JP2013066043A - Accessory, camera, accessory control program, and camera control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accessory having high convenience.SOLUTION: An accessory supplied with power from a camera comprises: an accumulation section that accumulates the power; a charging section that charges the accumulation section with the power supplied from the camera; and an accessory control section that requests the camera to supply power for maintaining a function of the accessory, and controls the charging section to detect a power accumulation amount accumulated in the accumulation section using power continuously supplied in response to the request.

Description

  The present invention relates to an accessory shoe, a connector, an accessory control program, and a camera 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

  In a camera system including a camera and accessories, good usability (high convenience) is expected. For example, if the user does not respond to the operation or the response is slow, the system becomes unusable. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a highly convenient accessory, camera, accessory control program, and camera control program.

  The accessory according to the first aspect of the present invention is an accessory to which power is supplied from a camera, a storage unit that stores the power, a charging unit that charges the storage unit with the power supplied from the camera, The charging unit is configured to request the camera to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory, and to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit based on the power continuously supplied in response to the request. And an accessory control unit for controlling the operation.

  A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is a camera that includes an attachment / detachment unit that allows attachment / detachment of an accessory, and that controls the accessory attached to the attachment / detachment unit, and that supplies a predetermined voltage to the accessory. And a camera control unit that determines that the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory is requested and controls the power supply unit so as to continue the supply of the power in response to the request. It is characterized by.

  An accessory control program according to a third aspect of the present invention is an accessory control program for controlling an operation of an accessory control unit provided in an accessory to which power is supplied from a camera, and the power supplied from the camera is stored in the storage unit. The charging unit is controlled to charge, and the camera is requested to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory, and is stored in the storage unit by power that is continuously supplied in response to the request. And a step of controlling the charging unit so as to detect the amount of stored electricity.

  A camera control program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a camera control program that controls the operation of a camera control unit that controls an attached accessory, and a power supply unit that supplies a predetermined voltage to the accessory. And a step of determining that the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory is requested and controlling the power supply unit to continue the supply of the power in response to the request. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, a highly convenient accessory, camera, accessory control program, and camera 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, and the connection relationship between an accessory and a camera. It is a figure which shows the timing which performs each process in charge control. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in the camera system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in a communication preparation sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in an initial stage communication sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process which continues from FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in control which supplies electric power to an accessory. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in a regular communication sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process which continues from FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the setting process which validates or disables each light emission function. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process of charge control. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process of the charge control in an initial stage communication sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process of the charge control in a regular communication sequence. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the process in an imaging | photography sequence.

  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.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a camera system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the camera system 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from the opposite side to FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 2, the accessory 400 includes a first operation unit 424. 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.

  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 top plate portion 22 projects inward from the side plate portion 23 when viewed from above (Z-axis direction). The side plate portion 23 has a pair of inner walls extending from the opening 24 in a predetermined direction (Y-axis direction). The pair of inner walls of the side plate portion 23 are arranged to face each other in a direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the inner wall.

  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 plurality of terminals of the terminal portion 25 each extend in a direction substantially parallel to the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the inner wall of the side plate portion 23. The plurality of terminals of the terminal portion 25 are arranged side by side in a direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the extending direction of the inner wall of the side plate portion 23. The terminals of the terminal portion 25 are arranged in a region partially overlapping (covered) with the top plate portion 22 when viewed from above.

  At least one of the plurality of terminals may be different in length in the Y-axis direction from the other terminals. For example, in the present embodiment, all the 12 terminals indicated by the symbols Tp1 to Tp12 are aligned at the end of the + Y side. On the other hand, the lengths of the three terminals indicated by the symbols Tp1 to Tp3 are longer in the −Y axis direction than the terminals indicated by the symbols Tp4 to Tp12. In other words, in the present embodiment, the three terminals indicated by the symbols Tp1 to Tp3 protrude more to the −Y side than the other terminals. As will be described later, Tp1 to Tp3 are so-called ground terminals. The reason why these ground terminals are made longer than the other terminals will be described later.

  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 bottom portion 421 contacts the bottom plate portion 21 of the shoe seat 15 in a state where the connector 420 is attached to the shoe seat 15. The locking claw 422 is provided so that it can advance and retreat (move) in a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the predetermined direction in which the locking claw 422 advances and retreats is the direction in which the locking claw 422 protrudes from the bottom 421 (Z-axis direction). The locking claw 422 is movable between a position protruding from the bottom 421 and a position accommodated in the accessory 400. The locking claw 422 is biased by a spring or the like so as to be pushed to the side (−Z side) protruding from the bottom 421 to the outside of the connector 420. As the connector 420 is slid and moved when the connector 420 is attached to the shoe seat 15, the locking claw 422 is pushed by the bottom plate portion 21 of the shoe seat 15 (under force) and retracted to the + Z side. It advances into the locking hole 27 at the position where the locking hole 27 is formed. As a result, the locking claw 422 of the connector 420 is locked with the inner peripheral surface of the locking hole 27 of the shoe seat 15, and movement relative to the shoe seat 15 is restricted in the sliding direction (Y-axis direction).

  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 connector 420 is disposed between the pair of inner walls of the side plate portion 23 in a state of being inserted into the opening 24, and is connected to the shoe seat 15 in a direction (X-axis direction) from one inner wall to the other inner wall of the side plate portion 23. Movement is restricted.

  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 first operation unit 424 of the present embodiment is provided on the back side of the accessory body 410. The first operation unit 424 includes a link mechanism that transmits a force received by a user operation to the locking claws 422. 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.

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

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

  The optical system drive unit 220 operates the actuator of the optical system drive unit 220 in accordance with a control command from the optical system control unit 230, thereby performing focusing control, zooming control, exposure control, VR control, and expansion / contraction control of the photographing lens 200. It can be carried out. Focusing control is control for adjusting the focal point of the optical system 210 by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in the optical axis direction by a focusing control motor. The zooming control is a control for changing the imaging angle of view by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in the optical axis direction by a power zoom control motor. In exposure control, the diaphragm constituting the optical system 210 is driven by a diaphragm aperture control motor to change the aperture size of the diaphragm, thereby adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 121 through the optical system 210. It is control to do. The VR control is a control for correcting image shake due to camera shake by moving at least one of optical components such as a lens included in the optical system 210 in a direction intersecting the optical axis by a VR control motor. The expansion / contraction control is control for extending or contracting the photographic lens 200 in the optical axis direction by driving an expansion / contraction cylinder control motor.

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

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

  The accessory 400 includes a flash light emitting unit 430, an illumination light emitting unit 435, an accessory control unit 440, and a nonvolatile memory 445. The illumination light emitting unit 435, the accessory control unit 440, and the nonvolatile memory 445 are accommodated in the accessory main body 410 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. Details of the accessory 400 will be described later.

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

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

  The imaging processing unit 120 includes an imaging element 121, an imaging element control circuit 122, and an image circuit 123. The image sensor 121 includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally. Each pixel of the image sensor 121 includes a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The light receiving element of the imaging element 121 generates a charge corresponding to the amount of light incident on each pixel from the optical system 210. The image sensor 121 converts the charge generated in the light receiving element by the light incident on each pixel into a signal. The image sensor 121 generates an analog image signal corresponding to an image (optical image) formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 121 via the optical system 210. The image sensor 121 is connected to each of the image sensor control circuit 122 and the image circuit 123. The image circuit 123 amplifies the image signal output from the image sensor 121 and converts the analog image signal into a digital signal. The image sensor control circuit 122 can control the image sensor 121 to cause the image sensor 121 to generate an image signal corresponding to an 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. This shutter shields light incident on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 121 through the optical system 210 while the shutter is closed. If the camera body 100 is not equipped with a shutter mechanism for exposure control, the shutter drive unit 130 is also unnecessary.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The power control unit 175 determines the remaining amount of power in the battery BAT by comparing the result of detecting the power supply voltage output from the battery BAT with a determination threshold. The power control unit 175 collects information indicating the power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1 and monitors the power consumption of each load unit of the camera system 1. The power control unit 175 determines that the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 is requested, and controls the accessory power supply control unit 33 (power supply unit) so as to continue the supply of the power in response to the request. .

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

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

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

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

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

  The terminal part 25 of the camera body 100 can be electrically connected to the terminal part 423 of the accessory 400. The terminal portion 25 includes a plurality of terminals indicated by reference characters Tp1 to Tp12 (see FIG. 4). In the description of the present embodiment, each terminal of the terminal portion 25 of the shoe seat 15 may be distinguished by attaching a number indicating the terminal arrangement order. This number is an ascending order from one side (+ X side) in the terminal arrangement direction (X-axis direction) to the other side (−X side). For example, among the plurality of terminals of the terminal section 25, the terminal arranged on the most + X side is called the first terminal, and the terminal arranged on the most -X side is called the twelfth terminal.

  As shown in 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, an eleventh terminal (hereinafter referred to as a power supply terminal Tp11) and a twelfth terminal (hereinafter referred to as a power supply terminal Tp12) respectively supply power PWR from the battery BAT in the camera body 100 to the accessory 400 side. It is a terminal to supply.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The camera control unit 170 reads information stored in at least one of the nonvolatile memory 160 and the buffer memory 165 illustrated in FIG. 6 and transmits the read information to the accessory control unit 440. The camera control unit 170 stores the information received from the accessory control unit 440 in at least one of the nonvolatile memory 160 and the buffer memory 165.

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

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

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

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

  The ground terminal Tp1 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT through a ground line 43 (GND). The ground terminal Tp2 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT via the ground line 43 in parallel with the ground terminal Tp1. The reference potential terminal Tp3 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery BAT through the ground line 42. The reference potential terminal 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.

  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.

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

  The accessory 400 includes a flash light emitting unit 430, an illumination light emitting unit 435, an accessory control unit 440, a nonvolatile memory 445, a first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1, and a second power supply unit (power supply unit 2) 450. -2. For example, it is assumed that the accessory 400 cannot contain a battery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the control method of the charging part 432 by the accessory control part 440 is explained in full detail.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating timing for performing each process in the charge control. The accessory 400 according to the present embodiment does not include (built in) a power source (battery) for charging the storage unit 432 c (charge storage unit) of the charging unit 432, and performs charging with the power supplied from the camera 10. . The accessory control unit 440 receives a command (hereinafter referred to as a “charge command”) instructing the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) to start charging from the camera control unit 170, and a predetermined predetermined timing. , The charging unit 432 starts charging the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit).

  Here, the charging operation performed by the charging unit 432 under the control of the accessory control unit 440 is roughly divided into two types. One is called “monitor charging operation”. The charging unit 432 is configured to detect the amount of charge (charging voltage) in the storage unit 432c during charging of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit). However, the charging unit 432 cannot detect the amount of charge of the storage unit 432c at a desired time except when the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) is being charged. Therefore, the accessory control unit 440 is configured to perform a “monitor charging operation” as a special charging operation for detecting the charge amount at a desired time of the storage unit 432c. The accessory control unit 440 stops the monitor charging after a predetermined time has elapsed since the monitor charging was started. The charging time by this monitor charging is only very short (for example, about 10 ms).

