JP2002341424A - Intermediate accessory, interchangeable lens, camera body, and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an intermediate accessory with interchangeability so that any combination of a camera body and an interchangeable lens each having a new or an old function can be driven when they coexist. SOLUTION: An intermediate accessory 200 is provided with an arithmetic circuit 201 for receiving inherent information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 300 to the camera body 100 and generating corrected information by applying prescribed correction processing to the inherent information, a switch circuit 208 for switching a 1st state for transmitting the corrected information to the camera body 100 to a 2nd state for transmitting the inherent information to the camera body 100 as it is and a mode switching circuit 202 for controlling the switching operation of the switch circuit 208.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to techniques such as an intermediate accessory interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens, a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and a camera system including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a camera system including a camera body and an interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens includes unique information (for example, an open aperture value,
Aperture value data such as minimum aperture value, focal length data, data indicating the relationship between the motor drive amount for automatic focus adjustment and the focus position change amount) are stored. It is transmitted to the camera body and used for automatic exposure (AE) control, automatic focus (AF) adjustment control, display control, and the like.

On the other hand, an intermediate accessory such as a rear converter, an intermediate ring, and a bellows may be interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens for use. In such a case, since the aperture value and focal length are the combined values of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory, auto-exposure control and auto-focus adjustment control do not function properly only with the unique information of the interchangeable lens. Display cannot be performed correctly.

Therefore, there has been proposed an intermediate accessory which conventionally performs a correction operation on the unique information input from the interchangeable lens in accordance with the characteristics of the intermediate accessory itself and outputs the corrected information to the camera body. (See JP-A-59-188622).

Generally, the camera body performs automatic exposure control, automatic focus adjustment control, and the like using data on the state of the interchangeable lens at each moment, so that data communication between the camera body and the interchangeable lens is performed at any time. Is being done.

At this time, between the conventional interchangeable lens (hereinafter referred to as “old function interchangeable lens”) and the conventional camera body (hereinafter referred to as “old function camera body”), the old function camera body is replaced with the old function interchangeable lens. When the communication permission signal is transmitted to the lens, all the unique information has been transmitted from the old function interchangeable lens to the old function camera body.

[0007]

However, as the unique information possessed by the interchangeable lens, for example, aperture value data such as an open aperture value and a minimum aperture value, focal length data, a motor drive amount for automatic focus adjustment, and a focus position. A focus amount conversion coefficient indicating the relationship with the amount of change is included, and the total data amount tends to be large (at present, for example, several tens of bytes). There is a possibility that it will be too long to interfere with shooting.

Therefore, a camera body (hereinafter referred to as a "new-function camera body") for requesting only necessary data (for example, AE-related data, AF-related data, etc.) to the interchangeable lens, and only the requested data are provided. It is conceivable to commercialize an interchangeable lens (hereinafter, referred to as “new-function interchangeable lens”) that transmits to the new-function camera body.

In this case, the new function camera body is compatible with the old function interchangeable lens because the old function and the new function are mixed together as the camera body and the interchangeable lens. It is desired that the new function interchangeable lens has compatibility with the old function camera body.

[0010] Further, as the combination of the camera body and the interchangeable lens, four types of "new-new", "new-old", "old-new", and "old-old" are mixed. Intermediate accessories interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens include:
It is desired to have compatibility so that any of the above four combinations can operate.

[0011] However, the above-mentioned conventional Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-1886.
In the intermediate accessories described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 22-222, each intermediate accessory is provided with a correction operation circuit according to the characteristic. In this case, the following problems occur.

When a new function interchangeable lens or a new function camera body is designed after the intermediate accessory is manufactured and put on the market, the communication system between the two is extended and changed in order to improve performance and support new functions. May need to be done. However, in this case, if an intermediate accessory manufactured earlier is interposed between the new-function interchangeable lens and the new-function camera body, the correction arithmetic circuit limits expansion and change of the communication system. It is very difficult to design in advance a correction operation circuit that is compatible with the new communication system so that such a restriction does not occur.

Since the correction operation circuit incorporated in the intermediate accessory performs a predetermined correction operation, it does not perform an optimum correction operation according to each interchangeable lens, but performs an average correction operation. Will do. Therefore, a result including some errors for each attached interchangeable lens is output to the camera body. In addition, since the presence or absence and type of the intermediate accessory are not determined for the interchangeable lens, the unique information cannot be corrected and transmitted according to the intermediate accessory to eliminate the error.

An apparatus has been proposed for determining the presence or absence and type of an intermediate accessory in an interchangeable lens (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-1331). The electrical contact is provided on each of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory only for discrimination, and the wiring is routed from the control circuit of the interchangeable lens to the electrical contact. Is not preferred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
When the camera body of the old and new function and interchangeable lens are mixed,
An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate accessory having compatibility so that it can operate in any combination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable lens, a camera body, and a camera system including the same, which are compatible with such a new intermediate accessory and a conventional intermediate accessory.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate accessory interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens, wherein the intermediate accessory is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. Correction calculating means for receiving the unique information and performing predetermined correction processing on the unique information to generate correction information; and transmitting the unique information to the camera from a first state in which the correction information is transmitted to the camera body. Switching means for switching to the second state for transmission to the main body, and switching control means for controlling the switching operation of the switching means are provided.

According to this configuration, upon receiving the unique information of the interchangeable lens transmitted from the interchangeable lens toward the camera body in the first state, the correction information generated by performing a predetermined correction process on the unique information is received. Information is sent to the camera body. On the other hand, when the unique information of the interchangeable lens transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body in the second state is received, the unique information is directly transmitted to the camera body.

Therefore, if at least one of the camera body and the interchangeable lens is of the old function type which requires correction information to be sent from the interchangeable lens to the camera body by the correction calculating means, the first state is maintained. By doing so, the operation with the old function type can be performed. Further, when both the camera body and the interchangeable lens are of a new function type and can perform the correction processing on the interchangeable lens, the correction operation means is bypassed by switching from the first state to the second state. The operation of the new function is not restricted by the correction operation means.

If the correction calculation means generates correction information including information indicating that the switching means is provided (claim 2), the correction information is transmitted to the camera body at least once in the first state. By transmitting to the camera body, it is possible to determine that the camera body is equipped with an intermediate accessory that can be switched between the first state and the second state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined signal sent from the camera main body has been input, and the switching control means determines that the predetermined signal has been input. When the determining means determines, the control signal is sent to the switching means to change the second state from the first state.
It is characterized by switching to a state.

According to this configuration, when the discriminating means determines that a predetermined signal sent from the camera body has been input, a control signal is sent to the switching means to change the first state to the second state.
By switching to the state, switching from the first state to the second state is performed according to the function of the camera body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interchangeable lens which is electrically connected to a camera body directly or via an intermediate accessory, wherein unique information storage means for storing predetermined unique information and plural kinds of intermediate accessories are provided. Accessory data storage means for storing corresponding predetermined data; lens-side transmission control means for receiving the instruction from the camera body and transmitting the unique information to the camera body; and A lens-side reception control unit for receiving return data returned from the main body; comparing the return data with the unique information to determine whether the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera main body and the camera body; In addition, when the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera and the camera body, the intermediate accessory is based on the return data and the predetermined data. Lens-side determination means for determining the type of the intermediate accessory; lens-side correction control means for performing correction processing according to the type of the intermediate accessory on the unique information to generate correction information; Second lens-side determination means for determining whether or not the signal has been input, and the lens-side transmission control means, after the second lens-side determination means determines that the predetermined signal has been input, The correction information is transmitted to the camera body instead of the unique information.

