JP2021056528A - Accessory device and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To conduct excellent imaging control using an operation member provided in an accessory device by one versus multi communication between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens as well as an accessory device.SOLUTION: An accessory device 300 is connectable to an imaging device 200 together with an interchangeable lens device 100. The accessory device has: an accessory communication unit 341 that provides a communication channel between the imaging device and the accessory device; an operation member 310 that makes an operation by a user operable; and an accessory control unit 302 that communicates with the imaging device via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit is configured to notify the imaging device of a communication request in response to detection of the operation of the operation member; and transmit operation state information indicative of an operation state of the operation member 310 after transmitting information corresponding to an operation start of the operation member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device (hereinafter referred to as a camera body) capable of communicating with each other, an interchangeable lens device (hereinafter referred to as an interchangeable lens), and an adapter device (hereinafter referred to as an adapter) arranged between the camera body and the lens. The present invention relates to an imaging (camera) system including an accessory device such as.

In an interchangeable lens camera system, the camera body and the interchangeable lens send and receive data to and from each other via a communication system. At this time, in order to realize imaging processing and image recording with high image quality and responsiveness, and imaging control such as smooth aperture control and focus control, it is necessary to perform large-capacity and highly real-time data communication.

In addition, an adapter such as a wide converter or teleconverter (extender) may be attached between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, and the adapter can be operated by the user to perform lens control such as aperture control and focus control. May have various operating members. Such an adapter also needs to communicate with the camera body like the interchangeable lens. Therefore, the camera system requires a communication system capable of highly real-time data communication (that is, imaging control) by performing one-to-many communication between the camera body and the interchangeable lens and the adapter.

Patent Document 1 discloses a camera system that corrects changes in optical parameters due to the adapter when an adapter is attached between the camera body and the interchangeable lens. Patent Document 2 discloses a camera system that enables a camera body to associate an arbitrary function with an operating member provided on an interchangeable lens.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-171392 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-09732

However, in the camera system disclosed in any of Patent Documents 1 and 2, only one-to-one communication is performed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, and in this case, when the adapter has an operating member, high real-time imaging is performed. Control cannot be achieved. Further, in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the camera body constantly monitors the operation information of the operating member of the interchangeable lens, if the constant monitoring of the adapter is added to this, communication waiting is likely to occur. It impairs the real-time performance of data communication.

The present invention provides a camera system that enables one-to-many communication between a camera body and an accessory device such as an interchangeable lens and an adapter, and enables highly real-time imaging control using an operating member provided in the accessory device. provide.

The accessory device as one aspect of the present invention can be connected to the image pickup device together with the interchangeable lens device. The accessory device includes an accessory communication unit provided with a communication channel between the accessory device, an operation member that can be operated by the user, and an accessory control unit that communicates with the image pickup device via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit notifies the image pickup apparatus of a communication request in response to detecting the operation of the operation member.
From the notification of the communication request to the detection of the end of the operation, the operation state information indicating the operation state of the operation member is controlled to be repeatedly transmitted to the image pickup apparatus.

Further, the imaging device as another aspect of the present invention can be connected to an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by the user together with the interchangeable lens device. The image pickup device has a first communication unit provided with a communication channel between the image pickup device and the accessory device, and a camera control unit that communicates with the accessory device via the first communication unit. The camera control unit receives the communication request notified in response to the accessory device detecting the operation of the operation member, and receives the operation end information indicating the end of the operation from the reception of the communication request until the accessory device receives the operation end information indicating the end of the operation. It is characterized in that the request for the operation state information indicating the operation state of the operation member of is repeated.

An imaging system including the accessory device, an interchangeable lens device, and an imaging device also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

Further, the communication control method as another aspect of the present invention is an accessory device that can be connected to the image pickup device together with the interchangeable lens device, provides a communication channel between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device, and is a user. It is applied to an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by. The communication control method includes a step of notifying an imaging device of a communication request in response to detecting an operation of the operating member, and an operating state of the operating member from the notification of the communication request to detecting the end of the operation. It is characterized in that the accessory device is made to perform a process including a step of repeating transmission of the indicated operation state information to the image pickup device.

Further, the communication control method as another aspect of the present invention is an imaging device capable of connecting an interchangeable lens device and an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by the user, and is between the accessory device and the interchangeable lens. It is applied to an imaging device provided with a communication channel. The communication control method includes a step of receiving a communication request notified in response to the accessory device detecting an operation of an operation member, and a step of receiving the communication request until an operation end information indicating the end of the operation is received. A communication control method comprising causing an image pickup apparatus to perform a process including a step of repeating a request for operation state information indicating an operation state of an operation member from an accessory device.

A communication control program as a computer program for causing a computer of an accessory device or an imaging device to execute a process according to the above communication control method also constitutes one aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an imaging system capable of one-to-many communication between an imaging device, an interchangeable lens device, and an accessory device, and capable of performing good imaging control with high real-time performance using an operating member provided in the accessory device. can do.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the camera system in Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the communication path of the 1st communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication path of the 2nd communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication format of the 2nd communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication format of the 1st communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication waveform in the broadcast communication in Example 1. FIG. Another figure which shows the communication waveform in the broadcast communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication waveform in P2P communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the communication waveform at the time of communication mode switching in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the camera body in the broadcast communication in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the interchangeable lens and the adapter in the broadcast communication in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the camera body in P2P communication in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the interchangeable lens and the adapter in P2P communication in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the control sequence according to the operation of the operation member of the adapter in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the control sequence according to the operation of the operation member of the adapter in Example 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the processing of the adapter in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the camera body in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the interchangeable lens in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the control sequence according to the operation of the operation member of the adapter in Example 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an imaging system (hereinafter, simply referred to as an adapter) including an imaging device (hereinafter, referred to as a camera body) 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, an interchangeable lens 100, and an adapter device (hereinafter, simply referred to as an adapter) 300 as an intermediate accessory device. , Camera system). The camera body 200 of this embodiment can be used in a state where both the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are attached.

FIG. 1 shows a camera system in which one adapter 300 is mounted between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 as an example, but a plurality of adapters are connected and mounted between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. May be good.

In the camera system of this embodiment, communication is performed between the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 by using a plurality of communication methods. The camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 transmit control commands and data (information) via their respective first communication units. In addition, each first communication unit supports multiple communication methods, and by switching to the same communication method in synchronization with each other according to the type of data to be communicated and the communication purpose, it is optimal for various situations. Communication method can be selected.

Further, in the camera system of the present embodiment, in addition to the path of communication via the first communication unit of each of the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300, the second communication unit of the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 is used. Has a communication route.

First, a more specific configuration of the interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200, and the adapter 300 will be described.

The interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 400, which is a coupling mechanism. Similarly, the adapter 300 and the camera body 200 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mounting 401, which is a coupling mechanism. The interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 obtain power from the camera body 200 via a power supply terminal (not shown) provided on the mounts 400 and 401. Then, it supplies power necessary for the operation of various actuators described later, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. The interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200, and the adapter 300 communicate with each other via communication terminals (not shown) provided on the mounts 400 and 401.

The interchangeable lens 100 has an imaging optical system. The imaging optical system includes a field lens 101, a variable magnification lens 102 for scaling, and an aperture unit 114 for adjusting the amount of light, in order from the subject OBJ side. Further, the imaging optical system includes an anti-vibration lens 103 that reduces (corrects) image shake and a focus lens 104 that adjusts the focus.

The variable magnification lens 102 and the focus lens 104 are held by the lens holding frames 105 and 106, respectively. The lens holding frames 105 and 106 are movably guided in the optical axis direction (indicated by a broken line in the figure) by a guide shaft (not shown), and are driven in the optical axis direction by stepping motors 107 and 108. The stepping motors 107 and 108 move the zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 in synchronization with the drive pulse, respectively.

The anti-vibration lens 103 reduces image shake caused by camera shake (camera shake, etc.) by shifting in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

The lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a lens microcomputer) 111 is a lens control unit that controls the operation of each part in the interchangeable lens 100. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 receives a control command and a transmission request command transmitted from the camera body 200 via the lens first communication unit 112 including the lens communication interface circuit. The lens microcomputer 111 controls the lens corresponding to the control command, and transmits the lens data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera body 200 via the first communication unit 112 of the lens.

Further, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs a drive signal to the zoom drive circuit 119 and the focus drive circuit 120 in response to commands related to scaling and focusing among the control commands to drive the stepping motors 107 and 108. As a result, zoom processing for controlling the scaling operation by the zoom lens 102 and AF (autofocus) processing for controlling the focus adjustment operation by the focus lens 104 are performed.

The diaphragm unit 114 includes diaphragm blades 114a and 114b. The states (positions) of the diaphragm blades 114a and 114b are detected by the Hall element 115. The output from the Hall element 115 is input to the lens microcomputer 111 via the amplifier circuit 122 and the A / D conversion circuit 123. The lens microcomputer 111 outputs a drive signal to the aperture drive circuit 121 based on the input signal from the A / D conversion circuit 123 to drive the aperture actuator 113. Thereby, the light amount adjustment operation by the diaphragm unit 114 is controlled.

Further, the lens microcomputer 111 is a vibration-proof actuator (voice coil motor) via a vibration-proof drive circuit 125 in response to camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided in the interchangeable lens 100. Etc.) Drive 126. As a result, the vibration isolation process for controlling the shift operation (vibration isolation operation) of the vibration isolation lens 103 is performed.

