JP2003228114A - Camera system and lens barrel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera system and a lens barrel capable of discriminating whether or not the attached camera accessory is the exclusively designed one at a specific timing when the camera accessory is attached to the camera main body. <P>SOLUTION: An identification data storage part 13 arranged in the camera body 1 and an identification data storage part 22 arranged in an interchangeable lens 2 have identification data in common. A prescribed operation by a photographer is detected by a lens attaching/detaching switch 16. Then when the prescribed operation is detected by the switch 16 arranged on the camera body 1 side, the identification data from the interchangeable lens 2 is received, and the identification data from the interchangeable lens is compared with the identification data on the camera body side by an identification data discriminating part 14. Whether or not the exclusive interchangeable lens 2 is attached to the camera body 1 is discriminated based on the comparison result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system having a camera body and a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens or a flash device is detachably attached to a camera body.

When these camera accessories are attached to the camera body, data is referred to between the camera body side and the accessory. By referring to this data, the maximum performance of the accessory can be derived. That is, if it is an accessory dedicated to the camera body to be mounted, optimum performance can be exhibited.

[0004]

As described above, the performance of the camera accessory which can be attached to and detached from the camera body is brought out by referring to the data.
In other words, if an accessory that is not designed specifically for the camera body is attached, the performance of the accessory will not be fully exhibited. Further, as a result of the attachment of a non-dedicated accessory, there is a possibility that the functions of the camera body may deteriorate and the camera body may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a camera accessory is attached to the camera body, it is possible to determine at a specific timing whether or not the camera accessory is a specially designed camera accessory. And a lens barrel.

[0006]

That is, the present invention provides a camera system including a camera body and an accessory device detachable from the camera body, the camera system being provided in the camera body and common to the accessory device. Camera side storage means having identification data of the above, an accessory device side storage means provided in the accessory device and having identification data common to the camera body, a detection means for detecting a predetermined operation by a photographer, and Comparison means provided on the camera body side for receiving the identification data from the accessory device and comparing the identification data with the camera body side identification data when the predetermined operation is detected by the detection means, and comparison by the comparison means A determination means for determining whether or not a dedicated accessory device is attached to the camera body according to the result; Characterized in that it Bei.

According to the present invention, in a camera system comprising a camera body and an accessory device which can be attached to and detached from the camera body, the camera side storage means provided in the camera body and the accessory device are provided. The provided accessory device-side storage means has common identification data. Further, the predetermined operation by the photographer is detected by the detection means. Then, when the predetermined operation is detected by the detection means provided on the camera body side,
When the identification data is received from the accessory device,
The comparison means compares the identification data with the camera body side identification data. Based on the comparison result by the comparison means, the determination means determines whether or not the dedicated accessory device is attached to the camera body.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a functional block diagram based on a signal flow.

In FIG. 1, this camera system comprises a camera body (camera body) 1 and an interchangeable lens 2 which is detachably attached to the camera body 1 as a camera accessory.

The camera body 1 includes a communication unit 11 for performing data communication with the interchangeable lens 2, an identification data selection unit 12, an identification data storage unit 13, an identification data determination unit 14, and a control unit 15. , Lens detachable switch (SW) 1
6 and.

On the other hand, the interchangeable lens 2 is constructed so as to be attachable to and detachable from the camera body 1, and has a communication section 21 for communicating with the camera body 1 side and an identification data storage section 2.
2 and.

The communication unit 11 and the communication unit 21 are for transmitting and receiving data between the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2.

Common identification data is stored in the identification data storage section 13 and the identification data storage section 22 in the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2. These identification data are composed of multiple identification data tables.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, it has an identification data table of three random numbers. Then, in these identification tables, the data designated by the address X and the address Y are designated. For example, a group of identification data tables (Group1, Group1 shown in FIG.
2, 3) is "1", address X is "2", address Y
When is “2”, the identification data of “5” is determined.

The identification data selection unit 12 designates (selects) the groups of these identification data tables and the addresses X and Y.

Information of data based on the group and each address of the identification data table thus selected is sent to the identification data discriminating section 14. This identification data discrimination unit 14
Then, from the data stored in the identification data storage unit 13 selected as described above and the data in the identification data storage unit 22 on the interchangeable lens 2 side sent via the communication units 21 and 11. , Is determined whether or not they match.