According to this structure, the predetermined unique information and the predetermined data corresponding to the plurality of types of intermediate accessories are stored, and the unique information is transmitted to the camera body in response to an instruction from the camera body, Return data is returned from the camera body in response to the unique information, and the return data is compared with the unique information to determine whether an intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera body and the return data. When the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera and the camera body, the type of the intermediate accessory is determined based on the return data and the predetermined data.

Then, a correction process corresponding to the type of the intermediate accessory is performed on the unique information to generate correction information, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera body has been input. Is determined, the correction information is transmitted to the camera body instead of the unique information.

As described above, since the correction process according to the type of the intermediate accessory is performed in the interchangeable lens itself, an error caused by uniformly performing the average correction in the intermediate accessory is eliminated. It is possible to perform a correction process suitable for the characteristic of (1).

Since the correction information is transmitted to the camera body only when a predetermined signal is transmitted from the camera body, the correction information is transmitted only when the camera body has a function of transmitting the predetermined signal. When transmitted to the camera body, if the camera body does not have a function of transmitting a predetermined signal, the unique information will be transmitted to the camera body as it is, and each will correspond to the function of the camera body. Appropriate information is transmitted.

The unique information stored in the unique information storage means includes the lens-side transmission control means, the lens-side reception control means, the lens-side determination means, the second lens-side determination means, and the lens-side correction control. Assuming that the information includes means for providing the means (claim 5), when the unique information is transmitted at least once to the camera body, the camera body transmits the unique information and the correction information. It is possible to determine that the interchangeable lens having the switching function is electrically connected.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the camera body to which the interchangeable lens is electrically connected directly or via an intermediate accessory, a body-side instruction for instructing the interchangeable lens to transmit unique information of the interchangeable lens is provided. Control means, body-side reception control means for receiving the unique information transmitted from the interchangeable lens, and body-side transmission control means for returning the received information received by the body-side reception control to the interchangeable lens as it is. The lens-side transmission control means, the lens-side reception control means, the lens-side determination means, and the second
A lens-side determination unit and a body-side determination unit that determines whether first information indicating that the lens-side correction control unit is included is included.
When the main body side discriminating means determines that the first information is included in the received information, a signal indicating that the first information is included in the received information is transmitted to the interchangeable lens. It is characterized by having.

According to this configuration, the transmission of the unique information of the interchangeable lens is instructed to the interchangeable lens, the unique information transmitted from the interchangeable lens is received, and the received information is returned to the interchangeable lens as it is. It is determined whether the first information is included in the received information. If the first information is included in the received information, a signal to that effect is sent out to the interchangeable lens, so that the interchangeable lens In the case of the interchangeable lens described in the fourth aspect, it is possible to determine that the camera is connected to a camera body capable of supporting the function of the interchangeable lens.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the main body side discriminating means determines whether or not the received information includes second information indicating that the switching means included in the intermediate accessory according to the first aspect is provided. The main body-side transmission control means determines that the first information is included in the reception information and the main body-side determination means determines that the second information is included. A signal indicating that the reception information includes the first information and the second information is transmitted to the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens.

According to this configuration, the unique information of the interchangeable lens transmitted from the interchangeable lens is received, and whether or not the received information includes the second information is determined. And when the second information is included,
A signal to that effect is sent to the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens.

According to this, when the intermediate accessory according to the first aspect is interposed, it is determined that the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens corresponding to the function. Becomes possible. Also,
In the case where the interchangeable lens is the interchangeable lens according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to determine that an intermediate accessory corresponding to the function is interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interchangeable lens, a camera body, and the intermediate accessory according to any one of the first to third aspects interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. Wherein the interchangeable lens is defined in claim 4 or claim 5.
The camera body may be the interchangeable lens described above (claim 9), and the camera body may be the camera body described in claim 6 or claim 7 (claim 10).

According to the configuration in which the intermediate accessory according to the third aspect is interposed between the interchangeable lens according to the fifth aspect and the camera body according to the seventh aspect, the characteristic of the interchangeable lens relative to the interchangeable lens is provided. Transmission of information is instructed, and in response to the instruction, unique information is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. The unique information is subjected to a correction process in the intermediate accessory to generate correction information, and the generated correction information is received by the camera body.

The correction information received by the camera body is returned as it is from the camera body to the interchangeable lens, and the interchangeable lens compares the correction information with the unique information to determine that the intermediate accessory is interposed and the type of the intermediate accessory. Is determined.

The camera body determines that the received correction information contains the first information and the second information, and sends a signal to that effect to the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens. Upon receiving this signal, the intermediate accessory is switched from the first state to the second state, and the interchangeable lens sends correction information corrected according to the determined intermediate accessory, instead of the unique information.

In the correction information sent from the interchangeable lens, since the intermediate accessory has been switched to the second state, the characteristics of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory are replaced with the information limited by the correction processing by the correction calculating means. Information suitable for the type is sent to the camera body as it is.

Therefore, the camera body can perform various controls with high accuracy based on information suitable for the characteristics of the interchangeable lens and the type of the intermediate accessory.

On the other hand, an intermediate accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, between an interchangeable lens other than the interchangeable lens according to claim 4 or 5, and a camera body other than the camera body according to claim 6 or 7. According to the configuration interposed, the first state is maintained without switching the intermediate accessory from the first state to the second state, so that the unique information transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body is: The correction processing is always performed by the correction calculation means of the intermediate accessory, and the correction information generated by this is sent to the camera body.

Therefore, the intermediate accessory can operate as a compatible intermediate accessory having a conventional function.

The intermediate accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is interposed between the interchangeable lens other than the interchangeable lens according to claim 4 or 5 and the camera body according to claim 6 or 7. A configuration in which the intermediate accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is interposed between the interchangeable lens according to claim 4 or 5 and a camera body other than the camera body according to claim 6 or 7. In this case, the same operation is performed, and the intermediate accessory can operate as a compatible intermediate accessory having a conventional function.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the interchangeable lens is
6. The interchangeable lens according to claim 4, further comprising a data input terminal electrically connected to the lens-side reception control means as an electrical contact exposed to the outside, wherein the camera body is provided as an electrical contact exposed to the outside. 8. The camera body according to claim 6, further comprising a data output terminal electrically connected to said main body side transmission control means, wherein said intermediate accessory electrically connects said data output terminal and said data input terminal. It is characterized by having a direct electrical path.

According to this configuration, the data output terminal electrically connected directly to the main body side transmission control means of the camera body according to the sixth or seventh aspect, and the lens side reception control of the interchangeable lens according to the fourth or fifth aspect. Since the data input terminal electrically connected to the means is electrically directly connected to the intermediate accessory by an electric path, data transmitted from the camera body to the interchangeable lens is processed by the intermediate accessory. Therefore, the data is surely received by the interchangeable lens as it is.

[0045]

1 and 2 are block diagrams showing an electrical configuration of an embodiment of a camera system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera system according to the present embodiment includes a new function camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a new function camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate accessory 200, which is an embodiment of the intermediate accessory according to the present invention, can be interposed between the two, as shown in FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the intermediate accessory 200 is, for example, a rear converter, and may be an intermediate ring or a bellows.