  Another charging operation is a main charging operation (hereinafter referred to as “main charging”) that is performed in order to ensure the amount of charge necessary for causing the flash light source 431 to emit light. Normally, the charging time of the main charging operation is much longer than the charging time of the monitor charging operation described above. In other words, normally, the amount of charge stored in the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) during the main charging operation is much larger than the amount charged during the monitor charging operation. During the main charging, the charging unit 432 detects the charge amount (charge voltage) of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) and supplies information indicating the charge amount to the accessory control unit 440. If the charge amount does not reach the predetermined amount (charge stop level described later) shown in FIG. 8, the accessory control unit 440 controls the charging unit 432 to continue the charging operation until the predetermined amount (charge stop level) is reached. To do. In the charging operation by the accessory control unit 440, the charge amount is set to a predetermined amount (charging stop level) unless a charge stop command for forcibly stopping the charging operation is transmitted from the camera control unit 170 to the accessory control unit 440. Continue until it reaches.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the accessory control unit 440 performs a charging operation on the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) in the charging unit 432 in a state where the above-described “charge command” is not received from the camera control unit 170 (described above). The main charging operation) is not started. Therefore, the accessory control unit 440 issues a request (hereinafter, referred to as “main charging request”) to transmit a “charge command” to the camera control unit 170. The “main charge request” is output from the accessory control unit 440 when the amount of charge falls below the “required charge level” shown in FIG. 8 as a result of the monitor charge described above or in a steady communication sequence performed immediately after the light emission operation. Is done.

The accessory control unit 440 receives each “charge command” output from the camera control unit 170 in response to each “main charge request” from the accessory 400 side, whereby the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) of the charging unit 432 is received. ) Can be charged.
Moreover, the accessory control part 440 makes the charging part 432 perform monitor charge according to the timing repeated according to the predetermined period defined beforehand by the time information from the time measuring part with which it is provided.

  Here, a general charging sequence will be described with reference to FIG. The accessory control unit 440 causes the charging unit 432 to start monitor charging (time t1 in FIG. 8) when the charging unit 432 is not in a charging operation (during an initial communication sequence or a steady communication sequence). The accessory control unit 440 acquires information indicating the charge amount detected by the charging unit 432 during the monitor charging (hereinafter referred to as “monitor charge amount”) from the charging unit 432. The accessory control unit 440 stops the monitor charging after a predetermined time (for example, 10 ms) has elapsed since the monitor charging was started.

  The accessory control unit 440 makes a determination regarding the charging state of the charging unit 432 based on information indicating the charging amount (monitor charging amount or main charging amount) detected by the charging unit 432. The accessory control unit 440 determines whether or not the charge amount is equal to or higher than the minimum charge amount necessary for causing the flash light source 431 to emit light (“light emission permission level” in FIG. 8). When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the monitor charge amount is equal to or higher than the light emission permission level, the accessory control unit 440 determines that the flash light emission unit 430 is in a state capable of emitting light (hereinafter referred to as “ready state”). When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the monitor charge amount is less than the light emission permission level, the accessory control unit 440 determines that the flash light emitting unit 430 is in a state incapable of emitting light. The accessory control unit 440 uses light emission propriety information indicating whether or not the flash light emitting unit 430 is in the “ready state” as one item of “charge state information” (details will be described later) indicating the charging state of the charging unit 432. The data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 445.

  Moreover, the accessory control part 440 is based on the information which shows the charge amount (monitor charge amount or this charge amount) which the charge part 432 detected (the charge request level in FIG. ]) It is determined whether or not the above is true. The “charge request level” is set to a level higher than the “light emission permission level”.

  When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the monitor charge amount is less than the charge request level, the camera control unit 440 receives a command for starting the main charge (hereinafter referred to as the main charge command) from the camera 10. A main charge request is output to 170. The accessory control unit 440 starts the main charging in response to the main charging command from the camera control unit 170 based on the main charging request (time t2 in FIG. 8). If the flash light emission function is set to be stopped, the accessory control unit 440 determines that the charge request is the camera control unit 170 even when the monitor charge amount is determined to be lower than the charge request level. Is not output.

  Moreover, the accessory control part 440 is more than the threshold value ("charge stop level" in FIG. 8) which the main charge amount was preset based on the information which shows the main charge amount which the charging part 432 detected during the main charge. Determine whether there is. The “charge stop level” is set in advance according to the maximum value of the amount of power that can be stored in the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit), and is set to a level higher than the “charge request level” described above. ing. When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the main charge amount is equal to or higher than the charge completion level, the accessory control unit 440 controls the charging unit 432 to control the main unit of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) without controlling the camera control unit 170. Charging is stopped (time t3 in FIG. 8).

  When the accessory control unit 440 receives a command (hereinafter referred to as a “charge stop command”) requesting to stop charging the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) of the charging unit 432 from the camera control unit 170, According to the “charge stop command”, the charging unit 432 stops charging the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) even if the main charge amount is less than the charge stop level.

As described above, in the accessory 400 and the camera system 1 of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment, power supply for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 is performed according to a request from the accessory 400 side. When the camera control unit 170 is requested to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 from the accessory control unit 440, the camera control unit 170 supplies power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400. To do.
The accessory control unit 440 controls the charging unit 432 so as to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit 432c by the power that is continuously supplied in response to the above request.
When the accessory control unit 440 requests the camera 10 to maintain power supply, the accessory control unit 440 supplies power supply continuation request information requesting the camera 10 to continue supplying power that maintains the function of the accessory 400. Send to. When the accessory control unit 440 detects the storage amount stored in the storage unit 432c after transmitting the power supply continuation request information to the camera 10, the accessory control unit 440 detects the storage amount stored in the storage unit 432c. The charging unit 432 is controlled.

  Further, the accessory control unit 440 charges the storage unit 432c from the power supplied from the camera 10 by maintaining the function of the accessory 400 by the power supplied from the camera 10 according to the power supply continuation request information. Then, the charging unit 432 is controlled so as to detect the amount of stored electricity.

  In addition, the charging unit 432 detects the amount of stored power based on the voltage of the storage unit 432c when charging the storage unit 432c.

  The power supply continuation request information transmitted by the accessory control unit 440 includes charging request information for requesting charging of the storage unit 432c in response to a control command from the camera 10, and accessories during a period when the function of the camera 10 is stopped. Neither power supply request information requesting power supply to 400 nor battery presence / absence information indicating whether or not a battery that supplies power capable of maintaining the function of the accessory 400 is mounted. The power supply continuation request information is information for the camera 10 to determine whether or not to supply power that can maintain the function of the accessory 400 from the camera 10 to the accessory 400. If the camera 10 determines from the power supply continuation request information that it is necessary to supply power that can maintain the function of the accessory 400, the camera 10 may continue the power supply that was initially started when the connection of the accessory 400 was detected. it can.

  In addition, the accessory control unit 440 performs charging so as to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit 432c using the power continuously supplied from the camera 10 without transmitting the charging request information to the camera 10. The unit 432 is controlled.

  In addition, when detecting the amount of power stored in the storage unit 432 c, the charging unit 432 has a predetermined time determined by the power supplied from the camera 10 in accordance with the control from the accessory control unit 440. Charging is performed on the storage unit 432c.

  In addition, the accessory control unit 440 detects the amount of power stored in the storage unit 432c based on the voltage supplied from the camera 10 during charging for a predetermined time required to detect the amount of stored power. Thus, the charging unit 432 is controlled.

  In this way, in the camera system of the accessory 400 and the camera 10 of the present embodiment, the camera 10 outputs a charge command in response to the “charge request” from the accessory 400 side, and the accessory 400 side receives the command. Charging is performed using electric power received from the camera 10. In this way, when charging is performed on the accessory 400 side, the system configuration is such that a request (charging permission) is given to the camera 10 side to obtain permission (charging control command). For this reason, for example, when a heavy load operation (for example, a lens driving operation) is performed on the camera 10 side, the accessory 400 side performs the main charging operation without permission, leading to excessive power consumption in the entire system. As a result, it is possible to suppress the possibility of causing inconvenience (operation stoppage on the camera side) in the operation on the power camera 10 side. Further, the camera 10 side (camera control unit 170) does not perform the process of checking the accumulated charge amount (storage amount) of the storage unit 432c on the accessory 400 side, but detects the storage amount of the storage unit 432c by the process on the accessory 400 side. Is done. The camera control unit 170 can obtain the detection result without controlling the storage amount detection process of the storage unit 432 c in the accessory 400. In short, since the camera control unit 170 only has to wait for the result of the storage amount detection processing of the storage unit 432c in the accessory 400, the processing load on the camera control unit 170 can be reduced. Also, on the accessory 400 side (accessory control unit 440), only the remaining amount of power stored in the storage unit 432c is checked without checking whether the camera 10 can be charged (whether the heavy load operation is being performed). It is only necessary to issue a “charge request” (the charge execution timing is determined by the camera 10 side), so there is no need to issue a charge request while checking the load status on the camera 10 side. The processing burden on the control unit 440 can be reduced. Further, if sufficient power is supplied from the camera 10 to maintain the function of the accessory 400, the accessory 400 side (accessory control unit 440) will also return to the camera 10 side even if monitor charging is performed. You may perform monitor charge control, without checking whether it is a state which has no influence (whether heavy load operation | movement is not performed).

  By the way, the amount of charge of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) decreases with time due to leakage or the like after charging is stopped (after time t3 in FIG. 8). The accessory control unit 440 causes the charging unit 432 to periodically perform monitor charging after stopping the charging.

  Moreover, the accessory control part 440 determines whether monitor charge amount is less than a charge request level based on the information which shows the charge amount which the charge part 432 detected during monitor charge. When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the monitor charge amount is less than the charge request level, the accessory control unit 440 sends a “main charge request” to the camera control unit 170 (time t4 in FIG. 8). Then, the accessory control unit 440 causes the charging unit 432 to perform the main charging in response to the “main charging command” output from the camera control unit 170 in response to the “main charging request” (time t5 in FIG. 8). .

  Further, when the flash light emitting unit 430 emits light (time t6 in FIG. 8), the amount of charge in the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) may decrease below the light emission permission level. Therefore, the accessory control unit 440 sends a “main charge request” to the camera control unit 170 after the flash light emitting unit 430 emits light. Then, the accessory control unit 440 causes the charging unit 432 to perform main charging in response to a “main charging command” output from the camera control unit 170 in response to the “main charging request” after the light emission (in FIG. 8). Time t7).

