JP2013064944A - Accessory, and accessory control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accessory having high convenience.SOLUTION: The accessory of the present invention which is attachable to and detachable from a camera comprises: a changeover switch for switching whether or not to supply power to a charging part for charging a storage part which stores the power; and an accessory control part for controlling the changeover switch in response to an inputted changeover signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an accessory 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

  A camera system including a camera and accessories is expected to be easy to use (high convenience). For example, if the camera system does not respond to the user's operation or the response is slow, the usability deteriorates. This invention is made in view of said situation, Comprising: It aims at providing the accessory with high convenience, and an accessory control program.

  The accessory according to the first aspect of the present invention is an accessory that can be attached to and detached from the camera, and is input with a changeover switch that switches whether or not to supply power to a charging unit that charges a storage unit that stores power. And an accessory control unit that controls the changeover switch according to a changeover signal.

  The accessory control program according to the second aspect of the present invention is an accessory control program for controlling an accessory control unit included in an accessory that can be attached to and detached from the camera, and charging a storage unit that stores power and a step of inputting a switching signal. And a step of controlling a changeover switch for switching whether or not to supply power to the charging unit to be performed according to the input changeover signal.

  According to the present invention, a highly convenient accessory and an accessory control program can be provided.

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 figure which shows the external appearance of the accessory shoe of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the accessory shoe of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the connector of this embodiment. 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. It is a figure which shows the procedure of a communication process. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process of the charge control in an accessory. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in an imaging | photography sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in the imaging | photography sequence which makes an illumination light emission function function. It is a figure which shows the modification of the accessory shown in FIG.

  This embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be simplified or omitted.

(External configuration of camera system 1)
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.

  The accessory 400 includes an accessory main body 410, a connector 420, and a light emitting unit 425. The light emitting unit 425 includes an illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) and a flash light emitting unit 441 (second light emitting unit) each having an emission surface for emitting light. The accessory body 410 accommodates the illumination light emitting unit 431 and various electric 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 441 is provided on the side of the accessory body 410 opposite to the connector 420 (upward). The flash light emitting unit 441 shoots when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 and the emission surface of the flash light emitting unit 441 faces the front 12 side (+ Y direction side) of the camera body 100. 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 441 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 also possible to emit flash illumination light with the emission surface of the flash light emitting unit 441 directed upward (+ Z side) of the accessory main body 410. On the other hand, the illumination light emitting unit 431 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 456, 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 441 shown in FIG. The second pilot lamp 456 emits light according to the operating state of the illumination light emitting unit 431 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. ).

(Composition of shoe seat)
FIG. 3 is a view showing an appearance of the shoe seat 15 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the shoe seat 15 seen partially from above (in the −Z-axis direction from the top plate portion 22 in FIG. 3). The shoe seat 15 includes a bottom plate portion 21, a top plate portion 22, a side plate portion 23 disposed between the bottom plate portion 21 and the top plate portion 22, and an opening 24 disposed between the bottom plate portion 21 and the top plate portion 22. And a terminal portion 25 disposed on the bottom plate portion 21.

  The bottom plate portion 21 is attached to the top surface 13 of the camera body 100 shown in FIG. The bottom plate portion 21 has a mounting hole 26 used for mounting on the top surface 13 of the camera body 100 and a locking hole 27 used for locking the accessory 400. The bottom plate portion 21 is fixed to the top surface 13 of the camera body 100 by screws or the like disposed inside the attachment hole 26. In the present embodiment, the + Z-axis direction may be referred to as “upward”.

  The top plate 22 has a substantially U-shaped planar shape when viewed from above (Z-axis direction). The opening 24 is open in a direction intersecting the direction (Z-axis direction) from the bottom plate portion 21 toward the top plate portion 22. The opening 24 is open in a direction substantially parallel to the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the inner wall of the side plate portion 23. The opening 24 is sized and shaped so that the connector 420 can be inserted.

  The terminal portion 25 has a plurality (12) of terminals indicated by reference characters Tp1 to Tp12 in FIG. The accessory 400 is attached to the shoe seat 15 by inserting the connector 420 into the opening 24 of the shoe seat 15 and sliding it in a predetermined direction (+ Y-axis direction) (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 5 is a view showing an appearance of the connector 420 of the present embodiment. The connector 420 includes a bottom portion 421, a movable member (hereinafter referred to as a locking claw 422) that protrudes from the bottom portion 421 toward the outside of the connector 420, and a terminal portion 423 provided on the bottom portion 421. The connector 420 is disposed between the bottom plate portion 21 and the top plate portion 22 while being inserted into the opening 24, and movement relative to the shoe seat 15 is restricted in a direction from the bottom plate portion 21 toward the top plate portion 22. The first operation unit 424 (see FIG. 2) is an operation member that can be operated by the user to move the locking claw 422 in a predetermined direction. The locking claw 422 moves in a predetermined direction (+ Z axis direction in FIG. 5) by the force received from the link mechanism of the operation unit 424. That is, the locking claw 422 moves to the + Z side so as to be retracted from the inside of the locking hole 27 when the operation portion 424 is operated while being locked in the locking hole 27 shown in FIG. . As a result, the restriction of the position of the accessory 400 with respect to the camera body 100 is released, and the accessory 400 can be detached from the camera body 100.

  The terminal portion 423 has a plurality (12) of terminals indicated by reference signs Ts1 to Ts12. The number of terminals included in the terminal portion 423 is the same as the number of terminals included in the terminal portion 25 of the shoe seat 15. The plurality of terminals included in the terminal portion 423 correspond one-to-one with any of the plurality of terminals included in the terminal portion 25 of the shoe seat 15. The plurality of terminals included in the terminal portion 423 come into contact with the corresponding terminals among the plurality of terminals included in the terminal portion 25 of the shoe seat 15 in a state where the connector 420 is connected to the shoe seat 15. Connected.

(Functional configuration of camera system)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the camera system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the photographing lens 200 includes an optical system 210, an optical system driving 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 drive unit 220 includes 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 sensor that detects the movement of the optical system 210 due to camera shake or the like. 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. The accessory 400 includes an illumination light control unit 430, an illumination light emission unit 431, a flash control unit 440, a flash light emission unit 441, and a nonvolatile memory 445. 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 cause the image sensor 121 to generate an image signal corresponding to the image, to 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. 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 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 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 accessory 400 according to the present embodiment is one of external devices, and the illumination light control unit 430 is connected to be communicable with the communication unit 176.

(Connection between accessory 400 and camera 10)
FIG. 7 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 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 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 the first terminal and the second terminal are in a conductive state according to a control signal input to the control terminal.

  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 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, each terminal in the terminal portion 25 of the camera body 100 is assigned as follows.

  In the terminal portion 25, power terminals Tp11 and Tp12 are terminals that supply the power PWR from the battery BAT in the camera body 100 to the accessory 400 side, respectively. The ground terminals Tp1 and Tp2 are ground terminals corresponding to the power supply terminals Tp11 and Tp12, respectively. The ground terminals Tp1 and Tp2 are terminals whose potential becomes the reference potential of the power PWR. The ground terminals Tp1 and 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.

  Each of the reference potential terminals Tp3 and Tp5 is a terminal whose potential becomes the reference potential SGND (signal ground) (that is, a terminal that becomes a reference potential for performing signal transmission / reception). Reference potential terminals Tp3 and Tp5 are ground terminals for circuits in the camera body 100. The 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 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 conversely, various information on the accessory 400 side (specific information and settings of the accessory 400). The communication signal DATA including the information etc. is also a terminal that is input from the accessory 400 side.
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 possible state (in other words, the accessory 400 is activated and can function). Electrical L level) A terminal for detecting whether or not the accessory 400 side provides DET.