First, an outline of data communication performed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens constituting a camera system will be described.

The camera body performs automatic exposure (AE) control, automatic focus (AF) adjustment control, and the like using data on the state of the interchangeable lens at each moment. for that reason,
Data communication between the camera body and the interchangeable lens
It is done from time to time.

The specific information of the interchangeable lens includes, for example, aperture value data such as an open aperture value and a minimum aperture value, focal length data, and a relationship between a motor drive amount for automatic focus adjustment and a focus position change amount. A focus amount conversion coefficient and the like are included.

An old function camera body 400 constituting a conventional camera system (hereinafter also referred to as an “old system”)
(FIG. 9) and the old function interchangeable lens 500 (FIG. 12).
It is configured to always transmit all data toward.

On the other hand, a new function camera body (hereinafter, simply referred to as “camera body”) 100 constituting the camera system of the present embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as “new system”) 100.
And the new function interchangeable lens (hereinafter simply referred to as “interchangeable lens”) 300, all data from the interchangeable lens 300 to the camera body 100 are transmitted from the interchangeable lens 300 to the camera body 100 in the first communication when the lens is attached (and when the power is turned on) as in the old system. Is transmitted, and the camera body 100 determines whether or not the interchangeable lens 300 has a new function, whether or not an intermediate accessory is interposed between the interchangeable lens 300 and the like, based on the transmitted content.

On the other hand, the camera body 100 returns all the received data to the interchangeable lens 300,
A value of 0 compares the returned data with the unique information to determine the presence / absence of an intermediate accessory and its type.

After that, communication by the new system is performed. That is, from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 3
A command for requesting only necessary data (for example, data related to AE, data related to AF) toward 00, or instructing an actuator such as an AF motor mounted on the interchangeable lens 300 to start or stop an operation is sent. The interchangeable lens 300 transmits only the requested data to the camera body 100 in response to the command, and controls the actuator.

The camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 30
Even if the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between 0 and 0, the command can be executed.

Further, the intermediate accessory 200 of the present embodiment
Has compatibility with the old function camera body 400 (FIG. 9) and the old function interchangeable lens 500 (FIG. 12) that constitute the old system, and enables operation as a conventional camera system.

The camera body 100 includes an old function intermediate accessory 600 (FIG. 13) and an old function interchangeable lens 500.
(FIG. 12), and has an interchangeable lens 300
Has compatibility with the old function camera body 400 (FIG. 9) and the old function intermediate accessory 600 (FIG. 13).
Each of them enables operation as a conventional camera system even when a member with an old function is mounted.

In FIG. 1, a camera body 100 includes a body CPU 101, a DC-DC converter 102, a switch 103 made of, for example, a MOSFET, a battery BAT, and a drive system power output terminal B # VPP as an electrical contact exposed to the outside. , Control system power output terminal B # VCC, control system ground terminal B # DGND, drive system ground terminal B # PGND, and C
Data output terminal B # SO, data input terminal B # S of PU101
I, a carrier clock output terminal B # SCK, and a lens communication enable signal output terminal B # CS.

The positive electrode of the battery BAT is connected to the input terminal 121 of the DC-DC converter 102 via the power supply line 104, and further connected to the drive system power supply output terminal B # VPP via the switch 103. DC-DC converter 1
02 is connected to the control system power supply output terminal B # VCC by the power supply line 105 and the body C
It is connected to the power supply terminal 111 of the PU 101.

The negative electrode of the battery BAT is connected to the ground line 106.
Are connected to the ground terminal 112 of the body CPU 101 and the control system ground terminal B # DGND, and are connected to the drive system ground terminal B # PGND by the ground line 107.

The control terminal (gate if FET) of the switch 103 is connected to the control output terminal 113 of the CPU 101.
Is controlled by

The intermediate accessory 200 includes an arithmetic circuit 201 and a mode switching circuit 20 each composed of, for example, an IC.
2 is provided.

The intermediate accessory 200 is connected to the camera body 100 on the side of the drive system power supply input terminal AB # VPP, control system power supply input terminal AB # VCC, data input terminal AB # SO, Output terminal AB # SI, carrier clock input terminal AB # SCK, lens communication enable signal input terminal AB # CS,
Control system ground terminal AB # DGND and drive system ground terminal AB # PG
Has ND.

The intermediate accessory 200 is connected to the interchangeable lens 300 at the drive system power supply output terminal AL # VPP, the control system power supply output terminal AL # VCC, the data output terminal AL # SO, Input terminal AL # SI, carrier clock output terminal AL # SCK, lens communication enable signal output terminal AL # CS,
Control system ground terminal AL # DGND and drive system ground terminal AL # PG
Has ND.

The drive system power input terminal AB # VPP of the electric contact is
The power supply line 203 is connected to the drive system power supply output terminal AL # VPP. The control system power input terminal AB # VCC is connected to the control system power output terminal AL # VCC, the power terminal 211 of the arithmetic circuit 201 and the power terminal 220 of the mode switching circuit 202 by the power line 204.

The control system ground terminal AB # DGND is connected to the control system ground terminal AL # DGND by a ground line 205 and to the ground terminal 212 of the arithmetic circuit 201. Drive system ground terminal AB # PGND is ground line 2
06 is connected to the drive system ground terminal AL # PGND.

The data input terminal AB # SO is connected to the signal line 20
7 is connected to the data output terminal AL # SO. The data output terminal AB # SI is connected to the switch 2 of the switch circuit 208.
08a via the data output terminal 213 of the arithmetic circuit 201
And to the data input terminal AL # SI and the data input terminal 214 of the arithmetic circuit 201 via the switch 208b of the switch circuit 208. Accordingly, when the switch 208a is on, the data output terminal AB # SI is connected to the data input terminal AL # SI via the arithmetic circuit 201 by the signal line 209, and the switch 208
When b is on, the signal line 210 is directly connected to the data input terminal AL # SI.

The carrier clock input terminal AB # SCK is connected to the clock input terminal 215 of the arithmetic circuit 201 and the carrier clock output terminal AL # SCK. The lens communication permission signal input terminal AB # CS is connected to the lens communication permission signal output terminal AL # CS and the chip select terminal 216 of the arithmetic circuit 201.

The mode switching circuit 202 has an input terminal 221 connected to the carrier clock input terminal AB # SCK, an input terminal 222 connected to the lens communication permission signal input terminal AB # CS,
An input terminal 223 connected to the power supply line 203 (drive system power supply input terminal AB # VPP), and an output terminal 224 for outputting a control signal for controlling on / off of the switches 208a and 208b of the switch circuit 208 are provided.

Although the ground terminal of the mode switching circuit 202 is connected to the ground line 205, it is not shown for convenience of explanation.

The switches 208a of the switch circuit 208,
Each of the transistors 208b is formed of, for example, a transistor, and is configured to operate in conjunction with each other such that the on and off are reversed by a control signal from the mode switching circuit 202.

The interchangeable lens 300 includes a lens CPU 301
And a lens circuit 302, and as electrical contacts exposed to the outside, a drive system power input terminal L # VPP, a control system power input terminal L # VCC, a control system ground terminal L # DGND, and a drive system ground terminal L # PGND. , Data input terminal L # SO of CPU301, data output terminal L # SI, carrier clock input terminal
L # SCK and a lens communication permission signal input terminal L # CS are provided.

