JP7187178B2 - Imaging equipment and accessory equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device (hereinafter referred to as a camera body) and an accessory device such as an interchangeable lens that can communicate with each other.

In an accessory-exchangeable camera system that includes a camera body in which an accessory device is detachable, communication for the camera body to control the operation of the accessory device and for the accessory device to provide the camera body with data necessary for its control and imaging. is done. In particular, when an interchangeable lens is used to capture a video for recording or a video for live view display, smooth lens control that matches the imaging cycle is required. need to be synchronized. Therefore, the camera body needs to complete the reception of data from the interchangeable lens and the transmission of various commands and requests to the interchangeable lens within the imaging cycle. However, as the amount of data received by the camera body from the interchangeable lens increases and the imaging cycle shortens (higher frame rate), there is a demand for communication of large amounts of data at higher speeds.

In Patent Document 1, in order to transmit a large amount of data from an interchangeable lens to a camera body at high speed, two lines originally provided for two-way communication are used as two lines for one-way communication to transfer data. A transmitting camera system is disclosed. Patent document 2 discloses a camera system in which the interchangeable lens serves as a communication master to mediate data transmission to the camera body when asynchronous communication is performed between the camera body and the interchangeable lens. It is

JP 2013-182118 A Japanese Patent No. 5517486

However, in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to transmit a large amount of data from the interchangeable lens to the camera body, but during this data transmission, the camera body transmits a control command to the interchangeable lens. I can't. In other words, it is necessary to wait until data transmission from the interchangeable lens to the camera body is completed before transmission from the camera body of a control command instructing operations such as driving the diaphragm and range ring in the interchangeable lens. As a result, the timing of the operation of the interchangeable lens according to the control command is delayed.

On the other hand, in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 2, the interchangeable lens, which is the communication master, transmits data to the camera body at a desired timing, and by interrupting the transmission of the data, the camera body can control the interchangeable lens. Sending commands is allowed. According to this, delays in transmission of control commands from the camera body to the interchangeable lens can be avoided, but data transmission from the interchangeable lens to the camera body is delayed.

The present invention provides an imaging device and an accessory device capable of transmitting a control command from the imaging device to the accessory device with little delay while transmitting a large amount of data from the accessory device to the imaging device at high speed.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an imaging device to which an accessory device can be attached, and relates to a first communication line for transmitting a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the accessory device, and the operation of the accessory device. a second communication line that transmits the first command at timing corresponding to the timing signal; a third communication line that receives data corresponding to the first command at timing corresponding to the timing signal; a fourth communication line for receiving; and communication control means for controlling communication with the accessory device via the first communication line, the second communication line, the third communication line, and the fourth communication line. The communication control means is characterized by controlling communication so as to receive data transmitted through the fourth communication line regardless of the timing corresponding to the timing signal.

An accessory device that is detachably attached to the imaging device, and performs fourth communication of optical data to the imaging device in response to a second command received from the imaging device via a second communication line. Accessory devices that transmit over wires also form another aspect of the invention.

Another aspect of the present invention is an accessory device detachable from an imaging device, comprising: a first communication line for receiving a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the imaging device; a second communication line that receives a first command related to an operation at a timing corresponding to the timing signal; a third communication line that transmits data corresponding to the first command at a timing corresponding to the timing signal; a fourth communication line for transmitting data; and communication control means for controlling communication with the imaging device via the first communication line, the second communication line, the third communication line, and the fourth communication line. have. The communication control means is characterized by controlling communication so as to transmit data via the fourth communication line regardless of the timing corresponding to the timing signal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an accessory device can be attached, and a first communication line, a second communication line, a third communication line, and a fourth communication line are used for communication with the accessory device. A control method for an imaging device having a communication line, comprising: transmitting a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with an accessory device via a first communication line; transmitting via a second communication line at timing corresponding to the timing signal; receiving data corresponding to the first command via a third communication line at timing corresponding to the timing signal; and receiving data over a fourth communication line. The control method is characterized by causing the imaging device to receive data transmitted via the fourth communication line regardless of timing corresponding to the timing signal.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a first communication line, a second communication line, a third communication line, and a fourth communication line that are detachable from an imaging device and used for communication with the imaging device. comprising the steps of: receiving a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with an imaging device via a first communication line; and issuing a first command related to the operation of the accessory device. a step of receiving data corresponding to the first command via a second communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal; and a step of transmitting data corresponding to the first command via a third communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal. , and transmitting the data over a fourth communication line. The fish method is characterized by having the accessory device transmit data over the fourth communication line without timing relative to the timing signal .

According to the present invention, it is possible to transmit a control command from the imaging device to the accessory device with little delay while transmitting a large amount of data from the accessory device to the imaging device at high speed.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera body and an interchangeable lens that constitute a camera system that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4A and 4B are views showing a mount configuration between a camera body and an interchangeable lens in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication block between a camera body and an interchangeable lens in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a communication format between a camera body and an interchangeable lens according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing initial communication processing performed by a camera microcomputer in Embodiment 1; 4 is a flowchart showing initial communication processing performed by the lens microcomputer in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing data registration processing performed by the camera microcomputer in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing data registration processing performed by the lens microcomputer in the first embodiment; 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining optical data definitions in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing communication processing on communication channel 2 performed by the camera microcomputer in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing communication processing on communication channel 2 performed by the camera microcomputer in the first embodiment. 6 is a flow chart showing communication processing on communication channel 2 performed by the lens microcomputer in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing communication processing on a communication channel 2 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 10 is a flowchart showing communication processing on communication channel 2 performed by the camera microcomputer in the second embodiment; 10 is a flowchart showing communication processing on communication channel 2 performed by the lens microcomputer in the second embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing overall processing of a camera microcomputer and a lens microcomputer in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of communication commands according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing communication rate definitions according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing optical data definitions in Example 1; 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of communication commands according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing waveforms of signals communicated between a camera microcomputer and a lens microcomputer by 3-wire asynchronous communication in another embodiment of the present invention;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an imaging system (hereinafter referred to as a camera system) including a camera body 200 as an imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an interchangeable lens 100 as an accessory device detachably attached thereto. is shown. In this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 is exemplified as an accessory device. It is possible to apply the present invention even to other devices.

A camera body 200 has an imaging element 201 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and an interchangeable lens 100 has an imaging optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging element 201 . The camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 transmit a control command as a first command from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 using 3-wire clock synchronous communication or asynchronous communication. A control command is a signal that controls (instructs) the operation of the interchangeable lens 100 , that is, the zoom operation, the light amount adjustment operation, the focus operation, and the anti-vibration operation of the interchangeable lens 100 . Also, the interchangeable lens 100 transmits data (also referred to as first data) to the camera body 200 as a response to the control command received from the camera body 200 .

Further, the interchangeable lens 100 transmits optical data (an example of second data) of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 . The optical data includes optical state data indicating the optical state such as the focal length of the photographing optical system in the interchangeable lens 100, the aperture diameter of the diaphragm, and the position of the focus lens, and the optical data such as focus shift correction data necessary for autofocus (AF). Contains correction data. The optical data is transmitted to the camera body 200 in response to a data designation command as a second command transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens.

Specific configurations of the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200 will be described. Interchangeable lens 100 and camera body 200 are mechanically and electrically connected via mount 300, which is a coupling mechanism. The interchangeable lens 100 receives power from the camera body 200 via a power terminal (not shown) provided on the mount 300, and operates the various actuators and the lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as the lens microcomputer) 111 described above. Let Also, the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200 communicate with each other via a communication terminal section (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the mount 300 .

The imaging optical system of the interchangeable lens 100 includes, in order from the object OBJ side, a field lens 101, a variable power lens 102 that performs variable power, an aperture unit 114 that adjusts the amount of light, a vibration reduction lens 103, and a focus lens that performs focus adjustment. and lens 104 . The variable magnification lens 102 and focus lens 104 are held by lens holding frames 105 and 106, respectively. The lens holding frames 105 and 106 are guided by a guide shaft (not shown) so as to be movable in the optical axis direction indicated by the dashed line in the drawing, and are moved in the optical axis direction by a zoom actuator 107 and a focus actuator 108, respectively, which are constituted by stepping motors. driven by A zoom actuator 107 and a focus actuator 108 move the variable power lens 102 and the focus lens 104, respectively, in synchronization with the drive pulse.