  Note that the accessory control unit 440 determines that the camera control unit is in a case where the charge amount of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) is less than the light emission permission level, such as after the flash light emitting unit 430 emits light or after the accessory 400 is activated. Under the control of 170, the charging unit 432 is charged at the first charging speed (from time t7 to time t8 in FIG. 8). Further, when the charge amount of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) detected by the charging unit 432 is equal to or higher than the light emission permission level (t8 in FIG. 8), the accessory control unit 440 Under control, charging unit 432 is charged at the second charging rate (after time t8 in FIG. 8). The second charging speed is set in advance to a charging speed that is slower than the first charging speed described above. In the present embodiment, the main charging operation performed at the first charging speed may be referred to as “normal charging”, and the main charging operation performed at the second charging speed may be referred to as “slow charging”.

  Further, the accessory control unit 440 sends “charge state information” indicating the control state of the control to the charging unit 432 to the camera control unit 170. The charging state information is a part of the accessory setting state information stored in the nonvolatile memory 445.

  Here, the charge state information will be described. The charging state information includes “charging request information” indicating whether there is a “charging request”, “charging progress information” indicating whether the charging unit 432 is charging at that time (current), a charging unit “Charging availability information” indicating whether or not 432 can be charged, and “Lighting availability information” indicating whether or not the flash light emitting unit 430 is capable of emitting light (ready state described above).

  Here, the “chargeability information” will be described. Even if the charging command is received from the camera 10, the charging operation may not be performed depending on the state of the accessory 400 side. For example, when the temperature of the flash light emitting unit 430 rises due to the heat generated by the flash light emitting unit 430 on the accessory 400 side, the accessory control unit 440 may prohibit the charging operation in order to suppress the temperature rise due to further light emitting operation. is there. Alternatively, when a circuit unit such as a booster circuit in the charging unit 432 generates heat and exceeds a specified temperature, the accessory control unit 440 may prohibit the charging operation. Alternatively, when the charging operation by the charging unit 432 cannot be completed within a specified time and the charging process times out, the accessory control unit 440 may determine that some trouble has occurred in the charging unit 432 and prohibit the charging operation. As described above, when the accessory control unit 440 determines that the charging operation is prohibited, the information indicating “charge impossible (prohibited)” is set as “charge enable / disable information”, and when the charging operation is not prohibited, “charge” is performed. The accessory control unit 440 transmits the information indicating “possible” to the camera control unit 170 as “chargeable / unusable information”. Note that the charging request information, charging progress information, and light emission propriety information are as described above.

  Next, the terminal part 423 of the accessory 400 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the terminal portion 423 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 25 of the camera 10 when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10. The terminal portion 423 includes a plurality (12) of terminals indicated by reference signs Ts1 to Ts12. Here, the numbers indicating the arrangement order of the terminals to be described next are numbers that increase in ascending order from one side (+ X side) to the other side (−X side) in the terminal arrangement direction (X-axis direction). To do.

  Each of the plurality of terminals Ts1 to Ts12 includes a linear (line shape) portion extending in a direction (+ Y direction) substantially parallel to the direction in which the camera is mounted (see FIG. 5). And in the contact part formed in the vicinity of the front end part of these line shapes (the part in contact with the terminal Tp7), it physically contacts the corresponding terminals (Tp1 to Tp12) on the camera side. And is configured to be electrically connected. Each of the terminals Ts1 to Ts12 has a leaf spring structure in which a contact portion formed in the vicinity of the distal end portion is urged in the −Z direction (direction pressed against each corresponding contact on the camera side) in the drawing. It has become.

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

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

  The reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are terminals whose potential becomes a reference potential (signal ground) for transmitting and receiving signals. The reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are for circuits in the accessory 400 (light load portions of the load portion 30 such as the accessory control portion 440, the first power supply portion 450-1, and the second power supply portion 450-2). This is the ground terminal. Note that the potentials of the reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5 are for the circuits in the camera body 100 (camera control unit 170, power supply unit 32, and light load unit of the load unit 30) when connected to the camera body 100. It becomes the potential of the ground terminal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The arrangement of the terminals for these twelve terminals Ts1 to Ts12 corresponds to the terminals Tp1 to Tp12 of the terminal section 25 described above, and will be described briefly.

  The power supply terminal Ts11 and the power supply terminal Ts12 are arranged close to one end (the power supply terminal Ts12 side) in the terminal arrangement of the terminal portion 423. The power supply terminal Ts11 and the power supply terminal Ts12 are arranged in order from one end (the power supply terminal Ts12 side) in the 12 terminal arrangement of the terminal portion 423.

  The open terminal Ts10 is arranged between the power supply terminal Ts11 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9 in the terminal arrangement of the terminal portion 423.

  The light emission control signal terminal Ts8 is disposed next to the activation state provision terminal Ts7 and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the activation state provision terminal Ts7 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9.

  The communication signal terminal Ts6 is disposed next to the activation state providing terminal Ts7. Therefore, the activation state providing terminal Ts7 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the communication signal terminal Ts6 and the light emission control signal terminal Ts8.

  The reference potential terminal Ts5 is disposed next to the communication signal terminal Ts6. Therefore, the communication signal terminal Ts6 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the reference potential terminal Ts5 and the activation state providing terminal Ts7.

The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is disposed next to the reference potential terminal Ts5. The reference potential terminal Ts3 is disposed next to the synchronization signal terminal Ts4. Therefore, the synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the reference potential terminal Ts3 and the reference potential terminal Ts5.
A ground terminal Ts2 is arranged next to the reference potential terminal Ts3 on the side opposite to the synchronization signal terminal Ts4.

  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 432) 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 power line 481 is a relatively thick wiring pattern (a wiring directly connected to Ts11 on the circuit board so that a large current supplied from the camera 10 can flow through two power terminals (power terminals Ts11 and Ts12). A wiring pattern having a line width equal to or larger than the line width obtained by adding the line width of the pattern and the line width of the wiring pattern directly connected to Ts12). In addition, the wiring pattern connected to the accessory power supply control unit 33 on the camera 10 side is also a relatively thick wiring pattern, similar to the accessory 400 side.

  The reference potential terminal Ts3 is connected via a connection line as shown in FIG. These reference potential terminals Ts3 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 reference potential line (SGND) 42 on the camera 10 side via the reference potential terminal Ts3 and the terminal Tp3 on the camera 10 side. . This reference potential terminal Ts3 is used for each circuit in the accessory 400 (nonvolatile memory 445, first power supply unit 450-1, second power supply unit 450-2, accessory control unit 440, illumination light emitting unit 435). This is a terminal that serves as a reference potential for sending and receiving.

  Note that the ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 are also connected in parallel to the reference potential line 480 (SGND) via the connection line 490. However, the connection line connected to the ground terminal Ts1 and the ground terminal Ts2 (the line connected to the connection line 490) has a lower resistance (impedance) than the line connected to the connection line 490 and the reference potential terminal Ts3. It is in line. For this reason, the large current that has flowed through the charging unit 432 does not flow to the SGND line (reference potential terminal Ts3).

  The current flowing through the reference potential line 480 flows to the ground terminals Ts1 and Ts2 via the connection line 490, and the ground terminals Ts1 and Ts2 are the reference voltages supplied to the above circuits in the accessory 400. Can be. In addition, a so-called single-point ground (single-point ground) is adopted as the ground of the accessory 400 of the present embodiment.

  The activation state providing terminal Ts7 is connected to the reference potential terminal Ts3 via the reference potential line 480 (SGND).

  The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is connected to the accessory control unit 440 via a signal line. The communication signal terminal Ts6 is connected to the accessory control unit 440 via 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 output side of the power supply unit 450. 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 accessory control unit 440 via 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 output side of the power supply unit 450. 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 accessory control unit 440 via 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 output side of the power supply unit 450. 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 open terminal Ts10 is a so-called open terminal that is not connected to either the power supply system or the signal system. The open terminal Ts10 is insulated from circuits such as the accessory control unit 440, the power supply line 481, and the reference potential line 480.

  The first electrode for main discharge in the flash light source 431 of the flash light emitting unit 430 is connected to the charging unit 432. The second electrode for main discharge is connected to the power supply line 481. A power supply terminal of the charging unit 432 is connected to the power supply line 481. The ground terminal of the charging unit 432 is connected to a ground line connected to the ground terminal Ts1.

The power supply terminal of the illumination light source drive unit 436 is connected to the first power supply unit 450-1. The ground terminal of the illumination light source driving unit 436 is connected to the reference potential line 480. A control terminal of the illumination light source driving unit 436 is connected to the accessory control unit 440 via a signal line.
In the illumination light source 437, the anode of the solid light source is connected to the illumination light source driving unit 436, and the cathode of the solid light source is connected to the reference potential line 480.

  The input terminal of the first power supply unit (power supply unit 1) 450-1 is connected to the power supply line 481. The ground terminal of the first power supply unit 450-1 is connected to the reference potential line 480. The output terminal of the first power supply unit 450-1 is connected to the input terminal of the second power supply unit (power supply unit 2) 450-2 and the illumination light source drive unit 436. The output terminal of the second power supply unit 450-2 is connected to the power supply terminal of the accessory control unit 440. The ground terminal of the second power supply unit 450-2 is connected to the reference potential line 480.

  Next, the connection relationship between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 will be described. In a state where the accessory 400 is mounted on the camera 10 (hereinafter referred to as a mounted 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 432) connected to the grounding terminals Ts1 and Ts2 on the accessory 400 side is a 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 potential of the reference potential terminal Ts3 is a potential corresponding to the potential of the reference potential terminal Tp3 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 Ts5 is a potential corresponding to the potential of the reference potential terminal Tp5 in the mounted state.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ground terminal Tp1, the ground terminal Tp2, and the reference potential terminal Tp3 are longer in the slide movement direction (+ Y-axis direction) than the other terminals. Therefore, when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10 in the present embodiment, the three terminals of the ground terminal Tp1, the ground terminal Tp2, and the reference potential terminal Tp3 correspond to the terminal portion 423 of the accessory 400 before the other terminals. Contact with each terminal (ground terminal Ts1, ground terminal Ts2, reference potential terminal Ts3).

The activation state providing terminal Ts7 provides a level based on the potential of the reference potential line 480 connected to the ground line 42 in a state where the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10. The activation state providing terminal Ts7 is connected to the reference potential line 480 through a signal line. Thus, the voltage of the activation state providing terminal Ts7 becomes the potential of the reference potential line 480.
Therefore, when the camera control unit 170 is connected to the camera 10 (hereinafter referred to as a first state), the activation detection level DET (SGND level / reference potential level / Low level / L level) can be detected via the activation state providing terminal Ts7 and the activation state detection terminal Tp7.
In addition, the camera control unit 170, when the accessory 400 is not attached to the camera 10 (hereinafter referred to as the second state below), the activation detection level DET that is electrically different from the first state. Can be detected.