The drive system power supply input terminal L # VPP is connected to a power supply terminal 321 of the lens circuit 302 by a power supply line 303. The control system power input terminal L # VCC is connected to a power terminal 311 of the lens CPU 301 by a power line 304.

The control system ground terminal L # DGND is connected to the ground terminal 312 of the lens CPU 301 by the ground line 305. The drive system ground terminal L # PGND is connected to a ground terminal 322 of the lens circuit 302 by a ground line 306.

The lens circuit 302 is a circuit for driving an AF motor (not shown) provided in the interchangeable lens 300 in this embodiment, for example.

In such a configuration, for example, the output voltage of the battery BAT is 6 V DC, and the DC-DC converter 10
2 is for stepping down DC6V to DC3.3V, for example.
CPU 101, arithmetic circuit 201, mode switching circuit 20
2. The lens CPU 301 has, for example, a power supply voltage of 3.3 V DC.
The lens circuit 302 operates at, for example, a power supply voltage of 6 V DC.

Then, as shown in FIG.
When the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 300,
And the corresponding electrical contacts of the intermediate accessory 200 and the interchangeable lens 300 are connected to each other.

Thus, the body CPU 101 of the camera body 100 and the arithmetic circuit 201 of the intermediate accessory 200
And the mode switching circuit 202 and the lens CPU 301 of the interchangeable lens 300,
Power is supplied from the battery BAT through the power supply lines 105, 204, and 304.

The body CPU 1 of the camera body 100
01, arithmetic circuit 201 and mode switching circuit 202 of intermediate accessory 200, lens CPU of interchangeable lens 300
Common ground lines 106, 205, 3 for 301
05 is formed. The ground terminal 322 of the lens circuit 302 of the interchangeable lens 300 is also connected to the ground lines 306 and 2.
06, 107, the common ground lines 106, 2
05, 305.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
00 is not interposed and the interchangeable lens 30 is attached to the camera body 100.
When 0 is directly mounted, the corresponding electrical contacts of the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 300 are connected to each other, and power is supplied from the battery BAT to the body CPU 101 and the lens CPU 301 through the power supply lines 105 and 304. Is done. In addition, common ground lines 106 and 3 are used for the body CPU 101 and the lens CPU 301.
05 is formed.

A data output terminal of the camera body 100
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the B # SO, the carrier clock output terminal B # SCK, and the lens communication permission signal output terminal B # CS are connected to the data input terminal L # of the interchangeable lens 300 regardless of the presence or absence of the intermediate accessory 200. SO, the carrier clock input terminal L # SCK, and the lens communication enable signal input terminal L # CS.

The data input terminal of the camera body 100
B # SI is a data output terminal of the interchangeable lens 300 when the intermediate accessory 200 is not interposed as shown in FIG.
When the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed, as shown in FIG. 1, while the switch 208a of the switch circuit 208 is turned off and the switch 208b is turned on, the data output terminal of the interchangeable lens 300 is connected. When the switch 208a is on and the switch 208b is off, the switch is connected to the data output terminal L # SI of the interchangeable lens 300 via the arithmetic circuit 201.

Next, the body CPU will be described with reference to FIGS.
The functions of the CPU 101, the arithmetic circuit 201, the mode switching circuit 202, and the lens CPU 301 will be described. The detailed operation procedure will be described later. FIG. 3 shows a body CPU
4 is a timing chart illustrating a mode transition signal output from the control unit;

The body CPU 101 is, for example, an EEPRO
A ROM such as M is built in, and operates according to a control program stored in the built-in ROM. The ROM controls the operation of each part (not shown) of the camera body 100 and has the following functions (1) to (7). ).

(1) A function of detecting that an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory has been mounted, based on the signal level of the data input terminal B # SI.

(2) The transport clock signal and the lens communication permission signal are sent out, and the arithmetic circuit 201 and the lens CPU 3
Function to control the operation of 01.

(3) When the lens is mounted (and when the power is turned on), the lens CPU 301 directly (FIG. 2) or the arithmetic circuit 2
01 (FIG. 1), and a function of returning the received data to the lens CPU 301 as it is.

(4) Based on the data received when the lens is attached (and when the power is turned on), whether or not the attached interchangeable lens is a new function interchangeable lens (that is, interchangeable lens 300) is determined by using an intermediate accessory. Whether or not
The function of determining whether or not the interposed intermediate lens is an intermediate accessory compatible with the new function (that is, the intermediate accessory 200).

(5) It is determined that the attached interchangeable lens is a new function interchangeable lens, and if an intermediate accessory is interposed, the interposed intermediate lens is a new function compatible intermediate accessory. A function of transmitting a mode transition signal (predetermined signal) to the lens CPU 301 when it is determined that

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the switch 103 is turned on to set the drive system power supply input terminal B # VPP to a high level, and the carrier clock output terminal B # SCK is set to a high level. After that, the signal level of the lens communication permission signal output terminal B # CS in the high level state is switched to the low level.

The mode transition signal is determined at the time when the signal level of the lens communication permission signal output terminal B # CS is switched from high level to low level while the carrier clock output terminal B # SCK is at high level. Drive system power input terminal
This is performed by detecting the signal level of B # VPP, determining that a mode transition signal has been transmitted if the signal level is high, and determining that no mode transition signal has been transmitted if the signal level is low.

(6) A function of transmitting a command including a data request to the lens CPU 301 and a command for AF motor control to the lens CPU 301.

(7) Directly from lens CPU 301 (FIG. 2)
Or a function of receiving data transmitted via the arithmetic circuit 201 (FIG. 1) and performing AE control, AF control, display control, and the like.

When the data sent from the lens CPU 301 is input to the data input terminal 214, the arithmetic circuit 201 corrects the input data by performing a correction process preset according to the characteristics of the intermediate accessory 200. It has a function of generating data and transmitting the generated correction data from the data output terminal 213.

The correction data is stored in the intermediate accessory 2
00 corresponds to the new function (that is, the mode switching circuit 20).
2 is included).

The arithmetic circuit 201 includes a lens CPU 3
Interchangeable lens 3 included in data sent from 01
The data indicating that 00 is compatible with the new function is passed without any correction processing.

The mode switching circuit 202 includes the switch circuit 2
08 controls the on / off of the switches 208a and 208b. When the power is turned on and the intermediate accessory is attached, the switch 208a of the switch circuit 208 is turned on and the switch 208b is turned off.

The mode switching circuit 202 is connected to the body C
This is for determining whether or not a mode transition signal has been transmitted from the PU 101. When the input terminal 221 (the carrier clock output terminal B # SCK in FIG. 3) is at a high level, the input terminal 222
When the (lens communication permission signal output terminal B # CS in FIG. 3) is switched from the high level to the low level, the input terminal 2
It is determined that the mode transition signal has been transmitted if the signal 23 (the drive system power supply input terminal B # VPP in FIG. 3) is at a high level. It is determined that

When the mode switching circuit 202 determines that the mode transition signal has been sent from the body CPU 101, it switches the switch 208a of the switch circuit 208 from on to off and switches the switch 208b from off to on.

The lens CPU 301 is, for example, an EEPRO
A ROM such as M is built-in, and operates according to a control program stored in the built-in ROM, and has the following functions.