The light emission control signal terminal Tp8 is a terminal that outputs to the accessory 400 a light emission control (light emission command) signal X that controls light emission of at least one of the flash light emitting unit 441 and the illumination light emitting unit 431 of the accessory 400. The light emission control (light emission command) signal X is a control command that instructs the flash light emission unit 441 or the illumination light light emission unit 431 to start light emission.
The 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. 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 open terminal Tp10 is a terminal to which neither power nor a 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.

  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. 6 and transmits the read information to the illumination light control unit 430. The camera control unit 170 stores the information received from the illumination light control unit 430 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 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.

(Connection relationship of each component in the camera 10)
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 Tp5 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via the ground line 42 in parallel with the reference potential terminal Tp3. 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. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The power supply terminal Tp11 is connected to the first terminal of the accessory power supply control unit 33. The power supply terminal Tp12 is connected to the first terminal of the accessory power supply control unit 33 in parallel with the power supply terminal Tp11. 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)
The accessory 400 according to the present embodiment is operated by the power PWR supplied from the camera 10. The accessory 400 includes an illumination light control unit 430, an illumination light emission unit 431, a flash control unit 440, a nonvolatile memory 445, a flash light emission unit 441, a first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1, a second power supply unit (power supply). Part 2) 450-2, a changeover switch 461, a first switch part 465 (MSW), and a second switch part 470 (PCSW).
The changeover switch 461 is indicated by a symbol of 1c relay (a relay having one common contact c, make contact a, and break contact b) in the drawing. The changeover switch 461 may be constituted by a mechanical relay or a semiconductor switch.

In the accessory 400 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the illumination light control unit 430 controls the on / off state (contact state) of the switch 461 according to the shooting mode of the camera 10. 400 is characterized in that it switches between the flash light emission operation and the illumination light emission operation in 400. That is, in the first shooting mode (illumination imaging), the illumination light control unit 430 closes the common contact c and the contact b of the changeover switch 461 so as to supply power to the illumination light emitting unit 431. It is supplied so that illumination light emission operation can be performed. In the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the illumination light control unit 430 closes the common contact c and the contact a of the changeover switch 461 so that the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit are closed. Power is supplied to 441 so that a flash emission operation can be performed (note that actual lighting is performed by a command signal from the camera 10).
Thereby, the accessory 400 can perform charge control according to the imaging mode without receiving a charge command signal from the camera 10 side. That is, in the first photographing mode (illumination imaging), the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) can be turned on, and in the second photographing mode (flash imaging), the flash light emitting unit 441 (first imaging unit). 2 light emitting units) can be turned on.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the accessory 400 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1 connected to the power supply line 481 includes a constant voltage circuit that stabilizes (constant voltage control) the voltage of the power PWR supplied from the camera 10. The power supply unit 450-1 supplies power whose voltage is stabilized by the constant voltage circuit to the illumination light control unit 430. The second power supply unit 450-2 includes a constant voltage circuit that is connected to the power supply line 481 via the changeover switch 461 and stabilizes the voltage of the power PWR supplied from the camera 10 (constant voltage control). The power supply unit 450-2 supplies the electric power whose voltage is stabilized by the constant voltage circuit to the flash control unit 440.

  The illumination light control unit 430 controls the light emission operation in the illumination light emitting unit 431. The illumination light emitting unit 431 includes an illumination light source driving unit 432 and an illumination light source 433. The flash light emitting unit 441 receives supply of electric power (PWR) from the camera body 100 via the changeover switch 461. The illumination light source 433 includes a solid light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting continuous illumination light. The illumination light source driving unit 432 causes the illumination light source 433 to emit light by supplying a current to the illumination light source 433. The illumination light source driving unit 432 causes the illumination light source 433 to emit light in synchronization with the photographing timing under the control of the illumination light control unit 430. The illumination light source driving unit 432 controls the time (lighting time) for causing the illumination light source 433 to emit light according to the control signal input from the illumination light control unit 430.

  The flash control unit 440 controls the light emission operation in the flash light emission unit 441. The flash light emitting unit 441 includes a charging unit 442 and a flash light source 443. The flash light source 443 includes a known flash illumination light source such as a xenon tube. The flash light emitting unit 441 receives supply of electric power (PWR) from the camera body 100 via the changeover switch 461. The charging unit 442 in the flash light emitting unit 441 boosts the voltage supplied from the camera body 100, and the power necessary for causing the flash light source 443 to emit light based on the voltage boosted by the boosting circuit unit. Storage circuit unit (storage unit / capacitor / or capacitor). The charging unit 442 causes the flash light source 443 to emit light by supplying electric power stored in the storage unit (storage circuit unit) to the flash light source 443.

  The charging unit 442 starts or stops charging the storage unit of the charging unit 442 according to a signal supplied from the flash control unit 440. The charging unit 442 detects the amount of charge (charged amount, amount of charge) stored in the storage unit by detecting the voltage between the electrodes of the storage unit (charging voltage) during the charging process of charging the storage unit. be able to. The charging unit 442 supplies information indicating the detected charge amount of the storage unit to the flash control unit 440. Note that the charging unit 442 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 443 is controlled according to a signal input from the flash 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 443.

In the present embodiment, the maximum light emission amount of the flash light emitting unit 441 is larger than the maximum light emission amount of the illumination light light emitting unit 431. The flash light emitting unit 441 is turned on when, for example, a still image is captured, and can illuminate the subject brighter than when the illumination light emitting unit 431 is turned on. In addition, the longest lighting time (longest lighting time) of the illumination light emitting unit 431 is longer than the longest lighting time of the flash light emitting unit 441. The illumination light emitting unit 431 is turned on, for example, when capturing a moving image, and can illuminate the subject for a longer time than the lighting time of the flash light emitting unit 441.
In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the flash light emitting unit 441 may be referred to as flash light, and the function of the flash light emitting unit 441 emitting flash light may be referred to as a flash light emitting function. In addition, light emitted from the illumination light emitting unit 431 may be referred to as illumination light, and a function of the illumination light emitting unit 431 emitting illumination light may be referred to as an illumination light emitting function.

  In the present embodiment, the first switch portion 465 (MSW) is mechanically interlocked with the locking claw 422 (see FIG. 5) described above. The first switch unit 465 closes (closes) or shuts off (opens) the internal switch circuit as the locking claw 422 moves in a predetermined direction (Z-axis direction). The first switch unit 465 closes the internal switch circuit when the accessory 400 is completely attached to the camera 10. The second switch unit 470 (PCSW) is mechanically linked to the second operation unit 471 (see FIG. 2) described above. The second switch unit 470 closes or interrupts the circuit when the second operation unit 471 is operated.

  The illumination light control unit 430 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 illumination light control unit 430 communicates with the camera control unit 170 via the terminal unit 423 and the terminal unit 25. The illumination light control unit 430 controls the light emission operation of the flash light emitting unit 441 through the flash control unit 440 by communicating with the flash control unit 440. As with the illumination light control unit 430, the flash control unit 440 also includes a CPU that controls the operation of the flash light emission unit 441 and an electronic component such as an ASIC.

  The illumination light control unit 430 communicates with the camera control unit 170, thereby at least one of various types of information included in the accessory initial state information or the accessory setting state information stored in the storage unit 444. Two pieces of information can be sent to the camera control unit 170. Further, the illumination light control unit 430 can cause 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 illumination light control unit 430 controls the components of the accessory 400 based on the control signal supplied from the camera control unit 170. The illumination light control unit 430 performs light emission control for causing the illumination light light emission unit 431 or the flash light emission unit 441 to emit light according to 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 441 to emit light, the illumination light control unit 430 controls the charging unit 442 through the flash control unit 440 so that the flash light source 443 emits light in synchronization with the photographing timing on the camera side. In the light emission control for causing the illumination light emitting unit 431 to emit light, the illumination light control unit 430 controls the illumination light source driving unit 432 so that the illumination light source 433 emits light in synchronization with the photographing timing.

