Electronic devices and accessories

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce the effect of short-circuit between a power supply contact and its adjacent contact. [Means for Solving the Problem] An electronic device (100) includes a plurality of contacts which are electrically connectable to an accessory (200) detachably attached and configured in a row. The plurality of contacts include: an attachment detection contact (TC06) for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device; a power supply contact (TA05) for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory; communication contacts (TA02, TA03, TA07-TA017, TA19, and TA20) for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and a first ground contact (TA04) connected to a ground terminal. In a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic device, a potential of the attachment detection contact becomes a ground potential. The attachment detection contact is arranged in one of both sides of the power supply contact, and the first ground contact is arranged in the other side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic device and an accessory each having a contact used for communication and power supply, and the like. BACKGROUND

[0002] An accessory such as a strobe light unit is attached to an accessory socket provided to an electronic device such as a camera. The accessory socket includes a plurality of contacts (terminals) for supplying power to the accessory and for communication with the accessory. However, an attempt to make the contact arrangement pitch narrower to increase the number of contacts without increasing the size of the accessory socket or the accessory can cause a short circuit between the contacts due to attachment of foreign matter to the contacts or attachment misalignment between the accessory socket and the accessory.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a structure of a plurality of contacts including a power supply contact, a signal contact, and a GND contact that prevents a short circuit between the power supply contact and the GND contact by arranging the power supply contact at one end and the GND contact at the other end.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-076971 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, even if a short circuit between the power supply contact and the GND contact is prevented as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the power supply contact and the GND contact can short circuit. As an example, if the power supply contact and the signal contact short circuit in a system in which a signal voltage is lower than a power supply voltage, an electronic element to which the signal is connected can be damaged. In addition, as an example, this causes a malfunction at an adjacent signal contact. Separating the signal contact from the power supply contact to prevent a short circuit reduces the number of contacts to be provided.

[0009] The present application provides an electronic device and an accessory each of which can reduce the influence of a short circuit between a power supply contact and its adjacent contact.

[0010] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0011] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention to which an accessory is detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts that are electrically connectable to the accessory and are arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts include an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device, a power supply contact for supplying a power supply from the electronic device to the accessory, a communication contact for use in communication between the electronic device and the accessory, and a first ground contact connected to a ground terminal. In a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic device, a potential of the attachment detection contact becomes a ground potential. The attachment detection contact is arranged on one side of both sides of the power supply contact, and the first ground contact is arranged on the other side.

[0012] An accessory according to another aspect of the present invention that is attachable to and detachable from an electronic device includes a plurality of contacts that are electrically connectable to the electronic device and are arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts include an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device, a power supply contact for supplying a power supply from the electronic device to the accessory, a communication contact for use in communication between the electronic device and the accessory, and a first ground contact connected to a ground terminal. In a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic device, a potential of the attachment detection contact becomes a ground potential. The attachment detection contact is arranged on one side of both sides of the power supply contact, and the first ground contact is arranged on the other side.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] The present invention can provide an electronic device and an accessory each of which can reduce an effect of short-circuit between a power supply contact and its adjacent contact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a camera and an accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a camera to which an accessory is attached and a configuration of contacts thereof according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how an external force is applied to an accessory attached to a camera according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4A FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure for judging a connection state of a ground contact according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4B FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a camera according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a camera and an accessory according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the camera according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 is a timing chart showing signal changes when a short circuit occurs in a contact adjacent to a power contact according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a pointer example of a function signal for the type of the accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a connection destination structure of a function signal according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a structure example of the camera and the accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 10 is a diagram showing another structure example of the camera and the accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 11 is a diagram showing still another structure example of the camera and the accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0027] Figure 12 is a diagram showing a structure example of the accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Figure 13 is a diagram showing a structure example of the camera, the accessory, and an intermediate accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Figure 14 shows another structure example of the camera, the accessory, and the intermediate accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 15 is a timing chart in which the accessory according to the present embodiment is a strobe device.

[0031] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a camera and an external flash unit as an accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0032] Figure 17 is an exploded view and a perspective view of an accessory socket according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Figure 18 is a diagram showing the structure of a joint member and a connection terminal connector of the accessory socket according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Figure 19 is a perspective view and a sectional view of an external flash unit according to the present embodiment.

[0035] Figure 20 is a perspective view and a front view showing the internal configuration of the camera connector according to the present embodiment.

[0036] Figure 21 is a top view and a sectional view of the camera connector according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Figure 22 is a perspective view and a sectional view of the external flash unit according to the modification.

[0038] Figure 23 is a perspective view and a front view showing the internal configuration of the connector according to the modification.

[0039] Figure 24 is a front view of the accessory socket according to the present embodiment.

[0040] Figure 25 is a partial enlarged view of the connection plug according to the present embodiment.

[0041] Figure 26 is a front sectional view showing the state in which the camera connector according to the present embodiment is attached to the accessory socket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Embodiments according to the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 The electrical structure of a camera 100 as an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application and an accessory 200 detachably attached to the camera 100 is shown. In the camera 100 and the accessory 200, a plurality of contacts (terminals) TC01 to TC21 of a camera connector 141 provided in the camera 100 and a plurality of contacts TA01 to TA21 of an accessory connector 211 provided in the accessory 200 are connected to each other in one-to-one correspondence, whereby the two are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] Power is supplied from a battery 111 to the camera 100. The battery 111 is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100. A camera control circuit 101 as a control part of the camera 100 is a circuit that controls the entire camera 100, and includes a microcomputer having a built-in CPU or the like.

[0045] The system power supply circuit 112 is a circuit that generates a power supply for supplying power to each circuit in the camera 100, and includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an LDO (low dropout), and a charge pump circuit, and the like. A voltage of 1.8 V generated by the system power supply circuit 112 is supplied as a camera microcomputer power supply VMCU C from the battery 111 to the camera control circuit 101 constantly. The camera control circuit 101 controls the system power supply circuit 112, and thereby controls turning on and off of the power supply to each circuit of the camera 100.

[0046] The optical lens 121 is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100. Light from a subject that has entered through the optical lens 121 is imaged on an image sensor 122 including a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor, or the like. A subject image formed on the image sensor 122 is coded into a digital image signal. The image processing circuit 123 performs image processing such as noise reduction processing and white balance processing on the digital image signal to generate image data, and converts the image data into an image file in a format such as JPEG, in order to record the image data in a recording memory 126. The image processing circuit 123 generates VRAM image data for display on a display circuit 127 from the image data.

[0047] The memory control circuit 124 controls transmission and reception of image data and other data generated by the image processing circuit 123 and the like. The volatile memory 125 is a memory such as a DDR3 SDRAM that enables high-speed reading and writing, and is used for a work space for image processing by the image processing circuit 123 and the like. The recording memory 126 is a readable and writable recording medium such as an SD card or a CFexpress card that is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100 via a connector not shown. The display circuit 127 is a display located on the back of the camera 100, and includes an LCD panel and an organic EL display panel, and the like. The backlight circuit 128 adjusts the brightness of the display circuit 127 by changing the light amount of the backlight of the display circuit 127.

[0048] The accessory power supply circuit A 131 and the accessory power supply circuit B 132, which are power supply components, are each a voltage conversion circuit that converts a voltage supplied from the system power supply circuit 112 into a predetermined voltage, and in the present embodiment, 3.3 V is generated as an accessory power supply VACC.

[0049] The accessory power supply circuit A 131 is a power supply circuit including an LDO or the like and has a low self-consumption power. The accessory power supply circuit B 132 is a circuit including a DC / DC converter circuit or the like and can flow a larger current compared to the accessory power supply circuit A 131. The self-consumption power of the accessory power supply circuit B 132 is larger than that of the accessory power supply circuit A 131. Therefore, the accessory power supply circuit A 131 is more efficient than the accessory power supply circuit B 132 when the load current is small, and the accessory power supply circuit B 132 is more efficient than the accessory power supply circuit A 131 when the load current is large. The camera control circuit 101 controls the on and off of the voltage output of the accessory power supply circuits A 131 and B 132 according to the operation state of the accessory 200.

[0050] The protection circuit 133 as a protection component includes a current fuse element, a multipath switch element, and an electronic fuse circuit combining a resistor, an amplifier, and a switch element, and outputs an overcurrent detection signal DET OVC when the power supply current value from the accessory power supply circuits A 131 and B 132 to the accessory 200 exceeds a predetermined value and becomes excessively large (abnormal). In the present embodiment, the protection circuit 133 includes an electronic fuse circuit, and notifies the camera control circuit 101 through the overcurrent detection signal DET OVC when a current of 1 A or more flows. The overcurrent detection signal DET OVC indicates an overcurrent by a Hi level.

[0051] The camera connector 141 is a connector for electrically connecting with the accessory 200 via 21 contacts TC01 to TC21 arranged in a row. The contacts TC01 to TC21 are arranged in this order from one end to the other end in the arrangement direction thereof.

[0052] TC01 is connected to a ground terminal (GND) and serves not only as a contact for a reference potential (GND potential) but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of the differential signals D1N and D1P described below. TC01 corresponds to a third ground contact.

[0053] The differential signal D1N connected to TC02 and the differential signal D1P connected to TC03 are paired differential data communication signals for performing data communication and are connected to the camera control circuit 101. TC02, TC03, TC07 to TC17, TC19, and TC20 to be described later are communication contacts.