In the built-in ROM, specific information (for example, aperture value data such as an open aperture value and a minimum aperture value, focal length data,
A focus amount conversion coefficient indicating the relationship between the motor drive amount for automatic focus adjustment and the focus position change amount) is stored in advance, and when the lens is mounted (and when the power is turned on), like the old system, All the data of the unique information is the body CP
Function to send out to U101.

The unique information includes data indicating that the interchangeable lens 300 is compatible with the new function (that is, the interchangeable lens 300 has the lens circuit 302 and has the functions 1 to 3).

The types of a plurality of intermediate accessories and the contents of their correction calculations are stored in advance in the built-in ROM, and the unique information sent out when the lens is mounted (and when the power is turned on) and the return sent back from the body CPU 101. A function that compares the data with the data to determine the presence or absence of the intermediate accessory and, if there is an intermediate accessory, the type of the intermediate accessory.

Function for determining whether or not a mode transition signal transmitted from body CPU 101 has been input. This determination is made in the same manner as in the mode switching circuit 202. When it is determined that the mode transition signal has been transmitted, if the intermediate accessory 200 is provided, correction information obtained by correcting the unique information according to the type of the intermediate accessory 200 is transmitted to the body CPU 101.

A command transmitted from the body CPU 101 is received, and data requested by the command is transmitted to the body CPU 101, and a control signal is transmitted to the lens circuit 3 so as to perform AF control in accordance with the command instruction.
Function to send to 02.

Next, an operation procedure of the camera system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the main routine of the body CPU 101.

In FIG. 4, when the interchangeable lens is mounted, first, communication similar to that of the old system is performed between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 300 (# 10). The same operation is performed when the interchangeable lens 300 is mounted when the power is turned on.

Here, an example of a specific operation procedure of the communication in # 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the body CPU 101, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the lens CPU 301, and FIG.
6 is a timing chart showing the output state of each unit when the device is interposed. As shown in FIG.
01, for convenience of explanation, “da
ta0 ”to“ data6 ”.

In FIG. 5 showing the operation of the body CPU 101, first, in # 100, a lens communication permission signal is output from the output terminal B # CS (time t1 in FIG. 7). Next, in # 110, the carrier clock signal is output. Output terminal B #
It is output at predetermined intervals from SCK (time t2, t3,
.., T10), data communication is performed in synchronization with the carrier clock signal.

Next, in # 120, the camera body 1
“State” data representing the state of 00 is transmitted (“State0” at time t2 in FIG. 7).

Next, in # 130, the interchangeable lens 3
00 and received through the arithmetic circuit 201 (“State” data at time t3 in FIG. 7).
1 '"). This “state” data is stored in the interchangeable lens 300
And data corrected by the arithmetic circuit 201.

Next, at # 140, the received “state” data (here, “State1 ′”) is returned (time t4 in FIG. 7), and at # 150, the lens data (here, “data0 ′”) is converted. Receive (time t4 in FIG. 7).

Next, in # 160, it is determined whether or not the reception has been completed. If not (NO in # 160), #
At 170, the data received at # 150 (here, "data0 '") is transmitted (time t5 in FIG. 7), and at # 150, the next lens data (here, "data1'") is received.

As described above, # 150 to # 170 are repeated, and as shown in FIG. 7, reception of "data1 '" and transmission of "data0'" are performed at time t5, and "data0" is transmitted at time t6.
2 ′ ”and transmission of“ data1 ′ ”are performed, and similarly, at time t10, reception of“ data6 ′ ”and“ data1 ′ ”are performed.
5 '"is transmitted.

If it is determined in # 160 that the reception has been completed (YES in # 160), the output of the lens communication permission signal and the carrier clock signal is stopped in # 180 (time t11 in FIG. 7).

In FIG. 6 showing the operation of the lens CPU 301, first, in # 200, it is determined whether or not the lens communication permission signal is output, and if the lens communication permission signal is output (YES in # 200), At # 210, “state” data is transmitted in synchronization with the carrier clock signal (“State1” at time t3 in FIG. 7).

Next, in # 220, lens data (here, "data0") is transmitted (time t4 in FIG. 7).
At the same time, in # 230, data (here, "State1 '" in which "State1" transmitted first is corrected) is received (time t4 in FIG. 7).

Next, in # 240, it is determined whether the transmission is completed or not. If the transmission is not completed (NO in # 240), #
At 250, lens data (here "data1")
Is transmitted (time t5 in FIG. 7), and data (here, “data0 ′”) is received in # 230 (time t5 in FIG. 7).

As described above, steps # 230 to # 250 are repeated, and as shown in FIG. 7, transmission of "data1" and reception of "data0 '" are performed at time t5, and "data0" is received at time t6.
2 is transmitted and “data1 ′” is received. Similarly, at time t10, “data6” is transmitted and “data1 ′” is transmitted.
When the transmission of the lens data is completed (YES in # 240), the process ends. These body CP
The data sent from U101 is stored in, for example, a built-in RAM or a built-in EEPROM.

As shown in FIG. 7, “State 1” output from the lens CPU 301 changes to “State 1 ′” when a specific bit is changed by the arithmetic circuit 201.
By determining this change, the body CPU 101 can recognize that the intermediate accessory 200 is mounted and that the intermediate accessory is compatible with the new function.
That fact is stored in the OM.

The body CPU 101 includes a lens CP
Since the data sent from U301 is returned as it is, the lens CPU 301 changes the state from “State1” to “State1”.
1 ′ ”, the intermediate accessory 200 is determined.
Can be recognized as being interposed.

The lens CPU 301 includes a body CP.
Data "data0 '" to "data5'" returned from U101
Is compared with the transmitted lens data “data0” to “data5”, the change content of the lens data transmitted by the lens CPU 301 itself can be known, so that the correction content by the arithmetic circuit 201 of the intermediate accessory 200 is known. be able to. Thereby, the lens CPU 301
Can determine the type of the intermediate accessory 200 interposed.

For example, if the focal length of the interchangeable lens 300 is 10
0 mm, and the data representing 100 mm is 80H in "data2". At this time, 1.
With a 4x teleconverter installed, the focal length is 140mm
Therefore, “data2” is calculated by the arithmetic circuit 201 as B3H (8
(1.4 times of 0H), which is sent to the body CPU 101 as “data2 ′”. This "data2 '" is the body C
Since it is returned from the PU 101 to the lens CPU 301,
The lens CPU 301 determines that 80H of “data2” and “data2 ′”
By comparing with B3H, the intermediate accessory 200
Is a 1.4 times teleconverter.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate the case where the intermediate accessory is provided. However, when the intermediate accessory is not provided, the data “data0” to “data5” transmitted by the lens CPU 301 are used as they are. Body CPU1
Since it is returned from 01, the lens CPU 301 can determine that the intermediate accessory is not interposed.

In order to make it possible to determine whether or not the reception has been completed in # 160 in FIG. 5, the lens CPU 301 of the interchangeable lens 300 is added to the first "state" data in advance.
A bit indicating the number of bytes of the unique information held by may be added. Also, a bit indicating the end of data may be added to the last data “data6”.

Returning to FIG. 4, based on the result of the communication by the old system of # 10, the body CPU 101 determines whether or not both the attached interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory are compatible with the new function ( # 20).