  The synchronization signal terminal Ts4 is connected to the synchronization signal terminal Tp4 of the camera 10 in the mounted state. That is, the accessory control unit 440 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 accessory control part 440 can transmit the synchronous signal CLK for performing synchronous communication with the camera control part 170 to the camera control part 170 via the synchronous signal terminal Ts4 and the synchronous 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 accessory control unit 440 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 accessory control unit 440 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). In the present embodiment, sending (or receiving) data indicating a command or information may be simply sending (or receiving) a command or 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 accessory control unit 440 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 accessory control unit 440 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 accessory control unit 440 via the communication control signal terminal Tp9 and the communication control signal terminal Ts9.

  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 accessory control unit 440 is connected to the camera control unit 170 through the light emission control signal terminal Ts8 and the light emission control signal terminal Tp8 in the mounted state. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 transmits the 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 Tp8 and the light emission control signal terminal Ts8. Can be supplied to. The accessory control unit 440 performs light emission control according to the light emission control signal X.

  Next, a 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. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a 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 mutually communicating information necessary for imaging between the camera control unit 170 and the accessory control unit 440 after the communication preparation sequence ends in the startup sequence (steps). S3). The camera system 1 performs a series of processes (stationary communication sequence) for mutual communication between the camera control unit 170 and the accessory control unit 440 so that information changed due to a setting change or the like can be updated after the initial communication sequence ends. (Step S4).

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

  Next, a communication preparation sequence will be described. The camera system 1 detects whether or not the accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 in the communication preparation sequence. When the accessory 400 is attached (connected) to the camera body 100, the camera system 1 starts supplying power to the accessory 400, and the camera body 100 notifies the accessory 400 that communication is permitted. . Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow in the communication preparation sequence will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in the communication preparation sequence.
When the accessory 400 is attached to the camera 10, the signal level of the activation detection level DET provided from the activation state providing terminal Ts7 of the accessory 400 becomes the L (low) level (step S101). The camera control unit 170 performs a determination process for determining whether or not the activation detection level DET is the L level (step S102). When it is determined in step S102 that the activation detection level DET is not the L level (step S102; No), the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 is not attached to the camera 10, and the process of step S102 is performed. The determination process is performed again.

  When it is determined in step S102 that the activation detection level DET is L level (step S102; Yes), the camera control unit 170 performs control to start power supply from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 (step S103). In step S <b> 103, the camera control unit 170 controls the accessory power supply control unit 33 to cause the accessory power supply control unit 33 to start supplying power from the camera 10 to the accessory 400. The accessory control unit 440 is activated by power supplied from the camera 10 via the power supply unit 450.

  Camera control part 170 notifies permission of communication to accessory control part 440 after the end of control of Step S103 (Step S104). The potential of the communication control signal terminal Tp9 of the camera 10, that is, the signal level of the communication control signal Cs is L level in a state where the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 is not attached to the camera 10.

  The accessory control unit 440 performs determination processing for determining whether or not the potential of the communication control signal terminal Ts9, that is, the signal level of the communication control signal Cs is H level (step S105). The accessory control part 440 performs the determination process of step S105 again, when it determines with communication control signal Cs not being H level by step S105 (step S105; No). If the accessory control unit 440 determines in step S105 that the communication control signal Cs is at the H level (step S105; Yes), the accessory control unit 440 recognizes that communication with the camera control unit 170 is permitted.

  In the communication preparation sequence, the camera control unit 170 raises the communication control signal Cs to H level in step S104 to notify communication permission, and the accessory control unit 440 recognizes that communication with the camera control unit 170 is permitted. finish.

  Thus, since the camera system 1 starts supplying power to the accessory 400 based on the activation detection level DET output from the accessory 400, the reliability of control for supplying power to the accessory 400 is increased. In addition, the camera system 1 notifies communication permission after the camera control unit 170 starts supplying power to the accessory 400. Thus, the camera system 1 stably controls the start of communication between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 because the accessory control unit 440 receives a notification of communication permission while the accessory 400 is activated. be able to. Thus, since the camera system 1 can control the accessory 400 stably and operates stably, it is a highly convenient system.

  Next, processing in the initial communication sequence will be described. The camera system 1 sends information required for shooting between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 to each other in the initial communication sequence. The camera 10 and the accessory 400 transmit and receive a plurality of pieces of information according to a predetermined order in the initial communication sequence. As an initial condition for processing in the initial communication sequence, information (first response information) including accessory type information indicating the accessory type is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 445 of the accessory 400. The accessory type information includes function type information, battery presence / absence information, and power supply continuation request information.

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

The battery presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not the accessory 400 is equipped with a power source such as a battery (in other words, information indicating whether or not the accessory 400 can supply the power consumed on the accessory 400 side). is there. This battery presence / absence information is information used for control (described later) in which the camera 10 supplies power to the accessory 400.
The power supply continuation request information is information indicating whether or not the accessory needs to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 (in other words, the power consumed to maintain the function of the accessory on the accessory 400 side). Is information indicating whether the accessory is required to be supplied from the camera 10. This power supply continuation request information is information used for control in which the camera 10 supplies power to the accessory 400. As described above, the power supply continuation request information is the period during which the function of the camera 10 is stopped (sleep state) even in the charge request information that requests charging of the storage unit 432c according to the control command from the camera 10. ) Is neither power supply request information requesting to supply power to the accessory 400 nor battery presence / absence information indicating whether or not a battery that supplies power capable of maintaining the function of the accessory 400 is mounted. Details of the power supply continuation request information will be described later.

  In addition, in the nonvolatile memory 445, characteristic information (second response information) indicating characteristics of each function of the accessory 400 is stored in advance. The characteristic information includes information indicating the characteristic of each functional unit responsible for each function of the accessory 400. For example, the characteristic information of the flash light emitting function includes information (profile information) indicating the light emission characteristics of the flash light emitting unit 430. The characteristic information of the illumination light emitting function includes information (illumination profile information) indicating the light emission characteristics of the illumination light emitting unit 435 (LED for photographing illumination), and the longest time during which the illumination light emitting unit 435 can continuously emit light (longest Information indicating lighting time).

  The camera control unit 170 transmits each piece of information to the accessory control unit 440 in accordance with a predetermined order (request order) for a plurality of pieces of information requested to be transmitted to the accessory control unit 440. Information is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 445 so that the accessory control unit 440 can read out the information in order according to the request order. The accessory control unit 440 reads information from the nonvolatile memory 445 according to the request order, and transmits a communication signal DATA indicating the read information to the camera control unit 170. In addition, the camera control unit 170 transmits camera initial state information indicating an initial state of the camera body 100 to the accessory control unit 440 in an order predetermined with respect to the request order. The camera initial state information is stored in advance in the storage unit 158 of the camera body 100. The camera initial state information includes monitor charging permission information and the like. The monitor charge permission information is used for charge control described later. Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow in the initial communication sequence will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in the initial communication sequence. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of processes subsequent to FIG. 11 and 13, similarly to FIG. 10, the flow on the left side in the drawing is the processing content in the camera control unit 170 of the camera body 100, and the flow on the right side in the drawing is the processing content in the accessory control unit 440 of the accessory 400. .
Prior to the processing shown below, it is assumed that response information responding in response to request information (transmission request command C1) from the camera control unit 170 is stored in the storage unit 444 in advance.

  When the initial communication sequence is started after the communication preparation sequence (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is completed, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission request command C1 to the accessory control unit 440, and the accessory initial state information. Preparation for reception is made (step S201). The transmission request command C1 is request information indicating that the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of accessory initial state information.

  The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C1 (step S202). In response to the request information sent from the camera control unit 170, the accessory control unit 440 reads out response information stored in the nonvolatile memory 445 and sends (transmits) the response information to the camera control unit 170 (step S203). . The response information according to the transmission request command C1 includes function type information, battery presence / absence information, and power supply continuation request information. The camera control unit 170 receives response information including function type information, battery presence / absence information, and power supply continuation request information (step S204).

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

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the accessory 400 has an extended function based on the function type information received in step S204 (step S205). When it is determined in step S205 that the accessory 400 has the extended function (step S205; Yes), the camera control unit 170 sends a transmission request command C2 for requesting transmission of characteristic information indicating details of the extended function to the accessory control unit. It transmits to 440 (step S206). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C2 (step S207) and transmits the extended function characteristic information to the camera control unit 170 according to the transmission request command C2 (step S208). The camera control unit 170 receives the extended function characteristic information (step S209).

When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S205 that a priority function (for example, a GPS function) is included as an extended function, the camera control unit 170 designates the priority function by the transmission request command C2, and thereby the characteristic of the priority function in step S209 Information can be received. This priority function is a function that is set in advance to be preferentially turned on (enabled) among the functions of the accessory 400. When the camera control unit 170 receives the characteristic information of the priority function in step S209, the camera control unit 170 performs processing with priority over other functions in the accessory 400. The camera control unit 170 can transmit, for example, a command for enabling the priority function to the accessory control unit 440 (thus, the activation of the extended function can be accelerated).

  The camera control unit 170 receives the function type information received in step S204 after receiving the extended function characteristic information or when it is determined in step S205 that the accessory 400 does not have the extended function (step S205; No). Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function (step S210). When it is determined in step S210 that the accessory 400 has the illumination light emitting function (step S210; Yes), the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of the initial state information (third response information) of the illumination light emission function. Command C3 is transmitted to accessory control part 440 (Step S211). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C3 (step S212), and transmits the initial state information of the illumination light emitting function to the camera control unit 170 according to the transmission request command C3 (step S213). The camera control unit 170 receives the initial state information of the illumination light emitting function (step S214).

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

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

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

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

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

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function based on the function type information received in step S204 (step S225). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S225 that the accessory 400 has the illumination light emitting function (step S225; Yes), the camera control unit 170 sends a transmission request command C6 for requesting transmission of the illumination profile information to the accessory control unit 440. Transmit (step S226).

  In the present embodiment, the illumination profile information is information indicating the characteristics of the illumination light emission function. The illumination profile information includes information indicating the light emission characteristics of the illumination light source 436, for example. The light emission characteristics of the illumination light source 436 include, for example, at least one of the light amount (brightness) and wavelength (color) of light emitted from the flash light source 431. The illumination profile information is used for AE control, AWB control, etc., for example, in a shooting mode in which the illumination light emission function is functioned.

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

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S225 that the accessory 400 does not have the illumination light emitting function (step S225; No), or after the processing of step S229 is completed, the transmission for requesting transmission of the accessory setting state information. The request command C7 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S230). After receiving the transmission request command C7 (step S231), the accessory 400 transmits the accessory setting state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S232). The camera control unit 170 receives the accessory setting state information (step S233).

