JP2013064879A - Accessory, accessory control method and accessory control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a camera to recognize a light-emission state of an accessory.SOLUTION: An accessory 400 capable of communicating with a camera 10 includes: a light-emitting part 435 which emits illumination light; a light emitting/detecting part 439 which detects whether or not an illumination light emission part 435 emits light; and an accessory control part 440 which, based on the result detected by the light emitting/detecting part 439, generates information on a light emission state indicating a light emission state of the illumination light emission part 435 and transmits the generated information on the light emission state to the camera 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an accessory, an accessory control method, and an accessory control program.

  The camera may be used with accessories such as a flash device (for example, see Patent Document 1). The accessory is used by being connected to an accessory shoe (also called a shoe seat, a hot shoe, etc.) of the camera. The accessory shoe has a terminal for outputting a control signal for controlling the accessory to the accessory. The camera can control the accessory by transmitting a control signal to the accessory via the terminal of the accessory shoe.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/033292

Conventionally, when taking a still image, a camera controls a flash light emitting unit provided in an accessory when the illuminance is low to emit a flash.
On the other hand, when shooting moving images, when the illuminance is low, the illumination light emitting unit (for example, LED) provided in the accessory is controlled to emit light for a longer time than the still image shooting time. realizable. In this case, the camera needs to recognize the light emission state of the illumination light emitting unit, but the existing camera has not recognized the light emission state of the illumination light light emitting unit.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an accessory, an accessory control method, and an accessory control program that enable a camera to recognize the light emission state of the accessory.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one aspect of the present invention is an accessory that can communicate with a camera, and includes a light emitting unit that emits illumination light, and whether or not the light emitting unit emits light. A light emission detection unit to detect, and an accessory that generates light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emission unit based on a result detected by the light emission detection unit, and transmits the generated light emission state information to the camera And an accessory.

  Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light-emitting unit that emits illumination light, and a light-emission detecting unit that detects whether or not the light-emitting unit emits light, and controls operations of accessories that can communicate with the camera. An accessory control method for generating light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emitting unit based on a result detected by the light emission detecting unit, and transmitting the generated light emission state information to the camera. It is an accessory control method characterized by having a procedure.

  Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light-emitting unit that emits illumination light, and a light-emission detecting unit that detects whether or not the light-emitting unit emits light, and controls operations of accessories that can communicate with the camera. An accessory control program for generating light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emitting unit based on a result detected by the light emission detecting unit, and generating the generated light emission state information for the camera It is an accessory control program for performing the step to transmit.

  According to the present invention, the camera can recognize the light emission state of the accessory.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the camera system of this embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the camera system of this embodiment from the opposite side to FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the accessory of this embodiment, and the connection relationship between an accessory and a camera. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the illumination light source drive part of this embodiment, an illumination light source, and the light emission detection part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in the camera system of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in an initial stage communication sequence. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which continues from FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in a regular communication sequence. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processes subsequent to FIG. 9. FIG. It is the figure which showed the modification of a structure of an illumination light source drive part, an illumination light source, and the light emission detection part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be simplified or omitted.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a camera system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the camera system 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from the opposite side to FIG.

  A camera system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a camera 10 (camera body 100 and photographing lens 200) and an accessory 400. The accessory 400 according to the present embodiment has a light emitting function and can illuminate a subject. The camera 10 can communicate with the accessory 400 and control the accessory 400. For example, the camera system 1 can capture an image of the subject with the camera 10 while illuminating the subject with the accessory 400.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 10 includes a camera body 100 and a photographing lens (interchangeable lens) 200. The camera body 100 includes a lens mount 11 to which a photographing lens 200 can be attached. The photographing lens 200 includes a lens side mount (not shown) for mounting with the camera body 100. The taking lens 200 can be attached to and detached from the lens mount 11 via the lens side mount. The camera body 100 includes a top surface (upper surface) 13 disposed at an upper portion of a side surface facing the front surface 12 on which the lens mount 11 is disposed, and a rear surface 14 disposed on the side opposite to the front surface 12. And have.

  The camera body 100 includes a release button 16, an accessory shoe (hereinafter referred to as a shoe seat 15), and a power switch 31 that are disposed on the top surface 13. The camera 10 detects that the release button 16 has been pressed, and performs various processes such as an imaging process. The shoe seat 15 is configured so that the accessory 400 can be attached thereto. The power switch 31 is a switch for switching the camera body 100 between an on state and an off state.

  In the present embodiment, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. In this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, the Y-axis direction is a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the taking lens 200. In this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are directions orthogonal to the Y-axis direction and orthogonal to each other. The front surface 12 and the back surface 14 are each substantially orthogonal to the Y-axis direction. The top surface 13 is substantially orthogonal to the Z-axis direction.

  The accessory 400 includes an accessory main body 410, a connector 420, and a light emitting unit 425. The light emitting unit 425 includes a flash light emitting unit 430 and an illumination light emitting unit 435 each having an emission surface for emitting light. The accessory main body 410 accommodates the illumination light emitting unit 435 and various electrical components. The connector 420 is provided below the accessory body 410. The connector 420 can be attached to and detached from the shoe seat 15 of the camera body 100. The accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 and fixed to the camera body 100 by attaching the connector 420 to the shoe seat 15. The flash light emitting unit 430 is provided on the side opposite to the connector 420 (upward) with respect to the accessory body 410. When the accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 and the exit surface of the flash light emitting unit 430 faces the front 12 side (+ Y direction side) of the camera body 100, the flash light emitting unit 430 takes a picture. Flash illumination light (flash emission from the Xe tube) can be emitted in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lens 200. The flash light emitting unit 430 is provided so that the direction (posture) of the exit surface can be changed (posture change) with respect to the accessory body 410. For example, it is possible to emit flash illumination light with the emission surface of the flash light emitting unit 430 directed upward (+ Z side) of the accessory body 410. On the other hand, the illumination light emitting unit 435 is directed toward the front surface 12 side (+ Y side) of the camera body 100 (in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens 200) with the accessory 400 attached to the camera body 100. Continuous illumination light (for example, LED illumination light) can be emitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the camera body 100 includes a display unit 102 disposed on the back surface 14 and a setting switch 104 disposed on the back surface 14. The display unit 102 includes a display element such as a liquid crystal display element or an organic electroluminescence display element. The display unit 102 can display an image to be captured, an image indicating various settings, an image indicating the state of the accessory 400, an image indicating an imaging condition, and the like. The setting switch 104 can accept input from the user for changing various setting items of the camera 10 and the accessory 400. The various setting items include at least one of zoom magnification setting, shooting mode setting, white balance setting, exposure time setting, and display switching setting. The shooting mode setting is, for example, auto mode setting or manual mode setting.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the accessory 400 includes a first pilot lamp 455, a second pilot lamp 460, a first operation unit 424, and a second operation unit 471. The first pilot lamp 455 emits light according to the operating state of the flash light emitting unit 430 shown in FIG. The second pilot lamp 460 emits light according to the operating state of the illumination light emitting unit 435 shown in FIG. The first operation unit 424 is an operation member operated by the user in order to remove the accessory 400 from the camera body 100 (in other words, the first operation unit 424 is a removal operation member). The second operation unit 471 is an operation member operated by the user in order to switch between the on state and the off state of the entire function of the accessory 400 (in other words, the second operation unit 471 is an ON / OFF operation switch. ).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the camera system of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the photographing lens 200 includes an optical system 210, an optical system drive unit 220, and an optical system control unit 230. Light incident on the photographing lens 200 from the subject enters the light receiving surface of the image sensor 121 of the camera body 100 through the optical system 210.

  The optical system 210 includes a plurality of optical components such as a lens and a diaphragm, and a lens barrel that houses the plurality of optical components. The optical system 210 can image light incident from the outside of the camera body 100.

  The optical system driving unit 220 detects an actuator that drives the optical system 210, an encoder that detects the position of the optical component in the optical system 210, and a movement (at least one of a translational movement and a rotational movement) of the optical system 210 due to camera shake or the like. Provide a sensor. The actuator of the optical system drive unit 220 includes, for example, a focusing control motor, a power zoom control motor, a diaphragm aperture control motor, a vibration reduction (VR) control motor, and an expansion / reduction cylinder control motor. Including.

  The optical system drive unit 220 operates the actuator of the optical system drive unit 220 in accordance with a control command from the optical system control unit 230, thereby performing focusing control, zooming control, exposure control, VR control, and expansion / contraction control of the photographing lens 200. It can be carried out. Focusing control is control for adjusting the focal point of the optical system 210 by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in the optical axis direction by a focusing control motor. The zooming control is a control for changing the imaging angle of view by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in the optical axis direction by a power zoom control motor.

