Intermediate attachment device, image pickup device, image pickup system, processing method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an intermediate attachment device, an image pickup device, an image pickup system, a processing method, and a storage medium. The intermediate attachment device is configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and an image pickup device, and includes: a storage device configured to store characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with status information indicating a state of the interchangeable lens device, the status information being transmitted via a first communication between the interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device; and a processor configured to receive identification information regarding the interchangeable lens device from the image pickup device and transmit, via a second communication between the intermediate attachment device and the image pickup device, the characteristic information corresponding to the identification information to the image pickup device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate attachment device, an image pickup device, an image pickup system, an image pickup method, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] There is known an image capturing system including a camera body (image capturing device) and an attachment device (e.g., an interchangeable lens device and an intermediate attachment device such as a wide-angle converter or a teleconverter mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens device) as system elements. Some known image capturing systems cause the camera body to control the attachment device, and such image capturing systems cause the camera body to acquire control information unique to the interchangeable lens device for performing appropriate control of focusing, aperture operation, zooming, and other operations from the interchangeable lens device.

[0003] In a case where an intermediate attachment device is provided between the camera body and the interchangeable lens device, for the above-described appropriate control, in addition to the control information unique to the interchangeable lens device, control information unique to the intermediate attachment device for the above-described control is also considered.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-205705 discusses an image capturing system in which a camera body identifies an element that combines control information unique to an interchangeable lens device and control information unique to an intermediate attachment device based on identification information about the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device mounted on the camera body. The image capturing system performs a combination process using the identified element.

[0005] The image capturing system discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-205705 causes the identified element of the image capturing system to combine control information unique to the interchangeable lens device and control information unique to the intermediate attachment device. The combination process performed by the element uses resources (hardware, software, and time). Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides, for example, an intermediate attachment device that is beneficial for an image pickup device to perform control of an interchangeable lens device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an intermediate attachment device is configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and an image pickup device. The intermediate attachment device includes: a storage device configured to store characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with identification information of the interchangeable lens device and status information of the interchangeable lens device; a processor configured to transmit the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device to the image pickup device; a first communication terminal constituting a first communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device; and a second communication terminal constituting a second communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the intermediate attachment device, the second communication channel being different from the first communication channel. Wherein, the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the status information of the interchangeable lens device are transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via the first communication channel. Wherein, the identification information of the interchangeable lens device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the intermediate attachment device via the second communication channel. And wherein, the processor transmits, via the second communication channel, the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device that corresponds to the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and is associated with the status information of the interchangeable lens device.

[0008] Other features of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image capture system according to a first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 is a table illustrating details of respective control information groups according to a first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 is a table illustrating data structures of respective control information groups according to a first embodiment.

[0013] Figures 5A to 5C are tables each illustrating a conversion table between an index and status information according to a first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image capture system according to a second embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a table illustrating the details of each control information group according to the second embodiment. Detailed implementation

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings illustrating the exemplary embodiments, like reference numerals denote like components (unless otherwise specified), and repeated descriptions of the components will be omitted.

[0018] Reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5C the first embodiment. The image capturing system (also referred to as an image pickup system) according to the first embodiment includes a first communication channel for communication between a camera body 20 (also referred to as an image capturing device or an image pickup device) and an interchangeable lens device 10, and a second communication channel separate from the first communication channel for communication between the camera body 20 and an adapter 30 (an intermediate accessory device). Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image capturing system according to the first embodiment. In Figure 1 this, the interchangeable lens device 10 includes a movable optical member. The camera body 20 includes an image sensor. The adapter 30 is an intermediate accessory device that is detachably mounted between the interchangeable lens device 10 and the camera body 20, such as an extender.

[0019] The interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 30, and the camera body 20 are detachably mounted together through mounts 101, 301, 302, and 201. The mount 101 is included in the interchangeable lens device 10. The mounts 301 and 302 are included in the adapter 30. The mount 201 is included in the camera body 20. The mounts 101, 301, 302, and 201 are respectively provided with one or more contacts (terminals) 102, 303, 305, and 202 for performing communication by a first communication method. The "Nth communication method" is also simply referred to as "the Nth communication". The contacts 102 and 303 and the contacts 305 and 202 are electrically connected to each other when the interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 30, and the camera body 20 are mounted (connected) to each other. The first communication method is used for the camera body 20 to control the movable optical member in the interchangeable lens device 10.

[0020] The mounting seats 101, 301, 302 and 201 are each provided with one or more contact members (terminals) 103, 304, 306 and 203 for performing communication by a second communication method. The contact members 103 and 304 and the contact members 306 and 203 are electrically connected to each other when the interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 30 and the camera body 20 are mounted to each other. The second communication method is used for point-to-multipoint communication (broadcast communication) or peer-to-peer communication (P2P communication) among the camera body 20, the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30.