The anti-vibration lens 103 moves (shifts) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging optical system, thereby reducing image blur caused by camera shake such as camera shake. Further, in the camera system of the present embodiment, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 operate in cooperation with each other to further enhance the anti-vibration effect. Vibration control can also be performed. This cooperative operation requires highly real-time communication processing between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 . Specifically, the interchangeable lens 100 is detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyroscope provided in the interchangeable lens 100 within the charge accumulation time of the image pickup device 201 during imaging by the camera body 200. Information on camera shake is transmitted to the camera body 200 . Also, the interchangeable lens 100 receives motion vector information from the camera body 200 in time for anti-vibration drive for shifting the anti-vibration lens 103 . In the present embodiment, a first communication channel and a second communication channel, which will be described later, are separately provided in order to realize such highly real-time communication processing. In this embodiment, a communication channel is a unit of communication path for realizing a desired communication function, and each communication channel is composed of one or more communication lines.

The lens microcomputer 111 is accessory control means for controlling the operation of each section in the interchangeable lens 100 . The lens microcomputer 111 communicates with the camera microcomputer 205 in the camera body 200 via a first lens communication section 112a as first accessory communication control means and a second lens communication section 112b as second accessory communication control means. communicate with In the drawing, the first lens communication section 112a is referred to as lens communication section 1, and the second lens communication section 112b is referred to as lens communication section 2. As shown in FIG. The first lens communication unit 112 a forms a first communication channel (hereinafter referred to as communication channel 1 ) with a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as camera microcomputer) 205 . The second lens communication unit 112 b forms a second communication channel (hereinafter referred to as communication channel 2 ) with the camera microcomputer 205 .

The lens microcomputer 111 transmits a control command transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 1 or a data designation command (registration number command described later) designating optical data to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 through the first lens communication. It is received by the unit 112a. Also, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits data as a response to the control command from the first lens communication unit 112a to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 1 . On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits the optical data to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 from the second lens communication unit 112b. The lens microcomputer 111 controls communication with the camera microcomputer 205 according to a communication control program as a computer program.

Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 causes the zoom driving circuit 119 and the focus driving circuit 120 to drive the zoom and focus actuators 107 and 108 according to control commands for zooming and focusing operations from the camera microcomputer 205 . As a result, zoom processing for controlling the zooming operation by the variable-magnification lens 102 and AF (autofocus) processing for controlling the focusing operation by the focus lens 104 are performed.

The interchangeable lens 100 has a manual focus ring 130 that can be rotated by the user, and a focus encoder 131 that detects the amount of rotational operation of the manual focus ring 130 . The lens microcomputer 111 causes the focus drive circuit 120 to drive the focus actuator 108 according to the amount of rotation of the manual focus ring 130 detected by the focus encoder 131 to move the focus lens 104 . Thereby, MF (manual focus) is performed.

The aperture unit 114 has aperture blades 114a and 114b and an aperture actuator 113 for opening and closing these blades. The state (position) of the aperture blades 114 a and 114 b is detected by a Hall element 115 , and the output signal from the Hall element 115 is input to the lens microcomputer 111 via the amplifier circuit 122 and A/D conversion circuit 123 . The lens microcomputer 111 causes the aperture drive circuit 121 to drive the aperture actuator 113 based on the input signal from the A/D conversion circuit 123 . The lens microcomputer 111 causes the aperture drive circuit 121 to drive the aperture actuator 113 according to the control command for the light amount adjustment operation from the camera microcomputer 205 . As a result, light amount adjustment processing for controlling the light amount adjustment operation of the diaphragm unit 114 is performed.

Furthermore, the lens microcomputer 111 drives an anti-vibration actuator 126 via an anti-vibration driving circuit 125 according to the shake detected by an unillustrated shake sensor such as a vibration gyroscope provided in the interchangeable lens 100 . The lens microcomputer 111 causes the anti-vibration drive circuit 125 to drive the anti-vibration actuator 126 according to the control command for the anti-vibration operation from the camera microcomputer 205 . As a result, vibration reduction processing is performed to control the vibration reduction operation for reducing (correcting) image blur by moving the vibration reduction lens 103 .

The camera body 200 has the above-described imaging element 201 , A/D conversion circuit 202 , signal processing circuit 203 , recording section 204 , camera microcomputer 205 , and display section 206 . The imaging element 201 photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electric signal (analog signal). An A/D conversion circuit 202 converts an analog signal from the image sensor 201 into a digital signal.

The signal processing circuit 203 performs various image processing on the digital signal from the A/D conversion circuit 202 to generate a video signal. The signal processing circuit 203 also generates, from the video signal, the contrast state of the subject image, that is, the focus information indicating the focus state of the imaging optical system and the luminance information indicating the exposure state. The signal processing circuit 203 outputs the video signal to the display unit 206, and the display unit 206 displays the video signal as a live view image used for checking the composition, focus state, and the like. The signal processing circuit 203 also outputs the video signal to the recording unit 204, and the recording unit 204 records the video signal.

The image processing unit 209 performs correction processing for correcting various aberrations on the video signal generated by the signal processing circuit 203 . The image processor 209 includes a motion vector detector 210 . The motion vector detection unit 210 detects motion vectors between a plurality of frame images forming the video signal generated by the signal processing circuit 203 . Information on the motion vector thus detected is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 as part of a control command for image stabilizing operation via communication channel 1, and is reflected in image stabilizing processing.

A camera microcomputer 205 as camera control means controls the camera body 200 according to inputs from a camera operation unit 207 including an imaging instruction switch and various setting switches (not shown). The camera microcomputer 205 communicates with the lens microcomputer 111 via a first camera communication section 208a as first camera communication control means and a second camera communication section 208b as second camera communication control means. In the drawing, the first camera communication unit 208a is referred to as camera communication unit 1, and the second camera communication unit 208b is referred to as camera communication unit 2. As shown in FIG. The first camera communication unit 208a forms the above communication channel 1 with the lens microcomputer 111, and the second camera communication unit 208b forms the above communication channel 2 with the lens microcomputer 111. FIG.

The camera microcomputer 205 transmits a control command for the zooming operation to the lens microcomputer 111 from the first camera communication unit 208a through the communication channel 1 in accordance with the operation of the zoom switch (not shown). Similarly, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 a control command for the light amount adjustment operation of the aperture unit 114 according to the luminance information and the focus operation of the focus lens 104 according to the focus information. . The camera microcomputer 205 controls communication with the lens microcomputer 111 according to a communication control program as a computer program.

Next, the configurations of communication channels 1 and 2 provided between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The mount 300 described above is provided with communication terminal portions 301 to 304 . The first camera communication unit 208a is connected to three communication terminal units 301-303 via a first camera communication interface (I/F) circuit 208c. Also, the first lens communication section 112a is connected to the communication terminal sections 301 to 303 via the first lens communication I/F circuit 112c. Thereby, a communication channel 1 composed of three lines (three communication lines) is formed. In the communication channel 1, communication is performed by a communication method realized by three wires, such as three-wire clock synchronous communication and asynchronous communication (at least two wires are used). In the following description, it is assumed that communication channel 1 performs 3-wire clock synchronous communication.

Also, the second camera communication unit 208b is connected to one communication terminal unit 304 via a second camera communication I/F circuit 208d. Also, the second lens communication section 112b is connected to the communication terminal section 304 via the second lens communication I/F circuit 112d. Thereby, a communication channel 2 composed of one line (one communication line) is formed. Communication channel 2 uses a communication method that can be realized with one line. In the following description, it is assumed that communication channel 2 performs asynchronous communication.

Communication channel 1 includes a clock communication line (LCLK) as a first communication line, a camera-lens communication line (DCL) as a second communication line, and a first lens-camera communication line (DCL) as a third communication line. It is composed of a communication line (DLC). The clock communication line is a communication line for supplying a clock signal as a timing signal for data acquisition from the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 . Communication via the camera-lens communication line (DCL) and communication via the first lens-camera communication line (DLC) are performed at timings corresponding to the clock signals. Thus, the clock signal is also a signal that controls the timing of communication via the camera-lens communication line (DCL) and communication via the first lens-camera communication line (DLC).

The camera-lens communication line is a communication line for transmitting various commands (including requests) such as the above-described control commands and data designation commands from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 . The first lens-camera communication line is a communication line for transmitting various notifications such as responses to various commands received by the lens microcomputer 111 from the camera microcomputer 205 to the camera microcomputer 205 .

Various commands transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 include rate designation commands. In order to establish asynchronous communication on the communication channel 2, it is necessary to predetermine the communication speed (communication bit rate) for communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, and to perform communication according to this agreement. There is In this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits (instructs) a rate designation command as a command for designating the communication bit rate to the lens microcomputer 111, so that the agreed communication bit rate is set between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111. shared with. The communication bit rate indicates the amount of data that can be transferred in one second, and the unit is bps (bits per second).

