JPH10186488A - Data communication device, and camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication device and a camera apparatus capable of performing high speed processing by preventing useless data communications and shortening the communication time. SOLUTION: In the case this camera apparatus is provided with a camera main body 1 outputting a data communication instruction and a camera accessory 2 communicating data with the main body 1 according to the communication instruction, the accessory 2 outputs a specified signal to the main body 1 when the quantity and the contents, etc., of the data communicated the last time and the data to be communicated this time are the same, and the main body 1 controls the data communication from the accessory 2 this time and performs processing based on the data communicated the last time when the specified signal is inputted in the main body 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device having a plurality of mutually communicable control means, and further to a camera device having a mutually communicable camera body and a camera accessory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Communication between a camera body and a camera accessory such as an interchangeable lens which is detachably mounted on the camera body is performed by a serial transfer method, and a control command is transmitted from the camera body to the accessory. Recognizing the control instruction, it performs the processing operation and operation according to it.

[0003] By the way, recent camera bodies and camera accessories have become sophisticated and sophisticated, respectively, and accordingly, the data possessed by the camera bodies and accessories has been diversified and increased. Among the data included in such accessories, there are data in which the amount or content of data changes depending on the state of the accessory and data in which the data length of one piece of data exceeds 10 bytes.

[0004] Unlike data that does not change, data that is diversified, increased, and changes depending on the state does not mean that data obtained in the first communication may be used for subsequent processing operations. Arithmetic processing must be performed based on the data corresponding to the state. Therefore, when performing arithmetic processing using data, data communication must be performed without fail, and the amount of communication between the camera body and the accessory is also increasing.

[0005]

However, in order to maintain compatibility with the conventional model, communication between the camera and the accessory is performed by a conventional serial transfer communication. Further, in the conventional communication method, communication of data in which the amount or content of data changes depending on the state described above is repeatedly performed so that the data may change at any time.

For this reason, when the data has not changed, useless communication is performed, and extra time is required.

Further, in addition to the above, an extra communication time is required for communicating data that has been increased compared to the conventional art, which affects other processing (AF and AE processing) on the camera side. there is a possibility.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device and a camera device capable of shortening the communication time by preventing useless data communication and performing high-speed processing.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, first control means (camera body) for outputting a data communication command, and data are transmitted to the first control means in response to the communication command. In the case of having a second control means (camera accessory) for communication, the second control means transmits a predetermined signal when the previously communicated data and the data to be communicated this time are the same in terms of amount and content. When the predetermined signal is input to the first control means, the first control means controls the data communication from the second control means and controls the first control means to operate based on previously transmitted data. I have to.

That is, it is possible to prevent the same data from being continuously and repeatedly transmitted from the second control means to the first control means, and to cause the first control means to perform a processing operation using the previous data. By doing so, the number of times of communication is reduced to shorten the communication time, the load on the first control means is reduced, the influence on other processing is reduced, and high-speed processing can be performed.

The predetermined signal may be a signal indicating "0" when the first control means outputs a data amount communication command to the second control means.
It may be a signal indicating a value that does not make sense as data in the control means.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a camera device including a camera body 1 and an interchangeable lens 2 which can communicate with each other. Inside the camera body 1, there is an electric circuit section 3, and the electric circuit section 3 includes a light measuring section 4 for measuring the amount of light that has passed through the optical system of the interchangeable lens 2, and a light measuring section 4 from the film surface to the subject. A distance measuring unit 5 for measuring the distance, a shutter 6 for exposing the film for an appropriate time, a feed charge system 7 for winding and rewinding the film, and controls these cameras. Communication means 9 for performing serial communication with the CPU 8 in the camera, the lens 2, and the power supply 1
0.

In the interchangeable lens 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a focusing lens in the interchangeable lens 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a zooming lens, reference numeral 13 denotes an aperture, reference numeral 14 denotes a zoom position detecting brush for detecting the position of the zooming lens 12, and reference numeral 15 denotes A focus position detection brush for detecting the position of the focusing lens 11, and an AF / MANU 16 for switching between auto focus and manual focus
The AL switch 17 is an electric circuit in the interchangeable lens 2. A communication unit 18 for performing serial communication with the camera body 1, an in-lens CPU 19 for controlling the interchangeable lens 2, and a lens for controlling the driving of the focusing lens 11 are provided in the electric circuit unit 17. A drive control unit 20, a lens drive motor 21 for driving the focusing lens 11, an aperture control unit 22 for controlling the drive of the aperture 13, and an aperture drive motor 23 for driving the aperture 13. Have.