[0021] The focusing lens unit 104 is used for focusing on an object. The zoom lens unit 105 is used for zooming (magnifying). The aperture unit (aperture stop) 106 is used for adjusting the amount of light or aperture adjustment. The image stabilization (IS) lens unit 107 is used for reducing image blurring. The focusing control unit 108 is used for controlling the driving of the focusing lens unit 104. The zoom control unit 109 is used for controlling the driving of the zoom lens unit 105. The aperture control unit 110 is used for controlling the driving of the aperture unit 106. The IS control unit 111 is used for controlling the driving of the IS lens unit 107. For example, each of the focusing control unit 108, the zoom control unit 109, the aperture control unit 110 and the IS control unit 111 may include a position detection unit and a motor. The shake detection unit 112 is used for detecting shake (vibration) of the interchangeable lens device 10 and may include, for example, a gyroscope.

[0022] The control unit 113 is included in the interchangeable lens device 10. The first communication unit 114 is used for performing communication in the interchangeable lens device 10 by a first communication method. The second communication unit 115 is used for performing communication in the interchangeable lens device 10 by a second communication method. The control unit 113, the first communication unit 114 and the second communication unit 115 may be part of a central processing unit (CPU) (processing unit) included in the interchangeable lens device 10.

[0023] The image sensor 204 (also referred to as an image pickup element) is used to capture or pick up an image formed via the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30, and may include, for example, a complementary metal oxide (CMOS) image sensor. The control unit 205 is included in the camera body 20. The first communication unit 208 is used to perform communication in the camera body 20 by a first communication method. The second communication unit 209 is used to perform communication in the camera body 20 by a second communication method. The control unit 205, the first communication unit 208, and the second communication unit 209 may be parts of a CPU (processing unit) included in the camera body 20. The picture display unit (image display unit) 206 displays a picture (image) obtained by image capture (pickup) by the image sensor 204, and may include, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. The operation member 207 is used to set image capture conditions (control image capture), and may include, for example, a dial ring and a switch.

[0024] The optical member (adapter optical member) 307 is included in the adapter 30, and may include, for example, a magnifying lens unit and a neutral density (ND) filter. The second communication unit 308 is used to perform communication in the adapter 30 by a second communication method. The control unit 309 is included in the adapter 30. For example, the second communication unit 308 and the control unit 309 may be parts of a CPU (processing unit) included in the adapter 30. The storage unit 310 stores control information corresponding to identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10, and may include, for example, a flash memory. The control information will be described below.

[0025] In the present embodiment, image information is obtained from incident light as described below. Specifically, the light incident on the interchangeable lens device 10 forms an image (optical image) on the image sensor 204 through the focusing lens unit 104, the zoom lens unit 105, the aperture unit 106, the IS lens unit 107, and the adapter optical member 307. The image is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 204. The electrical signal is converted into an image signal by the control unit 205. The image signal may be displayed by the image display unit 206, stored in a storage medium, or transmitted to an external device.

[0026] Reference will be made to Figure 2 Describe the processing procedure of the camera body 20 using the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30 to control image capture and correction processing of the image signal. Figure 2 Is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure according to the first embodiment. In Figure 2 First, in step S201, the camera body 20 is started, and then the processing proceeds to step S202.

[0027] In step S202, the control unit 205 supplies power to the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30 through the contacts on the mount 201 for power supply. Then, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0028] In step S203, the control unit 205 transmits a command (information) for requesting identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 to the interchangeable lens device 10 via the first communication unit 208 by the first communication method. In the interchangeable lens device 10, once the command is received via the first communication unit 114 by the first communication method, the control unit 113 transmits the identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 to the camera body 20 via the first communication unit 114 by the first communication method.

[0029] In step S204, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits a command (information) for requesting image capture control information corresponding to the received identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 to the interchangeable lens device 10 via the first communication unit 208 by the first communication method.

[0030] The control information corresponding to the identification information includes image capture control information for controlling the image capture conditions (status) of the interchangeable lens device 10. Examples of the image capture control information include information about the status (position and aperture) of the focusing lens unit 104, the status of the zoom lens unit 105, and the status of the aperture unit 106, as well as information about the object distance, focal length, F-number, and other characteristics. The control information also includes correction control information for correcting the image signal that will be or has been obtained by image capture using the image sensor 204. The correction control information is used to reduce defocus by driving the focusing lens unit 104. Other lens units as well as the focusing lens unit 104 can be driven to reduce defocus. The correction control information may include information for image signal processing (image processing) to compensate for chromatic aberration of magnification, information for image signal processing (image processing) to compensate for reduction of peripheral illumination (peripheral darkening), and information for image signal processing (image processing) to compensate for distortion. The correction control information will be described in more detail below. In the interchangeable lens device 10, the control unit 113 receives the command for requesting image capture control information from the camera body 20 via the first communication unit 114 by the first communication method. Then, the control unit 113 transmits the image capture control information related to the interchangeable lens device 10 to the camera body 20 via the first communication unit 114 by the first communication method.