If both the mounted interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory are compatible with the new function (# 2)
(YES at 0), a mode transition signal is sent from the body CPU 101 as a new system transition command (# 30), and thereafter, communication by the new system is performed (# 40).

On the other hand, in # 20, if one of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory does not support the new function (NO in # 20), thereafter, the communication in the old system, that is, from the interchangeable lens for every communication, All data is transmitted to the camera body (# 50).

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing an example of communication by the new system when the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed.

At time t21 in the figure, the lens communication permission signal is output from the output terminal B # CS, and the carrier clock signal is output from the output terminal B # SCK at predetermined intervals (time t22, t23,... In FIG. 8). At t30), data communication is performed in synchronization with the carrier clock signal.

First, at time t22, the camera body 1
“State0” data representing the state of 00 is the body CPU1
01 to the lens CPU 301.

Next, at time t23, “State1” data representing the state of the interchangeable lens 300 is stored in the lens CPU.
Sent from 301 to body CPU 101.

Next, at time t24, “Command” data including request data and a command to the lens circuit 302 is transmitted from the body CPU 101 to the lens CPU 301.

Next, at times t25, t26,..., T30
In, the requested data “data1 ′” to “data6 ′” are transmitted from the lens CPU 301 to the body CPU 101.

Here, since the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed, the unique information “data1” of the interchangeable lens 300 is provided.
~ Correction data "data1 '" to "data6"-"data
6 '"has been sent. Since “data0” is not requested by the command, it is not transmitted.

Then, at time t31, the output of the lens communication permission signal and the carrier clock signal is stopped.

Thus, in the communication by the new system,
A command including necessary data and a command for the lens circuit 302 is transmitted from the body CPU 101 to the lens CPU 301, and the lens CPU 301
Only data requested by the command is transmitted to U101. At this time, when the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed as shown in FIG. 1, correction data corrected according to the type of the intermediate accessory 200 is transmitted from the lens CPU 301.

In the intermediate accessory 200, the switch circuit 2 is switched by the mode switching circuit 202 in response to the mode transition signal.
08 is switched on and off, the switch 208a is turned off, and the switch 208b is turned on, so that the data output terminal AB # SI is directly connected to the data input terminal AL # SI by the signal line 210.

Therefore, the correction data sent from the lens CPU 301 is sent to the body CPU 101 as it is without passing through the arithmetic circuit 201.
Among the unique information corresponding to the characteristics of the
Data obtained by correcting only the data to be corrected according to the type of 0 is sent to the body CPU 101.

Thus, for each interchangeable lens 300, optimal lens data can be input to the body CPU 101 by combining the intermediate accessory 200 and the interchangeable lens 300. Therefore, since the arithmetic circuit of the intermediate accessory can perform only a uniform correction operation, it is possible to solve the problem that a slight error has occurred for each interchangeable lens.

For example, when a double teleconverter is interposed as the intermediate accessory 200, the focal length information changes linearly.
What is necessary is just to perform the correction calculation which multiplies.

However, if a zoom lens is used as the interchangeable lens 300, the focus amount conversion coefficient of the zoom lens changes non-linearly. It is difficult to make an accurate correction for In particular, in recent years, interchangeable lenses having non-linear optical characteristics have been increasing due to an increase in magnification of zoom lenses, and sufficient correction cannot be performed by a uniform calculation using an intermediate accessory as in the related art.

On the other hand, according to the camera system of the present embodiment, the lens data transmitted from the lens CPU 301 is corrected according to the type of the intermediate accessory 200 so that the intermediate accessory 200 simply passes through the signal line 210. Therefore, data that has been optimally corrected for each individual interchangeable lens 300 can be input to the body CPU 101. As a result, it is possible to perform better imaging than in the related art.

Next, the camera body 100, the intermediate accessory 200 and the interchangeable lens 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given of the compatibility of the old function with the member having the old function.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a camera system in which an intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between the old function camera body 400 and the interchangeable lens 300. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a communication operation in the camera system of FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 9, the old function camera body 400
Are the body CPU 401 and the DC-DC converter 40
2. A battery BAT is provided, and as electrical contacts exposed to the outside, a control system power supply output terminal B # VCC, a control system ground terminal B # DGND, a data input terminal B # SI of the CPU 401, and a transfer clock output terminal B # SCK And a lens communication permission signal output terminal B # CS.

Thus, the old function camera body 400 is
It does not have a drive system power output terminal B # VPP, a drive system ground terminal B # PGND, and a CPU data output terminal B # SO as shown in the camera body 100 of FIG.

The body CPU 401 does not have a function of returning data transmitted from the interchangeable lens 300 when the lens is mounted, a function of transmitting a mode transition signal, and a function of outputting a command requesting only necessary data.

Therefore, in the camera system shown in FIG. 9, since the mode transition signal is not transmitted from the body CPU 401, the switch circuit 20 is not provided in the intermediate accessory 200.
8, the switch 208a remains on, the switch 208b remains off, and the data sent from the lens CPU 301 is always corrected by the arithmetic circuit 201, and the body C
It will be sent to the PU 401.

Further, since the data sent from the interchangeable lens 300 when the lens is attached is not returned,
A value of 0 indicates that it is not possible to determine whether or not an intermediate accessory is provided, or to determine the type of the intermediate accessory when it is provided. Further, since no mode transition signal is transmitted from the body CPU 401, all the unique information is always transmitted as it is from the lens CPU 301, and communication with the old system is performed.

The communication in this system will be described with reference to FIG. 10. At time t41, a lens communication permission signal is output from the output terminal B # CS, and at times t42 and t4.
At 3, ..., t50, the carrier clock signal is output terminal
It is output from B # SCK at predetermined intervals, and data communication is performed in synchronization with the carrier clock signal.

At time t42 from body CPU 401,
Then, the “state” data indicating the state of the camera body 400 is not transmitted to the lens CPU 301.

Then, from the next time t43, a time t4
At 3, t44,..., T50, all data “State1”, “da”
“ta0” to “data6” are transmitted.

These data are subjected to correction processing such as addition, shift, and replacement by the arithmetic circuit 201, and the correction data "State1 '", "data0'" to "data6 '"
Is input to the body CPU 401.

In the camera system of FIG. 9, communication with the old system as shown in FIG. 10 is always performed, not only when the lens is mounted, and the body CPU 401 receives the received “State 1 ′”.
The fact that the intermediate accessory is interposed and the type thereof are recognized based on the data, and various control operations are performed using “data0 ′” to “data6 ′”.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a communication operation in a camera system including only the old function camera body 400 and the interchangeable lens 300 except for the intermediate accessory 200 from the camera system of FIG.

In a camera system including only the old function camera body 400 and the interchangeable lens 300, as shown in FIG. 11, a lens communication permission signal is output from the output terminal B # CS of the body CPU 401, and a transport clock signal is output from the output terminal.
When output from the B # SCK at a predetermined interval, the lens CP is always output in synchronization with the transport clock signal, not only when the lens is mounted.
All data is transmitted from U301 to body CPU 401.

As described above, since the lens CPU 301 operates in the same manner as the old system when the mode transition signal is not input, when the lens CPU 301 is attached to the old function camera body 400 directly or via the intermediate accessory 200. However, the communication with the old system can be performed, so that the interchangeable lens 300 of the present embodiment is compatible with the old function camera body 400.

