WO2018221552A1 - Camera, accessory device, communication control method, computer program, and camera system - Google Patents

Camera, accessory device, communication control method, computer program, and camera system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018221552A1
WO2018221552A1 PCT/JP2018/020655 JP2018020655W WO2018221552A1 WO 2018221552 A1 WO2018221552 A1 WO 2018221552A1 JP 2018020655 W JP2018020655 W JP 2018020655W WO 2018221552 A1 WO2018221552 A1 WO 2018221552A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
communication
camera
microcomputer
rate
accessory
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2018/020655
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
一敏 河田
Original Assignee
キヤノン株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by キヤノン株式会社 filed Critical キヤノン株式会社
Priority to EP18810023.4A priority Critical patent/EP3633972B1/en
Priority to CN201880036161.2A priority patent/CN110720208B/en
Priority claimed from JP2018102936A external-priority patent/JP6545323B2/en
Publication of WO2018221552A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018221552A1/en
Priority to US16/695,744 priority patent/US11086201B2/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • G03B17/02—Bodies
    • G03B17/12—Bodies with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets
    • G03B17/14—Bodies with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets interchangeably
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • G03B17/56—Accessories
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a camera system including a camera capable of mutual communication and an accessory device such as an interchangeable lens and an adapter.
  • an interchangeable lens type camera system including a camera to which an interchangeable lens can be attached and detached
  • communication is performed for the camera to control the operation of the interchangeable lens and for the interchangeable lens to provide the camera with data necessary for its control and imaging.
  • smooth lens control is required in accordance with the imaging cycle, so the camera's imaging timing and the interchangeable lens's control timing are synchronized. It is necessary to take Therefore, the camera needs to complete the reception of data from the interchangeable lens and the transmission of commands such as various instructions and requests to the interchangeable lens within the imaging cycle.
  • communication of a large amount of data at higher speed is required.
  • an adapter such as a wide converter or a teleconverter (extender) may be connected between the camera and the interchangeable lens, and these adapters communicate with the camera in the same manner as the interchangeable lens.
  • the camera system requires a communication system in which the camera can perform one-to-many communication with a plurality of accessory devices including an interchangeable lens and an adapter.
  • an I2C communication method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.
  • the I2C communication method is premised on clock synchronous communication, and is not compatible with asynchronous communication that is generally employed for speeding up communication.
  • asynchronous communication it is necessary to match the communication speed between the communication master and the communication slave.
  • the present invention provides a camera system that enables communication between a camera and each accessory device as fast as possible even when a plurality of accessory devices having different usable communication speeds are connected to the camera.
  • An imaging apparatus is a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and a signal transmission channel used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices;
  • a camera control unit that controls communication with the plurality of accessory devices using a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • a first communication that performs data communication with a plurality of accessory devices using a channel and a second communication that performs data communication with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication are possible.
  • a signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication is output to the signal transmission channel, and the first communication is used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • the first communication rate is possible, and the second communication is performed at a second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate. .
  • An accessory device is an accessory device of a plurality of accessory devices that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state in which the plurality of accessory devices are connected. Communication between the camera and a plurality of accessory devices, and a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • the accessory control unit controls the communication performed by the first communication for performing data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices using the data communication channel and the first communication.
  • the signal that is output from the camera to the signal transmission channel and instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication is detected, and the first communication can be used in common by the camera and a plurality of accessory devices.
  • the second communication is performed at a second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  • a control method is a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and a signal used for transmission of signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • a signal for instructing switching is output to the signal transmission channel, the first communication is performed at a first communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the second communication is performed with the camera.
  • the specific accessory device can be used in common and is performed at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  • a control method that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state where a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and that is used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • performing second communication for performing data communication individually with the camera, and the signal transmission channel from the camera.
  • the second communication can be performed by the camera and the specific accessory device in common and at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  • a communication control program as a computer program that causes a computer of an imaging device or an accessory device to execute processing according to the control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.
  • a camera system is a camera system including a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and one accessory device among the plurality of accessory devices.
  • the camera is a communication performed between a plurality of accessory devices, a signal transmission channel used for transmitting a signal between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and data between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices.
  • the accessory device has a camera control unit that controls communication using a data communication channel used for communication, and the accessory device performs communication with the camera using a signal transmission channel and a data communication channel. It has an accessory control unit that controls communication, and performs data communication with multiple accessory devices using the camera control unit and data communication channel.
  • the first communication and the second communication for performing data communication individually with the specific accessory device designated as the communication partner by the first communication are possible, and an instruction to switch from the first communication to the second communication is given.
  • the accessory control unit outputs the second communication signal when the first communication and the accessory device are designated as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera by the first communication.
  • a signal that instructs the switching from the first communication to the second communication, which is output from the camera control unit to the signal transmission channel, is detected, and the camera control unit and the accessory control unit
  • the first communication is performed at a first communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the second communication can be performed by both the camera and the specific accessory device in common. And performing in Shin rate or more second communication rate.
  • communication between the camera and the specific accessory device can be performed as fast as possible in a state where various accessory devices having different usable communication rates are connected to the camera.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication circuit of a camera (camera microcomputer), an interchangeable lens (lens microcomputer), and an adapter (adapter microcomputer) in Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication format in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating communication waveforms in broadcast communication according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the communication waveform in the P2P communication in Example 1.
  • FIG. The figure which shows the communication waveform at the time of communication mode switching in Example 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating camera processing in broadcast communication according to the first exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an interchangeable lens and an adapter in broadcast communication according to the first exemplary embodiment.
  • 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a camera in P2P communication according to the first embodiment.
  • 5 is a flowchart showing processing of an interchangeable lens and an adapter in P2P communication in Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating communication waveforms in broadcast communication started from an interchangeable lens and an adapter in the first embodiment. The figure which shows the signal waveform by acquisition of corresponding
  • FIG. The figure which shows the format of the corresponding
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing broadcast communication rate selection processing in the first embodiment.
  • 3 is a flowchart illustrating P2P communication rate selection processing according to the first embodiment.
  • 6 is a flowchart illustrating a connection number communication rate selection process according to the first embodiment.
  • 3 is a flowchart illustrating a load communication rate selection process according to the first embodiment. The figure explaining another communication channel.
  • FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an imaging system (hereinafter referred to as a camera system) that includes a camera 200 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and an interchangeable lens 100 and an intermediate adapter device (hereinafter simply referred to as an adapter) 300 that are accessory devices. Indicates.
  • the camera 200 of this embodiment can be used in a state where the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are connected together.
  • FIG. 1 shows a camera system in which one adapter 300 is connected between the camera 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 as an example, a plurality of adapters may be connected and connected between the camera 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. .
  • communication is performed between the camera 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 using a plurality of communication methods.
  • the camera 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 transmit control commands and data (information) through their respective communication units.
  • each communication unit supports a plurality of communication methods, and by switching to the same communication method in synchronization with each other according to the type of data to be communicated and the purpose of communication, optimal communication for various situations A method can be selected.
  • the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 400 that is a coupling mechanism.
  • the adapter 300 and the camera 200 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 401 that is a coupling mechanism.
  • the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 acquire power from the camera 200 via a power terminal portion (not shown) provided on the mounts 400 and 401. Then, it supplies power necessary for the operation of various actuators to be described later, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the interchangeable lens 100, the camera 200, and the adapter 300 communicate with each other via a communication terminal unit (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the mounts 400 and 401.
  • the interchangeable lens 100 has an imaging optical system.
  • the imaging optical system includes, in order from the subject OBJ side, a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102 that performs zooming, and a diaphragm unit 114 that adjusts the amount of light. Further, the imaging optical system includes an anti-vibration lens 103 that reduces (corrects) image blur and a focus lens 104 that performs focus adjustment.
  • variable power lens 102 and the 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 a broken line in the figure), and are driven by the stepping motors 107 and 108 in the optical axis direction.
  • the stepping motors 107 and 108 move the zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 in synchronization with the drive pulse, respectively.
  • the anti-vibration lens 103 shifts in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system, thereby reducing image blur due to camera shake (camera shake or the like).
  • a lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a lens microcomputer) 111 is a lens control unit (accessory control unit) that controls the operation of each unit in the interchangeable lens 100.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 receives a control command and a transmission request command transmitted from the camera 200 via a lens communication unit (accessory communication unit) 112 including a lens communication interface circuit.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 performs lens control corresponding to the control command, or transmits lens data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera 200 via the lens communication unit 112.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 drives the stepping motors 107 and 108 by outputting drive signals to the zoom drive circuit 119 and the focus drive circuit 120 in response to commands relating to scaling and focusing among the control commands.
  • zoom processing for controlling the zooming operation by the zoom lens 102 and AF (auto focus) processing for controlling the focus adjustment operation by the focus lens 104 are performed.
  • the diaphragm unit 114 includes diaphragm blades 114a and 114b.
  • the state (position) of the diaphragm blades 114a and 114b is detected by the Hall element 115.
  • the output from the Hall element 115 is input to the lens microcomputer 111 via the amplifier circuit 122 and the A / D conversion circuit 123.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 outputs a drive signal to the aperture drive circuit 121 based on the input signal from the A / D conversion circuit 123 to drive the aperture actuator 113. Thereby, the light quantity adjustment operation by the diaphragm unit 114 is controlled.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 receives a vibration-proof actuator (voice coil motor) via a vibration-proof drive circuit 125 in accordance with camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided in the interchangeable lens 100. Etc.) 126 is driven. As a result, an image stabilization process for controlling the shift operation (image stabilization operation) of the image stabilization lens 103 is performed.
  • a vibration-proof actuator voice coil motor
  • a vibration-proof drive circuit 125 in accordance with camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided in the interchangeable lens 100.
  • Etc. 126 is driven.
  • an image stabilization process for controlling the shift operation (image stabilization operation) of the image stabilization lens 103 is performed.
  • the interchangeable lens 100 has a manual operation ring 130 and a ring rotation detector 131.
  • the ring rotation detector 131 is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter that outputs a two-phase signal according to the rotation of the manual operation ring 130.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 can detect the rotation operation amount of the manual operation ring 130 using the two-phase signals. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 can notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the amount of rotation operation of the manual operation ring 130 via the lens communication unit 112.
  • the adapter 300 is an extender for changing the focal length, for example, and includes a variable power lens 301 and an adapter microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as an adapter microcomputer) 302.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 is an adapter control unit (accessory control unit) that controls the operation of each unit in the adapter 300.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 receives a control command and a transmission request command transmitted from the camera 200 via an adapter communication unit (accessory communication unit) 303 including a communication interface circuit.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 performs adapter control corresponding to the control command, or transmits adapter data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera 200 via the adapter communication unit 303.
  • the camera 200 includes an imaging device 201 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an A / D conversion circuit 202, a signal processing circuit 203, a recording unit 204, a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as camera microcomputer) 205, and a display unit. 206.
  • the image sensor 201 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal).
  • the 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 focus information indicating the contrast state of the subject image (focus state of the imaging optical system) and luminance information indicating the exposure state from the video signal.
  • 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.
  • a camera microcomputer 205 serving as a camera control unit controls the camera 200 in response to input from camera operation members such as an imaging instruction switch (not shown) and various setting switches.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a control command related to a zooming operation of the zoom lens 102 to the lens microcomputer 111 according to an operation of a zoom switch (not shown) via a camera communication unit 208 including a communication interface circuit.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits, via the camera communication unit 208, a control command related to the light amount adjustment operation of the diaphragm unit 114 according to the luminance information and the focus adjustment operation of the focus lens 104 according to the focus information to the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring control information and status information of the interchangeable lens 100 to the lens microcomputer 111 as necessary. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring control information and status information of the adapter 300 to the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 perform communication using signal lines (channels) connected via the communication terminal portions provided in the mounts 400 and 401 described above.
  • a signal line (first signal line: corresponding to a signal transmission channel) CS for transmitting a communication control signal and a signal line (second signal line: data) for communicating data.
  • DATA (corresponding to a communication channel).
  • the signal line CS is connected to the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can detect Hi (High) and Low as the state of the signal line CS. Further, the signal line CS is pulled up to a power source (not shown) in the camera 200.
  • the signal line CS can be connected to the ground GND (open drain connection) via the ground switch 1121 in the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 in the camera 200, and the ground switch 3031 in the adapter 300.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can turn the signal line CS Low by turning on (connecting) the ground switches 2081, 1121, and 3031, respectively.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can set the signal line CS to Hi by turning off (shut off) the ground switches 2081, 1121, and 3031, respectively. Details of a communication control signal (instruction or notification) transmitted through the signal line CS and its output processing will be described later.
  • the signal line DATA is a single bidirectional data communication line that can be used while switching the data transmission direction.
  • the signal line DATA can be connected to the lens microcomputer 111 via the input / output changeover switch 1122 in the interchangeable lens 100, and can be connected to the camera microcomputer 205 via the input / output changeover switch 2082 in the camera 200. Further, the signal line DATA can be connected to the adapter microcomputer 302 via the input / output changeover switch 3032 in the adapter 300.
  • Each microcomputer includes a CMOS data output unit for transmitting data and a CMOS data input unit for receiving data (none of which is shown). Each microcomputer can select whether the signal line DATA is connected to the data output unit or the data input unit by switching the input / output changeover switch.
  • the input / output changeover switch is set so that the signal line DATA is connected to the data output unit.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 each set an input / output switch so as to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit when receiving data. Details of the input / output switching processing of the signal line DATA will be described later.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of the communication circuit
  • the signal line CS is pulled down to GND in the camera 200 and can be connected to a power source (not shown) via the ground switch 1121 of the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 of the camera 200, and the ground switch 3031 of the adapter 300. Also good.
  • the signal line DATA may be always connected to the data input unit, and the connection / disconnection between the signal line DATA and the data output unit may be switched by a switch.
  • Communication data format Next, the format of communication data exchanged between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described with reference to FIG.
  • This communication data format is common to broadcast communication, which is first communication described later, and P2P communication, which is second communication.
  • P2P communication which is second communication.
  • communication in the case of performing so-called asynchronous communication in which a communication speed used for communication is determined in advance among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302, and transmission / reception is performed at a communication bit rate according to this determination.
  • the data format will be described.
  • the signal level is maintained at Hi.
  • the signal level is set to Low for one bit period. This one bit period is called a start bit ST.
  • 1-byte data is transmitted in an 8-bit period from the second bit to the ninth bit.
  • the bit arrangement of data starts with the most significant data D7 in MSB first format, continues with data D6, data D5,..., Data D1, and ends with the least significant data D0.
  • 1-bit parity PA information is added.
  • the frame level started from the start bit ST is completed by setting the signal level to Hi during the stop bit SP indicating the end of the transmission data. To do.
  • FIG. 3 shows an example of the communication data format
  • other communication data formats may be used.
  • the bit arrangement of data may be LSB first, 9 bits long, or parity PA information need not be added.
  • the communication data format may be switched between broadcast communication and P2P communication.
  • broadcast communication (first communication) will be described.
  • Broadcast communication is one-to-many communication in which one of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the other two at the same time (ie, simultaneous transmission). This broadcast communication is performed using the signal line CS and the signal line DATA.
  • a communication mode in which broadcast communication is performed is also referred to as a broadcast communication mode (first communication mode).
  • FIG. 4 shows signal waveforms in broadcast communication performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 performs broadcast communication to the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in response to broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master starts Low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as communication slaves that broadcast communication is to be started.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 start Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. At this time, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
  • each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 can confirm that the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi after releasing the Low output to the signal line CS.
  • Each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has become Hi, and thus completes the current communication process and is ready for the next communication. Can be judged.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 when confirming that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs Low to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 that broadcast communication is to be started. To start.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 start Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. Since the adapter microcomputer 302 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS at this time, the signal level propagated to the signal line CS does not change. After that, the adapter microcomputer 302 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS when it finishes outputting the stop bit SP. On the other hand, after receiving up to the stop bit SP input from the signal line DATA, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 perform analysis of the received data and internal processing associated with the received data. Then, after preparation for receiving the next data is completed, the Low output to the signal line CS is canceled.
  • the signal transmitted through the signal line CS in the broadcast communication functions as a signal indicating the start (execution) and execution of the broadcast communication.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of broadcast communication
  • the data transmitted in one broadcast communication may be 1-byte data as shown in FIG. 4, but may be 2-byte or 3-byte data.
  • Broadcast communication may be one-way communication from the camera microcomputer 205 serving as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 and adapter microcomputer 302 serving as communication slaves.
  • P2P communication Next, P2P communication performed between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described.
  • the camera 200 as the communication master designates (selects) one interchangeable lens 100 (specific accessory device) to communicate from the interchangeable lens 100 as the communication slave and the adapter 300, and data is transmitted only to the designated communication slave. Is one-to-one communication (individual communication).
  • This P2P communication is also performed using the signal line CS and the signal line DATA.
  • a communication mode in which P2P communication is performed is also referred to as a P2P communication mode (second communication mode).
  • the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master outputs data to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 to the signal line DATA.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 starts Low output (standby request) to the signal line CS after completing the output of the stop bit SP.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 analyzes the received data input from the signal line DATA and performs internal processing associated with the received data. Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA continuously for 2 bytes.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 starts outputting Low to the signal line CS after completing the output of the stop bit SP of the second byte. Thereafter, when the lens microcomputer 111 is ready to receive the next data, the lens microcomputer 111 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 that is not designated as a communication partner for P2P communication does not output signals to the signal line CS and the signal line DATA.
  • the signal transmitted through the signal line CS in the P2P communication functions as a notification signal indicating the end of data transmission and a standby request for the next data transmission.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205, and the 1 byte data P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205 and the 1 byte data P2P communication from the adapter microcomputer 302 are executed. Will be explained.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 is designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205, and P2P communication of 2-byte data from the camera microcomputer 205 and P2P communication of 3-byte data from the lens microcomputer 111 are executed.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 which is a communication master executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described in FIG.
  • This broadcast communication notifies (data transmission) is slave designation data that designates a partner to communicate with the camera microcomputer 205 in the next P2P communication.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves at this time, determine whether or not they are designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on the slave designation data received by broadcast communication. Based on the determination result, the communication mode between the camera microcomputer 205 and the designated communication slave (specific accessory device) is switched from the broadcast communication mode to the P2P communication mode.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 can again designate a communication partner to communicate by P2P communication by broadcast communication.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 is set as slave designation data, and broadcast communication is executed according to the procedure described in FIG.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the P2P communication, and at the same time, the communication mode of the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is switched to the P2P communication mode. If broadcast communication is not executed here, P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is continued.
  • next P2P communication data is transmitted and received between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 according to the procedure described in FIG.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 2-byte data to the lens microcomputer 111, and then the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 3-byte data to the camera microcomputer 205.
  • the corresponding communication rate information is usable communication rate information, and is information indicating one or a plurality of communication rates that can be used (supported) by the communication slave.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 prepare for initial communication by setting predetermined initial communication rates in the camera communication unit 208, the lens communication unit 112, and the adapter communication unit 303, respectively. .
  • the initial communication rate is determined in advance as the slowest communication rate among the communication rates that can be used in common among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 1-byte data, which is a transmission request command for the corresponding communication rate information, to the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 that has received the transmission request command acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the corresponding communication rate information storage unit 304 and transmits it to the camera microcomputer 205.
  • FIG. 10 shows the case where 1-byte data is transmitted. However, when there are a plurality of corresponding communication rate information stored in the corresponding communication rate information storage unit 304, all the corresponding communication rate information is transmitted. Multi-byte data is transmitted at the same time.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111, the same processing as that for acquiring the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 is performed.
  • Acquiring the corresponding communication rate information for performing the communication rate setting process requires acquiring the corresponding communication rate information of all the communication slaves connected to the communication master.
  • the corresponding communication rate information is acquired from each of these communication slaves.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 uses a communication rate used in broadcast communication (first communication rate) and a communication rate used in P2P communication (second communication rate). Set.
  • the communication rate RateB for broadcast communication the communication rate RateP1 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 in P2P communication, and the communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 are selected. Details of the communication rate selection processing will be described in a second embodiment to be described later.
  • a communication rate used in broadcast communication is referred to as a broadcast communication rate
  • a communication rate used in P2P communication is referred to as a P2P communication rate.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 since the camera microcomputer 205 instructs the broadcast microcomputer rate and the P2P communication rate selected by the communication rate selection process to the adapter microcomputer 302 and the lens microcomputer 111, the camera microcomputer 205 performs communication rate instruction communication with these.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 which is the communication master, first selects a communication slave that is a partner of P2P communication by broadcast communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 instructs the broadcast communication rate and the P2P communication rate by P2P communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 designates the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner of P2P communication in the procedure described in FIG. 4, the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 switch the communication mode from the broadcast communication mode to the P2P communication mode.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 1-byte data that is a communication rate setting command to the adapter microcomputer 302. Receiving this command, the adapter microcomputer 302 recognizes that the command is a communication rate setting command and prepares to receive communication rate setting data transmitted in the next communication frame.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 that has received the communication rate setting command and the communication rate setting data performs a predetermined determination process in order to determine whether the communication data has been transmitted correctly. Then, the communication response data as the determination result is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 in the next communication frame. The camera microcomputer 205 can determine whether the communication rate is correctly instructed and set according to the received communication response data. If the communication rate is set correctly, a series of communication rate setting processing is completed so far.
  • the communication rates RateB, RateP1 and RateP2 have the following relationship. RateB ⁇ RateP1 ⁇ RateP2 That is, the P2P communication rate (second communication rate) RateP1 and RateP2 are set to be equal to or higher than the broadcast communication rate RateB (first communication rate or higher), and the P2P communication rate RateP2 is faster than the case of communicating at the P2P communication rate RateP1. This is a communication rate for performing communication at a speed.
  • the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 have decided the communication mode to be used first as broadcast communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 which is a communication master, executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described in FIG.
  • the communication rate used here is the broadcast communication rate RateB determined in advance by the communication rate setting process described above.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves, determine whether or not they are designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on slave designation data received by broadcast communication. Then, the communication mode of the communication slave designated with the camera microcomputer 205 is switched to the P2P communication mode.
  • the communication rate switching process described above may not be performed.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 designates the lens microcomputer 111 as a communication partner for P2P communication in the second broadcast communication in FIG.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 instructs the lens microcomputer 111 designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication to switch from the broadcast communication to the P2P communication by Hi (the same signal) of the signal line CS at the timing T4. In other words, it instructs the start (execution) of P2P communication and switching from the broadcast communication rate to the P2P communication rate.
  • the communication rate used in the P2P communication with each communication slave is appropriately changed. Can do. For this reason, it is not necessary to reduce the communication speed of the entire camera system to match the communication slave whose communication rate is low, and high-speed communication that fully utilizes the communication performance of the communication slave that can use a high communication rate. It can be carried out. In addition, by instructing switching of the communication mode and communication rate using the signal line CS, these switching processes can be performed at high speed. [Communication control processing] Next, communication control processing performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described.