  In exposure control, the diaphragm constituting the optical system 210 is driven by a diaphragm aperture control motor to change the aperture size of the diaphragm, thereby adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 121 through the optical system 210. It is control to do. The VR control is a control for correcting image shake due to camera shake by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in a direction intersecting the optical axis by a VR control motor. The expansion / contraction control is control for extending or contracting the photographic lens 200 in the optical axis direction by driving an expansion / contraction cylinder control motor.

  The optical system drive unit 220 is supplied with electric power from the battery BAT stored in the battery storage unit 110 of the camera body 100. The optical system driving unit 220 is supplied with power from the battery BAT via a terminal disposed on the lens mount 11 of the camera body 100. The actuators, encoders, and sensors that constitute the optical system driving unit 220 are operated by electric power supplied from the battery BAT.

  The optical system control unit 230 can communicate with a camera control unit 170 (described later) of the camera body 100 via a terminal disposed on the lens mount 11 of the camera body 100. The optical system control unit 230 can supply information indicating the detection result of the encoder of the optical system driving unit 220 and information indicating the detection result of the sensor to the camera control unit 170. Information supplied from the optical system control unit 230 to the camera control unit 170 includes lens type information indicating the type of the taking lens 200, lens focal length information, an aperture value set by exposure control, and a subject focus set by focusing control. Includes distance information, power consumption information, etc. The power consumption information indicates the power consumption consumed in the driving state, and is information that changes according to the lens type information and the driven state.

  The accessory 400 includes a flash light emitting unit 430, an illumination light emitting unit 435, an accessory control unit 440, and a nonvolatile memory 445. The illumination light emitting unit 435, the accessory control unit 440, and the nonvolatile memory 445 are accommodated in the accessory main body 410 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. Details of the accessory 400 will be described later.

  The camera body 100 includes a battery storage unit 110, an imaging processing unit 120, a shutter drive unit 130, a display unit control circuit 135, a memory 140, a memory control circuit 145, an input unit 150, an operation detection circuit 155, a storage unit 158, and camera control. Part 170 is provided.

  The battery storage unit 110 can store a battery BAT such as a primary battery or a secondary battery. The battery BAT is mounted on the camera body 100 by being stored in the battery storage unit 110. The battery BAT stored in the battery storage unit 110 can supply power (PWR) necessary for the operation of the components of the camera system 1, for example, the display unit 102, the photographing lens 200, the accessory 400, and the like.

  The imaging processing unit 120 includes an imaging element 121, an imaging element control circuit 122, and an image circuit 123. The image sensor 121 includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally. Each pixel of the image sensor 121 includes a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The light receiving element of the imaging element 121 generates a charge corresponding to the amount of light incident on each pixel from the optical system 210. The image sensor 121 converts the charge generated in the light receiving element by the light incident on each pixel into a signal. The image sensor 121 generates an analog image signal corresponding to an image (optical image) formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 121 via the optical system 210. The image sensor 121 is connected to each of the image sensor control circuit 122 and the image circuit 123. The image circuit 123 amplifies the image signal output from the image sensor 121 and converts the analog image signal into a digital signal. The image sensor control circuit 122 can control the image sensor 121 to generate an image signal corresponding to an image, output the generated image signal, and the like.

  The shutter driving unit 130 controls opening and closing of a shutter accommodated in the camera body 100. This shutter shields light incident on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 121 through the optical system 210 while the shutter is closed. If the camera body 100 is not equipped with a shutter mechanism for exposure control, the shutter drive unit 130 is also unnecessary.

  The display unit control circuit 135 performs display control such as lighting, brightness adjustment, and extinguishing of the display unit 102, and processing for causing the display unit 102 to display image data output from the camera control unit 170, for example.

  The memory 140 is a storage medium that can be inserted into and removed from the camera body 100, such as a memory card. The memory 140 stores image data generated by the camera control unit 170, for example. The memory control circuit 145 controls input / output of information between the camera control unit 170 and the memory 140. The memory control circuit 145, for example, stores information such as image data generated by the camera control unit 170 in the memory 140 or reads out information such as image data stored in the memory 140 to the camera control unit 170. Perform output processing.

  The input unit 150 includes a setting switch 104 and a release button 16 that can be operated by the user. The operation detection circuit 155 detects a user operation input to the input unit 150. The operation detection circuit 155 generates operation information indicating the user's operation input to the input unit 150, and outputs the generated operation information to the camera control unit 170.

  The storage unit 158 includes a nonvolatile memory 160 and a buffer memory 165. The nonvolatile memory 160 is a program for operating the camera control unit 170, image data generated by imaging, information indicating the state of the apparatus, information indicating power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1, and input from the user. Information such as various settings and imaging conditions is stored. The information indicating the state of the apparatus includes voltage information (remaining battery level) of the battery BAT stored in the battery storage unit 110 of the camera body 100, information indicating the control state of each actuator of the photographing lens 200, and the like. Information indicating the power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1 includes power consumed by the shutter driving unit 130 (necessary for operation), power consumed by the actuator of the photographing lens 200 (necessary for operation), and the accessory 400. Power consumption (necessary for operation). The buffer memory 165 is a temporary information storage unit used for the control process of the camera control unit 170. For example, the camera control unit 170 temporarily stores, in the buffer memory 165, an image signal output from the image sensor 121, image data generated according to the image signal, and the like.

  The camera control unit 170 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of the components of the camera body 100 based on a program stored in the non-volatile memory 160 and an electronic component such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Prepare. For example, the camera control unit 170 turns on the power to the camera body 100 or controls the drive of the optical system 210 via the optical system drive unit 220 according to the operation information output from the operation detection circuit 155 to the camera control unit 170. Then, drive control of the image sensor 121 via the image sensor control circuit 122, display control of the display unit 102 via the display unit control circuit 135, control of processing on the image signal output to the image circuit 123, and the like are performed.

  The camera control unit 170 includes an image processing unit 171, a display control unit 172, an imaging control unit 173, an operation detection processing unit 174, a power control unit 175, and a communication unit 176.

  The image processing unit 171 performs image processing for generating image data based on the image signal output from the image circuit 123. The image processing unit 171 stores the image data generated by the image processing in the buffer memory 165.

  The display control unit 172 reads the image data generated by the image processing unit 171 and stored in the buffer memory 165 at regular time intervals, and causes the display unit 102 to repeatedly display the read image data. Further, the display control unit 172 reads the image data generated by the image processing unit 171 and stored in the buffer memory 165 at regular time intervals, and records the data in the memory 140 as moving image format data (moving image data). Further, the display control unit 172 displays the remaining charge amount of the battery BAT on the display unit 102 according to the determination result of the power control unit 175 described later.

  The operation detection processing unit 174 determines a user operation detected by the operation detection circuit 155 based on the operation information output from the operation detection circuit 155, and stores the determined information in the buffer memory 165. The operation detection processing unit 174 outputs control commands for various processes corresponding to operations from the user to components (function units) that execute processes corresponding to the operations. For example, when the operation detection circuit 155 detects an input to the input unit 150 requesting execution of an imaging process, the operation detection processing unit 174 outputs the operation information output to the operation detection processing unit 174. Based on this, a control command for requesting execution of the imaging process is output to the imaging control unit 173. In addition, the operation detection processing unit 174 detects that the operation detection circuit 155 detects an input to the input unit 150 that requests execution of an autofocus (AF) process, for example. On the basis of the operation information output to, a control command for requesting execution of AF processing is output. In the AF process, the optical system control unit 230 refers to a distance measurement result using an image detected by the image sensor 121 via the optical system 210 based on the control command output by the operation detection processing unit 174. The focusing control motor of the optical system driving unit 220 is controlled to adjust the focus of the optical system 210 so that, for example, the subject designated by the user is in focus.

  The imaging control unit 173 outputs a control signal for causing the components of the camera system 1 to execute an imaging process to the components of the camera system 1 based on the control command output by the operation detection circuit 155. For example, the imaging control unit 173 executes the following process as a process related to the imaging process. In the imaging process, the imaging control unit 173 performs focusing control, exposure control, zooming control, VR control, and the like of the optical system 210 via the optical system control unit 230 in accordance with imaging conditions input in advance by the user. . In addition, the imaging control unit 173 controls the time during which the shutter is open (exposure time) by controlling the shutter driving unit 130 in the imaging process, so that the light from the optical system 210 is applied to the light receiving surface of the imaging element 121. Irradiate only for the exposure time. In addition, the imaging control unit 173 controls the accessory 400 as necessary, and irradiates light from the accessory 400 in synchronization with the imaging timing.