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

  A transmission request command C9 for requesting transmission of the accessory setting state information is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S238). After receiving the transmission request command C9 (step S239), the accessory 400 transmits the accessory setting state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S240). The camera control unit 170 receives the accessory setting state information (step S241). After the process of step S241 is completed, the initial communication sequence is terminated.

  The following processing is performed in the camera system 1 in accordance with the procedure of the initial communication sequence described above. As a first process included in the procedure of the initial communication sequence, the accessory control unit 440 has a process of responding to the transmission request from the camera control unit 170 with information stored in the nonvolatile memory 445. The response process to the transmission request is performed, for example, according to the control procedure shown below.

  As described above, the nonvolatile memory 445 stores response information that responds in response to request information from the camera control unit 170 in advance. For example, the accessory control unit 440 sends response information stored in the non-volatile memory 445 to the camera control unit 170 in response to the request information (see step S203) sent from the camera control unit 170 (see step S204). ). By such processing, for example, the accessory control unit 440 transmits to the camera control unit 170 the type information of the control target controlled by the accessory control unit 440 in accordance with the request information from the camera control unit 170.

  Further, when the nonvolatile memory 445 stores the first response information including the type information indicating the type of the control target of the accessory control unit 440, the accessory control unit 440 sends the request information sent from the camera. In response, the first response information is sent to the camera control unit 170.

  In addition, when the nonvolatile memory 445 controls the control target of the accessory control unit 440, the second response information including the detailed information of the control target of the accessory control unit 440 corresponds to the type information in the first response information. May be memorized. In this case, the accessory control unit 440 sends the second response information to the camera control unit 170 according to the request information sent from the camera control unit 170.

  Also, the accessory control unit 440 sends the second response information to the camera control unit 170 at a timing (see step S208) different from the timing at which the first response information is sent (see step S203). For example, the accessory control unit 440 sends the first response information to the camera control unit 170 (see step S203), and then sends the second response information according to the request information sent from the camera control unit 170. The image is sent to the camera 10 (see step S208).

  There may be a plurality of control targets of the accessory control unit 440. In such a case, the non-volatile memory 445 controls the second response information including the detailed information of the control target of the accessory control unit 440 in association with the type information of the control target for each of the plurality of control targets. Remember for each subject. The accessory control unit 440 sends to the camera control unit 170 second response information including detailed information on the control target specified by the request information sent from the camera control unit 170 among the plurality of control targets. For example, the accessory control unit 440 transmits the characteristic information of the extended function (for example, GPS function) in accordance with the request information (see step S207) of the camera control unit 170 (see step S208). Further, the accessory control unit 440 transmits the characteristic information of the illumination light emitting function according to the request information (see step S212) of the camera control unit 170 regarding the function (for example, the illumination light emission function) different from the characteristic information of the extended function. (See step S213).

  Moreover, you may divide a some control object into a some group according to the kind of control object of the accessory control part 440. FIG. In the present embodiment, the control target belonging to the first group includes a flash light emitting unit 430 and an illumination light emitting unit 435 that are responsible for the light emitting function. The function to be controlled belonging to the first group may be a basic function included in the accessory 400. The control target belonging to the second group is, for example, a GPS function unit responsible for functions other than the light emitting function. The function to be controlled belonging to the second group may be an extended function included in the accessory 400.

  The accessory control unit 440 uses the third response information including the detailed information of the control target (for example, the illumination light emitting unit 435) belonging to the first group among the plurality of groups as the second response information to the camera control unit 170. Send (see step S213). When there is a control target belonging to a second group different from the first group among the plurality of groups, the accessory control unit 440 sends the first response information (see step S203), and the third control Before sending the response information (step S213), the fourth response information including the detailed information of the control target belonging to the second group is sent to the camera 10 as the second response signal (step S208).

  As described above, the camera system 1 performs processing in which the accessory control unit 440 responds to a transmission request from the camera control unit 170, for example, occurrence of communication failure due to mismatch between request information and response information. Is suppressed. In addition, for example, after the accessory 400 is mounted on the camera control unit 170, the camera system 1 first determines the presence / absence of the extended function based on the first response information. Since the camera 10 side is configured to acquire information on the extended function (third response information) at an early stage, the camera 10 also prepares for the extended function based on the extended function information acquired earlier. Work can be accelerated. For example, if an accessory has a GPS function as an extended function, it is possible to start acquisition of GPS positioning information at an early stage, and to start transmission processing to the camera 10 (reception processing on the camera 10 side). . Thus, the camera system 1 is a highly convenient system.

  Next, processing in control for supplying power to the accessory 400 (hereinafter referred to as power supply control) will be described. The camera system 1 starts supplying power from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 in power supply control. Then, the camera system 1 controls the supply of power from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 based on information indicating whether or not the power consumed in the accessory 400 is supplied from the power source mounted on the accessory 400. Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow in the control of supplying power to the accessory 400 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in the control of supplying power to the accessory. Of the processes shown in FIG. 13, the processes from step S101 to step S105 are the same as the processes described in the communication preparation sequence (see FIG. 10). Through the processing from step S101 to step S105, the camera control unit 170 starts supplying power to the accessory 400 based on the signal level of the activation detection level DET in the communication preparation sequence (see step S103).

  Of the processes shown in FIG. 13, the processes from step S201 to step S204 are the same as the processes described in the initial communication sequence (see FIG. 11). In the process of step S <b> 204, the camera control unit 170 includes, for example, function type information, battery presence / absence information, and power supply as information indicating whether or not the power consumed by the accessory 400 is supplied from the power source mounted on the accessory 400. The continuation request information is received from the accessory control unit 440.

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether the accessory needs to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 based on the power supply continuation request information received in step S204 after the process of step S204 ends. (Step S250A). The camera control unit 170 starts in step S103 of the communication preparation sequence when it is determined in the determination process of step S250A that the accessory does not require the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 (step S250A; No). The control for stopping the power supply to the accessory 400 is performed (step S251). That is, in step S251 of the camera control unit 170, the camera control unit 170 controls the accessory power supply control unit 33 to stop the accessory power supply control unit 33 from supplying power from the camera body 100 to the accessory 400. When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S250A that the accessory needs to be supplied with power to maintain the function of the accessory 400 (step S250A; Yes), the camera control unit 170 starts in step S103 of the communication preparation sequence. The power supply to the accessory 400 is maintained. Control of power supply to the accessory 400 is performed after the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 does not require power supply for maintaining the function of the accessory 400, or the camera control unit 170 supplies power to the accessory 400. Is terminated after stopping.

  As described above, when the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 is an accessory that does not need to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 based on the power supply continuation request information, for example, in the accessory 400 The power consumption is determined to be supplied from the battery mounted on the accessory 400, and the supply of power to the accessory 400 is stopped. In addition, when the camera control unit 170 determines that the accessory 400 is an accessory that needs to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400 based on the power supply continuation request information, for example, the power consumption of the accessory 400 is calculated. It determines with not supplying from the battery mounted in the accessory 400, and continues supply of the electric power to the accessory 400. FIG. As described above, the accessory control unit 440 determines whether or not the accessory 400 includes a power source, in other words, whether or not the power consumption on the accessory 400 side is supplied from the battery mounted in the accessory 400 ( Information indicating whether or not the power supply from the camera 10 is not required and power can be supplied only by the accessory 400 side, in other words, whether or not the camera 10 is requested to supply power consumed by the accessory 400. The power supply continuation request information is sent to the camera control unit 170. In the present embodiment, the accessory control unit 440 sends the power supply continuation request information in response to a request from the camera control unit 170 (see step S201).

By the way, in the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, the camera 10 supplies power to the accessory 400, and the accessory 400 is not equipped with a power source. Therefore, the accessory control unit 440 sends battery presence / absence information (battery “none” information) indicating that the power source is not mounted on the accessory 400 to the camera 10. Further, the accessory control unit 440 supplies power supply continuation request information (power supply continuation “necessary” information) indicating that it is necessary to continue power supply from the camera 10 because the accessory 400 is not equipped with a power source. Send to 10.
Based on the power supply continuation request information sent from the accessory control unit 440 (see step S204), the camera control unit 170 supplies power to the accessory 400 that was started before the power supply continuation request information was sent. Continue to supply As described above, the accessory control unit 440 in the accessory 400 that does not include a power source supplies the power supply continuation request information (power supply continuation “necessary” information) to the camera 10 in order to supply the power consumed by the accessory 400 from the camera 10. send.

In addition, as the accessory 400, the power consumed on the accessory 400 side may be supplied from other than the camera 10. For example, when a power source (battery or the like) is mounted inside the accessory 400, or when an external power source that supplies power to the accessory 400 from the outside is provided (for example, a battery pack that supplies power to the accessory 400 is mounted. A system or a system for supplying household (commercial) power to the accessory 400 via an AC adapter or the like).
In such a case, for example, when a battery is mounted inside the accessory 400, the accessory control unit 440 supplies power as information indicating that the accessory receives supply of power consumed by the accessory 400 from the power source inside the accessory 400. The continuation request information (power supply continuation “unnecessary” information) is sent to the camera 10. The camera control unit 170 in this case, based on the power supply continuation request information (power supply continuation “unnecessary” information) (step S204) sent from the accessory control unit 440, the power supply continuation request information (power supply continuation “unnecessary” information). ) Is stopped before the power supply to the accessory 400 started before receiving (see step S251).

  By performing power supply control as described above, when the camera 10 is mounted with a power source on the accessory 400 side, for example, the camera 10 lacks power by continuing to supply power that does not need to be supplied to the accessory 400 side. Can be suppressed. Thus, the camera system 1 is a highly convenient system that can suppress the occurrence of problems such as operation stoppage due to insufficient power of the camera 10, for example.

In the above description, the power supply continuation request information has been described as information indicating whether or not the accessory needs to be supplied with power for maintaining the function of the accessory 400, but is not limited thereto. is not.
The power supply continuation request information may be information indicating whether or not the power consumed in the accessory 400 is supplied from a power source mounted on the accessory 400. Further, the power supply continuation request information is information indicating whether or not the power from the camera 10 can be received, in other words, whether or not the accessory 400 has a power receiving capability for receiving power from the camera 10. It may be information indicating. Thus, even if the power supply continuation request information indicates any of the above information, the camera system 1 determines whether power must be supplied from the camera 10 to the accessory 400 (power supply from the camera 10 to the accessory 400). Can be reliably determined, and the operation of the accessory 400 can be continued by the power supply. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the operation stop of the accessory 400 due to the power supply stop from the camera 10, It becomes a highly convenient system.

  Next, the steady communication sequence will be described. The camera system 1 sends information necessary for photographing between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 to each other in the steady communication sequence. The steady communication sequence is repeatedly executed, for example, at a cycle of about 200 ms in a period in which no interrupt request is generated as shown in FIG. 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. In addition, the camera 10 and the accessory 400 periodically transmit information such as initial state information according to the cycle of the steady communication sequence by detecting each state in synchronization with any one of the repeated steady communication sequences. Can be obtained. Information that is obtained periodically can be transmitted and met with each other in a steady communication sequence, so that necessary information can be shared between the camera 10 and the accessory 400.
Hereinafter, an example of the processing flow of the steady communication sequence will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure in a steady communication sequence. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of processes subsequent to FIG.