Next, serial communication performed by the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, “LCLK” is a signal line for transmitting a serial clock oscillated from the camera body 1. 1
In the first communication, 8 serial clocks are transmitted and 8b
It, that is, communication of 1-byte data is performed. "DCL" in FIG. 2 is a signal line for transmitting data from the camera body 1 to the lens 2, and "DI0, DI1" are DC lines.
One data transmitted by L is composed of 1 byte, and transmitted to the lens 2 side in synchronization with a serial clock transmitted by "LCLK". These "DI0, D
"I1" is a control command to the lens.

"DLC" in FIG. 2 is a signal line for transmitting data from the lens 2 to the camera body 1, and "DL0", "DOC"
"1" is one data transmitted by DLC and 1 byte
And transmitted to the camera body 1 in synchronization with the serial clock transmitted as “LCLK”. The lens 2 receives a control command transmitted from the camera body 1 through “DCL”, and performs data transmission, driving of each actuator, and the like according to each command.

Note that "DO0" is reply data to a control command (not shown) transmitted before the control command "DI0", and "DO1" is reply data to a control command before "DI0".

For data communication, for example, data requested by a control command from the camera body 1 is 10 bytes.
In the case of data e, one communication is required for transmitting a control command from the camera body 1 side, and then 10
Times of communication are required, and a total of 11 times of communication are required.

Here, data in which at least one of the data amount and the content changes depending on the position of the focusing lens 11 and the position of the zooming lens 12 is named "A", and a control command requesting communication of this "A" data. Is described as “A data request command” and the data amount of “A” data is “n”, and the contents of the communication control will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows the control operation of the CPU 19 in the lens.

"Step (shown by # in the figure) 101"
The interchangeable lens 2 is mounted on the camera body 1, and the flowchart starts.

[Step 102] The camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2 start 8-bit serial communication via the communication means 9 on the camera body 1 side and the communication means 18 on the interchangeable lens 2 side.

[Step 103] It is determined whether or not the control command from the camera body 1 is an "A data request command".
If it is another control command, the process proceeds to "Step 104".

[Step 104] Recognizes a control command from the camera and performs a processing operation according to the command.

[Step 105] The zone information stored during the previous "A data communication" and the zone brush 15
The current zone information obtained is compared with the current zone information. If there is no change in the zone information, the process proceeds to “Step 106”, and if there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 108”.

[Step 106] The zoom information stored during the previous "A data communication" is compared with the current zoom information obtained from the zoom brush 14 in FIG. Goes to “Step 107”
When there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 109”.

[Step 107] Since there is no change in both the zone information and the zoom information as compared with the previous "A data communication", it can be determined that there is no change in the "A" data.
A signal (a predetermined signal in the claims) that informs the camera body 1 that there is no change in the “A” data.

The camera body 1 receiving this signal stops the "A data communication", and performs an operation and a process using the "A" data obtained by the "A data communication" performed last time. .

[Step 108] Since the zone information has changed since the previous "A data communication", the current state of the zone brush 15 is stored as new zone information, and the zone information is updated.

[Step 109] Since the zoom information has changed since the previous "A data communication", the current state of the zoom brush 14 is stored as new zoom information, and the zoom information is updated. Also, when the zone information changes, the zoom information is updated.

[Step 110] According to the control command "A data request command" from the camera body 1, the "A" data is transmitted by 1 byte.

[Step 111] The data amount "n" of the "A" data is decremented.

"Step 112" If "n" is 0, go to "Step 102"; if not, go to "Step 11".
Return to "0". In other words, since “Step 110” to “Step 112” are “A data communication” and the “A” data amount is “n” bytes, “n” times communication is required to communicate all “A” data. Is required.

As described above, when there is no change in the "A" data, a signal indicating that there is no change in the "A" data is output to the camera body 1 side. By canceling the "A data communication", the camera body 1 does not need to bear the time and burden required for the "n data" of the "A data communication". For this reason, the camera body 1 can quickly shift to other calculations and processes, and can perform calculations and processes at a higher speed than before.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a communication control flowchart of a camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart shows a modified example of the control operation of the interchangeable lens 2 of the camera device described in the first embodiment.