The identification data on the interchangeable lens 2 side stored in the identification data storage section 22 is selected based on the group and each address selected by the identification data selection section 12 on the camera body 1 side.

The control unit 15 includes an identification data discriminating unit 14
The operation of the camera is controlled based on the result of the determination. A lens attachment / detachment switch (SW) 16 for detecting attachment / detachment of the interchangeable lens 2 is connected to the control unit 15. As a result, the timing of attachment / detachment of the interchangeable lens 2 is transmitted to the control unit 15.

Here, the selection of the identification data stored in the identification data storage will be described.

In selecting the identification data, for example, 1
If the address X is selected as "1" and the address Y is "1" in the group "1" of the identification data table for the second time, the address X of the group "2" is "2" for the second time.
The identification data is selected so that the address Y is sequentially incremented, such as "2". However, other methods of selecting the identification data are conceivable.

That is, the first is to switch the identification data according to time. This is, for example, switching the group or address of the identification data table every day,
That is.

The second is to switch according to the in-lens data on the interchangeable lens 2 side. For example, according to the lens type number or the lens individual number, the corresponding identification data is selected.

The third is to switch according to the data in the camera body 1. This data is, for example,
These are data stored at the time of manufacture.

The fourth is to select using a random number. This is to generate a random number on the camera body 1 side for each operation, select the random number, and send it to the interchangeable lens 2 side.

Of the above-described identification data storage unit 13 and identification data storage unit 22, at least the identification data storage unit 22 may use a rewritable memory.

Next, the operation of the camera system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

First, the operation of the camera body 1 will be described with reference to the main flowchart on the side of the camera body 1.

When this sequence is executed by an operation such as inserting a battery (not shown) in the camera body 1,
First, in step S1, initial settings for normal camera operation such as port settings are performed. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the interchangeable lens 2 is currently attached to the camera body 1. This determination is based on the lens attachment / detachment switch 1
The detection result of No. 6 is used.

If the interchangeable lens 2 is not attached to the camera body 1, the process proceeds to step S3 and the lensless process is executed. After that, the above step S2
Move to. On the other hand, when the interchangeable lens 2 is attached, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, it is determined whether the interchangeable lens 2 has been newly attached to the camera body 1 (that is, has been exchanged) or has been previously attached. If the interchangeable lens 2 has been exchanged, the lens identification processing from step S5 is started. On the other hand, if the interchangeable lens 2 is not newly attached, the process proceeds to step S14.

Then, in step S5, identification data is selected. Here, the identification data selection unit 12 in the camera body 1 selects the identification data stored in the identification data storage unit 13. In this case, the group number and address data of the identification data table as shown in FIG. 2 are determined.

Then, in step S6, the group number of the identification data selected in step S5 is transmitted from the camera body 1 to the interchangeable lens 2. This step S6 corresponds to step S24 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 described later.

In step S7, the address data X and Y of the identification data selected in step S5 is transmitted from the camera body 1 to the interchangeable lens 2 as in step S6. This step S7 will be described later with reference to FIG.
This corresponds to step S25 in the flowchart of FIG.

In step S8, the above-mentioned step S6 is executed.
Based on the identification data transmitted in S7 and S7, the identification data from the interchangeable lens 2 side is received. In response to this, in step S9, the identification data is discriminated. That is, the identification data stored in the identification data storage unit 13 in the camera body 1 is compared with the identification data sent from the interchangeable lens 2 received in step S8.

Then, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the identification data of the two match. as a result,
If the identification data do not match, the process proceeds to step S11 to make a lens NG determination. As a result, the camera operation is prohibited in the subsequent step S12. After that, the process proceeds to step S13, and a damage process such as not accepting the process of the user is executed.

If the identification data match in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, and the lens OK is determined. As a result, the following step S1
At 5, the camera operates normally.

Next, in step S16, it is determined whether or not the interchangeable lens 2 has been removed. As a result, if the interchangeable lens 2 is removed, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, it is determined whether or not the identification process of the interchangeable lens 2 is performed. Here, the lens identification processing is performed by a user operation, for example, an operation of a power switch, a release switch, or the like.

As a result, when the lens identification process is executed, the process proceeds to step S5 and the subsequent processes are executed. On the other hand, when the lens identification process is not performed, the process proceeds to step S15 and the normal process is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S16, and step S1
The normal processing loop is repeated, except when the lens removal or lens check processing is performed in 6 or S17.