[0054] TC04 as a first ground contact is connected to GND and serves as a reference potential contact between the camera 100 and the accessory 200. TC04 is arranged outside TC05 described below in the contact arrangement direction.

[0055] The accessory power supply VACC generated by the power supply circuits A131 and B132 is connected to TC05 as a power supply contact via a protection circuit 133.

[0056] The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to TC06 as an attachment detection contact. The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via a resistor element Rp134 (10 kΩ). The camera control circuit 101 can detect whether or not the accessory 200 is attached by reading the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET. If the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET signal level (potential) is a Hi level (predetermined potential), it is detected that the accessory 200 is not attached, and if the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET signal level (potential) is a Lo level (GND potential as described later), it is detected that the accessory 200 is attached.

[0057] When the power of the camera 100 is turned on and the signal level (potential) of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET changes from a Hi level to a Lo level, various transmissions are performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 via the contacts.

[0058] The camera control circuit 101 supplies power to the accessory 200 via TC05 as a power supply contact when the attachment state of the accessory 200 is detected.

[0059] SCLK connected to TC07, MOSI connected to TC08, MISO connected to TC09, and CS connected to TC10 are signals used for SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication by the camera control circuit 101 as a communication master. In the present embodiment, the communication clock frequency of the SPI communication is 1 MHz.

[0060] A communication request signal / WAKE for requesting communication from the accessory 200 to the camera control circuit 101 is connected to TC11. The communication request signal / WAKE is pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via a resistor. The camera control circuit 101 can receive a communication request from the accessory 200 by detecting the falling edge of the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0061] SDA connected to TC12 and SCL connected to TC13 are signals used for I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication by the camera control circuit 101 as a communication master. SDA and SCL are signals used for open drain communication (hereinafter referred to as open drain communication) pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C, and in the present embodiment, the communication frequency is 100 kbps.

[0062] In the I2C communication, both the data transmission from the camera 100 and the data transmission from the accessory 200 are performed via the SDA. When the SPI communication and the I2C communication are compared with each other, the I2C communication has a lower communication speed than the communication speed of the SPI communication, and can achieve lower power consumption. The SPI communication has a higher communication speed than the I2C communication, and is thus suitable for communication of information having a large data amount. Therefore, in the communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 according to the present embodiment, information having a large data amount is communicated in the SPI communication, and information having a small data amount is communicated in the I2C communication. For example, data is first communicated in the I2C communication, and control is performed so that, in a case where the SPI communication can be performed or needs to be performed on the basis of the data, the SPI communication is further performed.

[0063] The FNC1 signal connected to the TC14 (synchronization contact), the FNC2 signal connected to the TC15, the FNC3 signal connected to the TC16, and the FNC4 signal connected to the TC17 are signals whose functions can be changed depending on the type of the attached accessory 200. For example, in a case where the accessory 200 is a microphone device, the signal communicated via the TC15 is an audio data signal. In a case where the accessory 200 is an illumination (strobe light or flash light) unit, the signal communicated via the TC14 is a signal for controlling the light emission timing. Depending on the type of the attached accessory, signals for realizing different functions can be communicated via the same contact. For example, in a case where the accessory 200 is an accessory other than the illumination unit, a synchronization signal for controlling a timing different from the light emission timing can be communicated via the TC14. The TC14 to the TC17 correspond to function signal contacts. The communication using at least one of the function signal contacts is also referred to as function signal communication.

[0064] The function signal communication can perform communication at a timing that is independent of the I2C communication or the SPI communication in parallel with the I2C communication and the SPI communication.

[0065] As used herein, the type of the accessory means the microphone device and the illumination unit and the like described above. Accessories such as illumination with different performances that achieve the same purpose belong to the same type. Accessories such as the microphone device and the illumination unit that achieve different purposes belong to different types.

[0066] The function signal communication is performed on the basis of information acquired through the I2C communication or the SPI communication.

[0067] The TC18, which is a second ground contact (reference potential contact), is also connected to the GND, and like the TC04, is a contact that serves as a reference potential between the camera 100 and the accessory 200.

[0068] The differential signal D2N connected to TC19 (first differential signal contact) and the differential signal D2P connected to TC20 (second differential signal contact) are paired data communication signals for data communication and are connected to the camera control circuit 101. For example, USB communication can be performed via TC19 and TC20.

[0069] TC21 is connected to GND, and can be used not only as a contact for a reference potential, but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of the differential signals D2N and D2P. TC21 corresponds to a fourth ground contact. The contacts TC01, TC04, TC06, TC18, and TC21 are connected, for example, to the GND portion of the flexible substrate 158 shown later, and the GND portion of the flexible substrate 158 is fixed together with the metal member having a GND level of the camera 100 by a screw 157 or the like. The metal member having a GND level includes, for example, the joining member 151, and a base plate or the like not shown in the camera 100. Figure 17

[0070] The attachment detection contact TC06 to which the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected is arranged next to the contact (first clock contact) TC07 for transmitting SCLK (first clock signal) as a clock signal in the present embodiment. In general, noise (clock noise) due to fluctuation of the potential of the clock signal is transmitted to the contact adjacent to the contact of the clock signal, which can cause a malfunction. In particular, in a structure having a large number of contacts and a short distance between the contacts as in the present embodiment, the influence is more significant. Therefore, arranging the attachment detection contact TC06 next to the SCLK contact TC07 can suppress the influence of the clock noise.

[0071] The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is pulled up before attachment of the accessory, but is set to a GND potential after attachment of the accessory. On the other hand, the SCLK contact TC07 for transmitting the clock signal does not transmit the clock signal before attachment of the accessory, and thus the potential does not fluctuate. Since the clock signal is transmitted only after attachment of the accessory, the potential fluctuates.

[0072] When the SCLK contact TC07 transmits the clock signal, the attachment detection contact TC06 is at a GND potential. Therefore, even if the attachment detection contact TC06 receives the clock noise, the potential of the control circuit of the camera 100 or the accessory 200 is unlikely to fluctuate, so that a malfunction can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to suppress transmission of the clock noise to a position farther than the attachment detection contact TC06. As a result, since it is not necessary to arrange a GND terminal, it is possible to suppress the influence of the clock noise without increasing the number of contacts.

[0073] ​The SCL (second clock signal) that is a clock signal is also transmitted to the contact (second clock contact) TC13. However, the frequency of the SCLK transmitted to the SCLK contact TC07 is higher than the frequency of the SCL, and the SCLK contact TC07 generates more clock noise than the SCL contact TC13. Therefore, the attachment detection contact TC06 is arranged next to the SCLK contact TC07 rather than the SCL contact TC13, which can provide a more significant effect of preventing malfunction due to clock noise.

[0074] In addition to the difference in frequency, the SCL transmitted by the SCL contact TC13 is a clock signal of the I2C communication standard, and the voltage fluctuation of the signal line is driven by an open-drain connection. On the other hand, the SCLK transmitted by the SCLK contact TC07 is a clock signal according to the SPI communication standard, and the voltage fluctuation of the signal line is driven by a CMOS output. Therefore, the edges of the voltage fluctuation tend to be smoother for the SCL contact TC13 than for the SCLK contact TC07, and clock noise is less likely to occur. Therefore, the attachment detection contact TC06 is arranged next to the SCLK contact TC07 rather than the SCL contact TC13 is more effective in preventing malfunction caused by clock noise.

[0075] The differential signals D1N and D1P can be transmitted in pairs to the first differential signal contact TC19 and the second differential signal contact TC20 to transmit a clock signal. At this time, a clock signal (third clock signal) having a higher frequency than the frequency of the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 can be transmitted. Since the differential signals D1N and D1P are paired signals, the emission of clock noise is less than for the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 that are used to transmit single-ended signals. Therefore, the attachment detection contact TC06 is arranged next to the SCLK contact TC07 rather than the first differential signal contact TC19 and the second differential signal contact TC20, which can more effectively prevent malfunction caused by clock noise.

[0076] The contact (first data contact) TC08 arranged on the side of the SCLK contact TC07 opposite the attachment detection contact TC06 transmits MOSI (first data signal). Since MOSI is a data signal, it appears to be susceptible to clock noise. Since MOSI is a data signal of the SPI communication standard that is the same as the clock signal transmitted by the SCLK contact TC07, the timing of the fluctuation of the potential is synchronized with the clock signal, and is less affected by clock noise. Therefore, the contact TC08 does not have to be fixed to the GND potential and can be used as a MOSI contact.

[0077] The accessory 200 has a battery 205, and receives a power supply from the battery 205, and also receives a power supply from the camera 100 via the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211. An accessory control circuit 201, which is a control component of the accessory 200, is a circuit for controlling the entire accessory 200, and is a microcomputer having a built-in CPU or the like.

[0078] An accessory power supply circuit 202 is a circuit for generating a power supply to be supplied to each circuit of the accessory 200, and includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an LDO, and a charge pump circuit, or the like. A voltage 1.8 V generated by the accessory power supply circuit 202 is constantly supplied to the accessory control circuit 201 as an accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A. The accessory power supply circuit 202 is controlled to control the on and off of the power supply to each circuit of the accessory 200.