[Step 201] The interchangeable lens 2 is mounted on the camera body 1, and the flowchart starts.

[Step 202] The camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2 start 8-bit serial communication via the communication means 9 on the camera body 1 side and the communication means 18 on the interchangeable lens 1 side.

[Step 203] The control command from the camera main body 1 determines that the amount of "A" data "n" in the current state.
It is determined whether the received command is an “A data amount request command” requesting transmission. If the command is an “A data amount request command”, the process proceeds to “Step 205”; if another control command, the process proceeds to “Step 204”.

[Step 204] Recognize a control command from the camera body 1 and perform a processing operation according to the command.

[Step 205] The zone information stored during the previous “A data communication” and the zone brush 15
The current zone information obtained is compared with the current zone information. If there is no change in the zone information, the process proceeds to “Step 206”, and if there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 208”.

[Step 206] The zoom information stored during the previous "A data communication" is compared with the current zoom information obtained from the zoom brush 14 in FIG. Goes to “Step 207”
When there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 209”.

[Step 207] Since there is no change in both the zone information and the zoom information as compared with the previous “A data communication”, it can be determined that there is no change in the “A” data.
“0” is transmitted to the camera as the data amount of “A”.

When the camera receives "0" in the "A data amount request command", the camera stops "A data communication" and uses "A" data obtained in the previous "A data communication". ,
Performs calculations and processes.

[Step 208] Since the zone information has changed since the previous "A data communication", the current state of the zone brush 15 is stored as new zone information, and the zone information is updated.

[Step 209] Since the zoom information has changed since the previous “A data communication”, the current state of the zoom brush 14 is stored as new zoom information and the zoom information is updated. Also, when the zone information changes, the zoom information is updated.

[Step 210] In accordance with the "A data amount request command", the data amount "n" of the "A" data in the current zoom information and zone information is transmitted.

[Step 211] In accordance with a control command "A data request command" from the camera, "A" data in the current zoom information and zone information is transmitted by 1 byte.

[Step 212] The data amount "n" of the "A" data is decremented.

"Step 213" If "n" is 0, go to "Step 202"; otherwise, go to "Step 21".
Return to "0". In other words, “A data communication” is performed from “Step 211” to “Step 213”, and since “A” data has a data amount of “n” bytes, all “A” data
"N" times of communication are required to communicate data.

As described above, when there is no change in the “A” data, “0” is transmitted as the data amount of “A” in response to the “A data amount request command” on the camera body 1 side, and “0” is transmitted. 0 "
By stopping the "A data communication", the camera body 1 receiving "" does not have to bear the time or burden required for "n data""A data communication". For this reason, the camera body 1 can quickly shift to other calculations and processes, and can perform calculations and processes at a higher speed than before.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a communication control flowchart of a camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart shows a modified example of the control operation of the interchangeable lens 2 of the camera device described in the first embodiment.

[Step 301] The interchangeable lens 2 is mounted on the camera body 1, and the flowchart starts.

[Step 302] The camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2 start 8-bit serial communication via the communication means 9 on the camera body 1 side and the communication means 18 on the interchangeable lens 2 side.

[Step 303] It is determined whether or not the control command from the camera body 1 is an "A data request command".
If it is another control command, the process proceeds to "Step 304".

[Step 304] Recognizes a control command from the camera body 1 and performs a processing operation according to the command.

[Step 305] The zone information stored during the previous “A data communication” and the zone brush 15
The current zone information obtained is compared with the current zone information. If there is no change in the zone information, the process proceeds to “Step 306”, and if there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 308”.

[Step 306] The zoom information stored during the previous “A data communication” and the zoom brush 14
The current zoom information obtained is compared with the current zoom information. If there is no change in the zoom information, the process proceeds to “Step 307”, and if there is a change, the process proceeds to “Step 309”.

[Step 307] Since there is no change in both the zone information and the zoom information as compared with the previous “A data communication”, the “A” data at the previous “A data communication” and the “A” data in the current state are not changed. It can be seen that there is no change in the “A” data. For this reason, the lens side transmits data meaningless as “A” data to the camera side.