When the steady communication sequence is started, the camera control unit 170 transmits a transmission notification command C10 for notifying transmission of the camera setting state information to the accessory control unit 440 (step S301). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission notification command C10 and prepares to receive the camera setting state information (step S302). The camera control unit 170 transmits the latest camera setting state information of the item specified by the transmission notification command C10 to the accessory control unit 440 (step S303). The accessory control unit 440 receives the latest camera setting state information of the item specified in the transmission notification command C10 (step S304).
The accessory control unit 440 refers to the camera setting state information received in step S304, and determines whether or not the state of the camera 10 is in a state where monitor charging control can be performed (step S304A). When it is determined from the determination result in step S304A that the state of the camera 10 is in a state where monitor charging control can be performed (step S304A: Yes), the accessory control unit 440 controls the charging unit 432 to perform monitor charging. The amount of power stored in the storage unit 432c is detected (monitor charge control process). The accessory control unit 440 stores the charging state information based on the detection result of the charged amount in the nonvolatile memory 445 as the accessory setting state information (Step 304B). When it is determined from the determination result in step S304A that the state of the camera 10 is in a state where monitor charging control cannot be performed (step S304A: No), the accessory control unit 440 does not cause the charging unit 432 to perform monitor charging. The process proceeds to step S307 or step S311.

  The camera control unit 170 determines whether the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function based on the function type information acquired in step S204 (see FIG. 11) of the initial communication sequence (step S305). If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S305 that the accessory 400 has an illumination light emitting function (step S305; Yes), the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of illumination setting state information indicating the setting state of the illumination light emitting function. The request command C11 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S306). After receiving the transmission request command C11 (step S307), the accessory control unit 440 transmits the illumination setting state information to the camera control unit 170 (step S308). The camera control unit 170 receives the illumination setting state information (step S309).

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S305 that the accessory 400 does not have the illumination light emitting function (step S305; No), or after the processing in step S309 is completed, the camera control unit 170 requests transmission of the accessory setting state information. The request command C12 is transmitted to the accessory control unit 440 (step S310). The accessory control unit 440 receives the transmission request command C12 (step S311), and transmits the latest accessory setting state information of the item specified in the transmission request command C12 to the camera control unit 170 (step S312). The camera control unit 170 receives the latest accessory setting state information of the item specified by the transmission request command C12 (step S313).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As described above, the nonvolatile memory 445 stores in advance a plurality of response information that responds in response to request information from the camera control unit 170. For example, the accessory control unit 440 determines that the plurality of response information stored in the nonvolatile memory 445 is set in advance in accordance with the request information (see step S311) sent from the camera control unit 170 in the preset order. 170 (step S312). Accordingly, the camera system 1 is a highly convenient system because, for example, occurrence of communication failure due to mismatch between request information and response information is suppressed.
Note that the monitor charging control process shown in step S304B may be performed for each repeated steady communication sequence in synchronization with the cycle of the steady communication sequence. Alternatively, for example, the number of times of thinning out from the number of steady communication sequences may be determined so as to be performed once in a plurality of steady communication sequences. Further, the process of referring to the received camera setting state information shown in step S304A and determining whether or not the state of the camera 10 is in a state where monitor charging control can be performed may be omitted.

Moreover, the accessory control part 440 can change the space | interval of monitor charge control according to predetermined conditions. For example, the accessory control unit 440 may change the interval at which the monitor charging control is performed according to the charging state information based on the storage amount of the storage unit 432c, the operation mode of the camera 10, and the like.
Or the accessory control part 440 may determine the timing of monitor charge control independently, without synchronizing with the process of a regular communication sequence. When uniquely determining the timing of monitor charging control, the accessory control unit 440 can set a predetermined interval, and can cause the charging unit 432 to periodically perform monitor charging according to the interval. it can.

  Also, according to the present embodiment, if the response of the accessory 400 to the first request command C1 between the camera 10 and the accessory 400 includes a response indicating that there is an extended function, the camera 10 side is in the initial lighting state. Before requesting information (see step S211), first, request characteristic information of the extended function (see step S206). The accessory 400 first starts to activate the extended function in accordance with the request procedure from the camera 10. By configuring the procedure in this way, it is possible to accelerate the activation of the extended function.

  Incidentally, the camera control unit 170 may need to change settings related to the accessory 400 based on the accessory setting state information or the accessory initial state information updated in the above-described steady communication sequence. The accessory control unit 440 completes the necessary setting change by the next steady communication sequence when the setting change related to the camera 10 becomes necessary by the camera setting state information updated in the current steady communication sequence. To do. For example, the accessory control unit 440 sets whether to enable the illumination light emission function or the flash light emission function, and performs control for causing the activated light emission function to function.

  As an example regarding this, a setting process for enabling or disabling each light emitting function will be described. Setting processing for enabling or disabling each light emitting function is performed according to the shooting mode of the camera 10. The camera system 1 controls the light emitting unit 425 of the accessory 400 according to the shooting mode of the camera 10. The shooting mode is set according to, for example, an input from the user. When there is an input indicating that the shooting mode is set to the moving image shooting mode (an input from the user for setting a mode for capturing a moving image), the accessory 400 side performs the first light emission function of the illumination light emitting function. Set to mode. When there is an input indicating that the shooting mode is set to the still image shooting mode (an input from the user to set a mode for shooting one still image each time the release button 16 is fully pressed). On the other hand, the accessory 400 side is set to the second shooting mode in which the flash emission function is made to function. In addition, when there is an input from the user indicating that the flash mode is set to the flash-prohibited shooting mode (the mode in which shooting is performed without the flash function functioning), or the flash function is not required to secure the exposure amount. In other cases, the accessory 400 side is set to the third shooting mode in which neither the illumination light emission function nor the flash light emission function is allowed to function.

  Next, a processing flow of setting processing for enabling or disabling each light emitting function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of setting processing for enabling or disabling each light emitting function. Of the processes shown in FIG. 16, the process of step S304 is the same as the information reception process (for example, step S204D or step S237) described in the steady communication sequence (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  In step S304, the accessory control unit 440 receives the above-described “camera setting state information” including shooting mode information indicating which shooting mode (moving image mode or still image mode) the camera 10 is set to. To do. For example, when the shooting mode information included in the camera setting state information received in step S304 of the steady communication sequence is updated, for example, the next steady communication sequence is started. Complete by

  Based on the shooting mode information included in the camera setting state information received in step S304 of the steady communication sequence, the accessory control unit 440 enters the first shooting mode (illumination imaging) in which the shooting mode of the camera 10 functions the illumination light emission function. It is determined whether it is set (step S330). When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the first shooting mode (step S330; Yes), the accessory control unit 440 sets the flash emission function to an off state (invalid) and the illumination emission function. The on state (valid) is set, and the set state is held by a flag (step S331).

  At the stage where the flash emission function is set to the off state and the illumination emission function is set to the on state (valid), the accessory control unit 440 turns off the first conduction switch and turns the second conduction switch on. Set to ON state. In addition, at the stage where the flash emission function is set to the off state, the accessory control unit 440 monitors the preparation process for flash emission, that is, the main charging process to the storage unit 432c described above and the charge amount of the storage unit 432c. Stop the monitor charging process.

  The setting process for enabling or disabling each light emitting function ends after the process of step S331 ends when the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the first shooting mode.

  When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not set to the first shooting mode (step S330; No), the shooting mode of the camera 10 has a flashing function based on the shooting mode information. It is determined whether or not the second shooting mode to be functioned (flash imaging) is set (step S333). When the accessory control unit 440 determines that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the second shooting mode (step S333; Yes), the accessory control unit 440 sets the flash emission function to be valid and sets the illumination emission function to be invalid. The set state is held by the flag (step S334).

  At the stage where the flash emission function is enabled and the illumination emission function is disabled, the accessory control unit 440 sets the above-described first conduction switch to the ON state and sets the second conduction switch to the OFF state. . Further, at the stage where the flash emission function is set to be effective, the accessory control unit 440 performs a preparation process for flash emission, that is, the above-described charging process for the storage unit 432c.

  The setting process for enabling or disabling each light emitting function ends after the process of step S334 ends when the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the second shooting mode.

  The accessory control unit 440 determines that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not set to the first shooting mode (step S330; No), and determines that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not set to the second shooting mode. In this case (step S333; No), it is determined that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the third shooting mode in which the light emission function is not used, and the flash light emission function is disabled and the illumination light emission function is also disabled. Then, the set state is held by the flag (step S336). The setting process for enabling or disabling each light emitting function is ended after the process of step S336 is ended when the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the third shooting mode.

  In the processing flow as described above, the accessory control unit 440 receives shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode of the camera 10 (see step S304). For example, the accessory control unit 440 receives the first shooting mode information when the selected shooting mode is the first shooting mode. The accessory control unit 440 receives the second shooting mode information when the selected shooting mode is the second shooting mode.

  The accessory control unit 440 controls processing in the accessory 400 according to the shooting mode of the camera 10. For example, the accessory control unit 440 controls the light emission processing of the flash light emission unit 430 and the light emission processing of the illumination light light emission unit 435 according to the shooting mode. For example, when the shooting mode is set to the first shooting mode, the accessory control unit 440 sets the illumination light emission function to be effective (see step S331) and controls the light emission processing of the illumination light emission unit 435. For example, when the shooting mode is set to the second shooting mode, the accessory control unit 440 sets the flash light emission function to be effective (see step S334) and controls the light emission processing by the flash light emission unit 430. . The accessory control part 440 performs control, such as charge control demonstrated later, when the flash light emission function is set effectively.

  As described above, in the camera system 1, the accessory control unit 440 automatically sets the validity or invalidity of each light emitting function according to the shooting mode selected by the user, for example. When the flash light emitting unit 430 is set to be invalid in accordance with the automatic setting on the accessory 400 side, the light emission preparation operation in the flash light emitting unit 430 such as a charging process is automatically stopped. It is a highly convenient system that can suppress unnecessary power consumption.

  Next, charging control for the flash light emitting unit 430 to be performed in the flash light emitting function will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a charging control processing procedure for the flash light emitting unit 430 to be functioned in the flash light emitting function. When starting the charge control, the camera system 1 executes each process of the charge control in the initial communication sequence (step S7), and then executes each process of the charge control in the steady communication sequence (step S8). The camera system 1 determines whether or not to execute the imaging process (interrupt process) after completing the process of step S8 (step S9). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S9 that the imaging process is executed (step S9; Yes), the camera system 1 executes each process of the imaging sequence.