[0031] In step S205, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits, via the first communication unit 208, a command (information) for requesting correction control information corresponding to the received identification information of the interchangeable lens device 10 to the interchangeable lens device 10 by the first communication method. In the interchangeable lens device 10, the control unit 113 receives the command from the camera body 20 via the first communication unit 114 by the first communication method. Then, the control unit 113 transmits, via the first communication unit 114, the correction control information related to the interchangeable lens device 10 to the camera body 20 by the first communication method.

[0032] In step S206, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits the identification information obtained in step S203 to the adapter 30 via the second communication unit 209 by the second communication method, and then the process proceeds to step S207. The adapter 30 stores the identification information received via the second communication unit 308 by the second communication method in the adapter 30.

[0033] In step S207, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits, via the second communication unit 209, a command (information) for requesting control information corresponding to the identification information to the adapter 30 by the second communication method, and then the process proceeds to step S208. The control information may include characteristic information about the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30 (intermediate accessory device). The characteristic information is associated with the status information indicating the status of the interchangeable lens device 10 controlled by the camera body 20 (image capturing device) in the communication performed by the first communication method between the interchangeable lens device 10 and the camera body 20 (image capturing device).

[0034] Once the command is received, the control unit 309 in the adapter 30 determines whether control information corresponding to the identification information received in step S206 exists (whether the control information is stored in the storage unit 310). If the control information exists, then the control unit 309 transmits the control information to the camera body 20 via the second communication unit 308 by the second communication method. Otherwise (the control information is not stored in the storage unit 310), the control unit 309 transmits, via the second communication unit 308, information indicating that the control information does not exist (instruction information indicating that the adapter 30 (intermediate accessory device) will not transmit the control information) to the camera body 20 by the second communication method. In step S208, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 determines whether the control information has been acquired. If the control information has been acquired ("Yes" in step S208), then the process proceeds to step S209. Otherwise (the instruction information has been received) ("No" in step S208), the process proceeds to step S212.

[0035] In step S209, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits, via the first communication unit 208, a command (information) for requesting status information indicating the status of the interchangeable lens device 10 to the interchangeable lens device 10 by a first communication method. In the interchangeable lens device 10, once the command is received, the control unit 113 transmits, via the first communication unit 114, the status information corresponding to the command to the camera body 20 by the first communication method.

[0036] In step S210, the control information to be used is determined based on the acquired control information group and status information. This determination can be made based on, for example, an operation of the operation member 207 or a command regarding an autofocus (AF) function, an automatic exposure (AE) function, or other functions (a change instruction regarding the status of the interchangeable lens device 10 in the camera body 20 (image capturing device)). These information and determination methods will be described below.

[0037] In step S211, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits command information to the interchangeable lens device 10 based on the control information to be used, thereby performing control processing. The control unit 205 performs control processing on the interchangeable lens device 10 (transmits the control information to be used to the interchangeable lens device 10) based on the control information to be used (image capturing control information) via the first communication unit 208 by a first communication method. The control processing can be executed by a focus control unit 108, a zoom control unit 109, a diaphragm control unit 110, and an IS control unit 111. Additionally, as described above, based on the control information to be used (correction control information), the control unit 205 performs correction of the image signal that has been or will be obtained by image capturing using the image sensor 204. The processing steps S209 to S211 can be repeatedly executed.

[0038] In step S212, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits, via the second communication unit 209, a command (information) for requesting characteristic information regarding the optical characteristics of the adapter optical member 307 in the adapter 30 to the adapter 30 by a second communication method. The optical characteristics (characteristic information) of the adapter optical member 307 in the adapter 30 can be changed. The characteristic information will be described below. Once the command is received via the second communication unit 308 by a second communication method, the control unit 309 in the adapter 30 transmits the characteristic information to the camera body 20 via the second communication unit 308 by the second communication method.

[0039] In step S213, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 performs processing similar to that in step S209, and then the processing proceeds to step S214.

[0040] In step S214, control information to be used is determined based on the acquired characteristic information and status information. For example, this determination can be made based on the operation of the operation member 207 or commands regarding the AF function, AE function, or other functions. These information and determination methods will be described below.

[0041] In step S215, processing similar to that in step S211 is performed. The processing steps S213 to S215 can be repeatedly executed.

