1. A method providing for autonomous operation of a capture device having an illumination system and an image capture system, the method comprising: while the illumination system of the capture device is not illuminating, using the image capture system of the capture device to scan an environment proximate to the capture device for repeating segments of illumination and non-illumination by another illumination system, wherein the capture device is separate and autonomous from the other illumination system; based on the scan, determining a stretch of non-illumination that occurs in the environment proximate to the capture device that has a duration of sufficient operational time; and establishing an operational window of illumination for the illumination system of the capture device within the determined stretch of non-illumination by the other illumination system.