JP2021114755A - Imaging device and accessory device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a camera accessory device which can extend a function of an imaging device for each connected accessory device by changing the use of a signal allocated to a connection connector between the devices in accordance with the accessory device connected to the imaging device.SOLUTION: An accessory device connected to an imaging device via a special connector in which a first signal that requires the immediacy affecting an imaging operation and a second signal that does not require the immediacy are arranged, comprises: first notification means which notifies of the first signal; and second notification means which notifies of the second signal. The first notification means is the direct notification means which shares the same signal in the accessory device with the imaging device. The second notification means is the inter-CPU communication via a control CPU between the devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image pickup device and an accessory device connected to the image pickup device, and more particularly to a communication means between the image pickup device and the accessory device.

As an accessory device that expands the operability of the image pickup device, there are various devices such as a battery grip, a strobe device, and an external communication unit. Signal lines for exchanging operation signals and information are assigned to each connector pin (terminal) in the connector connecting these accessory devices and the image pickup device.

In Patent Document 1, when an image pickup device and an accessory device are connected, communication is performed between the devices to determine whether or not the accessory device has an extended function, and then the characteristics of the function of the accessory device are transferred to the image pickup device. The configuration for transmitting and enabling the function is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-033218

As the imaging device and the accessory device become multifunctional, the number of signal lines between the devices increases, and the number of connector pins that try to assign and connect each of these signal lines to the connector pins increases. However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose how the signal lines arranged in the connectors between the devices function according to the connected devices.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a means capable of appropriately functioning the signal line assigned to the connection connector according to the accessory device connected to the image pickup device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an accessory device connected to an image pickup device, and requires a control means for controlling communication with the image pickup device and a predetermined immediacy regardless of the control of the control means. It is characterized by having a first communication means for connecting a signal to the image pickup device and a second communication means for communicating a control signal from the control means with the image pickup device.

According to the present invention, the signal line assigned to the connector can be suitably functioned depending on the accessory device connected to the image pickup device.

Block diagram showing a configuration example of the accessory device according to the first embodiment Block diagram showing a configuration example of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment The figure which shows the example of the operation flow of the image pickup apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the example of the operation flow of the accessory device which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the example of the operation flow of the image pickup apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment A block diagram showing a configuration example of an accessory device according to a second embodiment. A block diagram showing a configuration example of an imaging device according to a second embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the operation flow of the image pickup apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows the example of the operation flow of the accessory device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows the arrangement example of the connector pin of the accessory device which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the arrangement example of the connector pin of the accessory device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, the same components, operations, and processes are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings. Further, in the present embodiment, as an accessory device that can be attached to an electronic device, an example is a battery grip that is an accessory device that can supply power to the image pickup device from a battery mounted in the own device when connected to the image pickup device. explain. Further, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging device which is an electronic device. The accessory device and the image pickup device in this embodiment are examples, and are not limited thereto.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the accessory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an accessory device according to the first embodiment. The accessory device 100 has a control CPU 101.

The control CPU 101 controls the entire accessory device 100 via a bus and executes a program recorded in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to realize each process of the present embodiment described later.

The SW 102 is a switch button for generating a shooting preparation signal SW1 and a shooting signal SW2 provided in the accessory device. The signal line 112 is a signal line for transmitting a switch signal, and the switch signal is transmitted to the image pickup apparatus 200 via the connector portion 105. At the same time, it is possible to communicate with the control CPU 101 in the accessory device 100.

The button 103 is an operating member provided for the purpose of changing the setting of the image pickup apparatus 200, and is, for example, a dial button. The signal line 111 is a signal line that reacts by operating a dial button. A control signal that does not require immediacy for shooting, such as a dial button operation, is first notified to the control CPU 101 of the accessory device 100. Then, the control CPU 101 is configured to communicate the control signal to the image pickup apparatus 200 by using the communication line 113 and the connector portion 105.