  The power control unit 175 determines the remaining amount of power in the battery BAT by comparing the result of detecting the power supply voltage output from the battery BAT with a determination threshold. The power control unit 175 collects information indicating the power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1 and monitors the power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1.

  The communication unit 176 is communicably connected to a load control unit that controls each load unit inside the camera body 100. The load unit inside the camera body 100 is, for example, the display unit 102, and the load control unit is, for example, the display unit control circuit 135. In addition, the communication unit 176 is connected to an external device arranged outside the camera body 100 in the camera system 1 so as to be able to communicate with a control unit of each external device. The photographing lens 200 of this embodiment is one of external devices, and the optical system control unit 230 is connected to be communicable with the communication unit 176. Moreover, the accessory 400 of this embodiment is one of external devices, and the accessory control part 440 is connected so that communication with the communication part 176 is possible.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the accessory 400 according to the present embodiment and a connection relationship between the accessory 400 and the camera 10 (the camera body 100 and the photographing lens 200 described above).

  First, the camera 10 will be described. The camera 10 includes a load unit 30, a power switch 31, a power supply unit 32, and an accessory power supply control unit 33.

  The load unit 30 includes a load unit of the camera body 100 such as the shutter drive unit 130 and the display unit 102 described above, and a load external to the camera body 100 such as the optical system drive unit 220 and the optical system control unit 230. Part. The load unit 30 includes a heavy load unit with high power consumption and a light load unit with relatively low power consumption than the heavy load unit. The heavy load unit includes a load unit having an actuator, such as the optical system drive unit 220 and the shutter drive unit 130 in the camera body 100, for example. The light load unit includes an optical system control unit 230, an image processing unit 171, each control circuit, a display unit, and the like.

  The power switch 31 is a switch that cuts off the supply of power from the battery BAT to the heavy load portion of the load portion 30.

  The power supply unit 32 stabilizes the output voltage of the battery BAT based on the power supplied from the battery BAT and supplies it to the light load unit of the load unit 30 and the camera control unit 170. The power supply unit 32 includes a voltage detection sensor that detects the output voltage of the battery BAT, and a constant voltage circuit that stabilizes the output voltage of the battery BAT.

  The accessory power supply control unit 33 includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The accessory power supply control unit 33 is a switch that switches whether or not a connection between the first terminal and the second terminal is made in accordance with a control signal input to the control terminal. In the description of the present embodiment, when a switch is in a conductive state between its terminals, it is referred to as “closing the circuit”, and when the switch is in a non-conductive state between its terminals as “cutting off the circuit”. Call.

  The terminal part 25 of the camera body 100 can be electrically connected to the terminal part 423 of the accessory 400. The terminal portion 25 includes a plurality of terminals indicated by reference characters Tp1 to Tp12. In the description of the present embodiment, each terminal of the terminal portion 25 of the shoe seat 15 may be distinguished by attaching a number indicating the terminal arrangement order. This number is an ascending order from one side (+ X side) in the terminal arrangement direction (X-axis direction) to the other side (−X side). For example, among the plurality of terminals of the terminal section 25, the terminal arranged on the most + X side is called the first terminal, and the terminal arranged on the most -X side is called the twelfth terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each terminal in the terminal part 25 of the camera body 100 is allocated as follows.

  In the terminal portion 25, the twelfth terminal (hereinafter referred to as the power supply terminal Tp12) is a terminal that supplies the power PWR from the battery BAT in the camera body 100 to the accessory 400 side.

  The first terminal (hereinafter referred to as ground terminal Tp1) and the second terminal (hereinafter referred to as ground terminal Tp2) are ground terminals corresponding to the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Tp12, respectively. The ground terminal Tp1 and the ground terminal Tp2 are terminals whose potential becomes the reference potential of the power PWR. The ground terminal Tp1 and the ground terminal Tp2 are ground terminals for a circuit (heavy load part of the load part 30) in the camera body 100 that uses the power PWR.

  The third terminal (hereinafter referred to as the reference potential terminal Tp3) and the fifth terminal (hereinafter referred to as the reference potential terminal Tp5) are terminals whose potential becomes the reference potential SGND (signal ground) (that is, the signal potential). This is the terminal that serves as a reference potential for sending and receiving). The reference potential terminal Tp3 and the reference potential terminal Tp5 are ground terminals for circuits in the camera body 100 (the camera control unit 170, the power supply unit 32, and the light load unit of the load unit 30).

  The fourth terminal (hereinafter referred to as a synchronization signal terminal Tp4) is a terminal to which a synchronization signal (clock signal) CLK that is a communication clock signal generated on the accessory 400 side is input from the accessory 400.

  The sixth terminal (hereinafter referred to as communication signal terminal Tp6) is also a terminal that outputs a communication signal DATA including camera side data (including various commands) to the accessory 400 side, and vice versa. It is also a terminal to which a communication signal DATA including information (such as unique information and setting information of the accessory 400) is input from the accessory 400 side.

  The seventh terminal (hereinafter referred to as the activation state detection terminal Tp7) is a state in which the connector 420 is attached to the shoe seat 15 and indicates the accessory activation state (in other words, the accessory 400 can be activated and function. This is a terminal for detecting whether or not the accessory 400 side provides an activation detection level (electrical L level) DET (which indicates an activation state (functional enable state)).

  The eighth terminal (hereinafter referred to as a light emission control signal terminal Tp8) sends a light emission control (light emission command) signal X for controlling the light emission of at least one of the flash light emitting unit 430 and the illumination light light emitting unit 435 of the accessory 400 to the accessory 400. Output terminal. The light emission control (light emission command) signal X is a control command that instructs the flash light emission unit 430 or the illumination light emission unit 435 to start light emission.

  The ninth terminal (hereinafter referred to as communication control signal terminal Tp9) is a terminal that outputs a communication control (communication start) signal Cs from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 when communication from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 is started. is there. The communication control signal Cs is a signal that determines the communication start timing of DATA communication between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 via the communication signal terminal Tp6.

  The tenth terminal (hereinafter referred to as open terminal Tp10) is a terminal to which neither power nor signal is supplied, and is a so-called open terminal. This open terminal Tp10 is a terminal provided in advance for future function expansion of the system.

  In the above terminal arrangement, the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Tp12 are arranged so as to be biased toward one side (−X side) in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of terminals of the terminal portion 25. In other words, the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Tp12 are arranged side by side (collectively) in one terminal portion in the 12 terminal arrangement of the terminal portion 25. The ground terminal Tp1 and the ground terminal Tp2 are arranged so as to be biased toward the other side (+ X side) in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of terminals of the terminal portion 25. In other words, the ground terminal Tp1 and the ground terminal Tp2 are close to the other end (the end opposite to the arrangement side of the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Tp12) in the 12 terminal arrangement of the terminal portion 25 ( They are arranged side by side.

  Details of signals input to the terminals of the terminal unit 25 and signals output from the terminals will be described later.

  The camera control unit 170 supplies the accessory 400 with a control signal for communicating with the accessory 400 and controlling the accessory 400 via the terminal unit 25 and the terminal unit 423. In the present embodiment, the control signal supplied to the accessory 400 by the camera control unit 170 includes the light emission control signal X for controlling the light emission of the light emitting unit 425 in the accessory 400, the communication signal DATA, and the communication between the camera 10 and the accessory 400. It is a communication control signal Cs that determines the timing.

  The camera control unit 170 reads information stored in at least one of the nonvolatile memory 160 and the buffer memory 165 illustrated in FIG. 3 and transmits the read information to the accessory control unit 440. The camera control unit 170 stores the information received from the accessory control unit 440 in at least one of the nonvolatile memory 160 and the buffer memory 165.

  The information stored in the nonvolatile memory 160 includes camera initial state information indicating the initial state of the camera 10 and camera setting state information indicating the setting state of the camera 10. The camera control unit 170 can transmit at least one piece of information included in the camera initial state information or the camera setting state information to the accessory control unit 440.

  The camera initial state information includes information indicating the type of the camera 10, information indicating the type of function the camera 10 has, information indicating the characteristics of each function the camera 10 has, and the like. The information indicating the type of function of the camera 10 is, for example, information indicating whether to perform AE control, information indicating whether to perform AWB control, or the like. The camera setting state information includes setting information indicating whether or not each function of the camera 10 is functioning, information indicating the shooting mode of the camera 10, and the like. The information indicating the shooting mode is, for example, information indicating whether or not the camera 10 is set to a shooting mode for capturing an image as a moving image, and whether or not the camera 10 is set to a shooting mode for capturing an image as a still image. It is information etc. which show. The information indicating that the camera 10 is set to the shooting mode for capturing an image as a still image is information indicating whether the mode is set to single shooting or continuous shooting, for example. The mode for performing single shooting is, for example, a shooting mode for capturing one image each time the release button 16 is pressed. The continuous shooting mode is a shooting mode in which a plurality of images are captured while the release button 16 is pressed.