Various notifications sent from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205 include a response indicating that a control command has been received, a drive state of an actuator driven according to the control command, and a communication bit that can be realized by the communication channel 2. Includes rate notifications. It also includes an abnormality notification to the camera microcomputer 205 when a communication abnormality occurs in the communication channel 2 .

Communication channel 2 consists of a single second lens-to-camera communication line (DLC2) as a fourth communication line. A second lens-camera communication line is a channel for transmitting optical data of the interchangeable lens 100 described above from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205 . Although the communication channel 2 is composed of only one DLC2 in this embodiment, the communication channel may be composed of a plurality of DLC2. In this embodiment, the communication channel 2 is composed of only one DLC 2 in order to reduce the number of communication terminals provided on the mount section 300 as much as possible and prevent the mount section 300 from increasing in size.

The lens microcomputer 111 controls the timing of the communication through the communication channel 2 as a communication master, and can be carried out at a timing that does not depend on the timing of the communication through the communication channel 1 . More specifically, communication through the second lens-camera communication line can be performed regardless of the timing corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the clock communication line.

In this embodiment, when the lens microcomputer 111 and the camera microcomputer 205 perform communication via communication channel 1 and communication channel 2 in parallel, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits The information transmitted via the communication channel 1 is different from the information transmitted through the communication channel 1 . In other words, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits data other than the data transmitted via the communication channel 1 (also referred to as second data) via the communication channel 2 .

Also, the camera body 200 of this embodiment has a communication function via the communication channel 1, but an interchangeable lens that does not have a communication function via the communication channel 2 can be attached. In this case, the camera microcomputer 205 and the interchangeable lens transmit/receive various commands from the camera microcomputer 205 to the interchangeable lens, and transmit/receive the above responses and optical data from the interchangeable lens to the camera microcomputer 205 via communication channel 1 only. conduct.

FIG. 3 shows more detailed configurations of the first and second camera communication units 208a and 208b and the first and second lens communication units 112a and 112b.

In the first camera communication unit 208a, the clock generation unit (CLK_GENERATOR) 310 generates the clock signal described above and outputs it to the clock channel (LCLK) of the communication channel 1. FIG. A transmission data buffer (Tx_RAM) 311 is a memory for storing various commands such as control commands to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera-lens transmission channel (DCL) of the communication channel 1, and is composed of RAM and the like. . A transmission parallel/serial conversion unit 314 converts various commands stored as parallel data in the transmission data buffer 311 into serial data and outputs the serial data to a camera-lens communication line (DCL).

A reception serial/parallel conversion unit 315 converts the notification as serial data transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 via the first lens-camera communication line (DLC) of the communication channel 1 into parallel data. A reception data buffer (Rx_RAM1) 312 is a memory that stores a notification as parallel data from the reception serial/parallel conversion unit 315, and is composed of a RAM or the like.

A camera buffer control unit (RAM_CTRL) 313 controls the transmission data buffer 311 and reception data buffer 312 of the first camera communication unit 208a, and controls the data reception buffer (Rx_RAM2) 330 of the second camera communication unit 208b. .

In the second camera communication unit 208b, the reception serial/parallel conversion unit 331 converts the optical data as serial data transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 via the second lens-camera transmission channel (DLC2) of the communication channel 2. Convert to parallel data. A reception data buffer (Rx_RAM2) 330 is a memory for storing optical data as parallel data from the reception serial/parallel conversion section 331, and is composed of a RAM or the like.

In the first lens communication unit 112a, a clock detection unit (CLK_DETECT) 321 detects a clock signal input via the clock communication line of communication channel 1. FIG. A reception serial/parallel conversion unit 319 converts various commands as serial data transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 via the camera-lens communication line (DCL) of the communication channel 1 into parallel data. A reception data buffer (Rx_RAM) 316 is a memory that stores various commands as parallel data from the reception serial/parallel conversion unit 319, and is composed of a RAM or the like. A transmission data buffer (Tx_RAM1) 317 is a memory for storing notifications to be transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 via the first lens-camera communication line (DLC) of communication channel 1, and is composed of RAM and the like. The transmission parallel/serial conversion unit 320 converts the notification stored as parallel data in the transmission data buffer 317 into serial data and outputs the serial data to the first lens-camera communication line.

A lens buffer control unit (RAM_CTRL) 318 controls the reception data buffer 316 and the transmission data buffer 317 of the first lens communication unit 112a, and controls the data transmission buffer (Tx_RAM2) 333 of the second lens communication unit 112b. .

In the second lens communication unit 112b, the transmission data buffer (Tx_RAM2) 333 is a memory that stores optical data to be transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 via the second lens-camera communication line (DLC2) of communication channel 2. , RAM and the like. The transmission parallel/serial converter 332 converts the optical data stored as parallel data in the transmission data buffer 333 into serial data and outputs the serial data to the second lens-camera communication line (DLC2).

Data as various commands transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 are first set in the transmission data buffer 311 from the camera microcomputer 205 . For example, the data of the control command instructing the focus operation consists of multiple bytes indicating the focus drive amount, focus drive speed, etc., and is first written to the transmission data buffer 311 of the first camera communication unit 208a. The buffer control unit 313 causes the transmission data buffer 311 to output the data to be transmitted byte by byte. The transmission parallel/serial converter 314 converts the output data from parallel data to serial data. The data converted into serial data is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera-lens communication line (DCL).

Data transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera-lens communication line (DCL) is converted from serial data to parallel data in the reception serial/parallel conversion section 319 of the first lens communication section 112a. Buffer control unit 318 stores this parallel data in received data buffer 316 . A clock detection unit 321 (CLK_DETECT) detects a clock signal output from the clock control unit 310 on the camera microcomputer 205 side when serial data is received, and detects received data in synchronization with this clock signal.

When transmitting data as a notification from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 1, first, the data is set in the transmission buffer 317 by the first lens communication unit 112a. For example, data consisting of multiple bytes is written in the transmission data buffer 317 as a response indicating the driving state of the focus actuator. Then, the buffer control unit 313 causes the transmission data buffer 317 to output the data to be transmitted byte by byte in response to the detection of the clock signal by the clock detection unit 316 . The transmission parallel/serial converter 320 converts the output data from parallel data to serial data. Then, the data converted into serial data is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 through the first lens-camera communication line (DLC).

Data transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 through the first lens-camera communication line (DLC) is converted from serial data to parallel data in the reception serial/parallel conversion section 315 of the first camera communication section 208a. The buffer controller 313 stores this parallel data in the received data buffer 312 .

As described above, various commands such as control commands are transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1, and responses to the control commands are sent from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205. will be

On the other hand, in communication channel 2, only a second lens-camera transmission channel (DLC2) for one-way data communication from lens microcomputer 111 to camera microcomputer 205 is provided. Therefore, in the communication channel 2, the lens microcomputer 111 and the camera microcomputer 205 perform start-stop synchronous communication for synchronizing data by their internal clocks. A communication format for asynchronous communication will be described later.

The lens microcomputer 111 receives from the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 1 a command requesting transmission of optical data and a command indicating a registration number for identifying the optical data. The lens microcomputer 111 generates the optical data requested by the camera microcomputer 205, and stores the optical data together with the registration number received from the camera microcomputer 205 in the transmission data buffer 333 of the second lens communication unit 112b. When the camera microcomputer 205 requests a plurality of optical data, the optical data are sequentially generated and stored in the transmission data buffer 333 . When all the optical data requested by the camera microcomputer 205 are stored in the transmission data buffer 333, the buffer control unit 318 causes the transmission data buffer 333 to output the data to be transmitted byte by byte. The transmission parallel/serial conversion unit 332 converts the optical data as parallel data into serial data, converts it into an asynchronous communication format described later, and outputs it to the second lens-camera communication line (DLC2).

The camera microcomputer 205 converts the received optical data as serial data into parallel data in the reception serial/parallel conversion unit 331 of the second camera communication unit 208b, and extracts the body of the optical data from the asynchronous communication format. . The buffer controller 313 then stores the extracted optical data in the received data buffer 330 .

Thus, transmission of the optical data transmission request command from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 and transmission of optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 are performed. .

Next, communication formats in communication channel 1 and communication channel 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows an example of a communication format for clock-synchronous communication performed on communication channel 1. FIG. From the top of the figure, clock signals sent and received on the clock communication line (LCLK), data signals sent and received on the camera-lens communication line (DCL), and data sent and received on the first lens-camera communication line (DLC). 4 shows signal waveforms of signals. In the following description, the clock signal is called the LCLK signal, the data signal transmitted and received on the camera-lens communication line (DCL) is called the DCL signal, and the data signal transmitted and received on the first lens-camera communication line (DLC). is called a DLC signal.