The connection connector unit 105 is a connection connector that connects the accessory device 100 and the image pickup device 200 described later to exchange signals and communications. The communication line 113 may be an interface used for general control, and in this embodiment, SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) is used. As a result, a limited number of connector pins can be reduced by superimposing a signal line that does not require immediacy for controlling the imaging device, such as a dial button operation signal for menu setting, on the low-speed signal line. It becomes possible.

The accessory device 100 has a form in which two batteries can be attached, and the batteries 106 and 107 indicate the respective batteries. In the present embodiment, even if two batteries are mounted, power from either battery is supplied to the image pickup apparatus via the power connector 109.

The power switching circuit 108 switches from which battery 106 or 107 the power is supplied. The power supply line 110 switched by the power supply switching circuit 108 is a power supply line supplied to the image pickup apparatus 200 described later via the power supply unit 109.

The power supply unit 109 supplies power from the battery 106 or the battery 107 to the image pickup apparatus 200.

On the other hand, unlike the power supply line 110, the power supply line 114 indicates a power supply line supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200. Power is supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200 to the accessory apparatus 100 via the connector portion 105.

Here, the arrangement of the connector pins (terminals) of the connector portion 105 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of connector pins of the accessory device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Each signal line of the signal line group 1002 is a signal line for communicating a signal required for immediacy to the image pickup apparatus 200, and these signal lines are directly connected to the signal line 112 shown in FIG. ..

The signals required for immediacy include, for example, shooting preparation or shooting such as a shooting preparation signal (SW1), a shooting signal (SW2), a focusing start signal (AFSTART), an exposure fixed signal (AELOCK), and a function button (MultiFaction). It is a signal related to control. For example, when the image pickup device 200 is in the power saving mode, when a shooting preparation signal (SW1) is generated by the user's operation on the SW 102, the signal is sent directly to the image pickup device 200, and the image pickup device 200 Can return immediately and prepare for shooting. The signal line 112 has a plurality of signal lines for communicating each of these signals.

On the other hand, each signal line of the signal line group 1003 is an SPI signal line for exchanging digital communication between devices, and is connected to the communication line 113. The SPI communication from the accessory device is a communication performed by the control CPU 101 converting a control signal that does not require immediacy as compared with the above-mentioned signal to the image pickup device. These control signals include, for example, an operation such as a dial button operation for changing a set value of the image pickup apparatus 200. The communication line 113 has a plurality of signal lines. For example, signals such as SCLK (clock signal), MOSI (Master Out / Slave In), MISO (Master In / Slave Out), SRQ (service request signal), and MRQ (memory request signal) are communicated.

In this way, the control signal that does not require immediacy for shooting is replaced with the communication via the control CPU 101, and the signals of a plurality of predetermined functions are superimposed and communicated on the low-speed signal line, whereby the connector unit is connected. Communication is possible with the limited connector pins in 105.

Further, the power supply line 1001 indicates a power supply line supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200, and is connected to the power supply line 114.

The detection pin 1004 is used by the imaging device 200 to detect the attachment of the accessory device 100.

Next, the image pickup device 200 connected to the accessory device 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The control CPU 201 controls the entire image pickup apparatus 200 via a bus and executes a program recorded in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to realize each process of the present embodiment described later.

The power supply IC 203 is a power supply block that generates a power supply for driving the control CPU 201. The power supply IC 203 is configured to always turn on the control CPU 201 while the power supply line 211 of the image pickup apparatus 200 is being supplied with power.

The image pickup CPU 204 controls an image pickup means (not shown) included in the image pickup apparatus 200 to take an image of a subject and generate an image. The image pickup means includes a lens group, an image pickup element, an A / D conversion unit, an image processing unit, and the like, and generates image data from a subject image incident through the lens group. The image pickup device is composed of, for example, a CCD or CMOS, captures a subject image in response to an instruction from SW102 or SW206, and outputs the captured image. The image pickup CPU 204 may be a part of the control CPU 201.

