JP6790181B2 - Imaging devices, accessories, intermediate accessories and their control methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image pickup device, an interchangeable lens, an intermediate accessory, and the like in a camera system including an image pickup device that communicates with each other and one or more intermediate accessories and an interchangeable lens.

As a camera system including a camera body and an interchangeable lens, a camera body (also referred to as an image pickup device) is known to perform imaging processing, image recording, and interchangeable lens control. It is also known that in the camera system, the interchangeable lens performs focus drive and aperture drive according to a control command from the camera body.

In order to properly perform focus drive and aperture drive in such a camera system, the camera body collects the unique optical information of the interchangeable lens (for example, information such as focal length, aperture, focus sensitivity, focus correction amount, etc.). Need to get from. The optical information of the interchangeable lens may be stored in the camera body in advance, or may be acquired from the interchangeable lens by communication.

Further, in a camera system including a camera body and an interchangeable lens, an intermediate accessory may be further attached between the camera body and the interchangeable lens. Intermediate accessories include, for example, variable magnification lenses such as wide converters and teleconverters that change the focal length of interchangeable lenses, ND filters that change the transmittance, and other types of interchangeable lenses that can be attached. Can be considered.

Information about the attached accessories in order for the camera body to properly control the interchangeable lens and intermediate accessories (hereinafter, each of the interchangeable lenses and intermediate accessories is also collectively referred to as an accessory) or to properly correct the optical information. is required.

Patent Document 1 discloses that an interchangeable lens transmits identification information of the interchangeable lens to a camera body. Further, a configuration is disclosed in which a newer accessory of an interchangeable lens and an intermediate accessory transmits identification information of the intermediate accessory to the camera body.

Japanese Patent No. 5208169

According to Patent Document 1, even when an intermediate accessory is attached between the interchangeable lens and the camera body, a new communication path is provided in addition to the communication path for the interchangeable lens and the camera body to communicate with each other. It is possible to acquire the identification information of the intermediate accessory without providing.

However, there is a problem in the communication configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, since one communication path is shared between the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory, the interchangeable lens control signal is transmitted to the interchangeable lens at the intended timing while the intermediate accessory and the camera body are communicating. I can't do it. If the interchangeable lens control signal cannot be immediately transmitted to the interchangeable lens at the timing intended by the camera body, it may not be possible to control a plurality of optical members mounted on the interchangeable lens at high speed and with high accuracy.

In recent years, the amount of lens information data acquired by the camera body from the interchangeable lens tends to increase due to the sophistication of imaging control. Furthermore, it is becoming necessary to communicate a large amount of data within a shorter time by shortening the imaging cycle (that is, increasing the frame rate). Therefore, there is a further demand for a technique for communicating at a more intended timing between each unit of the image pickup apparatus, the interchangeable lens, and the intermediate accessory.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, an interchangeable lens, and an intermediate accessory capable of performing communication at a more intended timing. It is also an object of the present invention to provide these control methods.

One aspect of the present invention is an interchangeable lens that can be attached to an imaging device.
A communication control means for controlling the first communication, which is communication via the first communication unit with the image pickup device, and the second communication, which is communication via the second communication unit with the image pickup device. Have and
Said communication control means, first corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the reception by the at the first initial communication using the first communication, the first communication of the first transmission request and the imaging apparatus The identification information is transmitted by the first communication, and in the second initial communication by the second communication with the image pickup apparatus, in response to the reception of the second transmission request by the second communication, the said A second identification information different from the first identification information is transmitted,
When the second identification information is specified by the first communication method in the second communication, communication with the image pickup apparatus is executed by a second communication method different from the first communication method. characterized by being configured to perform the change of the communication system.

Further, another invention aspect is the imaging device can be attached to the accessory, the first communication is communication via the first communication unit and the interchangeable lens, second and the interchangeable lens It has a second communication that is communication via a communication unit and a communication control means that controls it.
Said communication control means, in the first initial communication by the first communication with the interchangeable lens, the first identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the transmission by the first communication transmission request and received by the first communication, in the second initial communication by the second communication with the interchangeable lens, in accordance with the transmission of the transmission request by the second communication, and the first identification information Receives a different second identification,
When the second identification information is specified by the first communication method in the second communication, communication with the interchangeable lens is executed by a second communication method different from the first communication method. characterized by being configured to perform the change of the communication system.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is an intermediate accessory that can be attached between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens, and in the first initial communication by the first communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens. a first identification information including a first transmission request sent, the identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens, which is transmitted from the interchangeable lens in accordance with the reception of the first transmission request from the imaging device A first communication unit that conducts communication with the first communication unit, a second communication unit that performs communication by second communication between the image pickup device and an accessory including the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens, and a second communication unit by second communication. in the initial communication, the third to send identification information, said third transmission to again the second transmission from the identification information corresponding to the model of the intermediate accessory in response to receiving a second transmission request It is characterized in that it is configured to have a communication control means that does not respond to the second transmission request when the request is received.

Other aspects of the invention will be demonstrated in embodiments described below.

According to the present invention, communication can be performed between the units at a more intended timing.

A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the camera system of the first embodiment. The figure explaining the configuration for the 1st communication of Example 1. A flowchart showing a flow of processing for acquiring initial communication with the accessory of the first embodiment and corrected optical information. A flowchart showing the initial communication processing of the camera and the lens of the first embodiment. A flowchart showing the initial communication processing of the camera and the accessory of the first embodiment. A flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining the first accessory of the first embodiment. Flow chart showing the flow of the process of searching for the dynamic accessory of the second embodiment A flowchart showing the flow of optical information correction processing according to the operation of the dynamic accessory of the second embodiment. Flow chart showing the flow of the process of acquiring the optical information of the third embodiment The figure which shows the example of the information communicated in the initial communication A flowchart showing the flow of the process of acquiring the correction identification information of the fourth embodiment and the correction process using the correction identification information. The figure explaining the structure for the 2nd communication of Example 1. A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the camera system of the fifth embodiment. A flowchart showing the flow of the firmware update process of the fifth embodiment. The figure which shows the screen display example of the firmware update process of Example 5. Flow chart showing the flow of firmware update processing by user selection in Example 5 The figure explaining the modification of the 1st communication of Example 1. A block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera system when the end of the sixth embodiment is an interchangeable lens. A block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera system when the end of the sixth embodiment is an intermediate accessory. A flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting a communication error of the second communication of the sixth embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the accessory means an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory.

In the following examples, the camera body, the interchangeable lens, and the intermediate accessories are collectively referred to as a unit. In addition, each of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory is also collectively referred to as an accessory.

Further, in the following embodiment, the accessory related to the correction is an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory for which the correction processing necessity information is "necessary".

Further, in the following embodiment, the intermediate accessory related to the correction is an intermediate accessory that needs to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens.

Further, in the following embodiment, the first accessory is an accessory that holds optical information of all other accessories.

Further, in the following embodiment, the first intermediate accessory is an intermediate accessory having optical information of another intermediate accessory.

Further, in the following embodiment, the first unit is a unit that holds optical information of all accessories.

In addition. In the following examples, we focus on whether or not each unit has optical information of other units, but this is not necessarily related to the release date or manufacturing date of the unit. For example, the optical information stored in each unit may change regardless of the unit's release date or manufacturing date due to firmware upgrade or the like.

Hereinafter, Example 1 will be described.

<Camera system configuration (Fig. 1)>
The configuration of the camera system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera system has a first communication path which is a communication path for transmitting a control command from the camera body 20 to the interchangeable lens 10 and for transmitting operation information and optical information from the interchangeable lens 10 to the camera body 20. Further, it has a second communication path which is a communication path for transmitting operation information and optical information between the camera body 20 and the plurality of intermediate accessories 30 and 40. Hereinafter, the communication performed by the first communication path is also referred to as the first communication (first communication), and the communication performed by the second communication path is also referred to as the second communication (second communication).

Here, as the first communication path, the first communication unit 207 on the camera side and the first communication unit 114 on the lens side communicate with each other through mounts 202 and 305, 303 and 405, 403 and 102, which will be described later. It is a route performed via. The first communication unit 207 on the camera side and the first communication unit 114 on the lens side are examples of communication control means, respectively.

In this embodiment, the communication performed by a certain unit with one unit different from the unit is also referred to as one-to-one communication.

Further, here, the second communication path is a path in which the second communication unit 208 on the camera side communicates with the communication unit of each accessory. At that time, communication is performed from the second communication unit 208 on the camera side via the mounts 203 and 306, and communication is performed via at least a part of the mounts 304 and 406, 404 and 103. The communication unit 208 on the camera side communicates with, for example, the second communication unit 115 on the lens side and the second communication units 308 and 408 on the intermediate accessory side by the second communication path. The communication unit 208 on the camera side, the second communication unit 115 on the lens side, the second communication unit 308 on the intermediate accessory side, and 408 on the intermediate accessory side are examples of communication control means, respectively.

In this embodiment, communication performed by a unit with a plurality of units different from the unit is also referred to as one-to-many communication.

In FIG. 1, the interchangeable lens 10 is an interchangeable lens that controls a movable optical member related to photography. The camera body 20 is a camera body that captures an image. The intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40 are intermediate accessories such as an extender mounted between the interchangeable lens 10 and the camera body 20.

Mounts 101 and 401, 402 and 301, and 302 and 201 are detachably attached to the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 40, the intermediate accessory 30, and the camera body 20, respectively. Here, the mount 101 is provided on the interchangeable lens 10, the mount 401 and the mount 402 are provided on the intermediate accessory 40, the mount 301 and the mount 302 are provided on the intermediate accessory 30, and the mount 201 is provided on the camera body 20. ..

Mounts 101, 401, 402, 301, 302, 201, respectively, have first communication contact groups 102, 403, 405, 303, 305, which are contact terminal groups having one or more contacts for performing first communication. 202 is provided. Here, the first communication contact groups 102, 403, 405, 303, 305, and 202 are configured to be conductive when the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, the intermediate accessory 40, and the camera body 20 are connected. In the first embodiment, the first communication is also used for the camera body 20 to control the optical member of the interchangeable lens 10.

Further, the second communication contact groups 103, 404, 406, 304, which are contact terminal groups having one or more contacts for performing the second communication on the mounts 101, 401, 402, 301, 302, 201, respectively. 306 and 203 are provided. Here, the second communication contact groups 103, 404, 406, 304, 306, and 203 are configured to be conductive when the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, the intermediate accessory 40, and the camera body 20 are connected. In the first embodiment, the second communication is configured so that the camera body 20 can perform one-to-many communication with the intermediate accessory 30, the intermediate accessory 40, and the interchangeable lens 10.

In this way, the first communication, which is one-to-one communication between the camera body 20 and the interchangeable lens 10, and the second communication, which is a one-to-one communication between the camera body and the plurality of accessories, are different. A first communication path and a second communication path are provided. As a result, the interchangeable lens control command can be transmitted to the interchangeable lens at a more intended timing, for example, in the first communication, as compared with the case where the communication is performed using the same communication path. Since the interchangeable lens control command transmission can be immediately transmitted to the interchangeable lens at the timing intended by the camera body, it is possible to control a plurality of optical members mounted on the interchangeable lens at high speed and with high accuracy.

The interchangeable lens 10 includes a focus lens 104, a zoom lens 105, an iris 106, a blur correction lens 107, control units (108 to 111) that control each optical member, and a lens control unit that controls the entire lens. 113 is provided. Further, the interchangeable lens 10 includes a first communication unit 114 on the lens side that performs the first communication, a second communication unit 115 on the lens side that performs the second communication, a blur amount detection unit 112 that detects the amount of blur, and an interchangeable lens. The lens operating member 116, which is an provided operating member, is provided. Each configuration will be described.

The focus lens 104 is for changing the focus state of the captured image. The zoom lens 105 is for zooming the captured image. The iris 106 is for adjusting the amount of light of the captured image. The blur correction lens 107 is a blur correction lens for correcting image blur of a subject image.

The focus lens control unit 108 performs position detection and drive control of the focus lens 104. The zoom lens control unit 109 performs position detection and drive control of the zoom lens 105. The iris control unit 110 detects the position of the iris 106 and controls the drive. The blur correction control unit 111 is a blur correction control unit for performing position detection and drive control of the blur correction lens 107. The focus lens control unit 108, the zoom lens control unit 109, the iris control unit 110, and the blur correction control unit 111 are each composed of, for example, a position sensor such as an absolute value encoder and a drive motor such as an ultrasonic motor or a stepping motor. The blur amount detecting unit 112 is for detecting the vibration amount of the interchangeable lens 10, and is composed of, for example, a gyro sensor.