The first camera communication unit 208a outputs the LCLK signal, and outputs 8-bit data of B7 to B0 as the DCL signal at the rise of the LCLK signal. The first lens communication unit 112a detects the LCLK signal and outputs 8-bit data of B7 to B0 as the DLC signal in synchronization with the rise of the LCLK signal.

The first camera communication unit 208a receives the 8-bit DLC signal of B7 to B0 in synchronization with the rise of the LCLK signal.

The first lens communication unit 112a receives the 8-bit DCL signal of B7 to B0 in synchronization with the rise of the LCLK signal. In this way, in communication channel 1, the signal between the first camera communication unit 208a and the first lens communication unit 112a is synchronized with the clock signal output from the first camera communication unit 208a via the clock communication line. Control to communicate. As a result, data can be exchanged between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 on the communication channel 1 .

Also, the first lens communication unit 112a, which has received the 8-bit DCL signal of B7 to B0, holds the LCLK signal at Low for a predetermined time Tbusy, and releases it from Low after the predetermined time Tbusy has passed. The predetermined time Tbusy is the time required for the lens microcomputer 111 to process the received data, and the camera microcomputer 205 does not transmit data to the lens microcomputer 111 during this time.

By repeating communication processing in such a communication format, communication of multiple bytes is performed between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 on the communication channel 1 .

FIG. 4(b1) shows an example of a communication format for asynchronous communication performed on the communication channel 2. FIG. Here, as a format of data to be communicated, an example is shown in which 10 bits including a 1-bit start bit, an 8-bit data bit, and a 1-bit stop bit constitute one frame. The data bits may be 7 bits or 16 bits, and may include parity bits. Also, two stop bits may be used.

FIG. 4(b2) shows a timing synchronization method for asynchronous communication on communication channel 2. FIG. The camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 transmit and receive data by operating internal clocks in accordance with a predetermined clock frequency, that is, a clock rate. For example, the internal clock is set to a clock rate 16 times the communication rate between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 . The starting point of data sampling is determined by sampling the falling edge of the start bit of the received data with the internal clock, as indicated by the synchronization timing in the figure. Then, as indicated by the data sampling timing in the drawing, data is latched at the position of 8 clocks starting from this synchronization timing. This allows data to be captured in the middle of each bit. By performing such sampling of data for each bit, data communication is performed by only one line of the second lens-camera communication line (DLC2).

The flowchart in FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 . In the figure, S means step.

First, processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 will be described. The camera microcomputer 205 starts processing from a state in which the interchangeable lens 100 is not attached to the camera body 200 in S2001. In S2002, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200, and if it is attached, the process proceeds to S2003.

In S<b>2003 , the camera microcomputer 205 starts power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 . This enables the lens microcomputer 111 and each actuator in the interchangeable lens 100 to operate.

Next, in S<b>2004 , the camera microcomputer 205 performs initial communication processing with the lens microcomputer 111 . This initial communication processing will be described later.

Subsequently, in S<b>2005 , the camera microcomputer 205 performs regular communication processing with the lens microcomputer 111 . This routine communication processing is processing that is performed when the camera body 200 performs routine operations (live view display, etc.), and will be described later in detail.

Next, in S2006, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not conditions for sleep processing are satisfied. For example, it is determined whether or not the auto power off time set by the user has elapsed. If the conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to S2007; otherwise, the process returns to S2005.

In S2007, the camera microcomputer 205 performs communication (sleep request) to shift the lens microcomputer 111 to sleep state, and the camera microcomputer 205 itself also shifts to sleep state.

Next, in S2008, the camera microcomputer 205 in the sleep state determines whether or not a sleep release factor has occurred. For example, it is determined whether or not the camera operation unit 207 has been operated. If a sleep release factor has occurred, the process returns to S2005 to restart the regular communication process.

Next, processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 will be described. The lens microcomputer 111 starts processing from a state in which the interchangeable lens 100 is not attached to the camera body 200 in S2010. In S2011, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether power supply from the camera body 200 has started. When power supply is started, the lens microcomputer 111 performs initial communication processing described later in S2012.

Next, in S2013, the lens microcomputer 111 performs regular communication processing, which will be described later. Furthermore, in S2014, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not a sleep request from the camera microcomputer 205 has been received. When the sleep request is received, in S2015 the lens microcomputer 111 performs processing to shift the lens microcomputer 111 itself to the sleep state. If the sleep request has not been received, the lens microcomputer 111 returns to S2013.

In S2016, the lens microcomputer 111 in the sleep state determines whether or not there is a communication request from the camera microcomputer 205. If there is a communication request, the sleep state is canceled, and the process returns to S2013 to perform regular communication processing. resume.

Next, initial communication processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in S2004 and S2012 shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. First, initial communication processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5A. Here, an example of specific commands shown in FIG. 12 will be used for explanation.

The camera microcomputer 205 activated in S501 determines whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200 in S502, and proceeds to S503 when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached.

In S<b>503 , the camera microcomputer 205 starts power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 . This enables communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 .

Next, in step S504, the camera microcomputer 205 issues the available communication rate information notification command for communication channel 2 shown in FIG. (0xAA in Hex representation) is sent.
In the following description, between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, as the communication rate definition shown in FIG. and Among communication rates 1 to 8, communication rate 1 is the slowest communication rate, communication rate 2 is the fastest communication rate among these, and communication rates 1 to 8 are the fastest communication rates. is defined to be

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the camera microcomputer 205 supports communication rates 1 to 5. FIG. As communication rate information, the camera microcomputer 205 validates communication rate information with bit0, bit1, bit2, bit3, and bit4 corresponding to communication rate 1, communication rate 2, communication rate 3, communication rate 4, and communication rate 5, that is, 0x1F in Hex expression is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 following the communication rate availability information notification command (0xAA in Hex expression). If the camera side cannot use communication channel 2, the communication rate information with all of the above bits 0 to 7 disabled, that is, 0x00 in Hex expression is sent to the communication rate available information notification command (0xAA in Hex expression), followed by the lens microcomputer 111.

Next, in step S<b>505 , the camera microcomputer 205 acquires usable communication rate information on the communication channel 2 from the lens microcomputer 111 . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the lens microcomputer 111 supports communication rates of communication rate 1, communication rate 2, and communication rate 3. FIG. In this case, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits communication rate information in which bit0, bit1 and bit2 corresponding to communication rate 1, communication rate 2 and communication rate 3 are valid, that is, 0x07 in Hex representation to the camera microcomputer 205 .

Next, in S506, it is determined whether or not communication channel 2 can be used. In this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the communication channel 2 can be used from the communication rate information acquired from the lens microcomputer 111 in S505.

Specifically, if the communication rate information received from the lens microcomputer 111 in S505 does not contain a valid bit, it is determined that the communication channel 2 cannot be used. When communication channel 2 cannot be used, for example, the communication rate usable by the camera microcomputer 205 and the communication rate usable by the lens microcomputer 111 do not match, or the lens microcomputer 111 does not support communication channel 2. is the case. If the communication channel 2 can be used, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S507; if not, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S511 to prohibit the use of the communication channel 2, and ends the initial communication processing in S512.

Thus, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the communication channel 2 can be used based on the communication rate information. May be adopted. For example, identification information (for example, ID information) of the interchangeable lens may be acquired when the power is turned on or when the interchangeable lens is attached, and whether or not the communication channel 2 can be used may be determined based on the identification information. .

In S507, the camera microcomputer 205 determines the communication rate to be used in communication channel 2 from the communication rate information acquired from the lens microcomputer 111 in S505, and sets the information in the second camera communication unit 208b.

Next, in S508, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the use communication rate determined in S507 to the lens microcomputer 111 in the bit representation shown in FIG. Here, the camera microcomputer 205 determines communication rate 3, which is the highest communication rate that can be used by both the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, as the communication rate to be used. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the use communication rate communication command (0xCC) of the communication channel 2 and 0x04 representing the communication rate 3 to the lens microcomputer 111 .

Next, in S509, the camera microcomputer 205 registers data for registering in the lens microcomputer 111 the definition of the optical data to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 2 (hereinafter referred to as optical data definition, which will be described later in detail). Perform registration processing. Although details will be described later, the camera microcomputer 205 causes the lens microcomputer 111 to also perform data registration processing by transmitting a data registration request command to the lens microcomputer 111 in the data registration processing.