Next, the operation of the interchangeable lens 2 will be described with reference to the main flowchart of the interchangeable lens 2 side shown in FIG.

When entering this sequence, first, step S
At 21, initial settings such as port settings are performed. Next, communication confirmation is performed in step S22. this is,
The communication unit 21 in the interchangeable lens 2 confirms whether or not there is a communication request from the camera body 1. If there is no communication request, the process proceeds to step S28, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S23.

Then, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the identification data is communicated. As a result, if the communication is not identification communication, the process proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, in the case of identification communication, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the group number of the identification data sent from the camera body 1 in step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is recognized by the interchangeable lens 2 side. Similarly, in step S25, the address data X and Y of the identification data sent from the camera body 1 in step S7 in the flowchart of FIG.
Recognized by the side.

Next, in step S26, the identification data stored in the identification data storage section 22 in the interchangeable lens 2 is the group number and address data X, Y described above.
Selected from. Further, in step S27, the identification data selected in step S26 is returned from the interchangeable lens 2 to the camera body 1 side.

Thereafter, in step S28, the normal processing of the interchangeable lens 2 is executed. Then, in step S29, the presence or absence of communication is determined. As a result, if there is communication, the process proceeds to step S23, and the subsequent communication confirmation process is executed. On the other hand, if there is no communication, the process moves to step S28 and the process in the normal loop is repeated.

In the above-described embodiment, in steps S11 and S12 in the flow chart of FIG.
Although it has been described that the camera operation is prohibited when the lens NG determination is made, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation of the camera may not be prohibited, and only the notification that the lens is NG may be given, or the function may be limited to the normal processing.

Further, in the damage process of step S13 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation of the interchangeable lens 2 may be stopped.

Identification data storage unit 13 on the camera body 1 side
The identification data stored in the identification data storage section 22 on the side of the interchangeable lens 2 and the identification data stored in the identification data storage section 22 are described as common, but the identification data is not limited to this. That is, the identification data storage unit 22 on the interchangeable lens 2 side
As long as the identification data stored in the identification data includes at least the identification data stored in the identification data storage unit 13 on the camera body 1 side, the identification data of both need not be common.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the interchangeable lens 2 is used as the camera accessory which can be attached / detached to / from the camera body 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a flash device or a battery pack. And so on.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the specific timing for collating the identification data (lens identification processing) between the camera body 1 side and the interchangeable lens 2 side is set when the lens is exchanged has been described. However, the user may set the specific timing, for example.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the camera accessory is attached to the camera body, it is possible to determine whether or not the camera accessory is a specially designed camera accessory at a specific timing. A tube can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention and is a functional block diagram based on a signal flow.

2 is a diagram showing an example of an identification data table stored in an identification data storage unit 13 and an identification data storage unit 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention and for explaining the operation on the camera body 1 side.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention and for explaining the operation on the interchangeable lens 2 side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera body (camera body), 2 interchangeable lenses, 11, 21 Communication section, 12 Identification data selection section, 13, 22 identification data storage unit, 14 identification data discrimination unit, 15 control unit, 16 Lens detachable switch (SW).

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masataka Ide             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Harada             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H044 AE07 AJ06                 2H101 EE08 EE13 EE21 EE52 EE81                       EE83

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera system comprising a camera body and an accessory device which is attachable to and detachable from the camera body, wherein the camera side storage means is provided in the camera body and has identification data common to the accessory device. And an accessory device-side storage unit that is provided in the accessory device and that has identification data common to the camera body, a detection unit that detects a predetermined operation by a photographer, and a detection unit that is provided on the camera body side. Comparing means for receiving the identification data from the accessory device and comparing the identification data with the camera body side identification data when the predetermined operation is detected by the means, and the camera body according to the comparison result by the comparing means. A camera system comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not a dedicated accessory device is attached. Stem. 2. The camera-side storage means and the accessory device-side storage means have a plurality of data tables configured by a plurality of identifications, and the camera body has a plurality of data tables for the accessory device. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein one table of the data table and an arbitrary address in the table are designated. 3. The lens barrel according to claim 1, which is applicable as an accessory device attachable to the camera body.