The lens control unit 113 is for controlling the lens and has a memory (not shown). The lens control unit 113 is an example of a communication control unit. The first communication unit 114 on the lens side is for performing the first communication with the interchangeable lens 10. The second communication unit 115 on the lens side is for performing the second communication with the interchangeable lens 10.

The memory included in the lens control unit 113 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores specific information and state information regarding the control software (firmware) executed by the CPU and the interchangeable lens 10. The unique information is, for example, a model name (identification information), optical characteristics, correction information, and the like. The state information includes, for example, the operating state (normal / safe mode), the position information (or magnification) of the zoom lens 105, the position information of the focus lens 104, the F value of the iris 106, the position information of the blur correction lens 107, the firmware version, and the like. Update status, etc. However, it is not limited to these. Further, the memory also stores a program to be executed when the interchangeable lens 10 is operated in the safe mode described later.

Further, the lens control unit 113 has a programmable processor such as a CPU, and by reading a program from the memory and executing the program, various operations including the operation of the interchangeable lens 10 described later are realized. For example, the lens control unit 113 executes an operation in response to a command received from the camera control unit 205 in the first communication described later. The operation in response to the command is, for example, to control the focus lens control unit 108, the zoom lens control unit 109, the iris control unit 110, and the blur correction control unit 111, or to update the firmware stored in the memory.

The lens control unit 113 updates the firmware by overwriting the old firmware stored in the memory with, for example, the new firmware received from the camera body 20 in the first communication. Further, the lens control unit 113 manages the update process by recording data (update state data) indicating the state of the firmware update process in the memory. For example, the lens control unit 113 sets the update status data to a value indicating "incomplete" before overwriting the firmware, and sets the update status data to a value indicating "completed" when the overwriting of the firmware is completed. The value indicating "completed" may be different between the value indicating "normal completion" and the value indicating "abnormal completion". Further, the value indicating "abnormal completion" may be a different value depending on the cause of the abnormality.

For example, if the interchangeable lens 10 is removed during the firmware update, the power supply to the interchangeable lens 10 is cut off, so that the update process is interrupted with the update status data having a value indicating "incomplete". For example, the lens control unit 113 confirms the update status data when the power is supplied again, and if it is a value indicating an incomplete status, the firmware update is interrupted and the operation is restricted. It shifts to the mode (safe mode). Further, the operating state of the interchangeable lens 10 stored in the memory is rewritten to the safe mode. In safe mode, only limited functions can be performed, including the processing required to update the firmware. Specifically, the process required to update the firmware is a process of transmitting the identification information and the operating state information (or the request for firmware update) of the interchangeable lens 10 to the camera body 20. Further, the process of updating the firmware recorded in the memory with the firmware received from the camera body 20 is also a process necessary for updating the firmware.

Other processing, such as control of the focus lens control unit 108, cannot be performed.

Normally, the memory capacity is not large enough to store the entire firmware in duplicate. Therefore, the capacity that can be used for program storage for safe mode is limited. Therefore, in safe mode, only limited functions are provided, including the minimum necessary functions such as transmission of the operating state of the interchangeable lens 10 and firmware update. When the lens control unit 113 receives a request for processing that cannot be executed in the safe mode, such as a drive request for the focus lens 104, in the first communication during the safe mode, the request is ignored. The lens operating member 116 is an operating member provided on the interchangeable lens 10, and is, for example, a switch or an electronic ring. When the lens operating member 116 is operated, an operation signal is output to the lens control unit 113.

Next, the configuration of the camera body 20 will be described. The camera body 20 includes an image sensor 204, a camera control unit 205 that controls the camera body, an image display unit 206 that displays images taken by the camera body 20, and a camera operation member 209 that is an operation member provided on the camera body 20. To be equipped with. Further, the camera body 20 includes a camera-side first communication unit 207 and a camera-side second communication unit 208 that control the first communication and the second communication. Each configuration will be described.

The image sensor 204 is an image sensor for capturing an image, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

The camera control unit 205 is for controlling the camera body, and has a memory (not shown). The camera control unit 205 is an example of a communication control unit. The first communication unit 207 on the camera side is for performing the first communication on the camera body 20. The second communication unit 208 on the camera side is for performing the second communication on the camera body 20. The camera control unit 205, the camera-side first communication unit 207, and the camera-side second communication unit 208 are configured by using, for example, a CPU in the camera body 20.

The image display unit 206 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, and is used for displaying an image taken by the camera body 20, image data recorded on the recording medium 211, a GUI, and the like. At this time, the image display unit 206 is also used for displaying a menu for the user to instruct the user to update the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 or the intermediate accessories 30 and 40. Further, when the camera control unit 205 detects that the mounted interchangeable lens 10 and the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 are in the safe mode, the camera control unit 205 can notify the user by displaying a message or the like that the firmware needs to be updated. ..

The camera operating member 209 is for setting shooting conditions, for example, a dial ring or a switch. When the camera operating member 209 is operated, an operation signal is output to the camera control unit 205.

The media IF 210 is an interface for recording and reading data from, for example, a recording medium 211 which is a removable memory card.

The recording medium 211 is used as a recording destination for image data and audio data obtained by shooting with the camera body 20. The recording medium 211 is also used as a supply source of new firmware when updating the firmware of the camera body 20, the interchangeable lens 10, and the intermediate accessories 30 and 40.

Each of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 includes intermediate accessory optical members 307 and 407, intermediate accessory side second communication units 308 and 408 that perform second communication, and 309 and 409 that control intermediate accessories. Further, each of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 includes intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410, which are operating members provided on the intermediate accessories. Each configuration will be described.

As an example, the intermediate accessory optical members 307 and 407 of this embodiment are optical members that bring about a change in optical characteristics with respect to a captured image, such as a variable magnification lens and an ND filter.

The second communication units 308 and 408 on the intermediate accessory side are communication units for performing the second communication with the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40.

The intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 are control units for controlling the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40, respectively, and have a memory (not shown). The intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 are examples of communication control units, respectively. The intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 and the intermediate accessory side second communication units 308 and 408 are configured by using the CPU of the intermediate accessory.

The memory included in the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores unique information and state information regarding the control software (firmware) executed by the CPU and the intermediate accessories 30 and 40. The unique information is, for example, a model name (identification information), optical characteristics, correction information, and the like. Further, the state information includes, for example, an operating state (normal / safe mode), operating information (position and speed) of the intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410, a firmware version and an updated state, and the like. However, it is not limited to these. Further, the memory also stores a program to be executed when operating the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 in the safe mode described later.

Further, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 have a programmable processor such as a CPU, and by reading a program from the memory and executing the program, various operations including the operations of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 described later are realized. To do. For example, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 operate in response to a command received from the camera control unit 205 in the second communication described later, for example, transmit operation information of the intermediate accessory operation members 310 and 410, and the firmware stored in the memory. Perform the update.

The intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 update the firmware by overwriting the old firmware stored in the memory with, for example, the new firmware received from the camera body 20 in the first communication. Further, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 manage the update process by recording the data (update state data) indicating the state of the firmware update process in the memory. For example, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 set the update status data to a value indicating "incomplete" before overwriting the firmware, and set the update status data to a value indicating "completed" when the overwriting of the firmware is completed. The value indicating "completed" may be different between the value indicating "normal completion" and the value indicating "abnormal completion". Further, the value indicating "abnormal completion" may be a different value depending on the cause of the abnormality.

For example, if the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 are removed during the firmware update, the power supply to the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 is cut off, so that the update process is interrupted with the update status data indicating "incomplete". Firmware. For example, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 check the update status data when the power is supplied again, and if the value indicates the incomplete status, the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 shift to the mode in which the operation is restricted (safe mode). .. In addition, the operating states of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 stored in the memory are rewritten to the safe mode.

In safe mode, only limited functions can be performed, including the processing required to update the firmware. Specifically, the processing required to update the firmware is to provide the camera body 20 with authentication information such as identification information of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 and information indicating that the mode is in safe mode (or a request for firmware update). This is the process of sending. Further, the process of updating the firmware recorded in the memory with the firmware received from the camera body 20 is also a process necessary for updating the firmware. Other processing, such as transmission of operation information of the intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410, cannot be performed.

Normally, the memory capacity is not large enough to store the entire firmware in duplicate. Therefore, the capacity that can be used for program storage for safe mode is limited. Therefore, in safe mode, only limited functions are provided, including the minimum necessary functions such as transmitting the operating state of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 and updating the firmware. The intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409 ignore the request for processing that cannot be executed in the safe mode, for example, when the operation information of the intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410 is transmitted and received in the second communication during the safe mode.

The intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410 are operating members provided on the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40, respectively, and are, for example, a switch or an electronic ring. When the intermediate accessory operating members 310 and 410 are operated, operation signals are output to the intermediate accessory control units 309 and 409.

The second communication connection switch 311 and the second communication connection switch 411 are switches provided on the second communication line of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40 and on the lens side of the intermediate accessory side second communication unit, respectively. The second communication connection switch 311 and the second communication connection switch 411 can be controlled for short circuit / opening by the intermediate accessory control unit 309 and the intermediate accessory control unit 409, respectively. By providing these, it is possible to block the second communication on the lens side from itself. That is, it is possible to change the communication state of the second communication by controlling the short circuit / release of these switches.

In the first embodiment, the flow until the light incident on the interchangeable lens 10 is output as an image is as follows.

The light incident on the interchangeable lens 10 passes through the focus lens 104, the zoom lens 105, the iris 106, the blur correction lens 107, and the intermediate accessory optical members 407 and 307, is imaged by the image pickup element 204, and is converted into an electric signal. The electric signal output from the image sensor 204 is changed into a video signal by the camera control unit 205 and output to the video display unit 206.

<First communication (Fig. 2)>
Next, the first communication will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2A shows a configuration in which the first communication is performed. Although the first communication of this embodiment exemplifies the case where clock synchronous communication is performed, pace synchronous communication may be performed. The pace-synchronized communication will be described later as a modified example. The first communication contact groups 102, 403, 405, 303, 305, 202 are the first communication LCLK terminals 102a, 403a, 405a, 303a, which are the terminals of the clock line LCLK output from the first communication unit 207 on the camera side, respectively. , 305a, 202a are included. In this embodiment, the first communication DCL terminals 102b, 403b, 405b, 303b, 305b, 202b, which are the terminals of the data line DCL output from the camera-side first communication unit 207 of the clock synchronous communication, are also included. There is. Each of the first communication DCL terminals 102b, 403b, 405b, 303b, 305b, and 202b is an example of the first communication terminal. Similarly, the first communication DLC terminals 102c, 403c, 405c, 303c, 305c, 202c, which are the terminals of the data line DLC output from the lens-side first communication unit 114 of the clock synchronous communication, are included. Each of the bao and the first communication DLC terminals 102c, 403c, 405c, 303c, 305c, and 202c is an example of the third communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the clock line LCLK and the data line DCL are pulled up in the interchangeable lens 10. Further, the clock line LCLK and the data line DLC are pulled up in the camera body 20.

The intermediate accessory 30, the clock line LCLK, the data line DCL, and the data line DLC in the intermediate accessory 40 are short-circuited between the first communication contacts 403 and 405 and 303 and 305, respectively.

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 first communication unit 207 on the camera side outputs a 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 first communication unit 207 on the camera side 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 lens-side first communication unit 114 receives 8-bit data of B7 to B0 of the data line DCL in accordance with the rising signal of the clock line LCLK. As described above, the camera-side first communication unit 207 and the lens-side first communication unit 114 can exchange communication data with each other. When the first communication unit 114 on the lens side receives the 8-bit data of B7 to B0 of the data line DCL, the clock line LCLK is output for Tbusy time LOW, and then the LOW output is released. Here, the Tbusy time is the time during which the interchangeable lens 10 is processing the received data, and the camera-side first communication unit 207 does not transmit the data until the clock line LCLK changes from LOW to HIGH after the data is transmitted. ing. 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 first communication unit 207 on the camera side and the first communication unit 114 on the lens side by the first communication.