Further, the interchangeable lens 100 has a manual operation ring (so-called electronic ring) 130 and a ring rotation detector 131 that can be rotated by the user. The ring rotation detector 131 is composed of, for example, a photo interrupter that outputs a two-phase signal in response to the rotation of the manually operated ring 130. The lens microcomputer 111 can detect the rotation operation amount (including the direction) of the manual operation ring 130 by using the two-phase signals. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 can notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the rotation operation amount of the manual operation ring 130 via the lens first communication unit 112.

The adapter 300 is, for example, an extender for changing the focal length, and has a variable magnification lens 301 and an adapter microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as an adapter microcomputer) 302. The adapter microcomputer 302 is an adapter control unit (also referred to as an accessory control unit or a communication control unit) that controls the operation of each unit in the adapter 300. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 receives the control command and the transmission request command transmitted from the camera body 200 via the adapter first communication unit (accessory communication unit) 303 including the communication interface circuit. The adapter microcomputer 302 performs adapter control corresponding to the control command, and transmits the adapter data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera body 200 via the adapter first communication unit 303. In this embodiment, the case where the adapter 300 is an extender will be described, but a wide converter that changes the focal length or a mount converter that changes the flange back length may be used.

Further, the adapter 300 has an adapter operation ring (so-called electronic ring) 310 and a ring rotation detector 311 as operation members that can be rotated by the user, similarly to the interchangeable lens 100. Like the ring rotation detector 131 of the interchangeable lens 100, the ring rotation detector 311 is also composed of a photo interrupter that outputs a two-phase signal according to the rotation of the adapter operation ring 310, for example. The adapter microcomputer 302 can detect the rotation operation amount (including the direction) of the adapter operation ring 310 by using the two-phase signals. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 can notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the rotation operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 via the adapter first communication unit 303.

The operating member provided on the adapter 300 may be something other than the operating ring, for example, a switch, a button, or a touch panel. Further, the adapter 300 may be provided with a plurality of operating members.

The camera body 200 displays an image sensor 201 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an A / D conversion circuit 202, a signal processing circuit 203, a recording unit 204, and a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a camera microcomputer) 205. It has a part 206.

The image sensor 201 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the image pickup optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electric signal (analog signal). The A / D conversion circuit 202 converts the analog signal from the image sensor 201 into a digital signal. The signal processing circuit 203 performs various image processing on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit 202 to generate a video signal. The signal processing circuit 203 also generates focus information indicating the contrast state (focus state of the imaging optical system) of the subject image and luminance information indicating the exposure state from the video signal. The signal processing circuit 203 outputs a video signal to the display unit 206, and the display unit 206 displays the video signal as a live view image used for confirming a composition, a focus state, or the like.

The camera microcomputer (also referred to as a communication control unit) 205 as a camera control unit controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs from camera operation members such as an image pickup instruction switch (not shown) and various setting switches. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a control command related to the scaling operation of the zoom lens 102 to the lens microcomputer 111 in response to an operation of a zoom switch (not shown) via the camera first communication unit 208 including a communication interface circuit. .. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 issues control commands related to the light amount adjusting operation of the aperture unit 114 according to the luminance information and the focus adjusting operation of the focus lens 104 according to the focus information via the camera first communication unit 208. Send to. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring the control information and the state information of the interchangeable lens 100 to the lens microcomputer 111 as needed. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring the control information and the state information of the adapter 300 to the adapter microcomputer 302.

Next, the first communication unit 241 of the camera body 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the first communication unit 341 of the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302), and the first communication unit 141 of the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111) The communication path configured between them will be described with reference to FIG. 2A. Communication performed on this communication path is also referred to as first communication. The camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 communicate using signal lines (channels) connected via communication terminals provided on the mounts 400 and 401 described above.

The signal lines include a signal line CS for transmitting a signal for communication control (first signal line: corresponding to a signal transmission channel) and a signal line for communicating data (second signal line: data). DATA (corresponding to a communication channel) is provided.

The signal line CS is connected to the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can detect Hi (High) and Low as the state of the signal line CS. Further, the signal line CS is pull-up connected to a power source (not shown) in the camera body 200. The signal line CS can be connected to the ground GND (open drain connection) via the ground switch 1121 in the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 in the camera body 200, and the ground switch 3031 in the adapter 300. ..

With this configuration, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can set the signal line CS to Low by turning on (connecting) the ground switches 2081, 1121, 3031, respectively. Further, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can set the signal line CS to Hi by turning off (cutting off) the grounding switches 2081, 1121, 3031, respectively. The details of communication control signals (instructions and notifications) transmitted through the signal line CS and their output processing will be described later.

The signal line DATA is a single-line bidirectional data communication line that can be used while switching the data transmission direction. The signal line DATA can be connected to the lens microcomputer 111 via the input / output changeover switch 1122 in the interchangeable lens 100, and can be connected to the camera microcomputer 205 via the input / output changeover switch 2082 in the camera body 200. Further, the signal line DATA can be connected to the adapter microcomputer 302 via the input / output changeover switch 3032 in the adapter 300. Each microcomputer includes a CMOS-type data output unit for transmitting data and a CMOS-type data input unit for receiving data (neither is shown). By switching the input / output changeover switch, each microcomputer can select whether to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit or the data input unit.

When transmitting data, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 each set an input / output changeover switch so as to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit. Further, each of the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 sets an input / output changeover switch so as to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit when receiving data. The details of the input / output switching process of the signal line DATA will be described later.

Although FIG. 2A shows an example of a communication circuit, it may be another communication circuit. For example, the signal line CS can be pulled down to GND in the camera body 200 and connected to a power supply (not shown) via the ground switch 1121 of the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 of the camera body 200, and the ground switch 3031 of the adapter 300. It may be configured. Further, the interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200 and the adapter 300 may be configured such that the signal line DATA is always connected to the data input unit, and the connection / disconnection between the signal line DATA and the data output unit can be switched by a switch. ..

The communication circuit may have a configuration other than the communication circuit shown in FIG. 2A as long as the broadcast communication and P2P communication described later can be performed.

Next, a communication path configured between the second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 (camera microcomputer 205) and the second communication unit 142 of the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111) will be described with reference to FIG. 2B. To do. Communication performed on this communication path is also referred to as first communication.

The second communication contact groups 1420, 3420, and 2420 include second communication LCLK terminals 1420a, 3420a, 3421a, and 2420a, which are terminals of the clock line LCLK output from the camera microcomputer 205 for performing clock synchronous communication, respectively. ing. Similarly, the second communication DCL terminals 1420b, 3420b, 3421b, 2420b, which are the terminals of the data line DCL output from the camera microcomputer 205 for clock synchronous communication, are included. Similarly, the second communication DLC terminals 1420c, 3420c, 3421c, and 2420c, which are the terminals of the data line DLC output from the lens microcomputer 111 for clock synchronous communication, are included.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the clock line LCLK and the data line DCL are pulled up in the interchangeable lens 100. Further, the clock line LCLK and the data line DLC are pulled up in the camera body 200.

The clock line LCLK, data line DCL, and data line DLC in the adapter 300 are short-circuited between the second communication contacts 3420 and 3421, respectively.
Here, the second communication can be realized by the same communication method as the first communication, bidirectional synchronous communication, master / slave method, token passing method, or the like. When realized by synchronous communication, the communication timings of the data line DCL and the data line DLC may be controlled based on the signal output from the camera microcomputer 205 to the clock line LCLK.
[Communication data format]
Next, the communication data communication format exchanged between the camera body 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2C and 3. ..

First, the communication data format of the first communication will be described. The communication data format is common to broadcast communication and P2P communication, which will be described later. Here, a communication data format in the case of performing so-called pace-synchronized communication, in which the communication speed used for communication is agreed in advance between the microcomputers and transmission / reception is performed at a communication bit rate according to this agreement, will be described.

First, in the non-transmission state in which data is not transmitted, the signal level is maintained at Hi. Next, in order to notify the data receiving side of the start of data transmission, the signal level is set to Low for a 1-bit period. This 1-bit period is called the start bit ST. Subsequently, 1-byte data is transmitted in an 8-bit period from the next 2nd bit to the 9th bit. As the MSB first format, the bit array of data starts with the highest data D7, continues with data D6, data D5, ..., Data D1, and ends with the lowest data D0. 1-bit parity PA information is added to the 10th bit, and by setting the signal level to Hi during the period of the stop bit SP indicating the end of the transmission data at the end, the 1-frame period started from the start bit ST ends. To do.

Although an example of the communication data format is shown in FIG. 3, other communication data formats may be used. For example, the bit array of data may be LSB first or 9-bit length, or parity PA information may not be added. Further, the communication data format may be switched between broadcast communication and P2P communication.

Next, the data format of the second communication will be described. FIG. 2B shows the waveforms of the clock line LCLK, the data line DCL, and the data line DLC when the first communication is performed. The second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 outputs the clock to the clock line LCLK and outputs 8-bit data of B7 to B0 to the data line DCL in accordance with the rising signal of the clock line LCLK.

Similarly, the lens-side first communication unit 114 outputs 8-bit data of B7 to B0 to the data line DLC in accordance with the rising signal of the clock line LCLK.