Next, in S510, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the data registration processing in S509 was successful. If it is determined in S506 that communication channel 2 cannot be used and if it is determined in S510 that the data registration process has failed, the camera microcomputer 205 prohibits the use of communication channel 2 in S511. , S512 to complete the initial communication process.

Next, initial communication processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 in accordance with the above-described initial communication processing of the camera microcomputer 205 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5B.

The lens microcomputer 111, which has started initial communication processing in S521, waits for power supply from the camera microcomputer 205 in S522.

In S523, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the available communication rate information notification command (0xAA) transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 and the communication rate information (0x1F) with which the camera can communicate.

In S524, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not the communication channel 2 can be used based on the communication rate information obtained from the camera microcomputer 205 in S523 and the communication rate information on the communication channel 2 that can be used by the lens microcomputer 111. judge. If the communication channel 2 can be used, the lens microcomputer 111 proceeds to S525, and if not (the lens microcomputer 111 does not support the function of the communication channel 2), it proceeds to S528. As in the description of S506, it may be determined whether or not the communication channel 2 can be used, for example, using the identification information of the camera.

In S<b>525 , the lens microcomputer 111 transmits to the camera microcomputer 205 information on the communication rate that can be used on the communication channel 2 . Here, as described in S505, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits information indicating that bit0, bit1 and bit2 corresponding to communication rate 1, communication rate 2 and communication rate 3 are valid as the communication rate information (0x07) to the camera microcomputer. 205.

Next, in S526, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the used communication rate information of the communication channel 2 transmitted by the camera microcomputer in S508, and sets it in the second lens communication unit 112b.

Furthermore, in S527, the lens microcomputer 111 performs data registration processing for registering optical data definitions to be transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 in response to receiving the data registration request command from the camera microcomputer 205 described in S509. The details of this data registration process will be described later. After that, the lens microcomputer 111 advances to S529 and ends the initial communication process.

On the other hand, in S528, the lens microcomputer 111 performs processing when communication channel 2 cannot be used (communication channel 2 is not supported). Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 clears all the bits indicating the communication rate available in the communication channel 2 shown in FIG. . After that, the lens microcomputer 111 advances to S529 and ends the initial communication process.

Next, data registration processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in S509 and S527, respectively, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5C and 5D.

First, data registration processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5C. In S541, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the data registration process is performed for the first time with respect to the lens microcomputer 111 of the interchangeable lens 100 attached. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S542 when performing data registration processing for the lens microcomputer 111 for the first time, and proceeds to S545 when data registration processing has already been performed.

In S542, the camera microcomputer 205 inquires of the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 about the number of optical data definitions that can be registered. In S<b>543 , the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the number of possible registrations as a response from the lens microcomputer 111 .

Next, in S544, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the registration INDEX to "1". On the other hand, in S545, the registration INDEX is set to "the registered number + 1".

Next, in S546, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the set number of registration INDEX exceeds the number of possible registrations acquired in S543. If the set number of the registration INDEX exceeds the number that can be registered, the camera microcomputer 205 advances to S550, fails the data registration process, and ends the data registration process. The camera microcomputer 205 advances to S547 when the set number of registration INDEX is equal to or less than the number that can be registered.

In S547, the camera microcomputer 205 creates an optical data definition indicating the type of optical data to be transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 2 and the transmission order. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the optical data definition is created by associating the registration number of the optical data definition with the type and transmission order of the optical data. Information registered for transmitting optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 through the communication channel 2 is also referred to as registration information, and the type and transmission order of the optical data are an example of the registration information.

For example, registration number 1 includes "focal length information (2)", "aperture information (3)", "focus position information (2)", "zoom position information (2)", and "gyroscopic information (2)" as optical data. Information (20)" and "Defocus Correction Information (100)" are associated in this transmission order. Registration number 2 is associated with "focus position information (2)" and "focus correction information (100)" in this transmission order. Registration number 3 is associated with "focal length information (2)", "aperture information (3)", "zoom position information (2)" and "current aperture position information (3)" in this transmission order. . "Gyro information (20)" and "tripod fixing determination information (1)" are associated with registration number 4 in this transmission order. The value in parentheses for each piece of information is the data length (bytes) for expressing the piece of information. Note that these optical data definitions are examples and may include other optical data (information).

For example, if a certain registration number and another registration number have different combinations of associated optical data, some of the associated optical data may overlap. Further, for example, the combination of associated optical data may be the same, but the order of association may be different. In other words, at least one of the combination and order of associated optical data may be different between a certain registration number and another registration number.

In S548, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the data registration request command to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 along with the optical data definition created in S547. Communication processing at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows signal waveforms on a clock communication line (LCLK) 601, a camera-lens communication line (DCL) 602, and a first lens-camera communication line (DLC) 603, which constitute communication channel 1. FIG. Here, a case of registering N optical data definitions is shown, and registration processing 604 for the first optical data definition (No. 1) and registration processing 605 for the second optical data (No. 2) are performed. and registration processing 606 for the N-th optical data definition.

The camera microcomputer 205 transmits a data registration request command (0xDD shown in FIG. 12) 610 to the lens microcomputer 111 in registration processing 604 . Next, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits to the lens microcomputer 111 an entry number 611 indicating a registration number to be registered. Here, an entry number command "1" corresponding to registration number 1 is transmitted. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a number command 612 indicating the number of optical data definitions to be registered, for example, if the number is 10, "0x0A" as shown in FIG. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the optical data to be included in the optical data definition to the lens microcomputer 111 as registration command 1 (613) to registration command n (614). 111.

Upon receiving the data registration request command from the camera microcomputer 205 , the lens microcomputer 111 transmits a response “00” to the camera microcomputer 205 . Furthermore, every time the lens microcomputer 111 receives the above command, it transmits a response “Ack” 616 to 617 to have the camera microcomputer 205 confirm the reception. Finally, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the checksum 615 from the camera microcomputer 205 and transmits a response confirming it to the camera microcomputer 205 . The above registration processing is performed for all optical data definitions (No. 1 to No. N).

The camera microcomputer 205, which has performed the data registration request processing in S548 by the above processing, advances to S549, determines that the data registration processing has been successful, and terminates this processing.

Next, data registration processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5D. In S561, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not the data registration process is performed for the camera microcomputer 205 for the first time. If it is the first time, the process proceeds to S562. .

In S562, the lens microcomputer 111 receives an inquiry from the camera microcomputer 205 as to the number of optical data definitions that can be registered. In S563, the lens microcomputer 111 responds to the camera microcomputer 205 with the number of possible registrations. At this time, the lens microcomputer 111 determines the number of possible registrations according to the capacity of a storage area such as a RAM in the interchangeable lens 100 for storing optical data.

Next, in S564, the lens microcomputer 111 sets the registration INDEX to "1" in order to determine the address in the storage area. On the other hand, in S565, the registration INDEX is set to "the registered number + 1".

Next, in S566, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the data registration request command transmitted by the camera microcomputer 205 in S548.

Next, in S567, the lens microcomputer 111 stores the optical data corresponding to the registration commands 1 to n transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 at addresses offset according to the registration INDEX from the top address in the above storage area. . With the above processing, the lens microcomputer 111 ends the data registration processing.

Next, communication processing when the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 communicate through the communication channel 2 will be described. FIG. 7 shows signal waveforms on a clock communication line (LCLK) 701, a camera-lens communication line (DCL) 702, and a first lens-camera transmission channel (DLC) 703, which constitute communication channel 1. FIG. Also shown is a signal waveform on the second lens-camera communication line (DLC) 704 for communication processing of communication channel 2. FIG.

Here, a case will be described in which communication is performed on communication channel 2 at imaging start timing 700 in imaging a live view image or a moving image. However, even when capturing images other than live view images and moving images, communication may be performed using the communication channel 2 .

The camera microcomputer 205 uses the imaging start timing 700 as a trigger to perform channel 2 communication request processing 705 for requesting the lens microcomputer 111 to communicate on the communication channel 2 via the communication channel 1 . In this channel 2 communication request processing 705 , the camera microcomputer 205 transmits to the lens microcomputer 111 a channel 2 communication request command (0xE0 in FIG. 12 ) 706 requesting execution of communication on the communication channel 2 . Following this, the camera microcomputer 205 sends a registration number command (for example, 0x01 indicating registration number 1) 707 indicating the registration number of the optical data definition corresponding to the optical data requested to be transmitted on the communication channel 2 and a LimitTiming command 708 to the lens. Send to the microcomputer 111 . A registration number command 707 corresponds to a data designation command and a registration designation command. A LimitTiming command 708 corresponds to a limit time command.