[0079] A charging circuit 204 is a circuit for charging the battery 205 using the power supplied from the camera 100. In a case where it can be determined that sufficient power is supplied from the camera 100 to perform a charging operation, the accessory control circuit 201 controls the charging circuit 204 to charge the battery 205. Although the battery 205 attached to the accessory 200 is described in the present embodiment, the accessory 200 can operate with only the power supply from the camera 100 without the battery 205. In this case, the charging circuit 204 is not needed.

[0080] A differential communication circuit 207 is a circuit for performing differential communication with the camera 100, and can transmit and receive data to and from the camera 100. An external communication IF circuit 208 is an IF circuit for performing data communication with an external device not shown, such as an Ethernet communication IF, a wireless LAN communication IF, and a public network communication IF, or the like.

[0081] The accessory control circuit 201 controls the differential communication circuit 207 and the external communication IF circuit 208, and thereby can transmit data received from the camera 100 to an external device, or transmit data received from an external device to the camera 100. A function circuit 206 is a circuit having different functions according to the type of the accessory 200. An example of the structure of the function circuit 206 will be described later.

[0082] An external connection terminal 209 is a connector terminal connectable to an external device, and is a USB TYPE-C connector in the present embodiment. A connection detection circuit 210 is a circuit for detecting that an external device is connected to the external connection terminal 209, and the accessory control circuit 201 can detect that an external device is connected to the external connection terminal 209 by receiving an output signal of the connection detection circuit 210.

[0083] The power switch 203 is a switch for turning on and off the operation of the accessory 200, and the accessory control circuit 201 can detect the ON position and the OFF position by reading the signal level of the terminal to which the power switch 203 is connected.

[0084] The accessory connector 211 is electrically connectable to the connector of the camera 100 via 21 contacts TA01 to TA21 arranged in a row. The contacts TA01 to TA21 are arranged in this order from one end to the other end in the arrangement direction.

[0085] TA01 is connected to GND, and serves not only as a contact for a reference potential but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of the differential signals D1N and D1P. TA01 corresponds to a third ground contact.

[0086] The differential signal D1N connected to TA02 and the differential signal D1P connected to TA03 are paired data communication signals for data communication, and are connected to the differential communication circuit 207. TA02, TA03, TA07 to TA17, TA19, and TA20 described later are communication contacts.

[0087] TA04 as a first ground contact is connected to GND, and serves as a reference potential contact between the camera 100 and the accessory 200. TA04 is located outside of TA05 described later in the contact arrangement direction.

[0088] The accessory power supply circuit 202 and the charging circuit 204 are connected to TA05 as a power supply contact, and the accessory power supply VACC supplied from the camera 100 is connected to TA05.

[0089] TA06 as an attachment detection contact is directly connected to GND, and makes the above-described accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET into the GND level as a Lo level when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. Thus, TA06 becomes a contact for causing the camera 100 to detect the attachment of the accessory 200.

[0090] SCLK connected to TA07, MOSI connected to TA08, MISO connected to TA09, and CS connected to TA10 are signals for causing the accessory control circuit 201 to function as a communication slave and perform SPI communication.

[0091] A communication request signal / WAKE for requesting communication from the accessory control circuit 201 to the camera 100 is connected to TA11. The accessory control circuit 201 outputs the communication request signal / WAKE at a Lo level and requests the camera 100 to perform communication in a case where it is determined that communication with the camera 100 is needed.

[0092] When the power supply is supplied from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory 200 via TC5 in response to detection that the accessory 200 is in the attached state, the accessory control circuit 201 notifies the camera control circuit 101 of reception of the power supply by changing the signal level (potential) of the communication request signal / WAKE from the Hi level to the Lo level.

[0093] The accessory control circuit 201 notifies the accessory 200 of the reason for communication with the camera 100 by changing the signal level (potential) of the communication request signal / WAKE from the Hi level to the Lo level even without any request from the camera. With this structure, the camera control circuit 101 can omit the operation of periodically checking whether the accessory 200 has the reason for communication by polling. In addition, in the case where the accessory 200 has the reason for communication, the accessory 200 can communicate this case to the camera 100 in real time.

[0094] The SDA connected to TA12 and the SCL connected to TA13 are signals for causing the accessory control circuit 201 to function as a communication slave and to perform I2C communication.

[0095] The FNC1 signal connected to TA14 (synchronous contact), the FNC2 signal connected to TA15, the FNC3 signal connected to TA16, and the FNC4 signal connected to TA17 are signals whose functions can change depending on the type of the accessory 200. For example, in the case where the accessory 200 is a microphone device, the signals are audio data signals, and in the case where the accessory 200 is a stroboscopic light device, the signals are signals for controlling light emission timing. TA14 to TA17 correspond to functional signal contacts.

[0096] TA18, which is a second ground contact (reference potential contact), is also connected to GND, and functions as a reference potential contact between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 as with TA04.

[0097] The differential signal D2N connected to TA19 (first differential signal contact) and the differential signal D2P connected to TA20 (second differential signal contact) are paired data communication signals for data communication and connected to the external connection terminal 209.

[0098] TA21 is connected to GND, and functions not only as a contact for a reference potential but also as a terminal for controlling the wiring impedance of the differential signals D2N and D2P. TA21 corresponds to a fourth ground contact.

[0099] The contacts TA01, TA04, TA06, TA18, and TA21 are connected, for example, to the external connection terminal 209 of the accessory 200, which will be described later. Figure 19The GND portion of the flexible substrate 259 is shown, and the GND portion of the flexible substrate 259 is fixed to a metal member having a GND level of the accessory 200 with a screw or the like not shown. The metal member having a GND level includes, for example, the socket attachment leg 251 and a base plate not shown inside the accessory 200.

[0100] Figure 2 (a) shows that the accessory connector 211 arranged on the socket provided at the lower portion of the accessory (strobe light device) 200 is connected to the camera connector 141 arranged on the accessory socket provided at the upper portion of the camera 100. Figure 2 (b) shows an example of the arrangement of the 21 contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141. TC01 is arranged at the right end viewed from the subject side, and the 21 contacts up to TC21 are arranged in a row. With respect to the accessory socket having the camera connector 141, the accessory socket is attached by sliding it from Figure 2 the upper side to the lower side in (b).

[0101] Figure 2 (c) shows an example of the arrangement of the 21 contacts TA01 to TA21 in the accessory connector 211. As with the camera connector 141, TA01 is arranged at the right end viewed from the subject side, and the 21 contacts up to TC21 are arranged in a row. In general, the contacts TA01 to TA21 and the corresponding contacts TC01 to TC21 are connected to each other. However, if an excessive static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory 200, the contacts can be disconnected. In particular, in the case where a force in the rotation direction acts in the direction in which the contacts are arranged in the accessory 200, disconnection can occur at the end contacts.

[0102] Figure 3 (a) shows an appearance of an excessive static pressure applied to the accessory 200 from the left side viewed from the subject side in enlargement. At this time, a force acts in the disconnection direction on the contacts TC21 and TA21 of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 and the adjacent contacts, and poor connection can occur. On the other hand, a greater force acts in the connection direction on the contacts TC01 and TA01 and the adjacent contacts than in the normal state.

[0103] Figure 3 (b) shows an appearance of an excessive static pressure applied to the accessory 200 from the right side viewed from the subject side in enlargement. At this time, a force acts in the disconnection direction on the contacts TC01 and TA01 of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 and the adjacent contacts, and poor connection can occur. On the other hand, a greater force acts in the connection direction on the contacts TC21 and TA21 and the adjacent contacts than in the normal state.

[0104] This embodiment connects the contacts TC01 and TA01 and TC21 and TA21 at both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 to GND. Thereby, even if a temporary poor connection occurs at the contacts at one end due to an excessive static pressure, GND connection can be ensured at the contacts at the other end. Therefore, this structure can suppress the result that the reference potential of the accessory 200 becomes unstable due to poor GND connection, and each circuit and electrical element is damaged.

[0105] In the case of the accessory 200 in which a part of the GND contacts is missing due to defects and failures of the accessory connector 211 and the like, the camera control circuit 101 cannot detect that a part of the GND contacts is missing. In this case, the working current concentrates on the remaining GND contacts, and in some cases the accessory 200 can malfunction.

[0106] Figure 4A is an example of a structure for enabling the camera 100 to detect the connection state of the GND contacts of the accessory 200, and shows Figure 1 the extraction section relating to the ground contacts in the structure shown.

[0107] TC01, TC04, TC18, and TC21 are connected to the input terminals P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the camera control circuit 101, respectively, and are pulled to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via resistors 1011Rp_g1, 1021Rp_g2, 1031Rp_g3, and 1041Rp_g4, respectively. SW circuit 1 (1012), SW circuit 2 (1022), SW circuit 3 (1032), and SW circuit 4 (1042) are connected to TC01, TC04, TC18, and TC21, respectively.

[0108] SW circuit 1 is a switching circuit driven by a control signal of the camera control circuit 101, and when SW circuit 1 is turned on by the control signal, TC01 is connected to GND. Desirably, SW circuit 1 includes, for example, a FET, or a circuit having as small an impedance as possible when operating on and as large an impedance as possible when operating off. As Figure 4A As shown, SW circuits 2, 3, and 4 each also have the same structure as that of SW circuit 1.