  The accessory 400 according to the present embodiment does not include (built in) a power source (battery) for charging the storage unit (storage circuit unit) of the charging unit 442, and performs charging with the power supplied from the camera 10. The illumination light control unit 430 receives information on the shooting mode from the camera control unit 170, and when the shooting mode is the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the illumination light control unit 430 is connected between the common contact c and the contact a of the changeover switch 461. Is closed. As a result, power is supplied to the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit 441, and the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit 441 are activated. Then, the flash control unit 440 transmits a command signal instructing the charging unit 442 to start charging, and starts charging the storage unit (storage circuit unit) of the charging unit 442.

  During this charging, the charging unit 442 detects the charge amount (charge voltage) of the storage unit (charge storage unit), and supplies the flash control unit 440 with information indicating the charge amount. If the charge amount has not reached a predetermined amount (charge stop level), the flash control unit 440 controls the charging unit 442 to continue the charging operation until the predetermined amount (charge stop level) is reached. The charging operation by the flash control unit 440 is performed in such a manner that the charge amount is a predetermined amount (charge stop level) unless a charge stop command for forcibly stopping the charge operation is transmitted from the camera control unit 170 to the illumination light control unit 430. Until it reaches.

In addition, the flash control unit 440 transmits information indicating the charging state of the charging unit 442 (charging state information) to the illumination light control unit 430. The illumination light control unit 430 uses the charge state information received from the flash control unit 440 in a steady communication sequence (a steady communication sequence periodically performed between the illumination light control unit 430 and the camera control unit 170). The data is transmitted to the camera control unit 170.
The charging state information includes “charging progress information” indicating whether or not the charging unit 442 is charging at that time (current), and “charging availability information” indicating whether or not the charging unit 442 can be charged. ”And“ light emission availability information ”indicating whether or not the flash light emitting unit 441 is in a state capable of emitting light (ready state).

(Connection relationship of each component in the accessory 400)
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the connection relationship of each component in the accessory 400 is demonstrated.
The ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 are connected via a connection pattern shown in FIG. When the accessory 400 is connected to the camera 10, the ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 are connected to the ground line 43 on the camera 10 side via the terminals Tp1 and Tp2 on the camera 10 side. The ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 are ground terminals for a circuit (charging unit 442) that uses the power PWR on the accessory 400 side, and are terminals that serve as a reference potential of the supplied voltage on the accessory 400 side. In addition, it is a terminal that becomes a reference potential of the charging voltage.

  The power supply terminal Ts11 is connected to the power supply line 481. The power supply terminal Ts12 is connected to the power supply line 481 in parallel with the power supply terminal Ts11. The reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are connected via a connection line as shown in FIG. The reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are connected in parallel to the reference potential line 480 (SGND). When the accessory 400 is connected to the camera 10, the reference potential line 480 is connected to the camera 10 side reference potential line (SGND) 42 via the reference potential terminals Ts3 and Ts5 and the camera 10 side terminals Tp3 and Tp5. Connected to. The reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are terminals that serve as reference potentials for transmitting and receiving signals in each circuit (for example, the illumination light control unit 430) in the accessory 400.

  The activation state providing terminal Ts7 is connected to the first terminal of the switch unit in the first switch unit 465 via a signal line. The second terminal of the switch unit in the first switch unit 465 is connected to the first terminal of the switch unit in the second switch unit 470 (PCSW). A second terminal of the switch unit in the second switch unit 470 is connected to the reference potential line 480. Thus, the 2nd switch part 470 is connected in series with the 1st switch part 465 with respect to the signal wire | line connected to the starting state provision terminal Ts7.

  The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through a signal line. The communication signal terminal Ts6 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through a signal line. The signal line connected to the communication signal terminal Ts6 is provided with a pull-up resistor. This pull-up resistor is electrically connected to the circuit power supply (positive side). For this reason, the potential (level) at the communication signal terminal Ts6 is maintained at the H level before being attached to the camera 10 and before starting communication with the camera 10.

  The communication control signal terminal Ts9 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through a signal line. The signal line connected to the communication control signal terminal Ts9 is provided with a pull-up resistor. This pull-up resistor is electrically connected to the circuit power supply (positive side). Therefore, the potential (level) at the communication signal terminal Ts6 is maintained at the H level before being attached to the camera 10 and before starting communication with the camera 10.

  The light emission control signal terminal Ts8 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through a signal line. The signal line connected to the light emission control signal terminal Ts8 is provided with a pull-up resistor. This pull-up resistor is electrically connected to the circuit power supply (positive side). Therefore, the potential (level) at the communication signal terminal Ts6 is maintained at the H level before being attached to the camera 10 and before starting communication with the camera 10.

  The power supply terminals Ts12 and Ts11 are connected to the first terminal (terminal on the common contact c side) of the changeover switch 461 via the power supply line 481. Further, the second terminal (terminal on the contact a side) of the changeover switch 461 is connected to the flash light emitting unit 441, and the third terminal (terminal on the contact b side) of the changeover switch 461 is connected to the illumination light emitting unit 431. ing. A switching signal CNT is input from the illumination light control unit 430 to the control terminal of the changeover switch 461, and the connection state of the contacts in the changeover switch 461 is switched by the changeover signal CNT.

In addition, the first electrode for main discharge in the flash light source 443 of the flash light emitting unit 441 is connected to the charging unit 442. The second electrode for main discharge is connected to the ground line 490 (ground line GND). A power supply terminal of the charging unit 442 is connected to the power supply line 481 via the changeover switch 461. A control terminal of the charging unit 442 is connected to the flash control unit 440 via a signal line.
A power supply terminal of the illumination light source driving unit 432 is connected to the power supply line 481 via the changeover switch 461. The ground terminal of the illumination light source driving unit 432 is connected to the reference potential line 480. A control terminal of the illumination light source driving unit 432 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through a signal line. In the illumination light source 433, an anode of a solid light source (for example, LED) is connected to the illumination light source driving unit 432, and a cathode of the solid light source is connected to a reference potential line 480.

(Connection between camera 10 and accessory 400)
Next, the connection relationship between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 will be described. In a state where the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10 (also referred to as “attached state”), the ground terminal Ts1 is connected to the ground terminal Tp1 of the camera 10. The ground terminal Ts2 is connected to the ground terminal Tp2 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. And the place (grounding terminal of the charging part 442) connected to the grounding terminals Ts1 and Ts2 on the accessory 400 side is the path through the grounding terminal Tp1 and the grounding terminal Ts1, and the grounding terminal Tp2 and the grounding terminal in the mounted state. It is connected to the ground line 43 and connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via at least one of the paths via Ts2. Therefore, the potentials of the ground terminals Ts1 and Ts2 and the locations connected to them are reference potentials corresponding to the potential of the negative electrode of the battery BAT in the mounted state.

  The power supply terminal Ts11 is connected to the power supply terminal Tp11 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. The power supply terminal Ts12 is connected to the power supply terminal Tp12 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. In the mounted state, the accessory power supply control unit 33 is connected to the power supply line 481 via at least one of the path via the power supply terminal Tp11 and the power supply terminal Ts11 and the path via the power supply terminal Tp12 and the power supply terminal Ts12. Is done. Therefore, the accessory power supply control unit 33 supplies the power PWR supplied from the battery BAT to the accessory power supply control unit 33 to each circuit or electrical component in the accessory 400 via the power supply line 481 according to the control of the camera control unit 170. can do.