<Second communication (Fig. 12)>
Next, referring to the configuration diagram of FIG. 12, one of the communication circuits capable of "one-to-many" communication configured between the camera body 20, the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40. Will be described. The communication circuit is not limited to this as long as "one-to-many" communication is possible. Further, when a plurality of communication circuits are provided, "one-to-one" communication such as clock-synchronous serial communication or UART communication may be used for other communication circuits.

The camera-side second communication unit 208, the lens-side second communication unit 115, and the intermediate accessory second communication units 308 and 408 are connected via the contact unit in the same manner as in the first communication. More specifically, it is connected via the above-mentioned second communication contact group second communication contact group 103, 404, 406, 304, 306, 203. In this embodiment, the second communication contact groups 103, 404, 406, 304, 306, 203 have CS signal terminals 103a, 404a, 406a, 304a, 306a, 203a and DATA signal terminals 103b, 404b, 406b, 304b, 306b, respectively. , 203b. The camera side second communication unit 208, the lens side second communication unit 115, and the intermediate accessory second communication unit 308 are a CS signal line connected via a CS signal terminal and a DATA signal line connected via a DATA signal terminal. Communicate using.

The DATA signal terminals of the second communication contact groups 103, 404, 406, 304, 306, and 203 are examples of the second communication terminals.

The camera communication circuit is composed of a ground switch 221 and an input / output changeover switch 222. The lens communication circuit is composed of a ground switch 121 and an input / output changeover switch 122. The intermediate accessory communication circuit is composed of ground switches 321 and 421 and input / output changeover switches 322 and 422.

There are two signal lines: a CS signal line (first signal line) for propagating signals for controlling the flow of communication, and a DATA signal line (second signal line) for propagating data to be transmitted and received. Consists of books.

The CS signal line is connected to the camera side second communication unit 208, the intermediate accessory second communication unit 308, and the lens side second communication unit 115, and has a configuration capable of detecting the state (Hi / Low) of the signal line. .. Further, the CS signal line is pulled-up connected to a power source (not shown) in the camera body. The CS signal line is configured to be connectable to GND via the ground switch 121 of the interchangeable lens 10, the ground switch 221 of the camera body 20, and the ground switches 321 and 421 of the intermediate adapter (open drain connection). With this configuration, the interchangeable lens 10, the camera body 20, the intermediate accessories 30, and 40 can be set to the low state of the CS signal line by turning on (connecting) the grounding switch, respectively. On the other hand, the state of the CS signal line can be set to Hi by turning off (cutting off) the respective connection switches of the interchangeable lens 10, the camera body 20, and the intermediate accessories 30 and 40. The CS signal line is used to distinguish between broadcast communication and P2P communication, or to switch the communication direction in P2P communication.

The DATA signal line is a single bidirectional data transmission line that can be used while switching the data propagation direction. The DATA signal line can be connected to the second communication unit 115 on the lens side via the input / output changeover switch 122 of the interchangeable lens 10. Further, the DATA signal line can be connected to the second communication unit 208 on the camera side via the input / output changeover switch 222 of the camera body 20. Further, the DATA signal line can be connected to the intermediate accessory second communication units 308 and 408 via the input / output changeover switches 322 and 422 of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40, respectively. Each microcomputer is provided with a data output unit (CMOS method) for transmitting data and a data input unit (CMOS method) for receiving data. By operating the input / output changeover switch, it is possible to select whether to connect the DATA signal line to the data output unit or the data input unit. With this configuration, the interchangeable lens 10, the camera body 20, the intermediate accessories 30, and 40 each operate the input / output selector switch so as to connect the DATA signal line to the data output unit when transmitting data. Transmission becomes possible. On the other hand, when the interchangeable lens 10, the camera body 20, the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 receive data, the data can be received by operating the input / output changeover switch so as to connect the DATA signal line to the data input unit. It will be possible.

Here, broadcast communication and P2P communication performed by CS signals and data signals will be described.

The CS signal line drops to LOW when any unit connects to GND, so it is used as a trigger for broadcast communication.

Broadcast communication is started when the camera body, which is the main body of communication, draws a CS signal line to LOW. When the CS signal line is LOW, the data received by the accessory by the DATA line is determined to be broadcast data.

In addition, each accessory can request broadcast communication from the camera body by drawing a CS signal line to LOW.

The unit that has detected the LOW of the CS signal line can inform other units that the processing for the broadcast communication is continuing by turning on its own ground switch during the broadcasting processing. By stipulating that the second communication starts with broadcast communication and ends with broadcast communication, the DATA signal line of the accessory basically needs to be maintained in the reception state. When the camera performs P2P communication with an accessory, the accessory to be communicated is first specified by broadcast communication. The camera and the designated accessory that have completed the transmission of broadcast communication perform P2P communication.

In P2P communication, the camera first transmits data, and the accessory that receives the data transmits the data to the camera. After that, this is done alternately. In P2P communication, the CS signal during communication is distinguished from broadcast communication by maintaining HIGH. The CS signal in P2P communication is used as a busy signal. That is, the camera and the accessory are set to LOW to notify the other party that the data transmission from the other party is completed, and set to HIGH to notify that the data reception is ready.

When the P2P communication is completed, the camera broadcasts the end of the P2P communication.

In this way, the camera can perform data communication via a plurality of accessories and two communication lines.

Although FIG. 12 shows an example of the communication circuit in the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CS signal line is pull-down connected to GND in the camera body 20, and is not shown via the ground switch 121 of the interchangeable lens 10, the ground switch 221 of the camera body 20, and the ground switches 321 and 421 of the intermediate accessories 30 and 40. It may be configured so that it can be connected to a power supply. Further, the DATA signal line may be configured to be always connected to each data input unit, and the connection / disconnection between the DATA signal line and each data output unit may be operated by a switch.

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.

<Initial communication with accessories and acquisition processing of corrected optical information (Fig. 3)>
Next, the flow in which the camera body 20 acquires the authentication information of the accessory by the initial communication with the accessory, and further acquires the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 corrected based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40. This will be described with reference to 3. The optical information of the intermediate accessory is, for example, a magnification that changes by inserting the intermediate accessory when the intermediate accessory has a variable magnification lens. The optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 is, for example, information such as a focal length, an aperture, a focus sensitivity, and a focus correction amount.

FIG. 3 shows a process in which the camera body 20 acquires the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 corrected based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40 after the power is supplied for the first time after the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens are attached. Shows the flow of.

When the camera body 20 is activated in S301, the transition to S302 occurs.

Upon transition to S302, the camera body 20 supplies power to the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40 via a power supply mount contact (not shown), and transitions to S303 and S304.

Upon transition to S303, the camera control unit 205 performs initial communication with the interchangeable lens 10 in the first communication. In the initial communication, the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 is acquired.

Here, the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 includes the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 and the operating state information. The interchangeable lens identification information may be information such as a model number (ID) used for identifying the type (model) of the interchangeable lens, or optical data identification information indicating optical data peculiar to the interchangeable lens. .. In addition, it may include information indicating the function of the interchangeable lens and information such as a serial number that can identify an individual in the same model.

The operating state information is information that can identify whether the interchangeable lens 10 is operating normally or in safe mode. In other words, whether or not the firmware update is interrupted (operating in safe mode). Information that can identify (normal operation).

The flow of the sub-process S303 for acquiring the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 in the first communication will be described later with reference to FIG.

Upon transition to S304, the camera control unit 205 performs initial communication with the accessory in the second communication and acquires the authentication information of the accessory.

Here, the accessory authentication information includes accessory identification information, correction processing necessity information, and operating state information.

The intermediate accessory identification information may be information such as a model number (ID) used for identifying the type (model) of the intermediate accessory, or optical data identification information indicating optical data unique to the intermediate accessory. .. In addition, it may include information indicating the function of the intermediate accessory and information such as a serial number that can identify an individual in the same model.

Further, the correction processing necessity information is information indicating whether or not the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 needs to be corrected by mounting the accessory. If the accessory is an intermediate accessory and does not affect the optical system of the interchangeable lens 10, the correction process is not necessary. If the camera control unit 205 knows in advance from the intermediate accessory correction processing necessity information that the correction processing by mounting the intermediate accessory is unnecessary, the camera ignores the intermediate accessory in the optical information acquisition process of the interchangeable lens 10. can do.

As an intermediate accessory that does not require correction processing, for example, there is an intermediate accessory that is provided with an optical member optically designed to cancel the influence of its own width on the optical system and is attached for the purpose of adding an operating member. Another example is a mount converter that changes the flange back length suitable for the camera body by mounting it between an interchangeable lens with a short flange back mount and the camera body.

The operating status information is information that can identify whether the intermediate accessories 30 and 40 are operating normally or in safe mode. In other words, whether the firmware update is interrupted (operating in safe mode) or not. It is information that can identify whether or not (normal operation).

The flow of the sub-process S304 for acquiring the authentication information of the intermediate accessory in the second communication will be described later with reference to FIG. Since S303 and S304 use different communication paths, the processes may be performed in parallel or sequentially.

When the authentication information of the interchangeable lens and the authentication information of the attached accessory are acquired by S303 and S304, the process proceeds to S305.

Upon transition to S305, the camera control unit 205 determines whether or not there is an intermediate accessory that requires correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens based on the correction processing necessity information acquired in S304. If an intermediate accessory (also referred to as an intermediate accessory related to correction) whose correction processing necessity information is "necessary" is attached, the process proceeds to S306.

Upon transition to S306, the camera control unit 205 determines whether or not there is an accessory in which the camera control unit 205 does not have optical information among the intermediate accessories for which the correction processing necessity information is "necessary" in the interchangeable lens and S305. To judge. In addition, the intermediate accessory whose correction processing necessity information is "necessary" in the interchangeable lens and S305 is also referred to as an accessory related to correction. If the camera control unit 205 has an accessory related to correction that the camera control unit 205 does not have optical information, the camera control unit 205 cannot correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens. In this case, the process proceeds to S307 in order to search for a request destination for correction processing.

Upon transition to S307, the camera control unit 205 determines an accessory (also referred to as a first accessory) that holds optical information of all the other accessories among the accessories related to the correction. As a method of determining the first accessory, for example, the determination may be made based on the identification information acquired from the accessory, or the accessory may be inquired by communication. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

When the first accessory is confirmed by S307, the transition to S308 occurs.

Upon transition to S308, the camera control unit 205 transmits the identification information of other accessories related to the correction to the first accessory determined by S307, and requests the correction processing of the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10. In this embodiment, as an example, when the first accessory is an interchangeable lens, communication is performed by the first communication. When the first accessory is an intermediate accessory, communication is performed by the second communication.

The control unit of the first accessory, which has received the correction request by S308, performs the correction processing of the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 by using the optical information of the other accessories related to the correction held.

In the transition to S309, the camera control unit 205 acquires the optical information corrected by the first accessory.

On the other hand, in S306, the camera control unit 205 determines that there is no accessory in which the camera control unit 205 does not have the optical information among the intermediate accessories for which the correction processing necessity information is "necessary" in the interchangeable lens and S305. In the case, the transition to S310. In this case, the camera control unit 205 holds the optical information of all the accessories.

Upon transition to S310, the camera control unit 205 corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens by using the optical information of the interchangeable lens and the optical information of the intermediate accessory held by the camera control unit 205.

Further, in S305, when the camera control unit 205 determines that there is no intermediate accessory that requires correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens, the correction process of all the intermediate accessories that the intermediate accessory is not attached or is attached to. The necessity information is "No". Therefore, as a process when it is not necessary to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens, the process proceeds to S311.

When the transition to S311 occurs, it is determined whether or not the camera body 20 holds the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 based on the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 included in the interchangeable lens authentication information acquired in S303. If the camera control unit 205 does not hold the optical information of the interchangeable lens, the process proceeds to S312.

Upon transition to S312, the camera control unit 205 acquires the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 from the lens control unit 113 in the first communication.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S311 that the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 is retained, the camera control unit 205 acquires the optical information from the data table in the camera in S313.

After acquiring the optical information by S309, S310, S312, or S313, the transition to S314 ends, and the optical information acquisition sequence ends.

After acquiring the optical information, the first communication path is used for communication for the camera body 20 to control the interchangeable lens 10, and the second communication path is that the camera body 20 has the intermediate accessory operating member 310 and the intermediate accessory operating member 410. It is used for communication to constantly acquire the operation information of. The communication for constantly acquiring the operation information of the operation member 116 of the interchangeable lens is the first communication path and the second communication path in consideration of the occupancy rate of each communication path and the immediacy required for communication and control. Any of the communication paths of is used.