[0109] Figure 4B the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 shows a sequence for judging Figure 4A the connection state of the ground terminals in the structure shown. The camera control circuit 101 executes this processing and other processing described later according to a computer program. S denotes a step.

[0110] In S1001, the camera control circuit 101 monitors the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET, and determines whether or not the accessory 200 is attached. If the signal level is Hi, it is assumed that the accessory 200 is not attached, the camera control circuit 101 returns to S1001 and performs detection again, and if the signal level is Lo, it is assumed that the accessory 200 is attached, the camera control circuit 101 proceeds to S1002.

[0111] In S1002, the camera control circuit 101 performs control such that the SW circuit 1 is turned on and the SW circuit 2, the SW circuit 3, the SW circuit 4 are turned off, respectively.

[0112] In S1003, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P1, and if the voltage level is a Lo level, it is determined that the TC01 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is a Hi level, it is determined that the TC01 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0113] Next, in S1004, the camera control circuit 101 performs control such that the SW circuit 2 is turned on and the SW circuit 1, the SW circuit 3, the SW circuit 4 are turned off, respectively.

[0114] In S1005, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P2, and if the voltage level is a Lo level, it is determined that the TC04 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is a Hi level, it is determined that the TC04 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0115] Next, in S1006, the camera control circuit 101 performs control such that the SW circuit 3 is turned on and the SW circuit 1, the SW circuit 2, the SW circuit 4 are turned off, respectively.

[0116] In S1007, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P3, and if the voltage level is a Lo level, it is determined that the TC18 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is a Hi level, it is determined that the TC18 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0117] Next, in S1008, the camera control circuit 101 performs control such that the SW circuit 4 is turned on and the SW circuit 1, the SW circuit 2, the SW circuit 3 are turned off, respectively.

[0118] In S1009, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P4, and if the voltage level is a Lo level, it is determined that the TC21 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is a Hi level, it is determined that the TC21 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0119] In S1010, the camera control circuit 101 performs control such that the SW circuit 1, the SW circuit 2, the SW circuit 3, and the SW circuit 4 are turned on, respectively.

[0120] Such control enables the camera control circuit 101 to confirm the attachment state of the ground contact to the attached accessory 200 and determine whether or not to supply the accessory power supply circuit 202, or the like, based on the ground connection state.

[0121] On the other hand, if the accessory 200 is tilted with respect to the camera 100 or the like when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100, only a part of the plurality of contacts TC01 to TC21 and TA01 to TA21 can be connected to each other. As shown in Figure 16 Z is the attachment direction of the accessory 200 with respect to the camera 100, X is the direction in which the plurality of contacts TC01 to TC21 and TA01 to TA21 are aligned, and Y is the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions, only a part of the contacts can be connected in the following cases.

[0122] First, as shown in Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 (b), in the case where the accessory 200 is tilted with respect to the camera 100 around an axis parallel to the Z direction, a part of the plurality of contacts can be connected to each other on the side where the camera 100 and the accessory 200 approach each other, but a part of the plurality of contacts can be disconnected from each other on the other side where the camera 100 and the accessory 200 separate from each other. Although not shown, in the case where the accessory 200 is tilted (twisted) with respect to the camera 100 around an axis parallel to the Y direction, some contacts on the side opposite to the side where the plurality of contacts are connected to each other are disconnected from each other.

[0123] As described later with reference to Figure 5In the camera 100 and the accessory 200 according to the present embodiment, attachment detection processing is executed before various communications in a state where the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. At this time, if the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected, the attachment detection processing can be executed. After the attachment detection processing via the contacts TC06 and TA06 is executed, a communication request signal / WAKE is output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100 via contacts (hereinafter also referred to as communication request contacts) TC11 and TA11. By detecting the communication request signal / WAKE, the camera 100 performs various communications, and thereby determines that the accessory 200 is in a communicable state. However, if the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, the camera 100 determines that there is an error in communication with the accessory 200. If the accessory 200 is tilted or twisted while the accessory 200 is being attached to the camera 100, only a part of the contacts are temporarily connected, it is determined that there is an error in communication, and error processing such as an alarm is performed, and the user can misinterpret that the accessory 200 is malfunctioning.

[0124] Accordingly, the present embodiment adopts the contact arrangement to reduce the occurrence of a case where the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected.

[0125] As described above, in a case where the accessory 200 is tilted with respect to the camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Z direction, as Figure 3 (a) illustrates, the contacts TC01 and TA01 are connected to the adjacent contacts, and the contacts TC21 and TA21 are disconnected from the adjacent contacts, or as Figure 3 (b) illustrates, the contacts TC21 and TA21 are connected to the adjacent contacts, and the contacts TC01 and TA01 are disconnected from the adjacent contacts.

[0126] The present embodiment uses the contacts TC06 and TA06 to detect the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100. As Figure 3 A illustrates, when the contacts TC01 and TA01 are connected to each other, the adjacent contacts TC06 and TA06 are often connected to each other. At this time, if the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are located in the vicinity of the distantly located contacts TC21 and TA21, the camera 100 is less likely to detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected.

[0127] On the other hand, as Figure 3(b) shown, if the contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected to each other during the contacts TC21 and TA21 are connected to each other, and if the contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged on the side of the contacts TC01 and TA01 away from the contacts TC06 and TA06, then the camera 100 is less likely to detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected.

[0128] On the other hand, the present embodiment employs the following contact arrangement. As shown in Figure 1 the contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged between the contacts TC01 and TA01 closest to one end in the direction in which the contacts TC01 ~ TC21 and TA01 ~ TA21 are arranged (hereinafter referred to as the contact arrangement direction) and the contacts TC21 and TA21 closest to the other end. This arrangement relationship will be referred to as a first arrangement relationship. The attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are arranged between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01. This arrangement relationship will be referred to as a second arrangement relationship. Then, in the contact arrangement direction, the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 is made shorter than the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC21 and TA21. This arrangement relationship will be referred to as a third arrangement relationship. In the present embodiment, the contacts TC01 ~ TC21 and TA01 ~ TA21 are arranged at regular intervals such that the distance between the contacts is equal to the number of other contacts arranged between the contacts. In other words, a short (or long) distance is equal to a small (or large) number of other contacts.

[0129] In the present embodiment, in the contact arrangement direction, the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 is set to be equal to or shorter than the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC21 and TA21. This arrangement relationship will be referred to as a fourth arrangement relationship. In particular, the present embodiment arranges the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 in the center between the contacts TC01 ~ TC21 and TC01 ~ TC21, and makes the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 and the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC21 and TA21 equal to each other. The communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are not necessarily arranged in the center between the contacts TC01 ~ TC21 and TC01 ~ TC21, but they are preferably arranged near the center.

[0130] This embodiment makes the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 in the contact arrangement direction equal to or greater than the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11. This arrangement relationship will be called a fifth arrangement relationship. In particular, this embodiment arranges the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 in the center between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01, and makes the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 and the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 equal to each other. The attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are not necessarily arranged in the center between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01, but it is preferable to arrange them near the center.

[0131] Due to the above contact arrangement, in the inclined state shown in Figure 3 (a), if the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected to each other, the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are highly likely to be connected to each other, and in the inclined state shown in Figure 3 (b), even if the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are connected to each other, the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are highly likely to be disconnected from each other. As a result, regardless of the state in which the accessory 200 is inclined, even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a case where the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0132] A case where the positions of the contacts TC06 and TA06 and the contacts TC11 and TA11 are exchanged will be described as a comparative example. That is, a case where the contacts TC11 and TA11 are used for detecting attachment, and the contacts TC06 and TA06 are used for detecting the communication request signal / WAKE will be described. In this structure, when the accessory 200 is inclined with respect to the camera 100 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 and the adjacent contacts are disconnected from each other, the contacts TC11 and TA11 for attachment detection can be connected to each other, but the contacts TC06 and TA06 for the communication request signal / WAKE can be disconnected from each other, which causes a communication error.

[0133] Therefore, in order to avoid a communication error, it is preferable to arrange attachment detection contacts, rather than contacts for the communication request signal / WAKE, on one end side in the contact arrangement direction, as in this embodiment.

[0134] As will be described later Figure 20 (a) to (c) and Figure 23In the structure in which the accessory 200 holds the plurality of contacts with the connection plug 256 serving as a holding member made of a non-conductive material such as a resin material or the like as shown, the connection plug 256 can have a convex shape toward the lower side in the drawing (the contact direction of the camera connector 141). In this case, the contacts on the one end side in the contact arrangement direction among the plurality of contacts can be connected, but the contacts on the other end side can be disconnected. However, even when a part of the contacts is disconnected when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100, the contact arrangement shown in this embodiment can reduce the occurrence of communication errors.

[0135] As described above, when the accessory 200 is twisted with respect to the camera 100 around an axis parallel to the Y direction, some of the contacts on the one end side in the contact arrangement direction among the plurality of contacts can be connected, but the other contacts on the other end side can be disconnected. In a case where such a state occurs in the process of attaching the accessory 200 to the camera 100, the connection timing is shifted between the plurality of contacts. If the contact timing is significantly shifted, the time lag from the attachment detection of the accessory 200 to the detection of WAKE becomes long, and thus it can be judged as a communication error. At this time, depending on the twisting direction of the accessory 200, the side of the contact TC01 and TA01 or the side of the contact TC21 and TA21 is first started to be connected.