  Next, the connection relationship of each component in the camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The battery BAT in the following description is assumed to be stored in the battery storage unit 110. The positive electrode of the battery BAT is connected to one end of the power switch 31 via the power line 40 (PWR). The other end of the power switch 31 is connected to the power terminal of the heavy load portion of the load portion 30. The ground terminal of the heavy load part of the load part 30 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT stored in the battery storage part 110 via the ground line 41 (PGND).

  The positive electrode of the battery BAT is connected to the input terminal of the power supply unit 32 via the power supply line 40. The first output terminal of the power supply unit 32 is connected to the power supply terminal of the light load unit of the load unit 30. The ground terminal of the light load part of the load part 30 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via a ground line 42 (SGND). The second output terminal of the power supply unit 32 is connected to the power supply terminal of the camera control unit 170. The potential of the second output terminal is different from the potential of the first output terminal. The ground terminal of the camera control unit 170 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via the ground line 42 (SGND).

  The ground terminal Tp1 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT through a ground line 43 (GND). The ground terminal Tp2 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via the ground line 43 in parallel with the ground terminal Tp1. The reference potential terminal Tp3 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT through the ground line 42. The reference potential terminal Tp3 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via the ground line 42 in parallel with the reference potential terminal Tp5. Note that the ground of the camera 10 of the present embodiment employs a so-called single point ground (single point ground).

The synchronization signal terminal Tp4, the communication signal terminal Tp6, the activation state detection terminal Tp7, the light emission control signal terminal Tp8, and the communication control signal terminal Tp9 are each connected to the camera control unit 170 via signal lines. The open terminal Tp10 is insulated from other circuits such as the camera control unit 170, the power supply line 40, the ground line 41, the ground line 42, and the ground line 43.
A pull-up resistor is provided on the line connected to the communication signal terminal Tp6. This pull-up resistor is electrically connected to the output side of the power supply unit 32. For this reason, the potential (level) at the communication signal terminal Tp6 is maintained at the H level before the accessory 400 is attached and before the communication with the accessory 400 is started. Note that a pull-up resistor is provided on the line connected to the activation state detection terminal Tp7 as well as the communication signal terminal Tp6.

  The power supply terminal Tp12 is connected to the first terminal of the accessory power supply control unit 33. The second terminal of the accessory power supply control unit 33 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery BAT via the power supply line 40. The accessory power supply control unit 33 can cut off the power supply from the battery BAT to the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Tp12 by a control signal input to the control terminal from the camera control unit 170.

<Configuration of Accessory 400>
Next, the configuration of the accessory 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The accessory 400 according to the present embodiment is operated by the power PWR supplied from the camera 10. The accessory 400 can make each component of the accessory 400 function with the electric power PWR supplied from the camera 10, when the accessory 400 is not equipped with the power supply which supplies the electric power consumed in the accessory 400. FIG.

  The accessory 400 includes a terminal unit 423, a flash light emission unit 430, an illumination light emission unit 435, a light emission detection unit 439, an accessory control unit 440, a storage unit 444, a first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1, and a second power supply unit. (Power supply part 2) 450-2, 2nd pilot lamp (PL1) 460, 1st pilot lamp (PL2) 455, 1st switch part (MSW) 465, and 2nd switch part (PCSW) 470 are provided. It is assumed that the accessory 400 cannot contain a battery.

  The terminal part 423 of the accessory 400 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal portion 423 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 25 of the camera 10 when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10. The terminal portion 423 includes a plurality (12) of terminals indicated by reference signs Ts1 to Ts12. Here, the numbers indicating the arrangement order of the terminals to be described next are numbers that increase in ascending order from one side (+ X side) to the other side (−X side) in the terminal arrangement direction (X-axis direction). To do.

  The function of each terminal in the terminal unit 423 is assigned as follows. Here, the terminals Ts1 to Ts12 of the terminal part 423 are provided corresponding to the terminals (Tp1 to Tp12) of the terminal part 25 on the camera 10 side described above with reference to FIG. The functions of the terminals of the terminal unit 423 are also associated with the functions of the terminals of the terminal unit 25 described above. For this reason, in the description of the present embodiment, in order to avoid duplication with the description described above with respect to the terminal unit 25, the terminal numbers 1 to 12 of the terminals correspond to the terminals of the terminal unit 25 on the camera side. By describing the terminal numbers with the same number, the description overlapping with respect to the function and arrangement of each terminal is simplified or omitted.

  In the terminal portion 423, the power supply terminal Ts11 and the power supply terminal Ts12 are terminals to which power PWR is supplied from the camera 10, respectively. The ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 are ground terminals corresponding to the power supply terminal Ts11 and the power supply terminal Ts12, and are terminals whose potential becomes the reference potential (ground) of the power PWR.

  Each of the reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 is a terminal whose potential becomes a reference potential (signal ground) for transmitting and receiving signals.

  The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is a terminal that outputs a synchronization signal (clock signal) CLK, which is a communication clock signal, to the camera 10.

  The communication signal terminal Ts6 is a terminal through which the communication signal DATA including the communication data on the camera side as described above is input from the camera 10 side, or the communication signal DATA on the accessory side is output to the camera 10. .

  The activation state providing terminal Ts7 is a terminal that provides the activation detection level DET (L level / reference potential based on SGND) described above to the camera 10.

  The light emission control signal terminal Ts8 is a terminal to which the above-described light emission control signal (light emission command signal) X is input from the camera 10.

  The communication control signal terminal Ts9 is a terminal to which the above-described communication control signal (communication activation signal) Cs is input from the camera 10.

  An open terminal Ts10 is disposed between the power supply terminal Ts11 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9.

  The flash light emitting unit 430 includes a flash light source 431 and a charging unit 432. The flash light source 431 includes a known flash illumination light source such as a xenon tube.

  The charging unit 432 boosts the voltage supplied from the camera body 100, and the power required to cause the flash light source 431 to emit light based on the voltage boosted by the boosting circuit unit. Storage circuit unit (storage unit / capacitor / or capacitor). The charging unit 432 causes the flash light source 431 to emit light by supplying the power stored in the storage unit (storage circuit unit) to the flash light source 431.

  The charging unit 432 starts or stops charging the storage unit of the charging unit 432 according to a signal supplied from the accessory control unit 440. The charging unit 432 detects the amount of charge (charged amount, amount of charge) stored in the storage unit by detecting the voltage (charging voltage) between the electrodes of the storage unit during the charging process for charging the storage unit. be able to. The charging unit 432 supplies information indicating the detected charge amount of the storage unit to the accessory control unit 440.

  Note that the charging unit 432 includes a known light emission control circuit (for example, a circuit that controls the start / stop of light emission like a known IGBT), and the flash light source 431 is set according to a signal input from the accessory control unit 440. It is possible to emit light in synchronization with the photographing timing and to control the light emission amount of the flash light source 431.

  The illumination light emitting unit 435 includes an illumination light source driving unit 436 and an illumination light source 437. The illumination light source 437 of this embodiment includes a solid light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting continuous illumination light. The illumination light source drive unit 436 causes the illumination light source 437 to emit light by supplying a current to the illumination light source 437. Of course, the illumination light source 437 can emit not only continuous illumination light but also illumination light intermittently by intermittently supplying current by the illumination light source driving unit 436. The illumination light source driving unit 436 causes the illumination light source 437 to emit light in synchronization with the photographing timing under the control of the accessory control unit 440. The illumination light source driving unit 436 controls the time (lighting time) for causing the illumination light source 437 to emit light according to the control signal input from the accessory control unit 440.