[0042] The above control processing enables the camera body 20 to perform image capture using the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30 and appropriately perform correction of the image signal. This eliminates the need for a specific element in the image capture system for combining control information specific to the interchangeable lens device 10 and control information specific to the adapter 30 (intermediate attachment device), and no specific element of resources (hardware, software, and time) is used in the combination processing. For example, the image capture conditions related to the image capture control information determined as described above are used as the image capture conditions displayed on the image display unit 206. Additionally, the image capture conditions related to the image capture control information determined as described above are used as the image capture conditions set by the operation of the operation member 207. As the focusing position to be corrected (adjusted) by the AF function, the focusing position related to the correction control information determined as described above is used. As the correction conditions for correcting magnification chromatic aberration, edge illuminance reduction, or distortion in the image signal acquired by the camera body 20, the correction conditions related to the correction control information determined as described above are used.

[0043] In some embodiments, status information regarding the interchangeable lens device 10 is not always acquired from the interchangeable lens device 10. After acquiring information on the initial state of the interchangeable lens device 10, status information is obtained (calculated) based on the initial state and the history (drive commands) of the control processing performed by the camera body 20 on the interchangeable lens device 10. For example, after the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 drives the aperture unit 106 in the interchangeable lens device 10 to the initial state, status information regarding the aperture unit 106 is obtained based on the drive command for the aperture unit 110.

[0044] Next, the control information groups (identification information regarding each interchangeable lens device) corresponding to each interchangeable lens device will be described. Figure 3This is a table illustrating the details of each control information group according to the first embodiment. The control information is stored in the storage unit 310. In this embodiment, a case where the interchangeable lens 10 belongs to three types of interchangeable lens devices A to C will be described. The control information includes interchangeable lens device identification information (abbreviated as identification information), image capture control information, and correction control information. Examples of the identification information may include numbers or codes assigned to the respective types of interchangeable lens devices to uniquely identify the types of the respective interchangeable lens devices, and sequences of the numbers or codes. The image capture control information includes control information for identifying the object distance, focusing sensitivity, focal length, and F-number corresponding to each interchangeable lens device. The correction control information includes control information for correcting (reducing) defocus in the image information acquired in the camera body 20 and / or correcting (image processing) magnification chromatic aberration, peripheral illumination reduction, and / or distortion. The control information (image capture control information and correction control information) is related to the combination of the interchangeable lens device 10 (identification information A to C) and the adapter 30.

[0045] Once a command for requesting control information is received from the camera body 20, the control unit 309 in the adapter 30 identifies the control information corresponding to the identification information received from the camera body 20 and transmits the control information to the camera body 20. For example, if the identification information indicates A, the image capture control information and correction control information corresponding to the identification information A are transmitted to the camera body 20. The image capture control information corresponding to the identification information A includes the object distance FA, focusing sensitivity SA, focal length ZA, and F-number IA. The correction control information corresponding to the identification information A includes defocus PCA, magnification chromatic aberration ACA, peripheral illumination reduction SCA, and distortion DCA.

[0046] The image capture control information is not limited to the object distance, focusing sensitivity, focal length, and F-number, but may include other information related to the optical members in the interchangeable lens device 10 and the adapter 30, and these other information affects the image capture conditions. Examples of the image capture control information may include T-number, defocus amount, vignetting amount at each image height, exit pupil position, and entrance pupil position. The image capture control information may also include information indicating the relationship between the movement amount of the IS lens unit 107 and the movement amount of the image.

[0047] Next, a method for determining the control information to be used in the camera body 20 based on the control information group and the state information will be described. Figure 4 This is a table illustrating the data structure of each control information group according to the first embodiment. In Figure 4In the data structure of the control information shown, the focus position indicating the position of the focus lens unit 104, the zoom position indicating the position of the zoom lens unit 105, and the aperture position indicating the state (e.g., aperture) of the aperture unit 106 are set as indices. The data structure is a table structure for identifying control information based on the indices. The focus position includes L positions F1 to FL. The zoom position includes M positions Z1 to ZM. The aperture position includes N positions I1 to IN.

[0048] The control unit 205 in the camera body 20 determines the values of the object distance F, the focus sensitivity S, the focal length Z, and the F-number I based on the combination of the focus position, the zoom position, and the aperture position. For example, when the focus position, the zoom position, and the aperture position indicate F1, Z1, and I1 respectively, the object distance F111, the focus sensitivity S111, the focal length Z111, and the F-number I111 are determined as image capture control information. A single piece of image capture control information may include multiple values. For example, the object distance F000 may include the object distance on the closest distance side and the object distance on the infinite distance side.