<Initial communication processing by the first communication between the camera and the interchangeable lens (Fig. 4)>
FIG. 4 shows the flow of the subprocess S303, which is the initial communication performed by the camera body 20 with the interchangeable lens 10 in the camera system of the first embodiment. In the initial communication, the camera control unit 205 acquires the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 from the lens control unit 113.

When the subprocess is started in S401, the process transitions to S402.

Upon transition to S402, the camera control unit 205 transmits an interchangeable lens authentication information transmission request (corresponding to the first transmission request) to the lens control unit 113 by the first communication.

Here, the interchangeable lens authentication information request of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (A). The interchangeable lens authentication information request of this embodiment is information that requires the interchangeable lens 10 to transmit two pieces of authentication information to the camera control unit 205. The authentication information request includes an identification information request for the interchangeable lens and an operating state information request.

When the lens control unit 113 receives the interchangeable lens authentication information transmission request in S403, the process transitions to S404. Then, the lens control unit 113 transmits the interchangeable lens authentication information (corresponding to the first information) to the camera control unit 205 by the first communication.

Here, the authentication information transmitted by the interchangeable lens 10 to the camera control unit 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 10B. The authentication information includes identification information and operating state information.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the interchangeable lens authentication information in S405, it transitions to S406 and stores the received interchangeable lens authentication information.

With S407, the subprocess S303 ends.

<Initial communication processing by the second communication between the camera and the intermediate accessory (Fig. 5)>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a subprocess S304, which is an initial communication process performed by the camera body 20 and the accessory in the camera system of the first embodiment. In the initial communication, the camera control unit 205 acquires the authentication information of the accessory. The authentication information of the accessory will be described later.

When the subprocess is started in S501, the process transitions to S502.

Upon transition to S502, the camera control unit 205 transmits an accessory authentication information request (corresponding to the second transmission request) to the intermediate accessory control unit 309 by the second communication.

Here, the authentication information request of the accessory of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (C). The accessory authentication information request is information that the accessory requests the camera control unit 205 to transmit the accessory authentication information. In this embodiment, the accessory authentication information includes accessory identification information, operating state information, correction processing necessity information, and termination information.

When the intermediate accessory control unit 309 receives the accessory authentication information request in S503, the transition to S506 occurs.

In S506, the intermediate accessory control unit 309 transmits the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 30 to the camera control unit 205 by the second communication.

Here, the authentication information transmitted by the intermediate accessory to the camera control unit 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (D). The authentication information includes identification information (an example of the third information), operating state information, correction processing necessity information, and termination information.

The correction processing necessity information is information indicating "necessity" if the intermediate accessory changes the optical characteristics. If it does not change the optical characteristics, it is information indicating "No".

In this embodiment, the termination information is information indicating whether or not it is the termination of the second communication when viewed from the camera body 20. If the intermediate adapter is the end of the second communication when viewed from the camera body 20, the end information is information indicating that it is the end. If it is not the end of the second communication when viewed from the camera body 20, the end information is information indicating that it is not the end.

In one-to-many communication such as the second communication, the destination can be specified by, for example, adding the identification information of the accessory to the beginning of the communication data. However, since the camera control unit 205 does not have any accessory information at the stage of S502, it is not possible to specify the transmission destination by the communication data.

Therefore, as an example of the means for the camera body 20 to sequentially communicate with a plurality of accessories in this sub-process, there is a method of using the second communication connection switch 311 and the second communication connection switch 411 as follows. It is assumed that the second communication connection switch 311 and the second communication connection switch 411 are short-circuited in the steady state.

In S501, the camera control unit 205 transmits this subprocess start information by the second communication. Since the second communication connection switch 311 and the second communication connection switch 411 are short-circuited, each accessory receives the subprocess start information. Each intermediate accessory that receives this subprocess start information opens its own second communication connection switch. As a result, only the intermediate accessory control unit 309 is connected to the camera control unit 205, and the data transmitted by the camera control unit 205 can be received. When the intermediate accessory control unit 309, which has completed processing for the received data, short-circuits the second communication connection switch 311, the intermediate accessory control unit 409 can receive the data transmitted by the camera control unit 205. The intermediate accessory 30 in which the second communication connection switch is short-circuited does not respond to the transmission information of the camera control unit 205 until the subprocess end information transmitted by the camera control unit 205 is received in S522 where the subprocess ends.

In this embodiment, even when the intermediate accessory 30 is operating in the safe mode, the camera body 20 and the intermediate accessory 30 do not end this sub-process, and the accessories are connected via the intermediate accessory 30. Initial communication with. However, if an accessory operating in safe mode is installed, it is not necessary to perform initial communication with the installed accessory via the accessory. For example, when the operating state of the intermediate accessory 30 is in the safe mode, the intermediate accessory control unit 309 does not short-circuit the second communication connection switch 311 even if the processing for the received data is completed. Then, the subprocess may be terminated immediately by transmitting the authentication information to the camera control unit 205 with the termination information as "termination".

By taking the same behavior of the intermediate accessory 40, the camera control unit 205 can sequentially communicate with a plurality of accessories.

In S504 and S505, since the second communication connection switch 311 is open, the intermediate accessory 40 and the lens control unit 113 do not receive the information transmission request transmitted from the camera control unit 205 in S502.

In S506, the intermediate accessory control unit 309 transmits the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 30 to the camera control unit 205 by the second communication. Then, the second communication connection switch 311 is short-circuited. As a result, the intermediate accessory control unit 409 can receive the data transmitted by the camera control unit 205.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 30 in S507, the transition to S508 occurs. Then, the received authentication information is stored.

As described above, when the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 30 is acquired by S502 to S508, the transition to S509 occurs. In S509, S511, S513 to S515, the camera control unit 205 acquires the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 40 as in S502, S503, S506 to S508.

In S510, the intermediate accessory control unit 309 receives the authentication information request transmitted by the camera control unit 205, but does not respond because it has not received the subprocess end information.

In S512, as in S504 and S505, since the second communication connection switch 411 is open, the lens control unit 113 does not receive the information transmission request transmitted from the camera control unit 205 in S509.

The first embodiment is an example in which a total of three accessories, one interchangeable lens and two intermediate accessories, are connected, but only one intermediate accessory may be connected, or three or more may be connected. Since any number of intermediate accessories may be attached, it is preferable that the accessory information acquisition process is completed by acquiring the accessory termination information.

The terminal information of the accessory may be obtained by another method. For example, as in S502 and S509, when the camera control unit 205 transmits an authentication information request on the assumption that an intermediate accessory is attached, the interchangeable lens is based on the termination information returned from the lens second communication unit 115. You may be notified that there is. Further, the intermediate accessory 40 may detect that it is the terminal due to the connection state of terminals (not shown) or the like and notify the camera body 20 in S513. In this embodiment, a case where the end information is notified by the lens control unit 113 returning the authentication information including the end information to the authentication information request from the camera control unit 205 will be described.

In S516, the camera body 20 transmits an authentication information request (corresponding to the second transmission request) in the second communication as in S502 and S509. In S517 and S518, the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40, like S510, do not respond because they have not received the subprocess end information.

When the lens control unit 113 receives the authentication information request in S519, it transitions to S520 and transmits the authentication information to the camera control unit 205 by the second communication.

Here, the authentication information transmitted by the lens control unit 113 to the camera control unit 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (E). The authentication information includes identification information (an example of the second information), operating state information, correction processing necessity information, and termination information.

Since the interchangeable lens 10 is not an intermediate accessory, it is not necessary to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 by mounting the interchangeable lens 10. Therefore, the correction processing necessity information is information indicating that the correction processing is unnecessary.

Further, since the interchangeable lens 10 of this embodiment is the end of the second communication when viewed from the camera body 20, the end information is information indicating that the interchangeable lens 10 is the end of the second communication.

When the camera control unit 205 acquires the authentication information in S521, the process proceeds to S522 and a series of initial communication processes is completed.

In order to shorten the communication processing, it is preferable to acquire the correction processing necessity information as in this embodiment, but when the correction information necessity information is not exchanged, the correction processing is required for all the intermediate accessories. Judge that there is.

With S522, the subprocess S304 ends.

In this embodiment, in this embodiment, a process using a means for sequentially communicating with a plurality of accessories by using the second communication connection switch has been described. However, another means may be used as long as it can communicate with a plurality of accessories. For example, by detecting the voltage level of a terminal (not shown) to which the accessory is connected to itself, it is possible to grasp the number of the accessory attached from the camera body side. In that case, the number of information transmission requests transmitted from the camera is counted, and the information is transmitted to the camera body only when it matches the mounting order of the camera.

<Subprocess S307 for determining the first accessory (FIG. 6)>
In the first embodiment, the flow of the sub-process S307 in which the camera body 20 searches for the first accessory among the accessories related to the correction by communication will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of the subprocess S307 in which the camera control unit 205 determines the first accessory among the accessories related to the optical correction in the camera system of the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the camera control unit 205 does not hold the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40. Further, it is assumed that the correction processing necessity information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40 are both "necessary".

When the subprocess is started in S601, the transition to S602 occurs.

Upon transition to S602, the camera control unit 205 transmits the identification information of the intermediate accessory 40 and the optical information presence / absence reply request to the intermediate accessory control unit 309 by the second communication, and holds the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40. Ask if. The destination can be specified, for example, by adding the identification information of the intermediate accessory to the transmission data at the beginning of the communication data and the accessory referring to the value at the beginning of the communication data to determine whether the communication is addressed to itself. Good.

When the intermediate accessory control unit 309 receives the identification information of the intermediate accessory 40 and the optical information presence / absence reply request in S603, the transition to S604 occurs.

In S604, the intermediate accessory control unit 309 transmits to the camera control unit 205 in the second communication whether or not the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40 is held.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the presence / absence of optical information of the intermediate accessory 40 from the intermediate accessory 30 in S605, the transition to S606 occurs.

In S606, the camera control unit 205 determines an intermediate accessory (also referred to as a first intermediate accessory) having optical information of the other intermediate accessory.

When the intermediate accessory control unit 309 holds the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40, the process proceeds to S607, and the camera control unit 205 determines that the intermediate accessory 30 is the first intermediate accessory.

If the intermediate accessory control unit 309 does not hold the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40, the process proceeds to S608, and the camera controls that the intermediate accessory 40 is the first intermediate accessory and holds the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30. Part 205 determines.

Even when three or more intermediate accessories are attached, it is possible to determine the first intermediate accessory in the same manner. For example, when three accessories are attached, the same processing as in S602 to S605 is performed between the two accessories. When the first intermediate accessory is found, the transition to S609 occurs.

Upon transition to S609, the camera control unit 205 requests the lens control unit 113 to respond to the presence / absence of identification information and optical information (fourth information) of the first intermediate accessory determined in S607 or S608 in the first communication. (Third instruction information) is transmitted. In other words, it asks if it holds the optical information of the first intermediate accessory.

When the lens control unit 113 receives the identification information of the first intermediate accessory and the response request for the presence / absence of optical information in S610, the process proceeds to S611, and whether or not the optical information of the first intermediate accessory is retained is set as the first communication. Is transmitted to the camera control unit 205.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the presence / absence of the optical information of the first intermediate accessory from the interchangeable lens 10 in S612, the transition to S613 occurs, and whether or not the lens control unit 113 holds the optical information of the first intermediate accessory. To judge. This determines the first accessory.

When the camera control unit 205 determines that the lens control unit 113 holds the optical information of the first intermediate accessory, the process proceeds to S614. In S614, it is determined that the interchangeable lens 10 is the first accessory and holds the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40. When the camera control unit 205 determines that the lens control unit 113 does not hold the optical information of the first intermediate accessory, the process proceeds to S615.

In S615, the camera control unit 205 determines that the first intermediate accessory is the first accessory.

When the first accessory is confirmed by S614 or S615, the process proceeds to S616, and the camera control unit 205 stores the identification information and the accessory type of the first accessory. When the first accessory is stored, the transition to S617 occurs, and the subprocess S307 ends.

<Effect of Example 1>
As described above, the first embodiment independently has a first communication path in which the camera and the interchangeable lens can communicate with each other and a second communication path in which the camera and the accessory can communicate with each other. Then, the unit for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens is determined based on the identification information of each unit and the information on the necessity of intermediate accessory correction processing acquired by communication using each communication path. As a result, communication can be performed between the image pickup apparatus, the interchangeable lens, and the intermediate accessory units at a more intended timing while appropriately correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens.