  • step S100 When an event for starting broadcast communication occurs in step S100, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 to set the signal line CS to low in step S101. Thereby, the start of broadcast communication is notified to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 that have detected Low of the signal line CS in step S200 permit data reception from the signal line DATA in step S201.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S102 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S103.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 detect the start bit of the signal line DATA in step S202, the lens switch 1111 and the ground switch 3031 are turned on (connected) to indicate that communication processing is being performed in step S205. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started. Thereafter, when it is determined that all data has been received in the lens microcomputer 111, the adapter microcomputer 302, and step S206, data reception from the signal line DATA is prohibited in step S207.
  • step S208 the ground switch 1121 and the ground switch 3031 are turned off (shut off) to indicate that the communication process has ended, and the Low output to the signal line CS is released.
  • the number of bytes of data to be transmitted and received is not limited, and it is sufficient that the recognition is consistent among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 operate the input / output changeover switches 1122 and 3032 in step S212 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and perform data transmission in step S213.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 detects the start bit of the signal line DATA in step S111, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 to indicate that communication processing is being performed in step S112. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 release the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (shut off) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 in step S214 after transmission of all data is completed.
  • step S113 If the camera microcomputer 205 determines that all data has been received in step S113, it prohibits data reception from the signal line DATA in step S114. In step S115, the camera microcomputer 205 turns off (cuts off) the ground switch 2081 to release the Low output to the signal line CS in order to indicate that the communication process has ended.
  • the number of bytes of data to be transmitted and received is not limited, and it is sufficient that the recognition is consistent among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S116.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 determines in step S117 whether or not the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 has been designated as a communication partner for P2P communication based on the data transmitted in step S103. If the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are not designated as communication partners, the camera microcomputer 205 ends the process as it is, and if any is designated, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the P2P communication mode in step S118.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 stand by until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S215.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not the camera microcomputer 205 has designated the communication partner for P2P communication based on the data received in step S206. If the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are not designated as communication partners, the process is terminated. If it is designated as the communication partner, the designated microcomputer out of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 permits data reception from the signal line DATA in step S217, and shifts to the P2P communication mode in step S218.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 confirm whether or not the signal line CS has become Hi in step S203.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 prohibit data reception from the signal line DATA in step S204 and end the processing. This is processing for a communication slave not designated as a communication partner of P2P communication to respond to Low output to the signal line CS by P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and another communication slave.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B show processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205
  • FIG. 8B shows processing performed by a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a specific microcomputer) designated as a communication partner of P2P communication among the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • a microcomputer hereinafter referred to as a specific microcomputer
  • step S300 When an event for starting P2P communication occurs in step S300, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S301 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S302. Thereafter, when all data transmission is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 in step S303 and starts outputting Low to the signal line CS.
  • the specific microcomputer detects Low of the signal line CS in step S400, it determines that the data transmission from the camera microcomputer 205 is completed, and analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA in step S401.
  • the specific microcomputer determines in step S403 whether the data received in step S401 is a bidirectional command including transmission from itself. If it is not a bidirectional command, the specific microcomputer turns on (connects) and turns off (cuts off) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in steps S404 and S405. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started and canceled, and the process proceeds to Step S411.
  • the specific microcomputer operates the input / output changeover switch (1122 or 3032) in step S406 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S407. Thereafter, when all data transmission is completed, the specific microcomputer starts low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in step S408.
  • step S609 the camera microcomputer 205 determines in step S310 that data transmission from the specific microcomputer has been completed, and analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA.
  • step S409 the specific microcomputer operates the input / output changeover switch (1122 or 3032) to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit. Thereafter, the specific microcomputer turns off (cuts off) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in step S410 to cancel the Low output to the signal line CS.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S311. Thereafter, when an event for starting broadcast communication occurs in step S312, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the broadcast communication mode in step S313. On the other hand, the specific microcomputer waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S411 and ends the processing.
  • a communication slave that starts broadcast communication notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of a communication request (communication request).
  • the lens microcomputer 111 starts low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 of a communication request for starting broadcast communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 detects that the signal level of the signal line CS has become Low, the camera microcomputer 205 starts outputting Low to the signal line CS.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 since the lens microcomputer 111 has already started to output Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 starts Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. At this time, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
  • the adapter microcomputer 302 terminates the output of the stop bit SP, and then cancels the Low output to the signal line CS.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 perform analysis of the received data and internal processing associated with the received data, and receive the next data
  • the low output to the signal line CS is released after the preparation for preparation is completed.
  • the lens and adapter microcomputers 111 and 302 that are communication slaves output a communication request for broadcast communication only when all of the cameras, lenses and adapter microcomputers 205, 111, and 302 are in the broadcast communication mode.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 As a communication master determines which communication slave has output Low to the signal line CS at this time. Can not be determined. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205 needs to perform communication for confirming whether a broadcast communication request has been output to both the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 may output Low to the signal line CS for a communication request.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 cannot detect that the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 has output Low to the signal line CS. For this reason, the camera microcomputer 205 may notify the lens and adapter microcomputers 111 and 302 of a permission notification permitting them to output a communication request for starting broadcast communication.
  • broadcast communication for simultaneously transmitting data from the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as communication slaves can be started from the communication slave. This eliminates the need for the camera microcomputer 205 to constantly communicate with the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, thereby reducing unnecessary communication and reducing the amount of communication.
  • a plurality of communication rates (for example, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5 Mbps, and 10 Mbps) that can be used by each microcomputer can be registered as communication rates that are faster than the initial communication rate.
  • the upper limit number of registrations is not limited, and the number of registrations may be different for each microcomputer.
  • Communication rate selection processing Next, processing for selecting the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 has already acquired the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 by the corresponding communication rate information acquisition process described in the first embodiment.
  • step S503 the camera microcomputer 205 registers the head number of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of the camera microcomputer 205 itself in the table reference number n.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as 1 Mbps acquired in step S504 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in step S505. If the same communication rate is registered, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as that acquired in step S504 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 in step S506. To do.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 confirms the common communication rate registered in the broadcast communication rate RateB candidate list in step S510. In the corresponding communication rate information illustrated in FIG. 12, only 1 Mbps is a common communication rate. The camera microcomputer 205 selects this common communication rate as the broadcast communication rate RateB. When there are a plurality of common communication rates, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the fastest common communication rate among them. As a result, the communication time can be shortened as much as possible.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the same communication rate as the initial communication rate as the broadcast communication rate RateB.
  • one or the highest common communication rate registered in common with the corresponding communication rate information held by the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 is selected (set) as the broadcast communication rate RateB. Is done.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 registers the head number of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of the camera microcomputer 205 in the table reference number n in step S602.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as 1 Mbps acquired in step S603 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in step S604.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 adds the common communication rate to the candidate list of the P2P communication rate RateP1 in step S605. sign up. On the other hand, if the same communication rate is not registered, the camera microcomputer 205 does not register the candidate list.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S608 and confirms the communication rate registered in the P2P communication rate RateP1 candidate list.
  • 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps are common communication rates, and the camera microcomputer 205 selects 2 Mbps, which is the fastest communication rate of these two common communication rates, as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the same communication rate as the initial communication rate as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
  • one or the highest common communication rate registered in common with the corresponding communication rate information held by the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is selected (set) as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
  • the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is also selected by the same selection process as the selection process of the P2P communication rate RateP1.
  • common communication rates of 1 Mbps, 5 Mbps, 10 Mbps, and 20 Mbps are registered in the candidate list of the P2P communication rate RateP2, as illustrated in FIG.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects 20 Mbps, which is the fastest common communication rate among these common communication rates, as the P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • connection number communication rate information 211 indicating an upper limit value (upper limit communication rate) of a communication rate according to the number of accessory devices connected to the camera 200.
  • the upper limit communication rate is the fastest communication rate that ensures stable communication with respect to the number of connected accessory devices.
  • the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 are selected.
  • FIG. 17 shows a communication rate correction process for the P2P communication rate RateP2 with the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 provisionally selects the fastest communication rate among the common communication rates in the corresponding communication rate information 210 of its own and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 as the P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires an upper limit communication rate corresponding to the actual number of connections of the accessory device to the camera 200 from the connection number communication rate information 211.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 corrects the provisionally selected P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • step S704 the camera microcomputer 205 that has set the reference table number n acquires a common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list and registers it as a communication rate candidate RateX.
  • step S705 the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. If the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S706. In step S706, the camera microcomputer 205 decrements the reference table number n by one in order to obtain the next highest communication rate among the common communication rates registered in the RateP2 candidate list. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S704, acquires the common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list, and registers it as the communication rate candidate RateX.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires a communication rate candidate RateX that is equal to or lower than the upper limit communication rate RateMax.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the communication rate candidate RateX as the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the communication rate candidate RateX is selected as the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the fastest communication rate corresponding to the number of accessory devices connected to the camera 200 is selected as the P2P communication rate. Accordingly, an appropriate P2P communication rate is selected for a communication load that varies depending on the number of connected accessory devices, and the communication stability of the camera system can be ensured.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 holds in advance load communication rate information 212 indicating the upper limit value (upper limit communication rate) of the communication rate according to the communication load of the accessory device connected to the camera 200.
  • the upper limit communication rate is the fastest communication rate at which stable communication is ensured in the communication circuit including the connected accessory device.
  • Each of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 previously holds communication load information 133 and 305 indicating the communication load amount of its own communication circuit. The communication load information will be described later.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 based on the load communication rate information 212.
  • FIG. 18 shows a communication rate correction process for the P2P communication rate RateP2 with the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 provisionally selects the fastest communication rate among the common communication rates in the corresponding communication rate information 210 of its own and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 as the P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate corresponding to the P2P communication rate RateP2 temporarily selected from the load communication rate information 212.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 corrects the provisionally selected P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • step S800 the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 that are all accessory devices connected to the camera 200 by the initial communication process described above.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires communication load information from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 in step S801.
  • step S ⁇ b> 802 the camera microcomputer 205 calculates a total communication load amount using the communication load information acquired from the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
  • the total communication load amount is a communication load amount of the entire communication circuit in a state where the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are connected to the camera 200.
  • step S803 the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the total communication load calculated in step S803 from the load communication rate information 212.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 as the communication master holds the load communication rate information 212, and the communication load information 133 and 305 held in the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as the communication slaves are used to determine the entire communication circuit. Determine the maximum communication rate.
  • the communication load information 133 and 305 held by the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 includes load characteristic information indicating communication load amounts such as resistance components and capacitance components of the respective communication circuits. When the wiring length is long or the number of circuit protection elements is large, the amount of communication load increases.
  • the total communication load amount calculated by the camera microcomputer 205 is obtained by a simple sum of the load amounts of the adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 connected to the camera 200.
  • the load amount of the adapter 300 is 150
  • the communication load amount of the interchangeable lens 100 is 170. Therefore, the total communication load amount is 320.
  • the total communication load may be calculated by multiplying the simple sum by a coefficient according to the type and characteristics of the accessory device connected to the camera 200.
  • the load communication rate information 212 held by the camera microcomputer 205 includes an upper limit communication rate for each total communication load.
  • the upper limit communication rate becomes slower as the total communication load increases.
  • the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the total communication load amount is acquired.
  • the upper limit communication rate RateMax is applied to both the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 within a range not exceeding the upper limit communication rate RateMax.
  • step S804 the camera microcomputer 205 determines a table number for referring to the RateP2 candidate list created by the above-described selection process of the P2P communication rate RateP2.
  • step S805 the camera microcomputer 205 that has set the reference table number n acquires a common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list and registers it as a communication rate candidate RateX.
  • step S806 the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. If the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S807. In step S807, the camera microcomputer 205 decrements the reference table number n by one in order to obtain the next highest communication rate among the common communication rates registered in the RateP2 candidate list. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S805, acquires the lens barrel communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list, and registers it as the communication rate candidate RateX.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 acquires a communication rate candidate RateX that is equal to or lower than the upper limit communication rate RateMax.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 selects the communication rate candidate RateX as the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111.
  • the fastest communication rate corresponding to the total communication load amount of the accessory device connected to the camera 200 is selected as the P2P communication rate. Accordingly, an appropriate P2P communication rate is selected for a communication load that varies depending on the connected accessory device, and the communication stability of the camera system can be ensured.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 performs the same communication as the broadcast communication rate with the P2P communication rate with the accessory device that has not been able to acquire the information. Set to rate. If the camera microcomputer 205 cannot acquire the corresponding communication rate information from any of the accessory devices in step S800, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the P2P communication rate between the broadcast communication rate and the accessory device that has not acquired the information. Set to the initial communication rate. Thereby, even when an accessory device that does not comply with the communication specifications required by the camera 200 is connected, stable communication as a camera system can be realized.
  • the embodiment described above can be used in combination with another communication channel in addition to the communication channel including the notification channel CS and the data communication channel DATA.
  • the notification channel CS and the data communication channel DATA described above are communication lines for communication called third communication.
  • the third communication when the operation member 304 is operated by the user, the adapter microcomputer 302 and the camera microcomputer 205 communicate the operation and the operation amount. Even when the operation member 130 is operated by the user, communication may be performed between the lens microcomputer 111 and the camera microcomputer 205 using the third communication line.
  • the lens microcomputer 111 controls the communication unit 131 for performing the first communication and the communication unit 132 for performing the second communication, in addition to the communication unit 112.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 controls the communication unit 209 for performing the first communication and the communication unit 210 for performing the second communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 communicate by clock synchronous communication or start-stop synchronous communication. Initial communication performed when the interchangeable lens 100 is connected to the camera 200 is also performed by first communication.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 communicate the identification information of the interchangeable lens 100, and when it is determined that the interchangeable lens 100 mounted with the camera 200 is compatible with start-stop synchronization communication, the communication method is changed from clock synchronization communication to start-stop synchronization communication. Switch.
  • the camera microcomputer 205 may identify whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is compatible with the third communication that performs communication including the adapter 300. If the camera microcomputer 205 determines that the interchangeable lens 100 is compatible with the third communication, the camera microcomputer 205 may perform authentication communication for recognizing the interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 via P2P communication.
  • the second communication is a one-way communication from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 200.
  • the second communication is performed via the communication unit 132 and the communication unit 210.
  • the communication unit 132 communicates via the notification channel CS2 and the data communication channel DLC2 based on an instruction from the lens microcomputer 111, and the communication unit 210 based on an instruction from the camera microcomputer 205.
  • the camera communication unit 208 and the lens communication unit 118 transmit and receive data by clock synchronous communication or asynchronous communication.

Abstract

[Problem] To enable high-speed communication between a camera and a plurality of accessory devices with the accessory devices connected to the camera. [Solution] A camera 200 has a camera control unit 205 which controls communications between the camera and a plurality of accessory devices 100, 300 using a signal transmission channel CS between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices and a data communication channel DATA between the camera and each of the accessory devices. The camera control unit 205 is capable of performing first communication in which data communication is carried out with the plurality of accessory devices and second communication in which data communication is carried out individually with a specific accessory device specified as a communication partner by the first communication, by using the data communication channel. The camera control unit further outputs to the signal transmission channel a signal instructing switch from the first communication to the second communication, performs the first communication at a first communication rate that is commonly applicable to the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and performs the second communication at a second communication rate that is commonly applicable to the camera and the specified accessory device and that is equal to or higher than the first communication rate.

Description

カメラ、アクセサリ装置、通信制御方法、コンピュータプログラム、およびカメラシステムCamera, accessory device, communication control method, computer program, and camera system
　本発明は、相互に通信が可能なカメラと交換レンズやアダプタ等のアクセサリ装置を含むカメラシステムに関する。 The present invention relates to a camera system including a camera capable of mutual communication and an accessory device such as an interchangeable lens and an adapter.
　交換レンズが着脱可能なカメラを含むレンズ交換型カメラシステムでは、カメラが交換レンズの動作を制御したり交換レンズがその制御や撮像に必要なデータをカメラに提供したりするための通信が行われる。特に、交換レンズを用いて記録用動画やライブビュー表示用動画を撮像する際にはその撮像周期に合わせた滑らかなレンズ制御が求められるため、カメラの撮像タイミングと交換レンズの制御タイミングとの同期をとる必要がある。したがって、カメラは、交換レンズからのデータの受信と交換レンズへの各種指示や要求等のコマンドの送信とを撮像周期内で完了させる必要がある。ただし、カメラが交換レンズから受信するデータ量が増加したり撮像周期が短縮したり（高フレームレート化したり）することで、より高速で大量のデータの通信が求められる。 In an interchangeable lens type camera system including a camera to which an interchangeable lens can be attached and detached, communication is performed for the camera to control the operation of the interchangeable lens and for the interchangeable lens to provide the camera with data necessary for its control and imaging. . In particular, when recording movies and live view display movies using an interchangeable lens, smooth lens control is required in accordance with the imaging cycle, so the camera's imaging timing and the interchangeable lens's control timing are synchronized. It is necessary to take Therefore, the camera needs to complete the reception of data from the interchangeable lens and the transmission of commands such as various instructions and requests to the interchangeable lens within the imaging cycle. However, as the amount of data received by the camera from the interchangeable lens increases or the imaging cycle is shortened (high frame rate), communication of a large amount of data at higher speed is required.
　また、カメラと交換レンズとの間にワイドコンバータやテレコンバータ（エクステンダ）等のアダプタが接続される場合があり、これらアダプタも交換レンズと同様にカメラと通信を行う。このため、カメラシステムには、カメラが交換レンズおよびアダプタを含む複数のアクセサリ装置と一対多通信を行うことが可能な通信システムが必要となる。このような一対多通信を実現するための通信方式として、非特許文献１にて開示されたＩ２Ｃ通信方式が存在する。 Also, an adapter such as a wide converter or a teleconverter (extender) may be connected between the camera and the interchangeable lens, and these adapters communicate with the camera in the same manner as the interchangeable lens. For this reason, the camera system requires a communication system in which the camera can perform one-to-many communication with a plurality of accessory devices including an interchangeable lens and an adapter. As a communication method for realizing such one-to-many communication, there is an I2C communication method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.
　しかしながら、Ｉ２Ｃ通信方式はクロック同期式通信を前提としており、一般に通信の高速化のために採用される調歩同期式通信には対応していない。一方、調歩同期式通信では通信マスタと通信スレーブで通信速度を合わせる必要がある。この際、使用可能な通信速度が異なる様々なアクセサリ装置が使用されるカメラシステムにおいて十分な高速通信を行うには、使用されるアクセサリ装置に応じて最適な通信速度を選択することが必要である。 However, the I2C communication method is premised on clock synchronous communication, and is not compatible with asynchronous communication that is generally employed for speeding up communication. On the other hand, in asynchronous communication, it is necessary to match the communication speed between the communication master and the communication slave. At this time, in order to perform sufficient high-speed communication in a camera system in which various accessory devices having different usable communication speeds are used, it is necessary to select an optimal communication speed according to the accessory device used. .
　本発明は、使用可能な通信速度が異なる複数のアクセサリ装置がカメラに接続された状態においても、可能な限り高速にカメラと各アクセサリ装置との通信を行えるようにしたカメラシステムを提供する。 The present invention provides a camera system that enables communication between a camera and each accessory device as fast as possible even when a plurality of accessory devices having different usable communication speeds are connected to the camera.
　本発明の一側面としての撮像装置は、複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラであって、該カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う、複数のアクセサリ装置との通信を制御するカメラ制御部を有し、該カメラ制御部は、データ通信チャネルを用いて、複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、該第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信とが可能であり、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を信号伝達チャネルに出力し、第１の通信を、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、第２の通信を、カメラと特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とする。 An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and a signal transmission channel used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices; A camera control unit that controls communication with the plurality of accessory devices using a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A first communication that performs data communication with a plurality of accessory devices using a channel and a second communication that performs data communication with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication are possible. A signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication is output to the signal transmission channel, and the first communication is used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. The first communication rate is possible, and the second communication is performed at a second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate. .
　また、本発明の他の一側面としてのアクセサリ装置は、複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラに接続される、複数のアクセサリ装置のうちのアクセサリ装置であって、カメラとの間で行う通信であって、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するアクセサリ制御部を有し、アクセサリ制御部は、データ通信チャネルを用いて、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間でデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、第１の通信によりカメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合にカメラと個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信と、を行うことが可能であり、カメラから信号伝達チャネルに出力された、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出し、第１の通信を、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、第２の通信を、カメラとアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とする。 An accessory device according to another aspect of the present invention is an accessory device of a plurality of accessory devices that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state in which the plurality of accessory devices are connected. Communication between the camera and a plurality of accessory devices, and a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. The accessory control unit controls the communication performed by the first communication for performing data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices using the data communication channel and the first communication. When specified as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera, it is possible to perform second communication that performs data communication with the camera individually. The signal that is output from the camera to the signal transmission channel and instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication is detected, and the first communication can be used in common by the camera and a plurality of accessory devices. The second communication is performed at a second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
　また、本発明の他の一側面としての制御方法は、複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラであり、該カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続されるカメラの制御方法であって、カメラに、データ通信チャネルを用いて、複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信を行わせるステップと、
データ通信チャネルを用いて、第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップとを有し、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を信号伝達チャネルに出力させ、第１の通信を、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、第２の通信を、カメラと特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とする。 A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and a signal used for transmission of signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A method of controlling a camera connected to a transmission channel and a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and a plurality of accessory devices, wherein the camera uses the data communication channel and a plurality of accessory devices Performing a first communication for performing data communication;
From the first communication to the second communication, using the data communication channel to perform the second communication for performing the data communication individually with the specific accessory device designated as the communication partner by the first communication. A signal for instructing switching is output to the signal transmission channel, the first communication is performed at a first communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the second communication is performed with the camera. The specific accessory device can be used in common and is performed at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
　さらに本発明の他の一側面としての制御方法は、複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラに接続され、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続される複数のアクセサリ装置のうちのアクセサリ装置の制御方法であって、アクセサリ装置に、データ通信チャネルを用いて、複数のアクセサリ装置とカメラとの間で行われる第１の通信を行わせるステップと、第１の通信によりカメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に、データ通信チャネルを用いて、カメラと個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップと、を有し、カメラから信号伝達チャネルに出力された、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出させ、第１の通信を、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、第２の通信を、カメラと特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とする。 Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state where a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and that is used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A method for controlling an accessory device of a plurality of accessory devices connected to a channel and a data communication channel used for data communication between a camera and a plurality of accessory devices, wherein the accessory device is provided with a data communication channel. A first communication performed between the plurality of accessory devices and the camera, and a data communication channel when the first communication is designated as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera. And performing second communication for performing data communication individually with the camera, and the signal transmission channel from the camera. A first communication rate that allows the camera and a plurality of accessory devices to use the first communication in a manner that detects a signal that instructs switching from the first communication to the second communication. And the second communication can be performed by the camera and the specific accessory device in common and at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
　また、上記制御方法に従う処理を、撮像装置またはアクセサリ装置のコンピュータに実行させるコンピュータプログラムとしての通信制御プログラムも、本発明の他の一側面を構成する。 Further, a communication control program as a computer program that causes a computer of an imaging device or an accessory device to execute processing according to the control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.