[0049] The control unit 205 in the camera body 20 determines the values of the defocus PC, the chromatic aberration of magnification AC, the edge illumination reduction SC, and the distortion DC based on the combination of the focus position, the zoom position, and the aperture position. For example, when the focus position, the zoom position, and the aperture position indicate F1, Z1, and I1 respectively, the defocus PC111, the chromatic aberration of magnification AC111, the edge illumination reduction SC111, and the distortion DC111 are determined as correction control information. These correction control information may include the 0th or nth order coefficients in the nth order polynomial for the image height. In the manner described above, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 can determine the control information to be used by the camera body 20 based on the control information group and the state information.

[0050] In the present embodiment, a method of determining control information using the focus position, the zoom position, and the aperture position as indices has been described. In one or more embodiments, other information indicating the state of the interchangeable lens device 10 is used as an index of the control information group. For example, an example of the index may include information about the position of the IS lens unit 107. In other embodiments, the information indicating the state of the interchangeable lens device 10 as an index is omitted. For example, only the aperture position is used as an index. In the table structure, the number of indices varies with each item of the control information. For example, the number of indices for the focus position for determining the object distance may be L, and the number of indices for the focus position for determining the focus sensitivity may be M. Additionally, an arithmetic expression for uniquely calculating the control information based on the state information may be used instead of the table structure using the state information as an index.

[0051] Next, the structure of a control information group corresponding to state information that varies according to the model of the interchangeable lens device 10 will be described. The state information about the interchangeable lens device 10 that the camera body 20 can obtain from the interchangeable lens device 10 varies according to the model. This means that the index of the control information group has a configuration that allows determination of the control information regardless of the state information that can be obtained from the interchangeable lens device 10. Figures 5A to 5C is a table that respectively exemplifies a conversion table between the state information and the index according to the first embodiment. Figures 5A to 5C Each exemplifies a conversion table (corresponding table; correspondence) for associating the values F1 to FN of the focusing position set as the index shown in Figure 4 with a plurality of state information about the interchangeable lens device 10. Figure 5A , 5B and 5C respectively exemplify the structure of the conversion table for the interchangeable lens devices A, B, and C.

[0052] The interchangeable lens device A supports a command for obtaining information about the normalized position of the focusing lens unit 104. Figure 5A The structure of the conversion table shown in Figure 5B is a structure for converting (relating) the normalized position of the focusing lens unit 104 into a corresponding focusing position. The interchangeable lens device B supports a command for obtaining information about the object distance. Figure 5C The structure of the conversion table shown in

[0053] Next, a method in which the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 determines control information based on characteristic information and state information will be described in detail. Examples of the characteristic information include information about the magnification of the focal length conversion optical system (focal length conversion lens unit) that is the adapter optical member 307 in the adapter 30. The focal length (image capture control information) in the camera body 20 (image capture device) is obtained by multiplying the magnification by the focal length that is the state information acquired from the interchangeable lens device 10. The characteristic information includes information about the number of steps of change in the F-number of the ND filter unit that is the adapter optical member 307 in the adapter 30. The F-number is changed with respect to the F-number that is the state information acquired from the interchangeable lens device 10 by the number of steps of change, thereby giving the F-number (image capture control information) in the camera body 20 (image capture device). This configuration allows the image capture control information in the camera body 20 (image capture device) to be obtained based on the state information acquired from the interchangeable lens device 10 and the characteristic information acquired from the adapter 30.

[0054] Next, a method of determining the correction control information in the camera body 20 (image capture device) based on the characteristic information, the state information, the correction control information about the interchangeable lens device 10, and the correction control information about the adapter 30 will be described. Figure 3 The correction control information shown is related to the combination of the types of the adapter 30 and the interchangeable lens device 10. On the other hand, the correction control information stored in the storage unit 310 may be related only to the adapter 30. This means that the correction control information in the camera body 20 (image capture device) can be determined based on this correction control information and the correction control information that is related only to the interchangeable lens device 10 and acquired from the interchangeable lens device 10. This method will now be described.

[0055] Let PL denote the defocus amount related only to the interchangeable lens device 10, PA denote the defocus amount PA related only to the adapter 30, X denote the focal length conversion magnification of the adapter optical member 307 in the adapter 30, and P denote the defocus amount in the camera body 20. The defocus amount P is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0056] P = (PL + PA) × X...(1)

[0057] The defocus amount PL is included in the correction control information related only to the interchangeable lens device 10 obtained in step S205. The structure (configuration) of the correction control information regarding the interchangeable lens device 10 may be similar to the structure (configuration) of the correction control information in the above control information group. It is also assumed that the defocus amount PA is obtained in step S207. The focal length conversion magnification X can be obtained as characteristic information in step S212. This configuration allows the defocus amount in the camera body 20 (image capturing device) to be determined based on the defocus amount PL, the defocus amount PA, and the focal length conversion magnification X. This enables the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 to send a drive command for the focusing lens unit 104 to the interchangeable lens device to reduce the determined defocus amount. In this embodiment, the focal length conversion magnification X is obtained as characteristic information, but instead, the focal length conversion magnification X can be obtained as part of the control information group.