In Example 1, a method of correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory in the activation sequence immediately after the interchangeable lens is attached has been described. In the second embodiment, a method of correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens when the optical system of the accessory is dynamically changed by operating the operating member provided on the accessory will be described.

Examples of dynamically changing the optical system of the accessory by operating the operating member provided on the intermediate accessory include a variable magnification lens having a variable magnification and an ND filter having a variable transmittance.

In the second embodiment, when the interchangeable lens is attached and the current optical system is determined, the process described in the first embodiment is executed. As a result, it is assumed that the camera control unit 205 grasps the unit that holds the optical information of all the accessories among the interchangeable lens 10, the camera body 20, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40.

Further, it is assumed that the camera control unit 205 recognizes the accessory whose optical system can be dynamically changed based on the accessory identification information acquired by the operation as in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, an accessory whose optical information changes dynamically and whose correction processing necessity information is “necessary” is referred to as a dynamic accessory. An intermediate accessory whose optical information does not change dynamically and whose correction processing necessity information is "No" is called a static intermediate accessory. An interchangeable lens whose optical information changes dynamically is called a dynamic lens, and an interchangeable lens whose optical information does not change dynamically is called a static lens.

In this embodiment, an example in which the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40 are mounted between the camera body 20 and the interchangeable lens 10 will be described, but only one of the intermediate accessories is mounted. Even if there is, this embodiment is applicable.

<Dynamic accessory search process (Fig. 7)>
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the first embodiment and the present embodiment. When the camera system is started in S701, the transition to S702 occurs.

In S702, the camera control unit 205 executes the process described with reference to FIG. That is, for example, initial communication, determination of the first unit, and correction of optical information of the interchangeable lens are executed. In the initial communication, information (also referred to as dynamic accessory information) corresponding to whether or not the optical system changes dynamically is acquired from the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and 40. For example, the camera control unit 205 transmits a transmission request to the accessory at the timing of acquiring the identification information in S402 of FIG. 4 and S502 and S509 of FIG. 5 to determine whether or not the optical system changes dynamically. The accessory transmits dynamic accessory information in response to the transmission request. The authentication information may be included in the dynamic accessory information, and the camera control unit 205 may acquire the authentication information including the moving body accessory information as a response to the transmission request of the authentication information transmitted to the accessory. The camera control unit 205 may determine whether or not the dynamic accessory is a dynamic accessory from the accessory identification information acquired in S702 without separately acquiring the dynamic accessory information. In this case, the memory (not shown) of the camera control unit 205 may be configured to have information (table or the like) indicating the correspondence between the accessory identification information and whether or not the optical system changes dynamically. As a result, the camera control unit 205 can determine whether or not the accessory is a dynamic accessory based on the identification information of the accessory.

When the subprocess S702 is completed, the process transitions to S703.

In S703, the camera control unit 205 determines whether or not the dynamic accessory is attached based on the above-mentioned dynamic accessory information. More specifically, when information indicating that the optical system changes dynamically is acquired as dynamic accessory information from any of the accessories, the camera control unit 205 determines that the dynamic accessory is attached. To do. Further, when the information indicating that the optical system changes dynamically is not acquired as the dynamic accessory information, the camera control unit 205 determines that the dynamic accessory is not attached. If a dynamic accessory is installed, the transition to S704 occurs.

In S704, the camera control unit 205 executes a subprocess that corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens based on the change in the optical information of the dynamic accessory. If the dynamic accessory is not attached or the dynamic accessory is not operated, it is not necessary to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens. Therefore, the process proceeds to S705, and the optical correction process of the interchangeable lens ends.

<Correction processing of optical information according to the operation of dynamic accessories (Fig. 8)>
Hereinafter, using FIG. 8, a subprocess S704 for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens based on the change in the optical information according to the operation of the dynamic accessory according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the subprocess shown in FIG. 8, the intermediate accessory 30 is a dynamic accessory, the interchangeable lens 10 is a first unit and a static lens, and the intermediate accessory 40 is a static intermediate accessory. That is, it is assumed that the camera control unit 205 and the lens control unit 113 recognize such in S702 of FIG.

When the sequence starts in S801, the transition to S802 occurs.

In S802, the camera control unit 205 transmits the optical data identification information transmission request to the intermediate accessory control unit 309 of the intermediate accessory 30 which is a dynamic accessory by the second communication.

When the intermediate accessory control unit 309 receives the optical data identification information transmission request in S803, it transitions to S804 and transmits the optical data identification information to the camera control unit 205 in the second communication.

The optical data identification information of the dynamic accessory is information related to the correction parameter of the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10, and in this embodiment, for example, it is the current optical information. For example, if the intermediate accessory has a variable magnification lens, it is the current magnification information. Further, for example, when the intermediate accessory has an ND filter, it is information for correcting the current optical path length. The optical data identification information may be other information as long as the first unit can recognize the optical state of the dynamic accessory. In addition, information such as the model number (ID) used for identifying the type (model) may be provided with information on a plurality of possible states, or optical data identification information indicating dynamically changing optical data. It may be. In addition, it may include information indicating a function of the accessory and information such as a serial number that can identify an individual in the same model.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the optical data identification information in S805, the transition to S806 occurs.

In S806, the camera control unit 205 determines whether the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 has changed based on the optical data identification information. For example, the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 received in the initial communication of S702 is compared with the optical data identification information received in S805. If the optical information has not changed, the process returns to S802, and the camera control unit 205 retransmits the optical data identification information transmission request after a lapse of a predetermined time.

When the camera control unit 205 determines that the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 has changed in S806, the process proceeds to S807 and the process proceeds to correct the optical information of the optical lens.

As a means for the camera control unit 205 to recognize the change in the optical information of the dynamic accessory, as in S802, 803, 804, 805, and S806, the optical is obtained by communicating with the dynamic accessory at regular intervals by polling. You may receive the presence or absence of changes in the information.

Further, an interrupt signal may be received from the dynamic accessory when the optical information of the dynamic accessory changes. For example, assume that the intermediate accessory 30, which is a dynamic accessory, has an operating member that changes the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30. In this case, it is possible to detect that the operating member has been operated and transmit an interrupt signal from the intermediate accessory control unit 309 described later to the camera control unit 205. Further, even if the camera control unit 205 receives the interrupt signal from the intermediate accessory control unit 309 and determines that the optical data identification information has changed in S806, the above-mentioned S802, 803, 804, 805 is executed. good.

Further, optical data identification information reflecting the change may be exchanged such as S802, 803, 804, 805. Further, only the change of the optical data identification information may be notified to the camera control unit 205, and the camera control unit 205 may calculate the current optical data identification information and start the exchange.

Upon transition to S807, the camera control unit 205 requests correction of the optical data identification information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 (also referred to as an optical correction request) by the first communication, which is the interchangeable lens as the first unit. It is transmitted to the lens control unit 113 of No. 10.

In S808, when the lens control unit 113 receives the optical data identification information and the optical correction request of the intermediate accessory 30, the lens control unit 113 transitions to S809.

In S809, the lens control unit 113 acquires the current optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 from the table in the lens control unit 113 based on the optical data identification information of the intermediate accessory 30, and transitions to S809.

In S810, the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 is corrected based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40, which is a static intermediate accessory, and the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 acquired in the subprocess S702.

When the correction is completed, in S811, the lens control unit 113 transmits the corrected optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 to the camera control unit 205 by the first communication.

When the camera control unit 205 receives the corrected optical information of the interchangeable lens in S812, the process proceeds to S813 and the optical information is stored in the camera control unit 205.

When S813 ends, it returns to S802 and monitors the change in the optical information of the dynamic accessory again.

In this embodiment, a case where one of the intermediate accessories is a dynamic accessory and the optical lens 10 is the first unit has been described. In addition, even if there are a plurality of dynamic accessories or the first unit is a unit other than the interchangeable lens, the correction process can be performed in the same manner.

Further, when only the first unit is a dynamic accessory, if the first unit recognizes that, optical correction is performed at the stage when it recognizes that its own optical information has changed, and optical correction is performed. The optical data of the later interchangeable lens 10 may be transmitted to the camera body 20.

The correction processing of the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 is performed in consideration of not only the optical information of the dynamic accessory acquired in S805 but also the optical information of the static intermediate accessory such as the optical information of the intermediate accessory 40 of S810. .. If a static intermediate accessory is attached, it is corrected in advance by the optical information of the static intermediate accessory, and when the optical information changes dynamically, the final correction process is performed by the optical information of the dynamic accessory. You may.

<Effect of Example 2>
As described above, in the second embodiment, the camera control unit 205 detects a change in the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30. Then, the camera body 20 transmits the information regarding the change in the optical information and the correction request for the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 to the lens control unit 113. Then, the lens control unit 113 corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 and transmits it to the camera control unit 205.

As a result, even when the optical information of the accessory changes dynamically, the optical information of the interchangeable lens can be appropriately corrected.

In the first embodiment, it has been described that the camera control unit 205 determines the presence or absence of the optical information of the unit based on the identification information of the unit to determine the first unit for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens. In the third embodiment, a case where the unit for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens is determined in advance will be described.

The following is an example in which the unit for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens is predetermined. For example, when the camera detects that an accessory that does not hold optical information is attached by the accessory identification information, the camera may request the user to upgrade the firmware and acquire the optical information of the accessory by firmware upgrade. Can be mentioned. In this case, the camera corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens.

In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the camera determines in advance that the optical information of the interchangeable lens is corrected. Even when it is determined in advance that the interchangeable lens or a specific intermediate accessory corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens, the same processing as in the third embodiment may be performed.

Further, when the optical characteristics of the accessory change dynamically as in the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication by using the accessory as a unit for correcting the optical information of the interchangeable lens. ..

<Acquisition processing of corrected optical information in Example 3 (FIG. 9)>
In FIG. 9, when the power is supplied for the first time after the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens are attached, the camera body 20 acquires the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 corrected based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the intermediate accessory 40. It shows the flow of processing.

When the camera body 20 is activated in S901, the transition to S902 occurs.

Upon transition to S902, the camera body 20 supplies power to the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40 via a power supply mount contact (not shown), and transitions to S903 and S904.

The subprocess S903, which is the initial communication process with the interchangeable lens 10 by the first communication, is the same as the subprocess S303 in the first embodiment. The sub-process S904, which is the initial communication process with the accessory by the second communication, is the same as the sub-process S304 in the first embodiment.

Since S903 and S904 use different communication paths, the processes may be performed in parallel or sequentially.

When the interchangeable lens identification information and the accessory authentication information are acquired by S903 and S904, the process proceeds to S905.

Upon transition to S905, the camera control unit 205 determines whether there is an intermediate accessory that requires correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens based on the identification information of the intermediate accessory acquired in S904. If an intermediate accessory that requires correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens is attached, the process proceeds to S906.

Upon transition to S906, the camera control unit 205 corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens by using the optical information of the interchangeable lens and the optical information of the intermediate accessory held by the camera control unit 205.

Further, in S905, if the intermediate accessories are not attached or all the intermediate accessories that are attached are intermediate accessories that do not require correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens, correction processing is not required, and therefore S907. Transition to.

In S907, the camera control unit 205 acquires optical information from the data table stored by itself.

After acquiring the optical information by S906 or S907, the transition to S908 ends, and the optical information acquisition sequence ends.

In this way, in a camera system that independently has a first communication path through which the camera and the interchangeable lens can communicate and a second communication path through which the camera and the intermediate accessory can communicate, the interchange is based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory. The optical information of the lens can be corrected appropriately.

Similarly, it may be determined in advance that the interchangeable lens will correct its own optical information based on the information of the intermediate accessory. In that case, the camera acquires only the identification information of the intermediate accessory in the initial communication and notifies the interchangeable lens of it. The interchangeable lens that receives it determines whether or not the optical information can be corrected based on the identification information of the intermediate accessory.

If the correction is possible, the camera is notified of the corrected optical information of the interchangeable lens. If the correction is not possible, the camera is notified to that effect, and the camera that receives the correction takes a predetermined action such as urging the user to upgrade the firmware of the interchangeable lens. In this way, the optical information of the interchangeable lens can be appropriately corrected based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory.