The power supply IC 205 is a power supply block that generates a suitable voltage level to be supplied to the power supply line 212. The control CPU 201 controls to turn on / off the power supply IC 205. The power supply line 212 indicates a power supply line supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200 to the accessory apparatus 100. The power supply line 212 is configured to be connected to the power supply line 114 via the connector portions 214 and 105.

The SW206 is a switch button that generates a shooting preparation signal and a shooting instruction signal. The signal line 208 indicates a signal line to which the switch signal is notified. The signal line 208 is configured to be connected to the signal line 112 via the connector portions 214 and 105.

The button 207 is provided for the purpose of changing the setting of the image pickup apparatus 200, and the signal line 209 indicates a signal line that reacts by operating the dial button.

The connector unit 214 is a connector for exchanging signals and communications with the accessory device 100.

In the connection detection unit 215, the image pickup device 200 detects the attachment of the accessory device 100. In the accessory device 100, pin 1004 shown in FIG. 10 is connected to the GND. The connection detection unit 215 of the present embodiment detects that the accessory device 100 is attached by detecting that the signal line 213 that is Pull-UP in the image pickup device 200 is in contact with the GND line of the accessory device 100. The connection detection unit 215 is not limited to this means, and may be a means for mechanically detecting that an accessory device is attached by a button signal or the like, or a means for detecting that the devices are close to each other, such as a Hall element. ..

The power supply unit 216 is a power connector for receiving power supplied from the accessory device 100 via the power supply unit 109. The power supply line 211 is electrically connected to the power supply line 110 described above via the power supply units 216 and 109. Further, the power supply unit 216 may be integrated with a battery box (not shown) so that power can be supplied to the power supply line 211 by mounting a battery. Further, in the present embodiment, the accessory device 100 is attached to the image pickup device 200 by inserting at least a part of the accessory device 100 into a battery box (not shown) of the image pickup device 200.

The communication line 220 is a communication line in which the control CPU 201 communicates with the control CPU 101 of the accessory device 100. The communication line 220 is configured to be connected to the communication line 113 of the accessory device 100 via the connector portions 214 and 105. As described above, SPI is used for this signal in this embodiment.

The signal line 221 is a signal line that outputs a connection detection signal of the image pickup apparatus 200 generated in the connection connector unit 214. In addition to the connection detection unit 215 described above, it is also detected in the connection connector unit 214 whether the connector is correctly connected.

In the camera system of the present embodiment including the accessory device 100 and the image pickup device 200, the image pickup device 200 is operated by the power supply IC 203 when power is supplied to the power supply line 211. Next, when the connection detection unit 215 detects that the accessory device 100 is attached, power is supplied to the accessory device 100 using the power supply line 212.

Therefore, the fact that the accessory device 100 operates means that the image pickup device 200 is supplied with power. With such a configuration, even if the image pickup device 200 is operating in the power saving mode, the image pickup device 200 can be returned from the power saving mode by operating the SW102 of the accessory device 100.

The image pickup device 200 can also have a battery mounted in its own device, and when it is not connected to the accessory device 100 in which the battery is mounted, the image pickup device 200 is mounted on the image pickup device 200 itself (not shown). It is also possible to drive using a battery as a power source.

The operation flow of the accessory device 100 and the image pickup device 200 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is realized by the control CPU 201 expanding and executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to control each functional block.

(Step S301) This flow is started when power is supplied to the power line 211 of the image pickup apparatus 200 via the power supply unit 216.

(Step S302) When power is supplied to the power supply line 211, the power supply IC 203 is turned on, and the control CPU 201 starts operating with the power supply.

(Step S303) It is confirmed whether or not the accessory device 100 is attached to the connection detection unit 215. If the attachment of the accessory device 100 is detected (YES), the process proceeds to step S304, and if it is not detected (NO), the process proceeds to step S305.