  Although not shown, the accessory 400 includes a first conduction switch that switches an electrical conduction state (ON / OFF) with respect to the power supply line 481 of the flash light emission unit 430 and an electrical connection with respect to the power supply line 481 of the illumination light emission unit 435. And a second continuity switch for switching the continuity state (ON / OFF). These first and second conduction switches are controlled by the accessory control unit 440. Accordingly, when the camera system 1 performs imaging by causing the light emitting unit 425 to function, the accessory 400 is controlled by the accessory control unit 440 to control the first and second conduction switches and the light emitting units 430 and 435. Alternatively, light can be emitted from the light emitting unit 430 or the illumination light emitting unit 435, or from both light emitting units.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum light emission amount of the flash light emitting unit 430 is larger than the maximum light emission amount of the illumination light light emitting unit 435. The flash light emitting unit 430 is turned on when a still image is captured, for example, and can illuminate the subject brighter than when the illumination light emitting unit 435 is turned on. In the present embodiment, the longest lighting time (longest lighting time) of the illumination light emitting unit 435 is longer than the longest lighting time of the flash light emitting unit 430. The illumination light emitting unit 435 is turned on, for example, when a moving image is captured, and can illuminate the subject for a longer time than the lighting time of the flash light emitting unit 430.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the flash light emitting unit 430 may be referred to as flash light, and the function of the flash light emitting unit 430 emitting flash light may be referred to as a flash light emitting function. In addition, the light emitted from the illumination light emitting unit 435 may be referred to as illumination light, and the function of the illumination light emitting unit 435 emitting illumination light may be referred to as an illumination light emitting function.

  In the present embodiment, each of the first pilot lamp 455 (PL2) and the second pilot lamp 460 (PL1) includes a solid light source such as an LED. The first pilot lamp 455 is turned on according to the state of the flash light emitting unit 430 under the control of the accessory control unit 440. For example, the accessory control unit 440 turns on the first pilot lamp 455 when the flash light emitting unit 430 can emit light (when the charge storage unit is fully charged). Further, when the flash light emitting unit 430 cannot emit light (when the charge storage unit has insufficient charge), the accessory control unit 440 turns off the first pilot lamp 455. Similarly to the first pilot lamp 455, the second pilot lamp 460 is in a state where the illumination light emitting unit 435 can be turned on by the accessory control unit 440 (the above-described second conduction switch is in an ON state). Turns on or off.

  In the present embodiment, the first switch portion 465 (MSW) is mechanically interlocked with the locking claw 422 described above. The first switch unit 465 closes or interrupts the circuit when the locking claw 422 moves in a predetermined direction (Z-axis direction). The first switch portion 465 closes the circuit when the tip of the locking claw 422 protrudes beyond a predetermined distance from the bottom portion 421 of the connector 420. That is, the first switch unit 465 closes the circuit when the accessory 400 is completely attached to the camera 10. On the other hand, the first switch portion 465 cuts off the circuit when the locking claw 422 is pushed toward the bottom portion 421 of the connector 420 by a predetermined amount or more.

  In the present embodiment, the second switch unit 470 (PCSW) is mechanically linked to the above-described second operation unit 471 (see FIG. 2). The second switch unit 470 closes or interrupts the circuit when the second operation unit 471 is operated.

  The first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1 includes a constant voltage circuit that stabilizes the voltage of the power supplied from the camera 10 (constant voltage control). The power supply unit 450-1 can supply the power whose voltage is stabilized by the constant voltage circuit to the second power supply unit (power supply unit 2) 450-2 and the illumination light emitting unit 435. The first power supply unit 450-1 is connected to a reference potential line 480 (SGND). The second power supply unit 450-2 generates power for the accessory control unit 440 from the power supplied from the first power supply unit 450-1. The second power supply unit 450-2 is also connected to the reference potential line 480 (SGND).

  The storage unit 444 includes a nonvolatile memory 445. The nonvolatile memory 445 can hold information even when power is not supplied to the accessory 400. The nonvolatile memory 445 includes at least one of a memory that can rewrite stored data and a memory (for example, ROM) that cannot rewrite stored data. The nonvolatile memory 445 includes a program for operating the accessory control unit 440, information indicating the state of the accessory 400 (initial state and various accessory setting states currently set in the memory in the accessory control unit 440), camera Information such as information indicating the camera state (initial state and setting state) acquired from 10 is stored.

  The accessory control unit 440 includes a CPU that controls the operation of the components of the accessory 400 based on a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 445 and an electronic component such as an ASIC. The accessory control unit 440 communicates with the camera control unit 170 via the terminal unit 423 and the terminal unit 25. The accessory control unit 440 can send at least one piece of information included in the accessory initial state information or the accessory setting state information stored in the storage unit 444 to the camera control unit 170. In addition, the accessory control unit 440 causes the storage unit 444 to store information received from the camera control unit 170.

  The accessory initial state information includes accessory type information indicating the type of the accessory 400. The accessory type information includes battery presence / absence information indicating whether or not a battery is mounted on the accessory 400, function type information indicating the type of each function included in the accessory 400, and characteristic information indicating characteristics of each function included in the accessory 400. Including. The function type information includes information indicating the presence / absence of a flash light emission function, information indicating the presence / absence of an illumination light emission function, and information indicating the presence / absence of an extended function. The extended functions are other functions that do not correspond to either the flash light emission function or the illumination light emission function, such as a dimming function, a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a communication function with devices other than the camera body 100, and the like. The characteristic information of the flash light emitting function includes information (profile information) indicating the light emission characteristics of the flash light emitting unit 430. The characteristic information of the illumination light emitting function includes information indicating the light emission characteristic of the illumination light emitting unit 435 (illumination profile information), and information indicating the longest time during which the illumination light emitting unit 435 can continuously emit light (longest lighting time). Including.

  The accessory setting state information includes information indicating whether the flash light emission function is on (valid) or off (invalid), and whether the illumination light emission function is on (valid) or off (invalid). The light emission state information indicating whether the current state is present.

  The accessory control unit 440 controls the components of the accessory 400 based on the control signal supplied from the camera control unit 170. The accessory control unit 440 performs light emission control for causing the flash light emission unit 430 or the illumination light emission unit 435 to emit light in accordance with the light emission control signal X supplied from the camera control unit 170. In the light emission control for causing the flash light emitting unit 430 to emit light, the accessory control unit 440 controls the charging unit 432 so that the flash light source 431 emits light in synchronization with the photographing timing on the camera side. In the light emission control for causing the illumination light emitting unit 435 to emit light, the accessory control unit 440 controls the illumination light source driving unit 436 so that the illumination light source 437 emits light in synchronization with the photographing timing.

  The light emission detector 439 detects whether or not the illumination light emitter 435 emits light. As an example, the light emission detection unit 439 detects whether the illumination light emission unit 435 is driven. Here, the illumination light emitting unit 435 being driven indicates that a current is supplied to the illumination light emitting unit 435 and the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light.

Then, the light emission detection unit 439 supplies a signal indicating the result detected by the light emission detection unit 439 (hereinafter, a light emission presence / absence signal) to the accessory control unit 440. The light emission presence / absence signal is, for example, a voltage indicating whether light is emitted, a pulse signal output when light is emitted, or information indicating whether light is emitted.
Specifically, for example, the light emission detection unit 439 detects the drive current supplied to the illumination light source 437 by the illumination light source drive unit 436, and generates and generates a light emission presence / absence signal based on the detected drive current. A light emission presence / absence signal is supplied to the accessory control unit 440.

In addition, although the light emission detection part 439 in this embodiment detected the electric current, you may detect a voltage.
Moreover, although the light emission detection part 439 in this embodiment detected the drive current supplied to the illumination light source 437, it is not restricted to this, It is based on the control signal output to the illumination light source drive part 436 from the accessory control part 440. Based on this, it may be detected whether the light emission detector 439 emits light.
Further, based on the signal inside the illumination light source driving unit 436, it may be detected whether or not the light detection unit 438 emits light.

The accessory control unit 440 described above generates light emission state information indicating the light emission state of the illumination light emission unit 435 based on the light emission presence / absence signal supplied from the light emission detection unit 439. Specifically, for example, when the light emission presence / absence signal indicates that light is emitted, the accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating that light is emitted. On the other hand, when the light emission presence / absence signal indicates that light is not emitted, the accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating that light is not emitted.
Thereafter, the accessory control unit 440 sends the accessory setting state information including the generated light emission state information to the communication signal terminal Ts6 and the camera 10 in accordance with the transmission request command (C7, C9, or C12) input from the camera control unit 170. To the camera control unit 170 of the camera 10 via the communication signal terminal Tp6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the illumination light source driving unit 436, the illumination light source 437, and the light emission detection unit 439 according to the present embodiment. The illumination light source driving unit 436 includes a PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 and a resistor 436-2. The illumination light source 437 includes an LED 437-1.

  In the figure, the base terminal B of the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 is connected to the control terminal P1 of the accessory control unit 440. An emitter terminal E of the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 is connected to the first power supply unit 450-1. The collector terminal C of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 is connected to one end of the resistor 436-2.

  One end of the resistor 436-2 is connected to the collector terminal C of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1. The other end of the resistor 436-2 is connected to the anode (anode) of the LED 437-1 via the contact 436-3. The anode (anode) of the LED 437-1 is connected to one end of a resistor 436-2 via a contact 436-3. A cathode (cathode) of the LED 437-1 is connected to a reference potential line 480 (SGND).