Further, the second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 receives 8-bit data of B7 to B0 of the data line DLC in accordance with the rising signal of the clock line LCLK. Similarly, the second communication unit 142 of the interchangeable lens 100 receives 8-bit data of B7 to B0 of the data line DCL in accordance with the rising signal of the clock line LCLK.

With the above configuration, the second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 and the second communication unit 142 of the interchangeable lens 100 can exchange communication data with each other.

When the second communication unit 142 of the interchangeable lens 100 receives 8-bit data of B7 to B0 of the data line DCL, the clock line LCLK outputs the Tbusy time LOW, and then releases the LOW output. Here, the Tbusy time is the time during which the interchangeable lens 10 is processing the received data, and the second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 does not transmit the data until the clock line LCLK changes from LOW to HIGH after the data is transmitted. It is composed. By this signal control, the flow control of the first communication can be performed.

By repeating the above processing, data can be transmitted between the second communication unit 242 of the camera body 200 and the second communication unit 142 of the interchangeable lens 100 by the first communication.
[Broadcast communication]
Next, the broadcast communication will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Broadcast communication is one-to-many communication in which one of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 simultaneously transmits data (that is, simultaneous transmission) to the other two. This broadcast communication is performed using the signal line CS and the signal line DATA. Further, a communication mode in which broadcast communication is performed is also referred to as a broadcast communication mode.

FIG. 4A shows a signal waveform in broadcast communication performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. Here, as an example, a case where the adapter microcomputer 302 performs broadcast communication to the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in response to the broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described.

First, the camera microcomputer 205, which is the communication master, starts Low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves, to start the broadcast communication, respectively (401). Next, the camera microcomputer 205 outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA (402).

On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 start the Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected (403, 404). At this point, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started the Low output to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.

After that, when the camera microcomputer 205 finishes up to the output of the stop bit SP, the low output to the signal line CS is released (405). After receiving the data input from the signal line DATA up to the stop bit SP, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 analyze the received data and perform internal processing associated with the received data. Then, after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS (406,407). As described above, the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi when all of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS. Therefore, each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 can confirm that the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi after the Low output to the signal line CS is released. By confirming that the signal level of the signal line CS has reached Hi, the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 each complete the current communication process and are ready for the next communication. It can be judged that it was.

Next, when the adapter microcomputer 302 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, it outputs Low to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 that the broadcast communication is started. (411).

Subsequently, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA (412). Further, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 start the Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected (413,414). At this point, since the adapter microcomputer 302 has already started the Low output to the signal line CS, the signal level propagated to the signal line CS does not change. After that, the adapter microcomputer 302 releases the Low output to the signal line CS when the output of the stop bit SP is completed (415). On the other hand, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 receive the signal line DATA up to the input stop bit SP, analyze the received data, and perform internal processing associated with the received data. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 release the Low output to the signal line CS after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed (416,417).

The same applies to the case where the lens microcomputer 111 performs broadcast communication to the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 in response to the broadcast communication to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 of the camera microcomputer 205. That is, when the lens microcomputer 111 starts the Low output to the signal line CS and outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA, the lens microcomputer 111 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS. The camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS after receiving the data output by the lens microcomputer 111 from the signal line DATA to the stop bit SP input, so that the next communication is possible. Return to the normal state.

FIG. 4B also shows a signal waveform in broadcast communication performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. Here, an example is shown in which the lens microcomputer 111 notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of the start of broadcast communication. In this example, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs broadcast communication to the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in response to the broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.

First, the lens microcomputer 111 starts low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 that the broadcast communication is started (421). That is, the lens microcomputer 111 notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of the communication request by changing the signal level of the signal line CS. The camera microcomputer 205 that detects that the signal level of the signal line CS has changed from Hi (also referred to as the first signal level) to Low (also referred to as the second signal level) starts Low output to the signal line CS. (422). At this point, since the lens microcomputer 111 has already started the Low output to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 outputs the data to be transmitted in response to the communication request notified by the signal line CS to the signal line DATA (423). The adapter microcomputer 302 starts Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected (424). At this point, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started the Low output to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.

When the camera microcomputer 205 finishes up to the output of the stop bit SP, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS (425). On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 receive the signal line DATA up to the input stop bit SP, analyze the received data, and perform internal processing associated with the received data. Then, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 release the Low output to the signal line CS after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed (426,427). As described above, the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi when all of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 each release the Low output to the signal line CS, and then the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi. By confirming that the signal level of the signal line CS is Hi, the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 have completed the current communication process and are ready for the next communication. You can judge.

Next, when the adapter microcomputer 302 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, it outputs a Low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 that the broadcast communication is started. Start (431). That is, the lens microcomputer 111 notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of the communication request by changing the signal level of the signal line CS.

Next, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA (432). On the other hand, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 start the Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected (433,434). At this point, since the adapter microcomputer 302 has already started the Low output to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.

After that, when the adapter microcomputer 302 finishes up to the output of the stop bit SP, the low output to the signal line CS is released (435). On the other hand, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 receive the signal line DATA up to the input stop bit SP, analyze the received data, and perform internal processing associated with the received data. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 release the Low output to the signal line CS after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed (436,437).

In the example of FIG. 4B, broadcast communication starts from the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves. In this case, the camera microcomputer 205, which is the communication master, determines which of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 sets the signal line CS to Low when the Low output to the signal line CS is started (421). I can't. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205 needs to perform communication to confirm whether broadcast communication has been started (communication request has been made) to both the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.

Further, at the timing when the camera microcomputer 205 outputs Low to the signal line CS to start broadcast communication, the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 may output Low to the signal line CS to start broadcast communication. .. In this case, the camera microcomputer 205 cannot detect that the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs Low to the signal line CS. In this case, the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 is not communicated to confirm whether the broadcast communication is started (communication request is made). Therefore, if the confirmation communication of the communication request is not performed even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the signal line CS is output to Low again and the communication request is made to the camera microcomputer 205.

As described above, the signal transmitted by the signal line CS in the broadcast communication functions as a signal indicating the start (execution) and execution of the broadcast communication.

Although an example of broadcast communication is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, other broadcast communication may be performed. For example, the data transmitted in one broadcast communication may be 1-byte data as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, but may be 2-byte or 3-byte data. Further, the broadcast communication may be one-way communication from the camera microcomputer 205 which is the communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 which are communication slaves.
[P2P communication]
Next, P2P communication performed between the camera body 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described. In P2P communication, the camera body 200, which is the communication master, designates (selects) one partner (specific accessory device) to communicate with the interchangeable lens 100, which is the communication slave, and the adapter 300, and only between the designated communication slave. It is one-to-one communication (individual communication) that sends and receives data. This P2P communication is performed using the signal line DATA and the signal line CS. Further, the communication mode in which P2P communication is performed is also referred to as a P2P communication mode.

FIG. 5 shows, as an example, a signal waveform of P2P communication exchanged between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 designated as a communication partner. In response to the 1-byte data transmission from the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 2-byte data to the camera microcomputer 205. The communication mode (broadcast communication mode and P2P communication mode) switching process and the communication partner designation process in P2P communication will be described later.

First, the camera microcomputer 205, which is a communication master, outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA (501). The camera microcomputer 205 starts the Low output to the signal line CS after finishing the output of the stop bit SP (502). After that, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed (503). On the other hand, after detecting the Low signal input from the signal line CS, the lens microcomputer 111 analyzes the received data input from the signal line DATA and performs internal processing associated with the received data. After that, the lens microcomputer 111 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, and then outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA continuously for 2 bytes (504). The lens microcomputer 111 starts the Low output to the signal line CS after finishing the output of the stop bit SP of the second byte (505). Then, the lens microcomputer 111 releases the Low output to the signal line CS after the preparation for receiving the next data is completed (506).

The adapter microcomputer 302 that is not designated as a communication partner for P2P communication does not output a signal to the signal line CS and the signal line DATA.

As described above, the signal transmitted by the signal line CS in the P2P communication functions as a notification signal indicating the end of data transmission and the standby request for the next data transmission.

Although an example of P2P communication is shown in FIG. 5, other P2P communication may be performed, for example, data may be transmitted byte by byte on the signal line DATA, or data of 3 bytes or more may be transmitted. You may.
[Communication mode switching process and communication partner specification process]
Next, the communication mode switching process and the communication partner designation process in P2P communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a signal waveform at the time of communication mode switching and communication partner designation exchanged between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. The communication partner of P2P communication is designated by broadcast communication. Here, as an example, when the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner for P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205, and P2P communication of 1-byte data from the camera microcomputer 205 and P2P communication of 1-byte data from the adapter microcomputer 302 are executed. Will be explained. After that, the camera microcomputer 205 designates the lens microcomputer 111 as a communication partner for P2P communication, and P2P communication of 2-byte data from the camera microcomputer 205 and P2P communication of 3-byte data from the lens microcomputer 111 are executed.

First, the camera microcomputer 205, which is the communication master, executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. 4A (601). What is notified by this broadcast communication is slave designation data that specifies a partner to communicate with the camera microcomputer 205 in the next P2P communication. The lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves, determine whether or not they are designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on the slave designation data received in the broadcast communication. Based on this determination result, the communication mode between the camera microcomputer 205 and the designated communication slave is switched from the broadcast communication mode to the P2P communication mode (602). Since the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner here, in the next P2P communication, data is transmitted and received between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. 5 (603). Here, 1-byte data is transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the adapter microcomputer 302, and then 1-byte data is transmitted from the adapter microcomputer 302 to the camera microcomputer 205.