[0058] As described above, storing the correction control information related only to the adapter 30 in the storage unit 310 reduces the amount of information to be stored in the storage unit 310. In addition, the processing in step S207 reduces the amount of information in the control information group to be transmitted, which results in a reduction in the communication time related to the startup of the camera body 20 (image capturing device) between the camera body 20 and the adapter 30.

[0059] Next, a method for setting the image capturing conditions for the interchangeable lens device 10 will be described. The setting is based on the optical characteristics of the adapter 30. The control unit 205 in the camera body 20 determines the image capturing conditions (image capturing control information) through the processing in steps S213 and S214 based on the characteristic information obtained through the processing in step S212. The control unit 205 performs the control processing in step S215 on the interchangeable lens device 10 based on the determined image capturing conditions. For example, when the F-number is set as the image capturing condition, let F represent the F-number of the image capturing system, FL represent the F-number to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10, and ΔFA represent the change rate of the F-number in the adapter 30. The F-number FL to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10 is expressed by the following expression (2).

[0060] F = FL × ΔFA…(2)

[0061] For example, when the magnification X (focal length conversion magnification) of the adapter optical member 307 as the focal length conversion optical system is 1.4, ΔFA = 1.4. When the F-number is F2.8, the F-number to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10 is F2.

[0062] Let V represent the focus movement speed of the image capture system, VL represent the focus movement speed to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10, and X represent the focal length conversion magnification of the adapter optical member 307. The focus movement speed VL to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10 is expressed by the following expression (3).

[0063] VL = V × (1 / X 2 )…(3)

[0064] As described above, even when the adapter 30 is provided between the camera body 20 and the interchangeable lens device 10, the camera body 20 can set appropriate image capture conditions for the interchangeable lens device 10.

[0065] Reference will be made to Figure 6 describe the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the adapter 40 (another intermediate attachment device different from the adapter 30) is detachably mounted between the interchangeable lens device 10 and the camera body 20 (in this case, the adapter 30). The second embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that the contact 103 and the second communication unit 115 for performing communication by the second communication method are not included in the interchangeable lens device 10. The second embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that the contact 304 for performing communication by the second communication method is not included in the adapter 30. Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image capture system according to the second embodiment. As Figure 6 shown, the adapter 40 includes a mount 401 and is detachably mounted on the interchangeable lens device 10 through the mount 401. The adapter 40 also includes a mount 402 and is detachably mounted on the adapter 30 through the mount 402 and the mount 301. The adapter optical member 407 is, for example, a focal length conversion optical system or an ND filter. The first communication unit 405 is used to perform the first communication in the adapter 40. The control unit 406 can be a part of the CPU (processing unit) included in the adapter 40.

[0066] Next, the processing procedures in which the camera body 20 controls the interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 30, and the adapter 40 will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure according to the second embodiment. Similar step numbers indicate Figure 2Similar processing in the first embodiment shown in [description omitted]. First, in step S701, the camera body 20 is activated. In step S702, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 supplies power to the interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 30, and the adapter 40 through the power supply contact. In step S703, the interchangeable lens device 10 obtains identification information about the adapter 40 from the adapter 40 through the first communication unit 114 in the interchangeable lens device 10 and through the first communication unit 405 in the adapter 40. After the identification information is transmitted to the interchangeable lens device 10, the adapter 40 does not perform the first communication.

[0067] In step S704, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits a command for requesting identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 to the interchangeable lens device 10 through the first communication unit 208 in the camera body 20. Once the command is received through the first communication unit 114 of the interchangeable lens device 10, the control unit 113 of the interchangeable lens device 10 transmits the identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 and the identification information about the adapter 40 to the camera body 20. The control unit 205 in the camera body 20 receives the identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 and the identification information about the adapter 40 through the first communication unit 208 in the camera body 20. The processing in step S204 and subsequent steps is similar to that Figure 2 shown in [description omitted]. The communication method for obtaining the identification information about the adapter 40 is not limited to the first communication method. Any communication method can be used as long as the identification information about the adapter 40 can be obtained through the contacts on the mount 101 and the mount 401, respectively. In step S206', the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits the two pieces of identification information obtained in step S704 to the adapter 30 through the second communication via the second communication unit 209, and then the processing proceeds to step S207'. The adapter 30 stores the two pieces of identification information received through the second communication unit 308 in the adapter 30 through the second communication method. In step S207', the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 transmits a command (information) for requesting control information corresponding to the two pieces of identification information to the adapter 30 through the second communication unit 209 by the second communication method, and then the processing proceeds to step S208. The control information includes characteristic information about the combined optical characteristics of the two intermediate attachment devices (adapter 30 and 40) and the interchangeable lens device 10. The characteristic information is associated with the status information indicating the status of the interchangeable lens device 10 for which communication between the interchangeable lens device 10 and the camera body 20 (image capturing device) through the first communication method is to be controlled by the camera body 20 (image capturing device).