　また、本発明の他の一側面としてのカメラシステムは、複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラと、複数のアクセサリ装置のうちの１つのアクセサリ装置とを有するカメラシステムであって、カメラは、複数のアクセサリ装置との間で行う通信であって、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するカメラ制御部を有し、アクセサリ装置は、カメラとの間で行う通信であって、信号伝達チャネルとデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するアクセサリ制御部を有し、カメラ制御部とデータ通信チャネルを用いて、複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信とが可能であり、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を信号伝達チャネルに出力し、アクセサリ制御部は、第１の通信と、アクセサリ装置が、第１の通信により、カメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に、第２の通信とが可能であり、カメラ制御部から信号伝達チャネルに出力された、第１の通信から第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出させ、カメラ制御部およびアクセサリ制御部は、第１の通信を、カメラと複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、第２の通信を、カメラと特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とする。 A camera system according to another aspect of the present invention is a camera system including a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and one accessory device among the plurality of accessory devices. The camera is a communication performed between a plurality of accessory devices, a signal transmission channel used for transmitting a signal between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and data between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. The accessory device has a camera control unit that controls communication using a data communication channel used for communication, and the accessory device performs communication with the camera using a signal transmission channel and a data communication channel. It has an accessory control unit that controls communication, and performs data communication with multiple accessory devices using the camera control unit and data communication channel. The first communication and the second communication for performing data communication individually with the specific accessory device designated as the communication partner by the first communication are possible, and an instruction to switch from the first communication to the second communication is given. The accessory control unit outputs the second communication signal when the first communication and the accessory device are designated as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera by the first communication. A signal that instructs the switching from the first communication to the second communication, which is output from the camera control unit to the signal transmission channel, is detected, and the camera control unit and the accessory control unit The first communication is performed at a first communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the second communication can be performed by both the camera and the specific accessory device in common. And performing in Shin rate or more second communication rate.
　本発明によれば、使用可能な通信レートが異なる様々な複数のアクセサリ装置がカメラに接続された状態において、可能な限り高速にカメラと特定アクセサリ装置との通信を行うことができる。 According to the present invention, communication between the camera and the specific accessory device can be performed as fast as possible in a state where various accessory devices having different usable communication rates are connected to the camera.
本発明の実施例１におけるカメラシステムの構成を示すブロック図。1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 実施例１におけるカメラ（カメラマイコン）と交換レンズ（レンズマイコン）とアダプタ（アダプタマイコン）の通信回路を示す図。1 is a diagram illustrating a communication circuit of a camera (camera microcomputer), an interchangeable lens (lens microcomputer), and an adapter (adapter microcomputer) in Embodiment 1. FIG. 実施例１における通信フォーマットを示す図。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication format in the first embodiment. 実施例１におけるブロードキャスト通信での通信波形を示す図。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating communication waveforms in broadcast communication according to the first embodiment. 実施例１におけるＰ２Ｐ通信での通信波形を示す図。The figure which shows the communication waveform in the P2P communication in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１における通信モード切替え時の通信波形を示す図。The figure which shows the communication waveform at the time of communication mode switching in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１におけるブロードキャスト通信でのカメラの処理を示すフローチャート。3 is a flowchart illustrating camera processing in broadcast communication according to the first exemplary embodiment. 実施例１におけるブロードキャスト通信での交換レンズおよびアダプタの処理を示すフローチャート。5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an interchangeable lens and an adapter in broadcast communication according to the first exemplary embodiment. 実施例１におけるＰ２Ｐ通信でのカメラの処理を示すフローチャート。3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a camera in P2P communication according to the first embodiment. 実施例１におけるＰ２Ｐ通信での交換レンズおよびアダプタの処理を示すフローチャート。5 is a flowchart showing processing of an interchangeable lens and an adapter in P2P communication in Embodiment 1. 実施例１において交換レンズとアダプタから開始されるブロードキャスト通信での通信波形を示す図。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating communication waveforms in broadcast communication started from an interchangeable lens and an adapter in the first embodiment. 実施例１における対応通信レート情報の取得と通信レート指示での信号波形を示す図。The figure which shows the signal waveform by acquisition of corresponding | compatible communication rate information in Example 1, and a communication rate instruction | indication. 実施例１における通信レート変更時の通信波形を示す図。The figure which shows the communication waveform at the time of the communication rate change in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１における対応通信レート情報の形式を示す図。The figure which shows the format of the corresponding | compatible communication rate information in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１における接続数通信レート情報の形式を示す図。The figure which shows the format of the connection number communication rate information in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１における負荷通信レート情報の形式を示す図。The figure which shows the format of the load communication rate information in Example 1. FIG. 実施例１においてブロードキャスト通信レート選択処理を示すフローチャート。3 is a flowchart showing broadcast communication rate selection processing in the first embodiment. 実施例１におけるＰ２Ｐ通信レート選択処理を示すフローチャート。3 is a flowchart illustrating P2P communication rate selection processing according to the first embodiment. 実施例１における接続数通信レート選択処理を示すフローチャート。6 is a flowchart illustrating a connection number communication rate selection process according to the first embodiment. 実施例１における負荷通信レート選択処理を示すフローチャート。3 is a flowchart illustrating a load communication rate selection process according to the first embodiment. その他の通信チャネルについて説明する図。The figure explaining another communication channel.
　以下、本発明の実施例について図面を参照しながら説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　図１には、本発明の実施例１であるカメラ２００と、それぞれアクセサリ装置である交換レンズ１００および中間アダプタ装置（以下、単にアダプタという）３００を含む撮像システム（以下、カメラシステムという）の構成を示す。本実施例のカメラ２００は、交換レンズ１００とアダプタ３００がともに接続された状態で使用可能である。 FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an imaging system (hereinafter referred to as a camera system) that includes a camera 200 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and an interchangeable lens 100 and an intermediate adapter device (hereinafter simply referred to as an adapter) 300 that are accessory devices. Indicates. The camera 200 of this embodiment can be used in a state where the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are connected together.
　図１には例として１つのアダプタ３００がカメラ２００と交換レンズ１００の間に接続されるカメラシステムを示すが、複数のアダプタを連結してカメラ２００と交換レンズ１００の間に接続してもよい。 Although FIG. 1 shows a camera system in which one adapter 300 is connected between the camera 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 as an example, a plurality of adapters may be connected and connected between the camera 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. .
　本実施例のカメラシステムでは、複数の通信方式を用いて、カメラ２００と交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００との間で通信を行う。カメラ２００、交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００は、それぞれの通信部を介して制御コマンドやデータ（情報）の伝送を行う。また、各通信部は複数の通信方式をサポートしており、通信するデータの種類や通信目的に応じて、互いに同期して同一の通信方式に切り替えることにより、様々な状況に対して最適な通信方式を選択することができる。 In the camera system of the present embodiment, communication is performed between the camera 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 using a plurality of communication methods. The camera 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the adapter 300 transmit control commands and data (information) through their respective communication units. In addition, each communication unit supports a plurality of communication methods, and by switching to the same communication method in synchronization with each other according to the type of data to be communicated and the purpose of communication, optimal communication for various situations A method can be selected.
　まず、交換レンズ１００、カメラ２００およびアダプタ３００のより具体的な構成について説明する。 First, more specific configurations of the interchangeable lens 100, the camera 200, and the adapter 300 will be described.
　交換レンズ１００とアダプタ３００は、結合機構であるマウント４００を介して機械的および電気的に接続されている。同様に、アダプタ３００とカメラ２００は、結合機構であるマウント４０１を介して機械的および電気的に接続されている。交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００は、マウント４００，４０１に設けられた電源端子部（図示せず）を介してカメラ２００から電源を取得する。そして、後述する各種アクチュエータや、レンズマイクロコンピュータ１１１およびアダプタマイクロコンピュータ３０２の動作に必要な電源を供給する。交換レンズ１００、カメラ２００およびアダプタ３００は、マウント４００，４０１に設けられた通信端子部（図２に示す）を介して相互に通信を行う。 The interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 400 that is a coupling mechanism. Similarly, the adapter 300 and the camera 200 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 401 that is a coupling mechanism. The interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 acquire power from the camera 200 via a power terminal portion (not shown) provided on the mounts 400 and 401. Then, it supplies power necessary for the operation of various actuators to be described later, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302. The interchangeable lens 100, the camera 200, and the adapter 300 communicate with each other via a communication terminal unit (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the mounts 400 and 401.
　交換レンズ１００は、撮像光学系を有する。撮像光学系は、被写体ＯＢＪ側から順に、フィールドレンズ１０１と、変倍を行う変倍レンズ１０２と、光量を調節する絞りユニット１１４を含む。さらに、撮像光学系は、像振れを低減（補正）する防振レンズ１０３と、焦点調節を行うフォーカスレンズ１０４とを含む。 The interchangeable lens 100 has an imaging optical system. The imaging optical system includes, in order from the subject OBJ side, a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102 that performs zooming, and a diaphragm unit 114 that adjusts the amount of light. Further, the imaging optical system includes an anti-vibration lens 103 that reduces (corrects) image blur and a focus lens 104 that performs focus adjustment.
　変倍レンズ１０２とフォーカスレンズ１０４はそれぞれ、レンズ保持枠１０５，１０６により保持されている。レンズ保持枠１０５，１０６は、不図示のガイド軸により光軸方向（図中に破線で示す）に移動可能にガイドされており、ステッピングモータ１０７，１０８によって光軸方向に駆動される。ステッピングモータ１０７，１０８はそれぞれ、駆動パルスに同期してズームレンズ１０２およびフォーカスレンズ１０４を移動させる。 The variable power lens 102 and the 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 a broken line in the figure), and are driven by the stepping motors 107 and 108 in the optical axis direction. The stepping motors 107 and 108 move the zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 in synchronization with the drive pulse, respectively.
　防振レンズ１０３は、撮像光学系の光軸に直交する方向にシフトすることで、カメラ振れ（手振れ等）に起因する像振れを低減する。 The anti-vibration lens 103 shifts in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system, thereby reducing image blur due to camera shake (camera shake or the like).
　レンズマイクロコンピュータ（以下、レンズマイコンという）１１１は、交換レンズ１００内の各部の動作を制御するレンズ制御部（アクセサリ制御部）である。また、レンズマイコン１１１は、レンズ通信インタフェース回路を含むレンズ通信部（アクセサリ通信部）１１２を介して、カメラ２００から送信された制御コマンドや送信要求コマンドを受信する。レンズマイコン１１１は、制御コマンドに対応するレンズ制御を行ったり、レンズ通信部１１２を介して送信要求コマンドに対応するレンズデータをカメラ２００に送信したりする。 A lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a lens microcomputer) 111 is a lens control unit (accessory control unit) that controls the operation of each unit in the interchangeable lens 100. The lens microcomputer 111 receives a control command and a transmission request command transmitted from the camera 200 via a lens communication unit (accessory communication unit) 112 including a lens communication interface circuit. The lens microcomputer 111 performs lens control corresponding to the control command, or transmits lens data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera 200 via the lens communication unit 112.
　また、レンズマイコン１１１は、制御コマンドのうち変倍やフォーカシングに関するコマンドに応答してズーム駆動回路１１９およびフォーカス駆動回路１２０に駆動信号を出力してステッピングモータ１０７，１０８を駆動させる。これにより、ズームレンズ１０２による変倍動作を制御するズーム処理やフォーカスレンズ１０４による焦点調節動作を制御するＡＦ（オートフォーカス）処理を行う。 In addition, the lens microcomputer 111 drives the stepping motors 107 and 108 by outputting drive signals to the zoom drive circuit 119 and the focus drive circuit 120 in response to commands relating to scaling and focusing among the control commands. Thus, zoom processing for controlling the zooming operation by the zoom lens 102 and AF (auto focus) processing for controlling the focus adjustment operation by the focus lens 104 are performed.
　絞りユニット１１４は、絞り羽根１１４ａ，１１４ｂを備えている。絞り羽根１１４ａ，１１４ｂの状態（位置）は、ホール素子１１５により検出される。ホール素子１１５からの出力は、増幅回路１２２およびＡ／Ｄ変換回路１２３を介してレンズマイコン１１１に入力される。レンズマイコン１１１は、Ａ／Ｄ変換回路１２３からの入力信号に基づいて絞り駆動回路１２１に駆動信号を出力して絞りアクチュエータ１１３を駆動させる。これにより、絞りユニット１１４による光量調節動作を制御する。 The diaphragm unit 114 includes diaphragm blades 114a and 114b. The state (position) of the diaphragm blades 114a and 114b is detected by the Hall element 115. The output from the Hall element 115 is input to the lens microcomputer 111 via the amplifier circuit 122 and the A / D conversion circuit 123. The lens microcomputer 111 outputs a drive signal to the aperture drive circuit 121 based on the input signal from the A / D conversion circuit 123 to drive the aperture actuator 113. Thereby, the light quantity adjustment operation by the diaphragm unit 114 is controlled.
　さらに、レンズマイコン１１１は、交換レンズ１００内に設けられた振動ジャイロ等の振れセンサ（不図示）により検出されたカメラ振れに応じて、防振駆動回路１２５を介して防振アクチュエータ（ボイスコイルモータ等）１２６を駆動する。これにより、防振レンズ１０３のシフト動作（防振動作）を制御する防振処理が行われる。 Further, the lens microcomputer 111 receives a vibration-proof actuator (voice coil motor) via a vibration-proof drive circuit 125 in accordance with camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided in the interchangeable lens 100. Etc.) 126 is driven. As a result, an image stabilization process for controlling the shift operation (image stabilization operation) of the image stabilization lens 103 is performed.
　また交換レンズ１００は、マニュアル操作リング１３０とリング回転検出器１３１を有する。リング回転検出器１３１は、例えばマニュアル操作リング１３０の回転に応じて２相の信号を出力するフォトインタラプタにより構成されている。レンズマイコン１１１は、該２相の信号を用いて、マニュアル操作リング１３０の回転操作量を検出することができる。また、レンズマイコン１１１はマニュアル操作リング１３０の回転操作量を、レンズ通信部１１２を介してカメラマイコン２０５に通知することができる。 The interchangeable lens 100 has a manual operation ring 130 and a ring rotation detector 131. The ring rotation detector 131 is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter that outputs a two-phase signal according to the rotation of the manual operation ring 130. The lens microcomputer 111 can detect the rotation operation amount of the manual operation ring 130 using the two-phase signals. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 can notify the camera microcomputer 205 of the amount of rotation operation of the manual operation ring 130 via the lens communication unit 112.
　アダプタ３００は、例えば焦点距離を変更するためのエクステンダであり、変倍レンズ３０１と、アダプタマイクロコンピュータ（以下、アダプタマイコンという）３０２とを有する。アダプタマイコン３０２は、アダプタ３００内の各部の動作を制御するアダプタ制御部（アクセサリ制御部）である。また、アダプタマイコン３０２は、通信インタフェース回路を含むアダプタ通信部（アクセサリ通信部）３０３を介して、カメラ２００から送信された制御コマンドや送信要求コマンドを受信する。アダプタマイコン３０２は、制御コマンドに対応するアダプタ制御を行ったり、アダプタ通信部３０３を介して送信要求コマンドに対応するアダプタデータをカメラ２００に送信したりする。 The adapter 300 is an extender for changing the focal length, for example, and includes a variable power lens 301 and an adapter microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as an adapter microcomputer) 302. The adapter microcomputer 302 is an adapter control unit (accessory control unit) that controls the operation of each unit in the adapter 300. The adapter microcomputer 302 receives a control command and a transmission request command transmitted from the camera 200 via an adapter communication unit (accessory communication unit) 303 including a communication interface circuit. The adapter microcomputer 302 performs adapter control corresponding to the control command, or transmits adapter data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera 200 via the adapter communication unit 303.
　カメラ２００は、ＣＣＤセンサやＣＭＯＳセンサ等の撮像素子２０１と、Ａ／Ｄ変換回路２０２と、信号処理回路２０３と、記録部２０４と、カメラマイクロコンピュータ（以下、カメラマイコンという）２０５と、表示部２０６とを有する。 The camera 200 includes an imaging device 201 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an A / D conversion circuit 202, a signal processing circuit 203, a recording unit 204, a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as camera microcomputer) 205, and a display unit. 206.
　撮像素子２０１は、交換レンズ１００内の撮像光学系により形成された被写体像を光電変換して電気信号（アナログ信号）を出力する。Ａ／Ｄ変換回路２０２は、撮像素子２０１からのアナログ信号をデジタル信号に変換する。信号処理回路２０３は、Ａ／Ｄ変換回路２０２からのデジタル信号に対して各種画像処理を行って映像信号を生成する。また、信号処理回路２０３は、映像信号から被写体像のコントラスト状態（撮像光学系の焦点状態）を示すフォーカス情報や露出状態を表す輝度情報も生成する。信号処理回路２０３は、映像信号を表示部２０６に出力し、表示部２０６は映像信号を構図やピント状態等の確認に用いられるライブビュー画像として表示する。 The image sensor 201 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal). The 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 focus information indicating the contrast state of the subject image (focus state of the imaging optical system) and luminance information indicating the exposure state from the video signal. 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.
　カメラ制御部としてのカメラマイコン２０５は、不図示の撮像指示スイッチおよび各種設定スイッチ等のカメラ操作部材からの入力に応じてカメラ２００の制御を行う。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、通信インタフェース回路を含むカメラ通信部２０８を介して、不図示のズームスイッチの操作に応じてズームレンズ１０２の変倍動作に関する制御コマンドをレンズマイコン１１１に送信する。さらに、カメラマイコン２０５は、カメラ通信部２０８を介して、輝度情報に応じた絞りユニット１１４の光量調節動作やフォーカス情報に応じたフォーカスレンズ１０４の焦点調節動作に関する制御コマンドをレンズマイコン１１１に送信する。またカメラマイコン２０５は、必要に応じて交換レンズ１００の制御情報や状態情報を取得するための送信要求コマンドをレンズマイコン１１１に送信する。さらにカメラマイコン２０５は、アダプタ３００の制御情報や状態情報を取得するための送信要求コマンドをアダプタマイコン３０２に送信する。 A camera microcomputer 205 serving as a camera control unit controls the camera 200 in response to input from camera operation members such as an imaging instruction switch (not shown) and various setting switches. In addition, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a control command related to a zooming operation of the zoom lens 102 to the lens microcomputer 111 according to an operation of a zoom switch (not shown) via a camera communication unit 208 including a communication interface circuit. Furthermore, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits, via the camera communication unit 208, a control command related to the light amount adjustment operation of the diaphragm unit 114 according to the luminance information and the focus adjustment operation of the focus lens 104 according to the focus information to the lens microcomputer 111. . The camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring control information and status information of the interchangeable lens 100 to the lens microcomputer 111 as necessary. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a transmission request command for acquiring control information and status information of the adapter 300 to the adapter microcomputer 302.
　次に、カメラ２００（カメラマイコン２０５）と交換レンズ１００（レンズマイコン１１１）とアダプタ３００（アダプタマイコン３０２）の間に構成される通信回路について、図２を用いて説明する。カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、前述したマウント４００，４０１に設けられた通信端子部を介して接続された信号線（チャネル）を用いて通信を行う。 Next, a communication circuit configured between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described with reference to FIG. The camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 perform communication using signal lines (channels) connected via the communication terminal portions provided in the mounts 400 and 401 described above.
　信号線としては、通信制御用の信号を伝達するための信号線（第１の信号線：信号伝達チャネルに相当する）ＣＳと、データを通信するための信号線（第２の信号線：データ通信チャネルに相当する）ＤＡＴＡとが設けられている。 As signal lines, a signal line (first signal line: corresponding to a signal transmission channel) CS for transmitting a communication control signal and a signal line (second signal line: data) for communicating data. DATA (corresponding to a communication channel).
　信号線ＣＳは、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１に接続されている。このため、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＣＳの状態としてのＨｉ（Ｈｉｇｈ）とＬｏｗを検出することができる。また信号線ＣＳは、カメラ２００内で不図示の電源にプルアップ接続されている。そして、信号線ＣＳは、交換レンズ１００内の接地スイッチ１１２１、カメラ２００内の接地スイッチ２０８１およびアダプタ３００内の接地スイッチ３０３１を介してグランドＧＮＤと接続（オープンドレイン接続）が可能となっている。 The signal line CS is connected to the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can detect Hi (High) and Low as the state of the signal line CS. Further, the signal line CS is pulled up to a power source (not shown) in the camera 200. The signal line CS can be connected to the ground GND (open drain connection) via the ground switch 1121 in the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 in the camera 200, and the ground switch 3031 in the adapter 300.
　この構成により、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１はそれぞれ、接地スイッチ２０８１，１１２１，３０３１をオン（接続）することにより信号線ＣＳをＬｏｗにすることが可能である。またカメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１はそれぞれ、接地スイッチ２０８１，１１２１，３０３１をオフ（遮断）することで、信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることができる。信号線ＣＳを通じて伝達される通信制御用の信号（指示や通知）およびその出力処理の詳細については後述する。 With this configuration, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can turn the signal line CS Low by turning on (connecting) the ground switches 2081, 1121, and 3031, respectively. In addition, the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can set the signal line CS to Hi by turning off (shut off) the ground switches 2081, 1121, and 3031, respectively. Details of a communication control signal (instruction or notification) transmitted through the signal line CS and its output processing will be described later.
　信号線ＤＡＴＡは、データの送信方向を切り替えながら使用可能な単線の双方向データ通信線である。信号線ＤＡＴＡは、交換レンズ１００内の入出力切替えスイッチ１１２２を介してレンズマイコン１１１と接続可能であり、カメラ２００内の入出力切替えスイッチ２０８２を介してカメラマイコン２０５と接続可能である。また、信号線ＤＡＴＡは、アダプタ３００内の入出力切替えスイッチ３０３２を介してアダプタマイコン３０２と接続可能である。各マイコンは、データを送信するためのＣＭＯＳ方式のデータ出力部とデータを受信するためのＣＭＯＳ方式のデータ入力部とを備えている（いずれも図示せず）。各マイコンは、上記入出力切替えスイッチを切り替えることで、信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続するかデータ入力部に接続するかを選択することができる。 The signal line DATA is a single bidirectional data communication line that can be used while switching the data transmission direction. The signal line DATA can be connected to the lens microcomputer 111 via the input / output changeover switch 1122 in the interchangeable lens 100, and can be connected to the camera microcomputer 205 via the input / output changeover switch 2082 in the camera 200. Further, the signal line DATA can be connected to the adapter microcomputer 302 via the input / output changeover switch 3032 in the adapter 300. Each microcomputer includes a CMOS data output unit for transmitting data and a CMOS data input unit for receiving data (none of which is shown). Each microcomputer can select whether the signal line DATA is connected to the data output unit or the data input unit by switching the input / output changeover switch.
　カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１はそれぞれ、データを送信する際には、信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続するように入出力切替えスイッチを設定する。またカメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１はそれぞれ、データを受信する際には、信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ入力部と接続するように入出力切替えスイッチを設定する。信号線ＤＡＴＡの入出力切替え処理の詳細については後述する。 When the camera microcomputer 205, adapter microcomputer 302, and lens microcomputer 111 transmit data, the input / output changeover switch is set so that the signal line DATA is connected to the data output unit. The camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 each set an input / output switch so as to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit when receiving data. Details of the input / output switching processing of the signal line DATA will be described later.