When the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 can again specify a communication partner to communicate by P2P communication by broadcast communication. Here, in order to specify the lens microcomputer 111 as the communication partner for the next P2P communication, the lens microcomputer 111 is set as the slave designation data, and the broadcast communication is executed according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. 4A (604). In response to this broadcast communication, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the P2P communication, and at the same time, the communication mode of the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is switched to the P2P communication mode (605). If the broadcast communication is not executed here, the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is continued.

In the next P2P communication, data is transmitted and received between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. Here, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 2-byte data to the lens microcomputer 111, and then the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 3-byte data to the camera microcomputer 205 (606).

As described above, it is possible to specify a communication partner for P2P communication by broadcast communication, and it is possible to switch between broadcast communication and P2P communication at the same time.
[Communication control processing]
Next, the communication control process performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described. First, the processing in the broadcast communication mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A shows a broadcast transmission process performed by the camera microcomputer 205, and FIG. 7B shows a broadcast reception process performed by the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302. Here, as an example, the processing in the case of performing broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is shown. The camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are computers, execute this process and other processes described later according to a communication control program as a computer program.

When an event for starting broadcast communication occurs, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 in step S700 of FIG. 7A to set the signal line CS to Low. As a result, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are notified of the start of broadcast communication. The event is, for example, that the camera microcomputer 205 requests the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 to transmit data. Another event is that the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs Low to the signal line CS in order to request the start of broadcast communication. Upon receiving the start notification of the broadcast communication, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 start the broadcast reception process described with reference to FIG. 7B.

Next, in step S701, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit. Next, in step S702, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits data using the signal line DATA, and when the transmission of all the data is completed, the process proceeds to step S703. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data transmitted / received here, and it is sufficient that the recognition is the same among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.

In step S703, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the data transmitted in step S702 is a bidirectional command including transmission from the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S704 if it is not a bidirectional command, and proceeds to 705 if it is a bidirectional command.

In step S704, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 2081 to indicate that the communication process has been completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S715.

In step S705, the camera microcomputer 205 connects the signal line DATA to the data input unit by operating the input / output changeover switch 2082. Then, in step S706, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 2081 in order to indicate that the communication process has been completed.

Next, in step S707, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the data reception of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Hi. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the process proceeds to step S708.

In step S708, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the data is transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Low. When the signal line CS becomes Low, the process proceeds to S709.

In step S709, the camera microcomputer 205 permits data reception from the signal line DATA. Next, in step S710, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the start bit of the signal line DATA is detected. When the start bit is detected, the process proceeds to step S711.

In step S711, the camera microcomputer 205 starts the Low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch 2081 to indicate that the communication process is in progress. Subsequently, in step S712, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until all the data is received. Then, when the reception of all the data is completed, the process proceeds to step S713. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data transmitted / received here, and it is sufficient that the recognition is the same among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.

In step S713, the camera microcomputer 205 prohibits data reception from the signal line DATA. Subsequently, in step S714, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 2081 to indicate that the communication process has been completed. Then, in step S715, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the data reception of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Hi. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the process proceeds to step S716.

In step S716, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner for P2P communication by the data transmission in step S702. If the camera microcomputer 205 has been designated as the communication partner, the process proceeds to step S717, and if not, the camera microcomputer 205 ends the broadcast communication transmission process in the broadcast communication mode.

In step S717, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the P2P communication mode and ends the broadcast transmission process.

In FIG. 7B, when the signal line CS reaches the Low level during communication standby in the broadcast communication mode or the P2P communication mode, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 recognize this as a broadcast communication start notification. Then, the broadcast reception process is started.

First, in step S720, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 allow data reception from the signal line DATA. Next, in step S721, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not the start bit of the signal line DATA has been received, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S722, and if so, the process proceeds to step S724. .. At this time, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 shift to the broadcast communication mode when their own communication mode is the P2P communication mode.

In step S722, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not the signal line CS is Hi, and if it is Hi, the process proceeds to step S723 to end the broadcast communication reception process. If it is not Hi, the process returns to step S721 in order to continue waiting for the start bit reception.

In step S723, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 prohibit data reception from the signal line DATA and end the broadcast reception process.

On the other hand, in step S724, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 shift to the broadcast communication mode when their own communication mode is the P2P communication mode. Then, in step S725, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 start Low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 to indicate that the communication process is in progress.

Next, in step S726, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 wait until all the data is received. When the reception of all the data is completed, the process proceeds to step S727. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data received here, and it is sufficient that the recognition is the same among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.

Subsequently, in S727, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 prohibit the reception of data from the signal line DATA. Then, in step S728, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 release the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 to indicate that the communication processing has been completed.

Next, in step S729, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not the data received in step S725 is a bidirectional command meaning transmission from itself. If the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are bidirectional commands meaning transmission from themselves, the process proceeds to step S730, and if not, the process proceeds to step S735.

In step S730, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 wait until the other microcomputers complete data reception, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Hi. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the process proceeds to S731.

In step S731, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 turn on (connect) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 to notify the start of broadcast communication, and set the signal line CS to Low. Then, in step S732, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit by operating the input / output changeover switches 1122 and 3032.

Subsequently, in step S733, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 transmit data using the signal line DATA. When the transmission of all data is completed, the process proceeds to step S734. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data received here, and it is sufficient that the recognition is the same among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.

In step S734, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 release the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 in order to indicate that their own data transmission processing has been completed. ..

Next, in step S735, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 wait until the data reception of the other microcomputers is completed, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Hi. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the process proceeds to step S736.

In step S736, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not they have been designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on the data received from the camera microcomputer 205 in step S726. If specified, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 proceed to step S737, and if not, end the broadcast reception process in the broadcast communication mode.

In step S737, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 allow data reception from the signal line DATA. Subsequently, in step S738, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 shift to the P2P communication mode and end the broadcast reception process.

By the above broadcast transmission and reception processing, data communication using broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 can be realized.

Next, the processing in the P2P communication mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A shows the P2P transmission process performed by the camera microcomputer 205, and FIG. 8B shows the P2P reception process performed by the adapter microcomputer 302 designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication by the camera microcomputer 205 as an example. Even when the lens microcomputer 111 is designated as the communication partner for P2P communication, the same P2P reception process as in FIG. 8B is performed.

When an event for starting P2P communication occurs, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S800 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S801. When the transmission of all the data is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S802. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data to be transmitted here, and it is sufficient that the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 have the same recognition.

In step S802, the camera microcomputer 205 starts Low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch 2081, and notifies the adapter microcomputer 302 of the completion of data transmission by P2P communication. Upon receiving this notification, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts the P2P reception process described with reference to FIG. 8B.

Next, in step S803, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the data transmitted in step S802 is a bidirectional command including data transmission from the adapter microcomputer 302. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S804 if it is not a bidirectional command, and proceeds to S805 if it is a bidirectional command.

In step S804, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 2081 in order to detect that the adapter microcomputer 302 has completed data reception. Then, the process proceeds to step S809.

In step S805, the camera microcomputer 205 connects the signal line DATA to the data input unit by operating the input / output changeover switch 2082. Then, the process proceeds to step S806.

In step S806, the camera microcomputer 205 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 2081 in order to detect that the data transmission from the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S807.

In step S807, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the data transmission from the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, that is, until the signal line CS becomes Low. When the signal line CS becomes Low, the camera microcomputer 205 determines that the data transmission from the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, and proceeds to step S808. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data received here, and it is sufficient that the recognitions match between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302.

In step S808, the camera microcomputer 205 analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA. Next, in step S809, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi. Then, when the signal line CS becomes Hi, the camera microcomputer 205 determines that the P2P communication this time has been completed, and proceeds to step S810.

In step S810, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not to start the broadcast communication in the next communication, and if the broadcast communication is started, the process proceeds to step S811. When continuing P2P communication, the P2P transmission process is terminated in the P2P communication mode.

In step S811, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the broadcast communication mode and ends the P2P transmission process.

In step S820 of FIG. 8B, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA. Next, in step S821, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi, that is, until the processing of step S804 or step S806 is completed. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the process proceeds to step S822.

In step S822, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the received data analyzed in step S820 is a bidirectional command including data transmission from the adapter microcomputer 302. If the adapter microcomputer 302 is not a bidirectional command, the process proceeds to step S823, and if it is a bidirectional command, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to step S824.

In step S823, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts Low output to the CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch 3031 in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 that the data reception is completed. After that, the process proceeds to step S828.

On the other hand, in step S824, the adapter microcomputer 302 connects the signal line DATA to the data output unit by operating the input / output changeover switch 3032. Next, in step S825, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data using the signal line DATA, and when all the data transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S826. There is no limit to the number of bytes of data to be transmitted here, and it is sufficient that the recognitions match between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302.

Subsequently, in step S826, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts Low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch 3031. As a result, the camera microcomputer 205 is notified of the completion of data transmission by P2P communication.

Next, in step S827, the adapter microcomputer 302 connects the signal line DATA to the data input unit by operating the input / output changeover switch 3032. Then, the process proceeds to step S828.

In step S828, the adapter microcomputer 302 releases the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (cutting off) the ground switch 3031 in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 that the P2P communication is completed. Next, in step S829, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in order to detect that the camera microcomputer 205 has completed P2P communication. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the P2P reception process.