  The reference potential terminal Ts3 is connected to the reference potential terminal Tp3 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. The reference potential terminal Ts5 is connected to the reference potential terminal Tp5 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. The potential of the reference potential terminal Ts3 becomes the potential (reference potential) of the reference potential terminal Tp3 in the mounted state. The potential of the reference potential terminal Ts5 becomes the potential (reference potential) of the reference potential terminal Tp5 in the mounted state.

  The activation state providing terminal Ts7 is grounded via the reference potential line 480 when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10 and the second switch unit 470 closes the circuit (ON state). Connected to line 42. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 sets the activation detection level DET (L level) indicating that the accessory 400 can be activated when the second switch unit 470 is in the on state and connected to the camera 10. It can be detected via the activation state providing terminal Ts7 and the activation state detection terminal Tp7.

  The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is connected to the synchronization signal terminal Tp4 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. That is, the illumination light control unit 430 is connected to the camera control unit 170 through the synchronization signal terminal Tp4 and the synchronization signal terminal Ts4 in the mounted state. Thereby, the illumination light control unit 430 can transmit the synchronization signal CLK for performing synchronous communication with the camera control unit 170 to the camera control unit 170 via the synchronization signal terminal Ts4 and the synchronization signal terminal Tp4.

  The communication signal terminal Ts6 is connected to the communication signal terminal Tp6 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. That is, the illumination light control unit 430 is connected to the camera control unit 170 through the communication signal terminal Tp6 and the communication signal terminal Ts6 in the mounted state. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 and the illumination light control unit 430 can perform serial data communication via the communication signal terminal Tp6 and the communication signal terminal Ts6 in the mounted state. The communication signal terminals Tp6 and Ts6 can both switch input / output functions, and communication between these terminals is bidirectional communication in which the communication direction can be switched. The data communicated as the communication signal DATA is as follows. The data output from the camera 10 includes a command (command) that causes the accessory 400 to execute processing by the camera control unit 170, information about the camera 10 (camera data), and the like. On the other hand, the data output from the accessory 400 side includes information on the accessory 400 (accessory information). Note that the communication signal DATA is transmitted in synchronization with the synchronization signal CLK output from the accessory 400 side regardless of whether the camera control unit 170 transmits or the illumination light control unit 430 transmits.

The communication control signal terminal Ts9 is connected to the communication control signal terminal Tp9 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. That is, the illumination light control unit 430 is connected to the camera control unit 170 through the communication control signal terminal Tp9 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9 in the mounted state. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 can supply the communication control signal Cs to the illumination light control unit 430 via the communication control signal terminal Tp9 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9.
When it is desired to transmit information from the accessory 400 side to the camera 10 side, the illumination light control unit 430 is started in response to the communication control signal Cs received from the camera 10 side at the communication control signal terminal Ts9. Information is transmitted to the camera control unit 170 in a communication sequence (described later).

  The light emission control signal terminal Ts8 is connected to the light emission control signal terminal Tp8 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. That is, the illumination light control unit 430 is connected to the camera control unit 170 through the light emission control signal terminal Tp8 and the light emission control signal terminal Ts8 in the mounted state. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 transmits a light emission control signal X that causes the accessory 400 to perform light emission (main light emission) in synchronization with the photographing timing via the light emission control signal terminal Ts8 and the light emission control signal terminal Tp8. 430. The illumination light control unit 430 performs light emission control according to the light emission control signal X.

  The charging unit 442 includes a booster circuit that boosts the voltage of power supplied via the power supply line 481 and a storage unit (charge storage unit) that is charged by the voltage boosted by the booster circuit. The charging unit 442 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 via the first signal line. The illumination light control unit 430 can supply a signal for controlling the charging unit 442 to the charging unit 442 via the first signal line. The charging unit 442 is connected to the illumination light control unit 430 through the second signal line. The charging unit 442 can supply information indicating the amount of charge of the charging unit 442 to the illumination light control unit 430 via the second signal line.

  The illumination light control unit 430 supplies a signal for controlling the illumination light source driving unit 432 to the illumination light source driving unit 432 via a signal line. Therefore, the illumination light source 433 can emit light by electric power supplied via the power line 481 and the illumination light source drive unit 432.

(Communication processing between the camera control unit 170 and the accessory 400)
Next, a communication processing procedure in the camera system will be described. In the following description, the same processing is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof may be simplified or omitted.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication processing procedure in the 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 communicating information necessary for imaging between the camera control unit 170 and the illumination light control unit 430 after the completion of the communication preparation sequence in the startup sequence ( Step S3). The camera system 1 performs a series of processes (steady communication sequence) for mutual communication between the camera control unit 170 and the illumination light control unit 430 so that the information changed due to the setting change or the like can be updated after the end of the initial communication sequence. (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.

  The camera system 1 detects whether or not the accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 in the communication preparation sequence. The camera system 1 starts supplying power to the accessory 400 when the accessory 400 is mounted on the camera body 100, and the camera body 100 notifies the accessory 400 that communication is permitted. .

Further, the camera system 1 sends information necessary 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 control target of the illumination light control unit 430. The control target of the illumination light control unit 430 includes the illumination light emission unit 431 that causes the illumination light emission function to function, and the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit 441 that allow the flash emission function to function.

  Further, 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 when no interrupt request is generated as shown in FIG. As 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 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.

(Charge control in accessory 400)
Next, charging control for charging the charging unit 442 in the accessory 400 will be described. When the accessory 400 is attached to the shoe seat 15, the camera system 1 starts supplying power from the camera 10 to the accessory 400. And the illumination light control part 430 in the accessory 400 receives camera setting state information by communicating with the camera control part 170, Based on the information of the imaging | photography mode contained in this camera setting state information, the changeover switch 461 is received. To control charging according to the set shooting mode. That is, in the first photographing mode (illumination imaging), the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) can be turned on, and in the second photographing mode (flash imaging), the flash light emitting unit 441 (first imaging unit). (2 light emitting section) can be turned on.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a charging control process in the accessory 400. Hereinafter, the processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
In the steady communication sequence (step S4), the illumination light control unit 430 in the accessory 400 receives “camera setting state information” from the camera control unit 170 (step S101). This camera setting state information includes information on the shooting mode set by the user in the camera 10.

  The illumination light control unit 430 detects information on the imaging mode included in the camera setting state information, and determines whether or not the imaging mode is the first imaging mode (illumination imaging) (step S102). If it is determined that the first shooting mode (illumination imaging) is set (step S102; Yes), the accessory 400 shifts to a state corresponding to the first shooting mode (step S104), and the illumination light control unit 430 is configured with a changeover switch. A switching signal CTL (for example, an L level signal) is sent to 461, and the contact of the changeover switch 461 is controlled to be on the illumination light side (contact c and contact b are turned on) (step S105). After the process of step S105 is completed, the illumination light control unit 430 proceeds to a steady communication sequence (more precisely, a waiting state for the next steady communication sequence) (step S4).

   When the contact c and contact b of the changeover switch 461 are turned on (closed), power (PWR) is supplied to the illumination light emitting unit 431, and the illumination light source driving unit 432 supplies current to the illumination light source 433. It becomes possible to do. Thereby, in the first photographing mode (illumination imaging), the illumination light source driving unit 432 can emit the illumination light source 433 by the control signal from the illumination light control unit 430 (actual light emission is This is performed by a command signal from the camera 10 side).