When the accessory control unit 440 turns on the LED 437-1, the accessory control unit 440 applies a voltage not higher than a predetermined threshold voltage (hereinafter referred to as L voltage) to the base terminal B of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1. Supply. As a result, the emitter terminal E and the collector terminal C of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 become conductive. As a result, the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 supplies current to the LED 437-1 via the resistor 436-2, so that the LED 437-1 can emit light.
Further, when the emitter terminal E and the collector terminal C of the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 are brought into conduction, a current flows through the resistor 436-2. As a result, the voltage at the contact 436-3 is changed from the reference potential Vcc supplied from the first power supply unit 450-1 to the voltage between the emitter and the collector of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 due to the voltage drop at the resistor 436-2. And the voltage corresponding to the current flowing through the resistor 436-2.

On the other hand, when the accessory control unit 440 turns off the LED 437-1, the accessory control unit 440 has a voltage higher than a predetermined threshold voltage at the base terminal B of the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 (hereinafter referred to as H voltage). ). As a result, the emitter terminal E and the collector terminal C of the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 are short-circuited. As a result, the PNP bipolar transistor 436-1 cannot supply current to the LED 437-1, and thus the LED 437-1 can be turned off.
Further, when the emitter terminal E and the collector terminal C of the PNP-type bipolar transistor 436-1 are short-circuited, no current flows through the resistor 436-2. As a result, the voltage at the resistor 436-2 is fixed to the reference potential Vcc supplied from the first power supply unit 450-1.

  The light emission detection unit 439 is connected to a contact 436-3 to which one end of the resistor 436-2 and the anode (anode) of the LED 437-1 are connected. The light emission detection unit 439 includes, for example, a comparator.

  The light emission detection part 439 detects the voltage of the contact 436-3. Then, the light emission detection unit 439 compares the reference voltage Vcc supplied from the power supply unit 1 with the detected voltage of the contact 436-3. When the voltage at the contact point 436-3 is lower than the reference voltage Vcc, the light emission detection unit 439 supplies a predetermined high level voltage to the accessory control unit 440. On the other hand, when the voltage at the contact 436-3 is the same as the reference voltage Vcc, the light emission detection unit 439 supplies a predetermined low level voltage to the accessory control unit 440.

  When the accessory control unit 440 receives a transmission request command (C7 or C9) from the camera body 100 during the initial communication sequence, or receives a transmission request command C12 from the camera body 100 during the steady communication sequence, the accessory control unit 440 Process. Here, the transmission request command (C7 or C9) and the transmission request command C12 are commands for requesting transmission of accessory setting state information.

  In the above case, the accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating the light emission state of the illumination light emission unit 435 based on the voltage supplied from the light emission detection unit 439. Specifically, the accessory control unit 440 sets the bit indicated by the light emission state information to 1 if the voltage supplied from the light emission detection unit 439 is a high level voltage. On the other hand, if the voltage supplied from the light emission detection unit 439 is a low level voltage, the accessory control unit 440 sets the bit indicated by the light emission state information to 0.

  As described above, the light emission detection unit 439 detects the drive current of the LED 437-1. The accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information based on the light emission presence / absence signal generated by the light emission detection unit 439 based on the LED drive current. More specifically, when an LED drive current is detected, the accessory control unit 440 generates a light emission presence / absence signal indicating that the illumination light emission unit 435 emits light, and emits light based on the light emission presence / absence signal. The light emission state information indicating that it is present is generated. In addition, when the LED drive current is not detected, the accessory control unit 440 generates a light emission presence / absence signal indicating that the illumination light emitting unit 435 does not emit light, and displays light emission state information indicating that light is not emitted. Generate.

  The accessory control unit 440 transmits the generated light emission state information to the camera control unit 170 via the communication signal terminal Ts6 and the communication signal terminal Tp6 of the camera 10 as a part of the accessory setting state information described above.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the camera system of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in a camera system. The camera system 1 performs a series of processing (activation sequence) for activating the accessory 400. In the activation sequence (step S1), the camera system 1 performs a series of processes (communication preparation sequence) for preparing communication between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 (step S2). The camera system 1 performs a series of processes (initial communication sequence) for mutually communicating information necessary for imaging between the camera control unit 170 and the accessory control unit 440 after the communication preparation sequence ends in the startup sequence (steps). S3). The camera system 1 performs a series of processes (stationary communication sequence) for mutual communication between the camera control unit 170 and the accessory control unit 440 so that information changed due to a setting change or the like can be updated after the initial communication sequence ends. (Step S4).

  The camera control unit 170 performs a determination process for determining whether or not there is an interrupt request after the end of the steady communication sequence (step S5). When it is determined in step S5 that there is no interrupt request (step S5; No), the camera system 1 performs the steady communication sequence again. When it is determined in step S5 that there is an interrupt request (step S5; Yes), the camera system 1 performs an interrupt process (step S6). The interrupt process is a series of processes included in the shooting sequence, for example. The camera system 1 performs the process of the steady communication sequence again after the interruption process is completed. That is, the camera system 1 does not perform the steady communication sequence process in the shooting sequence.

  Next, processing in the initial communication sequence will be described. The camera system 1 sends information required for shooting between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 to each other in the initial communication sequence. The camera 10 and the accessory 400 transmit and receive a plurality of pieces of information according to a predetermined order in the initial communication sequence. As an initial condition for processing in the initial communication sequence, information (first response information) including accessory type information indicating the accessory type is stored in advance in the storage unit 444 of the accessory 400. The accessory type information includes function type information and battery presence / absence information.

  The function type information is information (type information) indicating the type of the control target of the accessory control unit 440. The control target of the accessory control unit 440 is an illumination light emitting unit 435 for causing the illumination light emitting function to function, a flash light emitting unit 430 for causing the flash emitting function to function, a GPS function unit for causing the GPS function to function, and a multiple lamp for causing the multiple lamp commander function to function. Commander function unit. The plurality of control objects are divided into a plurality of groups according to the type of function of each control object. Control targets related to the light emitting function, that is, the flash light emitting unit 430 and the illumination light emitting unit 435 belong to the first group. Control objects related to functions other than the light emitting function, for example, the GPS function unit and the multi-lamp commander function unit belong to the second group. Thus, the type information is information indicating a list of types of functions that the accessory 400 has.

  The battery presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not the accessory 400 is equipped with a power source such as a battery (in other words, information indicating whether or not the accessory 400 can supply the power consumed on the accessory 400 side). is there. This battery presence / absence information is information used for control (described later) in which the camera 10 supplies power to the accessory 400. Details of the battery presence / absence information will be described later.

  The storage unit 444 stores characteristic information (second response information) indicating characteristics of each function of the accessory 400 in advance. The characteristic information includes information indicating the characteristic of each functional unit responsible for each function of the accessory 400. For example, the characteristic information of the flash light emitting function includes information (profile information) indicating the light emission characteristics of the flash light emitting unit 430. The characteristic information of the illumination light emitting function includes information (illumination profile information) indicating the light emission characteristics of the illumination light emitting unit 435 (LED for photographing illumination), and the longest time during which the illumination light emitting unit 435 can continuously emit light (longest Information indicating lighting time).

  The camera control unit 170 transmits each piece of information to the accessory control unit 440 in accordance with a predetermined order (request order) for a plurality of pieces of information requested to be transmitted to the accessory control unit 440. Information is stored in the storage unit 444 in advance so that the accessory control unit 440 can read out the information in order according to the request order. The accessory control unit 440 reads information from the storage unit 444 according to the request order, and transmits a communication signal DATA indicating the read information to the camera control unit 170. In addition, the camera control unit 170 transmits camera initial state information indicating an initial state of the camera body 100 to the accessory control unit 440 in an order predetermined with respect to the request order. The initial state information is stored in advance in the storage unit 158 of the camera body 100. The camera initial state information includes monitor charging permission information and the like. The monitor charge permission information is used for charge control described later. Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow in the initial communication sequence will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the initial communication sequence. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processes subsequent to FIG. 7 and 8, the flow on the left side in the drawing is the processing content in the camera control unit 170 of the camera body 100, and the flow on the right side in the drawing is the processing content in the accessory control unit 440 of the accessory 400.

  Next, when the initial communication sequence is started after the communication preparation sequence (see FIG. 6) is completed, the camera control unit 170 sends a transmission request command C1 for requesting transmission of information included in the accessory initial state information. It transmits to the accessory control part 440, and prepares for receiving accessory initial state information (step S201). The transmission request command C1 is request information indicating that the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of accessory type information in the accessory initial state information.