By the above processing, data transmission using P2P communication can be performed from the camera microcomputer 205 which is the communication master to the adapter microcomputer 302 which is the communication slave.
[Control according to the operation of the operating member of the adapter]
Next, using FIG. 9, an image pickup communication process (communication control method) performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 in order to realize the image pickup control using the adapter operation ring 310 in this embodiment. ) Will be explained. Here, as an example, a case where the interchangeable lens 100 is connected to the camera body 200 via one adapter 300 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A will be described. In this example, the signal line CS and the signal line DATA are broadcast and P2P communicated between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 receives the operation state information of the adapter operation ring 310 described later from the adapter microcomputer 302, and the camera microcomputer 205 drives the aperture unit 114 in the interchangeable lens 100 via the lens microcomputer 111 (hereinafter referred to as aperture drive). To control.

The drive of the variable magnification lens 102 and the focus lens 104 in the interchangeable lens 100 may be controlled according to the operation of the adapter operation ring 310, and the Tv value (exposure time) and ISO sensitivity in the camera body 200 may be controlled. You may change it or select the settings menu.

When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects a rotation operation of the adapter operation ring 310 by the user (hereinafter referred to as a ring operation) (900), this process is started. When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the start of the ring operation through the change in the output of the ring rotation detector 311 shown in FIG. 1, it starts sampling the operation state information of the adapter operation ring 310 (hereinafter, referred to as the ring operation state information). (901). The ring operation state information includes an operation amount (rotation amount) including the operation direction (rotation direction) of the adapter operation ring 310, a cumulative value of the operation amount, an operation speed, an operation acceleration, and the like, and any of these may be used. In this embodiment, the cumulative value of the operation amount and the operation speed are sampled as ring operation state information.

Next, in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the start of the ring operation, the adapter microcomputer 302 cameras the start of broadcast communication by the Low output (421) to the signal line CS shown in FIG. 4B before the notification. Requested to the microcomputer 205 (902). That is, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a communication request to the camera microcomputer 205.

The camera microcomputer 205 that has received the communication request from the adapter microcomputer 302 starts broadcast communication, but at this point, it is not possible to determine which of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 has transmitted the communication request. Further, since the factor (event) of the communication request is unknown, the camera microcomputer 205 needs to inquire each of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 about the factor of the communication request (hereinafter referred to as the communication request factor). In this embodiment, the broadcast communication (604) shown in FIG. 6 is used to first specify the lens microcomputer 111 as the communication partner for P2P communication (903). The order of inquiry of communication request factors may be the adapter microcomputer 302 first. Further, if it is clear in advance that the lens microcomputer 111 does not output the communication request for broadcast communication at this time, it is not necessary to inquire the lens microcomputer 111 for the communication request factor.

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 inquires the lens microcomputer 111 of the communication request factor via the signal line DATA by using the P2P communication described with reference to FIG. Then, the communication request factor is received from the lens microcomputer 111 via the signal line DATA (904). In this example, since it is not the lens microcomputer 111 that outputs the communication request, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits information indicating that there is no communication request factor to the camera microcomputer 205. By this P2P communication, the camera microcomputer 205 confirms that the lens microcomputer 111 does not output the communication request. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 uses the broadcast communication (601) shown in FIG. 6 to designate the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner for P2P communication (905). Then, the camera microcomputer 205 inquires of the adapter microcomputer 302 of the communication request factor via the signal line DATA by using the P2P communication described with reference to FIG. 5 (transmits the third data). Then, the communication request factor (fourth data) is received from the adapter microcomputer 302 via the signal line DATA (906). In this example, since it is the adapter microcomputer 302 that outputs the communication request, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits information indicating that the communication request factor is the start of the ring operation (hereinafter, referred to as the ring operation start information). When the camera microcomputer 205 receives the ring operation start information from the adapter microcomputer 302, the camera microcomputer 205 sends the communication request to the adapter microcomputer 302, and the cause of the communication request is the start of the ring operation. It is possible to determine that.

The camera microcomputer 205 that has received the ring operation start information from the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires the above-mentioned ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302. For this purpose, first, the broadcast communication (601) shown in FIG. 6 is used to specify the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner for P2P communication (907). However, this broadcast communication may not be performed when the communication mode of the adapter microcomputer 302 is the P2P communication mode. Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the adapter microcomputer 302 to transmit the ring operation state information (first data) (that is, transmits the second data) using P2P communication, and the adapter microcomputer 302 performs the ring operation. Receive status information (908). When the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the ring operation status information, the adapter microcomputer 302 resets the internal ring operation status information in order to transmit the next ring operation status information. For example, the cumulative value of the operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 is reset to 0.

After that, the camera microcomputer 205 specifies the adapter microcomputer 302 in the broadcast communication (601) and receives the ring operation status information from the adapter microcomputer 302 in the P2P communication in a predetermined cycle until the ring operation end information described later is received. (908) is repeated. As a result, the camera microcomputer 205 can acquire the latest ring operation state information at predetermined intervals.

Upon receiving the ring operation state information, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 based on the ring operation state information (909). The communication for the aperture drive request may be broadcast communication or P2P communication. Also. The aperture drive request may be transmitted via the second communication unit 242 of the camera microcomputer 205 and received by the second communication unit 142 of the lens microcomputer 111. That is, the communication related to the aperture drive may be performed on a communication path via the second communication unit 242 and the second communication unit 142, that is, a communication path different from the communication path for transmitting and receiving the ring operation state information. This makes it possible to improve the real-time performance of the communication related to the aperture drive and the communication related to the ring operation state.

Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 each time the ring operation state information is received, and the transmission cycle of the aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 is the ring operation state information reception cycle. It may be different. For example, the reception cycle of the ring operation state information may be set shorter than the transmission cycle of the aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111. If the reception cycle of the ring operation status information is set to be long, the cumulative amount of the operation amount may overflow depending on the length of the reception cycle. Further, the transmission cycle of the aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 needs to depend on the cycle of AE control. In this way, by controlling the transmission cycle of the aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 and the reception cycle of the ring operation state information to appropriate cycles, the adapter microcomputer 302 and the camera microcomputer 302 each perform more suitable processing. be able to.

In order to realize good aperture drive for user operation of the adapter operation ring 310, in addition to aperture drive proportional to the operation amount (cumulative value) and operation speed of the adapter operation ring 310, smooth and intermittent for video quality. Continuous aperture drive that does not become a target is required. In this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a target Av value (target aperture value) and an aperture drive speed as an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111. Based on the received target Av value and aperture drive speed, the target Av value and aperture drive speed held by the lens microcomputer 111 as internal information are updated while driving the aperture. The lens microcomputer 111 continuously performs aperture drive according to the updated target Av value and aperture drive speed. By repeating this at regular intervals, it is possible to drive the aperture without stopping the aperture drive. When the aperture drive is stopped, the change in brightness becomes intermittent, which particularly affects the image quality of moving images. On the other hand, when the aperture is continuously driven, the brightness changes smoothly, so that it is possible to acquire a higher quality moving image. Further, by continuously driving the aperture, it is possible to reduce the time required to stop the aperture drive and restart the aperture drive from the state in which the aperture drive is stopped.

The transmission cycle of the aperture drive request from the camera microcomputer 205 at this time is T, and the cumulative value of the operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 during the period from the transmission of the previous aperture drive request to the transmission of the next aperture drive request is Cnt. And. Further, the aperture drive amount per 1 Cnt is indicated by a coefficient α, and the margin time for updating the target Av value and the aperture drive speed while the lens microcomputer 111 drives the aperture is Δt. By providing the margin time, even if the transmission of the aperture drive request is delayed due to the load of the microcomputer or the pressure on the communication band, the aperture drive can be performed without stopping the aperture drive. .. At this time, the camera microcomputer 205 calculates the target Av value and the aperture drive speed as shown in the following equations (1) and (2).
Target Av value = Previous target Av value + (Cnt × α) (1)
Aperture drive speed = (Cnt × α) / (T + Δt) (2)
The above calculation formulas (1) and (2) are merely examples, and the target Av value and the aperture drive speed may be calculated using other calculation formulas. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 may transmit information other than the target Av value and the aperture drive speed to the lens microcomputer 111 as an aperture drive request.

Next, when the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the end of the operation of the adapter operation ring 310 because the output of the ring rotation detector 311 does not change beyond a predetermined time, the ring operation status information indicates that the ring operation has been completed. The operation end information is stored (910). The end of the ring operation may be detected by a method other than the above method.

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 receives the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302 (908). However, the ring operation status information received here includes the ring operation end information. Based on this ring operation end information, the camera microcomputer 205 ends the subsequent acquisition of periodic ring operation state information (911). The camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 based on the cumulative value of the operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 and the operation speed included in the ring operation state information received last, and then the periodic aperture drive request. Ends the transmission of (912).

Next, the ring operation start processing performed by the adapter microcomputer 302 in the above-mentioned imaging communication processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11A. When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the start of the ring operation, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts this process. In step S1101, the adapter microcomputer 302 sets the ring operation start information as a communication request factor in the internal transmission buffer in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 that the ring operation has started. Then, a communication request for broadcast communication is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205. The communication request factor (ring operation start information) set in the internal transmission buffer is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 by P2P communication described later.