After acquiring the optical information, the first communication path is used for communication for the camera body 20 to control the interchangeable lens 10, and the second communication path is that the camera body 20 has the intermediate accessory operating member 310 and the intermediate accessory operating member 410. It is used for communication to constantly acquire the operation information of. The communication for constantly acquiring the operation information of the operation member 116 of the interchangeable lens is the first communication path and the second communication path in consideration of the occupancy rate of each communication path and the immediacy required for communication and control. Any of the communication paths of is used.

<Effect of Example 3>
As described above, in the embodiment, the optical information of the optical lens 10 is corrected in the camera body 20. That is, in the third embodiment, it is not necessary to determine which unit performs the correction of the optical information. Therefore, in Example 3, the processing time can be shortened as compared with Example 1.

In this embodiment, the case where the optical data identification information indicating the optical data peculiar to the accessory is used as the intermediate accessory identification information will be described.

Product-specific information such as the model number (ID) of the intermediate accessory identification information is an accessory that can be corrected when the new product accessory has the same optical system as the known accessory or by the same correction method as the known accessory. However, a new model number will be assigned. Therefore, when the necessity of correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens is judged by the model number (ID) or the like, if the model number (ID) is unknown, the optical characteristics of the accessory are taken into consideration and the optics of the lens is taken into consideration. The information could not be corrected.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the optical data identification information is used as the intermediate accessory identification information. In this embodiment, the intermediate accessory identification information is associated with the correction method. More specifically, the optical data identification information is a combination of information on the correction method and information on the correction parameters. Such optical data identification information is hereinafter referred to as correction identification information. The information regarding the correction method of this embodiment is the information corresponding to the optical member of the intermediate accessory, and the information regarding the correction parameter is the information corresponding to the optical information of the intermediate accessory due to the optical characteristics of the optical member. Taking the case where the intermediate accessory is a variable magnification adapter having a variable magnification lens as an example, the information regarding the correction method is the information indicating the variable magnification lens, and the information regarding the correction parameters is the magnification information of the variable magnification lens.

The lens control unit 113 may be configured to store information on the correction method and information on the correction parameters in association with each other. If other information is required for the correction of the optical information, the information may be stored in association with the information on the correction method and the information on the correction parameters.

In this way, the information regarding the correction method and the information regarding the correction parameters are transmitted to the lens control unit 113 via the camera control unit 205. As a result, even if a correction is required in consideration of an intermediate accessory having different information on the correction parameters, the existing unit (interchangeable lens 10 in this embodiment) can be set by resetting the magnification information which is the correction parameter. Can be corrected by.

In this way, by using the optical data identification information, it is possible to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens in consideration of the optical characteristics of the accessory. For example, if the accessory has the same optical system as the existing product, or if the accessory can be corrected in the same way as the existing product, even if the model number (ID) is unknown, the optical of the interchangeable lens The information can be corrected.

When the correction identification information is used, it is not efficient to store the correction algorithm in each unit, so it is preferable to determine in advance the unit to perform the correction. In this embodiment, a case where the unit for performing correction is determined in advance as an interchangeable lens will be described. Moreover, the correction method of the interchangeable lens when the correction identification information is used will be described. Similarly, the correction identification information can be used when the correction is performed by the first unit as in the first and second embodiments.

<Acquisition processing of corrected optical information in Example 4 (FIG. 11)>
In FIG. 11, when power is supplied for the first time after mounting each accessory, the camera body 20 acquires correction information from each accessory and transmits the correction information to the interchangeable lens 10 to request correction, and the corrected interchangeable lens. The flow of the process of acquiring 10 optical information is shown.

When the camera body 20 is activated in S1001, the transition to S1002 occurs.

Upon transition to S1002, the camera body 20 supplies power to the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40 via a power supply mount contact (not shown), and transitions to S1003.

The sub-process S1003, which is the initial communication process with the accessory by the second communication, is substantially the same as the sub-process S304 in the first embodiment. In S1003, the above-mentioned correction identification information is acquired as the identification information of the intermediate accessory.

When the correction authentication information of the accessory is acquired by S1003, the transition to S1004 occurs.

Upon transition to S1004, the camera control unit 205 transmits the intermediate accessory correction identification information acquired in S1003 to the interchangeable lens 10 and requests correction of the optical information. When the interchangeable lens acquires the correction identification information of the intermediate accessory, the process transitions to S1005.

Upon transition to S1005, the interchangeable lens control unit 113 determines whether or not it is necessary to correct its own optical information based on the intermediate accessory correction identification information. If an intermediate accessory that requires correction of optical information is attached, the process proceeds to S1006.

Upon transition to S1006, the interchangeable lens control unit 113 corrects its own optical information based on the intermediate accessory correction identification information, and transmits the corrected optical information to the camera.

Further, in S1005, if the intermediate accessories are not attached or all the intermediate accessories attached are intermediate accessories that do not require correction of the optical information of the interchangeable lens, correction processing is not required, so that S1007 Transition to.

In S1007, the interchangeable lens control unit 113 transmits its own optical information to the camera.

The transmission timing of the optical information in S1006 and S1007 may be immediately after the correction is completed, or may be the timing requested by the camera.

After acquiring the optical information by S1006 or S1007, the transition to S1008 is performed, and the optical information acquisition sequence ends.

In this way, in a camera system that independently has a first communication path through which the camera and the interchangeable lens can communicate and a second communication path through which the camera and the intermediate accessory can communicate, the interchange is based on the optical information of the intermediate accessory. The optical information of the lens can be corrected appropriately.

Further, in the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the accessory authentication information includes the accessory identification information and the correction processing necessity information. On the other hand, even if the accessory authentication information has only the correction processing necessity information and the correction processing necessity information indicates the correction "necessity", the correction processing necessity information is separately acquired. good. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication when the correction processing necessity information indicates correction "no" as compared with the case where the correction identification information is acquired regardless of the necessity of the correction processing necessity information. is there. In this case, as in the above-described embodiment, both the intermediate accessory identification information and the correction processing necessity information are acquired. That is, when the correction processing necessity information is the correction "necessary" and the correction identification information is acquired separately, both the intermediate accessory identification information and the correction identification information are acquired as the information for identifying the accessory. As a result, the amount of communication when the correction processing necessity information indicates correction "No" is reduced, and the intermediate accessory is used regardless of whether the correction processing necessity information is correction "Necessary" or "No". The identification information can be used for other purposes.

Further, when it is determined that the lens control unit 113 does not store the information corresponding to the information regarding the correction method based on the information regarding the correction method including the correction identification information, the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 is obtained. It may be controlled so that the correction is not performed.

<Effect of Example 4>
As described above, the camera control unit 205 acquires the information on the correction method and the information on the correction parameters from the intermediate accessory control unit 309, and transmits these information to the lens control unit 113. As a result, the lens control unit 113 can correct the optical information in consideration of the accessory if the correction method is known even for a new accessory.

In this embodiment, the firmware update process will be described when the operating state received from the interchangeable lens or the intermediate accessory is in the safe mode in the initial communication with the interchangeable lens or the intermediate accessory in the first to fourth embodiments.

If either the interchangeable lens or the intermediate accessory is in safe mode, the optical members may not be controlled or correct optical information may not be obtained. Therefore, the camera body 20 of this embodiment prompts the user to update the firmware when it is found that the accessory mounted in the initial communication is operating in the safe mode. Then, after confirming that the operating state of the attached accessory has become a normal state, the processing after S305 of the first embodiment is performed.

<Configuration of camera system in Example 5 (FIG. 13)>
FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the camera system in this embodiment. Since the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 except that the interchangeable lens 10 is directly attached to the intermediate accessory 30, detailed description of each configuration will be omitted. However, in this embodiment, the camera control unit 205 is the firmware of the firmware. It functions as a decision means for determining the update target. Further, although the present embodiment will be described assuming a camera system in which one intermediate accessory is mounted between the camera body 20 and the interchangeable lens 10, it is also applicable to a camera system in which a plurality of intermediate accessories are mounted. can do.

<Operation state acquisition and firmware update process in Example 5 (FIG. 14)>
FIG. 14 shows a flow of processing in which the camera body 20 prompts the firmware update based on the operating state information of the intermediate accessory 30 and the interchangeable lens 10 when the power is supplied for the first time after the intermediate accessory 30 and the interchangeable lens 10 are attached. Is shown.

When the camera body 20 is activated in S1301, the transition to S1302 occurs.

Upon transition to S1302, the camera body 20 supplies power to the interchangeable lens 10, the intermediate accessory 30, and the intermediate accessory 40 via a power supply mount contact (not shown), and transitions to S1303 and S1304.

Since the subprocess S1303, which is the initial communication process with the interchangeable lens 10 by the first communication, is the same process as the subprocess S303 in the first embodiment, the details will be omitted. Since the subprocess S1304, which is the initial communication process with the accessory by the second communication, is the same as the subprocess S304 in the first embodiment, the details will be omitted. Further, similarly to S303 and S304 in the first embodiment, since S1303 and S1304 use different communication paths, the processes may be performed in parallel or sequentially.

When the operating state information of the interchangeable lens 10 and the operating state information of the intermediate accessory 30 are acquired by S1303 and S1304, the transition to S1305 occurs.

In S1305, the camera control unit 205 determines whether the interchangeable lens is in a normal state or a state in which firmware update is required (in this case, safe mode) based on the operating state information of the interchangeable lens acquired in S1303. If it is in a normal state, it transitions to S1310, and if it is in safe mode, it transitions to S1306.

In S1306, the camera control unit 205 displays the image display unit 206 as shown in FIG. 15A, for example, and requests the user to update the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 or attach another interchangeable lens. To do. When the OK button 1401 is operated, the camera control unit 205 determines the interchangeable lens 10 as the accessory to be updated in the firmware, and transitions to S1307. If another interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body 20 by exchanging the interchangeable lens here, the process returns to S1302, power is supplied, and the initial communication process (S1303, 1304) is performed again. At this time, even if only the interchangeable lens 10 is removed from the camera body 20 and replaced while the intermediate accessory 30 is attached to the camera body 20, the initial communication with the accessory using the second communication (S1304). ) Is also done.

In S1307, the camera control unit 205 selects a firmware update file (hereinafter, update file) to be applied to the interchangeable lens 10. If there are multiple applicable update files, it is preferable to select the update file to be applied based on the user's choice. For example, when a plurality of update files applicable to the interchangeable lens 10 are recorded on the recording medium 211, a list of applicable update files is displayed on the image display unit 206 and applied as shown in FIG. 15 (B). Ask the user to select an update file to do. When the update file is selected via the reception means that accepts the selection instruction by the user's operation, the camera control unit 205 sets the update file to which the selected update file is applied, and transitions to S1308. At this time, the camera control unit 205 refers to the applicable interchangeable lens identification information described in the update file, and provides an update file that matches the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 with an update file applicable to the interchangeable lens 10. Can be specified as. When the update file applicable to the interchangeable lens 10 is not recorded on the recording medium 211, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 15C is displayed, and the firmware update applicable to the interchangeable lens 10 is displayed on the recording medium 211. You may request that the file be recorded. The reception means is a means for receiving an operation signal from an operation member such as a touch panel or an operation button, and in this embodiment, the camera control unit 205 functions as a reception means. Hereinafter, it is assumed that all the selection instructions from the user are input to the camera body 20 via the reception means.

In S1308, the camera control unit 205 updates the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 using the first communication. The camera control unit 205 transmits the firmware update data from the update file selected in S1307 to the interchangeable lens 10 and transitions to S1309. The firmware update data is transmitted via the first communication. As a result, the firmware update data can be transmitted from the camera body 20 to the interchangeable lens 10 regardless of whether the intermediate accessory 30 is in the normal state or the safe mode.

In S1309, the camera body 20 shuts off the power supply of the interchangeable lens 10 and the intermediate accessory 30 via a mount contact for power supply (not shown), and transitions to S1302, whereby the interchangeable lens 10 and the intermediate accessory 30 again. Obtain the authentication information of the intermediate accessory 40.

When the update of the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 is interrupted (that is, the safe mode) by the steps S1305 to S1309, the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 is updated regardless of whether the intermediate accessory 30 is in the normal state or not. To do.

In S1310, the camera control unit 205 determines whether the intermediate accessory is in a normal state or a state in which a firmware update is required (safe mode in this case) based on the operating state information of the intermediate accessory 30 acquired in S1304. When the intermediate accessory 30 is in the safe mode, it transitions to S1311, and if both are in a normal state, it transitions to S1314 and ends this firmware update process.