(Step S304) When the connection of the accessory device 100 is detected, the power supply IC 205 is turned on to supply power to the accessory device 100. As the line for supplying power from the image pickup apparatus 200 to the accessory apparatus 100, the power supply line in the connector portion 214 is used.

(Step S305) On the other hand, if the connection of the accessory device 100 is not detected, it is determined that the power supply destination is a battery (not shown) mounted on the image pickup device 200, and the image pickup device 200 shifts to the battery operation mode. .. If the connection with the accessory device 100 is not detected, this flow ends in step S305.

(Step S306) Next, the imaging device 200 starts communication with the accessory device 100 supplied with power via the communication line 220. In the communication at this time, for example, initial communication such as confirmation of the type of the accessory device 100 is performed. The type is, for example, a type of accessory device such as a battery grip or a WFT having a communication function described later, and is information capable of determining what kind of function the accessory device has.

(Step S307) Transition to the battery grip operation mode. The battery grip operation mode is, for example, a mode in which power is supplied from the battery grip to operate the image pickup apparatus. The image pickup device checks whether the battery in the battery grip is genuine, displays authentication NG if it is not genuine, and warns the user that the battery cannot be charged via the camera or USBB. Then, it detects whether it is inserted in both the right and left, and displays the remaining battery level on the display means of the image pickup device according to the detection result. Further, by operating an operation member such as a button on the battery grip, it is possible to operate the image pickup device.

By taking the above steps, the imaging device 200 can start communication with the accessory device 100 after determining that the accessory device 100 is normally mounted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the accessory device according to the first embodiment. The initial operation in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by the control by the power supply selection circuit 108 and the state transition by the switch. After step S404 is started after the control CPU 101 is started, the control CPU 101 expands and executes a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to control each functional block.

(Step S401) When the battery is inserted into the accessory device 100, this flow is started.

(Step S402) The electric power from the battery 106 or the battery 107 is supplied to the image pickup apparatus 200 via the power supply unit 109. At this time, although not shown in the operation flow of FIG. 4, when two batteries 106 and 107 are inserted into the accessory device 100, the battery selection circuit 108 selects either battery as a power source. For example, it may be configured to detect the remaining battery level and select a battery having a large remaining battery level.

(Step S403) In that state, the state transitions to a state of waiting for power to be supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200 via the connector 105. The state changes depending on whether or not the power is supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200. If the power is supplied (YES), the process proceeds to step S404, and if not (NO), the state remains in the standby state until the power is supplied.

(Step S404) When power is supplied from the image pickup apparatus 200, the control CUP 101 of the accessory apparatus 100 starts operating using the power supply.

(Step S405) The control CPU 101 performs initial communication such as model information including the type of the accessory device 100 via the image pickup device and the communication line 113.

(Step S406) When the initial communication with the image pickup apparatus 200 is completed, the state is changed so as to drive in the battery grip operation mode.

As described above, in the camera system including the image pickup device 200 and the accessory device 100 in the present embodiment, the accessory device 100 does not operate only by mounting the batteries 106 and 107. The power supply of the accessory device 100 is a power supply supplied from the image pickup device 200 via the connector portion 105. That is, the accessory device 100 supplies power to the image pickup device 200 via the power supply unit 109, and the image pickup device 200 that reacts to the power supply supplies power to the accessory device 100 via the connector unit 214 to control the CPU 101. Starts working.

In this way, since the operating power supply of the accessory device 100 is looped back from the image pickup device 200 and supplied, even if the connector connection timing between the image pickup device 200 and the accessory device 100 is deviated, each device It is possible to prevent the state shift.

The accessory device 100 of this embodiment can be connected as long as it is an image pickup device in which the above-mentioned power supply specifications, the arrangement of the connector pins of the connector unit 105, and the mechanical layout of the power supply unit 109 match. However, even if a mechanical connector can be connected to the image pickup device 200, an accessory device 100 that does not support the operation may be attached.