　図２では通信回路の一例を示したが、他の通信回路であってもよい。例えば、信号線ＣＳをカメラ２００内でＧＮＤにプルダウン接続し、交換レンズ１００の接地スイッチ１１２１、カメラ２００の接地スイッチ２０８１およびアダプタ３００の接地スイッチ３０３１を介して不図示の電源と接続可能な構成としてもよい。また、交換レンズ１００、カメラ２００およびアダプタ３００において信号線ＤＡＴＡを常にデータ入力部に接続される構成とし、信号線ＤＡＴＡとデータ出力部との接続／遮断をスイッチにより切り替え可能な構成としてもよい。
［通信データフォーマット］
　次に、図３を用いて、カメラ２００（カメラマイコン２０５）、交換レンズ１００（レンズマイコン１１１）およびアダプタ３００（アダプタマイコン３０２）の間でやり取りされる通信データのフォーマットについて説明する。この通信データフォーマットは、後述する第１の通信であるブロードキャスト通信と第２の通信であるＰ２Ｐ通信とで共通である。ここでは、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１、アダプタマイコン３０２の間で予め通信に使用する通信速度を取り決めておき、この取決めに従う通信ビットレートで送受信を行う、いわゆる調歩同期式通信を行う場合の通信データフォーマットについて説明する。 Although FIG. 2 shows an example of the communication circuit, other communication circuits may be used. For example, the signal line CS is pulled down to GND in the camera 200 and can be connected to a power source (not shown) via the ground switch 1121 of the interchangeable lens 100, the ground switch 2081 of the camera 200, and the ground switch 3031 of the adapter 300. Also good. In the interchangeable lens 100, the camera 200, and the adapter 300, the signal line DATA may be always connected to the data input unit, and the connection / disconnection between the signal line DATA and the data output unit may be switched by a switch.
[Communication data format]
Next, the format of communication data exchanged between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described with reference to FIG. This communication data format is common to broadcast communication, which is first communication described later, and P2P communication, which is second communication. Here, communication in the case of performing so-called asynchronous communication, in which a communication speed used for communication is determined in advance among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302, and transmission / reception is performed at a communication bit rate according to this determination. The data format will be described.
　まずデータ送信を行っていない非送信状態では、信号レベルはＨｉに維持されている。次にデータ送信の開始をデータ受信側に通知するために、信号レベルを１ビット期間の間、Ｌｏｗとする。この１ビット期間をスタートビットＳＴと呼ぶ。続いて、次の２ビット目から９ビット目までの８ビット期間で１バイトのデータを送信する。データのビット配列はＭＳＢファーストフォーマットとして、最上位のデータＤ７から始まり、データＤ６、データＤ５、…、データＤ１と続き、最下位のデータＤ０で終わる。１０ビット目には１ビットのパリティＰＡ情報が付加され、最後に送信データの最後を示すストップビットＳＰの期間、信号レベルをＨｉとすることで、スタートビットＳＴから開始された１フレーム期間が終了する。 First, in a non-transmission state in which data transmission is not performed, the signal level is maintained at Hi. Next, in order to notify the data reception side of the start of data transmission, the signal level is set to Low for one bit period. This one bit period is called a start bit ST. Subsequently, 1-byte data is transmitted in an 8-bit period from the second bit to the ninth bit. The bit arrangement of data starts with the most significant data D7 in MSB first format, continues with data D6, data D5,..., Data D1, and ends with the least significant data D0. In the 10th bit, 1-bit parity PA information is added. Finally, the frame level started from the start bit ST is completed by setting the signal level to Hi during the stop bit SP indicating the end of the transmission data. To do.
　図３では通信データフォーマットの例を示したが、他の通信データフォーマットを用いてもよい。例えば、データのビット配列はＬＳＢファーストや９ビット長でもよいし、パリティＰＡ情報を付加しなくてもよい。またブロードキャスト通信とＰ２Ｐ通信とで通信データフォーマットを切り替えてもよい。
［ブロードキャスト通信］
　次に、ブロードキャスト通信（第１の通信）について説明する。ブロードキャスト通信は、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２のうちの１つが他の２つに対して同時にデータを送信する（すなわち一斉送信）を行う一対多通信である。このブロードキャスト通信は、信号線ＣＳと信号線ＤＡＴＡを用いて行われる。また、ブロードキャスト通信が行われる通信モードをブロードキャスト通信モード（第１の通信モード）ともいう。 Although FIG. 3 shows an example of the communication data format, other communication data formats may be used. For example, the bit arrangement of data may be LSB first, 9 bits long, or parity PA information need not be added. The communication data format may be switched between broadcast communication and P2P communication.
[Broadcast communication]
Next, broadcast communication (first communication) will be described. Broadcast communication is one-to-many communication in which one of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the other two at the same time (ie, simultaneous transmission). This broadcast communication is performed using the signal line CS and the signal line DATA. A communication mode in which broadcast communication is performed is also referred to as a broadcast communication mode (first communication mode).
　図４は、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間で行われるブロードキャスト通信での信号波形を示している。ここでは例として、カメラマイコン２０５からレンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２へのブロードキャスト通信に応答して、アダプタマイコン３０２がカメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１にブロードキャスト通信を行う場合について説明する。 FIG. 4 shows signal waveforms in broadcast communication performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. Here, as an example, a case where the adapter microcomputer 302 performs broadcast communication to the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 in response to broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described.
　まず通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５は、ブロードキャスト通信を開始することを通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２に通知するために、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、送信するデータを信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。一方、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたスタートビットＳＴを検出したタイミングで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。この時点ではすでにカメラマイコン２０５が信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始しているので、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは変化しない。 First, the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master starts Low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as communication slaves that broadcast communication is to be started. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA. On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 start Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. At this time, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
　その後カメラマイコン２０５は、ストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了すると信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。一方、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたストップビットＳＰまで受信した後、受信したデータの解析および受信したデータに関連付けられた内部処理を行う。そして、次のデータを受信するための準備が整うと信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。前述した通り、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の全てが信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除することでＨｉとなる。したがって、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、それぞれが信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除した後に信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉとなることを確認することができる。カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２はそれぞれ、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉとなったことを確認することで、今回の通信処理を終了し、次の通信を行うための準備が整ったと判断することができる。 After that, the camera microcomputer 205 cancels the low output to the signal line CS when the stop bit SP is output. On the other hand, after receiving the stop bit SP input from the signal line DATA, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 analyze the received data and perform internal processing associated with the received data. When the preparation for receiving the next data is completed, the Low output to the signal line CS is canceled. As described above, the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi when all of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS. Therefore, each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 can confirm that the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi after releasing the Low output to the signal line CS. Each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has become Hi, and thus completes the current communication process and is ready for the next communication. Can be judged.
　次にアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉに戻ったことを確認すると、ブロードキャスト通信を開始することをカメラマイコン２０５およびレンズマイコン１１１に通知するために、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。 Next, when confirming that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs Low to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 that broadcast communication is to be started. To start.
　続いてアダプタマイコン３０２は、送信するデータを信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。また、カメラマイコン２０５およびレンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたスタートビットＳＴを検出したタイミングで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。この時点ではすでにアダプタマイコン３０２が信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始しているので、信号線ＣＳに伝搬される信号レベルは変化しない。その後アダプタマイコン３０２は、ストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了すると信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。一方、カメラマイコン２０５およびレンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたストップビットＳＰまで受信した後、受信したデータの解析および受信したデータに関連付けられた内部処理を行う。そして、次のデータを受信するための準備が整った後に信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。 Subsequently, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 start Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. Since the adapter microcomputer 302 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS at this time, the signal level propagated to the signal line CS does not change. After that, the adapter microcomputer 302 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS when it finishes outputting the stop bit SP. On the other hand, after receiving up to the stop bit SP input from the signal line DATA, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 perform analysis of the received data and internal processing associated with the received data. Then, after preparation for receiving the next data is completed, the Low output to the signal line CS is canceled.
　以上のように、ブロードキャスト通信において信号線ＣＳで伝達される信号は、ブロードキャスト通信の開始（実行）および実行中を示す信号として機能する。 As described above, the signal transmitted through the signal line CS in the broadcast communication functions as a signal indicating the start (execution) and execution of the broadcast communication.
　図４ではブロードキャスト通信の例を示したが、他のブロードキャスト通信を行ってもよい。例えば、１回のブロードキャスト通信で送信するデータは、図４に示したように１バイトのデータでもよいが、２バイトや３バイトのデータであってもよい。また、ブロードキャスト通信を通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５から通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２への一方向通信としてもよい。
［Ｐ２Ｐ通信］
　次に、カメラ２００（カメラマイコン２０５）、交換レンズ１００（レンズマイコン１１１）およびアダプタ３００（アダプタマイコン３０２）の間で行われるＰ２Ｐ通信について説明する。Ｐ２Ｐ通信は、通信マスタであるカメラ２００が通信スレーブである交換レンズ１００とアダプタ３００から通信する相手（特定アクセサリ装置）を１つ指定（選択）し、その指定した通信スレーブとの間のみでデータを送受信する一対一通信（個別通信）である。このＰ２Ｐ通信も、信号線ＣＳと信号線ＤＡＴＡを用いて行われる。また、Ｐ２Ｐ通信が行われる通信モードをＰ２Ｐ通信モード（第２の通信モード）ともいう。 Although FIG. 4 shows an example of broadcast communication, other broadcast communication may be performed. For example, the data transmitted in one broadcast communication may be 1-byte data as shown in FIG. 4, but may be 2-byte or 3-byte data. Broadcast communication may be one-way communication from the camera microcomputer 205 serving as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 and adapter microcomputer 302 serving as communication slaves.
[P2P communication]
Next, P2P communication performed between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302) will be described. In the P2P communication, the camera 200 as the communication master designates (selects) one interchangeable lens 100 (specific accessory device) to communicate from the interchangeable lens 100 as the communication slave and the adapter 300, and data is transmitted only to the designated communication slave. Is one-to-one communication (individual communication). This P2P communication is also performed using the signal line CS and the signal line DATA. A communication mode in which P2P communication is performed is also referred to as a P2P communication mode (second communication mode).
　図５は、例として、カメラマイコン２０５と通信相手として指定されたレンズマイコン（特定アクセサリ装置）１１１との間でやり取りされるＰ２Ｐ通信の信号波形を示している。カメラマイコン２０５からの１バイトのデータ送信に応答して、レンズマイコン１１１がカメラマイコン２０５に対して２バイトのデータ送信を行う。通信モード（ブロードキャスト通信モードとＰ２Ｐ通信モード）の切替え処理およびＰ２Ｐ通信での通信相手の指定処理については後述する。 FIG. 5 shows, as an example, signal waveforms of P2P communication exchanged between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer (specific accessory device) 111 designated as a communication partner. In response to the 1-byte data transmission from the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 2-byte data to the camera microcomputer 205. Processing for switching between communication modes (broadcast communication mode and P2P communication mode) and processing for specifying a communication partner in P2P communication will be described later.
　まず通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５は、レンズマイコン１１１に送信するデータを信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了した後、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力（待機要求）を開始する。カメラマイコン２０５は、次のデータの受信準備が整った後に、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。一方、レンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＣＳから入力されたＬｏｗ信号を検出した後、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力された受信データの解析および受信したデータに関連付けられた内部処理を行う。その後レンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉに戻ったことを確認すると、送信すべきデータを２バイト分連続で信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。 First, the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master outputs data to be transmitted to the lens microcomputer 111 to the signal line DATA. The camera microcomputer 205 starts Low output (standby request) to the signal line CS after completing the output of the stop bit SP. After the camera microcomputer 205 is ready to receive the next data, the camera microcomputer 205 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS. On the other hand, after detecting the Low signal input from the signal line CS, the lens microcomputer 111 analyzes the received data input from the signal line DATA and performs internal processing associated with the received data. Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA continuously for 2 bytes.
　レンズマイコン１１１は、２バイト目のストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了した後、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。その後レンズマイコン１１１は、次のデータの受信準備が整うと信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されていないアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＣＳおよび信号線ＤＡＴＡに信号を出力しない。 The lens microcomputer 111 starts outputting Low to the signal line CS after completing the output of the stop bit SP of the second byte. Thereafter, when the lens microcomputer 111 is ready to receive the next data, the lens microcomputer 111 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS. The adapter microcomputer 302 that is not designated as a communication partner for P2P communication does not output signals to the signal line CS and the signal line DATA.
　以上のように、Ｐ２Ｐ通信において信号線ＣＳで伝達される信号は、データ送信の終了と次のデータ送信の待機要求を示す通知信号として機能する。 As described above, the signal transmitted through the signal line CS in the P2P communication functions as a notification signal indicating the end of data transmission and a standby request for the next data transmission.
　なお、図５ではＰ２Ｐ通信の例を示したが、他のＰ２Ｐ通信を行ってもよく、例えば信号線ＤＡＴＡにてデータを１バイトずつ送信してもよいし、３バイト以上のデータを送信してもよい。
［通信モードの切替え処理および通信相手の指定処理］
　次に、通信モードの切替え処理とＰ２Ｐ通信での通信相手の指定処理について、図６を用いて説明する。図６は、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間でやり取りされる通信モード切替えおよび通信相手指定時の信号波形を示している。Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手の指定は、ブロードキャスト通信により行われる。ここでは例として、カメラマイコン２０５からＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてアダプタマイコン３０２が指定され、カメラマイコン２０５からの１バイトデータのＰ２Ｐ通信とアダプタマイコン３０２からの１バイトデータのＰ２Ｐ通信が実行される場合を説明する。また、その後にカメラマイコン２０５からＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてレンズマイコン１１１が指定され、カメラマイコン２０５からの２バイトデータのＰ２Ｐ通信とレンズマイコン１１１からの３バイトデータのＰ２Ｐ通信が実行される。 Although FIG. 5 shows an example of P2P communication, other P2P communication may be performed. For example, data may be transmitted one byte at a time using the signal line DATA, or data of 3 bytes or more may be transmitted. May be.
[Communication mode switching processing and communication partner designation processing]
Next, a communication mode switching process and a communication partner designation process in P2P communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows signal waveforms at the time of communication mode switching and communication partner designation exchanged between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302. The communication partner of P2P communication is designated by broadcast communication. Here, as an example, the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205, and the 1 byte data P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205 and the 1 byte data P2P communication from the adapter microcomputer 302 are executed. Will be explained. Thereafter, the lens microcomputer 111 is designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication from the camera microcomputer 205, and P2P communication of 2-byte data from the camera microcomputer 205 and P2P communication of 3-byte data from the lens microcomputer 111 are executed.
　まず通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５は、図４で説明した手順でブロードキャスト通信を実行する。このブロードキャスト通信で通知（データ送信）するのは、次のＰ２Ｐ通信でカメラマイコン２０５と通信を行う相手を指定するスレーブ指定データである。このときの通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ブロードキャスト通信で受信したスレーブ指定データに基づいて、自身がＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたか否かを判定する。この判定結果によって、カメラマイコン２０５と指定された通信スレーブ（特定アクセサリ装置）との通信モードがブロードキャスト通信モードからＰ２Ｐ通信モードに切り替わる。ここでは通信相手としてアダプタマイコン３０２が指定されているため、次のＰ２Ｐ通信では図５で説明した手順に従ってカメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２との間でデータの送受信が行われる。ここではカメラマイコン２０５からアダプタマイコン３０２に１バイトデータを送信し、その後アダプタマイコン３０２からカメラマイコン２０５へ１バイトデータを送信する。 First, the camera microcomputer 205 which is a communication master executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described in FIG. This broadcast communication notifies (data transmission) is slave designation data that designates a partner to communicate with the camera microcomputer 205 in the next P2P communication. The lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves at this time, determine whether or not they are designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on the slave designation data received by broadcast communication. Based on the determination result, the communication mode between the camera microcomputer 205 and the designated communication slave (specific accessory device) is switched from the broadcast communication mode to the P2P communication mode. Here, since the adapter microcomputer 302 is designated as the communication partner, in the next P2P communication, data is transmitted and received between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 according to the procedure described in FIG. Here, 1-byte data is transmitted from the camera microcomputer 205 to the adapter microcomputer 302, and then 1-byte data is transmitted from the adapter microcomputer 302 to the camera microcomputer 205.
　カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２とのＰ２Ｐ通信が終了すると、カメラマイコン２０５は再びブロードキャスト通信によってＰ２Ｐ通信で通信する通信相手を指定することができる。ここでは次のＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてレンズマイコン１１１を指定するために、スレーブ指定データとしてレンズマイコン１１１を設定して図４で説明した手順でブロードキャスト通信を実行する。このブロードキャスト通信に応じてアダプタマイコン３０２はＰ２Ｐ通信を終了し、これと同時にカメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１の通信モードがＰ２Ｐ通信モードに切り替えられる。なお、ここでブロードキャスト通信を実行しない場合は、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２とのＰ２Ｐ通信が継続される。 When the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 can again designate a communication partner to communicate by P2P communication by broadcast communication. Here, in order to designate the lens microcomputer 111 as a communication partner of the next P2P communication, the lens microcomputer 111 is set as slave designation data, and broadcast communication is executed according to the procedure described in FIG. In response to this broadcast communication, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the P2P communication, and at the same time, the communication mode of the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is switched to the P2P communication mode. If broadcast communication is not executed here, P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is continued.
　次のＰ２Ｐ通信では、図５で説明した手順に従ってカメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１との間でデータの送受信が行われる。ここではカメラマイコン２０５がレンズマイコン１１１に２バイトデータを送信し、その後レンズマイコン１１１がカメラマイコン２０５に３バイトデータを送信する。 In the next P2P communication, data is transmitted and received between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 according to the procedure described in FIG. Here, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 2-byte data to the lens microcomputer 111, and then the lens microcomputer 111 transmits 3-byte data to the camera microcomputer 205.
　以上のように、ブロードキャスト通信によってＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手を指定することが可能であり、同時にブロードキャスト通信とＰ２Ｐ通信の切替えを行うことができる。 As described above, it is possible to designate a communication partner of P2P communication by broadcast communication, and at the same time, switching between broadcast communication and P2P communication can be performed.
　次に図１および図１０を用いて、カメラ２００（カメラマイコン２０５）、交換レンズ１００（レンズマイコン１１１）およびアダプタ３００（アダプタマイコン３０２）の間で行われる対応通信レート情報取得処理と通信レート設定処理について説明する。通信レート設定処理では、ブロードキャスト通信およびＰ２Ｐ通信のそれぞれで使用する通信レート（通信速度）を設定（指示）する。
［対応通信レート情報取得処理］
　まず、通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５が通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２から対応通信レート情報を取得する処理について説明する。図１０の左側の部分は、カメラマイコン２０５がアダプタマイコン３０２から対応通信レート情報を取得する際の信号波形を示している。対応通信レート情報は、言い換えれば使用可能通信レート情報であり、その通信スレーブが使用可能（対応可能）な１つまたは複数の通信レートを示す情報である。 Next, using FIG. 1 and FIG. 10, corresponding communication rate information acquisition processing and communication rate setting performed between the camera 200 (camera microcomputer 205), the interchangeable lens 100 (lens microcomputer 111), and the adapter 300 (adapter microcomputer 302). Processing will be described. In the communication rate setting process, a communication rate (communication speed) used in each of broadcast communication and P2P communication is set (instructed).
[Supported communication rate information acquisition processing]
First, processing in which the camera microcomputer 205 that is a communication master acquires corresponding communication rate information from the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 that are communication slaves will be described. The left part of FIG. 10 shows a signal waveform when the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the adapter microcomputer 302. In other words, the corresponding communication rate information is usable communication rate information, and is information indicating one or a plurality of communication rates that can be used (supported) by the communication slave.
　最初に、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２はそれぞれ、カメラ通信部２０８、レンズ通信部１１２およびアダプタ通信部３０３に予め決められた初期通信レートを設定することで初期通信の準備を行う。初期通信レートは、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間でこれらが共通して使用可能な通信レートのうち最も遅い通信レートとして予め取り決められている。 First, the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 prepare for initial communication by setting predetermined initial communication rates in the camera communication unit 208, the lens communication unit 112, and the adapter communication unit 303, respectively. . The initial communication rate is determined in advance as the slowest communication rate among the communication rates that can be used in common among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　次に通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５は、図４で説明した手順でブロードキャスト通信を実行し、次のＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてアダプタマイコン３０２を指定する。そして、このブロードキャスト通信の後、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２の通信モードはＰ２Ｐ通信モードに切り替わり、図１に示すようにアダプタマイコン３０２に保持された対応通信レート情報３０４の送受信が行われる。なお、レンズマイコン１１１、カメラマイコン２０５およびアダプタマイコン３０２に保持された対応通信レート情報１３２，２１０，３０４については、後述する実施例２で詳細に説明する。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205, which is a communication master, executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described in FIG. 4, and designates the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner of the next P2P communication. After the broadcast communication, the communication mode between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is switched to the P2P communication mode, and the corresponding communication rate information 304 held in the adapter microcomputer 302 is transmitted and received as shown in FIG. The corresponding communication rate information 132, 210, and 304 held in the lens microcomputer 111, the camera microcomputer 205, and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described in detail in a second embodiment to be described later.
　次に、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２との間でのアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４の送受信処理について説明する。Ｐ２Ｐ通信の最初でアダプタマイコン３０２から対応通信レート情報を取得するために、カメラマイコン２０５はアダプタマイコン３０２に対応通信レート情報の送信要求コマンドである１バイトデータを送信する。続いて、送信要求コマンドを受信したアダプタマイコン３０２は、対応通信レート情報記憶部３０４から対応通信レート情報を取得し、カメラマイコン２０５に送信する。図１０は１バイトデータを送信する場合を示しているが、対応通信レート情報記憶部３０４に記憶されている対応通信レート情報が複数存在する場合には、全ての対応通信レート情報を送信するために複数バイトデータの送信が行われる。 Next, transmission / reception processing of the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described. In order to obtain the corresponding communication rate information from the adapter microcomputer 302 at the beginning of the P2P communication, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 1-byte data, which is a transmission request command for the corresponding communication rate information, to the adapter microcomputer 302. Subsequently, the adapter microcomputer 302 that has received the transmission request command acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the corresponding communication rate information storage unit 304 and transmits it to the camera microcomputer 205. FIG. 10 shows the case where 1-byte data is transmitted. However, when there are a plurality of corresponding communication rate information stored in the corresponding communication rate information storage unit 304, all the corresponding communication rate information is transmitted. Multi-byte data is transmitted at the same time.
　カメラマイコン２０５がレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２を取得する場合も、アダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４を取得する場合と同様の処理が行われる。 When the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111, the same processing as that for acquiring the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 is performed.