  In the present embodiment, the camera system 1 performs shooting processing including imaging processing, AF control, AE control, AWE control, and the like in the shooting sequence. Further, the camera system 1 executes each process of charging control in the shooting sequence together with the shooting process in the shooting sequence (step S10). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S9 that the imaging process and each process of the charging control in the imaging sequence are completed or the imaging process is not executed (step S9; No), the camera system 1 performs step S8. The charging control in the steady communication sequence is performed again.

  As described above, the steady communication sequence is repeatedly performed at a constant period (for example, 200 ms) during a period in which the imaging process is not performed. Further, the steady communication sequence following the shooting sequence is performed after a time corresponding to the length of the period during which the shooting sequence processing is performed from the steady communication sequence performed immediately before the shooting sequence. That is, the steady communication sequence is repeatedly performed at a constant or indefinite period.

  In each steady communication sequence, the accessory control unit 440 transmits charging state information including charging state information indicating a control state of control for the charging unit 432 to the camera control unit 170. Since the steady communication sequence is repeatedly performed at a constant or indefinite period, the accessory control unit 440 repeatedly sends the charging state information to the camera control unit 170 at a constant or indefinite period. The camera control unit 170 causes the accessory control unit 440 to control the charging unit 432 based on the charging state information received from the accessory control unit 440.

  By the way, since the steady communication sequence is suspended when the imaging sequence is started, the accessory control unit 440 does not transmit the charging state information to the camera control unit 170 during the period in which the camera 10 is in the state of performing the imaging process. Become. In the imaging sequence, the camera control unit 170 sends a command to the accessory control unit 440 to cause the accessory control unit 440 to control the charging unit 432 without receiving the charge state information from the accessory control unit 440.

  As described above, in the camera system 1, the charging control for the flash light emitting unit 430 is performed corresponding to each sequence. Hereinafter, processing in each sequence in the charging control for the flash light emitting unit 430 will be described for each sequence.

  First, charging control in the initial communication sequence among charging control for the flash light emitting unit 430 will be described. The accessory 400 of this embodiment is not equipped with a power supply (battery) that supplies the power consumption of the accessory 400. Further, the charging unit 432 of the accessory 400 cannot detect the amount of charge (charge amount) stored in the storage unit 432c except during the charging process for charging the storage unit 432c. That is, the accessory 400 of this embodiment does not hold information indicating the charge amount of the charging unit 432 at the time when the initial communication sequence is started. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 provides the accessory control unit 440 with camera initial state information including monitor charging information indicating that the monitor charging operation on the accessory 400 side (charging unit 432) is permitted as setting information in the initial communication sequence. And transmit the monitor to the accessory control unit 440. The monitor charging information is information indicating whether the camera control unit 170 permits the accessory control unit 440 to perform a monitor charging operation. The monitor charge information is monitor charge permission flag data indicating “permitted” and “prohibited” of monitor charging by “0 (zero)” and “1”. The monitor charging information is stored in advance in the storage unit 158. Hereinafter, an example of a processing flow of charge control in the initial communication sequence will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of charging control processing in the initial communication sequence. Of the processes shown in FIG. 18, the processes from step S204A to step S204D are the same as the processes described in the initial communication sequence (see FIG. 11). The camera control unit 170 reads the camera initial state information stored in the storage unit 158 after transmitting the transmission notification command C20 to the accessory control unit 440 through the process of step S204A. This camera initial state information includes the monitor charging “permission” information described above. Next, the camera control unit 170 transmits the camera initial state information read in step S204A to the accessory control unit 440 through the process of step S204C.

  When the accessory control unit 440 receives the camera initial state information in the process of step S <b> 204 </ b> D, the accessory control unit 440 stores the camera initial state information in the nonvolatile memory 445. That is, the monitor charging “permission” information supplied from the camera body 100 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 445. The accessory control unit 440 causes the charging unit 432 to start the monitor charging process for slightly charging the storage unit 432c of the charging unit 432 based on the monitor charging “permission” information (step S401). The charging unit 432 detects the amount of power stored in the charging unit 432 by the monitor charging process (monitor charge amount), and calculates the current charge amount of the storage unit 432c based on the monitor charge amount. The accessory control unit 440 acquires information indicating the charge amount from the charging unit 432 (step S402). The accessory control unit 440 generates charge state information to be transmitted to the camera control unit 170 in the steady communication sequence following the initial communication sequence based on the information indicating the charge amount acquired in step S402, and the generated charge state information is displayed. The data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 445. The charging control in the initial communication sequence is terminated after the accessory control unit 440 stores the charging state information in the nonvolatile memory 445.

  As described above, the accessory control unit 440 acquires information indicating the monitor charge amount before starting periodic communication (steady communication sequence) with the camera control unit 170. In addition, the accessory control unit 440 can cause the charging unit 432 to perform monitor charging without sending a charge request to the camera control unit 170 in the initial communication sequence. Thereby, the accessory control part 440 can prepare the charge condition information transmitted to the camera control part 170 in the first steady communication sequence following the initial communication sequence in the initial communication sequence. As a result, the camera control unit 170 can receive the charge state information from the accessory control unit 440 in the initial steady communication sequence, and can start the charge control based on the received charge state information. Thereby, the camera system 1 can shorten the time from when the accessory 400 is attached to the camera body 100 until the charging control is started. As a result, the camera system 1 can shorten the time required to perform photographing for functioning the flash emission function, and becomes a highly convenient system.

  Next, charging control in the steady communication sequence among charging control for the flash light emitting unit 430 will be described.

  The camera system 1 of the present embodiment determines a plurality of items indicating the charging state of the charging unit 432 in descending order of the influence on the imaging process as the first process of the charging control in the steady communication sequence. In the first process, the camera control unit 170 determines the charging state of the charging unit 432 based on the charging state information included in the accessory setting state information received from the accessory control unit 440 in the current steady communication sequence. . The accessory control unit 440 sends charge state information indicating a control state of control for the charging unit 432 to the camera control unit 170. As described above, the charging state information includes charging request information indicating whether or not there is a charging request, charging progress information indicating whether or not the charging unit 432 is charging, and the charging unit 432 can be charged. Charging availability information indicating whether or not there is, and light emission availability information indicating whether or not the flash light emitting unit 430 can emit light (ready state) are included.

  Further, the camera system 1 of the present embodiment is performed in the camera system 1 when the flash light emitting unit 430 is not in a state capable of emitting light (ready state) as the second process of charge control in the steady communication sequence. Among the plurality of processes, the process of charging the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) of the charging unit 432 is performed with priority.

  For example, when the flash light emitting unit 430 is not in the ready state, the camera control unit 170 interrupts the operation on the camera 10 side such as AF control and power zoom control (sets the operation prohibited state), and stores the storage unit 432 c of the charging unit 432. The process of charging the (charge storage unit) is given priority over AF control and power zoom control. When the camera control unit 170 is set to the operation prohibition state, the camera control unit 170 causes the charging unit 432 to perform charging (normal charging) at a preset first charging speed. In addition, when the flash light emitting unit 430 is in the ready state, the camera control unit 170 causes the charging unit 432 to perform charging (slow charging) on the second charging side that is slower than the first charging speed, and the operation is prohibited. Is released.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of charging control processing in the steady communication sequence. Of the processes shown in FIG. 19, the process of step S313 is the same as the process described in the steady communication sequence (see FIG. 14). In step S313, the camera control unit 170 receives the accessory setting state information including the charging state information. The camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the charging unit 432 can be charged based on the above-described charging availability information in the charging state information acquired in step S313 (step S430). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S430 that the charging unit 432 cannot be charged (step S430; No), the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  When it is determined in step S430 that the charging unit 432 can be charged (step S430; Yes), the camera control unit 170 performs the main charging request based on the charging request information in the charging state information acquired in step S313. It is determined whether or not there is (step S433). If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S433 that there is a main charge request (step S433; Yes), the flash light emission unit 430 is ready based on the light emission availability information in the charge state information acquired in step S313. It is determined whether it is in a state (step S434).

  When it is determined in step S434 that the flash light emitting unit 430 is not in the ready state (step S434; No), the camera control unit 170 sets an operation prohibited state that restricts (prohibits) a part of the operation of the load unit 30. (Step S435). In the present embodiment, the camera control unit 170 restricts the operation of at least a part of the heavy load unit in the load unit 30 in step S435. In the present embodiment, the camera control unit 170 restricts (inhibits) the operation of the optical system driving unit 220 in step S435.

  The camera control unit 170 transmits, to the accessory control unit 440, a normal charging command that instructs the accessory control unit 440 to cause the charging unit 432 to start main charging by normal charging after the process of step S435 is completed (step S435). S436). The normal charging command is a command for requesting to perform main charging at a first charging speed set in advance. After the process of step S436 is completed, the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  By the way, the time required for the charging unit 432 to charge the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) is longer than the time required to start focusing after the AF control is started. When the flash light emitting unit 430 cannot emit light (not in the ready state), the camera control unit 170 of the present embodiment sets a part of the load unit 30 to the operation prohibited state, and performs the main charging of the charging unit 432. Is given priority over some operations of the load unit 30. As a result, the camera control unit 170 can shorten the time required from when the release button 16 is fully pressed to perform the main shooting with flash emission until the shooting with flash emission is actually enabled.

  As an example, in a shooting situation that requires the flash light emission unit 430 to emit light, if the AF control is completed and the subject is brought into focus and then charging of the storage unit 432c is started, the subject moves while charging. There is a risk of missing a photo opportunity. In the present embodiment, under such circumstances, the operation on the camera 10 side such as AF control is prohibited and charging of the storage unit 432c of the charging unit 432 is prioritized, so that shooting can be performed without missing a photo opportunity. it can.

  Note that the camera control unit 170 according to the present embodiment also sets a part of the load unit 30 to the operation prohibited state immediately after the photographing process in which the flash emission function is functioned, as in step S435, and the charging unit 432 Charging is performed with priority over some operations of the load unit 30.