  If it is determined in step S102 that the first shooting mode (illumination imaging) is not set (step S102; No), the illumination light control unit 430 sets the shooting mode of the camera 10 to the second shooting mode (flash imaging). It is determined whether or not there is (step S103). If it is determined that the shooting mode is not the second shooting mode (flash imaging) (step S103; No), the shooting mode is not the first shooting mode (illumination imaging), and the second shooting mode (flash imaging). No shooting mode (e.g., a shooting mode in which no light is emitted), and the process proceeds to the steady communication sequence in step S4 (more precisely, the waiting state for the next steady communication sequence) without performing charging control in the accessory 400. To do.

In Step S103, when it is determined that the second shooting mode (flash imaging) is set (Step S103; Yes), the accessory 400 shifts to a charge control state corresponding to the second shooting mode (Step S106). . Then, the illumination light control unit 430 sends a switching signal CTL (for example, an H level signal) to the changeover switch 461 and controls the contact point of the changeover switch 461 so as to be on the flash side (contact point c and contact point a are on). (Step S107).
When the contact c and contact a of the changeover switch 461 are turned on (closed), power is supplied from the second power supply unit (power supply unit 2) 450-2 to the flash control unit 440, and the flash control unit 440 is activated. (Start operation) (step S108). In addition, electric power (PWR) is supplied to the flash light emitting unit 441, and the flash light emitting unit 441 can be charged.
After the process of step S108 is completed, the flash control unit 440 can receive charge state information from the charging unit 442 in the flash light emitting unit 441 and charge the storage unit (storage circuit unit) of the charging unit 442 with charge. It is determined whether or not (step S109).

  If it is determined in step S109 that charging to the charging unit 442 cannot be performed (step S109; No), for example, it is determined that charging to the charging unit 442 cannot be performed due to heat generation or malfunction of the flash light source 443. In the case where the flash light has been detected, the flash control unit 440 stores information indicating that charging of the charging unit 442 is not possible (chargeability information) in the nonvolatile memory 445 via the illumination light control unit 430 (step S110). After the process of step S110 ends, the illumination light control unit 430 proceeds to the steady communication sequence of step S4 (more precisely, the waiting state of the next steady communication sequence). Then, the illumination light control unit 430 displays information on whether or not the charging unit 442 can be charged (in this case, information indicating that charging is not possible) stored in the nonvolatile memory 445 in the next regular communication sequence (step S4). It transmits to the camera control part 170.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S109 that charging is possible (step S109; Yes), the flash control unit 440 starts a charging operation for the storage unit (storage circuit unit) of the charging unit 442 (step S111). After the process of step S111 is completed, the flash control unit 440 monitors the state of charge in the charging unit 442, and determines whether or not charging of the storage unit (storage circuit unit) has been completed (step S112). If it is determined in step S112 that the charging to the charging unit 442 has not been completed (step S112; No), the flash control unit 440 indicates that the charging unit 442 is being charged. Is stored in the nonvolatile memory 445 through the illumination light control unit 430 (step S110). After the process of step S110 ends, the flash control unit 440 proceeds to step S112 and continues the charging operation in the charging unit 442. The illumination light control unit 430 transmits information during charging (charging progress information) to the camera control unit 170 in the next steady communication sequence (step S4).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that charging is completed in the determination process of step S112 (step S112; Yes), the flash control unit 440 stops the charging operation in the charging unit 442 and information on charging completion in the charging unit 442. (Light emission propriety information) is memorize | stored in the non-volatile memory 445 via the illumination light control part 430 (step S113). After the process of step S113 is completed, the illumination light control unit 430 proceeds to a steady communication sequence (more precisely, a waiting state for the next steady communication sequence) of step S4. The illumination light control unit 430 transmits the light emission availability information (in this case, light emission possible information) to the camera control unit 170 in the next regular communication sequence (step S4).

According to the charging control process in the accessory 400 described above, the accessory 400 performs the illumination light emission operation in the accessory 400 according to the shooting mode of the camera 10 without receiving the charging control command from the camera control unit 170, or It is possible to switch whether to perform the flashing operation. That is, in the first shooting mode (illumination imaging), the illumination light control unit 430 supplies power to the illumination light emitting unit 431 by closing the common contact c and the contact b of the changeover switch 461. Thus, the illumination light emission operation can be performed. In the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the illumination light control unit 430 closes the common contact c and the contact a of the changeover switch 461 to close the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit 441. The power is supplied to the charging unit 442 so that the flashing operation can be performed.
Thus, power is supplied to the illumination light emitting unit 431 only by controlling the ON / OFF state of the contact of the changeover switch 461 according to the set shooting mode (first shooting mode or second shooting mode). It is possible to easily set whether the illumination light emission operation can be performed, or whether the flash light emission operation can be performed by supplying power to the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emission unit 441.

(Shooting sequence that activates the flash function)
Next, processing in the shooting sequence will be described. First, the processing in the shooting sequence for causing the flash emission function to function will be mainly described.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in the imaging sequence. When it is detected that the release button 16 has been operated by the end of the steady communication sequence in step S4, the camera control unit 170 uses the second shooting mode (flash imaging) in which the shooting mode of the camera 10 functions the flash emission function. Whether or not there is is determined based on the shooting mode information (step S200).

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S200 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not the second shooting mode (step S200; No), the shooting mode of the camera 10 causes the illumination light emitting function to function. It is determined whether or not (imaging) (step S201). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S201 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the first shooting mode (step S201; Yes), the camera control unit 170 executes a shooting sequence that causes the illumination light emitting function to function (step S11). If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S201 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not the first shooting mode (step S201; No), the camera control unit 170 executes a shooting sequence in which neither the flash light emission function nor the illumination light emission function is allowed to function ( Step S12).

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S200 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the second shooting mode (step S200; Yes), the accessory setting received from the illumination light control unit 430 in the steady communication sequence of step S4. Based on the light emission availability information in the state information, it is determined whether or not the flash light emitting unit 441 is in the ready state (light emission enabled state) (step S202). When it is determined in step S202 that the flash light emitting unit 441 is not in the ready state (step S202; No), the camera control unit 170 determines that the release button has not been operated (release button operation result is canceled) in step S203. After the process of step S203 is completed, the next steady communication sequence is started.

  When it is determined in step S202 that the flash light emitting unit 441 is ready (step S202; Yes), the camera control unit 170 stops (delays) the start of the next steady communication sequence until the end of the imaging sequence. The steady communication stop notification shown is transmitted to the illumination light control unit 430 (step S204). After detecting that the illumination light control unit 430 has received the steady communication stop notification transmitted in step S204, the camera control unit 170 stops the steady communication sequence together with the illumination light control unit 430 (step S205). After the process of step S205 is completed, a shooting sequence for causing the flash emission function to function is started (step S13).

  The camera control unit 170 performs AF control so that the subject designated by the user is in focus after the shooting sequence for causing the flash emission function to start. The camera control unit 170 performs well-known monitor light emission (pre-light emission) control in order to measure the reflectance of the subject according to the setting state of the camera 10 (step S211). In the monitor light emission control, the camera control unit 170 transmits a monitor light emission control signal for executing the monitor light emission to the illumination light control unit 430. The illumination light control unit 430 causes the flash light emitting unit 441 to emit light through the flash control unit 440 in accordance with the monitor light emission control signal received from the camera control unit 170. The camera control unit 170 performs at least one of AE control and AWB control using the result of image capturing (monitor image capturing) when the flash light emitting unit 441 performs monitor light emission in accordance with the setting state of the camera 10.