Further, the intermediate accessory 200 of the present embodiment is used.
When the mode transition signal is not input, the data from the interchangeable lens is always input to the arithmetic circuit 201.
The communication with the old system can be performed even when the old function camera body 400 is interposed between the old function camera main body 400 and the old system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera system in which an intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between the camera body 100 and the old function interchangeable lens 500.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The old function interchangeable lens 500 is a lens CPU
And a control system power output terminal L # VCC and a control system ground terminal L # DGN
D, a data output terminal L # SI of the CPU 501, a carrier clock input terminal L # SCK, and a lens communication permission signal input terminal L # CS.

As described above, the old function interchangeable lens 500 is
It does not include a drive system power input terminal L # VPP, a drive system ground terminal L # PGND, and a CPU data input terminal L # SO as shown in the interchangeable lens 300 of FIG.

When the lens CPU 501 outputs the lens communication permission signal from the output terminal B # CS of the body CPU 101 and outputs the carrier clock signal at a predetermined interval from the output terminal B # SCK, the lens CPU 501 synchronizes with the carrier clock signal. Only the function of sequentially transmitting all data.

In the camera system shown in FIG.
U101 operates according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 when the lens is mounted. Then, in the communication operation of # 10, since the "state" data indicating the state of the interchangeable lens 500 sent from the lens CPU 501 does not include the data indicating that it is compatible with the new function, it is determined in step # 20 that the camera is mounted. It is determined that the existing interchangeable lens is the old function interchangeable lens 500, and the process proceeds to # 50 without transmitting the mode transition signal. Thereafter, the communication in the old system is performed.

Since the mode transition signal is not sent from the body CPU 101, the switch 208a of the switch circuit 208 in the intermediate accessory 200 is turned on and the switch 208b is kept off, so that the lens C
The unique information sent from the PU 501 is always the arithmetic circuit 2
01 and sent to the body CPU 101.

Therefore, in the camera system of FIG. 12, a communication operation as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 10 is performed. In the case of a camera system including only the camera main body 100 and the old function interchangeable lens 500 excluding the intermediate accessory 200 from the system of FIG. 12, a communication operation as shown in a timing chart of FIG. 11 is performed.

As described above, the camera body 10 of the present embodiment is
0 is compatible with the old-function interchangeable lens 500 because the old-system interchangeable lens 500 is connected when the old-function interchangeable lens 500 is mounted directly or via the intermediate accessory 200.

Also, even when the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between the camera body 100 and the old function interchangeable lens 500, it can communicate with the old system, and is compatible with the old function interchangeable lens 500. Having. Therefore, even when the intermediate accessory 200 is interposed between the old-function camera main body 400 and the old-function interchangeable lens 500, communication with the old system can be performed.

In the camera system shown in FIG. 12, when the lens is mounted, the old function interchangeable lens 50 is
0 is returned to the lens CPU 501.
There is no problem because it is not input to.

FIG. 13 shows the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 3.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera system in which an old function intermediate accessory 600 is interposed between the camera system 00 and the camera system 00.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The old function intermediate accessory 600 is, for example, I
An arithmetic circuit 601 made of C is provided.

Also, the old function intermediate accessory 600 is provided on the camera body 100 side as an electrical contact exposed to the outside.
A control system power supply input terminal AB # VCC, a data output terminal AB # SI, a carrier clock input terminal AB # SCK, a lens communication enable signal input terminal AB # CS, and a control system ground terminal AB # DGND are provided.

The old function intermediate accessory 600 is provided on the interchangeable lens 300 side as an electric contact exposed to the outside.
A control system power supply output terminal AL # VCC, a data input terminal AL # SI, a carrier clock output terminal AL # SCK, a lens communication enable signal output terminal AL # CS, and a control system ground terminal AL # DGND are provided.

The control system power input terminal AB # VCC of the electric contact is
The control line power output terminal AL # VCC,
The power supply terminal 611 of the arithmetic circuit 601 is connected. The control system ground terminal AB # DGND is connected to the control system ground terminal AL # DGND by a ground line 603 and to the ground terminal 612 of the arithmetic circuit 601.

The data output terminal AB # SI is connected to the arithmetic circuit 601
Is connected to the data output terminal 613 of the. The data input terminal AL # SI is connected to the data input terminal 614 of the arithmetic circuit 601.
It is connected to the.

The carrier clock input terminal AB # SCK is connected to the clock input terminal 615 of the arithmetic circuit 601 and the carrier clock output terminal AL # SCK. The lens communication permission signal input terminal AB # CS is connected to the lens communication permission signal output terminal AL # CS and the chip select terminal 616 of the arithmetic circuit 601.

Thus, the old function intermediate accessory 600
1, a mode switching circuit 202, a drive system power supply input terminal AB # VPP, a data input terminal AB # SO, a drive system ground terminal AB # PGND, a drive system power supply output terminal AL # VPP, as in the intermediate accessory 200 shown in FIG. Data output terminal AL # SO, drive system ground terminal A
L # PGND and switch circuit 208 are not provided.

In the camera system shown in FIG.
U101 operates according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 when the lens is mounted. Then, in the communication operation of # 10, the interchangeable lens 3 transmitted from the lens CPU 301
The “state” data indicating the state of 00 includes data indicating that the function is compatible with the new function. The correction data obtained by correcting the “state” data by the arithmetic circuit 601 includes an intermediate accessory inserted therein. Since no data indicating that it is compatible with the new function is included, in # 20, the attached interchangeable lens 300 is compatible with the new function, but the intermediate accessory inserted is the old function intermediate accessory 600.
Is determined. Therefore, the process proceeds to # 50 without transmitting the mode transition signal, and thereafter, communication in the old system is performed.

Since no mode transition signal is sent from the body CPU 101, the lens CPU 301 always sends all unique information.

Therefore, in the camera system of FIG. 13, a communication operation as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 10 is performed.

As described above, even when the old function intermediate accessory 600 is interposed between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 300, communication with the old system can be performed.
It is compatible with the old function intermediate accessory 600.
Even when the old function intermediate accessory 600 is interposed between the old function interchangeable lens 500 and the old function interchangeable lens 500, the communication with the old system can be performed similarly.

The interchangeable lens 300 is connected to the camera body 1
Even when the old function intermediate accessory 600 is interposed between the old function intermediate accessory 600 and the old function intermediate accessory 600, communication with the old system is possible. In addition,
Even when the old function intermediate accessory 600 is interposed between the old function camera main body 400 and the old function camera main body 400, the communication with the old system can be performed similarly.

[0183]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the unique information transmitted from the interchangeable lens toward the camera body is received, and the unique information is subjected to a predetermined correction process to correct the unique information. And a switching operation for switching from the first state in which the correction information is transmitted to the camera body to the second state in which the unique information is directly transmitted to the camera body. Compatible with the functions of the camera body and interchangeable lens, such as switching to the second state when the camera body and interchangeable lens have a new function, or maintaining the first state if either has an old function Compatibility can be achieved by operating in this manner.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the correction information including the information indicating that the switching means is provided, the correction information is transmitted to the camera body at least once in the first state. By doing so, it is possible to determine in the camera body that an intermediate accessory that can be switched between the first state and the second state is interposed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera body has been input, the state is switched from the first state to the second state.
Switching from the first state to the second state can be performed according to the function of the camera body.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera body has been input, the correction information generated by performing the correction process according to the type of the intermediate accessory on the unique information is used. Since the information is transmitted to the camera body instead of the information, the correction processing according to the type of the intermediate accessory is performed in the interchangeable lens itself, so that an average correction is uniformly performed in the intermediate accessory. As a result, an error caused by this can be eliminated, and correction processing suitable for the characteristics of the interchangeable lens can be performed.