[0068] Control information corresponding to identification information about the interchangeable lens device 10 and identification information about the adapter 40 will now be described. Figure 8 is a table illustrating details of each control information group according to the second embodiment. The control information groups are stored in the storage unit 310. The control information groups according to the present embodiment include a plurality of pieces of control information corresponding to the interchangeable lens devices A to C each serving as the interchangeable lens device 10, and control information corresponding to a combination of the information "A" indicating the interchangeable lens device 10 and the information "D" indicating the adapter 40.

[0069] The control information groups according to the present embodiment include identification information about the type of the interchangeable lens device 10 and identification information about the adapter 40. Depending on the configuration of the control information groups, the control unit 309 in the adapter 30 determines the control information corresponding to the combination of the type of the adapter 40 and the interchangeable lens device 10.

[0070] Even when the adapter 40 is included, the above configuration of the image capture system allows the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 to determine the control information to be used based on the control information groups and the state information. In addition, the control unit 205 sets appropriate image capture conditions for the interchangeable lens device 10.

[0071] In the present embodiment, one adapter 40 is installed, but alternatively, a plurality of adapters 40 may be installed. If a plurality of adapters 40 are installed, the control unit 205 in the camera body 20 can acquire the control information about each adapter 40. This allows the control unit 205 to obtain the changes or the rate of change of the image capture conditions in all the adapters 40 and determine the image capture conditions to be set for the interchangeable lens device 10 based on the changes or the rate of change.

[0072] Other Embodiments

[0073] One or more functions according to the above embodiments may be implemented by a program for implementing one or more functions. The program may be supplied to a device, a system, etc. via a network, a storage medium, etc., and the program may be read out by one or more processors in a computer of the device, the system, etc., and may be executed. One or more functions may also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for implementing one or more functions.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The present invention may be modified or changed in various ways within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an intermediate attachment device that is beneficial for an image capture device to control an interchangeable lens device can be provided.

[0076] One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described (one or more) embodiments and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described (one or more) embodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus that reads and executes the computer-executable instructions from, for example, the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described (one or more) embodiments and / or controls one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described (one or more) embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage device of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD) TM ), a flash device, a memory card, and the like.

[0077] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a method in which software (a program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage mediums, and the computer or the central processing unit (CPU) or the microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intermediate attachment device configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and an image pickup device, the intermediate attachment device comprising: A storage device configured to store characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with identification information of the interchangeable lens device and status information of the interchangeable lens device; A processor configured to transmit the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device to the image pickup device; A first communication terminal constituting a first communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device; And A second communication terminal constituting a second communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the intermediate attachment device, the second communication channel being different from the first communication channel, wherein the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the status information of the interchangeable lens device are transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via the first communication channel, wherein the identification information of the interchangeable lens device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the intermediate attachment device via the second communication channel, and wherein the processor transmits, via the second communication channel, the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device corresponding to the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and associated with the status information of the interchangeable lens device.

2. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein The communication method of the communication using the first communication channel is different from the communication method of the communication using the second communication channel.

3. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein, The communication using the first communication channel is performed independently of the communication using the second communication channel.

4. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via the second communication, the identification information regarding another intermediate attachment device that is detachably mounted between the interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device.

5. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to transmit, via the second communication, the characteristic information corresponding to the identification information regarding the interchangeable lens device and the identification information regarding the other intermediate attachment device to the image pickup device.

6. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit, via the second communication, information indicating such a situation to the image pickup device when the corresponding characteristic information is not stored in the storage device.

7. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is configured to store information regarding the correspondence between states and status information.

8. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the intermediate attachment device are configured to be variable, and the processor is configured to transmit the characteristic information regarding the optical characteristics to the image pickup device via the second communication channel.

9. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 8, wherein command information based on the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics, the status information, a change instruction regarding the status in the image pickup device, and the characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via the first communication.

10. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 6, wherein the optical characteristics of the intermediate attachment device are configured to be variable, wherein the processor is configured to transmit characteristic information regarding the optical characteristics to the image pickup device via a second communication, and wherein, in a case where corresponding characteristic information is not stored in the storage device, command information based on state information, a change instruction regarding the state in the image capturing device, and characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via a first communication.

11. The intermediate attachment device according to claim 1, wherein characteristic information regarding the optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device is transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via a first communication, wherein characteristic information regarding the optical characteristics of the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the intermediate attachment device to the image pickup device via a second communication, and wherein command information based on the characteristic information regarding the interchangeable lens device, state information, a change instruction regarding the state in the image capturing device, and characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via a first communication.

