"However, the script could be changed to turn on the LED but not turn it off. So in Auto mode, the extra flash would not be visible as I suspect it would be turning on an LED that is already on and then turning it off."
I don't quite understand this.
Sorry for the confusion. I was testing with an ELPH 115. It only has one LED on the back and I cannot find any Auto Focus Assist settings in the Canon menus.
I don't think the logs are an option at all. When the autopilot send the signal to take a picture is useless information. I don't see any way to tie the camera logs back to the autopilot signal as a starting point.
Any other ideas if the LED is too problematic? I'm still thinking using the shutter sound from the speaker. Is it possible to turn off all other sounds? The ELPH 115 firmware has a volume setting that allows you to control:
Start up volume
Operation volume
Selftimer volume
Shutter volume
However, even when I disable all volumes except Shutter Volume it plays a beep as it focuses before the shutter sound.
Thanks!
Brian