A LimitTiming command 708 is a time specified by the camera microcomputer 205 and indicates a time limit during which the lens microcomputer 111 should transmit optical data on the communication channel 2 . The lens microcomputer 111 must transmit the optical data to the camera microcomputer 205 within the limit time LimitTiming specified by the LimitTiming command 708 starting from the time when the channel 2 communication request command 706 is received. For example, if LimitTiming 708 is 0x64 as shown in FIG. 12, the lens microcomputer 111 performs communication on communication channel 2 before the limit time of 100 ms elapses after receiving the channel 2 communication request command 706 .

Note that when 0 ms is specified by the LimitTiming command, the setting may be such that no limit time is set for the execution of communication on the communication channel 2 .

Upon receiving the channel 2 communication request command 706, the registration number command 707 and the LimitTiming command 708, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits "00", "ACK1" and "ACK2" to the camera microcomputer 205 as responses thereto.

Upon receiving the registration number command 707, the lens microcomputer 111 performs communication processing on the communication channel 2 before the limit time LimitTiming elapses. Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 sends a response (registration No.) confirming the registration number indicated in the received registration number command 707 and the optical data 709 associated with the registration number in the registered transmission order. It is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 . By transmitting optical data including a response for confirming the registration number (for example, the same number as the registration number indicated in the registration number command 707), the camera microcomputer 205 receives the optical data specified by the registration number command 707. You can confirm that you received it.

Next, communication processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in the communication shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8A and 8B. First, communication processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 8A.

The camera microcomputer 205 starts control communication processing (control communication) in S801. Next, in S802, the camera microcomputer 205 detects a start timing interrupt of imaging control, which is an internal signal. Here, the case where the communication control is started with the start timing interrupt of imaging control as a trigger is taken as an example, but the start timing interrupt of another control may be used as the trigger.

Next, in step S803, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether communication is to be performed using the communication channel 2 for the first time and whether the settings of the camera body 200 (camera settings) have been changed. When communication is performed using the communication channel 2 for the first time, the camera microcomputer 205, in S804, selects optical data corresponding to the optical data requested to be transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 among the plurality of registered optical data definitions shown in FIG. Select a definition (i.e. registration number).

Also, when the camera settings are changed, the registration number corresponding to the optical data to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 is selected again. For example, when the imaging cycle (frame rate) of the camera body 200 is changed, the time during which communication processing can be performed on communication channel 2 also increases or decreases according to the frame rate. This is because it may be better to change the optical data as well. Also, when AF processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and anti-vibration processing are changed as camera settings, there is a possibility that the contents of the optical data to be captured via the communication channel 2 will change.

Next, in S805, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the channel 2 communication request command 706, the registration number command 707, and the LimitTiming command 708 shown in FIG.

Next, in S806, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the limit time designated to the lens microcomputer 111 by the LimitTiming command 708 has passed. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S810 if the time limit has elapsed, and proceeds to S808 if reception of optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 2 is confirmed in S807 before the time limit has elapsed. As a judgment that the reception of the optical data has been confirmed, for example, it is judged that the optical data has been received by detecting the start bit as the reception data in the communication waveform shown in FIG. 4(b2).

In S808, the camera microcomputer 205 confirms whether or not the registration number included in the optical data 709 shown in FIG. 7 received in S807 matches the registration number indicated by the registration number command transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 in S805. do. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S809 if the registration numbers match, and proceeds to S811 if they do not match.

In S809, the camera microcomputer 205 analyzes and holds the optical data transmitted from the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 2 according to the transmission order in the optical data definition shown for each registration number in FIG. That is, when the registration number is 1, the 2-byte data of Data[0] and Data[1] are stored as focal length information, and the following Data[2], Data[3] and Data[4] are stored. 3-byte data is saved as aperture diameter information. After that, similar data analysis and storage are performed up to the defocus correction information. After that, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to S802.

In S810, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a communication cancellation request command (0xE1 shown in FIG. 12) to the lens microcomputer 111 to request cancellation of communication on the communication channel 2. FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S811.

In S<b>811 , the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a communication reset request command requesting resetting of the communication channel 2 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 . This is because there may have been a problem in the data registration processing in the lens microcomputer 111 for the communication channel 2 when the limit time has passed in S809 or when the registration number does not match in S808. The reason why the camera microcomputer 205 requests the lens microcomputer 111 to reset the communication channel 2 is as follows. That is, since the communication channel 2 is a channel for only transmitting data from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111 has no means for recognizing a communication abnormality due to noise or the like.

Next, in step S812, the camera microcomputer 205 requests the lens microcomputer 111 to perform data registration processing for the communication channel 2 again, since there may have been a problem with the data registration processing requested to the lens microcomputer 111 . Since this is the same process as the process of S509, that is, the same process as the process described with reference to FIG. 5C, the description is omitted here. Then, the process returns to S802.

Next, communication processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 will be described with reference to FIG. 8B. In S821, the lens microcomputer 111 starts control communication. Next, in S822, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 communication request command 706, the registration number command 707, and the LimitTiming command 708 transmitted by the camera microcomputer 205 in S805 via the communication channel 1. FIG. If the registration number command 707 received at this time indicates a registration number that has not been registered in the lens microcomputer 111, there is a high possibility that the registration number command 707 has not been correctly transmitted or received due to communication disturbance due to noise or the like. Therefore, the lens microcomputer 111 responds to the camera microcomputer 205 with a communication error. When the camera microcomputer 205 confirms the response of the communication abnormality state from the lens microcomputer 111, it transmits a communication logic reset request command (0x99 in Hex expression) of the communication channel 2 shown in FIG. Upon receiving the communication logic reset request command, the lens microcomputer 111 initializes the communication logic circuit of the communication channel 2 .

Next, in S823, the lens microcomputer 111 generates optical data to be transmitted according to the type and transmission order of the optical data corresponding to the registration number received in S822.

Next, in S<b>824 , the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not the communication reset request command transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 has been received via the communication channel 1 . Upon receiving the communication reset request command, the lens microcomputer 111 resets the communication channel 2 in the lens microcomputer 111 in S825. Then, the process returns to S822.

Also, in S826, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not the communication channel request command transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 has been received. Upon receiving the communication channel request command, the lens microcomputer 111 cancels the communication on the communication channel 2 and returns to S822. If the communication cancel request command has not been received, the lens microcomputer 111 advances to S827 and transmits the optical data generated in S823 to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 . Then, the process returns to S822.

As described above, in this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a command such as a control command having a high priority (real-time property) to the lens microcomputer 111 and transmits a notification such as a response from the lens microcomputer 111 to the command. is performed on communication channel 1. Then, the necessary optical data of the interchangeable lens 100 is received by the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 different from the communication channel 1 . At this time, the first camera communication unit 208a in the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the above command to the lens microcomputer 111 regardless of whether the second camera communication unit 208b is receiving optical data. can be done. In other words, the first lens communication unit 112a in the lens microcomputer 111 can receive the command from the camera microcomputer 205 regardless of whether the second lens communication unit 112b is transmitting optical data. can. As a result, even when the camera microcomputer 205 receives a large amount of optical data from the lens microcomputer 111, it is possible to reduce delays in operations corresponding to control commands such as magnification change, light amount adjustment, focus, and anti-vibration operations in the interchangeable lens 100. can be done.

In the method of communicating optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 described in the first embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 performs registration corresponding to one optical data definition in one channel 2 communication request process. Only numbers can be specified. With this method, it may be difficult to deal with the case where the control cycles of various operations in the camera body 200 are different. For example, the AF process for controlling the focus operation has the imaging cycle as the control period, but the AE process for controlling the light amount adjustment operation has the control period of P times of the imaging period.

In this case, it is desirable to separate the optical data communication for AF processing and the optical data communication for AE processing, and use the communication channel 2 properly according to each control cycle. For this reason, in this embodiment, communication processing will be described in which a plurality of registration numbers can be designated in one channel 2 communication request processing. The configurations of the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 in this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

First, with reference to FIG. 9, communication processing when the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 perform communication through the communication channel 2 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows signal waveforms on a clock communication line (LCLK) 701, a camera-lens communication line (DCL) 702, and a first lens-camera communication line (DLC) 703, which constitute communication channel 1. FIG. Also shown is a signal waveform on the second lens-camera communication line (DLC) 704 for communication processing of communication channel 2. FIG. Here, a case where optical data communication for AF processing and optical data communication for AE processing are performed on communication channel 2 will be described using specific command examples shown in FIG.