  If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S434 that the flash light emitting unit 430 is in the ready state (step S434; Yes), the camera control unit 170 cancels the operation prohibited state of the load unit 30 (step S437). After releasing the operation prohibition state of the load unit 30, the camera control unit 170 sends a slow charging command to the accessory control unit 440 to instruct the charging unit 432 to start main charging by slow charging. It transmits with respect to 440 (step S438). The slow charging command is a command for requesting that the main charging be performed at a second charging speed that is slower than the first charging speed. In the present embodiment, the second charging speed is a preset fixed value (for example, approximately half of the first charging speed). The accessory control unit 440 designates the second charging speed and causes the charging unit 432 to charge the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit). After the process of step S438 is completed, the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S433 that there is no main charge request (step S433; No), the charging unit 432 is charging based on the charging progress information in the charging state information acquired in step S313. It is determined whether or not (step S439). When the camera control unit 170 determines that the charging unit 432 is not charging in step S439 (step S439; No), the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  If the camera control unit 170 determines in step S439 that the charging unit 432 is charging (step S439; Yes), the flash light emitting unit 430 is based on the light emission propriety information in the charge state information acquired in S313. Is determined to be ready or not (step S440). When the camera control unit 170 determines that the flash light emitting unit 430 is not in the ready state in step S440 (step S440; No), the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  When it is determined in step S440 that the flash light emitting unit 430 is in the ready state (step S440; Yes), the camera control unit 170 transmits a slow charging command to the accessory control unit 440 in the same manner as in step S437 (step S441). . After transmitting the slow charging command to the accessory control unit 440, the camera control unit 170 cancels the operation prohibition state of the load unit 30 as in step S438 (step S442). After the process of step S442 ends, the charging control in this steady communication sequence ends.

  As described above, the camera control unit 170 determines the charging state of the charging unit 432 according to a predetermined priority order based on the charging state information as the first process of charging control in the steady communication sequence. For example, the camera control unit 170 first determines whether the charging unit 432 is in a chargeable state among the items indicating the charging state (see step S430). Further, after determining whether or not the charging unit 432 is in a chargeable state, the camera control unit 170 determines whether or not there is a charge request for charging the charging unit 432 (see step S433). The camera control unit 170 determines whether or not the charging unit 432 is being charged after determining whether or not there is a charging request for charging the charging unit 432 (see step S439). In addition, after determining whether or not the charging unit 432 is being charged, the camera control unit 170 reaches a predetermined charging amount that is predetermined in the charging amount of the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit) of the charging unit 432. It is determined whether it is in a state (ready state) (see step S434). The order of priority of the plurality of items indicating the charging state is set so that, for example, an item that has a greater influence on the shooting process of the camera 10 is determined earlier. Thus, since the camera system 1 determines the charging state of the accessory 400 according to a predetermined priority order, the camera system 1 can perform charging control efficiently and is a highly convenient system.

  Moreover, the camera control part 170 controls the priority about the charge process performed in the accessory 400 among the processes which control a control object based on charge state information as 2nd process of charge control in a regular communication sequence. . For example, the camera control unit 170 controls to limit the driving of the optical system 210 (see step S435) when the charging amount of the charging unit 432 is less than a predetermined threshold (less than the light emission permission level). That is, the camera control unit 170 performs control so that the charging process is prioritized over the process performed by the heavy load unit (for example, the optical system driving unit 220) when the flash light emitting unit 430 is not in the ready state. As described above, the camera system 1 according to the present embodiment is a highly convenient system because it does not miss a photo opportunity even in a shooting situation that requires the flash light emission unit 430 to emit light.

  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. 20 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 S500). If the camera control unit 170 detects that the release button 16 has been operated during the process in the steady communication sequence in step S4, the camera control unit 170 performs the process for operating the release button 16 in the steady communication sequence in step S4. Pause until end.

  When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S500 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not the second shooting mode (step S500; No), the shooting mode of the camera 10 causes the illumination light emitting function to function. It is determined whether or not (imaging) (step S501). When the camera control unit 170 determines in step S501 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the first shooting mode (step S501; 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 S501 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is not the first shooting mode (step S501; 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 S500 that the shooting mode of the camera 10 is the second shooting mode (step S500; Yes), the accessory setting state received from the accessory control unit 440 in the steady communication sequence of step S4. Based on the light emission availability information in the information, it is determined whether or not the flash light emitting unit 430 is in a ready state (step S502). If it is determined in step S502 that the flash light emitting unit 430 is not ready (step S502; No), the camera control unit 170 determines that the release button has not been operated (release button operation result is released) in step S503. After the process of step S503 is completed, the next steady communication sequence is started.

  When it is determined in step S502 that the flash light emitting unit 430 is ready (step S502; 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 accessory control unit 440 (step S504). The camera control unit 170 stops the steady communication sequence together with the accessory control unit 440 after detecting that the accessory control unit 440 has received the steady communication stop notification transmitted in step S504 (step S505). After the process of step S505 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. Further, the camera control unit 170 transmits the above-described monitor charging command to the accessory control unit 440 (step S510), and causes the accessory control unit 440 to start charging the charging unit 432. Charging by the charging unit 432 is continuously performed for a predetermined time as described above.

  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 after the process of step S510 is completed (step S511). 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 accessory control unit 440 via the synchronization signal terminal Ts4 and the synchronization signal terminal Tp4. The accessory control unit 440 causes the flash light emission unit 430 to emit light according to 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 a result obtained by imaging (monitor imaging) when the flash light emitting unit 430 performs monitor light emission according to the setting state of the camera 10. Note that at least one of the monitor light emission control, the AE control, and the AWB control may be omitted depending on 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 S512). The camera control unit 170 transmits a light emission control signal X for requesting light emission of the flash light emitting unit 430 in synchronization with a photographing timing set in accordance with a timing at which operation information (full pressing operation) of the release button 16 is detected. It transmits to the control part 440. The light emission control signal X is maintained at the H level in the accessory 400 before the light emission control is executed, and the camera control unit 170 lowers the light emission control signal X to the L level, thereby adjusting the photographing timing to the accessory control unit. 440 is notified. When the accessory control unit 440 detects that the light emission control signal X is lowered to the L level, the accessory control unit 440 causes the flash light emission unit 430 to emit light according to the timing when the light emission control signal X is lowered to the L level.

  The camera control unit 170 starts exposure to the image sensor 121 in synchronization with the timing at which the flash light emitting unit 430 emits light (step S513). The camera control unit 170 ends the exposure to 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 S513 (step S514). The camera control unit 170 performs an image capturing process for capturing image data indicating a captured image captured by the image sensor 121 after the process of step S514 ends (step S515). 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 S515 ends.

  The next steady communication sequence is started after the photographing sequence is completed. As described above, the accessory control unit 440 transmits charging state information including charging request information, charging progress information, charging availability information, and light emission availability information to the camera control unit 170 in a steady communication sequence. However, since the camera system 1 pauses the steady communication sequence while performing the shooting sequence processing, the accessory control unit 440 pauses the transmission of the charging state information. Therefore, the camera control unit 170 sends a command to the accessory control unit 440 to cause the accessory control unit 440 to perform charging control as necessary (see step S510). In this manner, the camera control unit 170 can cause the accessory control unit 440 to charge without receiving a charge request from the accessory control unit 440 in the shooting sequence. In addition, the accessory control unit 440 receives a command from the camera control unit 170 without transmitting a charge request to the camera control unit 170 in the shooting sequence, and causes the charging unit 432 to charge the storage unit 432c (charge storage unit). be able to.

  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 S513 to step S515. 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 will be omitted. The start of the steady communication sequence is stopped during the shooting sequence in the shooting mode, and the steady communication sequence is started after the shooting sequence in the third shooting mode is completed.

  Next, a photographing sequence for causing the illumination light emitting function to function will be described. The accessory control unit 440 controls the light emission processing of the illumination light emitting unit 435 when the shooting mode of the camera 10 is set to the first shooting mode (illumination shooting). 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 turns on the illumination light emitting unit 435 at the timing when the focusing completion information from the camera 10 is received as the first processing in the imaging sequence for causing the illumination light emitting function to function. The AE control and AWB control are performed in a state where the illumination light emitting unit 435 is lit.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above 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.

  The camera body 100 and the accessory 400 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 (accessory shoe), 25 ... Terminal part, 400 ... Accessory, 420 ... Connector, 423 ... Terminal part, 432 ... Charging unit, 432c ... Accumulation unit, 440 ... Accessory control unit

Claims (16)

An accessory powered by the camera,
A storage unit for storing the power;
A charging unit that charges the storage unit with power supplied from the camera;
The charging unit is configured to request the camera to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory, and to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit based on the power continuously supplied in response to the request. An accessory control unit for controlling
An accessory characterized by comprising. The accessory control unit
The power storage stored in the storage unit when detecting the power storage amount stored in the storage unit after transmitting the power supply continuation request information for requesting to continue the power supply to the camera. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the charging unit is controlled to detect a quantity. The accessory control unit
The function of the accessory is maintained by the power supplied from the camera in accordance with the power supply continuation request information, so that the storage unit is charged from the power supplied from the camera and the stored power storage The accessory according to claim 2, wherein the charging unit is controlled to detect a quantity. The charging unit is
The accessory according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the stored power storage amount is detected based on a voltage of the storage unit when the storage unit is charged. The power supply continuation request information transmitted by the accessory control unit is
Charging request information for requesting charging of the storage unit in response to a control command from the camera, power supply request information for requesting to supply power to the accessory during a period when the function of the camera is stopped, and The accessory according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the accessory is not battery presence / absence information indicating whether or not a battery that supplies power that can maintain the function of the accessory is mounted. The accessory control unit
Controlling the charging unit so as to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit by the power continuously supplied from the camera without transmitting the charging request information to the camera. The accessory according to claim 5, wherein When detecting the amount of power stored in the storage unit,
The charging unit is
The charging unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage unit is charged with a predetermined time by the power supplied from the camera in accordance with control from the accessory control unit. The accessory according to one item. The accessory control unit
The charging unit is configured to detect the power storage amount stored in the storage unit by a voltage supplied from the camera during charging for a predetermined time required to detect the power storage amount. The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the accessory is controlled. The charging unit is
The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a storage amount stored in the storage unit is detected along with a charging operation to the storage unit. The accessory control unit
When the charged amount detected by the charging unit is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold, the charging unit is caused to execute the charging operation for causing the charged amount to be equal to or more than the first threshold. The accessory according to claim 9. The accessory control unit
The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the storage amount stored in the storage unit is periodically detected. The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the storage unit is provided in the charging unit. The accessory as described in any one of Claims 1-12 provided with the light emission part which light-emits with the electric power stored in the said charging part. A camera that includes an attachment / detachment unit that allows attachment / detachment of the accessory, and that controls the accessory attached to the attachment / detachment unit,
A power supply for supplying a predetermined voltage to the accessory;
A camera control unit that determines that the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory is requested, and controls the power supply unit to continue the supply of the power in response to the request. Camera. An accessory control program for controlling the operation of an accessory control unit provided in an accessory to which power is supplied from a camera,
Controlling the charging unit to charge the storage unit with the power supplied from the camera;
The charging unit is configured to request the camera to supply power for maintaining the function of the accessory, and to detect the amount of power stored in the storage unit based on the power continuously supplied in response to the request. An accessory control program comprising: A camera control program for controlling the operation of a camera control unit for controlling attached accessories,
Controlling a power supply unit to supply a predetermined voltage to the accessory;
Determining that the supply of power for maintaining the function of the accessory is requested, and controlling the power supply unit so as to continue the supply of the power in response to the request. Control program.

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