In such a case, the imaging device 200 does not operate even if the accessory device 100 is attached, so that the user is notified that the accessory device 100 that is not supported is attached. FIG. 5 describes an operation flow when the accessory device 100, which is not supported by the operation, is attached to the image pickup device 200.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flow of FIG. 5 is started when the above-mentioned step S304 is completed and the image pickup apparatus 200 can communicate with the control CPU 101 of the accessory apparatus 100. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is realized by the control CPU 201 expanding and executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to control each functional block.

(Step S501) The imaging device 200 acquires model information including the type of the accessory device from the accessory device 100.

(Step S502) Then, the image pickup apparatus 200 determines whether or not the acquired model information is included in the supported models. If the accessory device is supported by the imaging device 200 (YES), the process proceeds to step S503, and if the accessory device is not supported (NO), the process proceeds to step S504.

(Step S503) If the accessory device is supported by the imaging device 200 (YES), the process proceeds to step S503, and the shooting operation can be performed with the accessory device 100 attached.

(Step S504) On the other hand, if it is determined that an unsupported accessory device is attached, the image pickup device 200 shifts to the power saving mode while the power is supplied from the accessory device 100, and the shooting operation cannot be performed. Become. At this time, if the image pickup apparatus 200 or the accessory apparatus 100 has an error display means, an error notification may be made that an unsupported accessory apparatus is attached.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a signal that does not require immediacy for controlling the image pickup apparatus 200, such as a button operation signal for menu setting, is superimposed on the low-speed signal line. The limited number of connector pins can be reduced.

Further, in the accessory system including the accessory device 100 and the image pickup device 200 described in the present invention, the power supplied from the accessory device 100 is looped back from the image pickup device 200 to operate. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent malfunction due to a shift in the timing of connector connection.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when an accessory device whose operation is not supported by the image pickup device 200 is attached, the image pickup device 200 enters the power saving mode and does not operate. Using a similar mechanism, the imaging device can also perform operations that extend its functions depending on the connected accessory device.

Hereinafter, a configuration in which the imaging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has an expanded function will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the accessory device according to the second embodiment. Unlike the accessory device 100 shown in the first embodiment, it is an accessory device having a network communication function. The description of the block already described in the configuration of FIG. 1 will be omitted.

The accessory device 600 has a network CPU 601 which is a CPU that controls the network. The high-speed signal line 604 is a signal line through which the network CPU 601 communicates with the image pickup apparatus. In recent years, the speed of the network has been increasing, and in this embodiment, PCI Express having a high execution throughput is used in the high-speed signal line 604. The high-speed signal line 604 is configured to be connected to the image pickup apparatus via the connector portion 105.

The power supply unit 602 is a power supply block that supplies a suitable power supply to the network CPU 601. The power supply unit 602 is controlled by the control CPU 101. The battery 603 is a battery mounted on the accessory device 600 and is supplied only to the network function block.

In the second embodiment, an expandable PCI Express (high-speed signal line) is arranged on the connector pin of the connector portion 105.

How the PCI Express is arranged will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of connector pins (terminals) of the accessory device according to the second embodiment. The blocks already described in FIGS. 1 and 10 will not be described here. The signal line group 1101 shows an example of arranging the connector pins including the PCI Express described above.

In the first embodiment, a limited number of connector pins is reduced by superimposing a signal that does not require immediacy for controlling an imaging device, such as a button operation signal for menu setting, on a low-speed signal line. can do. As a result, the PCI Express is arranged at the connector terminal that can be used for another purpose. The signal line group 1101 is connected to the high-speed signal line 604. The high-speed signal line 604 (PCI Express) is, for example, REFCLK ± (clock), Tx ± (transceiver), Rx ± (receiver), PRESS.