[0136] When the side of the contact TC01 and TA01 is started to be connected, the closer the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are to the contacts TC21 and TA21, the longer the time lag from the attachment detection of the accessory 200 to the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE becomes. The longer the time lag, the more likely it is judged as a communication error. On the other hand, when the side of the contact TC21 and TA21 is started to be connected and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged on the side of the contact TC01 and TA01 of the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06, the time lag from the attachment detection of the accessory 200 to the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE occurs.

[0137] On the other hand, this embodiment adopts the above-described contact arrangement, and shortens the time lag from the attachment detection of the accessory 200 to the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE regardless of which side the connection of the contacts is started.

[0138] The contacts TC07 and TA07 to TC10 and TA10 used for the SPI communication (communication in the second communication method) between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 are arranged at positions between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11. The contacts TC12, TA12, TC13 and TA13 used for the I2C communication (communication in the first communication method) between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 are arranged at positions on the side opposite to the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 from the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and close to the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11.

[0139] After the camera 100 detects the communication request signal / WAKE, the communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed. Therefore, the connection of the contacts used for the communication is not confirmed before the communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are connected to each other, it can be considered that the communication contacts TC07, TA07 to TC10, TA10, TC12, TA12, TC13 and TA13 arranged near and between these contacts are connected.

[0140] Since it can be considered that the positions between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are more reliably connected, the contacts used for the SPI communication performed after the I2C communication are preferably arranged at positions between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 4 and to be described later for explanation Figure 12 and Figure 20 As shown in FIG. 4 and to be described later for explanation

[0142] For example, in a structure without the contact TA21 as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the communication request contact TA11 and the contact TA01 is longer than the distance between the communication request contact TA11 and the contact TA20 in the contact arrangement direction. That is, the fourth arrangement relationship is not satisfied. For example, in a structure without the contact TA20 as shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the attachment detection contact TA06 and the communication request contact TA11 is longer than the distance between the attachment detection contact TA06 and the contact TA01 in the contact arrangement direction. That is, the first arrangement relationship is not satisfied. Figure 12In the structure shown without the contacts TA01 to TA03 and TA19 to TA21, the distance between the attachment detection contact TA06 and the contact TA04 in the contact arrangement direction is shorter than the distance between the attachment detection contact TA06 and the communication request contact TA11. That is, the fifth arrangement relationship is not satisfied.

[0143] As described above, in the structure in which the contact positions at the end of the accessory 200 are different from the contact positions at the end of the camera 100, a part of the first arrangement relationship to the fifth arrangement relationship can not be satisfied. In this case, assuming that the position of the contact at the end of the camera 100 facing in the attachment state is the position of the contact at the end of the accessory 200, and the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact can be arranged to satisfy the first arrangement relationship to the fifth arrangement relationship. Alternatively, as Figure 20 The attachment detection contact and the communication request contact can be arranged to satisfy the first arrangement relationship to the fifth arrangement relationship in consideration of the distance with respect to the protrusion 256a instead of the distance with respect to the contact at the end, as shown in the protrusion 256a. Figure 5 The flowchart of (a) shows the processing performed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100.

[0144] In S401, the camera control circuit 101 as the attachment detection means monitors the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET, and determines whether the accessory 200 is attached. If the signal level is Hi, the camera control circuit 101 assumes that the accessory 200 is not attached, returns to S401, and performs detection again, and if the signal level is Lo, assumes that the accessory 200 is attached and proceeds to S402.

[0145] In S402, the camera control circuit 101 sets the power control signal CNT_VACC1 to the Hi level so as to turn on the output of the accessory power supply circuit A131, and proceeds to S403. The accessory power supply circuit A131 outputs the accessory power supply VACC in response to the power control signal CNT_VACC1 becoming Hi.

[0146] In S403, the camera control circuit 101 monitors the signal level of the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC and determines whether overcurrent is flowing. If the signal level is Lo, the camera control circuit 101 assumes that no overcurrent is flowing and proceeds to S404, and if the signal level is Hi, assumes that overcurrent is flowing and proceeds to S405 to perform error processing.

[0147] Figure 6 (a) schematically shows the processing performed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. Figure 5In the processing of A, the signal changes when the process enters S404. IACC is the current of the accessory power supply VCC. Since the accessory power supply VCC rises normally after the power control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC remains at the Lo level.

[0148] Figure 6 (b) schematically shown in Figure 5 (a) The changes in the aforementioned signals when the process enters S405. Since an overcurrent flows through IACC after the power control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC changes to the Hi level and notifies the camera control circuit 101. Upon receiving the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC, the camera control circuit 101 disconnects the outputs of the accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 as an error handling step to stop the power supply to the accessory 200. Therefore, even if an overcurrent flows through the accessory power supply VCC, the camera control circuit 101 can detect the overcurrent and safely stop the system.

[0149] Typically, when an abnormal current flows through the accessory power supply VCC, it is presumed that the camera 100 and accessory 200 are malfunctioning. However, since the camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211 are exposed to the outside, the adjacent contacts may short-circuit due to the adhesion of foreign objects such as metal parts.

[0150] In this embodiment, the accessory power supply VCC has a voltage of 3.3V, while the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C and the accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A have a voltage of 1.8V. Therefore, if a voltage of 3.3V is applied to an electrical component operating at 1.8V, that component may be damaged. Since the behavior of a short circuit depends on the characteristics of the electrical component, the camera control circuit 101 may not always be able to detect a short circuit between terminals. For example, since the I2C communication signal is at a Hi level in communication standby mode, even if a short circuit occurs with a voltage of 3.3V equal to or greater than 1.8V, the anomaly may not be detected based on the characteristics of the electrical component at the destination.

[0151] On the other hand, the present embodiment arranges the GND contacts TC04 and TA04 on one side of both sides of the accessory power supply VACC contacts TC05 and TA05, and arranges the contacts TC06 and TA06 of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET on the other side. As described above, the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to GND in the accessory 200. Therefore, even if a short circuit occurs between the contacts, overcurrent can be detected without applying 3.3V to the elements that operate at 1.8V and the system can be safely stopped.

[0152] As described above, if the accessory power supply VACC is supplied while the GND contacts are not connected, the reference potential of the accessory 200 becomes unstable, and thus each circuit and electrical element can be damaged. When the device is operated, an external force that destabilizes the connection of the connector terminals can be applied. On the other hand, by arranging the accessory power supply VACC contacts and the GND contacts adjacent to each other as in the present embodiment, compared to the case where the accessory power supply VACC contacts and the GND contacts are separate terminals, it is possible to more effectively prevent the connection of only the accessory power supply VACC contacts.

[0153] The present embodiment connects the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET to GND in the accessory 200, but it is possible to connect the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET to GND via a resistor element Rd231 as in the accessory 200 shown in Figure 9 The short circuit current can be reduced by connecting to GND via the resistor element Rd231.

[0154] In this case, it is necessary to select a resistor element Rd231 having a resistance value such that the voltage (Rd / (Rp+Rd))x1.8V obtained by dividing the voltage of 1.8V of the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C by the resistor elements Rp134 and Rd231 satisfies the Lo level threshold (Vil) of the camera control circuit 101. For example, in the case where the low level detection threshold (Vil) of the camera control circuit 101 is 0.33 times the power supply voltage, the resistance value of the resistor element Rd231 needs to be half or less of the resistor element Rp134 (10kΩ). In the example of Figure 9 The resistance value of the resistor element Rd231 is set to 5kΩ.

[0155] Figure 5 (b) shows the processing performed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 having the structure shown in Figure 9 (a) is attached to the camera 100. Since S411 to S413 are the same as S401 to S403 shown in Figure 5 (a), the description thereof will be omitted.

[0156] In S414 subsequent to S413, the camera control circuit 101 monitors the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET and judges whether the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET contacts TC06 and TA06 are short-circuited with the accessory power source VACC contacts TC05 and TA05. If the signal level is Lo, the camera control circuit 101 assumes that it is not short-circuited and proceeds to S415, and if the signal level is Hi, it assumes that it is short-circuited and proceeds to S416 to perform error processing.

[0157] Figure 6 (c) schematically shows the state of the above-described signals when the accessory power source VACC and the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET are short-circuited in the accessory 200 having the structure in which the resistor element Rd231 (5 kΩ) is added. Figure 9 After the power source control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, no overcurrent flows in IACC because the current is limited by the resistor element Rd231.

[0158] On the other hand, the voltage of the accessory power source VACC is applied to the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET. Once the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET becomes Hi due to interrupt processing or the like, the camera control circuit 101 sets the power source control signal CNT_VACC1 to Lo in error processing and stops outputting the accessory power source VACC (power supply to the accessory 200). Thus, it is possible to safely stop the system without continuously applying 3.3 V to the terminal of an element operating at 1.8 V.

[0159] As shown in Figure 10 , the accessory 200 can be controlled by the accessory control circuit 201 via the NPN transistor 212 as a switching component so that the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET becomes the Lo level (GND potential). If the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100 in the structure shown in Figure 1 , the camera control circuit 101 can always detect the accessory 200, but in the structure shown in Figure 10 , the accessory control circuit 201 can notify the accessory 200 of attachment to the camera 100 at an arbitrary timing.