Next, in step S1102, the adapter microcomputer 302 samples the ring operation state information. Then, in step S1103, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the ring operation has been completed. If the operation is not completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 returns to step S1102, and if it is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 stores the ring operation end information in the ring operation state information in the internal transmission buffer and ends this process.

The ring operation P2P communication processing performed by the adapter microcomputer 302 in the above-mentioned imaging communication processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11B. When the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as a communication partner for P2P communication by the camera microcomputer 205, this process is started.

In step S1111, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the data received from the camera microcomputer 205 by P2P communication. Next, in step S1112, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the received data from the camera microcomputer 205 is a transmission request of the communication request factor, and if so, proceeds to step S1113, and if not, proceeds to step S1114. move on.

In step S1113, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the communication request factor (ring operation start information) set in the internal transmission buffer in step S1101 to the camera microcomputer 205, and ends this process. The communication request factor in the internal transmission buffer is reset after the transmission.

In step S1114, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the received data is a transmission request for ring operation state information (operation state transmission request), and if so, proceeds to step S1115, and if not, proceeds to step S1117. move on.

In step S1115, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the ring operation state information sampled in step S1102 and set in the internal transmission buffer to the camera microcomputer 205. Then, in step S1116, the adapter microcomputer 302 resets the cumulative value of the operation amount in the ring operation state information, and ends this process. By resetting the cumulative value of the manipulated variable, the adapter microcomputer 302 can transmit the manipulated variable to the camera microcomputer 205 without excess or deficiency.

In step S1117, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs P2P communication processing other than transmission of the communication request factor and the ring operation state information to the camera microcomputer 205, and ends this processing. P2P communication processing other than the transmission of the communication request factor and the ring operation status information includes, for example, the presence / absence of an operating member in the adapter 300, the shortest period (shortest time interval) in which the ring operation status information can be transmitted, the optical magnification of the adapter 300, and the like. This is the process of sending adapter-specific information. Further, it may be a reception request from the camera microcomputer 205, for example, a request for starting or stopping sampling of ring operation state information. In this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the adapter microcomputer 302 to receive the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302 when the camera 200 is started with the adapter 300 attached. To do.

Next, the communication request factor confirmation process performed by the camera microcomputer 205 in the above-described imaging communication process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 (a). This process is a process for confirming the cause of the communication request output by either the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302.

In step S1201, the camera microcomputer 205 that has received the communication request transmits a transmission request for the communication request factor to the lens microcomputer 111 by P2P communication, and acquires the communication request factor from the lens microcomputer 111.

Next, in step S1202, the camera microcomputer 205 analyzes the communication request factor acquired in step S1201 and determines whether or not it is the lens microcomputer 111 that requested the broadcast communication. If it is the lens microcomputer 111 that requested the broadcast communication, the camera microcomputer 205 ends this processing flow, and if not, proceeds to step S1203.

In step S1203, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request for the communication request factor to the adapter microcomputer 302 by P2P communication, and acquires the communication request factor from the adapter microcomputer 302. Then, this process is terminated.

The ring operation state information acquisition process performed by the camera microcomputer 205 in the above-described imaging communication process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12B. In step S1211, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not it is the timing to acquire the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302, and if so, proceeds to step S1212, and if not, proceeds to step S1213.

In step S1212, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a ring operation state information transmission request (operation state transmission request) to the adapter microcomputer 305 by P2P communication, and acquires the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 305.

Next, in step S1213, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not it is the timing to drive the aperture, and if so, proceeds to step S1214, and if not, proceeds to step S1215.

In step S1214, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111. Then, the process proceeds to step S1215.

In step S1215, the camera microcomputer 205 analyzes the ring operation state information acquired from the adapter microcomputer 302. If the ring operation end information is included, this process ends, otherwise the process returns to step S1211.

Next, the P2P communication process performed by the lens microcomputer 111 in the above-mentioned imaging communication process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The lens microcomputer 111 designated as the communication partner for P2P communication by the camera microcomputer 205 analyzes the data received from the camera microcomputer 205 in step S1311.

Next, in step S1312, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not the received data is a transmission request of the communication request factor, and if so, proceeds to step S1313, and if not, proceeds to step S1314.

In step S1313, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits the communication request factor set in the internal transmission buffer to the camera microcomputer 205, and ends this processing flow. The communication request factor set in the internal transmission buffer is reset after the transmission.

In step S1314, the lens microcomputer 111 performs P2P communication processing other than transmission of the communication request factor to the camera microcomputer 205, and ends this processing. The P2P communication process other than the transmission of the communication request factor includes, for example, the presence / absence of an operating member in the interchangeable lens 100, the operating state information of the operating member, the shortest period in which the operating state information can be transmitted, the focal length, and other optical information. It is the transmission of unique information of. Further, it may be a reception request from the camera microcomputer 205, for example, an aperture drive request or a focus lens drive request.

According to the process of this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 does not have to periodically perform communication for requesting the adapter microcomputer 302 to detect the start of the ring operation. As a result, it is possible to reduce communication and processing of the camera microcomputer 205 when the ring operation is not performed by the user.

Further, the adapter microcomputer 30 requests the camera microcomputer 205 for broadcast communication in response to the ring operation by the user. As a result, the time lag is smaller than that in the case where the camera microcomputer 205 communicates with the adapter microcomputer 302 to notify the adapter microcomputer 302 whether or not the ring operation (start and end) can be detected and whether or not the ring operation status information can be sampled. It is possible to start broadcast communication with. That is, it is possible to perform good aperture drive that corresponds (proportional) to the user operation of the adapter operation ring 310 provided on the adapter 300 connected between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and has high real-time performance. ..

Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the camera system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300, information indicating whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 have an operating member, information indicating the transmission possible cycle of these operation state information, and the like Share. Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication request is given priority from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 that have the adapter operating ring 310 as the operating member (here, the interchangeable lens 100 does not have the operating member). Check the cause and make the communicable cycle of the above information variable.

FIG. 10 describes an image pickup communication process performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 in order to realize the image pickup control using the adapter operation ring 310 in this embodiment. Here, as an example, a case where the interchangeable lens 100 is connected to the camera body 200 via one adapter 300 will be described as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. In this example, the signal line CS and the signal line DATA are broadcast and P2P communicated between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 receives the ring operation state information described later from the adapter microcomputer 302, and the camera microcomputer 205 controls the drive (aperture drive) of the aperture unit 114 in the interchangeable lens 100 via the lens microcomputer 111.

This process is started when the camera system is started (1000). The camera microcomputer 205 designates the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner for P2P communication using the broadcast communication (601) shown in FIG. 6 in order to inquire the adapter microcomputer 302 of the unique information of the adapter 300 (1001). The unique information of the adapter 300 (hereinafter referred to as “adapter-specific information”) includes whether or not an operating member such as an adapter operating ring 310 is provided, and a transmittable cycle of ring operation state information. Further, the adapter-specific information may include optical information such as an optical magnification as an extender and information indicating whether or not a driveable variable magnification lens is provided.

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the adapter microcomputer 302 to transmit the adapter-specific information using P2P communication, and receives the adapter-specific information from the adapter microcomputer 302 (1002). Thereby, the camera microcomputer 205 can confirm that the adapter 300 has the adapter operation ring 310, and can grasp the transmission enable cycle of the ring operation state information (hereinafter, referred to as the ring information transmission enable cycle).

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 designates the lens microcomputer 111 as the communication partner for P2P communication by using the broadcast communication (604) shown in FIG. 6 in order to inquire the lens microcomputer 111 of the unique information of the interchangeable lens 100. 1003).

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the lens microcomputer 111 to transmit the unique information of the interchangeable lens 100 (hereinafter referred to as the lens unique information) by using P2P communication, and receives the lens unique information from the lens microcomputer 111 (1004). As a result, the camera microcomputer 205 can confirm that the interchangeable lens 100 does not have an operating member.

Next, when the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the ring operation by the user (1005), the adapter microcomputer 302 starts sampling the ring operation state information (1006). The ring operation state information is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the start of the ring operation, the adapter microcomputer 302 cameras the start of broadcast communication by the Low output (421) to the signal line CS shown in FIG. 4B before the notification. Requested to the microcomputer 205 (1007). That is, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a communication request to the camera microcomputer 205.

The camera microcomputer 205 that has received the communication request from the adapter microcomputer 302 has confirmed in the previous process that the interchangeable lens 100 does not have an operating member and the adapter 300 has an adapter operating ring 310. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205 preferentially inquires about the communication request factor from the adapter microcomputer 302. As a result, the start of operation of the adapter operation ring 310 can be detected earlier. The camera microcomputer 205 uses the broadcast communication (601) shown in FIG. 6 to designate the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner for P2P communication (1008).

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 inquires of the adapter microcomputer 302 about the communication request factor via the signal line DATA by using the P2P communication described with reference to FIG. Then, the communication request factor (ring operation start information) is received from the adapter microcomputer 302 via the signal line DATA (1009). At this point, the communication request factor is known, and it is also found that the adapter microcomputer 302 sent the communication request. Therefore, it is not necessary to inquire the lens microcomputer 111 for the communication request factor after that.