  The camera control unit 170 performs light emission control (main light emission control) when operation information of the release button 16 (full pressing operation of the release button 16) for instructing execution of image pickup (main image pickup) is detected ( Step S212). The camera control unit 170 illuminates a light emission control signal X for requesting the flash light emission unit 441 to emit light in synchronization with a photographing timing set according to the timing at which the operation information (full press operation) of the release button 16 is detected. Transmit to the light control unit 430. When the illumination light control unit 430 detects the light emission control signal X, the illumination light control unit 430 causes the flash light emission unit 441 to emit light through the flash light control unit 440 according to the timing at which the light emission control signal X is output.

  The camera control unit 170 starts exposure to the image sensor 121 in synchronization with the timing at which the flash light emitting unit 441 emits light (step S213). The camera control unit 170 ends the exposure on the image sensor 121 when the exposure time set by the AE control or the like has elapsed after the exposure is started in step S213 (step S214). After the process of step S214 is completed, the camera control unit 170 performs an image capturing process for capturing image data indicating a captured image captured by the image sensor 121 (step S215). The camera control unit 170 stores the captured image data in the memory 140, for example. The imaging sequence for causing the flash emission function to function after the processing of step S215 is terminated.

  The next steady communication sequence is started after the photographing sequence is completed. As described above, the illumination light control unit 430 transmits the charging state information including the charging progress information, the charge availability information, and the light emission availability information to the camera control unit 170 in the steady communication sequence. However, since the camera system 1 pauses the steady communication sequence during the processing of the imaging sequence, the illumination light control unit 430 pauses the transmission of the charging state information. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 sends a command to the illumination light control unit 430 to cause the illumination light control unit 430 to perform charge control as necessary.

  Note that the processing in the shooting sequence (step S12) in the third shooting mode in which neither the flash light emission function nor the illumination light emission function is performed includes, for example, the processing from step S213 to step S215. The shooting sequence in the third shooting mode is different from the shooting sequence in which the flash emission function is functioned in that light emission control is not performed. Since the processing in the shooting sequence in the third shooting mode is the same as the shooting sequence for causing the flash emission function to be performed except that the light emission control is not performed, the description thereof is omitted.

(Shooting sequence that activates the illumination function)
Next, a photographing sequence for causing the illumination light emitting function to function will be described. The illumination light control unit 430 controls the light emission processing of the illumination light emission unit 431 when the imaging mode of the camera 10 is set to the first imaging mode (illumination imaging). The first shooting mode is, for example, one of a shooting mode in which a still image shooting process is performed a plurality of times within a predetermined time, or a shooting mode in which a moving image shooting process is continued for a predetermined time. .

  The accessory 400 controls the changeover switch 461 by the illumination light control unit 430 to supply electric power (PWR) to the illumination light emitting unit 431 at the timing when the focusing completion information from the camera 10 is received, and the illumination light emitting unit 431. Lights up. The AE control and the AWB control are performed in a state where the illumination light emitting unit 431 is turned on.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in an imaging sequence for causing the illumination light emitting function to function. When the camera control unit 170 detects an operation (half press) of the release button 16 indicating that the preparation for imaging is started after the imaging sequence of the first imaging mode in which the illumination light emission function is activated (step S301), AF control is started (step S302).
The camera control unit 170 detects the in-focus state by the AF sensor, and after the AF control ends (step S303), the in-focus completion indicating the completion of the in-focus operation for the desired subject (the in-focus state has been reached). Information (focus state information) is transmitted to the illumination light control unit 430 (step S304). The illumination light control unit 430 receives this in-focus state information (step S305), and then sends a control command to the illumination light emitting unit 431 to start lighting the illumination light source 433 (step S306).

  The camera control unit 170 starts AE control and AWB control (step S307) after the process of step S304 is completed, and performs AE control and AWB control while the illumination light emitting unit 431 is illuminating the subject. The camera control unit 170 detects an operation (full press) of the release button 16 indicating that AE control and AWB control are completed (step S308) and imaging is requested (step S309). After the process of step S309 ends, the camera control unit 170 starts exposure to the image sensor 121 (step S310).

  The camera control unit 170 ends the exposure on the image sensor 121 when the exposure time set by the AE control has elapsed since the exposure started in step S310 (step S311). The camera control unit 170 generates image data of a captured image captured by the image sensor 121 after the processing in step S311 is completed, and stores the generated image data in the memory 140 or the like (step S312). After the process of step S312 is completed, the camera control unit 170 transmits exposure end information indicating that the exposure has ended to the illumination light control unit 430 (step S313).

  After receiving the exposure end information from the camera control unit 170 (step S314), the illumination light control unit 430 turns off the illumination light source 433 of the illumination light emission unit 431 (step S315). After the process of step S313 and the process of step S315 are completed, the imaging sequence using the illumination light emitting function is completed.

In the process performed in the procedure as described above, the illumination light control unit 430 responds to the focusing completion information (step S305) received from the camera control unit 170 when the camera control unit 170 detects the in-focus state. Then, the illumination light source 433 of the illumination light emitting unit 431 is turned on (step S306). In-focus completion information is information indicating an in-focus state.
In addition, the camera control unit 170 starts at least one of AE control for adjusting the exposure amount and AWB control for adjusting the color tone in a state where the subject is illuminated by the illumination light emitting unit 431 (step S308). The AE control and the AWB control are performed based on information indicating the light emission characteristics of the illumination light emitting unit 431. Thereby, the camera system 1 images the subject in a state where the influence on the exposure amount (brightness) and the influence on the color tone (color) due to the light emitted to the subject from the illumination light emitting unit 431 are taken into account. Can do.

(Modification of accessory circuit)
In the accessory 400 shown in FIG. 7, the illumination light control unit 430 that controls charging to the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) and the flash that controls charging to the flash light emitting unit 441 (second light emitting unit). And a control unit 440. Each of the illumination light control unit 430 and the flash light control unit 440 has a CPU system therein, and by these two CPU systems, the illumination light emission unit 431 (first light emission unit) and the flash light emission unit 441 (first light emission unit). (2 light emitting part) was controlled.

  On the other hand, in the following modification of the accessory 400, the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) and the flash light emitting unit 441 (second light emitting unit) are operated by one accessory control unit 430A (one CPU system). ) To control the charging operation. Accordingly, the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) and the flash light emitting unit 441 (second light emitting unit) can be controlled by one CPU system (accessory control unit 430A), and the configuration of the accessory 400 is simplified. Can be

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the accessory shown in FIG. Compared to the accessory 400 shown in FIG. 7, the accessory 400A shown in FIG. 12 has an illumination light control unit 430, a flash control unit 440, a changeover switch 461, and a second power supply unit (power supply unit 2). ) 450-2 is deleted, and an accessory control unit 430A and a power supply switch 462 are newly added. Other configurations are the same as those of the accessory 400 shown in FIG. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The accessory control unit 430A illustrated in FIG. 12 performs communication (for example, a steady communication sequence) with the camera control unit 170, and controls the operations of the illumination light emitting unit 431 and the flash light emitting unit 441. Further, the accessory control unit 430A controls on / off (closed / open) of the power supply switch 462 by the switching signal CTL. Although the power supply switch 462 is indicated by a contact symbol in the drawing, the power supply switch 462 may be configured by a mechanical relay or a semiconductor switch.

  One terminal (terminal on the contact c side) of the power supply switch 462 is connected to the power supply line 481, and the other terminal (terminal on the contact a side) is connected to the power input side of the flash light emitting unit 441. A switching signal CTL output from the accessory control unit 430A is input to the control terminal of the power feeding switch 462, and on / off of the power feeding switch 462 is controlled by the switching signal CTL.