　通信レート設定処理を行うための対応通信レート情報の取得は、通信マスタに接続されている全ての通信スレーブの対応通信レート情報を取得する必要がある。本実施例のように通信マスタに２つの通信スレーブ（アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１）が接続されている場合には、これらの通信スレーブのそれぞれから対応通信レート情報を取得する。
［通信レート設定処理］
　カメラマイコン２０５は、取得した全ての通信スレーブの対応通信レート情報に基づいて、ブロードキャスト通信で使用する通信レート（第１の通信レート）と、Ｐ２Ｐ通信で使用する通信レート（第２の通信レート）を設定する。なお、本実施例では、ブロードキャスト通信用の通信レートＲａｔｅＢと、Ｐ２Ｐ通信におけるカメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２間の通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１と、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１間の通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２を選択する。通信レートの選択処理の詳細については、後述する実施例２にて説明する。以下の説明において、ブロードキャスト通信で使用する通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートといい、Ｐ２Ｐ通信で使用する通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートという。 Acquiring the corresponding communication rate information for performing the communication rate setting process requires acquiring the corresponding communication rate information of all the communication slaves connected to the communication master. When two communication slaves (adapter microcomputer 302 and lens microcomputer 111) are connected to the communication master as in this embodiment, the corresponding communication rate information is acquired from each of these communication slaves.
[Communication rate setting process]
Based on the acquired communication rate information of all communication slaves, the camera microcomputer 205 uses a communication rate used in broadcast communication (first communication rate) and a communication rate used in P2P communication (second communication rate). Set. In this embodiment, the communication rate RateB for broadcast communication, the communication rate RateP1 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 in P2P communication, and the communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 are selected. Details of the communication rate selection processing will be described in a second embodiment to be described later. In the following description, a communication rate used in broadcast communication is referred to as a broadcast communication rate, and a communication rate used in P2P communication is referred to as a P2P communication rate.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、通信レート選択処理により選択されたブロードキャスト通信レートおよびＰ２Ｐ通信レートをアダプタマイコン３０２とレンズマイコン１１１に指示するため、これらに対して通信レート指示通信を行う。通信レート指示通信では、前述した対応通信レート情報の取得処理において行った通信と同様に、まず通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５はブロードキャスト通信によりＰ２Ｐ通信の相手となる通信スレーブを選択する。 Next, since the camera microcomputer 205 instructs the broadcast microcomputer rate and the P2P communication rate selected by the communication rate selection process to the adapter microcomputer 302 and the lens microcomputer 111, the camera microcomputer 205 performs communication rate instruction communication with these. In the communication rate instruction communication, similarly to the communication performed in the processing for acquiring the corresponding communication rate information described above, the camera microcomputer 205, which is the communication master, first selects a communication slave that is a partner of P2P communication by broadcast communication.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、Ｐ２Ｐ通信によりブロードキャスト通信レートとＰ２Ｐ通信レートを指示する。例えば、カメラマイコン２０５が図４で説明した手順でＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてアダプタマイコン３０２を指定した場合は、カメラマイコン２０５およびアダプタマイコン３０２は通信モードをブロードキャスト通信モードからＰ２Ｐ通信モードに切り替える。続いて、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の最初において、カメラマイコン２０５はアダプタマイコン３０２に対して通信レート設定コマンドである１バイトデータを送信する。このコマンドを受信したアダプタマイコン３０２は、該コマンドが通信レートの設定命令であることを認識するとともに、次の通信フレームで送信される通信レート設定データの受信準備を行う。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 instructs the broadcast communication rate and the P2P communication rate by P2P communication. For example, when the camera microcomputer 205 designates the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner of P2P communication in the procedure described in FIG. 4, the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 switch the communication mode from the broadcast communication mode to the P2P communication mode. Subsequently, at the beginning of the P2P communication, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits 1-byte data that is a communication rate setting command to the adapter microcomputer 302. Receiving this command, the adapter microcomputer 302 recognizes that the command is a communication rate setting command and prepares to receive communication rate setting data transmitted in the next communication frame.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、アダプタマイコン３０２に対して、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢを示す通信レート設定データを送信する。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１を示す通信レート設定データを送信する。本実施例では、通信レート設定データを１バイトデータとして示しているが、送信する通信レート設定データ量に応じて複数バイトデータの送信が行われてもよい。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits communication rate setting data indicating the broadcast communication rate RateB to the adapter microcomputer 302. The camera microcomputer 205 also transmits communication rate setting data indicating the P2P communication rate RateP1 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302. In this embodiment, the communication rate setting data is shown as 1-byte data. However, transmission of a plurality of bytes of data may be performed according to the amount of communication rate setting data to be transmitted.
　通信レート設定コマンドと通信レート設定データを受信したアダプタマイコン３０２は、通信データが正しく送信されたか否かを判断するため、予め取決められた判定処理を行う。そして、その判定結果である通信応答データを次の通信フレームでカメラマイコン２０５に送信する。カメラマイコン２０５は、受信した通信応答データに応じて、通信レートが正しく指示および設定されたかを判別することが可能である。通信レートが正しく設定が行われた場合にはここまでで一連の通信レートの設定処理が完了する。 The adapter microcomputer 302 that has received the communication rate setting command and the communication rate setting data performs a predetermined determination process in order to determine whether the communication data has been transmitted correctly. Then, the communication response data as the determination result is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 205 in the next communication frame. The camera microcomputer 205 can determine whether the communication rate is correctly instructed and set according to the received communication response data. If the communication rate is set correctly, a series of communication rate setting processing is completed so far.
　カメラマイコン２０５は、レンズマイコン１１１との間のブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１も、アダプタマイコン３０２に対する設定処理と同様に設定する。 The camera microcomputer 205 sets the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rate RateP1 with the lens microcomputer 111 in the same manner as the setting process for the adapter microcomputer 302.
　なお、通信レートの設定を行うための通信は、通信マスタに接続されている全ての通信スレーブに対して行う必要がある。本実施例のように通信マスタに２つの通信スレーブ（アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１）が接続されている場合には、これらに対して通信レートを指示および設定する。
［通信レート切替え処理］
　次に、図１１を用いて、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間で行われるブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢからＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２への切替え処理について説明する。 Note that communication for setting the communication rate needs to be performed for all communication slaves connected to the communication master. When two communication slaves (adapter microcomputer 302 and lens microcomputer 111) are connected to the communication master as in this embodiment, the communication rate is instructed and set for them.
[Communication rate switching processing]
Next, switching processing from the broadcast communication rate RateB to the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 performed among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described with reference to FIG.
　本実施例では、通信レートＲａｔｅＢ，ＲａｔｅＰ１およびＲａｔｅＰ２は、以下の関係を有する。
ＲａｔｅＢ≦ＲａｔｅＰ１＜ＲａｔｅＰ２
すなわち、Ｐ２Ｐ通信レート（第２の通信レート）ＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２は、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢ以上（第１の通信レート以上）に設定され、Ｐ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２はＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１で通信する場合よりも速い速度で通信を行う通信レートである。 In the present embodiment, the communication rates RateB, RateP1 and RateP2 have the following relationship.
RateB ≦ RateP1 <RateP2
That is, the P2P communication rate (second communication rate) RateP1 and RateP2 are set to be equal to or higher than the broadcast communication rate RateB (first communication rate or higher), and the P2P communication rate RateP2 is faster than the case of communicating at the P2P communication rate RateP1. This is a communication rate for performing communication at a speed.
　カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、最初に使用する通信モードをブロードキャスト通信として取り決めている。まず、通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５は、図４で説明した手順でブロードキャスト通信を実行する。ここで使用される通信レートは、前述した通信レート設定処理により予め決められたブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢである。通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ブロードキャスト通信で受信したスレーブ指定データにより、自身がＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたか否かを判定する。そして、カメラマイコン２０５と指定された通信スレーブの通信モードはＰ２Ｐ通信モードに切り替わる。 The camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 have decided the communication mode to be used first as broadcast communication. First, the camera microcomputer 205, which is a communication master, executes broadcast communication according to the procedure described in FIG. The communication rate used here is the broadcast communication rate RateB determined in advance by the communication rate setting process described above. The lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are communication slaves, determine whether or not they are designated as communication partners for P2P communication based on slave designation data received by broadcast communication. Then, the communication mode of the communication slave designated with the camera microcomputer 205 is switched to the P2P communication mode.
　図１１では、カメラマイコン２０５は、最初のブロードキャスト通信により、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてアダプタマイコン３０２を指定するスレーブ指定データ（特定アクセサリであることを通知するためのデータ）を送信する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、タイミングＴ１で信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることにより、全ての通信スレーブに対するブロードキャスト通信によるデータ送信の完了を通知する。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、このタイミングＴ１での信号線ＣＳへのＨｉ（同一の信号）の出力により、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたアダプタマイコン３０２に対して、ブロードキャスト通信からＰ２Ｐ通信への切替えを指示する。言い換えれば、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の開始（実行）とブロードキャスト通信レートからＰ２Ｐ通信レートへの切替えを指示する。 In FIG. 11, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits slave designation data (data for notifying that it is a specific accessory) that designates the adapter microcomputer 302 as a communication partner of P2P communication by the first broadcast communication. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 notifies the completion of data transmission by broadcast communication to all communication slaves by setting the signal line CS to Hi at timing T1. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 switches from broadcast communication to P2P communication with respect to the adapter microcomputer 302 designated as the communication partner of P2P communication by outputting Hi (the same signal) to the signal line CS at the timing T1. Instruct switching. In other words, it instructs the start (execution) of P2P communication and switching from the broadcast communication rate to the P2P communication rate.
　データ送信完了を認識した通信スレーブのうち、スレーブ指定データによりＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定された（指定が通知された）通信スレーブと、通信相手でないと通知された（指定が通知されなかった）通信スレーブはこの後異なる処理を行う。 Among communication slaves that have recognized the completion of data transmission, a communication slave designated as a communication partner for P2P communication by the slave designation data (designation is notified) and a communication slave that is not a communication partner are notified (designation was not notified) The communication slave performs different processing thereafter.
　通信相手としての指定が通知されなかったレンズマイコン１１１は、ブロードキャスト通信による通信データの受信処理が完了すると、タイミングＴ２で信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることにより該データ受信処理の完了を通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５に通知する。その後レンズマイコン１１１は、ブロードキャスト通信レートを維持して、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２間のＰ２Ｐ通信で送信される通信データの受信処理は行わず、次のブロードキャスト通信の通信開始を待つ通信待機状態に遷移する。 The lens microcomputer 111, which has not been notified of the designation as the communication partner, is the communication master when the communication data reception process by the broadcast communication is completed, by setting the signal line CS to Hi at timing T2. The camera microcomputer 205 is notified. Thereafter, the lens microcomputer 111 maintains the broadcast communication rate, does not perform reception processing of communication data transmitted by the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302, and waits for the start of the next broadcast communication. Transition to.
　一方、通信相手としての指定が通知されたアダプタマイコン３０２は、カメラマイコン２０５から通知されるタイミングＴ１での信号線ＣＳのＨｉを検出すると、通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢからＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１に変更する。またアダプタマイコン３０２は、Ｐ２Ｐ通信によるデータ通信の準備を行って、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信待機状態への遷移が完了したことをタイミングＴ３で信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることにより、カメラマイコン２０５に通知する。 On the other hand, when the adapter microcomputer 302 notified of designation as the communication partner detects Hi of the signal line CS at the timing T1 notified from the camera microcomputer 205, the communication rate is changed from the broadcast communication rate RateB to the P2P communication rate RateP1. To do. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 prepares for data communication by P2P communication and notifies the camera microcomputer 205 that the signal line CS is Hi at timing T3 to complete the transition to the communication standby state of P2P communication. .
　カメラマイコン２０５は、タイミングＴ３で信号線ＣＳがＨｉに切り替わったことにより、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたアダプタマイコン３０２がブロードキャスト通信を完了、さらにＰ２Ｐ通信の受信準備を完了したことを認識する。続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手であるアダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１に変更してＰ２Ｐ通信を実行する。 The camera microcomputer 205 recognizes that the adapter microcomputer 302 designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication has completed the broadcast communication and further has completed the preparation for receiving the P2P communication by switching the signal line CS to Hi at the timing T3. . Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 changes the communication rate to the P2P communication rate RateP1 with the adapter microcomputer 302 that is the communication partner of P2P communication, and executes P2P communication.
　なお、アダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１がブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢと同じ通信レートである場合には、上述した通信レート切替え処理を行わなくてもよい。 In addition, when the P2P communication rate RateP1 with the adapter microcomputer 302 is the same communication rate as the broadcast communication rate RateB, the communication rate switching process described above may not be performed.
　次に、カメラマイコン２０５が、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてレンズマイコン１１１を指定した場合について説明する。カメラマイコン２０５は、図１１における２回目のブロードキャスト通信においてＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手としてレンズマイコン１１１を指定する。カメラマイコン２０５は、タイミングＴ４での信号線ＣＳのＨｉ（同一の信号）により、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたレンズマイコン１１１に対して、ブロードキャスト通信からＰ２Ｐ通信への切替えを指示する。言い換えれば、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の開始（実行）とブロードキャスト通信レートからＰ２Ｐ通信レートへの切替えを指示する。 Next, a case where the camera microcomputer 205 designates the lens microcomputer 111 as a communication partner for P2P communication will be described. The camera microcomputer 205 designates the lens microcomputer 111 as a communication partner of P2P communication in the second broadcast communication in FIG. The camera microcomputer 205 instructs the lens microcomputer 111 designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication to switch from the broadcast communication to the P2P communication by Hi (the same signal) of the signal line CS at the timing T4. In other words, it instructs the start (execution) of P2P communication and switching from the broadcast communication rate to the P2P communication rate.
　通信相手としての指定が通知されなかったアダプタマイコン３０２は、ブロードキャスト通信による通信データの受信処理が完了すると、タイミングＴ５で信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることにより該データ受信処理の完了を通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５に通知する。その後アダプタマイコン３０２は、ブロードキャスト通信レートを維持して、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１間のＰ２Ｐ通信で送信される通信データの受信処理は行わず、次のブロードキャスト通信の通信開始を待つ通信待機状態に遷移する。 The adapter microcomputer 302 that has not been notified of the designation as the communication partner is the communication master when the communication data reception process by the broadcast communication is completed, by setting the signal line CS to Hi at the timing T5. The camera microcomputer 205 is notified. Thereafter, the adapter microcomputer 302 maintains the broadcast communication rate, does not perform reception processing of communication data transmitted by the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, and waits for the start of the next broadcast communication. Transition to.
　一方、レンズマイコン１１１は、タイミングＴ４での信号線ＣＳのＨｉを検出すると、通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２に変更する。また、レンズマイコン１１１はＰ２Ｐ通信でのデータの受信準備を行い、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の受信待機状態への遷移が完了したことをタイミングＴ６で信号線ＣＳをＨｉにすることによりカメラマイコン２０５に通知する。 On the other hand, when the lens microcomputer 111 detects Hi of the signal line CS at the timing T4, the lens microcomputer 111 changes the communication rate to the P2P communication rate RateP2. Further, the lens microcomputer 111 prepares to receive data in P2P communication, and notifies the camera microcomputer 205 that the signal line CS is set to Hi at timing T6 to complete the transition to the reception standby state of P2P communication.
　カメラマイコン２０５は、タイミングＴ６で信号線ＣＳがＨｉに切り替わったことにより、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたレンズマイコン１１１がブロードキャスト通信が完了し、さらにＰ２Ｐ通信の受信準備を完了したことを認識する。続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手であるレンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２に変更してＰ２Ｐ通信を実行する。
このように、図１１の例では、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２は、アダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１より高速である。このため、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信では、アダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信に比べて短時間に大量のデータを通信することが可能である。 The camera microcomputer 205 recognizes that the lens microcomputer 111 designated as the communication partner of the P2P communication has completed the broadcast communication and the preparation for the reception of the P2P communication has been completed because the signal line CS is switched to Hi at the timing T6. To do. Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 changes the communication rate to the P2P communication rate RateP2 with the lens microcomputer 111 that is the communication partner of P2P communication, and executes P2P communication.
Thus, in the example of FIG. 11, the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is faster than the P2P communication rate RateP1 with the adapter microcomputer 302. For this reason, in the P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111, it is possible to communicate a large amount of data in a short time compared to the P2P communication with the adapter microcomputer 302.
　以上説明したように、本実施例では、信号線ＣＳと信号線ＤＡＴＡの２線（チャネル）で通信を行うカメラシステムにおいて、それぞれの通信スレーブとのＰ２Ｐ通信で使用する通信レートを適宜変更することができる。このため、対応通信レートが低速である通信スレーブに合わせてカメラシステム全体での通信速度を低速に抑える必要がなく、高い通信レートを使用可能な通信スレーブの通信性能を十分に生かした高速通信を行うことができる。また、信号線ＣＳを用いて通信モードおよび通信レートの切替えを指示することで、これらの切替え処理を高速に行うことができる。
［通信制御処理］
　次に、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間で行われる通信制御処理について説明する。まず、図７Ａおよび図７Ｂのフローチャートを用いて、ブロードキャスト通信モードでの処理について説明する。図７Ａはカメラマイコン２０５が行う処理を示し、図７Ｂはレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２が行う処理を示している。それぞれコンピュータであるカメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、コンピュータプログラムとしての通信制御プログラムに従って本処理および後述する他の処理を実行する。 As described above, in this embodiment, in the camera system that performs communication using the two lines (channels) of the signal line CS and the signal line DATA, the communication rate used in the P2P communication with each communication slave is appropriately changed. Can do. For this reason, it is not necessary to reduce the communication speed of the entire camera system to match the communication slave whose communication rate is low, and high-speed communication that fully utilizes the communication performance of the communication slave that can use a high communication rate. It can be carried out. In addition, by instructing switching of the communication mode and communication rate using the signal line CS, these switching processes can be performed at high speed.
[Communication control processing]
Next, communication control processing performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 will be described. First, processing in the broadcast communication mode will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 7A and 7B. 7A shows processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205, and FIG. 7B shows processing performed by the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302. Each of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302, which are computers, executes this processing and other processing described later in accordance with a communication control program as a computer program.
　ステップＳ１００においてブロードキャスト通信を開始するイベントが発生すると、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１０１において接地スイッチ２０８１をオン（接続）して信号線ＣＳをＬｏｗにする。これにより、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２に対してブロードキャスト通信の開始を通知する。ステップＳ２００において信号線ＣＳのＬｏｗを検出したレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２０１において信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を許可する。 When an event for starting broadcast communication occurs in step S100, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 to set the signal line CS to low in step S101. Thereby, the start of broadcast communication is notified to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302. The lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 that have detected Low of the signal line CS in step S200 permit data reception from the signal line DATA in step S201.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１０２において入出力切替えスイッチ２０８２を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続し、ステップＳ１０３でデータ送信を行う。レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２０２で信号線ＤＡＴＡのスタートビットを検出すると、ステップＳ２０５にて通信処理中であることを示すために接地スイッチ１１２１および接地スイッチ３０３１をオン（接続）する。これにより、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。その後、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２、ステップＳ２０６において全データを受信したと判定すると、ステップＳ２０７において信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を禁止する。さらにステップＳ２０８において、通信処理が終了したことを示すために接地スイッチ１１２１および接地スイッチ３０３１をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。なお、ここで送受信するデータのバイト数に制限は無く、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２間で認識が一致していればよい。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S102 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S103. When the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 detect the start bit of the signal line DATA in step S202, the lens switch 1111 and the ground switch 3031 are turned on (connected) to indicate that communication processing is being performed in step S205. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started. Thereafter, when it is determined that all data has been received in the lens microcomputer 111, the adapter microcomputer 302, and step S206, data reception from the signal line DATA is prohibited in step S207. Further, in step S208, the ground switch 1121 and the ground switch 3031 are turned off (shut off) to indicate that the communication process has ended, and the Low output to the signal line CS is released. Here, the number of bytes of data to be transmitted and received is not limited, and it is sufficient that the recognition is consistent among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１０４において、ステップＳ１０３で送信したデータがレンズマイコン１１１またはアダプタマイコン３０２からの送信も含む双方向コマンドであるか否かを判定する。双方向コマンドでない場合には、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ１０５にて接地スイッチ２０８１をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除し、ステップＳ１１６に進む。双方向コマンドである場合には、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ１０６にて入出力切替えスイッチ２０８２を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ入力部に接続する。そして、ステップＳ１０７において接地スイッチ２０８１をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除し、ステップＳ１０８にて信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機する。 Subsequently, in step S104, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the data transmitted in step S103 is a bidirectional command including transmission from the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302. If the command is not a bidirectional command, the camera microcomputer 205 turns off (cuts off) the ground switch 2081 in step S105 to release the Low output to the signal line CS, and proceeds to step S116. If it is a bidirectional command, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S106 to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit. In step S107, the ground switch 2081 is turned off (shut off) to release the Low output to the signal line CS, and the process waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S108.
　一方、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２０９において、ステップＳ２０６で受信したデータが自身からの送信も含む双方向コマンドであるか否かを判定する。レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、双方向コマンドでなかった場合にはステップＳ２１５に進み、双方向コマンドであった場合にはステップＳ２１０にて信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機する。そして、信号線ＣＳがＨｉになると、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２１１において接地スイッチ１１２１，３０３１をオン（接続）して信号線ＣＳをＬｏｗにすることで、ブロードキャスト通信の開始を通知する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１０９において信号線ＣＳのＬｏｗを検出すると、ステップＳ１１０において信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を許可する。 Meanwhile, in step S209, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether the data received in step S206 is a bidirectional command including transmission from itself. If the command is not a bidirectional command, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 proceed to step S215. If the command is a bidirectional command, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 wait until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S210. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 notify the start of broadcast communication by turning on (connecting) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 and setting the signal line CS to low in step S211. To do. When the camera microcomputer 205 detects Low of the signal line CS in step S109, the camera microcomputer 205 permits data reception from the signal line DATA in step S110.
　続いてレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２１２において入出力切替えスイッチ１１２２，３０３２を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続し、ステップＳ２１３でデータ送信を行う。カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１１１において信号線ＤＡＴＡのスタートビットを検出すると、ステップＳ１１２において通信処理中であることを示すために接地スイッチ２０８１をオン（接続）する。これにより、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、全データの送信が終了した後に、ステップＳ２１４において接地スイッチ１１２１，３０３１をオフ（遮断）することで、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１１３で全データを受信したと判定すると、ステップＳ１１４で信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を禁止する。そして、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１１５において通信処理が終了したことを示すために接地スイッチ２０８１をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。なお、ここで送受信するデータのバイト数に制限は無く、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２間で認識が一致していればよい。 Subsequently, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 operate the input / output changeover switches 1122 and 3032 in step S212 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and perform data transmission in step S213. When the camera microcomputer 205 detects the start bit of the signal line DATA in step S111, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 to indicate that communication processing is being performed in step S112. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started. The lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 release the Low output to the signal line CS by turning off (shut off) the ground switches 1121 and 3031 in step S214 after transmission of all data is completed. If the camera microcomputer 205 determines that all data has been received in step S113, it prohibits data reception from the signal line DATA in step S114. In step S115, the camera microcomputer 205 turns off (cuts off) the ground switch 2081 to release the Low output to the signal line CS in order to indicate that the communication process has ended. Here, the number of bytes of data to be transmitted and received is not limited, and it is sufficient that the recognition is consistent among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ１１６において信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機する。信号線ＣＳがＨｉになると、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ１１７において、ステップＳ１０３で送信したデータによりレンズマイコン１１１またはアダプタマイコン３０２をＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定したか否かを判定する。カメラマイコン２０５は、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２を通信相手として指定していない場合はそのまま処理を終了し、いずれかを指定した場合にはステップＳ１１８でＰ２Ｐ通信モードに移行する。 Subsequently, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S116. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, the camera microcomputer 205 determines in step S117 whether or not the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 has been designated as a communication partner for P2P communication based on the data transmitted in step S103. If the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are not designated as communication partners, the camera microcomputer 205 ends the process as it is, and if any is designated, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the P2P communication mode in step S118.
