barrier Two light beams are arranged such that their beams cross each other. If an object is located directly at the crossing point, thus both light beams interrupted, the action mode is fulfilled (logical AND-operation).
  	Direction-sensitive light barrier The action mode is fulfilled if light beam number one is interrupted first and then light beam number two afterwards.
  	2-beam curtain light barrier The action mode is filfilled as soon as at least one light beam is interrupted (logical OR-operation).
  	3-beam cross light barrier This action mode is comparable to the simple cross barrier. However, this one is carried out as AND-operation with 3 light beams. The action mode is fulfilled when all three light beams are interrupted at the same time. They do not necessarily have to be placed in the same plane.
  	Cross direction-sensitive light barrier This is a combination of the direction-sensitive and the cross barrier. The action mode is fulfilled when an object interrupts light beam 1 first and then the cross barrier of light beams 2 and 3.
  	Curtain light barrier The action mode is fulfilled if at least one light beam is interrupted (logical OR-operation). Using curtain IR camera triggers, it is possibe to scan whole areas, as can be necessary for bird photography. When positioning three light beams upright with an approximate distance just a little short of the bird´s wingspan, it is possible to scan an area of almost four wingspans; the height depends on the distance between IR camera trigger and reflector.
  	Time exposure When entering a starting and a stopping point using the dd.hh.mm. format (day of the month, hour, minute) and an interval using the hh.mm.ss format (hour, minute, second), it is possible to take pictures in fast motion. The IR camera trigger system includes a real-time clock allowing for programmed time exposure with a lead time of up to one month.

• Sensitivity:determines the minimum size of an object that is needed to interrupt the light beam of the IR camera trigger. This makes it possible to blind out small objects in favour of larger ones.
• Range: determines the luminosity of the transmitter diode using two positions: “sensitive“ is designed for maximum sensitivity while “distance“ is designed for maximum reach.
• Dwell time: determines the minimum time that an object needs to interrupt the light beam for it to be detected. In this way, faster objects can be blinded out in favour of slow ones
• Scan mode:
  
  • with reflector: the emitted light beam is reflected by a reflector (typical use)
  • without reflector: the emitted light beam is reflected by the object itself (no reflector needed)
  • passive: the light barrier captures thunderbolds (works without reflector)

The four outputs are controlled by the digital part of the IR camera trigger system. These react to triggers (events), which may be initiated by the analogue part, due to the fulfillment of an action mode or the interruption of a certain light beam, for example, but also by the user as a manual trigger or by the digital part itself. The performance of each output can be determined individually using the following parameters:

• Release delay: time period between the arrival of the trigger and the beginning of the first release impulse.
• Release duration: length/duration of a release impulse
• Release time period: In case of multiple release - time period between the beginning of one release impulse and the beginning of the next release impulse.
• Interval: Time period the output needs to respond between the arrival of one trigger and the next one (dead time).
• Repetitions: determines the number of repetitions of a release impulse
• Timeframe start: determines the start of a timeframe, throughout which the output responds to a trigger
• Timeframe end: determines the end of a timeframe throughout which the output responds to a trigger.
• Trigger: determines the event (trigger) to which the output is to respond.
  
  • Action mode: output responds to action mode that is set up in the analogue part
  • Light barrier 1: output responds to interruption of light beam 1
  • Light barrier 2: output responds to interruption of light beam 2
  • Light barrier 3: output responds to interruption of light beam 3
  • Manual: the output is triggered by the pressing the OK button
  • Single elease: the output runs the programmed sequence, consisting of release delay, release duration, time period of release and repetitions only once (manual trigger)
  • Continuous release: - the output carries out the programmed sequence, consisting of delay of release, duration of release, release time period and repetitions, continuously (manual trigger)
• Drive mode:
  
  • single: the output runs the programmed sequence one time only
  • continuous:the output runs the programmed sequence continuously
    • on manual trigger: until the ESC button is pressed
    • on light barrier triggers: as long as the beam is interrupted
• Link: two outputs can be linked by a logical OR
• Mirror lock up: this parameter enables an automatic process. It will flip up the camera mirror, once the camera flippes it down.
• Wake-Up: this mode keeps all the devices awake that go to the power save mode after some time.
• Copy: using this function, the parameters of the current output can be copied to other outputs.

• Type and design:
  
  • Reflex infrared camera trigger system with pulsing infrared light
  • Number of light beams: 3
  • Wavelength infrared light: 850 nm
  • Number of outputs: 4
  • Number of solid state switches: 8 (2 for each output)
• Physical dimensions
  
  • Controller (length x width x height): 199 x 94/58 x 40/28 mm
  • Light Barrier (length x width x height): 64 x 36 x 35 mm
  • Cable length of light barrier : 2.95 m
• Weight
  
  • Controller (without batteries): 190 g
  • Light barrier with cable: 80 g
• Power supply:
  
  • 3 AA batteries (AA, LR6), all primary cells with 1,5 V, however not lithium batteries.
  • 3 rechargeable batteries, (AA, LR6), NiCd, NiMH, however no lithium rechargeable batteries.
  • DC-voltage source 3.2 - 15 V, 100 mA
• Power consumption – using 3 light barriers
  
  • Operating mode "sensitive" : app. 25 mA
  • Operating mode "distance": app. 58 mA
• Reach: distance between light barrier and 80 mm reflector:
  
  • Operating mode "sensitive": ca. 3 m
  • Operating mode "distance": ca. 10 m
• Sensitivity – smallest detectable object:
  
  • app. 0.2 mm with a 40 mm reflector
• Response time:
  
  • app. 200 µs (0.2 ms)

To get started with the photoelectric barrier set Jokie² you need a camera adapter for your camera. The cable length of our camera adaptor sets amounts from 2.5 m to 5.2 m, depending on the type of camera you have. This length is enough for insect, bird or table top photography.

In case of work with larger tele lenses, we recommend extension cords.

For fixing the Jokie² light barrier we recommend tripods or clamps with 1/4" thread, or our Strap-Flex holder as universal mounting accessory.

Instruction manual Joker²

Water Drop Photography with Joker²

Multicolour collisions with Joker²

Releasing cameras and firing flashes by radio remote control