  And accessory control part 430A receives camera setting state information by communication (for example, steady communication sequence) with camera control part 170, and judges photography mode of camera 10. When the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the first shooting mode (illumination imaging), the accessory control unit 430A turns off (opens) the power supply switch 462 by the switching signal CTL, and the power (PWR) to the flash light emitting unit 441 is changed. By stopping the supply, charging of the charge in the storage unit of the charging unit 442 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the accessory control unit 430A turns on the power supply switch 462 by the switching signal CTL (closed), and the power (PWR) to the flash light emitting unit 441 is changed. By starting the supply, the storage unit of the charging unit 442 is charged with electric charges.

As described above, in the accessory 400A shown in FIG. 12, the illumination light emitting unit 431 (first light emitting unit) and the flash light emitting unit 441 (second light emitting unit) are controlled by one CPU system (accessory control unit 430A). Can do. In addition, starting and stopping charging of the flash light emitting unit 441 can be easily performed by turning on / off one power supply switch 462.
In addition, in the accessory 400A shown in FIG. 12, power (PWR) is supplied from the camera 10 to the illumination light emitting unit 431 even in the second shooting mode (flash imaging). Therefore, in the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the illumination light emission operation in the illumination light emission unit 431 and the flash emission operation in the flash light emission unit 441 can be performed together.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the illumination light control unit 430 receives the shooting mode or the shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode from the camera 10, the switching process using the switching signal CTL is performed. However, as will be described later, this switching process is a signal that is input to the illumination light control unit 430 of the accessory 400 in response to an operation button provided on the accessory 400 or the camera 10 being operated by the user. May be. In response to the input of this switching signal, the illumination light control unit 430 outputs a switching signal CNT (see FIG. 7) or the illumination light control unit 430 outputs a switching signal CTL (see FIG. 12).

If the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the first shooting mode (illumination imaging), the signal level of the switching signal CNT (see FIG. 7) output from the illumination light control unit 430 becomes L level. Thereby, for example, the contact of the changeover switch 461 is controlled so as to be on the illumination light side (contact c and contact b are turned on).
Further, if the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the second shooting mode (flash imaging), the signal level of the switching signal CNT (see FIG. 7) output from the illumination light control unit 430 becomes the H level. Thereby, for example, the contact of the changeover switch 461 is controlled so as to be on the flash side (contact c and contact a are on).

(1) According to the accessory 400 of the above embodiment, since the changeover switch 461 is controlled in accordance with a changeover signal (for example, a signal indicating a shooting mode), the setting is made in the camera 10 as described above. Whether to supply power to the charging unit (charging unit 442) that charges the storage unit (accumulating unit in the charging unit 442) that stores power can be switched according to the shooting mode.
As a result, the accessory 400 does not transmit a signal indicating that charging is requested to the camera 10 and does not receive a charging command signal from the camera 10, and accumulates power according to the shooting mode. Whether or not to supply power to the charging unit (charging unit 442) that charges the unit (storage unit in the charging unit 442) can be switched. Therefore, the convenience of the accessory 400 can be improved.

(2) Moreover, in the said embodiment, the some light emission part (For example, the illumination light light emission part 431 and the flash light emission part 441) is further provided, and the changeover switch 461 controls the light emission part (for example, the flash light emission part 441). Each control unit (for example, the flash control unit 440) is selectively controlled to be active or inactive. Here, to activate (control to activate) the control unit means to supply power to the control unit so that the control unit can function. Further, deactivating the control unit (controlling the deactivation) means that the power supply to the control unit is stopped and the control unit is disabled.
Accordingly, the illumination light control unit 430 controls each control unit (for example, the flash control unit 440) that controls the light emitting unit (for example, the flash light emission unit 441) via the changeover switch 461 in response to the switching signal. It can be selectively controlled to be active or inactive.
The light emitting unit (for example, the flash light emitting unit 441) is deactivated, so that the light emitting unit (for example, the flash light emitting unit 441) transmits a signal indicating that the camera 10 is requested to be charged. The charging command signal from the camera 10 is not received. Therefore, the control of the entire accessory 400 can be simplified.

In the description using FIG. 7, the illumination light control unit 430 selectively controls the flash control unit 440 to be active or inactive by switching the changeover switch 461 according to the switching signal (shooting mode). . However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the configuration in which the changeover switch 461 is switched according to the switching signal (shooting mode) is different from the illumination light control unit 430 or as a part of the illumination light control unit 430. Also good. Then, this configuration can selectively control the illumination light control unit 430 as well as the flash light control unit 440 to be active or inactive by switching the changeover switch 461 according to the switching signal (shooting mode). Good.
That is, a plurality of light emitting units (for example, an illumination light emitting unit 431 and a flash light emitting unit 441) are further provided, and the changeover switch 461 controls each of the light emitting units (for example, the illumination light emitting unit 431 and the flash light emitting unit 441). The control unit (for example, each of the illumination light control unit 430 and the flash light control unit 440) may be selectively controlled to be active or inactive.
In this case, the changeover switch 461 controls power supply to the flash light control unit 440 and also controls power supply to the illumination light control unit 430. For example, among the functions of the illumination light control unit 430, the function that is deactivated when power is not supplied via the changeover switch 461 is a function that controls the illumination light emitting unit 431 and a function that communicates with the camera 10. Are activated by power feeding from another power feeding system even during a period when power is not fed through the changeover switch 461.

(3) In the above embodiment, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) is configured so that the switching signal is a predetermined first switching signal (for example, when the shooting mode is the first shooting mode (illumination imaging)). In this case, the light emission processing by the first light emitting unit (illumination light emitting unit 431) among the plurality of light emitting units is selectively functioned (selectively activated) via the changeover switch 461. In addition, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430), when the switching signal is a predetermined second switching signal (for example, when the shooting mode is the second shooting mode (flash imaging)), via the switch 461. Then, the light emission processing by the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) among the plurality of light emitting units is selectively functioned (selectively activated).
Accordingly, the illumination light control unit 430 controls each control unit (for example, the flash control unit 440) that controls the light emitting unit (for example, the flash light emission unit 441) via the changeover switch 461 in response to the switching signal. Can selectively function (activate).

(4) In the above embodiment, the first light emitting unit (illumination light emitting unit 431) emits light continuously, and the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) emits flash light.
As a result, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) is a first light emitting unit (illumination light emitting unit 431) that continuously emits light, and two light emitting units that emit flash light (two light emitting units having different light emission methods). The flash light emitting unit 441) can be selectively functioned (activated) through the changeover switch 461.

(5) In the above embodiment, when the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) emits light, the power charged in the storage unit (storage unit in the charging unit 442) is converted into the second light emitting unit (flash light emission). Part 441).
(6) Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the 1st light emission part (illumination light emission part 431) light-emits, the electric power supplied from the camera 10 is supplied to a 1st light emission part (illumination light emission part 431). .
Accordingly, when the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) and the first light emitting unit (illumination light emitting unit 431), which are two light emitting units having different light emitting methods, emit light respectively, Appropriate power is supplied.

(7) Moreover, in the said embodiment, an accessory control part (illumination light control part 430) is the 1st light emission part (illumination light emission part), when the switching signal is a 1st switching signal via the changeover switch 461. 431), power is supplied to the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) when the switching signal is the second switching signal.
In the accessory 400 having such a configuration, two light emission methods having different light emission methods according to the mode of the switching signal (shooting mode) (for example, the first shooting mode (illumination imaging) or the second shooting mode (flash imaging)). Power is supplied to the second light emitting unit (flash light emitting unit 441) and the first light emitting unit (illumination light emitting unit 431). As a result, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) actively controls the light emitting unit to which power is supplied via the changeover switch 461 in accordance with the switching signal (shooting mode), and does not supply power. The light emitting unit can be controlled to be inactive.