  Next, the accessory control part 440 receives the transmission request command C1 (step S202). The accessory control unit 440 stores response information responding in response to the request information (transmission request command C1) from the camera control unit 170 in the storage unit 444 in advance before transmitting the response information to the camera control unit 170. . In response to the request information sent from the camera control unit 170, the accessory control unit 440 reads the response information stored in the storage unit 444 and sends (transmits) the response information to the camera control unit 170 (step S203). The camera control unit 170 receives battery presence / absence information and function type information (step S204).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits the transmission notification command C20 for notifying the transmission of the “camera initial state information” described above to the accessory control unit 440, and prepares to transmit the camera initial state information (step S204A). . The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission notification command C20 and prepares to receive the camera initial state information (step S204B). After transmitting the transmission notification command C20 in step S204A, the camera control unit 170 transmits camera initial state information to the accessory control unit 440 (step S204C). The accessory control unit 440 receives camera initial state information (step S204D).

  Next, after receiving the camera initial state information, the camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function based on the function type information received in step S204 (step S210). When it is determined in step S210 that the accessory 400 has the illumination light emitting function (step S210; Yes), the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of the initial state information (third response information) of the illumination light emission function. Command C3 is transmitted to accessory control part 440 (Step S211). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C3 (step S212), and transmits the initial state information of the illumination light emitting function to the camera control unit 170 according to the transmission request command C3 (step S213). The camera control unit 170 receives the initial state information of the illumination light emitting function (step S214).

  Next, when it is determined in step S210 that the accessory 400 does not have the illumination light emitting function (step S210; No), the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 is based on the function type information received in step S204. It is determined whether or not it has a flashing function (step S215). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S215 that the accessory 400 does not have the flash light emission function (step S215; No), the accessory 400 has the illumination light emission function based on the function type information received in step S204. It is determined whether or not it has a function that does not correspond to either the flash light emission function or the flash light emission function, for example, a multi-light commander function (step S216). Thus, the accessory 400 may not have both the illumination light emission function and the flash light emission function. The light emitting unit 425 that the accessory control unit 440 controls the light emission state may be provided in a device different from the accessory 400.

  Next, the camera control unit 170 ends the process of step S214, or when it is determined in step S215 that the accessory 400 has a flashing function (step S215; Yes), or the process of step S216 ends. Thereafter, a transmission request command C4 for requesting transmission of settable information indicating a function whose characteristics can be set among the functions of the accessory 400 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S217). After receiving the transmission request command C4 (step S218), the accessory 400 transmits the settable information of the accessory 400 to the camera control unit 170 (step S219). The camera control unit 170 receives the settable information of the accessory 400 (step S220).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission request command C5 for requesting transmission of profile information indicating the profile of the accessory 400 to the accessory control unit 440 (step S221).

  In the present embodiment, the profile information is information indicating the characteristics of the flash emission function. The profile information includes information indicating the light emission characteristics of the flash light source 431, for example. The light emission characteristics of the flash light source 431 include, for example, at least one of the light amount (brightness) and wavelength (color) of light emitted from the flash light source 431. For example, the profile information is used for AWB control or the like in a shooting mode in which a flash emission function is functioned.

  Next, after receiving the transmission request command C5 (step S222), the accessory 400 transmits the profile information to the camera control unit 170 (step S223). The camera control unit 170 receives profile information (step S224).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function based on the function type information received in step S204 (step S225). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S225 that the accessory 400 has the illumination light emitting function (step S225; Yes), the camera control unit 170 sends a transmission request command C6 for requesting transmission of the illumination profile information to the accessory control unit 440. Transmit (step S226).

  In the present embodiment, the illumination profile information is information indicating the characteristics of the illumination light emission function. The illumination profile information includes information indicating the light emission characteristics of the illumination light source 437, for example. The light emission characteristics of the illumination light source 437 include, for example, at least one of the light amount (brightness) and wavelength (color) of light emitted from the flash light source 431. The illumination profile information is used for AE control, AWB control, etc., for example, in a shooting mode in which the illumination light emission function is functioned.

  Next, after receiving the transmission request command C6 (step S227), the accessory control unit 440 transmits the illumination profile information to the camera control unit 170 (step S228). The camera control unit 170 receives the illumination profile information (step S229).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits the accessory setting state information when it is determined in step S225 that the accessory 400 does not have the illumination light emitting function (step S225; No), or after the process of step S229 ends. The requested transmission request command C7 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S230).

  Next, the accessory control unit 440 receives the light emission presence / absence signal detected by the light emission detection unit 439 after receiving the transmission request command C7 (step S231). The accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating the light emission state of the illumination light emission unit 435 from the received light emission presence / absence signal (step S2311). The accessory control unit 440 transmits accessory setting state information including the generated light emission state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S232). The camera control unit 170 receives the accessory setting state information (step S233).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission notification command C8 for notifying that the “camera setting state information” described above is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S234). The accessory 400 receives the transmission notification command C8 (step S235). The camera control unit 170 transmits the camera setting state information to the accessory control unit 440 (step S236). The accessory control unit 440 receives the camera setting state information (step S237).

  Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission request command C9 for requesting transmission of accessory setting state information to the accessory control unit 440 (step S238). After receiving the transmission request command C9 (step S239), the accessory control unit 440 acquires the light emission presence / absence signal output by the light emission detection unit 439. The accessory control part 440 produces | generates the light emission state information which shows the light emission state of the illumination light emission part 435 from the acquired light emission presence / absence signal (step S2391). The accessory control unit 440 transmits accessory setting state information including the generated light emission state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S240). The camera control unit 170 receives the accessory setting state information (step S241). After the process of step S241 is completed, the initial communication sequence is terminated.

  When the accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C7 from the camera control unit 170 according to the procedure of the initial communication sequence described above, the light emission presence / absence signal is acquired. And the accessory control part 440 produces | generates the light emission state information which shows the light emission state of the illumination light emission part 435 from the acquired light emission presence / absence signal, and transmits the accessory setting state information containing the produced | generated light emission state information to the camera control part 170.

Thereby, since the accessory control part 440 produces | generates the light emission state information based on the light emission presence / absence signal which shows whether the illumination light emission part 435 acquired when receiving the transmission request command C7 is light-emitting, light emission Since the state information indicates the light emission state of the illumination light emitting unit 435 when the transmission request command C7 is received, the certainty of the light emission state information can be increased. As a result, the camera control unit 170 can recognize whether or not the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light with high accuracy.
Next, the steady communication sequence will be described. The camera system 1 sends information necessary for photographing between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 to each other in the steady communication sequence. The steady communication sequence is repeatedly executed, for example, at a cycle of about 200 ms in a period in which no interrupt request is generated as shown in FIG. The camera 10 and the accessory 400 transmit and receive a plurality of pieces of information according to a predetermined order as in the sane communication sequence in each of the repeated steady communication sequences.

  In addition, the camera 10 and the accessory 400 update the information received in the previous initial communication sequence or the previous steady communication sequence, respectively, with the information received in the current steady communication sequence as necessary. Further, when updating the initial state information, the camera system 1 can update the initial state information by redoing the initial communication sequence or designating items that need to be updated. Hereinafter, an example of the processing flow of the steady communication sequence will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the steady communication sequence. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processes subsequent to FIG.

  When the steady communication sequence is started, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission notification command C10 for notifying transmission of the camera setting state information to the accessory control unit 440 (step S301). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission notification command C10 and prepares to receive the camera setting state information (step S302). The camera control unit 170 transmits the latest camera setting state information of the item specified by the transmission notification command C10 to the accessory control unit 440 (step S303). The accessory control unit 440 receives the latest camera setting state information of the item specified in the transmission notification command C10 (step S304).

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function based on the function type information acquired in step S204 (see FIG. 7) of the initial communication sequence (step S305). If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S305 that the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function (step S305; Yes), the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of illumination setting state information indicating the setting state of the illumination light emitting function. The request command C11 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S306). After receiving the transmission request command C11 (step S307), the accessory control unit 440 transmits the illumination setting state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S308). The camera control unit 170 receives the illumination setting state information (step S309).

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S305 that the accessory 400 does not have the illumination light emitting function (step S305; No), or after the processing in step S309 is completed, the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of the accessory setting state information. The request command C12 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S310). After receiving the transmission request command C12 (step S311), the accessory control unit 440 determines whether there is light emission state information in the item specified in the transmission request command C12 (step S3111).