[0160] As shown in Figure 11 , the accessory 200 can be configured to connect the resistor element Rd231 in series with the NPN transistor 212. In this case, as with the structure of Figure 1 , the resistance value needs to be half or less of the resistance value of the resistor element Rp134 (10 kΩ).

[0161] As described above, even if the power contact and the adjacent contact are short-circuited, the present embodiment can maintain the safety of the system including the camera 100 and the accessory 200, and suppress damage to both.

[0162] Figure 7 Examples of the functions of the FNC1 signal to the FNC4 signal as the functional signals connected to the contacts TC14 to TC17 and the contacts TA14 to TA17 are shown for each type of the accessory 200 (here, a microphone device and a stroboscope device).

[0163] In the microphone device, the FNC2 signal to the FNC4 signal are used as a digital audio (I2S: Inter-IC Sound Standard) data bus to transmit audio data. Figure 8 (a) shows an example of the structure of the functional circuit 206 in the case where the accessory 200 is a microphone device.

[0164] The audio processing circuit 206A1 in the functional circuit 206 is a codec circuit for converting an audio signal input from the microphone 206A2 into a digital audio (I2S) data format, and is controlled by the accessory control circuit 201. The accessory control circuit 201 can set a sampling frequency and a resolution by controlling the audio processing circuit 206A1. In the present embodiment, the sampling frequency is 48 MHz, and the resolution is 32 bits. The microphone 206A2 is, for example, a MEMS-IC microphone or an electret condenser microphone.

[0165] The FNC1 signal connected to TA14 is not used as an I2S data bus and is connected to GND. In the present embodiment, the unused functional signal is connected to GND, but the present application is not limited to the present embodiment, and connection to a reference potential that is a stable potential other than the GND potential (0 V), such as a power supply potential and an L level (low level) or an H level (high level) of a signal, can be made.

[0166] The FNC2 signal connected to TA15 (DATA contact) is an audio data signal (DATA) that is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0167] The FNC3 signal connected to TA16 (LRCLK contact) is an audio channel clock signal (LRCLK) that is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0168] The FNC4 signal connected to TA17 (BCLK contact) is an audio bit clock signal (BCLK) that is a signal output from the camera 100 to the accessory 200.

[0169] In the present embodiment, since the sampling frequency is 48 MHz and the resolution is 32 bits as described above, the LRCLK frequency is 48 MHz and the BCLK frequency is 3.072 MHz. The DATA maximum frequency is 1.536 MHz, which is half a period of CLK.

[0170] In the contact arrangement according to the present embodiment, the reference potential contacts TA18 and TC18 connected to the GND potential as a reference potential are arranged next to the contacts TA17 and TC17 connected with the FNC4 signal (BCLK) having the highest frequency among the functional signal contacts to which functional signals are connected. The signal wiring to the accessory socket interface is generally configured with a flexible substrate. In order to reduce product costs, the flexible substrate can have a single-sided specification, and the substrate wiring is performed in the same arrangement as the contact arrangement. The present embodiment arranges the GND contacts as reference potential contacts next to the functional signal contacts connected with the signal having the highest frequency among the functional signals. This structure can suppress radiated noise (EMI) from the functional signal contacts, interference with signals connected to other contacts, and crosstalk with signals other than the I2S data bus.

[0171] The present embodiment connects the contacts TA18 and TC18 next to the contacts TA17 and TC17 connected with the FNC4 signal (BCLK) having the highest frequency to the GND potential as a reference potential, but the present application is not limited to this example, and the same effect can be obtained even if connected to a stable reference potential other than the GND potential.

[0172] Figure 8 (b) is a diagram showing audio data with respect to Figure 8 (a) is an example of an increased structure. The purpose of increasing the audio data is to increase the number of channels and the resolution.

[0173] The FNC4 signal connected to TA17 is an audio bit clock signal (BCLK), which is the same as Figure 8 (a) shown.

[0174] On the other hand, the FNC1 signal connected to TA14 is an audio channel clock signal (LRCLK), which is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0175] The FNC2 signal connected to TA15 is an audio data signal (DATA2), which is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0176] The FNC3 signal connected to TA16 is used as an audio data signal (DATA1), which is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0177] In this way, in a case where audio data signals are added to increase the amount of audio data and two signals are used, configuring the signals in order of higher frequencies being arranged closer to the GND terminal can provide a relatively efficient structure in terms of preventing crosstalk.

[0178] Figure 8 (c) shows a configuration example of the functional circuit 206 in a case where the accessory 200 is a stroboscopic light device. The light emitting circuit 206B1 in the functional circuit 206 is a stroboscopic light emitting circuit including an IGBT and a trigger coil, and the like, and controls light emission of the light emitter 206B2. The light emitter 206B2 includes a xenon tube, and the like, and emits illumination light to illuminate a subject. The charging circuit 206B3 includes a transformer, a switch FET, and a capacitor, and the like, and accumulates electric charges for causing the light emitter 206B2 to emit light.

[0179] The FNC1 signal connected to the TA14 is a light emission synchronization signal (STARTX) for controlling light emission timing of the light emitter 206B2, and is a signal output from the camera 100 to the accessory 200. The FNC2 signal to the FNC4 signal are not used in the stroboscopic light device, and no signal is connected to these contacts.

[0180] This embodiment disconnects (OPEN) the unused functional signal contacts, but the present application is not limited to this embodiment, and can make connections to stable reference potentials (such as a power supply potential and an L level or an H level of a signal, and the like) according to the contacts TC15 to TC17 that are connection destinations of the contacts TA15 to TA17.

[0181] In the stroboscopic light device, only the FNC1 signal is used among the functional signals. Although the light emission synchronization signal (STARTX) is not a signal that is periodically generated, when a microphone device is connected, the camera 100 assigns GND to the FNC1 signal to prevent the structure of the camera control circuit 101 from becoming complicated.

[0182] A further explanation of the features of the contact configuration according to this embodiment will now be given. Both the SDA (first signal) connected to the contacts TC12 and TA12 that are first signal contacts and the SCL (second signal) connected to the contacts TC13 and TA13 that are second signal contacts are signals used for I2C communication. These signals are transmitted by open drain communication. Since both the SDA and the SCL are pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C, both of them are signals having a relatively high impedance during communication standby, and are susceptible to crosstalk.

[0183] Therefore, the present embodiment assigns the communication request signal (fourth signal) / WAKE to the contacts TC11 and TA11 which are fourth signal contacts next to the SDA contacts TC12 and TA12. As described above, the communication request signal / WAKE is a signal for requesting communication from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0184] Figure 15 (a) shows timings in which the accessory 200 requests communication to the camera 100 and performs I2C communication. As shown in Figure 15 (a), the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE changes from the Hi level to the Lo level before the I2C communication by the SCL and the SDA. This is because the I2C communication is performed in response to the change. Therefore, arranging the contacts TC11 and TA11 of the communication request signal / WAKE at and near the SDA contact used for the I2C communication can keep the SDA of the communication request signal / WAKE from crosstalk.

[0185] As shown in Figure 15 (a), the control to change the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE from the Lo level to the Hi level after the I2C communication can keep the SDA of the communication request signal / WAKE from crosstalk.

[0186] The FNC1 signal is assigned to the contacts TC14 and TA14 which are third signal contacts next to the SCL contacts TC13 and TA13. As described above, since GND is assigned to the FNC1 signal in the microphone device, the SCL can be kept from crosstalk.

[0187] In the strobe light device, a light emission synchronization signal (STARTX: third signal) which is the FNC1 signal is assigned to the contacts TC14 and TA14 next to the SCL contacts TC13 and TA13. Figure 15 (b) shows timings in which the accessory 200 requests communication to the camera 100 and performs I2C communication and strobe light emission. As shown in Figure 15 (b), during the timing (period) in which the light emission synchronization signal is output, no I2C communication is performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 so as to process the control of the strobe light emission with the highest priority. In other words, the light emission synchronization signal is a signal whose signal level changes before (or after) the I2C communication but does not change during the I2C communication. This structure can keep the SCL of the light emission synchronization signal from crosstalk.

[0188] Therefore, the present embodiment arranges the STARTX contacts in one of the two sides of the SDA contacts and the SCL contacts and arranges the / WAKE contacts in the other side, thereby achieving good I2C communication.

[0189] As with the SDA, the present embodiment sets the communication request signal / WAKE of the contact TC11 and TA11 next to the contacts TC12 and TA12 connected to the SDA to an open drain signal. In comparison with the push-pull type communication request signal / WAKE being a push-pull system, crosstalk to the SDA can be suppressed at the time of signal level change of the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0190] The SCLK connected to the contacts TC07 and TA07 of the SCLK is a clock signal used for SPI communication, and is operated at a drive frequency of 1 MHz in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 next to the contacts TC07 and TA07 of the SCLK are used to transmit the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET. As described above, the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is a signal having a potential equivalent to the GND at the time of attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100. Therefore, this contact configuration can prevent crosstalk between the SCLK and signals other than the SPI bus.

[0191] The MOSI connected to the other contacts TC08 and TA08 next to the contacts TC07 and TA07 of the SCLK is a data signal transmitted from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory control circuit 201 by SPI communication. Normally, the timing of output level change of the MOSI in SPI communication is synchronized with the timing of output level change of the SCLK. Therefore, crosstalk between the SCLK and the MOSI can be suppressed by arranging the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08 next to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07.