　一方、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２１５で信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機する。信号線ＣＳがＨｉになると、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２はステップＳ２１６において、ステップＳ２０６で受信したデータによりカメラマイコン２０５からＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたか否かを判定する。レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、通信相手として指定されていない場合には、そのまま処理を終了する。通信相手として指定されていた場合には、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２のうち指定されたマイコンは、ステップＳ２１７において信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を許可し、ステップＳ２１８においてＰ２Ｐ通信モードに移行する。 On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 stand by until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S215. When the signal line CS becomes Hi, in step S216, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 determine whether or not the camera microcomputer 205 has designated the communication partner for P2P communication based on the data received in step S206. If the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 are not designated as communication partners, the process is terminated. If it is designated as the communication partner, the designated microcomputer out of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 permits data reception from the signal line DATA in step S217, and shifts to the P2P communication mode in step S218.
　なお、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２０２においてスタートビットを検出していない場合は、ステップＳ２０３において信号線ＣＳがＨｉになったか否かを確認する。信号線ＣＳがＨｉになった（戻った）場合には、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、ステップＳ２０４において信号線ＤＡＴＡからのデータ受信を禁止して処理を終了する。これは、Ｐ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されていない通信スレーブが、カメラマイコン２０５と他の通信スレーブとの間のＰ２Ｐ通信による信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力に対応するための処理である。 If the start bit is not detected in step S202, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 confirm whether or not the signal line CS has become Hi in step S203. When the signal line CS becomes Hi (returns), the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 prohibit data reception from the signal line DATA in step S204 and end the processing. This is processing for a communication slave not designated as a communication partner of P2P communication to respond to Low output to the signal line CS by P2P communication between the camera microcomputer 205 and another communication slave.
　次に、図８Ａおよび図８Ｂのフローチャートを用いて、Ｐ２Ｐ通信モードでの処理について説明する。図８Ａはカメラマイコン２０５が行う処理を示し、図８Ｂはレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２のうちＰ２Ｐ通信の通信相手として指定されたマイコン（以下、特定マイコンという）が行う処理を示している。 Next, processing in the P2P communication mode will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 8A and 8B. 8A shows processing performed by the camera microcomputer 205, and FIG. 8B shows processing performed by a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a specific microcomputer) designated as a communication partner of P2P communication among the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　ステップＳ３００においてＰ２Ｐ通信を開始するイベントが発生すると、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ３０１において入出力切替えスイッチ２０８２を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続し、ステップＳ３０２でデータ送信を行う。その後、全てのデータ送信が終了すると、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ３０３において接地スイッチ２０８１をオン（接続）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。一方、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４００において信号線ＣＳのＬｏｗを検出するとカメラマイコン２０５からのデータ送信が終了したと判定し、ステップＳ４０１において信号線ＤＡＴＡから受信したデータの解析を行う。 When an event for starting P2P communication occurs in step S300, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S301 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S302. Thereafter, when all data transmission is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 turns on (connects) the ground switch 2081 in step S303 and starts outputting Low to the signal line CS. On the other hand, when the specific microcomputer detects Low of the signal line CS in step S400, it determines that the data transmission from the camera microcomputer 205 is completed, and analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA in step S401.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ３０４において、ステップＳ３０２で送信したデータが特定マイコンからの送信も含む双方向コマンドであるか否かを判定する。カメラマイコン２０５は、双方向コマンドでない場合には、ステップＳ３０５で接地スイッチ２０８１をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。そして、ステップＳ３０６で信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機してからステップＳ３１１に進む。双方向コマンドである場合には、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ３０７で入出力切替えスイッチ２０８２を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ入力部に接続する。そして、ステップＳ３０８で接地スイッチ２０８１をオフ（遮断）することで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。 Subsequently, in step S304, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the data transmitted in step S302 is a bidirectional command including transmission from the specific microcomputer. If it is not a bidirectional command, the camera microcomputer 205 turns off (cuts off) the ground switch 2081 in step S305 to cancel the low output to the signal line CS. In step S306, the process waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi before proceeding to step S311. If the command is a bidirectional command, the camera microcomputer 205 operates the input / output changeover switch 2082 in step S307 to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit. In step S308, the ground switch 2081 is turned off (shut off) to cancel the low output to the signal line CS.
　一方、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４０２で信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機した後、ステップＳ４０３において、ステップＳ４０１で受信したデータが自身からの送信も含む双方向コマンドであるか否かを判定する。双方向コマンドでない場合には、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４０４およびステップＳ４０５において接地スイッチ（１１２１または３０３１）をオン（接続）およびオフ（遮断）する。これにより、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力の開始および解除を行い、ステップＳ４１１に進む。双方向コマンドである場合には、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４０６において、入出力切替えスイッチ（１１２２または３０３２）を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ出力部に接続し、ステップＳ４０７においてデータ送信を行う。その後、全てのデータ送信が終了すると、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４０８において接地スイッチ（１１２１または３０３１）をオン（接続）することで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。 On the other hand, after waiting for the signal line CS to become Hi in step S402, the specific microcomputer determines in step S403 whether the data received in step S401 is a bidirectional command including transmission from itself. If it is not a bidirectional command, the specific microcomputer turns on (connects) and turns off (cuts off) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in steps S404 and S405. Thereby, the Low output to the signal line CS is started and canceled, and the process proceeds to Step S411. In the case of a bidirectional command, the specific microcomputer operates the input / output changeover switch (1122 or 3032) in step S406 to connect the signal line DATA to the data output unit, and performs data transmission in step S407. Thereafter, when all data transmission is completed, the specific microcomputer starts low output to the signal line CS by turning on (connecting) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in step S408.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０９において信号線ＣＳのＬｏｗを検出すると、ステップＳ３１０において特定マイコンからのデータ送信が終了したと判定して、信号線ＤＡＴＡから受信したデータの解析を行う。一方、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４０９において入出力切替えスイッチ（１１２２または３０３２）を動作させて信号線ＤＡＴＡをデータ入力部に接続する。その後、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４１０において接地スイッチ（１１２１または３０３１）をオフ（遮断）して信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。 Subsequently, when the camera microcomputer 205 detects that the signal line CS is low in step S609, the camera microcomputer 205 determines in step S310 that data transmission from the specific microcomputer has been completed, and analyzes the data received from the signal line DATA. On the other hand, in step S409, the specific microcomputer operates the input / output changeover switch (1122 or 3032) to connect the signal line DATA to the data input unit. Thereafter, the specific microcomputer turns off (cuts off) the ground switch (1121 or 3031) in step S410 to cancel the Low output to the signal line CS.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ３１１において信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機する。その後、ステップＳ３１２でブロードキャスト通信を開始するイベントが発生すると、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ３１３でブロードキャスト通信モードに移行する。一方、特定マイコンは、ステップＳ４１１において信号線ＣＳがＨｉになるまで待機して処理を終了する。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S311. Thereafter, when an event for starting broadcast communication occurs in step S312, the camera microcomputer 205 shifts to the broadcast communication mode in step S313. On the other hand, the specific microcomputer waits until the signal line CS becomes Hi in step S411 and ends the processing.
　このように、本実施例では、ブロードキャスト通信とＰ２Ｐ通信とで、信号線ＣＳで伝達する信号の意味（機能）を適切に切り替える。これによりカメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２間の通信を、少ない信号線数（チャネル数）で実現することができる。 Thus, in this embodiment, the meaning (function) of the signal transmitted through the signal line CS is appropriately switched between broadcast communication and P2P communication. As a result, communication among the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 can be realized with a small number of signal lines (number of channels).
　次に、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の間で行われるブロードキャスト通信が、通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２から開始される場合の通信処理について説明する。ブロードキャスト通信を開始させる通信スレーブは、カメラマイコン２０５に対して通信リクエスト（通信要求）を通知する。 Next, communication processing when broadcast communication performed between the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 is started from the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 that are communication slaves will be described. A communication slave that starts broadcast communication notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of a communication request (communication request).
　図９は、上記ブロードキャスト通信における信号波形を示している。図９では、例として、レンズマイコン１１１が通信リクエストをカメラマイコン２０５に通知してカメラマイコン２０５がブロードキャスト通信を開始させる場合を示している。カメラマイコン２０５からレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２へのブロードキャスト通信に応答する形で、アダプタマイコン３０２からカメラマイコン２０５およびレンズマイコン１１１へのブロードキャスト通信が行われる。 FIG. 9 shows signal waveforms in the broadcast communication. FIG. 9 shows a case where the lens microcomputer 111 notifies the camera microcomputer 205 of a communication request and the camera microcomputer 205 starts broadcast communication as an example. Broadcast communication from the adapter microcomputer 302 to the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is performed in response to broadcast communication from the camera microcomputer 205 to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　まず、レンズマイコン１１１は、ブロードキャスト通信を開始させるための通信リクエストをカメラマイコン２０５およびアダプタマイコン３０２に通知するために、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＬｏｗになったことを検出すると、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。この時点ではすでにレンズマイコン１１１が信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始しているので、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは変化しない。 First, the lens microcomputer 111 starts low output to the signal line CS in order to notify the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 of a communication request for starting broadcast communication. Next, when the camera microcomputer 205 detects that the signal level of the signal line CS has become Low, the camera microcomputer 205 starts outputting Low to the signal line CS. At this time, since the lens microcomputer 111 has already started to output Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
　次に、カメラマイコン２０５は、送信するデータを信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。一方、アダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたスタートビットＳＴを検出したタイミングで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。この時点ではすでにカメラマイコン２０５が信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始しているので、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは変化しない。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA. On the other hand, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts Low output to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. At this time, since the camera microcomputer 205 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了した後、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。一方、レンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたストップビットＳＰまで受信した後、受信したデータの解析および受信したデータに関連付けられた内部処理を行い、次のデータを受信するための準備が整った後に信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。前述したように、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２の全てが信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除することでＨｉとなる。したがって、カメラマイコン２０５、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２は、それぞれが信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除した後に信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉになったことを確認することで、各マイコンにおける今回の通信に関する処理が終了して、次の通信を行うための準備が整ったと判定することができる。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 cancels the Low output to the signal line CS after completing the output of the stop bit SP. On the other hand, the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 receive up to the stop bit SP input from the signal line DATA, then analyze the received data and perform internal processing associated with the received data, and receive the next data The low output to the signal line CS is released after the preparation for preparation is completed. As described above, the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi when all of the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 cancel the Low output to the signal line CS. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302 confirm that the signal level of the signal line CS becomes Hi after each canceling the Low output to the signal line CS. It can be determined that the processing related to the communication is completed and preparation for the next communication is completed.
　次にアダプタマイコン３０２は、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルがＨｉに戻ったことを確認すると、ブロードキャスト通信を開始させるための通信リクエストをカメラマイコン２０５およびレンズマイコン１１１に通知するために、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。次にアダプタマイコン３０２は、送信するデータを信号線ＤＡＴＡに出力する。一方、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたスタートビットＳＴを検出したタイミングで信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始する。この時点ではすでにアダプタマイコン３０２が信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を開始しているので、信号線ＣＳの信号レベルは変化しない。 Next, when the adapter microcomputer 302 confirms that the signal level of the signal line CS has returned to Hi, the adapter microcomputer 302 notifies the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 of a communication request for starting broadcast communication to the signal line CS. Starts low output. Next, the adapter microcomputer 302 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DATA. On the other hand, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 start outputting Low to the signal line CS at the timing when the start bit ST input from the signal line DATA is detected. At this time, since the adapter microcomputer 302 has already started outputting Low to the signal line CS, the signal level of the signal line CS does not change.
　続いてアダプタマイコン３０２は、ストップビットＳＰの出力まで終了した後、信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。一方、カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１は、信号線ＤＡＴＡから入力されたストップビットＳＰまで受信した後、受信したデータの解析および受信したデータに関連付けられた内部処理を行い、次のデータを受信するための準備が整った後に信号線ＣＳへのＬｏｗ出力を解除する。 Subsequently, the adapter microcomputer 302 terminates the output of the stop bit SP, and then cancels the Low output to the signal line CS. On the other hand, after receiving up to the stop bit SP input from the signal line DATA, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 perform analysis of the received data and internal processing associated with the received data, and receive the next data The low output to the signal line CS is released after the preparation for preparation is completed.
　このように通信スレーブであるレンズおよびアダプタマイコン１１１，３０２がブロードキャスト通信の通信リクエストを出力するのは、カメラ、レンズおよびアダプタマイコン２０５，１１１，３０２の全てがブロードキャスト通信モードであるときのみである。　　　 In this way, the lens and adapter microcomputers 111 and 302 that are communication slaves output a communication request for broadcast communication only when all of the cameras, lenses and adapter microcomputers 205, 111, and 302 are in the broadcast communication mode. *
　また、通信スレーブであるレンズおよびアダプタマイコン１１１，３０２がブロードキャスト通信の通信リクエストを出力した場合は、通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５はどちらの通信スレーブが信号線ＣＳにＬｏｗを出力したのかをこの時点では判別できない。したがって、カメラマイコン２０５は、レンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２の両方に対してブロードキャスト通信の通信リクエストを出力したか否かを確認するための通信を行う必要がある。 When the communication slave lens and adapter microcomputers 111 and 302 output a communication request for broadcast communication, the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master determines which communication slave has output Low to the signal line CS at this time. Can not be determined. Therefore, the camera microcomputer 205 needs to perform communication for confirming whether a broadcast communication request has been output to both the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302.
　また、カメラマイコン２０５がブロードキャスト通信を開始するために信号線ＣＳにＬｏｗを出力したタイミングで、レンズマイコン１１１またはアダプタマイコン３０２が通信リクエストのために信号線ＣＳにＬｏｗを出力する場合がある。この場合、カメラマイコン２０５はレンズマイコン１１１またはアダプタマイコン３０２が信号線ＣＳにＬｏｗを出力したことを検出することができない。このため、カメラマイコン２０５からレンズおよびアダプタマイコン１１１，３０２に、それらからブロードキャスト通信を開始するための通信リクエストを出力することを許可する許可通知を通知してもよい。 In addition, at the timing when the camera microcomputer 205 outputs Low to the signal line CS to start broadcast communication, the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 may output Low to the signal line CS for a communication request. In this case, the camera microcomputer 205 cannot detect that the lens microcomputer 111 or the adapter microcomputer 302 has output Low to the signal line CS. For this reason, the camera microcomputer 205 may notify the lens and adapter microcomputers 111 and 302 of a permission notification permitting them to output a communication request for starting broadcast communication.
　このように本実施例では、通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５から通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２にデータを一斉送信するブロードキャスト通信を、通信スレーブから開始することができる。これにより、カメラマイコン２０５が常にレンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２に通信をし続ける必要がなくなり、無駄な通信を抑制して通信量を削減することができる。 As described above, in this embodiment, broadcast communication for simultaneously transmitting data from the camera microcomputer 205 as a communication master to the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as communication slaves can be started from the communication slave. This eliminates the need for the camera microcomputer 205 to constantly communicate with the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302, thereby reducing unnecessary communication and reducing the amount of communication.
　図１２から図１６を用いて、対応通信レート情報の情報形式と、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢおよびＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２を設定する処理について説明する。 A process for setting the information format of the corresponding communication rate information, the broadcast communication rate RateB, and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
　図１２には、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１が保持する対応通信レート情報の情報形式を示している。各対応通信レート情報には、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１が相互に通信が可能な初期通信用の通信レートである初期通信レートとして、５００Ｋｂｐｓ（bit per second）が登録されている。初期通信レートは、前述したように、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１が使用可能な通信レートのうち最も遅い通信レートである。対応通信レート情報には、初期通信レートより高速な通信レートとして、各マイコンが使用可能な通信レート（例えば、１Ｍｂｐｓ，２Ｍｂｐｓ，５Ｍｂｐｓ，１０Ｍｂｐｓ）を複数登録することが可能である。登録の上限数は制限されることはなく、マイコンごとに登録数が異なってもよい。
［通信レート選択処理］
　次に、図１５および図１６を用いて、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢと、Ｐ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２を選択する処理について説明する。ここでは、カメラマイコン２０５は実施例１で説明した対応通信レート情報取得処理によってアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４とレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２をすでに取得しているものとする。 FIG. 12 shows an information format of corresponding communication rate information held by the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111. In each corresponding communication rate information, 500 Kbps (bit per second) is registered as an initial communication rate that is a communication rate for initial communication with which the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 can communicate with each other. . As described above, the initial communication rate is the slowest communication rate that can be used by the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111. In the corresponding communication rate information, a plurality of communication rates (for example, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5 Mbps, and 10 Mbps) that can be used by each microcomputer can be registered as communication rates that are faster than the initial communication rate. The upper limit number of registrations is not limited, and the number of registrations may be different for each microcomputer.
[Communication rate selection processing]
Next, processing for selecting the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. Here, it is assumed that the camera microcomputer 205 has already acquired the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 by the corresponding communication rate information acquisition process described in the first embodiment.
　図１５は、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢを選択する処理を示す。まずカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５００において自身の対応通信レート情報２１０を検索用テーブルＴＢＬ１に設定する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０１においてアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４を検索用テーブルＴＢＬ２に設定する。さらにカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０２においてレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２を検索用テーブルＴＢＬ３に設定する。ここまでの処理によりテーブル検索処理の準備が整う。 FIG. 15 shows processing for selecting the broadcast communication rate RateB. First, in step S500, the camera microcomputer 205 sets its corresponding communication rate information 210 in the search table TBL1. Next, in step S501, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the search table TBL2. Furthermore, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 in the search table TBL3 in step S502. The process up to here is ready for the table search process.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０３においてテーブル参照番号ｎにカメラマイコン２０５自身の対応通信レート情報２１０の先頭番号を登録する。そして、ステップＳ５０４において自身の対応通信レート情報２１０のテーブル番号ｎ＝１に記憶されている通信レート（１Ｍｂｐｓ）を取得して、Ｒａｔｅ１に登録する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０５においてアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４にステップＳ５０４で取得した１Ｍｂｐｓと同じ通信レートが登録されているか否かを判定する。同じ通信レートが登録されている場合には、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０６においてレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２にステップＳ５０４で取得した通信レートと同じ通信レートが登録されているか否かを判定する。同じ通信レートが登録されている場合、つまり全ての検索用テーブルＴＢＬ１～ＴＢＬ３に共通する通信レートがある場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０７でその共通通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢの候補リストに登録する。一方、検索用テーブルＴＢＬ１～ＴＢＬ３のうち１つでも同じ通信レートが登録されていない場合は、該候補リストへの登録は行わない。 Next, in step S503, the camera microcomputer 205 registers the head number of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of the camera microcomputer 205 itself in the table reference number n. In step S504, the communication rate (1 Mbps) stored in the table number n = 1 of the corresponding communication rate information 210 is acquired and registered in Rate1. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as 1 Mbps acquired in step S504 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in step S505. If the same communication rate is registered, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as that acquired in step S504 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 in step S506. To do. If the same communication rate is registered, that is, if there is a communication rate common to all the search tables TBL1 to TBL3, the camera microcomputer 205 adds the common communication rate to the broadcast communication rate RateB candidate list in step S507. sign up. On the other hand, when the same communication rate is not registered in any one of the search tables TBL1 to TBL3, the registration to the candidate list is not performed.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０８において現在の確認テーブル番号が自身の対応通信レート情報２１０の最終のテーブル番号であるか否かを判定する。最終テーブル番号ではない場合は、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ５０９において次のテーブル番号に記憶されている通信レートを取得するために、テーブル参照番号ｎを１つインクリメントする。そして、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５０４に戻って前述した処理を繰り返す。こうしてカメラマイコン２０５は、自身の対応通信レート情報２１０のテーブル番号ｎ＝２以降の通信レートについて、アダプタマイコン３０２とレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報３０４，１３２に共通して登録されている共通通信レートの有無を検索する。 Subsequently, in step S508, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the current confirmation table number is the final table number of its corresponding communication rate information 210. If it is not the final table number, the camera microcomputer 205 increments the table reference number n by 1 in order to obtain the communication rate stored in the next table number in step S509. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S504 and repeats the above-described processing. In this way, the camera microcomputer 205 shares the common communication registered in the corresponding communication rate information 304 and 132 of the adapter microcomputer 302 and the lens microcomputer 111 for the communication rates after the table number n = 2 of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of itself. Search for rates.
　最終テーブル番号までの検索が完了すると、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ５１０においてブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢの候補リストに登録された共通通信レートを確認する。図１２に例示した対応通信レート情報では、１Ｍｂｐｓのみが共通通信レートである。カメラマイコン２０５は、この共通通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとして選択する。なお、共通通信レートが複数存在する場合には、カメラマイコン２０５はそれらのうち最も高速な共通通信レートを選択する。これにより、通信時間をできるだけ短縮することが可能となる。 When the search up to the final table number is completed, the camera microcomputer 205 confirms the common communication rate registered in the broadcast communication rate RateB candidate list in step S510. In the corresponding communication rate information illustrated in FIG. 12, only 1 Mbps is a common communication rate. The camera microcomputer 205 selects this common communication rate as the broadcast communication rate RateB. When there are a plurality of common communication rates, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the fastest common communication rate among them. As a result, the communication time can be shortened as much as possible.
　ステップＳ５１０において通信レートＲａｔｅＢの候補リストに共通通信レートが登録されていない場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとして初期通信レートと同じ通信レートを選択する。 If the common communication rate is not registered in the candidate list of the communication rate RateB in step S510, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the same communication rate as the initial communication rate as the broadcast communication rate RateB.
　以上説明した処理により、カメラマイコン２０５、アダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１が保持する対応通信レート情報に共通して登録された１つ又は最も高速な共通通信レートがブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとして選択（設定）される。 Through the processing described above, one or the highest common communication rate registered in common with the corresponding communication rate information held by the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens microcomputer 111 is selected (set) as the broadcast communication rate RateB. Is done.