Here, the meaningless data is, for example, one data of "A" data is "0 to 127 (00
７7Fhex) ”means“ 128 to 255 (80 to FFhex) ”.

The camera body 1 which has received the meaningless data stops the "A data communication", and uses the "A" data obtained in the previous "A data communication" to perform calculations and processes. Do.

[Step 308] Since the zone information has changed since the previous “A data communication”, the current state of the zone brush 15 is stored as new zone information, and the zone information is updated.

[Step 309] Since the zoom information has changed since the previous “A data communication”, the current state of the zoom brush 14 is stored as new zoom information and the zoom information is updated. Also, when the zone information changes, the zoom information is updated.

[Step 310] According to the control command "A data request command" from the camera body 1, the "A" data is transmitted by 1 byte.

[Step 311] The data amount "n" of the "A" data is decremented.

[Step 312] If "n" is 0, go to "Step 302"; if not, go to "Step 310".
Return to That is, from “Step 310” to “Step 3”
No. 12 is "A data communication", and since the data amount of "A" data is "n" bytes, "n" times of communication are required to communicate all "A" data.

As described above, when there is no change in the “A” data, a signal indicating that there is no change in the “A” data in the camera body 1 in response to the “A data request command” on the camera body 1 side. Is output, and the camera body 1 receiving this stops the “A data communication”, so that the camera body 1 becomes “n” by
The time and burden required for te's “A data communication” can be saved. For this reason, the camera body 1 can quickly shift to other calculations and processes, and can perform calculations and processes at a higher speed than before.

In the above embodiments, the case where an interchangeable lens is used as a camera accessory has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where a camera accessory other than the interchangeable lens is used.

In the above embodiment, the camera device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to various devices other than the camera device.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the same data from being continuously and repeatedly transmitted from the second control means (camera accessory) to the first control means (camera body). In addition, since the first control means is caused to perform the processing operation using the previous data, the number of communication times is reduced, the communication time is shortened, the load on the first control means is reduced, and the other control processing is performed. Less impact,
Further, high-speed processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart of communication in the camera device.

FIG. 3 is a communication control flowchart of the camera device.

FIG. 4 is a communication control flowchart of a camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a communication control flowchart of a camera device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 2 Interchangeable lens 3 In-camera electric circuit 4 Photometric unit 5 Distance measuring unit 6 Shutter 7 Feed charging system 8 In-camera CPU 9 In-camera serial communication means 10 Power supply 11 Focusing lens 12 Zooming lens 13 Aperture 14 Zoom position detection Brush 15 Focus position detection brush 16 AF / MANUAL switch 17 Electric circuit in interchangeable lens 18 Serial communication means in lens 19 CPU in lens 20 Focusing lens drive control unit 21 Focusing lens drive motor 22 Aperture drive control unit 23 Aperture drive Motor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A data communication apparatus comprising: first control means for outputting a data communication command; and second control means for communicating data to the first control means in response to the communication command. Outputs the predetermined signal to the first control means when the previously communicated data is the same as the data to be communicated this time, and the first control means, when the predetermined signal is input, A data communication device, which regulates data communication from the second control means this time and operates based on previously communicated data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second control means outputs the predetermined signal when the previously communicated data and the data to be communicated this time are the same in amount and content. A data communication device as described. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first control means outputs a data amount communication command to the second control means, and the predetermined signal is a signal indicating "0". The data communication device according to claim 1. 4. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is a signal indicating a value that has no meaning as data in the first control unit. 5. A camera device comprising: a camera body that outputs a data communication command; and a camera accessory that communicates data to the camera body in response to the communication command. When the data to be tried is the same, a predetermined signal is output to the camera main body. When the predetermined signal is input, the camera main body outputs
A camera device which regulates data communication from the camera accessory at this time and operates based on previously communicated data. 6. The camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the camera accessory outputs the predetermined signal when the previously communicated data and the data to be communicated this time are the same in amount and content. Camera device. 7. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the camera accessory is an interchangeable lens, and the data is data that changes according to a position of the lens in the interchangeable lens.
Or the camera device according to 6. 8. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the camera body outputs a data amount communication command to the camera accessory, and the predetermined signal is a signal indicating “0”. 8. The camera device according to any one of 7. 9. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined signal is a signal indicating a value that has no meaning as data in the camera body.