The camera microcomputer 205 uses the imaging start timing 700 as a trigger to perform channel 2 communication request processing 901 for requesting the lens microcomputer 111 to communicate optical data on the communication channel 2 via the communication channel 1 . In channel 2 communication request processing 901, the camera microcomputer 205 issues a channel 2 multiple communication request command (0xE2 shown in FIG. 15) 902 requesting execution of communication of optical data corresponding to a plurality of optical data definitions on communication channel 2. It is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 .

Next, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits to the lens microcomputer 111 a registration number command (here, 0x02 corresponding to the number 2) 903 for notifying the number of registration numbers of a plurality of optical data definitions corresponding to the optical data to be transmitted. . Further, a registration number command (here, 0x02 corresponding to registration number 2) 904 specifying the first of the plurality of registration numbers is transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 . The registration number 2 is a registration number of optical data definition including focus position information, focus deviation correction information, etc. required for AF processing, for example. The camera microcomputer 205 then transmits a LimitTiming1 command (for example, 0x64 indicating 100 ms) 905 to the lens microcomputer 111 to instruct the limit time for transmission of optical data corresponding to the first registration number. The lens microcomputer 111 must transmit the optical data corresponding to the first registration number to the camera microcomputer 205 within this limit time LimitTiming1 starting from the time when the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902 is received.

Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits to the lens microcomputer 111 a registration number command (here, 0x03 corresponding to registration number 3) 906 specifying the second of the plurality of registration numbers. The registration number 3 is the registration number of the optical data definition including focal length information, current aperture position information, etc. required for AE processing, for example. The camera microcomputer 205 then transmits a LimitTiming2 command (for example, 0xC8 indicating 200 ms) 907 to the lens microcomputer 111 to instruct the limit time for transmission of optical data corresponding to the second registration number. The lens microcomputer 111 must start transmitting the optical data corresponding to the second registration number to the camera microcomputer 205 within this limit time LimitTiming2 starting from the time when the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902 is received.

The lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902, the registration number command 903, the registration number commands 904 and 906, and the LimitTiming1 and LimitTiming2 commands 905 and 907, and responds with "00" and "ACK1" to "ACK3". to the camera microcomputer 205 .

The lens microcomputer 111 that has received the registration number command 904 for one eye performs communication processing on the communication channel 2 before the limit time LimitTiming1 elapses. Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 registers the optical data 910 associated with the registration number together with a response (registration number) confirming the registration number indicated in the first registration number command 904 received. are transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 in the order of transmission.

Furthermore, the lens microcomputer 111 that has received the registration number command 906 for the second eye starts communication processing on the communication channel 2 before the limit time LimitTiming2 elapses. Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 registers the optical data 912 associated with the registration number together with a response (registration number) confirming the registration number indicated in the second registration number command 906 received. are transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 in the order of transmission.

In FIG. 9, when the communication on the communication channel 2 corresponding to the first registration number command 904 is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 performs the channel 2 communication request process 920 again at the next imaging start timing 700'. indicates the case. In channel 2 communication request processing 920 , the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a channel 2 communication request command (eg 0xE0) 921 , a registration number command (0x02) 922 and a LimitTiming command (eg 0x64) 923 to the lens microcomputer 111 . Here, the case of requesting retransmission of the optical data corresponding to the registration number command (0x02) 904 in the channel 2 communication request process 901 is shown. The lens microcomputer 111 must transmit the optical data within the limit time LimitTiming starting from the time when the channel 2 communication request command 921 is received.

The lens microcomputer 111 that has received the channel 2 communication request command 921, the registration number command 922, and the LimitTiming command 923 transmits “00”, “ACK1”, and “ACK2” to the camera microcomputer 205 as responses thereto.

In FIG. 9, a communication blank time is provided between the transmission of the optical data corresponding to the registration number command 906 and the transmission of the optical data corresponding to the registration number command 921 on the communication channel 2 . This communication blank time will be described later.

The absolute limit time 1 is determined when the lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902, and is derived from the limit time LimitTiming1 for communicating the optical data corresponding to the registration number command 904 on the communication channel 2. . The absolute limit time 2 is determined when the lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902, and is derived from the limit time LimitTiming2 for communicating the optical data corresponding to the registration number command 906 on the communication channel 2. . The absolute limit time 3 is determined when the lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 communication request command 921 and is derived from the limit time LimitTiming for communicating the optical data corresponding to the registration number command 922 on the communication channel 2. In this embodiment, the lens microcomputer 111 uses the information of these absolute limit times 1 to 3 to determine which optical data corresponding to which registration number should be preferentially transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 . This priority determination processing will be described later.

Next, communication processing respectively performed by the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in the communication shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10A and 10B. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, steps that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 8A, and description thereof is omitted.

First, communication processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205 will be described with reference to FIG. 10A. The camera microcomputer 205 advances to S803 via S801 and S802. If the first communication process is performed in S803 or the camera setting is changed, the camera microcomputer 205 selects a plurality of optical data corresponding to the optical data to be transmitted from the registered optical data definitions to the lens microcomputer 111 in S1003. Select the data definition (registration number).

Next, in S1004, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902, registration number command 903, registration number command 904, and LimitTiming1 command 905 shown in FIG. Furthermore, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a registration number command 906 and a LimitTiming2 command 907 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 1 . After that, the camera microcomputer 205 advances to S1005.

On the other hand, in the case of the second communication process in S803, the camera microcomputer 205 advances to S1001. In S1001, the camera microcomputer 205 reselects the registration number (registration number 2 in FIG. 9) corresponding to the optical data that has already been received from the lens microcomputer 111. FIG. Specifically, when the registration numbers indicated by the registration number commands 904 and 906 transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 are a registration number for AF processing with a short control cycle and a registration number for AE processing with a long control cycle, Reselect the registration number for AF processing. This is because communication processing in communication channel 2 for AF processing, which has a short control cycle, is completed earlier than communication processing in communication channel 2 for AE processing, which has a long control cycle. This is for transmitting a registration number command indicating the number to the lens microcomputer 111 .

Next, in S1002, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a channel 2 communication request command 921, a registration number command 922 indicating the registration number reselected in S1001, and a LimitTiming command 923 to the lens microcomputer 111 using communication channel 1. At this time, if there are a plurality of reselected registration numbers, a multiple channel 2 communication request command is sent to the lens microcomputer 111 instead of the channel 2 communication request command. After that, the camera microcomputer 205 advances to S1005.

In S1005, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the limit time LimitTiming1 or LimitTiming2 has elapsed. The camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S1006 if the time limit has elapsed, and proceeds to S1008 if reception of optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 via the communication channel 2 is confirmed in S1007 before the time limit has elapsed. As a judgment that the reception of the optical data has been confirmed, for example, it is judged that the optical data has been received by detecting the start bit as the reception data in the communication waveform shown in FIG. 4(b2).

In S<b>1006 , the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a communication cancellation request command (0xE1 shown in FIG. 12 ) to the lens microcomputer 111 to request cancellation of communication on the communication channel 2 . Then, the process proceeds to S811.

In S1008, when the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a registration number command indicating a plurality of registration numbers to the lens microcomputer 111 in S1004 or S1002, the registration numbers corresponding to the optical data received in S1007 are included in the plurality of registration numbers. determine whether or not When the camera microcomputer 205 receives the optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 in S1007, it also receives the registration number corresponding to the optical data. Therefore, even when registration number commands indicating a plurality of registration numbers are transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 in S1002 or S1004, it is possible to determine which registration number command the response is for. If the plurality of registration numbers includes a registration number corresponding to the optical data received in S1007, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to S809, receives the optical data from the lens microcomputer 111 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and proceeds to S802. return. On the other hand, if the received optical data does not contain the corresponding registration number, there is a possibility of a communication error, so the camera microcomputer 205 returns to S802 via S811 and S812.

Next, communication processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 will be described with reference to FIG. 10B. In S1010 after S821, the lens microcomputer 111 receives, via the communication channel 1, the channel 2 plural communication request command, the registration number command, etc., which the camera microcomputer 205 transmitted in S1004 or S1002.

Next, in S1011, the lens microcomputer 111 performs priority determination processing for setting the priority of optical data generation for the plurality of registration number commands received in S1010. Specifically, the lens microcomputer 111 compares absolute limit times derived from limit times LimitTiming set for a plurality of registration numbers. Then, priority is given to the generation of optical data corresponding to the registration number with the earliest absolute limit time.