　図１６は、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１を選択する処理を示している。まずカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６００において自身の対応通信レート情報２１０を検索用テーブルＴＢＬ１に設定する。続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０１においてアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４を検索用テーブルＴＢＬ２に設定する。ここまでの処理によりテーブル検索処理の準備が整う。 FIG. 16 shows a process of selecting the P2P communication rate RateP1 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302. First, in step S600, the camera microcomputer 205 sets its corresponding communication rate information 210 in the search table TBL1. In step S601, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the search table TBL2. The process up to here is ready for the table search process.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０２においてテーブル参照番号ｎにカメラマイコン２０５の対応通信レート情報２１０の先頭番号を登録する。そして、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０３において自身の対応通信レート情報２１０のテーブル番号ｎ＝１に記憶されている通信レート（１Ｍｂｐｓ）を取得し、Ｒａｔｅ１に登録する。次に、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０４においてアダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４にステップＳ６０３で取得した１Ｍｂｐｓと同じ通信レートが登録されているか否かを判定する。同じ通信レートが登録されている場合、つまりは検索用テーブルＴＢＬ１，ＴＢＬ２に共通の通信レートがある場合には、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０５においてその共通通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１の候補リストに登録する。一方、同じ通信レートが登録されていない場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は該候補リストへの登録は行わない。 Next, the camera microcomputer 205 registers the head number of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of the camera microcomputer 205 in the table reference number n in step S602. In step S603, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the communication rate (1 Mbps) stored in the table number n = 1 of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of the camera microcomputer 205 and registers it in Rate1. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the same communication rate as 1 Mbps acquired in step S603 is registered in the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 in step S604. If the same communication rate is registered, that is, if there is a common communication rate in the search tables TBL1, TBL2, the camera microcomputer 205 adds the common communication rate to the candidate list of the P2P communication rate RateP1 in step S605. sign up. On the other hand, if the same communication rate is not registered, the camera microcomputer 205 does not register the candidate list.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ６０６において現在の確認テーブル番号が自身の対応通信レート情報２１０の最終テーブル番号であるか否かを判定する。最終テーブル番号ではない場合には、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ６０７において次のテーブル番号に記憶されている通信レートを取得するために、テーブル参照番号ｎを１つインクリメントする。そして、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ６０３に戻って前述した処理を繰り返す。こうしてカメラマイコン２０５は、自身の対応通信レート情報２１０のテーブル番号ｎ＝２以降の通信レートについて、アダプタマイコン３０２の対応通信レート情報３０４に共通して登録されている共通通信レートの有無を検索する。 Subsequently, in step S606, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether or not the current confirmation table number is the final table number of its corresponding communication rate information 210. If it is not the final table number, the camera microcomputer 205 increments the table reference number n by 1 in order to obtain the communication rate stored in the next table number in step S607. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S603 and repeats the processing described above. In this way, the camera microcomputer 205 searches for the presence or absence of the common communication rate registered in common in the corresponding communication rate information 304 of the adapter microcomputer 302 for the communication rates after the table number n = 2 of the corresponding communication rate information 210 of itself. .
　ここまでの処理により最終テーブル番号まで検索が完了すると、カメラマイコン２０５はステップＳ６０８に進み、Ｐ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１の候補リストに登録された通信レートを確認する。図１２に示した対応通信レート情報では、１Ｍｂｐｓと２Ｍｂｐｓが共通通信レートであり、カメラマイコン２０５はこれら２つの共通通信レートのうち最も高速な通信レートである２ＭｂｐｓをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１として選択する。 When the process up to this point completes the search up to the final table number, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S608 and confirms the communication rate registered in the P2P communication rate RateP1 candidate list. In the corresponding communication rate information shown in FIG. 12, 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps are common communication rates, and the camera microcomputer 205 selects 2 Mbps, which is the fastest communication rate of these two common communication rates, as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
　一方、ステップＳ６０８において通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１の候補リストに共通通信レートが登録されていない場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は、初期通信レートと同一の通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１として選択する。 On the other hand, when the common communication rate is not registered in the candidate list of the communication rate RateP1 in step S608, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the same communication rate as the initial communication rate as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
　以上説明した処理により、カメラマイコン２０５とアダプタマイコン３０２が保持する対応通信レート情報に共通して登録された１つ又は最も高速な共通通信レートがＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１として選択（設定）される。 Through the process described above, one or the highest common communication rate registered in common with the corresponding communication rate information held by the camera microcomputer 205 and the adapter microcomputer 302 is selected (set) as the P2P communication rate RateP1.
　カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２についても、Ｐ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１の選択処理と同じ選択処理により選択される。図１２に示した例では、図１３に示すようにＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２の候補リストに共通通信レート１Ｍｂｐｓ、５Ｍｂｐｓ、１０Ｍｂｐｓおよび２０Ｍｂｐｓが登録される。カメラマイコン２０５は、これら共通通信レートのうち最も高速な共通通信レートである２０ＭｂｐｓをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として選択する。 The P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 is also selected by the same selection process as the selection process of the P2P communication rate RateP1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, common communication rates of 1 Mbps, 5 Mbps, 10 Mbps, and 20 Mbps are registered in the candidate list of the P2P communication rate RateP2, as illustrated in FIG. The camera microcomputer 205 selects 20 Mbps, which is the fastest common communication rate among these common communication rates, as the P2P communication rate RateP2.
　以上説明したように、カメラマイコン２０５は、予め取り決められた初期通信レートを用いてアダプタマイコン３０２およびレンズマイコン１１１から対応通信レート情報を取得する。そして、これら対応通信レート情報に基づいて、全てのマイコン２０５，３０２，１１１に共通する通信レートのうち最も高速な通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとして選択する。さらに、カメラマイコン２０５は、自身とアダプタマイコン３０２またはレンズマイコン１１１との間で共通する通信レートのうち最も高速な通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１またはＲａｔｅＰ２として選択する。これにより、ブロードキャスト通信とＰ２Ｐ通信とで最速の通信レートを使い分けることができ、各マイコンが備える通信性能を十分に生かした高速通信を行うことができる。 As described above, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the adapter microcomputer 302 and the lens microcomputer 111 using the predetermined initial communication rate. Based on the corresponding communication rate information, the fastest communication rate among the communication rates common to all the microcomputers 205, 302, and 111 is selected as the broadcast communication rate RateB. Furthermore, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the fastest communication rate among communication rates common between itself and the adapter microcomputer 302 or the lens microcomputer 111 as the P2P communication rate RateP1 or RateP2. As a result, the fastest communication rate can be properly used for broadcast communication and P2P communication, and high-speed communication that fully utilizes the communication performance of each microcomputer can be performed.
　次に、カメラ２００に接続されているアクセサリ装置（交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００）の数に応じて通信レートを制限する通信レート補正処理について、図１３および図１７のフローチャートを用いて説明する。図１に示すように、カメラマイコン２０５は、カメラ２００に接続されているアクセサリ装置の数に応じた通信レートの上限値（上限通信レート）を示す接続数通信レート情報２１１を予め保持している。上限通信レートは、接続されたアクセサリ装置の数に対して安定的な通信が保障される最高速の通信レートである。そして、その接続数通信レート情報２１１に基づいてブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２を選択する。 Next, communication rate correction processing for limiting the communication rate according to the number of accessory devices (the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300) connected to the camera 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera microcomputer 205 holds in advance connection number communication rate information 211 indicating an upper limit value (upper limit communication rate) of a communication rate according to the number of accessory devices connected to the camera 200. . The upper limit communication rate is the fastest communication rate that ensures stable communication with respect to the number of connected accessory devices. Based on the connection number communication rate information 211, the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 are selected.
　図１７には、レンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２に対する通信レート補正処理を示す。この処理では、カメラマイコン２０５は、自身の対応通信レート情報２１０とレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２における共通通信レートのうち最も高速な通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として仮選択する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、接続数通信レート情報２１１からカメラ２００に対するアクセサリ装置の実際の接続数に対応する上限通信レートを取得する。そしてカメラマイコン２０５は、前処理で仮選択したＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２が上限通信レートを超える場合には該仮選択されたＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２を補正する。 FIG. 17 shows a communication rate correction process for the P2P communication rate RateP2 with the lens microcomputer 111. In this process, the camera microcomputer 205 provisionally selects the fastest communication rate among the common communication rates in the corresponding communication rate information 210 of its own and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 as the P2P communication rate RateP2. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires an upper limit communication rate corresponding to the actual number of connections of the accessory device to the camera 200 from the connection number communication rate information 211. When the P2P communication rate RateP2 provisionally selected in the preprocessing exceeds the upper limit communication rate, the camera microcomputer 205 corrects the provisionally selected P2P communication rate RateP2.
　まずステップＳ７００において、カメラマイコン２０５は、前述した初期通信処理によってカメラ２００に接続されている全てのアクセサリ装置である交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００から対応通信レート情報を取得する。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、通信線ＣＳ，ＤＡＴＡに接続されているアクセサリ装置の数を取得する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０１において接続数通信レート情報２１１から接続数に対応する上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘを取得する。本実施例では、接続数が２であるため、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０２において図１３に示す接続数通信レート情報から接続数２に対応する上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘである１５Ｍｂｐｓを取得する。 First, in step S700, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 that are all accessory devices connected to the camera 200 by the initial communication process described above. Moreover, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the number of accessory devices connected to the communication lines CS and DATA. Next, in step S701, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the number of connections from the number-of-connections communication rate information 211. In this embodiment, since the number of connections is 2, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires 15 Mbps which is the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the number of connections 2 from the number-of-connections communication rate information illustrated in FIG. 13 in step S702.
　続いてカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０３において、前述したＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２の選択処理で作成されたＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２の候補リスト（以下、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストという）を参照する際のテーブル番号を決定する。ここでは、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストに、テーブル番号が小さいほど低速な共通通信レートが登録されている場合について説明する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストのうち最も高速な共通通信レートを取得するために、該候補リストの最大テーブル番号の値を参照テーブル番号ｎに設定する。図１３に示したＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストでは最大テーブル番号が４であるので、ｎ＝４を設定する。 Subsequently, in step S703, the camera microcomputer 205 determines a table number when referring to the P2P communication rate RateP2 candidate list (hereinafter referred to as the RateP2 candidate list) created by the above-described selection processing of the P2P communication rate RateP2. Here, a case will be described in which a lower common communication rate is registered in the RateP2 candidate list as the table number is smaller. The camera microcomputer 205 sets the value of the maximum table number of the candidate list to the reference table number n in order to acquire the fastest common communication rate in the RateP2 candidate list. Since the maximum table number is 4 in the RateP2 candidate list shown in FIG. 13, n = 4 is set.
　参照テーブル番号ｎを設定したカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０４においてＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストから参照テーブル番号ｎに該当する共通通信レートを取得し、通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸとして登録する。 In step S704, the camera microcomputer 205 that has set the reference table number n acquires a common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list and registers it as a communication rate candidate RateX.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０５において通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸが上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘより高速であるか否かを判定する。通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸが上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘより高速である場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０６に進む。ステップＳ７０６では、カメラマイコン２０５は、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストに登録された共通通信レートのうち次に高速な通信レートを取得するために、参照テーブル番号ｎを１つデクリメントする。そして、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０４に戻り、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストから参照テーブル番号ｎに該当する共通通信レートを取得して通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸとして登録する。 Next, in step S705, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. If the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S706. In step S706, the camera microcomputer 205 decrements the reference table number n by one in order to obtain the next highest communication rate among the common communication rates registered in the RateP2 candidate list. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S704, acquires the common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list, and registers it as the communication rate candidate RateX.
　こうしてステップＳ７０４～Ｓ７０６の処理を繰り返すことにより、カメラマイコン２０５は上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘ以下の通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸを取得する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ７０７においてその通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸをカメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として選択する。図１３の例では、補正処理前はＲａｔｅＰ２として２０Ｍｂｐｓが選択されるが、上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘ＝１５Ｍｂｐｓにより、２０Ｍｂｐｓより１つ低速の１０Ｍｂｐｓが補正後のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として選択される。 Thus, by repeating the processing of steps S704 to S706, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires a communication rate candidate RateX that is equal to or lower than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. In step S707, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the communication rate candidate RateX as the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111. In the example of FIG. 13, 20 Mbps is selected as RateP2 before the correction process, but 10 Mbps, which is one lower than 20 Mbps, is selected as the corrected P2P communication rate RateP2 by the upper limit communication rate RateMax = 15 Mbps.
　以上説明した補正処理により、カメラ２００に対して接続されたアクセサリ装置の数に応じた最高速の通信レートがＰ２Ｐ通信レートとして選択される。これにより、アクセサリ装置の接続数によって変化する通信負荷に対して適切なＰ２Ｐ通信レートが選択され、カメラシステムの通信の安定性を確保することができる。 By the correction processing described above, the fastest communication rate corresponding to the number of accessory devices connected to the camera 200 is selected as the P2P communication rate. Accordingly, an appropriate P2P communication rate is selected for a communication load that varies depending on the number of connected accessory devices, and the communication stability of the camera system can be ensured.
　次に、カメラ２００に接続されているアクセサリ装置（交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００）の通信負荷に応じて通信レートを制限する通信レート補正処理について、図１４および図１８のフローチャートを用いて説明する。 Next, communication rate correction processing for limiting the communication rate according to the communication load of the accessory device (the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300) connected to the camera 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
　図１に示すように、カメラマイコン２０５はカメラ２００に接続されているアクセサリ装置の通信負荷に応じた通信レートの上限値（上限通信レート）を示す負荷通信レート情報２１２を予め保持している。上限通信レートは、接続されたアクセサリ装置を含む通信回路において安定的な通信が保障される最高速の通信レートである。また、レンズマイコン１１１およびアダプタマイコン３０２はそれぞれ、自身の通信回路の通信負荷量を示す通信負荷情報１３３，３０５を予め保持している。通信負荷情報については後述する。カメラマイコン２０５は、その負荷通信レート情報２１２に基づいてブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２を選択する。 As shown in FIG. 1, the camera microcomputer 205 holds in advance load communication rate information 212 indicating the upper limit value (upper limit communication rate) of the communication rate according to the communication load of the accessory device connected to the camera 200. The upper limit communication rate is the fastest communication rate at which stable communication is ensured in the communication circuit including the connected accessory device. Each of the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 previously holds communication load information 133 and 305 indicating the communication load amount of its own communication circuit. The communication load information will be described later. The camera microcomputer 205 selects the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 based on the load communication rate information 212.
　図１８には、レンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２に対する通信レート補正処理を示す。この処理では、カメラマイコン２０５は、自身の対応通信レート情報２１０とレンズマイコン１１１の対応通信レート情報１３２における共通通信レートのうち最も高速な通信レートをＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として仮選択する。次にカメラマイコン２０５は、負荷通信レート情報２１２から仮選択したＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２に対応する上限通信レートを取得する。そしてカメラマイコン２０５は、前処理で仮選択したＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２が上限通信レートを超える場合には該仮選択されたＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２を補正する。 FIG. 18 shows a communication rate correction process for the P2P communication rate RateP2 with the lens microcomputer 111. In this process, the camera microcomputer 205 provisionally selects the fastest communication rate among the common communication rates in the corresponding communication rate information 210 of its own and the corresponding communication rate information 132 of the lens microcomputer 111 as the P2P communication rate RateP2. Next, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate corresponding to the P2P communication rate RateP2 temporarily selected from the load communication rate information 212. When the P2P communication rate RateP2 provisionally selected in the preprocessing exceeds the upper limit communication rate, the camera microcomputer 205 corrects the provisionally selected P2P communication rate RateP2.
　ステップＳ８００において、カメラマイコン２０５は、前述した初期通信処理によってカメラ２００に接続されている全てのアクセサリ装置である交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００から対応通信レート情報を取得する。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０１において交換レンズ１００およびアダプタ３００から通信負荷情報を取得する。 In step S800, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the corresponding communication rate information from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 that are all accessory devices connected to the camera 200 by the initial communication process described above. In addition, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires communication load information from the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 in step S801.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０２において、レンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２から取得した通信負荷情報を用いて総通信負荷量を算出する。総通信負荷量は、カメラ２００に交換レンズ１００とアダプタ３００が接続された状態での通信回路全体の通信負荷量である。 Next, in step S <b> 802, the camera microcomputer 205 calculates a total communication load amount using the communication load information acquired from the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302. The total communication load amount is a communication load amount of the entire communication circuit in a state where the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are connected to the camera 200.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０３において、負荷通信レート情報２１２からステップＳ８０３で算出した総通信負荷量に対応する上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘを取得する。 Next, in step S803, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the total communication load calculated in step S803 from the load communication rate information 212.
　図１４には負荷通信レート情報の例を示す。一般に、通信回路における通信レートの高速化を妨げる要素は、通信回路で発生する通信負荷量である。通信回路の上限通信レートを決定する上では、予め通信回路全体の通信負荷量（総通信負荷量）を明らかにする必要がある。しかし、任意の複数のアクセサリ装置が接続可能な通信システム（カメラシステム）においては、この総通信負荷量が一意には決まらない。 FIG. 14 shows an example of load communication rate information. In general, the factor that hinders the increase in the communication rate in the communication circuit is the amount of communication load generated in the communication circuit. In determining the upper limit communication rate of the communication circuit, it is necessary to clarify the communication load amount (total communication load amount) of the entire communication circuit in advance. However, in a communication system (camera system) to which any plurality of accessory devices can be connected, this total communication load amount is not uniquely determined.
　そこで本実施例では、通信マスタであるカメラマイコン２０５が負荷通信レート情報２１２を保持し、通信スレーブであるレンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２が保持する通信負荷情報１３３，３０５を用いて通信回路全体の上限通信レートを決定する。 Therefore, in this embodiment, the camera microcomputer 205 as the communication master holds the load communication rate information 212, and the communication load information 133 and 305 held in the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 as the communication slaves are used to determine the entire communication circuit. Determine the maximum communication rate.
　レンズマイコン１１１とアダプタマイコン３０２が保持する通信負荷情報１３３，３０５には、それぞれの通信回路の抵抗成分や容量成分等の通信負荷量を示す負荷特性の情報が含まれている。配線長が長い場合や回路保護素子等の数が多いほど通信負荷量が大きくなる。 The communication load information 133 and 305 held by the lens microcomputer 111 and the adapter microcomputer 302 includes load characteristic information indicating communication load amounts such as resistance components and capacitance components of the respective communication circuits. When the wiring length is long or the number of circuit protection elements is large, the amount of communication load increases.
　カメラマイコン２０５が算出する総通信負荷量は、カメラ２００に接続されたアダプタ３００および交換レンズ１００の負荷量の単純和により求める。図１４に示す例では、アダプタ３００の負荷量は１５０であり、交換レンズ１００の通信負荷量は１７０であるため、総通信負荷量は３２０となる。ただし、カメラ２００に接続されるアクセサリ装置の種類や特性に応じて、単純和に係数を乗じて総通信負荷量を算出してもよい。 The total communication load amount calculated by the camera microcomputer 205 is obtained by a simple sum of the load amounts of the adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 connected to the camera 200. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the load amount of the adapter 300 is 150, and the communication load amount of the interchangeable lens 100 is 170. Therefore, the total communication load amount is 320. However, the total communication load may be calculated by multiplying the simple sum by a coefficient according to the type and characteristics of the accessory device connected to the camera 200.
　カメラマイコン２０５が保持する負荷通信レート情報２１２は、総通信負荷量ごとの上限通信レートが含まれている。上限通信レートは、総通信負荷量が増加するほど遅くなる。カメラマイコン２０５は、この負荷通信レート情報２１２から総通信負荷量３２０に対応する上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘ＝５Ｍｂｐｓを取得する。こうして総通信負荷量に応じた上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘが取得される。 The load communication rate information 212 held by the camera microcomputer 205 includes an upper limit communication rate for each total communication load. The upper limit communication rate becomes slower as the total communication load increases. The camera microcomputer 205 acquires the upper limit communication rate RateMax = 5 Mbps corresponding to the total communication load amount 320 from the load communication rate information 212. Thus, the upper limit communication rate RateMax corresponding to the total communication load amount is acquired.
　この上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘは、ブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２の双方に適用される。カメラマイコン２０５は、上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘを超えない範囲でブロードキャスト通信レートＲａｔｅＢとＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１，ＲａｔｅＰ２を選択する。 The upper limit communication rate RateMax is applied to both the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2. The camera microcomputer 205 selects the broadcast communication rate RateB and the P2P communication rates RateP1 and RateP2 within a range not exceeding the upper limit communication rate RateMax.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０４において、前述したＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２の選択処理で作成されたＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストを参照する際のテーブル番号を決定する。ここでは、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストに、テーブル番号が小さいほど低速な共通通信レートが登録されている場合について説明する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストのうち最も高速な共通通信レートを取得するために、該候補リストの最大テーブル番号の値を参照テーブル番号ｎに設定する。図１３に示したＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストでは最大テーブル番号が４であるので、ｎ＝４を設定する。参照テーブル番号ｎを設定したカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０５においてＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストから参照テーブル番号ｎに該当する共通通信レートを取得し、通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸとして登録する。 Next, in step S804, the camera microcomputer 205 determines a table number for referring to the RateP2 candidate list created by the above-described selection process of the P2P communication rate RateP2. Here, a case will be described in which a lower common communication rate is registered in the RateP2 candidate list as the table number is smaller. The camera microcomputer 205 sets the value of the maximum table number of the candidate list to the reference table number n in order to acquire the fastest common communication rate in the RateP2 candidate list. Since the maximum table number is 4 in the RateP2 candidate list shown in FIG. 13, n = 4 is set. In step S805, the camera microcomputer 205 that has set the reference table number n acquires a common communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list and registers it as a communication rate candidate RateX.
　次にカメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０６において通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸが上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘより高速であるか否かを判定する。通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸが上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘより高速である場合は、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０７に進む。ステップＳ８０７では、カメラマイコン２０５は、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストに登録された共通通信レートのうち次に高速な通信レートを取得するために、参照テーブル番号ｎを１つデクリメントする。そして、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０５に戻り、ＲａｔｅＰ２候補リストから参照テーブル番号ｎに該当する鏡筒通信レートを取得して通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸとして登録する。 Next, in step S806, the camera microcomputer 205 determines whether the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. If the communication rate candidate RateX is faster than the upper limit communication rate RateMax, the camera microcomputer 205 proceeds to step S807. In step S807, the camera microcomputer 205 decrements the reference table number n by one in order to obtain the next highest communication rate among the common communication rates registered in the RateP2 candidate list. Then, the camera microcomputer 205 returns to step S805, acquires the lens barrel communication rate corresponding to the reference table number n from the RateP2 candidate list, and registers it as the communication rate candidate RateX.
　こうしてステップＳ８０５～Ｓ８０７の処理を繰り返すことにより、カメラマイコン２０５は上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘ以下の通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸを取得する。カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０８においてその通信レート候補ＲａｔｅＸをカメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として選択する。図１３および図１４の例では、補正処理前はＲａｔｅＰ２として２０Ｍｂｐｓが選択されるが、上限通信レートＲａｔｅＭａｘ＝５Ｍｂｐｓにより、２０Ｍｂｐｓより２つ低速の５Ｍｂｐｓが補正後のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ２として選択される。 Thus, by repeating the processing of steps S805 to S807, the camera microcomputer 205 acquires a communication rate candidate RateX that is equal to or lower than the upper limit communication rate RateMax. In step S808, the camera microcomputer 205 selects the communication rate candidate RateX as the P2P communication rate RateP2 between the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111. In the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, 20 Mbps is selected as RateP2 before the correction process, but 5 Mbps, which is two Mbps lower than 20 Mbps, is selected as the corrected P2P communication rate RateP2 by the upper limit communication rate RateMax = 5 Mbps.