(8) Moreover, in the said embodiment, the accessory control part (illumination light control part 430) controls the changeover switch 461 according to the imaging | photography mode of the camera 10. FIG.
Thereby, the accessory control part (illumination light control part 430) can control the changeover switch 461 according to the imaging | photography mode as a switching signal.

(9) In the above-described embodiment, the shooting mode is any shooting mode selected from a plurality of predetermined shooting modes. In the plurality of shooting modes, the camera 10 performs movie shooting. A first shooting mode (illumination imaging) to be performed and a second shooting mode (flash imaging) in which the camera 10 performs still image shooting are included.
Accordingly, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) can control the changeover switch 461 according to the shooting mode in the camera 10.

(10) In the above embodiment, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) receives shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode from the camera 10.
Accordingly, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) sets the changeover switch 461 according to the shooting mode information as the input switching signal and indicated by the shooting mode information received from the camera 10. Can be controlled.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to said embodiment. At least one of the components described in the above embodiments may be omitted. The components described in the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

  For example, in the accessory 400 of the present embodiment, information on the shooting mode is received from the camera 10 and the changeover switch 460 is controlled by a switching signal generated in accordance with the shooting mode to control charging in the accessory 400. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the changeover switch 461 may be switched by a user operation (for example, an operation using a switch button).

(11) As an example, the accessory 400 may be provided with an operation unit (first operation unit). And the switching signal according to the operation state of the operation part (1st operation part) with which this accessory 400 is equipped is input into an accessory control part (illumination light control part 430). With this input, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) may switch the changeover switch 461.
Here, the operation unit (first operation unit) is, for example, an operation switch attached (provided) to the accessory 400 so that the user can operate it manually. For example, a switch that can change the position of the operation member between a first position and a second position that is different from the first position, or switches between a pressed state and a non-pressed state each time the user presses the switch. It is a switch that can. The operation unit (first operation unit) is a display unit provided in the accessory 400, which displays a selection item and the like, and a cross that selects and determines an item from the displayed selection rules. You may comprise as an input device which combined operation buttons, such as a key. In addition, the operation unit (first operation unit) may be a touch panel that displays a selection item and receives an operation by a user who selects and determines an item from the displayed selection rule.
When such an operation unit (first operation unit) is operated by the user, the user can directly switch between whether the illumination light emitting unit emits light or the flash light emitting unit emits light. Also good. Alternatively, the operation mode information of the camera 10, that is, one of the first shooting modes (illumination imaging) for performing moving image shooting described above and the second shooting mode (flash imaging) for still image shooting is selected and input. You may comprise so that it can. And operation of an operation part is input into an accessory control part (illumination light control part 430) as a switching signal.

(12) Alternatively, the camera 10 may be provided with an operation unit (second operation unit) operated by the user. The operation unit (second operation unit) provided in the camera 10 is the same operation unit as the operation unit (first operation unit) provided in the accessory 400 described above.
And the switching signal according to the operation state of the operation part (2nd operation part) with which the camera 10 is equipped is input into an accessory control part (illumination light control part 430). With this input, the accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) may switch the changeover switch 461.

  As described above, the switching input by the user via the operation unit (first operation unit) provided in the accessory 400 or the operation unit (second operation unit) provided in the camera 10. In accordance with the signal, the ON / OFF state of the contact of the changeover switch 461 is controlled. Accordingly, the illumination light emitting unit 431 is supplied with electric power so that the illumination light emitting operation can be performed, or the flash control unit 440 and the flash light emitting unit 441 are supplied with electric power so that the flash light emitting operation can be performed. You can easily set what to do.

  (13) In the above description, it has been described that power is supplied from the camera 10 to the accessory 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the accessory 400 may be configured to have a built-in or attached power supply unit such as a primary battery or a secondary battery, or a power supply unit such as a battery pack may be connected. It may be. Alternatively, power from a power supply unit such as an AC adapter may be supplied to the accessory 400. The accessory control unit (illumination light control unit 430) of the accessory 400 controls the supply of electric power supplied from these power supply units via the changeover switch 461 according to the input changeover signal.

  The camera body 100 and the accessories 400 and 400A described above have a computer system inside. The operation process of each functional unit is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above processing is performed by the computer system reading and executing the program. Here, the computer system includes a CPU, various memories, 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” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, it also includes those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or client in that case. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera system, 10 ... Camera, 15 ... Shoe seat, 16 ... Release button, 100 ... Camera body, 140 ... Memory, 170 ... Camera control part, 400, 400A ... Accessory, 430 ... Illumination light control part, 430A ... Accessory Control unit 431... Illumination light emission unit 432. Illumination light source drive unit 433. Illumination light source 440. Flash control unit 441. Flash emission unit 442. Charging unit 443. Power supply unit 1, 450-2 ... Power supply unit 2, 461 ... Changeover switch, 462 ... Feed switch, Ts1 ... Ground terminal, Ts2 ... Ground terminal, Ts3 ... Reference potential terminal, Ts4 ... Clock signal (Synchronization signal) terminal, Ts5... Reference potential terminal, Ts6... Communication signal (data signal) terminal, Ts7... Activation state providing terminal, Ts8. Control signal terminal, Ts9 ... Communication control signal terminal, Ts10 ... Open terminal, Ts11 ... Power supply terminal, Ts12 ... Power supply terminal, CLK ... Synchronization signal, DET ... Startup detection level, DATA ... Communication signal (data signal), PWR ... Power, X ... Light emission control signal

Claims (14)

An accessory that can be attached to and detached from the camera,
A changeover switch that switches whether or not to supply power to the charging unit that charges the storage unit that stores power; and
An accessory control unit that controls the changeover switch according to the input changeover signal;
An accessory characterized by comprising. A plurality of light emitting units;
The changeover switch is
A control unit for controlling the light emitting unit is selectively controlled to be active or inactive;
The accessory according to claim 1. The accessory control unit
When the switching signal is a predetermined first switching signal, the light emission processing by the first light emitting unit among the plurality of light emitting units is selectively functioned via the changeover switch,
The light emission processing by a second light emitting unit among the plurality of light emitting units is selectively functioned via the changeover switch when the switching signal is a predetermined second switching signal. 2. The accessory according to 2. The first light emitting unit continuously emits light,
The second light emitting unit emits flash light.
The accessory according to claim 3. The accessory according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the second light emitting unit emits light, the power charged in the storage unit is supplied to the second light emitting unit. The accessory according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein when the first light emitting unit emits light, power supplied from the camera is supplied to the first light emitting unit. The accessory control unit, via the changeover switch,
When the switching signal is a first switching signal, power is supplied to the first light emitting unit,
The accessory according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein when the switching signal is a second switching signal, electric power is supplied to the second light emitting unit. The accessory control unit
Controlling the changeover switch according to the shooting mode of the camera;
The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the accessory is provided. The shooting mode is any shooting mode selected from a plurality of predetermined shooting modes,
The accessory according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of shooting modes include a first shooting mode in which the camera performs moving image shooting and a second shooting mode in which the camera performs still image shooting. . The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the accessory control unit receives shooting mode information indicating a shooting mode from the camera. A first operation unit;
The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a switching signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation unit is input. The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a switching signal corresponding to an operation state of a second operation unit provided in the camera is input. The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the power is supplied from the camera. An accessory control program for controlling an accessory control unit included in an accessory that can be attached to and detached from the camera,
Inputting a switching signal;
Controlling a changeover switch that switches whether to supply power to a charging unit that charges an accumulation unit that accumulates electric power according to the input switching signal;
An accessory control program comprising:

Images