If the light emission state information is included in the item specified in the transmission request command C12 (step S3111; Yes), the light emission presence / absence signal output from the light emission detection unit 439 is acquired. The accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating the light emission state of the illumination light emission unit 435 from the acquired light emission presence / absence signal (step S3112), and proceeds to the process of step S312.
On the other hand, when there is no light emission state information in the item specified in the transmission request command C12 (step S3111; No), the accessory control unit 440 proceeds to the process of step S312.

  The accessory control unit 440 transmits the latest accessory setting state information of the item specified in the transmission request command C12 to the camera control unit 170 (step S312). The camera control unit 170 receives the latest accessory setting state information of the item specified by the transmission request command C12 (step S313).

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the initialization request is included in the accessory setting state information acquired in step S313 (step S314). The initialization request is information indicating that the accessory control unit 440 requests that the camera control unit 170 reacquires information on the accessory 400 acquired in the initial communication sequence or the steady communication sequence.

  When it is determined in step S314 that the accessory setting state information includes an initialization request (step S314; Yes), the camera control unit 170 discards information on the accessory 400 acquired in the initial communication sequence or the steady communication sequence. (Step S315). The camera control part 170 starts an initial communication sequence after the process of step S315 is complete | finished (step S316).

  If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S314 that the initialization request is not included in the accessory setting state information (step S314; No), the profile update request information is included in the accessory setting state information received in step S313. It is determined whether or not it is included (step S317). This profile update request information is information indicating that the accessory control unit 440 requests that the profile information of the illumination light emission function characteristic information acquired by the camera control unit 170 in the initial communication sequence be updated.

  When it is determined in step S317 that the accessory setting state information received in step S313 includes the profile update request information (step S317; Yes), the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of profile information. C13 is transmitted to the accessory control part 440 (step S318). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C13 (step S319) and transmits profile information (step S320). The camera control unit 170 receives the profile information (step S321), and updates the profile information held before the process of step S321 to the illumination light emitting function characteristic information received in step S321.

  The camera control unit 170 receives the accessory received in step S313 after the process of step S321 is completed or when it is determined in step S317 that the profile update request information is not included in the accessory setting state information (step S317; No). It is determined whether or not the illumination profile update request information is included in the setting state information (step S322). The profile update request information is information indicating that the accessory control unit 440 requests that the camera control unit 170 update the illumination profile information acquired in the initial communication sequence.

  If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S <b> 313 that the accessory setting state information includes the illumination profile update request information in step S <b> 322 (step S <b> 322; Yes), the transmission request command that requests transmission of the illumination profile information. C14 is transmitted to the accessory control part 440 (step S323). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C14 (step S324), and transmits the illumination profile information (step S325). The camera control unit 170 receives the illumination profile information (step S326), and updates the illumination profile information held before the process of step S321 to the flash light emitting function characteristic information received in step S321.

  The steady communication sequence is performed when the camera control unit 170 finishes receiving the illumination profile information, or when the camera control unit 170 determines in step S322 that the accessory setting state information does not include update request information regarding the flashing function. The process ends at (Step S322; No).

As described above, the accessory control unit 440 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the accessory control unit 440 has the light emission state information in the item specified in the transmission request command C12 after receiving the transmission request command C12 in the steady communication sequence. To determine.
When the light emission state information is included in the item specified in the transmission request command C12, the light emission presence / absence signal output by the light emission detection unit 439 is acquired. The accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information indicating the light emission state of the illumination light emission unit 435 from the acquired light emission presence / absence signal. Then, the accessory control unit 440 transmits the generated light emission state information to the camera control unit 170.

  Thereby, since the accessory control part 440 produces | generates the light emission state information based on the light emission presence / absence signal which shows whether the illumination light emission part 435 acquired when receiving the transmission request command C12 is light-emitting, light emission Since the state information indicates the light emission state of the illumination light emitting unit 435 when the transmission request command C12 is received, the certainty of the light emission state information can be increased. As a result, the camera control unit 170 can know whether or not the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light with high accuracy in a steady state.

<Modification>
Note that the light emission detection unit 439 according to the present embodiment detects whether or not the illumination light emission unit 435 emits light by detecting the drive current and voltage of the illumination light source drive unit 436. Instead, it may be as follows.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the configuration of the illumination light source driving unit 436, the illumination light source 437, and the light emission detection unit 439b. Compared to FIG. 5, in FIG. 11, the light emission detection unit 439 is changed to a light emission detection unit 439b.

The light emission detection unit 439b includes a light detection unit (for example, a photodiode) 439-1. The light emission detector 439b detects whether the illumination light emitter 435 emits light by detecting the light emitted from the illumination light emitter 435.
That is, the light emission detection unit 439b detects light emitted from the illumination light emission unit 435, and the accessory control unit 440 generates light emission state information based on the light emission presence / absence signal based on the light detected by the light emission detection unit 439b.

  Thereby, the light emission detection unit 439b directly detects the light emission of the illumination light emission unit 435 and outputs a light emission presence / absence signal indicating the detected result to the accessory control unit 440. The accessory control unit 440 illuminates when the light emission state information receives the transmission request command (C7, C9, or C12) based on the light emission presence / absence signal acquired when the transmission request command (C7, C9, or C12) is received. Since the light emission state of the light emitting unit 435 is shown, the certainty of the light emission state information can be increased. As a result, the camera control unit 170 can know whether or not the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light with high accuracy in a steady state.

The light emission detection unit 439b detects the current or voltage supplied to the illumination light emission unit 435 or the current or voltage in the illumination light emission unit 435 and the light emitted from the illumination light emission unit 435. In combination, it may be detected whether or not the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light.
According to this, since the light emission detection unit 439b detects whether or not the illumination light emission unit 435 emits light based on two or more pieces of information, the light emission detection unit 439b detects whether or not the illumination light emission unit 435 emits light. It is possible to detect whether or not the illumination light emitting unit 435 emits light more accurately.

  In addition, a program for executing each process of the camera control unit 170 or the accessory control unit 440 of the present embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system. , The above-described various processes relating to the camera control unit 170 or the accessory control unit 440 may be performed.

  Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” means a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk built in a computer system, etc. This is a storage device.

  Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)) that holds a program for a certain period of time is also included. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera, 25 ... Terminal part, 400 ... Accessory, 423 ... Terminal part, 435 ... Illumination light emission part (light emission part), 439 ... Light emission detection part, 440 ...・ Accessory control unit

Claims (11)

An accessory that can communicate with the camera,
A light emitting unit for emitting illumination light;
A light emission detecting unit for detecting whether or not the light emitting unit emits light;
An accessory control unit that generates light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emission unit based on a result detected by the light emission detection unit, and transmits the generated light emission state information to the camera;
An accessory characterized by comprising. The light emission detection unit detects whether the light emission unit is driven,
The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory control unit generates the light emission state information based on a detection result by the light emission detection unit.   The accessory control unit determines that the light emitting unit emits light when the light emission detecting unit detects that the light emitting unit is driven, and displays the light emission state information indicating that the light emitting unit is emitting light. The accessory according to claim 2, wherein the accessory is generated.   The light emission detecting unit detects whether the light emitting unit emits light based on a current or voltage supplied to the light emitting unit or a current or voltage in the light emitting unit. The accessory as described in any one of 1-3. The light emission detecting unit detects light emitted from the light emitting unit,
The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accessory control unit generates the light emission state information based on light detected by the light emission detection unit. It further has an accessory terminal part electrically connected to the camera terminal part provided in the camera,
6. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory operates by electric power supplied from the camera via the camera terminal unit and the accessory terminal unit.     The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the accessory control unit transmits the light emission state information to the camera via the accessory terminal unit and the camera terminal unit.   The accessory control unit receives a transmission request command indicating a transmission request for the light emission state information transmitted from the camera via the camera terminal unit and the accessory terminal unit, and receives the transmission request command. The accessory according to claim 7, wherein the light emission state information is transmitted to the camera in response.   The accessory control unit sequentially receives the transmission request command periodically transmitted from the camera via the camera terminal unit and the accessory terminal unit, and in response to receiving each of the transmission request commands. The accessory according to claim 8, wherein the light emission state information is transmitted to the camera. An accessory control method comprising: a light emitting unit that emits illumination light; and a light emission detecting unit that detects whether or not the light emitting unit emits light;
Based on the result detected by the light emission detection unit, the method includes generating a light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emission unit, and transmitting the generated light emission state information to the camera. Accessory control method. An accessory control program comprising: a light emitting unit that emits illumination light; and a light emission detecting unit that detects whether or not the light emitting unit emits light. In addition,
Accessory control for generating a light emission state information indicating a light emission state of the light emission unit based on a result detected by the light emission detection unit and transmitting the generated light emission state information to the camera program.

Images