　以上説明した補正処理により、カメラ２００に対して接続されたアクセサリ装置の総通信負荷量に応じた最高速の通信レートがＰ２Ｐ通信レートとして選択される。これにより、接続されるアクセサリ装置によって変化する通信負荷に対して適切なＰ２Ｐ通信レートが選択され、カメラシステムの通信の安定性を確保することができる。 By the correction processing described above, the fastest communication rate corresponding to the total communication load amount of the accessory device connected to the camera 200 is selected as the P2P communication rate. Accordingly, an appropriate P2P communication rate is selected for a communication load that varies depending on the connected accessory device, and the communication stability of the camera system can be ensured.
　以上説明した２つの補正処理は、アダプタマイコン３０２との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートＲａｔｅＰ１に対しても同様に適用することができる。 The two correction processes described above can be similarly applied to the P2P communication rate RateP1 with the adapter microcomputer 302.
　なお、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８０１でいずれかのアクセサリ装置から通信負荷情報を取得できなかった場合は、該情報を取得できなかったアクセサリ装置との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートをブロードキャスト通信レートと同じ通信レートに設定する。また、カメラマイコン２０５は、ステップＳ８００でいずれかのアクセサリ装置から対応通信レート情報を取得できなかった場合は、ブロードキャスト通信レートと該情報を取得できなかったアクセサリ装置との間のＰ２Ｐ通信レートを、初期通信レートに設定する。これにより、カメラ２００が要求する通信仕様に準拠しないアクセサリ装置が接続された場合でも、カメラシステムとして安定的な通信を実現することができる。 If the communication load information cannot be acquired from any of the accessory devices in step S801, the camera microcomputer 205 performs the same communication as the broadcast communication rate with the P2P communication rate with the accessory device that has not been able to acquire the information. Set to rate. If the camera microcomputer 205 cannot acquire the corresponding communication rate information from any of the accessory devices in step S800, the camera microcomputer 205 sets the P2P communication rate between the broadcast communication rate and the accessory device that has not acquired the information. Set to the initial communication rate. Thereby, even when an accessory device that does not comply with the communication specifications required by the camera 200 is connected, stable communication as a camera system can be realized.
　以上説明した実施例は、通知チャネルＣＳとデータ通信チャネルＤＡＴＡを含む通信チャネルに加え、別の通信チャネルと併用可能である。 The embodiment described above can be used in combination with another communication channel in addition to the communication channel including the notification channel CS and the data communication channel DATA.
　その一例を、図１９を用いて説明する。なお、図１９において、図１と同一の部材には同一の符号を付し、重複する説明は省略する。また、図１９において、図１に記載されている部材の一部の図示を省略している。前述の通知チャネルＣＳおよびデータ通信チャネルＤＡＴＡは、第３通信という通信用の通信線である。第３通信では、操作部材３０４がユーザにより操作された場合に、アダプタマイコン３０２とカメラマイコン２０５の間で、操作があったことや操作量等を通信する。操作部材１３０がユーザにより操作された場合も、第３通信用の通信線を用いてレンズマイコン１１１とカメラマイコン２０５の間で通信をしてもよい。 One example will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Moreover, in FIG. 19, illustration of a part of member described in FIG. 1 is abbreviate | omitted. The notification channel CS and the data communication channel DATA described above are communication lines for communication called third communication. In the third communication, when the operation member 304 is operated by the user, the adapter microcomputer 302 and the camera microcomputer 205 communicate the operation and the operation amount. Even when the operation member 130 is operated by the user, communication may be performed between the lens microcomputer 111 and the camera microcomputer 205 using the third communication line.
　レンズマイコン１１１は、通信部１１２に加え、第１通信を行うための通信部１３１、第２通信を行うための通信部１３２を制御する。カメラマイコン２０５は、通信部１１２に加え、第１通信を行うための通信部２０９、第２通信を行うための通信部２１０を制御する。 The lens microcomputer 111 controls the communication unit 131 for performing the first communication and the communication unit 132 for performing the second communication, in addition to the communication unit 112. In addition to the communication unit 112, the camera microcomputer 205 controls the communication unit 209 for performing the first communication and the communication unit 210 for performing the second communication.
　まず、第１通信について説明する。第１通信は、通信部１３１と通信部２０９を介して行われる通信である。通信部１３１はレンズマイコン１１１からの指示に基づいて、通信部２０９はカメラマイコン２０５からの指示に基づいて、通知チャネルＣＳ１、データ通信チャネルＤＣＬ、データ通信チャネルＤＬＣを介して通信を行う。通信部１３１および通信部２０９は、通知チャネルＣＳ１の電圧レベル、調歩同期通信の際の通信レート（単位時間当たりのデータ量）や通信電圧の設定をする。さらに、レンズマイコン１１１やカメラマイコン２０５からの指示を受けて、データ通信チャネルＤＣＬおよびデータ通信チャネルＤＬＣを介したデータの送受信を行う。 First, the first communication will be described. The first communication is communication performed via the communication unit 131 and the communication unit 209. The communication unit 131 performs communication via the notification channel CS1, the data communication channel DCL, and the data communication channel DLC based on an instruction from the lens microcomputer 111, and the communication unit 209 based on an instruction from the camera microcomputer 205. The communication unit 131 and the communication unit 209 set the voltage level of the notification channel CS1, the communication rate (data amount per unit time) and communication voltage in asynchronous communication. Further, in response to an instruction from the lens microcomputer 111 or the camera microcomputer 205, data is transmitted / received via the data communication channel DCL and the data communication channel DLC.
　通知チャネルＣＳ１は、カメラ２００から交換レンズ１００への通信要求の通知等に用いられる信号線である。データ通信チャネルＤＣＬは、カメラ２００から交換レンズ１００にデータを送信する際に用いられるチャネルであり、データ通信チャネルＤＬＣは交換レンズ１００からカメラ２００にデータを送信する際に用いられるチャネルである。 The notification channel CS1 is a signal line used for notification of a communication request from the camera 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. The data communication channel DCL is a channel used when data is transmitted from the camera 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, and the data communication channel DLC is a channel used when data is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 200.
　カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１は、第１通信では、クロック同期通信または調歩同期通信により通信を行う。交換レンズ１００がカメラ２００に接続された際に行われる初期通信も、まずは第１通信により行う。カメラマイコン２０５とレンズマイコン１１１は交換レンズ１００の識別情報を通信し、カメラ２００装着された交換レンズ１００が調歩同期通信に対応可能であることが判明すると、クロック同期通信から調歩同期通信に通信方式を切り替える。また、識別情報の通信の結果、カメラマイコン２０５は、交換レンズ１００が、アダプタ３００も含めて通信を行う第３通信に対応可能かどうかを識別してもよい。カメラマイコン２０５は、交換レンズ１００が第３通信に対応可能であると判断した場合、交換レンズ１００や中間アダプタ３００を認識するための認証通信をＰ２Ｐ通信を介して行ってもよい。 In the first communication, the camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 communicate by clock synchronous communication or start-stop synchronous communication. Initial communication performed when the interchangeable lens 100 is connected to the camera 200 is also performed by first communication. The camera microcomputer 205 and the lens microcomputer 111 communicate the identification information of the interchangeable lens 100, and when it is determined that the interchangeable lens 100 mounted with the camera 200 is compatible with start-stop synchronization communication, the communication method is changed from clock synchronization communication to start-stop synchronization communication. Switch. Further, as a result of the communication of the identification information, the camera microcomputer 205 may identify whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is compatible with the third communication that performs communication including the adapter 300. If the camera microcomputer 205 determines that the interchangeable lens 100 is compatible with the third communication, the camera microcomputer 205 may perform authentication communication for recognizing the interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 via P2P communication.
　次に、第２通信について説明する。第２通信は、交換レンズ１００からカメラ２００への一方向の通信である。第２通信は、通信部１３２と通信部２１０を介して行われる。通信部１３２はレンズマイコン１１１からの指示に基づいて、通信部２１０はカメラマイコン２０５からの指示に基づいて、通知チャネルＣＳ２とデータ通信チャネルＤＬＣ２を介して通信を行う。カメラ通信部２０８とレンズ通信部１１８は、クロック同期式通信や調歩同期通信によりデータを送受信する。第１通信のデータ通信チャネルＤＬＣと共に第２通信チャネルのデータ通信チャネルＤＬＣ２を用いることで、交換レンズ１００からカメラ２００に対して大量のデータを短時間で送信することが可能となる。
（その他の実施例）
　本発明は、上述の実施形態の１以上の機能を実現するプログラムを、ネットワーク又は記憶媒体を介してシステム又は装置に供給し、そのシステム又は装置のコンピュータにおける１つ以上のプロセッサーがプログラムを読出し実行する処理でも実現可能である。また、１以上の機能を実現する回路（例えば、ＡＳＩＣ）によっても実現可能である。
以上説明した各実施例は代表的な例にすぎず、本発明の実施に際しては、各実施例に対して種々の変形や変更が可能である。
  Next, the second communication will be described. The second communication is a one-way communication from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 200. The second communication is performed via the communication unit 132 and the communication unit 210. The communication unit 132 communicates via the notification channel CS2 and the data communication channel DLC2 based on an instruction from the lens microcomputer 111, and the communication unit 210 based on an instruction from the camera microcomputer 205. The camera communication unit 208 and the lens communication unit 118 transmit and receive data by clock synchronous communication or asynchronous communication. By using the data communication channel DLC2 of the second communication channel together with the data communication channel DLC of the first communication, it becomes possible to transmit a large amount of data from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera 200 in a short time.
(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.
Each embodiment described above is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

Claims (19)

  1. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラであって、
    　前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う、前記複数のアクセサリ装置との通信を制御するカメラ制御部を有し、
    　前記カメラ制御部は、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、前記第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信とが可能であり、
    　前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を前記信号伝達チャネルに出力し、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とするカメラ。     A camera that can be used with a plurality of accessory devices connected thereto,
    Using a signal transmission channel used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and a data communication channel used for data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, A camera control unit that controls communication with a plurality of accessory devices;
    The camera control unit
    A first communication for performing data communication with the plurality of accessory devices using the data communication channel; and a second communication for performing data communication individually with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication. Is possible,
    Outputting a signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication to the signaling channel;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    The camera, wherein the second communication is performed at a second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  2. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記第１の通信レートを、前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な通信レートのうち最も速い通信レートに設定することを特徴とする請求項１に記載のカメラ。 The camera control unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera control unit sets the first communication rate to a fastest communication rate among communication rates that can be commonly used by the plurality of accessory devices.
  3. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記第２の通信レートを、前記カメラ制御部と前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な通信レートのうち最も速い通信レートに設定することを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載のカメラ。 The camera control unit sets the second communication rate to the fastest communication rate that can be used in common by the camera control unit and the specific accessory device. 2. The camera according to 2.
  4. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記特定アクセサリ装置に対して、前記第２の通信の実行と前記第１の通信レートから前記第２の通信レートへの変更とを前記信号伝達チャネルにおける同一の信号の伝達により指示することを特徴とする請求項１から３のいずれか一項に記載のカメラ。 The camera control unit transmits the same signal in the signal transmission channel to the specific accessory device by executing the second communication and changing the first communication rate to the second communication rate. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the camera is instructed by:
  5. 　前記カメラ制御部は、
    　前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置の間で取り決められた初期通信レートで前記第１の通信を行って前記複数のアクセサリ装置のそれぞれから使用可能な通信レートを示す使用可能通信レート情報を取得し、
    　該使用可能通信レート情報を用いて、前記第１の通信レート、および前記複数のアクセサリ装置のそれぞれに対応する前記第２の通信レートを設定することを特徴とする請求項１から４のいずれか一項に記載のカメラ。     The camera control unit
    Performing the first communication at an initial communication rate negotiated between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices to obtain usable communication rate information indicating a usable communication rate from each of the plurality of accessory devices;
    5. The first communication rate and the second communication rate corresponding to each of the plurality of accessory devices are set using the usable communication rate information. The camera according to one item.
  6. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記第１の通信レートを前記複数のアクセサリ装置に通知し、前記第２の通信レートを該第２の通信レートに対応するアクセサリ装置に通知することを特徴とする請求項５に記載のカメラ。 The camera control unit notifies the plurality of accessory devices of the first communication rate, and notifies the accessory device corresponding to the second communication rate of the second communication rate. 5. The camera according to 5.
  7. 　前記初期通信レートは、前記第１の通信レートよりも速いことを特徴とする請求項５または６に記載のカメラ。 The camera according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the initial communication rate is faster than the first communication rate.
  8. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記複数のアクセサリ装置の数の情報を取得し、前記数に応じて前記第２の通信レートを設定することを特徴とする請求項１から７のいずれか一項に記載のカメラ。 8. The camera control unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera control unit acquires information on the number of the plurality of accessory devices and sets the second communication rate according to the number. 9. Camera.
  9. 　前記カメラ制御部は、
    　前記複数のアクセサリ装置のそれぞれから通信負荷を示す情報を取得し、
    　前記複数のアクセサリ装置の前記通信負荷を示す情報を用いて前記第２の通信レートを設定することを特徴とする請求項１から８のいずれか一項に記載のカメラ。     The camera control unit
    Obtaining information indicating a communication load from each of the plurality of accessory devices;
    The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second communication rate is set using information indicating the communication load of the plurality of accessory devices.
  10. 　前記カメラ制御部は、前記複数のアクセサリ装置が前記通信負荷を示す情報を有さないアクセサリ装置を含む場合は、前記第１の通信レートと前記第２の通信レートを同じに設定することを特徴とする請求項９に記載のカメラ。 The camera control unit sets the first communication rate and the second communication rate to be the same when the plurality of accessory devices include an accessory device that does not have information indicating the communication load. The camera according to claim 9.
  11. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラに接続される、前記複数のアクセサリ装置のうちのアクセサリ装置であって、
    　前記カメラとの間で行う通信であって、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するアクセサリ制御部を有し、
    　前記アクセサリ制御部は、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間でデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、前記第１の通信により前記カメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に前記カメラと個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信と、を行うことが可能であり、
    　前記カメラから前記信号伝達チャネルに出力された、前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出し、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の前記第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とするアクセサリ装置。     An accessory device of the plurality of accessory devices connected to a camera that can be used in a state in which the plurality of accessory devices are connected,
    Communication between the camera and a signal transmission channel used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. An accessory control unit for controlling communication performed using the data communication channel used;
    The accessory control unit
    A first communication for performing data communication between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices using the data communication channel, and a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera by the first communication. Second communication for performing data communication individually with the camera in the case of
    Detecting a signal output from the camera to the signal transmission channel and instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    The accessory device, wherein the second communication is performed at the second communication rate that can be used in common by the camera and the accessory device and is equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  12. 　前記アクセサリ制御部は、前記特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に、前記第２の通信の実行と前記第１の通信レートから前記第２の通信レートへの変更とを前記信号伝達チャネルにおける同一の信号の伝達により指示されることを特徴とする請求項１１に記載のアクセサリ装置。 When the accessory control unit is designated as the specific accessory device, the execution of the second communication and the change from the first communication rate to the second communication rate are the same in the signal transmission channel. The accessory device according to claim 11, wherein the accessory device is instructed by transmission of a signal.
  13. 　前記アクセサリ制御部は、
    　前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置の間で取り決められた初期通信レートで前記第１の通信を行って、該アクセサリ制御部が使用可能な通信レートを示す使用可能通信レート情報を前記カメラに送信し、
    　前記カメラが前記複数のアクセサリ装置のそれぞれから取得した前記使用可能通信レート情報を用いて決定した、前記第１の通信レートおよび前記アクセサリ装置が前記特定アクセサリとして指定された場合における前記第２の通信レートの通知を受けることを特徴とする請求項１１または１２に記載のアクセサリ装置。     The accessory control unit
    The first communication is performed at an initial communication rate negotiated between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and usable communication rate information indicating a communication rate usable by the accessory control unit is transmitted to the camera. ,
    The second communication when the first communication rate and the accessory device are designated as the specific accessory, determined by the camera using the usable communication rate information acquired from each of the plurality of accessory devices. 13. The accessory device according to claim 11, wherein a notification of a rate is received.
  14. 　前記アクセサリ制御部は、
    　前記アクセサリ装置の通信負荷を示す情報を前記カメラに送信し、
    　前記カメラが前記複数のアクセサリ装置のそれぞれから取得した前記通信負荷を示す情報を用いて選択した前記第２の通信レートの通知を受けることを特徴とする請求項１２または１３に記載のアクセサリ装置。     The accessory control unit
    Sending information indicating the communication load of the accessory device to the camera;
    14. The accessory device according to claim 12, wherein the camera receives a notification of the second communication rate selected using information indicating the communication load acquired from each of the plurality of accessory devices.
  15. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラであり、該カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続されるカメラの制御方法であって、
    　前記カメラに、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信を行わせるステップと、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップとを有し、
    　前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を前記信号伝達チャネルに出力させ、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とするカメラの制御方法。     A camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, a signal transmission channel that is used to transmit signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A control method for a camera connected to a data communication channel used for data communication between
    In the camera,
    Using the data communication channel to perform first communication for data communication with the plurality of accessory devices;
    Using the data communication channel, and performing a second communication for performing data communication individually with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication,
    Outputting a signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication to the signaling channel;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    A method of controlling a camera, wherein the second communication can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device, and is performed at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  16. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラに接続され、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続される前記複数のアクセサリ装置のうちのアクセサリ装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記アクセサリ装置に、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置と前記カメラとの間で行われる第１の通信を行わせるステップと、
    　前記第１の通信により前記カメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に、前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記カメラと個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップと、を有し、
    　前記カメラから前記信号伝達チャネルに出力された、前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出させ、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とするアクセサリ装置の制御方法。     A signal transmission channel that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and that is used to transmit signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices; the camera; and the plurality of accessory devices; A control method for an accessory device among the plurality of accessory devices connected to a data communication channel used for data communication between
    In the accessory device,
    Using the data communication channel to perform a first communication performed between the plurality of accessory devices and the camera;
    Performing a second communication for individually performing data communication with the camera using the data communication channel when designated as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera by the first communication; Have
    Detecting a signal output from the camera to the signal transmission channel and instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    The method for controlling an accessory device, characterized in that the second communication can be performed in common with the camera and the specific accessory device, and is performed at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate. .
  17. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラであり、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続されるカメラのコンピュータに処理を実行させるコンピュータプログラムであって、
    　前記処理は、
    　前記コンピュータに、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信を行わせるステップと、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップとを有し、
    　前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を前記信号伝達チャネルに出力させ、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とする通信制御プログラム。     A camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, a signal transmission channel that is used to transmit signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A computer program for causing a camera computer connected to a data communication channel used for data communication between the computers to execute processing,
    The process is
    In the computer,
    Using the data communication channel to perform first communication for data communication with the plurality of accessory devices;
    Using the data communication channel, and performing a second communication for performing data communication individually with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication,
    Outputting a signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication to the signaling channel;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    A communication control program characterized in that the second communication can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device and at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  18. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラに接続され、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとに接続される前記アクセサリ装置のコンピュータに処理を実行させるコンピュータプログラムであって、
    　前記処理は、
    　前記コンピュータに、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置と前記カメラとの間で行われる第１の通信を行わせるステップと、
    　前記第１の通信により前記カメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合に、前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記カメラと個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信を行わせるステップと、を有し、
    　前記カメラから前記信号伝達チャネルに出力された、前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出させ、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行わせ、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行わせることを特徴とする通信制御プログラム。     A signal transmission channel that is connected to a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected, and that is used to transmit signals between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices; the camera; and the plurality of accessory devices; A computer program for causing a computer of the accessory device connected to a data communication channel used for data communication between
    The process is
    In the computer,
    Using the data communication channel to perform a first communication performed between the plurality of accessory devices and the camera;
    Performing a second communication for individually performing data communication with the camera using the data communication channel when designated as a specific accessory device that is a communication partner with the camera by the first communication; Have
    Detecting a signal output from the camera to the signal transmission channel and instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication;
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    A communication control program characterized in that the second communication can be used in common by the camera and the specific accessory device and at a second communication rate equal to or higher than the first communication rate.
  19. 　複数のアクセサリ装置が接続された状態で使用可能なカメラと、前記複数のアクセサリ装置のうちの１つのアクセサリ装置とを有するカメラシステムであって、
    　前記カメラは、前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間で行う通信であって、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間の信号の伝達に用いられる信号伝達チャネルと、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置との間のデータ通信に用いられるデータ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するカメラ制御部を有し、
    　前記アクセサリ装置は、前記カメラとの間で行う通信であって、前記信号伝達チャネルと前記データ通信チャネルとを用いて行う通信を制御するアクセサリ制御部を有し、
    　前記カメラ制御部は、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記複数のアクセサリ装置とデータ通信を行う第１の通信と、前記第１の通信により通信相手として指定した特定アクセサリ装置と個別にデータ通信を行う第２の通信とが可能であり、
    　前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を前記信号伝達チャネルに出力し、
    　前記アクセサリ制御部は、
    　前記データ通信チャネルを用いて、前記第１の通信と、前記第１の通信により前記アクセサリ装置が前記カメラとの通信相手である特定アクセサリ装置として指定された場合の前記第２の通信とが可能であり、
    　前記カメラ制御部から前記信号伝達チャネルに出力された、前記第１の通信から前記第２の通信への切替えを指示する信号を検出させ、
    　前記カメラ制御部および前記アクセサリ制御部は、
    　前記第１の通信を、前記カメラと前記複数のアクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能な第１の通信レートで行い、
    　前記第２の通信を、前記カメラと前記特定アクセサリ装置が共通して使用可能であり、かつ前記第１の通信レート以上の第２の通信レートで行うことを特徴とするカメラシステム。     A camera system comprising: a camera that can be used in a state in which a plurality of accessory devices are connected; and one accessory device of the plurality of accessory devices,
    The camera is a communication performed between the plurality of accessory devices, and is used for signal transmission between the camera and the plurality of accessory devices, and the camera and the plurality of accessory devices. A camera control unit for controlling communication using a data communication channel used for data communication with
    The accessory device is a communication performed with the camera, and has an accessory control unit that controls communication performed using the signal transmission channel and the data communication channel.
    The camera control unit
    A first communication for performing data communication with the plurality of accessory devices using the data communication channel; and a second communication for performing data communication individually with a specific accessory device designated as a communication partner by the first communication. Is possible,
    Outputting a signal instructing switching from the first communication to the second communication to the signaling channel;
    The accessory control unit
    Using the data communication channel, it is possible to perform the first communication and the second communication when the accessory device is designated as a specific accessory device with which the camera communicates with the first communication. And
    Detecting a signal instructed to switch from the first communication to the second communication, which is output from the camera control unit to the signal transmission channel;
    The camera control unit and the accessory control unit are:
    The first communication is performed at a first communication rate at which the camera and the plurality of accessory devices can be used in common.
    The camera system, wherein the second communication is performed at a second communication rate that is equal to or higher than the first communication rate, and the camera and the specific accessory device can be used in common.
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