12. An image pickup device, on which an intermediate attachment device is detachably mounted, the intermediate attachment device being configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device, Among them, wherein the intermediate attachment device stores characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with identification information of the interchangeable lens device and state information of the interchangeable lens device, the image pickup device comprising: a processor configured to receive the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the state information of the interchangeable lens device from the interchangeable lens device, and receive characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device from the intermediate attachment device; a first communication terminal constituting a first communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device; and a second communication terminal constituting a second communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the intermediate attachment device, the second communication channel being different from the first communication channel, wherein the processor: receives the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the state information of the interchangeable lens device from the interchangeable lens device via the first communication channel, transmits the identification information of the interchangeable lens device to the intermediate attachment device via the second communication channel, and receives, via the second communication channel, characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device corresponding to the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and associated with the state information of the interchangeable lens device.

13. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein, The communication method of communication using the first communication channel is different from the communication method of communication using the second communication channel.

14. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein, The communication using the first communication channel is performed independently of the communication using the second communication channel.

15. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein the state information is transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via a first communication.

16. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein command information based on characteristic information, state information, and change instruction information regarding the state in the image pickup device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via first communication.

17. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via second communication, instruction information indicating that the intermediate attachment device does not transmit characteristic information.

18. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein the characteristic information includes information regarding the correspondence between the state and the state information.

19. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein the optical characteristic of the intermediate attachment device is configured to be variable, and the processor is configured to receive, via second communication, characteristic information regarding the optical characteristic from the intermediate attachment device.

20. The image pickup device according to claim 19, wherein command information based on characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristic, state information, change instruction information regarding the state in the image pickup device, and characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via first communication.

21. The image pickup device according to claim 17, wherein the optical characteristic of the intermediate attachment device is configured to be variable, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via second communication, characteristic information regarding the optical characteristic from the intermediate attachment device, and wherein, in a case where the instruction information is received from the intermediate attachment device, command information based on state information, change instruction information regarding the state in the image pickup device, and characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via first communication.

22. The image pickup device according to claim 12, wherein characteristic information regarding the optical characteristic of the interchangeable lens device is transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via first communication, wherein characteristic information regarding the optical characteristic of the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the intermediate attachment device to the image pickup device via second communication, and wherein command information based on characteristic information regarding the interchangeable lens device, state information, change instruction information regarding the state in the image capture device, and characteristic information regarding the intermediate attachment device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the interchangeable lens device via first communication.

23. An image pickup system, comprising: the intermediate attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and an image pickup device on which the intermediate attachment device is detachably mounted.

24. An image pickup system, comprising: the image pickup device according to any one of claims 12 to 22; and an intermediate attachment device configured to be detachably mounted between the interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device, and the intermediate attachment device is detachably mounted on the image pickup device.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute processing in an intermediate attachment device configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and an image pickup device, the intermediate attachment device comprising: A storage device configured to store characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of an interchangeable lens device and an intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with identification information of the interchangeable lens device and status information of the interchangeable lens device; A processor configured to transmit the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device to an image pickup device; A first communication terminal constituting a first communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device; And A second communication terminal constituting a second communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the intermediate attachment device, the second communication channel being different from the first communication channel, wherein the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the status information of the interchangeable lens device are transmitted from the interchangeable lens device to the image pickup device via the first communication channel, wherein the identification information of the interchangeable lens device is transmitted from the image pickup device to the intermediate attachment device via the second communication channel, and wherein the processor transmits, via the second communication channel, the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device that corresponds to the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and is associated with the status information of the interchangeable lens device.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute processing in an image pickup device on which an intermediate attachment device is detachably mounted, the intermediate attachment device being configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens device and the image pickup device, Among them, wherein the intermediate attachment device stores characteristic information regarding combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device, the characteristic information being associated with identification information of the interchangeable lens device and status information of the interchangeable lens device, and the image pickup device includes: A processor configured to receive the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the status information of the interchangeable lens device from the interchangeable lens device, and receive the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device from the intermediate attachment device; A first communication terminal constituting a first communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the interchangeable lens device; and A second communication terminal constituting a second communication channel for communication between the image pickup device and the intermediate attachment device, the second communication channel being different from the first communication channel, wherein the processor: Receives the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and the status information of the interchangeable lens device from the interchangeable lens device via the first communication channel, Transmits the identification information of the interchangeable lens device to the intermediate attachment device via the second communication channel, and Receives, via the second communication channel, the characteristic information regarding the combined optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens device and the intermediate attachment device that corresponds to the identification information of the interchangeable lens device and is associated with the status information of the interchangeable lens device.

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