In S1311, the camera control unit 205 displays the image display unit 206 as shown in FIG. 15D, for example, and requests the user to update the firmware of the intermediate accessory or install another intermediate accessory. .. When the OK button 1402 is operated, the transition to S1312 occurs.

Further, similarly to S1306, when the intermediate accessory is replaced here and another intermediate accessory is attached, the process returns to S1302, power is supplied, and the initial communication process (S1303, 1304) is performed again.

In S1312, the camera control unit 205 selects an update file to be applied to the intermediate accessory 30. If there are multiple applicable update files, it is preferable to select the update file to be applied based on the user's choice. For example, when a plurality of update files applicable to the interchangeable lens 10 are recorded on the recording medium 211, the image display unit 206 displays a list of applicable update files and applies them, as shown in FIG. 15 (E). Ask the user to select an update file to do. When the update file is selected, the camera control unit 205 sets the update file to which the selected update file is applied, and transitions to S1313. At this time, the camera control unit 205 refers to the identification information of the applicable intermediate accessory described in the update file, and sets the update file that matches the identification information of the intermediate accessory 30 to the update file applicable to the intermediate accessory 30. Can be specified as.

When the update file applicable to the intermediate accessory 30 is not recorded on the recording medium 211, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 15C is displayed, and the firmware update applicable to the intermediate accessory 30 is displayed on the recording medium 211. You may request that the file be recorded.

In S1313, the camera control unit 205 updates the firmware of the intermediate accessory 30 by using the first communication. The camera control unit 205 transmits the firmware update data from the update file selected in S1312 to the intermediate accessory 30, and transitions to S1309. The firmware update data is transmitted via the second communication.

When the update of the firmware of the intermediate accessory 30 is interrupted (that is, the safe mode) by the steps S1310 to S1309, the firmware of the intermediate accessory 30 is updated.

In this way, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, when the operating state of the interchangeable lens 10 or the intermediate accessory 30 is in the safe mode, the user can be prompted to update the firmware.

As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, when both the interchangeable lens 10 and the intermediate accessory 30 are in the safe mode, the update of the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 is prioritized. When the intermediate accessory 30 is an intermediate accessory that does not require optical correction, even if the intermediate accessory 30 is operating in the safe mode, shooting can be performed using the camera system including the intermediate accessory 30. On the other hand, when the interchangeable lens 10 is operating in the safe mode, the drive of the focus lens 104, the zoom lens 105, the iris 106, and the blur correction lens 107 cannot be controlled, which has a great influence on shooting. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the operating state of the interchangeable lens 10 is in the safe mode, the interchangeable lens 10 is set as the firmware update target regardless of whether the operating state of the intermediate accessory 30 is in the safe mode, and the firmware is updated. Update. As a result, even when the intermediate accessory 30 is operating in the safe mode, shooting can be performed as usual depending on the optical characteristics of the intermediate accessory 30.

Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the case where the operating state of the intermediate accessory 30 is in the safe mode and the case where the firmware is updated has been described. However, if the camera control unit 205 can determine that the communication related to the correction of the optical information with the intermediate accessory 30 is unnecessary, the firmware update may be skipped and the update process shown in FIG. 14 may be terminated. When communication related to correction of optical information is unnecessary, for example, the intermediate accessory in safe mode does not have an optical member, the intermediate accessory is a static intermediate accessory, and the camera body 20 or the interchangeable lens 10 is an intermediate accessory. This is the case when the optical information of is possessed. If it is a static intermediate accessory, the camera body 20 or the interchangeable lens 10 can specify the optical information used for correction from the identification information.

When a plurality of intermediate accessories are mounted between the interchangeable lens 10 and the camera body 20 as in the first embodiment, the intermediate accessories in the safe mode are specified by S1310, and the firmware of only the intermediate accessories in the safe mode is specified. It should be the update target of.

In addition, firmware updates may be prohibited if multiple intermediate accessories are in safe mode. By prohibiting the update of the firmware itself, it is not difficult to know which intermediate accessory the firmware can be applied to, so that the user's operation can be made easier to understand. Further, even when the firmware is updated based on the instruction from the user (in the flow shown in FIG. 16), it is possible to prevent the firmware of the intermediate accessory that is not intended from being updated by mistake. Also, if a plurality of intermediate accessories are in safe mode, only the update files applicable to any one of the intermediate accessories may be listed. In addition, the update files applicable to any intermediate accessory may be listed, or the update files applicable to each intermediate accessory may be listed.

Further, when the plurality of intermediate accessories are in the safe mode and the firmware of the plurality of intermediate accessories is sequentially updated, the firmware may be updated in order from the intermediate accessory on the side closer to the camera body 20. If an intermediate accessory that does not require communication related to correction of optical information can be identified, the firmware may be updated with priority given to the intermediate accessory that requires communication.

<Firmware update process based on user selection in Example 5 (FIG. 15)>
It is possible to update the firmware of interchangeable lenses and intermediate accessories even if you are not in safe mode. The camera control unit 205 displays the image display unit 206 as shown in FIG. 15 (F), for example, and requests the user to select the firmware update target. The camera control unit 205 determines and sets the firmware update target based on the user's selection.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart when updating the firmware based on the user's selection.

This flow is started in response to an operation instructing the user to update the firmware (S1501).

In S1502, the camera control unit 205 selects the update target selected by the user via the reception means as the firmware update target, and transitions to S1503.

In S1503, it is determined whether or not the selected update target is the camera body 20. If it is the camera body 20, the transition is to S1504, and if not, the transition is to S1508.

In S1504, a firmware update file to be applied to the camera body 20 is selected. The camera control unit 205 selects an update file to be applied to the camera body 20. When there are a plurality of applicable update files such as S1307 and S1312, it is preferable to select the update file to be applied based on the user's selection.

In S1505, the camera control unit 205 updates the firmware of the camera body 20. The camera control unit 205 reads the firmware update data from the update file selected in S1504, updates the firmware, and transitions to S1506. In S1506, similarly to S1309, after the power is cut off, the power is supplied again (restart operation), the process proceeds to S1507, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in S1503, it is determined that the selected update target is not the camera body 20, and when the transition to S1508 occurs, S1508 determines whether or not the selected update target is the interchangeable lens 10. If the interchangeable lens 10 is used, the transition is to S1509, and if not, the transition is to S1508.

In S1509, an update file to be applied to the interchangeable lens 10 is selected. Since the process of this step is the same as the process performed in S1307, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S1510, the camera control unit 205 updates the firmware of the interchangeable lens 10 using the first communication. Since the process of this step is the same as the process performed in S1308, the description thereof will be omitted. When the firmware update is completed, the transition to S1506 is performed.

When it is determined that the update target selected in S1508 is not the interchangeable lens 10 and the transition to S1511, the camera control unit 205 selects the intermediate accessory 30 as the update target and selects the update file to be applied to the intermediate accessory. Since the process of this step is the same as the process performed in S1312, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S1512, the camera control unit 205 updates the firmware of the intermediate accessory 30 by using the second communication. Since the process of this step is the same as the process performed in S1313, the description thereof will be omitted. When the firmware update is completed, the transition to S1506 is performed.

<Effect of Example 5>
As described above, in this embodiment, the firmware update process of the interchangeable lens is performed in the first communication and the firmware of the intermediate accessory is performed in the second communication. Therefore, even if the intermediate accessory is in the safe mode, the firmware update process of the interchangeable lens can be normally performed, and even if the interchangeable lens is in the safe mode, the firmware update process of the intermediate accessory can be normally performed. ..

In the above embodiment, the camera body 20 acquires the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 (also referred to as the first lens identification information) as the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 in the initial communication performed by the first communication with the interchangeable lens 10. I explained that. Further, it has been explained that the camera body 20 acquires the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 (also referred to as the second lens identification information) as the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 10 in the initial communication performed by the second communication with the accessory. In this embodiment, an embodiment focusing on the relationship between the first lens identification information and the second lens identification information will be described.

As described above, the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 and the accessory may be information such as a model number (ID) used for identifying the type (model) of the corresponding unit. In addition, it may include information indicating the function of the interchangeable lens and information such as a serial number that can identify an individual in the same model.

Here, in the camera system of the present embodiment, the interchangeable lens 10 can communicate with the camera body 20 by both the first communication and the second communication, and as described in the first embodiment, the first communication and the second communication are possible. Initial communication is performed with the camera body 20 by both of the two communications. The interchangeable lens 10 transmits the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 (the above-mentioned first lens identification information and the second lens identification information) to the camera body 20 in both the initial communication of the first communication and the second communication. ..

At this time, the lens control unit 113 may send the same information as the first lens identification information and the second lens identification information, but in this embodiment, the first lens identification information is intentionally used as the second lens identification information. Information different from the information is transmitted to the camera control unit 205. As a result, the lens control unit 113 effectively utilizes the second lens identification information transmitted to the camera control unit 205 by the second communication.

The first lens identification information and the second lens identification information of this embodiment will be described more specifically. The first lens identification information is information that enables identification of the type (model) of the interchangeable lens 10, and is assumed to be a model number (ID) as an example.

On the other hand, the second lens identification information is information different from the first lens identification information, and as an example, it is information indicating that the interchangeable lens 10 is a lens. In this case, the second lens identification information is information indicating that the interchangeable lens 10 is a lens, and is information that does not correspond to the type (model) of the interchangeable lens 10. From this, for example, the second lens identification information can be unique information regardless of the type (model) of the interchangeable lens 10.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first identification information transmitted by the lens control unit 113 in the initial communication of the first communication, which is the one-to-one communication between the camera body 20 and the interchangeable lens 10, is transmitted to the camera body 20. It is not transmitted in the second communication assuming one-to-many communication with each accessory. In the second communication, as the second identification information, information indicating that the lens is used, in other words, information indicating that the accessory is not an intermediate accessory is transmitted to the camera control unit 105.

By properly using the first lens identification information and the second lens identification information as described above in this embodiment, for example, the effects described below can be realized.

For example, the identification information acquired by the camera control unit 205 from the lens control unit 113 in the first communication is used as a system for the interchangeable lens, and the identification information acquired by the camera control unit 205 from the control unit of each accessory in the second communication is intermediate. It can be treated as a system for accessories. This makes it possible to create a camera system that is expandable for intermediate accessories that may appear in the future.

It can also be used, for example, to determine the number of intermediate accessory connections. This is because the accessory that transmits identification information other than the second identification information to the camera control unit 105 is not the interchangeable lens 10, so it can be determined that it is an intermediate accessory.

When the number of intermediate accessories connected is known, for example, if a predetermined number or more of intermediate accessories are installed, a warning operation may be performed to the user, or the function of one of the intermediate accessories may be restricted. May be good. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption and maintain communication quality. When transmitting a large amount of data such as firmware upgrade to the intermediate accessory as described in the fifth embodiment, it is necessary to transition to the firmware upgrade mode of the intermediate accessory only when it is determined that only one intermediate accessory is connected. You may allow it.

Further, by determining that the interchangeable lens 10 is not an intermediate accessory but a lens, it is possible to reduce the information to be transmitted from the lens control unit 113 to the camera control unit 105 in the initial communication of the second communication. .. For example, the lens control unit 113 may not respond to the camera control unit 105 with the correction processing necessity information. This is because it is not necessary to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10 by mounting the interchangeable lens 10 which is not an intermediate accessory.

Further, for example, it may be used to electrically discriminate whether the terminal accessory is an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory and compare the discriminant result with the second identification information. It will be described in more detail below. As described above, the communication error can be determined by checking the consistency with the hardware processing.

In this embodiment, an example of a method of electrically determining whether the terminal accessory is an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory in the initial communication with the interchangeable lens or the intermediate accessory in Examples 1 to 4 will be described. Further, an error handling will be described when the determination result is inconsistent with the accessory corresponding to the end of the second communication determined by the identification information acquired by the second communication.

<Configuration of camera system in Example 6 (FIGS. 18 and 19)>
An example of a method of electrically determining whether the terminal accessory is an interchangeable lens or an intermediate accessory will be described below. The determination shall be made in the initial communication of the second communication.