[0192] The MISO connected to the other contacts TC09 and TA09 next to the contacts TC08 and TA08 of the MOSI is a data signal transmitted from the accessory control circuit 201 to the camera control circuit 101 in SPI communication. Normally, the same as the MOSI, the timing of output level change of the MISO in SPI communication is synchronized with the timing of output level change of the SCLK. Therefore, crosstalk between the MOSI and the MISO can be suppressed by arranging the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09 next to the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08.

[0193] The CS connected to the other contacts TC10 and TA10 next to the contacts TC09 and TA09 of the MISO is a communication request signal transmitted from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory control circuit 201 in SPI communication. Normally, the CS in SPI communication maintains the output level constant from the communication request until the communication is completed. Therefore, crosstalk to the MISO can be suppressed by arranging the CS contacts TC10 and TA10 next to the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09.

[0194] The communication request signal / WAKE, connected to contacts TC11 and TA11 adjacent to CS contacts TC10 and TA10, is a signal used to request communication from accessory control circuit 201 to camera control circuit 101. As mentioned above, the communication request signal / WAKE is an open-drain signal and is therefore relatively susceptible to crosstalk. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CS contacts TC10 and TA10, whose signal levels change relatively infrequently, are arranged next to the communication request signal / WAKE contacts TC11 and TA11, thus suppressing crosstalk to the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0195] Differential signals requiring impedance control are connected to contacts TC01–TC03 and TA01–TA03, and contacts TC19–TC21 and TA19–TA21, located at and near the ends of camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the end sides). Signal wiring to the accessory socket interface is typically configured on a flexible substrate. To achieve the desired wiring impedance on the flexible board, the distance between the differential signal lines and the GND to be routed in parallel must be kept constant. In boards using both ends, a mesh GND wiring is typically formed on the back side of the differential signals. Therefore, signal wiring requiring impedance control imposes relatively greater limitations on wiring design compared to typical single-ended signals.

[0196] On the other hand, this embodiment connects the differential signal that requires impedance control to the contacts located at both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211, thereby relatively reducing the relationship with other signals and increasing the freedom of wiring design.

[0197] Differential signals can be transmitted at high speeds of approximately hundreds of Mbps to several Gbps, such as USB and PCIe, and are suitable for transmitting large amounts of data between devices. On the other hand, depending on the type of accessory 200, differential signals may not be used. Accessories that do not use differential signals do not require contacts to be assigned to differential signals, thus reducing accessory costs by eliminating contacts.

[0198] Figure 12 Show Figure 1 The structural variation of accessory 200 shown. More specifically, it has a structure that omits contacts TA01-TA03 and TA19-TA21, as well as the signals and circuits connected to these contacts. That is to say, Figure 12 The accessory 200 has 15 contacts. Figure 12 In this configuration, differential signals are assigned to contacts TC01-TC03 and TC19-TC21 located at both ends of the camera connector 141. On the other hand, the accessory 200, which does not require differential signals, employs a contact configuration that removes the contacts used for differential signals from the accessory connector 211 and includes only the contacts required by the accessory 200.

[0199] Figure 13 The accessory 200 in the configuration of FIG. 21 sets the contacts TC04 and TA04 and the contacts TC18 and TA18 near both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 as GND contacts. With such a contact configuration, even in the accessory 200 connected to a part of the contacts of the camera connector 141, the contacts at both ends of the accessory connector 211 can be set as ground contacts. This structure can prevent the GND contacts from being disconnected even in the case where an excessive static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory 200.

[0200] The direct attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 has been described. Now referring to Figure 13 an explanation will be given of an intermediate accessory 400 attached between the camera 100 and the accessory 200. The camera 100 and the accessory 200 have the above-described structures. The intermediate accessory 400 includes an extension cable for extending the distance between the camera 100 and the accessory 200, and an adapter or the like for simultaneously attaching a plurality of accessories to the camera 100. The present embodiment describes the intermediate accessory 400 as an extension cable. In Figure 13 the configuration of FIG. 22, the intermediate accessory 400 corresponds to an accessory, and the accessory 200 corresponds to another accessory.

[0201] The intermediate accessory 400 has a camera socket and an accessory socket attachable to the camera 100 and the accessory 200, respectively, and is each provided with a camera-side intermediate connector 311 and an accessory-side intermediate connector 312. The camera-side intermediate connector 311 has 21 contacts TM01 to TM21 arranged in a row, and is a connector for electrically connecting with the camera 100. The contacts TM01 to TM21 each make one-to-one contact with the contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141.

[0202] On the other hand, the accessory-side intermediate connector 312 has 21 contacts TN01 to TN21 arranged in a row, and is a connector for electrically connecting with the accessory 200. The contacts TN01 to TN21 each make one-to-one contact with the contacts TA01 to TA21 in the accessory connector 211.

[0203] The intermediate accessory 400 having this contact configuration can supply power and communication in the same manner as in the case where the accessory 200 is directly attached to the camera 100. At this time, the intermediate accessory 400 can receive power supply from the camera 100, or can directly transmit the power supply from the camera 100 to the accessory 200. The power supply of the present embodiment includes the case where the power supply from the camera 100 is transmitted to the accessory 200 as it is without supplying power to the accessory 400.

[0204] InFigure 14 In the camera-side intermediate connector 311, the number of contacts is the same as that of the camera connector 141, and the number of contacts of the accessory-side intermediate connector 312 is the same as that of the accessory connector 211, but they do not necessarily have to be equal to each other.

[0205] Figure 13 This shows the parts related to accessory 200 and intermediate accessory 400. Figure 14 This is a variation of the structure. Although the differential signal is connected to contacts TC01-TC03 and TC19-TC21 on both ends of the camera connector 141, the differential signal may not be required depending on the function of the accessory 200. Figure 14 The structure removes the contacts connected to the differential signals from the camera-side intermediate connector 311, the accessory-side intermediate connector 312, and the accessory connector 211. In other words, Figure 16 The intermediate accessory 400 and accessory 200 each have 15 contacts. Therefore, a contact configuration is adopted that only includes the contacts required by the intermediate accessory 400 and accessory 200.

[0206] A detailed description of the connection structure between the camera 100 and the external flash unit 120, which is an example of accessory 200, will now be given.

[0207] Figure 16 (a) shows camera 100 viewed from the rear-angle side. Figure 16 (b) shows how to attach the external flash unit 120 to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100. Figure 16 (c) shows the external flash unit 120 attached to the camera 100 as viewed from the rear-facing side.

[0208] The camera optical system is located on the front side (subject side) of the camera 100, and the image display unit 107 is located on the rear side of the camera 100. A top cover 150, as an external component, is located on the top surface of the camera 100, and an accessory socket 1123 is attached to the top cover 150. On the other hand, in the external flash unit 120, a camera connector 216 is located at the bottom of the external flash unit 120.

[0209] like Figure 16 As shown in (b), the external flash unit 120 slides relative to the camera 100 in a direction parallel to its front side (attachment side in the first direction) in the Z direction, so that the camera connector 216 and the accessory socket 1123 engage with each other. Thus, the external flash unit 120 can be attached to the camera 100. The front side in the Z direction is the direction from the rear side to the front side of the camera 100, that is, the direction from the image display unit 107 side towards the imaging optical system side. Typically used... Figure 17The X direction (second direction), Y direction (third direction), and Z direction (front-rear direction) shown in the following drawings. The X direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z direction in a horizontal plane when the Z direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, and is a width direction of the camera 100. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction, and is a height direction of the camera 100.

[0210] A detailed explanation of the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100 will now be given. Figure 17 (a) shows the top cover 150 and the disassembled accessory socket 1123. Figure 1 (b) shows the assembled accessory socket 1123. The direction of assembly of the accessory socket 1123 on the top cover 150 is the Y direction.

[0211] The accessory socket 1123 includes an engagement member 151, a connection terminal connector 152, a socket base 153, and an accessory socket spring 154. The engagement member 151 is a member for holding the external flash unit 120 by engaging with the external flash unit 120. The connection terminal connector 152 includes a plurality of connection terminals 152a that are arranged at regular intervals in the X direction on a connector base member 152e that is a holding member made of a resin material or the like, and are held by the connector base member 152e. The connection terminals 152a correspond to the contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown in (a). Figure 17 The connection terminals 152a correspond to the contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown in (a).

[0212] In the connection terminal connector 152, as shown in (b), the connection terminals 152a are arranged on the front side (front side of the camera 100) in the Z direction that is the attachment direction of the external flash unit 120. The connection terminals 152a are to be engaged with the contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown in (a). Figure 19 (b) shows the connection terminals 152a arranged on the front side (front side of the camera 100) in the Z direction that is the attachment direction of the external flash unit 120. The connection terminals 152a are to be engaged with the contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown in (a). Figure 17 The engagement hole portion 156 to be engaged with the lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 shown in (a) is provided on the rear side (back side of the digital camera 100) in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152.

[0213] During attachment of the external flash unit 120 to the accessory socket 1123, the connection terminals 152a are electrically connected to the external flash unit 120. Each of the plurality of connection terminals 152a is electrically connected to a flexible substrate 158 arranged on the lower side in the Y direction of the top cover 150. The flexible substrate 158 is connected to a not-shown main substrate of the camera 100. Thus, when the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory socket 1123, communication between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100 can be performed.