PCI Express is known as an extensible interface. In this embodiment, the image information generated by the image pickup apparatus 700 described later is used as a communication line for transferring the image information to the accessory apparatus 600 by high-speed PCI Express. In the present embodiment, the communication of the accessory device having a network function will be described as an example, but the connection with the accessory device having a storage function can be realized as long as the communication is performed by PCI Express.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The image pickup apparatus 700 has a high-speed communication line 701. The high-speed communication line 701 shows a high-speed signal line that transfers image information to the accessory device 600. The high-speed signal line 701 is connected to the accessory device 600 via the connector portion 214, and is connected to the high-speed signal line 604. In this embodiment, it is assumed that PCI Express is used as the high-speed signal.

Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus 700 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized by the control CPU 201 expanding and executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to control each functional block. The flow of FIG. 8 starts when the step S304 shown in FIG. 3 is completed and the image pickup apparatus 700 can communicate with the control CPU 101 in the accessory apparatus 600.

(Step S801) The imaging device 700 acquires model information including the type of the accessory device from the connected accessory device 600.

(Step S802) Based on the acquired information, it is determined whether the connected accessory device 600 is an accessory device that extends the network function. If it is an accessory device that expands the network function, the process proceeds to step S804, and if it is not an accessory device that expands the network function, the process proceeds to step 803.

(Step S803) If the connected accessory device 600 is not an accessory device that expands the network function, the accessory device 600 is recognized as a battery grip and the corresponding operation is performed.

(Step S804) On the other hand, when the connected accessory device 600 is an accessory device for expanding the network function, the network setting screen is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the image pickup device 700. Then, the process proceeds to step S805.

(Step S805) The connected accessory device 600 is used as a battery grip.

(Step S806) It is determined whether or not the network function of the accessory device is enabled. If it is not enabled, the accessory device 600 is recognized as a battery grip and operates until the network setting is enabled by the user operation.

(Step S807) On the other hand, when the network function of the accessory device 600 is enabled by a user operation or the like, the communication line 220 is used to notify the accessory device of enabling the network function by low-speed SPI communication.

(Step S808) After that, the imaging device 700 enables PCI Express and starts communication with the accessory device via the high-speed signal line 701. Since PCI Express can realize high-speed communication, it tends to consume high power.

After the accessory device 600 is attached in this way, by enabling PCI Express in low-speed communication according to the user operation, it is possible to suppress power saving as the image pickup device 700. After that, a large amount of image data selected by the user operation is communicated at high speed by PCI Express.

Next, the operation of the accessory device in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the accessory device according to the second embodiment. The flow chart of FIG. 9 starts from the point where the above-mentioned step S404 is completed and the accessory device 600 can communicate with the control CPU 201 of the image pickup device 700. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is realized by the control CPU 101 developing and executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) to control each functional block.

(Step S901) The accessory device 600 performs initial communication with the image pickup device 700, and notifies the image pickup device 700 of model information including the type of the accessory device. In this embodiment, it is notified that it is an accessory device having a network function.

(Step S902) After that, first, the accessory device 700 starts operating as a battery grip.

(Step S903) It is determined whether or not the network function is enabled. That is, the state transitions to the state of waiting for the operation of enabling the network function from the image pickup apparatus 700 by the user operation. The operation continues as a battery grip until the notification for enabling the network function is received from the image pickup apparatus 700 on the communication line 113.

(Step S904) When it is determined in step S903 that the network function is enabled, the control CPU 101 turns on the power supply unit 602. Then, the network CPU 601 that operates with the power of the power supply unit 602 is enabled.

(Step S905) The network CPU 601 enables a PCI Express block (high-speed communication) that communicates with the image pickup apparatus 700 via the high-speed signal line 604.