Next, in order to acquire the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302, the camera microcomputer 205 uses the broadcast communication (601) shown in FIG. 6 to designate the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner for P2P communication (1010). However, this broadcast communication may not be performed when the communication mode of the adapter microcomputer 302 is the P2P communication mode. Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the adapter microcomputer 302 to transmit the ring operation state information by using P2P communication, and receives the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302 (1011). Similar to the first embodiment, the adapter microcomputer 302 resets the internal ring operation state information in order to transmit the next ring operation state information when the ring operation state information is transmitted.

The camera microcomputer 205 sets the request cycle based on the ring information transmission enable cycle received from the adapter microcomputer 302 at the time of startup (1002). Then, in the request cycle, from this point onward, the designation of the adapter microcomputer 302 (1010) and the reception of the ring operation state information from the adapter microcomputer 302 are repeated until the ring operation end information is received. As a result, the camera microcomputer 205 can acquire the latest ring operation state information for each request cycle.

The ring information transmittable cycle information includes the shortest cycle and the longest cycle in which the adapter microcomputer 302 can transmit the ring operation state information. The camera microcomputer 205 sets the required cycle within the range from the shortest cycle to the longest cycle. For example, when the operation amount or operation speed of the adapter operation ring 310 is large, the required cycle is set to a shorter cycle to enable more sensitive imaging control (aperture drive). On the contrary, when the operation amount and the operation speed are small, unnecessary communication can be suppressed by setting the request cycle to a longer cycle. The method of setting the request cycle is not limited to this. Further, in this embodiment, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the ring information transmission enable cycle to the camera microcomputer 205. As a result, even when the adapter 300 is connected to the camera body 200 for the first time (an adapter unknown to the camera microcomputer 205), the ring operation state information can be acquired at an appropriate request cycle.

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 based on the acquired ring operation state information (1012). As described in the first embodiment, the communication for the aperture drive request may be broadcast communication or P2P communication. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits an aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 each time the ring operation state information is received, and the transmission cycle of the aperture drive request to the lens microcomputer 111 is the ring operation state information reception cycle. It may be different.

Subsequent processes performed by the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 include the reception of the ring operation end information by the camera microcomputer 205 (1013) and the corresponding processes (1044, 1015), as in the first embodiment. The same is true.

In the above imaging communication process, since the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the ring information transmission enable cycle as the unique information of the adapter 300 in advance, it is possible to request the adapter 300 to transmit the ring operation state information at an appropriate request cycle. .. As a result, it is possible to perform imaging control corresponding (proportional) by user operation of the adapter operation ring 310 provided on the adapter 300 connected between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, and with higher real-time performance. ..

According to each of the above embodiments, one-to-many communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 is enabled, and good real-time imaging control using the adapter operation ring 310 provided on the adapter 300 is performed. It can be carried out.

Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the camera system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The present embodiment is characterized in that the broadcast communication request can be prohibited and permitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300. Specifically, during the period from the start of the operation of the adapter operation ring 310 to the end of the operation, the adapter 300 is prohibited from broadcasting communication due to the operation factor of the adapter operation ring 310. By limiting the extra broadcast communication request in this way, it becomes possible to free up the communication band.

With reference to FIG. 14, the image pickup communication process performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 in order to realize the image pickup control using the adapter operation ring 310 in this embodiment will be described. The same processing as in FIG. 10 will be omitted.

The camera microcomputer 205, which determines in 906 that the source of the communication request is the adapter microcomputer 302 and that the cause of the communication request is the start of the ring operation, refers to the adapter microcomputer 302, which is the communication partner of P2P communication. A broadcast communication request prohibition notification caused by the start of the ring operation is transmitted (1401).

Further, the camera microcomputer 205 that determines the end of the ring operation in 911 transmits a permission notification of the broadcast communication request caused by the start of the ring operation to the adapter microcomputer 302 that is the communication partner of the P2P communication (1402). ).

According to this embodiment, one-to-many communication between the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 is enabled, and good real-time imaging control is performed using the adapter operation ring 310 provided on the adapter 300. be able to. Furthermore, by limiting the extra broadcast communication request, it becomes possible to free up the communication band.
(Other Examples)
In the first embodiment described above, even if the camera microcomputer 205 communicates with the adapter microcomputer 302 to notify the adapter microcomputer 302 whether or not the ring operation (start and end) can be detected and whether or not the ring operation state information can be sampled. Good. As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary communication and processing of the adapter microcomputer 302 in an imaging situation that does not require aperture drive. In this case, in S1115, the adapter microcomputer 302 may transmit only the operation amount. The camera microcomputer 205 determines the start and end of the ring operation based on the operation amount. For example, the camera microcomputer 205 determines that the ring operation is started when the operation amount becomes larger than 0. Further, for example, the camera microcomputer 205 may determine that the ring operation is completed when the operation amount becomes 0 again after the operation amount becomes larger than 0. Further, when the operation amount 0 is detected a predetermined number of times or more after the ring operation is started, it may be determined that the ring operation is completed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information indicating whether or not the ring operation is completed may be transmitted together with the information regarding the operation state of the ring (for example, the operation amount). In this case, for example, when the ring operation is not completed, information indicating that the ring operation is not completed is transmitted together with the operation amount of the ring.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the process to be performed on the adapter 300 has been described, but when the accessory (including the interchangeable lens) other than the adapter has an operation ring, the same process is performed to carry out the above-mentioned present implementation. The same effect as the example can be obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the processes of FIGS. 9 and 10 are performed via the first communication units of the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300. On the other hand, communication via the lens first communication unit 112 and the adapter first communication unit 303 may not be used. In this case, for example, 903 to 904 in FIG. 9 and 1003 to 1004 in FIG. 10 can be omitted. Further, each aperture drive request transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 is transmitted by communication via the camera second communication unit 242 and the lens second communication unit 142. That is, the communication via each first communication unit is used for the camera 200 and the adapter 200 to communicate, and the communication via each second communication unit is used for the camera 200 and the adapter 300 to communicate. The camera system may not have a path for communication via the lens first communication unit 112 and the adapter first communication unit 303 from the beginning. Further, in this case, in FIGS. 9 and 10, only P2P communication may be performed without using broadcast communication.

The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Each of the above-described examples is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each of the examples in carrying out the present invention.

100 Interchangeable Lens 111 Lens Microcomputer 112 Lens First Communication Unit 200 Camera Body 205 Camera Microcomputer 208 Camera First Communication Unit 300 Adapter 302 Adapter Microcomputer 303 Adapter First Communication Unit

Claims (49)