Description will be made with reference to FIG. The lens microcomputer 111 derives the absolute limit time 1 when the limit time LimitTiming1 set for the registration number (904) elapses from the time of receiving the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902 transmitted by the camera microcomputer 205 in S1003. . Also, the lens microcomputer 111 derives the absolute limit time 2 when the limit time LimitTiming2 set for the registration number (906) elapses from the time when the channel 2 multiple communication request command 902 is received from the camera microcomputer 205 in S1003. do. Since the absolute limit time 1 is earlier than the absolute limit time 2, the lens microcomputer 111 preferentially generates optical data corresponding to the registration number (904) in which the absolute limit time 1 is set.

More specifically, first, the optical data corresponding to the registration number (904) in which the absolute limit time 1 is set is generated. When the optical data corresponding to the registration number (904) with the absolute limit time 1 set is completed, the optical data corresponding to the registration number (906) with the absolute limit time 2 set is generated.

On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 receives the channel 2 communication request command 921 from the camera microcomputer 205 in S1002, and sets the absolute limit time 3 when the limit time LimitTiming3 set for the registration number (922) elapses from the time of reception. derive Since the absolute limit time 2 is earlier than the absolute limit time 3, the lens microcomputer 111 preferentially generates optical data corresponding to the registration number (906) in which the absolute limit time 2 is set.

Next, the lens microcomputer 111 determines in S824 whether or not it has received a communication reset request command from the camera microcomputer 205, and proceeds to S1012 if it has not received it. Also, the lens microcomputer 111 that has received the communication reset request command returns to S1010 via S825.

In S1012, the lens microcomputer 111 determines whether or not it has received a communication cancellation request command from the camera microcomputer 205. If it has received it, it proceeds to S1013, and if it has not received it, it proceeds to S1014.

In S1013, the lens microcomputer 111 stops generating optical data corresponding to the registration number to be canceled. That is, if the communication cancel request command received in S1012 is a command (0xE3) for canceling all communication requests for communication channel 2 shown in FIG. to stop. Also, if the communication cancel request command is the command (0xE1) shown in FIG. 12, the generation of optical data corresponding to the registration number (for example, 0x01) designated by the registration number command received subsequently is stopped. After that, the lens microcomputer 111 returns to S1010.

In S1014, the lens microcomputer 111 provides a communication blank time (predetermined time) starting from the timing at which the optical data was transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 in S1015, which will be described later. This communication blank time is the time necessary for the camera microcomputer 205 to analyze and fetch the optical data stored in the reception data buffer 330 in S809 when the lens microcomputer 111 communicates with the camera microcomputer 205 in S1015. be. The communication blank time may be determined in advance between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, or may be notified from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer in S504 described in the first embodiment.

In S<b>1015 , the lens microcomputer 111 transmits optical data corresponding to the registration number determined to have the highest priority in S<b>1011 to the camera microcomputer 205 via the communication channel 2 . After that, the lens microcomputer 111 returns to S1010.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even when the camera microcomputer 205 receives a large amount of optical data from the lens microcomputer 111, control commands such as magnification change, light amount adjustment, focus, and anti-vibration operation in the interchangeable lens 100 Corresponding operation delays can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of pieces of optical data (registration numbers) to be received by the camera microcomputer 205 from the lens microcomputer 111, the optical data are individually transmitted according to the control cycle and use priority of the camera body 200. can be requested. Thereby, the use of the communication band between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 can be optimized.
(Other examples)
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the communication channel 1 performs the three-wire clock synchronous communication has been described. Similar effects can be obtained even when synchronous communication is employed.

FIG. 16 shows signal waveforms in 3-wire asynchronous communication. In the case of 3-wire asynchronous communication, an RTS communication line (RTS) is provided in place of the clock communication line (LCLK) described above. The RTS communication line is a signal line for transmitting from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 a signal for controlling the timing of communication via the camera-lens communication line (DCL) and communication via the first lens-camera communication line (DLC). is. For example, the camera microcomputer 205 is used to notify the lens data transmission request (transmission instruction) from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111, a communication processing switching request (switching instruction), etc., which will be described later. The 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 called a transmission request signal RTS. A transmission request signal RTS is sent from the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 as a 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 one bit period. and This one bit period is called a start bit ST indicating the start of one frame. That is, a data frame starts from this start bit ST. The start bit ST is provided at the head bit of each frame of the lens data signal DLC.

Subsequently, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 1-byte lens data to the camera microcomputer 205 in the next 8-bit period from the 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 and data D5 in order, and ending with the least significant 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 to High during the period of the stop bit SP indicating the end of one frame. This ends the data frame period started from the start bit ST.

As described above, in the case of 3-wire asynchronous communication, communication channel 1 communicates with the second communication line and the third communication line at the timing corresponding to the RTS signal (also referred to as timing signal) transmitted by the RTS signal line. Communication is performed by wire. In other words, the camera microcomputer 205 serves as the communication master and controls the timing of the communication performed on the communication channel 1 . On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 controls the timing of communication through the communication channel 2 as a communication master, and can be carried out at a timing that does not depend on the timing of the communication through the communication channel 1 . More specifically, communication through the second lens-camera communication line can be performed regardless of the timing corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 via the clock communication line.

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

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

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 interchangeable lens 111 lens microcomputer 112a first lens communication unit 112b second lens communication unit 200 camera body 208 camera microcomputer 208a first camera communication unit 208b second camera communication unit

Claims (13)

An imaging device to which an accessory device can be attached,
a first communication line that transmits a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the accessory device;
a second communication line for transmitting a first command related to the operation of the accessory device at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
a third communication line that receives data corresponding to the first command at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
a fourth communication line for receiving data;
communication control means for controlling communication with the accessory device via the first communication line, the second communication line, the third communication line and the fourth communication line;
The imaging apparatus, wherein the communication control means controls communication so as to receive the data transmitted through the fourth communication line regardless of timing corresponding to the timing signal. The communication control means transmits a second command designating data to be transmitted by the accessory device via the second communication line, and transmits data designated by the second command to the fourth communication line. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication is controlled so as to receive the image through the . 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication control means receives said data different from data corresponding to said first command via said fourth communication line. 4. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data received via the fourth communication line is optical data. The communication control means transmits a second command designating data to be transmitted by the accessory device via the second communication line, and even if a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the second command, , if the data designated by the second command is not received via the fourth communication line, the third command corresponding to the cancellation of the second command is transmitted to the second communication line; 5. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein communication is controlled to be transmitted to the accessory device via. An accessory device detachably attached to the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A second command specifying data to be transmitted by the accessory device is received from the imaging device via the second communication line, and the data is transmitted to the imaging device in response to the second command. An accessory device that transmits via a fourth communication line. An accessory device detachable from an imaging device,
a first communication line for receiving a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the imaging device;
a second communication line that receives a first command for operation of the accessory device at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
a third communication line for transmitting data corresponding to the first command at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
a fourth communication line for transmitting data;
communication control means for controlling communication with the imaging device via the first communication line, the second communication line, the third communication line, and the fourth communication line;
The accessory device, wherein the communication control means controls communication so as to transmit the data via the fourth communication line regardless of the timing corresponding to the timing signal. The communication control means receives a second command designating data to be transmitted by the accessory device via the second communication line, and transmits data designated by the second command to the fourth communication line. 8. An accessory device as recited in claim 7, wherein the accessory device controls communications to be transmitted via the . 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said communication control means transmits said data different from data corresponding to said first command to said imaging device via said fourth communication line. accessory equipment. 10. An accessory device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the data transmitted over the fourth communication line is optical data. The communication control means receives a second command designating data to be transmitted by the accessory device via the second communication line, and transmits data designated by the second command to the fourth communication line. when a third command corresponding to cancellation of the second command is received via the second communication line without transmitting via 11. The accessory device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the communication is controlled to cancel the A control method for an imaging device to which an accessory device can be attached and which has a first communication line, a second communication line, a third communication line, and a fourth communication line used for communication with the accessory device. hand,
transmitting a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the accessory device over the first communication line;
sending a first command for operation of the accessory device over the second communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
receiving data corresponding to the first command via the third communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
receiving data over the fourth communication line;
A control method for an image pickup device, comprising: causing the image pickup device to receive the data transmitted through the fourth communication line regardless of timing corresponding to the timing signal. A control method for an accessory device detachable from an imaging device and having a first communication line, a second communication line, a third communication line, and a fourth communication line used for communication with the imaging device There is
a step of receiving a timing signal corresponding to timing of communication with the imaging device via the first communication line;
receiving a first command for operation of the accessory device over the second communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
transmitting data corresponding to the first command through the third communication line at a timing corresponding to the timing signal;
and transmitting data over the fourth communication line;
A control method for an accessory device, characterized by causing the accessory device to transmit the data via the fourth communication line regardless of timing corresponding to the timing signal.

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