First, a configuration in the case where the interchangeable lens 10 is attached to the end of the second communication will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the mount 201 of the camera body 20 includes the identification terminal 212. Further, the mount 302 of the intermediate accessory 30 includes the identification terminal 313, and the mount 302 includes the identification field factor 313. Further, the mount 402 of the intermediate accessory 40 includes the identification terminal 413, and the mount 401 includes the identification terminal 412. Further, the mount 101 of the interchangeable lens 10 includes an identification terminal. A line (also referred to as an identification line) connected via these identification terminals is connected to a resistor 118 provided on the interchangeable lens 10. Further, this line is pulled-up connected through a resistor 213 provided in the camera body 20. The value obtained by dividing the voltage level of the pull-up power supply by each resistance value of the resistor 118 and the resistor 213 is input to the camera control unit 205.

Next, the configuration when the end of the second communication is the intermediate accessory 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, the identification line via the identification terminals 212, 313, 312, 413 is connected to the resistor 414 provided in the intermediate accessory 40, as in the case where the end of the second communication is an interchangeable lens. ing. The input to the camera control unit 205 is a value obtained by dividing the voltage level of the pull-up power supply of the camera body 20 by each resistance value of the resistor 414 and the resistor 213.

<Second communication error determination method in Example 6 (FIG. 20)>
Here, the resistance value of the resistor used for the interchangeable lens 10 and the resistance value of the resistor used for the intermediate accessory at the end are defined in advance so as to be different values. This makes it possible to electrically determine whether or not the accessory at the end is an interchangeable lens from the level of the input signal via the identification terminal.

When the electrically determined terminal accessory is the interchangeable lens 10, the second identification information should be obtained as the identification information of the terminal accessory acquired in the initial communication by the second communication. On the other hand, if the electrically determined terminal accessory is an intermediate accessory, the identification information of the terminal accessory acquired in the initial communication by the second communication should be different from the second identification information. Specifically, it should be intermediate accessory identification information.

However, if there is any problem in the second communication, there may be a discrepancy in the above-mentioned correspondence. Therefore, if there is a discrepancy between the electrically determined terminal accessory and the identification information acquired by the second communication, it is determined that a communication error has occurred, and a retry is performed from the initial communication to perform more accurate communication. be able to.

In this way, by collating the electrical identification information with the identification information acquired by the second communication, it is possible to confirm whether or not the communication is correctly performed by the second communication. It is possible to determine whether the acquired identification information is correct. This makes it possible to detect a communication error in the second communication.

<Effect of Example 6>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the information indicating that the second lens identification information is different from the first lens identification information corresponding to the type (model) of the interchangeable lens 10 and is a lens. And. Thereby, for example, it is possible to further improve the identification performance of the accessory that communicates by the second communication.

<Other Examples>
In the above-described embodiment, the first accessory has been described as an accessory that holds the optical information of all the other accessories among the accessories related to the correction. However, it may be an accessory that has the most optical information of each other among the accessories related to the correction. That is, there may be accessories that do not have optical information. In that case, in this case, the missing optical information may be acquired from another unit.

Further, in the initial communication of the above-described embodiment, the lens control unit 113 transmits the identification information of the interchangeable lens 10 in S404 and S520. Here, for example, the identification information transmitted in S520 may be identification information indicating that the accessory is not an intermediate accessory.

Further, in the initial communication of FIG. 5 of the above-described embodiment, each accessory transmits a plurality of information as authentication information to the camera control unit 205, but only necessary information may be transmitted. In this case, the camera identifies the required information and sends an information request to each accessory.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where there are two intermediate accessories has been described, but in the case of three or more, whether the plurality of intermediate accessories have all the optical information of the other intermediate accessories. It is assumed that the one having more is the first intermediate accessory.

In the second embodiment, the dynamic accessory may correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10. In this case, the dynamic accessory may acquire the optical information of the other accessory in advance. When the dynamic accessory corrects the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10, the corrected optical information is transmitted to the camera body 20.

In the second embodiment, when there are a plurality of first accessories, the dynamic accessory may correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10.

In the third embodiment, a case where the camera body 20 corrects the optical information of the optical lens 10 has been described. On the other hand, the interchangeable lens 10 may correct the optical information. In this case, instead of S906 in FIG. 9, the camera control unit 205 transmits a request to the lens control unit 113 to correct the optical information of the interchangeable lens 10. At that time, if the optical information of the intermediate accessory that needs to be corrected is insufficient, the interchangeable lens 10 may acquire the optical information of the intermediate accessory from the camera body 20 or the intermediate accessory as needed. ..

In the fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which the camera control unit 205 acquires information on the correction method and information on the correction parameters from the intermediate accessory control unit 309 and transmits the information to the lens control unit 113. Here, when the intermediate accessory 30 is a dynamic intermediate accessory as described in the second embodiment and the information regarding the correction parameter may change, the information regarding the correction parameter is reacquired according to the detection of the change. You may. That is, when it is detected that the operating member of the intermediate accessory 30 has been operated, the camera control unit 205 acquires information on the correction parameters from the intermediate accessory control unit 309 and transmits this information to the lens control unit 113. You may try to do it.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the clock synchronous communication is performed as the first communication method has been described, but the pace synchronous communication may be performed. Synchronous pace communication will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that FIG. 2 illustrates a case where 3-wire clock synchronous communication is performed. Instead of this, the same effect can be realized even when the three-wire synchronous communication type communication, which is also realized by using the three wires of the communication channel 1, is adopted. FIG. 17 shows a signal waveform in the communication of the three-line pace synchronous communication. In the case of 3-wire paced synchronous communication, the RTS communication line (RTS) is provided instead of the clock communication line (LCLK) described above. The RTS communication line is a signal line for transmitting a signal for controlling the timing of communication by the camera-lens communication line (DCL) and communication by the first lens-camera communication line (DLC) from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111. Is. For example, it is used for notification of a lens data transmission request (transmission instruction) from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111, a communication processing switching request (switching instruction) described later, and the like. Notification on the transmission request channel is performed by switching the signal level (voltage level) on the transmission request channel between High (first level) and Low (second level). In the following description, the signal supplied to the RTS communication line is referred to as a transmission request signal RTS. The transmission request signal RTS is transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 as the communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 as the communication slave. When the lens microcomputer 111 receives the transmission request RTS, as shown in FIG. 16, in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the start of transmission of one frame of the lens data signal DLC, the signal level of the lens data signal DLC is set to Low for a 1-bit period. And. This 1-bit period is called a start bit ST indicating the start of one frame. That is, the data frame is started from this start bit ST. The start bit ST is provided in the first bit of each frame of the lens data signal DLC. Subsequently, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 1-byte lens data in an 8-bit period from the next 2nd bit to the 9th bit. The data bit array is in the MSB first format, starting with the most significant data D7, followed by data D6, data D5, and ending with the lowest data D0. Then, the lens microcomputer 111 adds 1-bit parity information PA to the 10th bit, and sets the signal level of the lens data signal DLC during the period of the stop bit SP indicating the end of one frame to High. As a result, the data frame period started from the start bit ST ends.

In addition, each of the above-mentioned Examples may be combined appropriately.

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. But it can be realized. Further, it can be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

10 Interchangeable lens 20 Camera body 30 Intermediate accessory 40 Intermediate accessory 205 Camera control unit 113 Lens control unit 309 Intermediate accessory control unit 409 Intermediate accessory control unit

Claims (15)

An interchangeable lens that can be attached to an image pickup device.
A communication control means for controlling the first communication, which is communication via the first communication unit with the image pickup device, and the second communication, which is communication via the second communication unit with the image pickup device. Have and
Said communication control means, first corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the reception by the at the first initial communication using the first communication, the first communication of the first transmission request and the imaging apparatus The identification information is transmitted by the first communication, and in the second initial communication by the second communication with the image pickup apparatus, in response to the reception of the second transmission request by the second communication, the said A second identification information different from the first identification information is transmitted,
When the second identification information is specified by the first communication method in the second communication, communication with the image pickup apparatus is executed by a second communication method different from the first communication method. , the interchangeable lens, characterized in that to perform a change of the communication system. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the first initial communication and the second initial communication are executed in response to a power supply from the image pickup apparatus. Before Stories second identification information, the interchangeable lens according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the identification information corresponding to the information indicating that an interchangeable lens. Before Stories second identification information, the interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the identification information corresponding to the information indicating that it is not an intermediate adapter. In the second communication, if the data received by the first communication method after the second initial communication includes the second identification information, the communication control means said the second. The interchangeable lens according to claim 2 or 2, wherein data communication is performed by the communication method of the above. An imaging device that can be equipped with an interchangeable lens
The first communication is communication via the first communication unit and the interchangeable lens, the communication and the second communication is via the second communication unit and the interchangeable lens, a communication control means for controlling Have and
Said communication control means, in the first initial communication by the first communication with the interchangeable lens, the first identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the transmission by the first communication transmission request and received by the first communication, in the second initial communication by the second communication with the interchangeable lens, in accordance with the transmission of the transmission request by the second communication, and the first identification information Receives a different second identification,
When the second identification information is specified by the first communication method in the second communication, communication with the interchangeable lens is executed by a second communication method different from the first communication method. imaging apparatus characterized by run the change of the communication system. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the first initial communication and the second initial communication are executed in response to a power supply. The imaging device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second identification information is identification information corresponding to information indicating that the lens is an interchangeable lens. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second identification information is identification information corresponding to information indicating that the adapter is not an intermediate adapter. In the second communication, the communication control means performs the data including the second identification information in the first communication method after the second initial communication, and transitions to the second communication method to perform the data. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein communication is continued. An intermediate accessory that can be attached between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens.
In the first initial communication by the first communication between the image pickup apparatus and the interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens responds to the reception of the first transmission request transmitted from the image pickup apparatus and the first transmission request. A first communication unit in which the transmitted first identification information including the identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens is electrically connected to the first communication unit.
A second communication unit that performs communication by the second communication between the image pickup device and the accessory including the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens.
In the second initial communication by the second communication, in response to reception of the second transmission request sends a third identification information corresponding to the model of the intermediate accessory sends the third identification information An intermediate accessory comprising: a communication control means which does not respond to the second transmission request when the second transmission request is received again from the above. When the third identification information is designated by the first communication method in the second communication, the communication control means is used with the image pickup device by a second communication method different from the first communication method. intermediate accessory according to claim 11 in which communication is executed to change the communication method, wherein execution to Rukoto. A first communication that can be attached to an image pickup device and is a communication with the image pickup device via a first communication unit and a communication via a second communication unit with the image pickup device. 2 Communication and a control method for an interchangeable lens having a communication control means for controlling.
The first said communication control means, corresponding to said at first initial communication using the first communication, the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the reception by the first communication of the first transmission request and the imaging apparatus the identification information, a first step of transmitting by said first communication, the second initial communication by the second communication with the imaging device, the second transmission request by the second communication In response to the reception, the second step of transmitting the second identification information different from the first identification information is executed.
When the second identification information is designated by the first communication method in the second communication, the communication control means is used with the image pickup device by a second communication method different from the first communication method. Communication is executed, the communication method change step is executed,
A method for controlling an interchangeable lens , characterized in that the change step is not executed in the first communication. It is possible to mount the interchangeable lens, the first communication the a communication via the first communication unit and the interchangeable lens, a communication via the second communication unit and the interchangeable lens It is a control method of an image pickup apparatus having a communication control means for controlling the communication of 2.
Said communication control means, in the initial communication by the first communication with the interchangeable lens, the first identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the transmission by the first communication transmission request, the In the first step of receiving by the first communication and the second initial communication by the second communication with the interchangeable lens , the first identification is made in response to the transmission of the transmission request by the second communication. Perform with the second step of receiving a second identification information that is different from the information,
When the second identification information is designated by the first communication method in the second communication, the communication control means with the image pickup device by a second communication method different from the first communication method. The communication is performed, the communication method change step is executed,
A control method for an image pickup apparatus, wherein the change step is not executed in the first communication. It can be mounted between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens, and in the first initial communication by the first communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens, the first transmission request transmitted from the image pickup device. When a first communication unit and the first identification information corresponding to the model of the interchangeable lens, which is transmitted from the interchangeable lens in accordance with the reception of the first transmission request is conductive,
A control method for an intermediate accessory having a communication control means for controlling communication via a second communication unit that communicates with the image pickup device by the second communication.
The second communication is communication between the image pickup apparatus and an accessory including the intermediate accessory and the interchangeable lens.
In the second initial communication by the second communication, in response to reception of the second transmission request performs the step of sending a third identification information corresponding to the model of the intermediate accessory, said third identification information A method for controlling an intermediate accessory, which comprises not executing a response step in response to the second transmission request when the second transmission request is received again after transmitting.

Images