An accessory device that can be connected to an image pickup device.
An accessory communication unit provided with a communication channel between the image pickup device and the image pickup device.
Operation members that can be operated by the user
It has an accessory control unit that communicates with the image pickup apparatus via the accessory communication unit.
The accessory control unit
In response to detecting the operation of the operating member, the image pickup apparatus is notified of the communication request, and the communication request is notified.
An accessory device characterized in that it controls to repeatedly transmit operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the image pickup device from the notification of the communication request to the detection of the end of the operation. The accessory control unit
The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein the operation state information is transmitted to the operation device each time the operation state transmission request for transmitting the operation state information is received from the image pickup device. The accessory device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accessory control unit detects the end of the operation based on the detected operation state of the operation member. The accessory device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accessory control unit receives information indicating the end of the operation from the image pickup device and detects the end of the operation based on the information. The operation state is a cumulative value of the operation amount, and is
The accessory control unit accumulates the operation amount until the operation state transmission request is received from the image pickup device, and transmits the cumulative value as the operation state information to the image pickup device in response to the reception of the operation state information. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accessory device is provided. The accessory device according to claim 5, wherein when the accessory control unit transmits the cumulative value as the operation state information to the imaging device, the cumulative value is reset. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating state is an operating speed or an operating acceleration of the operating member. The accessory control unit receives a communication factor request as a response to the communication request from the image pickup apparatus, and transmits operation start information indicating the start of operation of the operation member in response to the communication factor request. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accessory control unit transmits information indicating that the accessory device has the operation member to the image pickup device. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the accessory control unit transmits information at a time interval in which the operation state information can be transmitted to the image pickup device. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the accessory device is an accessory device that can be connected to an image pickup device together with an interchangeable lens device. The accessory communication unit is provided with a communication channel between the interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device, a signal transmission channel used for transmitting a signal between the interchangeable lens and the accessory device, and the image pickup. Connected to a data communication channel used for data communication between the device, the interchangeable lens and the accessory device.
The accessory control unit
Notifying the imaging device of the communication request via the signal transmission channel,
It is characterized in that the operation start information and the operation state information are transmitted to the image pickup device via the data communication channel in response to being designated as a communication partner by the image pickup device via the data communication channel. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the accessory communication unit is also provided with a communication channel with the interchangeable lens device. An imaging device that can be connected to an accessory device that has an operating member that can be operated by the user together with the interchangeable lens device.
A first communication unit provided with a communication channel between the accessory device and
It has a camera control unit that communicates with the accessory device via the first communication unit.
The camera control unit
Upon receiving the communication request notified in response to the accessory device detecting the operation of the operating member, the accessory device receives the communication request.
An imaging device characterized in that a request for operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member is repeated from the accessory device from the reception of the communication request to the reception of the operation end information indicating the end of the operation. 8. The camera control unit receives the operation state information from the accessory device by transmitting an operation state transmission request requesting the accessory device to transmit the operation state information. The imaging apparatus according to. The camera control unit is characterized in that, in response to receiving the communication request from the accessory device, the camera control unit transmits an operation state transmission request requesting transmission of the operation state information to the accessory device based on the first cycle. The imaging device according to claim 14 or 15. The camera control unit receives information at a time interval during which the operation state information can be transmitted from the accessory device, and makes the operation state transmission request to the accessory device in the first cycle based on the time interval. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that transmission is performed. The accessory device is an intermediate accessory device connected between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device.
It has a second communication unit, which is different from the first communication unit and has a communication channel provided between it and an interchangeable lens.
The camera control unit transmits control information for controlling the operation of the interchangeable lens based on the operation state information to the interchangeable lens based on the second cycle via the second communication unit. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the image pickup apparatus is characterized by the above. The imaging device according to claim 18, wherein the first cycle is shorter than the second cycle. One of claims 14 to 19, wherein when the camera control unit receives the communication request from the accessory device, the camera control unit transmits a communication factor request indicating the reason for the communication request to the accessory device. The imaging device according to the section. Any of claims 14 to 20, wherein when the camera control unit receives information indicating that the accessory device has the operation member, the camera control unit transmits the operation state transmission request to the accessory device. The imaging device according to paragraph 1. The imaging device according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein the operation state information is information corresponding to driving of the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens. The first communication unit includes a signal transmission channel used for transmitting a signal between the image pickup device and the accessory device, and a data communication channel used for data communication between the image pickup device and the accessory device. Connected,
The camera control unit
In response to receiving the communication request from the accessory device via the signal transmission channel, the accessory device is designated as a communication partner via the data communication channel.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the operation start information and the operation state information are received from the accessory device via the data communication channel. An imaging system including an imaging device and an accessory device that can be connected to the imaging device together with an interchangeable lens device.
The accessory device is
An accessory communication unit provided with a communication channel between the image pickup device and the image pickup device.
Operation members that can be operated by the user
It has an accessory control unit that communicates with the image pickup apparatus via the accessory communication unit.
The image pickup device
A first communication unit provided with a communication channel between the accessory device and
It has a camera control unit that communicates with the accessory device via the first communication unit.
The accessory control unit
In response to detecting the operation of the operating member, the image pickup apparatus is notified of the communication request, and the communication request is notified.
From the notification of the communication request to the detection of the end of the operation, the operation state information indicating the operation state of the operation member is controlled to be repeatedly transmitted to the image pickup apparatus.
The camera control unit
Upon receiving the communication request notified in response to the accessory device detecting the operation of the operating member, the accessory device receives the communication request.
An imaging system characterized in that a request for operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member is repeated from the accessory device from the reception of the communication request to the reception of the operation end information indicating the end of the operation. It is an accessory device that can be connected to the image pickup device together with the interchangeable lens device, and communication control of the accessory device having a communication channel provided between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device and having an operation member that can be operated by the user. It ’s a method,
To the accessory device
A step of notifying the imaging device of a communication request in response to detecting the operation of the operating member, and
From the notification of the communication request to the detection of the end of the operation, a process including a step of controlling the repeated transmission of the operation state information indicating the operation state of the operation member to the image pickup apparatus is performed. Communication control method. It is an image pickup device that can be connected to an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by the user together with the interchangeable lens device, and is a communication control method of the image pickup device that provides a communication channel between the accessory device and the interchangeable lens. hand,
In the image pickup device
A step of receiving a communication request notified by the accessory device in response to detecting the operation of the operating member, and
From receiving the communication request to receiving the operation end information indicating the end of the operation, the process including the step of repeating the request for the operation state information indicating the operation state of the operation member from the accessory device is performed. A communication control method characterized by the fact that. An accessory device that can be connected to an image pickup device together with an interchangeable lens device, and is provided in a computer of the accessory device that has a communication channel between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device and has an operating member that can be operated by a user. A computer program that executes processing
The above processing
A step of notifying the imaging device of a communication request in response to detecting the operation of the operating member, and
A communication control program including a step of controlling to repeat transmission of operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the image pickup apparatus from the notification of the communication request to the detection of the end of the operation. .. It is an image pickup device that can be connected to an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by the user together with the interchangeable lens device, and the computer of the image pickup device that provides a communication channel between the accessory device and the interchangeable lens executes processing. It ’s a computer program that lets you
The above processing
A step of receiving a communication request notified by the accessory device in response to detecting the operation of the operating member, and
It is characterized by including a step of repeating a request for an operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member from the accessory device from receiving the communication request to receiving the operation end information indicating the end of the operation. Communication control program. An accessory device that can be attached to an image pickup device.
Operation members that can be operated by the user
A first communication line that communicates with the image pickup device, and a second communication line that is different from the first communication line and communicates with the image pickup device.
In response to detecting an operation on the operating member, the signal level of the second communication line is changed from the first signal level to a second signal level different from the first signal level, and the operating member is changed. It is provided with a communication control unit that transmits the first data in response to the reception of the second data corresponding to the transmission request of the first data corresponding to the operation amount of the first data via the first communication line.
The communication control unit responds to the reception of the third data transmitted via the first communication line in response to the change of the second communication line to the second signal level. An accessory device characterized in that the fourth data corresponding to the start of operation of the operating member is controlled to be transmitted via the first communication line before the transmission of the first data. 29. The accessory device according to claim 29, wherein the accessory control unit detects the end of the operation based on the first data. The accessory device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the accessory control unit receives information indicating the end of the operation from the image pickup device and detects the end of the operation based on the information. The first data is the cumulative value of the manipulated variable.
The communication control unit accumulates the operation amount until the second data is received, and transmits the accumulated value as the first data to the image pickup apparatus in response to the reception of the second data. The accessory device according to any one of claims 29 to 31. The accessory device according to claim 32, wherein the communication control unit resets the cumulative value when the cumulative value is transmitted as the first data. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the first data is an operating speed or an operating acceleration of the operating member. The accessory device according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the accessory control unit transmits information indicating that the accessory device has the operating member to the image pickup device. The accessory device according to any one of claims 29 to 35, wherein the accessory control unit transmits information on a time interval at which the first data can be transmitted to the image pickup device. .. The accessory device according to any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein the accessory device is an accessory device that can be connected to the image pickup device together with an interchangeable lens device. The accessory device according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the accessory communication unit is also provided with a communication channel with the interchangeable lens device. The imaging device according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the manipulated variable is a manipulated variable corresponding to driving the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens. An imaging device that can be connected to an accessory device that has an operating member that can be operated by the user together with the interchangeable lens device.
A first communication line that communicates with the accessory device, and a second communication line that is different from the first communication line and communicates with the imaging accessory.
Transmission of first data corresponding to the operation amount of the operating member according to a change from a first signal level of the signal level of the second communication line to a second signal level different from the first signal level. It is equipped with a communication control unit that transmits second data corresponding to the request.
The communication control unit responds to the transmission of the third data transmitted via the first communication line in response to the change of the second communication line to the second signal level. An imaging device characterized in that the second data is transmitted after receiving the fourth data corresponding to the start of operation of the operating member. The imaging device according to claim 40, wherein the communication control unit receives the first data from the accessory device by transmitting the second data to the accessory device. The imaging device according to claim 40 or 41, wherein the communication control unit transmits the second data to the accessory device based on the first cycle. The accessory device is an intermediate accessory device connected between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device.
It has a third communication line between it and the interchangeable lens, which is different from the first communication unit and the second communication unit.
The communication control unit transmits control information for controlling the operation of the interchangeable lens based on the first data to the interchangeable lens based on the second cycle via the third communication line. 42. The imaging apparatus according to claim 42. The imaging device according to claim 43, wherein the first cycle is shorter than the second cycle. The aspect according to any one of claims 40 to 44, wherein when the communication control unit receives the communication request from the accessory device, the communication control unit transmits the third data to the accessory device. Imaging device. Any of claims 40 to 45, wherein the communication control unit transmits the second data to the accessory device when receiving information indicating that the accessory device has the operating member. The imaging device according to paragraph 1. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 40 to 46, wherein the operation amount is an operation amount corresponding to driving of the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens. An operation member that can be attached to the image pickup device and can be operated by the user, a first communication line that communicates with the image pickup device, and a communication line that is different from the first communication line. It is a control method of an accessory device having a second communication line that communicates with an image pickup device.
In response to detecting an operation on the operating member, the signal level of the second communication line is changed from the first signal level to a second signal level different from the first signal level, and the operating member is changed. It has a step of transmitting the first data in response to the reception of the second data corresponding to the transmission request of the first data corresponding to the operation amount of the first data via the first communication line.
In this step, the operating member responds to the reception of third data transmitted via the first communication line in response to the change of the second communication line to the second signal level. A control method for an accessory device, characterized in that the fourth data corresponding to the start of the operation is controlled to be transmitted via the first communication line before the transmission of the first data. Along with the interchangeable lens device, an accessory device having an operating member that can be operated by the user can be connected, and a first communication line that communicates with the accessory device and a communication line different from the first communication line. It is a control method of an image pickup apparatus having a second communication line that communicates with the image pickup accessory.
Transmission of first data corresponding to the operation amount of the operating member according to a change from a first signal level of the signal level of the second communication line to a second signal level different from the first signal level. It has a step of sending a second piece of data corresponding to the request
In the step, the operating member responds to the transmission of third data transmitted via the first communication line in response to the change of the second communication line to the second signal level. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that the second data is transmitted after receiving the fourth data corresponding to the start of the operation.

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