Further, since the correction information is transmitted to the camera main body only when a predetermined signal is transmitted from the camera main body, correction is performed only when the camera main body has a function of transmitting a predetermined signal. If the information is transmitted to the camera body, but the camera body does not have a function of transmitting a predetermined signal, the unique information will be transmitted directly to the camera body, and each will correspond to the function of the camera body. Appropriate information can be transmitted.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unique information stored in the unique information storage means includes lens-side transmission control means, lens-side reception control means, lens-side determination means, second lens-side determination means, and lens. Since the unique information is transmitted to the camera body at least once, the camera body has a function of switching between transmission of the unique information and transmission of the correction information. It can be determined that the interchangeable lens is electrically connected.

According to the invention of claim 6, the first information is added to the reception information.
When it is determined that the information is included, a signal to that effect is sent to the interchangeable lens. Therefore, when the interchangeable lens is the interchangeable lens described in claim 4, it corresponds to the function of the interchangeable lens. It can be determined that the camera is connected to a possible camera body.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first information is added to the received information.
If it is determined that the information and the second information are included, a signal to that effect is sent to the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens, so that when the intermediate accessory according to claim 1 is interposed, Can determine that the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens that can support the function. In the case where the interchangeable lens is the interchangeable lens according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to determine that an intermediate accessory that can handle the function is interposed between the camera and the camera body.

According to the eighth, ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, the camera system which can operate irrespective of the functions of the camera body and the interchangeable lens is provided since the intermediate accessories having compatibility are provided. can do.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a data output terminal electrically connected directly to the main body side transmission control means of the camera body according to the sixth or seventh aspect, and the lens of the interchangeable lens according to the fourth or fifth aspect. The data input terminal electrically connected to the side reception control means is electrically connected directly to the data input terminal through the electrical path of the intermediate accessory. , The interchangeable lens can reliably receive the data as it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an embodiment of a camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an embodiment of the camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a mode transition signal output from a body CPU.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine of a body CPU.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the body CPU.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a lens CPU.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an output state of each unit when an intermediate accessory is provided.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing an example of communication by the new system when an intermediate accessory is interposed.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera system in which an intermediate accessory is interposed between the old function camera body and the interchangeable lens.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of a communication operation in the camera system of FIG. 9;

11 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a communication operation in a camera system including only an old-function camera main body and an interchangeable lens, excluding an intermediate accessory from the camera system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera system in which an intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera body and the old function interchangeable lens.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a camera system in which an old function intermediate accessory is interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 camera body 101 body CPU (body-side instruction control means, body-side reception control means, body-side transmission control means, body-side determination means) 200 intermediate accessory 201 arithmetic circuit (correction arithmetic means) 202 mode switching circuit (switch control means) 207 Signal line (electrical path) 208 Switch circuit (switching means) 300 Interchangeable lens 301 Lens CPU (specific information storage means, lens-side transmission control means, lens-side reception control means, lens-side determination means, second lens-side determination means , Accessory data storage means, lens side correction control means)

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2H020 ME35 2H044 AE07 AE10 2H101 EE03 EE13 EE26 2H105 CC17 5C022 AB02 AB21 AB40 AC51

Claims (11)

[Claims] An intermediate accessory interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory receives unique information of the interchangeable lens transmitted from the interchangeable lens toward the camera body, and includes a predetermined information in the unique information. And a correction operation means for generating correction information by performing the correction processing described above, and switching from a first state in which the correction information is transmitted to the camera body to a second state in which the unique information is directly transmitted to the camera body. An intermediate accessory comprising: switching means; and switching control means for controlling a switching operation of the switching means. 2. The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein said correction calculating means generates correction information including information indicating that said switching means is provided. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera body has been input, wherein the switching control unit determines that the predetermined signal has been input. 3. The intermediate accessory according to claim 2, wherein a control signal is sent to said switching means to switch from said first state to said second state. 4. An interchangeable lens which is electrically connected to a camera body directly or via an intermediate accessory, wherein a unique information storage means storing predetermined unique information, and predetermined data corresponding to a plurality of types of intermediate accessories are stored. Stored accessory data storage means; lens-side transmission control means for receiving the instruction from the camera body and transmitting the unique information to the camera body; receiving the unique information and returned from the camera body Lens-side reception control means for receiving return data; comparing the return data with the unique information to determine whether the intermediate accessory is interposed between the camera body and the intermediate accessory; When the camera is interposed between the camera and the camera body, the intermediate accessory is based on the return data and the predetermined data. Lens-side determination means for determining the type; lens-side correction control means for performing correction processing in accordance with the type of the intermediate accessory on the unique information to generate correction information; and a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera body. Second lens-side determination means for determining whether or not there has been an input; and the lens-side transmission control means, after the second lens-side determination means has determined that the predetermined signal has been input, provides the unique information. An interchangeable lens for transmitting the correction information to the camera body instead of the camera. 5. The unique information stored in the unique information storage means includes the lens-side transmission control means, the lens-side reception control means, the lens-side determination means, the second lens-side determination means, and the lens-side 5. The interchangeable lens according to claim 4, further comprising information indicating that a correction control unit is provided. 6. A camera body to which an interchangeable lens is electrically connected directly or via an intermediate accessory, a body-side instruction control means for instructing the interchangeable lens to transmit unique information of the interchangeable lens, A body-side reception control means for receiving the unique information transmitted from the interchangeable lens; a body-side transmission control means for returning the received information received by the body-side reception control to the interchangeable lens as it is; Wherein the lens-side transmission control means, the lens-side reception control means, the lens-side determination means, the second lens-side determination means, and the lens-side correction control means provided in the interchangeable lens according to claim 4 are provided. First
A main body side discriminating means for judging whether or not the information is included, wherein the main body side transmission control means determines that the first information is included in the received information,
A camera body for transmitting a signal indicating that the first information is included in the received information toward the interchangeable lens. 7. The main body side discriminating means discriminates whether or not the received information includes second information indicating that the intermediate accessory according to claim 1 includes the switching means. When the main body side discriminating means determines that the first information is included in the received information and that the second information is included, the main body side transmission control means determines that the received information includes the first information. 7. The camera body according to claim 6, wherein a signal indicating that the first information and the second information are included is transmitted to the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens. 8. A camera comprising an interchangeable lens, a camera body, and the intermediate accessory according to claim 1 interposed between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. system. 9. The camera system according to claim 8, wherein the interchangeable lens is the interchangeable lens according to claim 4 or 5. 10. The camera body according to claim 6, wherein
The camera system according to claim 8, wherein the camera system is a camera body according to claim 8. 11. The interchangeable lens according to claim 4, wherein the interchangeable lens has a data input terminal electrically connected to the lens-side reception control means as an electrical contact exposed to the outside. 8. The camera body according to claim 6, further comprising a data output terminal electrically connected to the main body side transmission control means as an electrical contact exposed to the outside, wherein the intermediate accessory includes the data output terminal. 9. The camera system according to claim 8, further comprising an electric path for electrically connecting the data input terminal and the data input terminal.