(Step S906) When communication between the image pickup apparatus 700 and the high-speed communication line becomes possible, the network CPU 101 enables the network function and executes network communication. When the network function is enabled, for example, the network CPU 601 of the accessory device 600 (WFT) can be used to communicate with an external network. Further, the configuration may be such that exclusive control between WiFi and Ether, or, for example, the above-mentioned PCI Express can be used to connect to another hard disk or SSD.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, by providing a low-speed communication line and a high-speed communication line in advance in the connector for connecting the image pickup device and the accessory device, the function of the image pickup device can be expanded according to the connected accessory. It becomes possible to do. After the connection is detected, after communicating the model information of the accessory device, it is possible to determine whether to enable the high-speed communication line, so that suitable control can be performed according to the type of the accessory device. Power consumption can be saved in accessory devices that do not support high-speed communication lines, and the function can be used when accessory devices that support high-speed communication lines are connected. In addition, by enabling high-speed communication according to the user's operation, high-speed communication can be performed only when necessary, and wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, even if various accessory devices appear after the image pickup device is released, the functions of the accessory system can be expanded by upgrading the image pickup device side.

The imaging device according to the second embodiment can be connected to both the battery grip shown in FIG. 1 and the network function expansion accessory device shown in FIG.

The above is a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, and is appropriately modified and adapted depending on the target circuit form. It should be done. For example, the digital camera described as an imaging device which is an electronic device in the above-described embodiment can be applied to a digital still camera or a digital video camera. Further, any device having a function of capturing and recording a subject, such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, is included in the imaging device.

Further, the battery grip described as an accessory device that can be attached to an electronic device can be applied to various accessory devices such as a strobe that can expand the power supply and function of the electronic device.

Further, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, a device, a method, a computer program, a recording medium, or the like. Specifically, even if it is realized by one device, it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. You may. Each means constituting the image pickup apparatus and each step of the control method of the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment can also be realized by operating a program stored in a memory of a computer or the like. The computer program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded are included in the present invention.

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.

100 Accessory device 105 Connector part 112 Signal line 113 Communication line 200 Imaging device 208 Signal line 214 Connector part 220 Communication line

Claims (18)

An accessory device that connects to an image pickup device
A control means for controlling communication with the image pickup apparatus and
A first communication means that sends a predetermined signal that requires immediacy to the image pickup apparatus without being controlled by the control means, and a first communication means.
A second communication means that communicates with the image pickup apparatus as a control signal via the control means, and
An accessory device characterized by having. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is a signal related to shooting preparation or shooting control. The accessory device according to claim 2, further comprising an operating member that generates a signal related to the shooting preparation or the shooting control based on an operation by the user. When the imaging device is operating in the power saving mode, the operating member generates a signal for returning the imaging device from the power saving mode based on the operation by the user, and the first communication. The accessory device according to claim 3, wherein the signal is sent to the image pickup device via means. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined signal is any one of a shooting preparation signal, a shooting instruction signal, a focusing start signal, and an exposure fixed signal. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second communication means sends a signal that does not require immediacy to the image pickup device by communication. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second communication means communicates by SPI communication. It has a third communication means capable of communicating at a higher speed than the second communication means.
The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the third communication means is effective, communication is performed via the third communication means. The accessory device according to claim 8, wherein the third communication means performs communication by PCI Express. The accessory device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third communication means is capable of communicating with an external network. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the battery grip has a power supply unit and supplies power from the power supply unit to the image pickup apparatus. An imaging device connected to the accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Connection means for connecting to accessory devices,
A control means for controlling communication with the accessory device,
A first communication means that receives a predetermined signal of the accessory device without going through the control means, and
It has a second communication means for communicating a control signal via the control means with the accessory device, and has.
An imaging device characterized in that a signal related to shooting preparation or shooting control is received as the predetermined signal by the first communication means. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein when operating in the power saving mode, a signal for returning from the power saving mode is received by the first communication means. It has a power supply means for receiving electric power from the accessory device, and has
The imaging device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the image pickup apparatus is operated by electric power from the power source means. The accessory device has a third communication means, which is faster than the second communication means.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, which communicates with an external network via the third communication means. An acquisition means for acquiring the type of the accessory device, and
The imaging according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first communication means and the switching means for enabling the second communication means are provided according to the type of the accessory device. Device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the second communication means communicates by SPI communication.

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