[0214] The socket base 153 is a housing member that surrounds the joint member 151 and the connection terminal connector 152. The accessory socket holding member 155 is a structural skeleton that holds the joint member 151. As shown in Figure 18 (a), the accessory socket holding member 155, the flexible substrate 158, the top cover 150, the socket base 153, and the connection terminal connector 152 are fastened to the joint member 151 by four screws 157 inserted therein. By this, these members are positioned and fixed to each other. By arranging the four screws 157 one by one in four regions that are equally divided in the X direction and the Z direction, etc., the above-described assembly can be connected in a well-balanced manner.

[0215] Figure 18 (a) shows the structure of the top surface side of the joint member 151, and Figure 18 (b) shows the structure of the bottom surface side of the joint member 151. Figure 24 (c) shows the structure of the connection terminal connector 152 on the top surface side. Figure 18 The accessory socket 1123 is shown as viewed from the insertion direction of the external flash unit 120.

[0216] The joint member 151 is formed by bending a metal plate into a ring shape such that the end faces of the bent end portions face each other and contact each other at a joint 151a. The joint member 151 has a pair of joint portions 151b and a coupler 151c that couples the pair of joint portions 151b together. The joint member 151 has a pair of first screw hole portions 151d for fastening the screws 157, and a pair of second screw hole portions 151e. The joint member 151 has a joint hole portion 156 to be engaged with the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0217] As shown in Figure 12 (a) and Figure 19 The pair of joint portions 151b are separated by a first width (hereinafter referred to as a joint portion interval) 151aa in the X direction. Figure 17 The holding member 254 of the external flash unit 120, which will be described later, is inserted in the joint portion interval 151aa as shown in

[0218] In the connection terminal connector 152, as shown in Figure 18 (b) and Figure 1(c) shown, a plurality of connection terminals 152a are exposed. In the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of connection terminals 152a are aligned at a pitch, the position of the camera connector 216 is determined by the engaging portion interval 151aa of the engaging member 151. Therefore, the holding member 254 of the external flash unit 120 is positioned with respect to the connection terminal connector 152 by the engaging member 151.

[0219] In the case of Figure 24 the connection terminal connector 152 (connector base member 152e) of one example of the camera connector 141 shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of connection terminals 152a are held on both sides in the X direction on the front side in the Z direction. Contact surfaces and groove portions are formed on both sides in the X direction on the front side in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152 (connector base member 152e) of one example of the camera connector 141 shown in FIG. 15, in which a plurality of connection terminals 152a are held. Figure 24

[0220] As shown in FIG. 15, in the X direction, the outermost inner face 152ccc of the groove portion 152c in the connector base member 152e of the accessory socket 1123 is located on the outer side of the inner end face (engaging portion interval 151aa) of the pair of engaging portions 151b of the engaging member 151 and on the inner side of the outermost inner face 151bb of the engaging member 151. Figure 19

[0221] On the inner side of the engaging portion interval 151aa, a slope start position 152cc is provided, which is the end (lower end) of the slope portion 152d on the bottom face side of the groove portion 152c. Thereby, a region for providing the contact surface 152b, which contacts and positions the contact portion 251b described later on the rear face of the camera connector 216 in the Z direction, can be secured. Providing the slope shape starting from the slope start position 152cc can expand the space in which the socket device (the camera connector 216 described later) of the external flash unit 120 is inserted, and can secure the degree of freedom of the shape of the socket device. As a result, the socket device of the external flash unit 120 can be sufficiently formed in a shape that protects the connection terminals.

[0222] A description of the external flash unit 120 will now be given. Figure 19 ​​(a) shows the external flash unit 120 as viewed from the camera connector 216 side (bottom side in the Y direction). Figure 19 (b) is along Figure 20 (a) shows the cross section taken by line AA and illustrates the internal structure of camera connector 216. Figure 20 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the locking lever 253, which will be described later, are omitted. Figure 19 (b) Shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0223] When the camera connector 216 is attached to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100, such as Figure 19 b shows the bottom side of the base portion 250 of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction. Figure 19 (a) Top side). The camera connector 216 includes a socket attachment leg (engaging member, socket plate) 251, a locking pin 252, a locking lever 253, a retaining member 254, a connecting plug 256, and a Y-direction retaining member 258.

[0224] The socket attachment leg 251 is a connecting member that engages and holds the external flash unit 120 to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100. In other words, the socket attachment leg 251 is a connecting member on the side of the external flash unit 120 that can be attached to and detached from the connecting member 151 of the accessory socket 1123.

[0225] The pressure used to maintain the attachment and the external forces (impacts, etc.) acting on the external flash unit 120 cause significant stress to the accessory socket 1123 and camera connector 216. The socket attachment leg 251 is manufactured by machining a sheet metal plate to ensure high mechanical strength to withstand such high stress.

[0226] The locking pin 252 is a component used to prevent the external flash unit 120 from detaching when the camera connector 216 (receptacle attachment leg 251) is attached to the accessory socket 1123, and is held on the receptacle attachment leg 251 which is movable in the Y direction. More specifically, the locking pin 252 is slidably held in the Y direction by the Y-direction retaining member 258. The locking lever 253 and the Y-direction retaining member 258 are held by the retaining member 254.

[0227] With the external flash unit 120 attached to the accessory socket 1123 and the locking lever 253 rotated, the Y-direction retaining member 258 is held in place by a cam portion (not shown). Figure 19 (b) The locking pin 252 moves downward in the Y direction. At this time, the locking pin 252 also moves downward together with the Y-direction retaining member 258. Figure 1(b) Moves downward in the Y direction. As a result, the locking pin 252 protrudes from the socket attachment leg 251 and engages with the engagement hole 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory socket 1123. The locking pin 252 and the engagement hole 156 serve as positioning members in the Z direction for ensuring the electrical connection between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100.

[0228] As Figure 18 An example of the accessory connector 211 shown is shown with a connector plug 256 disposed on the front side of the camera connector 216 in the Z direction. This plug is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material), such as resin, and is integrated with the retaining member 254. The outermost width T of the connector plug 256 in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the socket attachment leg 251 in the X direction. This ensures sufficient area for providing a contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251. The connector plug 256 has a design for connecting to… Figure 1 (c) The accessory socket 1123 shown has multiple connection terminals 152a for contact and communication with multiple connection terminals 257. Connection terminals 257 correspond to... Figure 19 The accessories connector 211 shown has contacts TA01 to TA21.

[0229] Multiple connection terminals 257 are configured to correspond one-to-one with multiple connection terminals 152a, and are held by retaining members 254 to extend in the Z direction and be arranged in the X direction. Each connection terminal 257 has a front end portion 257a that contacts the corresponding connection terminal 152a. Each connection terminal 257 has a shape that extends rearward from the front end portion 257a in the Z direction, and has an extension portion 257b, which, when the front end portion 257a contacts the connection terminal 152a, elastically deforms the front end portion 257a to... Figure 20 (b) is shifted upward in the Y direction. A vertical extension 257c extending upward in the Y direction is formed at the rear end of the extension 257b in the Z direction. A flexible substrate connector 257d is provided at the upper end of the vertical extension 257c. The flexible substrate connector 257d is connected to the main substrate (not shown) of the external flash unit 120 and is connected to the flexible substrate 259 inserted into the retaining member 254 from the top side in the Y direction.

[0230] The extension 257b has a stepped portion 257e having a step in the Y direction at the center in the Z direction. As described above, the extension 257b can be elastically deformed in the Y direction. However, in a case where the distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b is short, a sufficient amount of deformation cannot be obtained, and durability is reduced. As a result, the connection terminal 152a and the front end portion 257a are repeatedly attached and detached, and the extension 257b can easily be damaged. Therefore, providing the stepped portion 257e to the extension 257b can ensure a sufficient distance L without causing the extension 257b to interfere with the receptacle attachment leg 251.

[0231] As Figure 20 (a) and Figure 20 (b) show that a pair of protrusion portions 256a that protrude downward in the Y direction (third direction) to hold a plurality of connection terminals 257 exist at both ends in the X direction of the connection plug 256. As Figure 20 (b) shows that a lower front end portion 256d of each protrusion portion 256a protrudes below a line obtained by connecting lower ends of the front end portions 257a of the connection terminals 257 to protect the connection terminals 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portions 257a of the connection terminals 257 are provided above (inside) a line obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 256d of the pair of protrusion portions 256a.

[0232] A chamfer portion 256b that serves as an outside that extends obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 256d and faces obliquely downward, that is, has an inclination with respect to the X direction exists on the outside (outside face) in the X direction of each protrusion portion 256a. Due to each protrusion portion 256a having such a shape, the connection plug 256 can be inserted into the groove portion 152c having the chamfer portion 152d in the connection terminal connector 152.

[0233] The chamfer portion 256b has an effect of releasing external forces such as pressure and impact from the connection plug 256 to prevent the connection plug from being damaged. For example, Figure 20 (c) shows that an external force is applied to the connection plug 256 from the X direction. Figure 25 (c) shows the connection plug 256 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0234] An external force from the X direction is defined as a vector F1. The external force F1 acting on the chamfer portion 256b is decomposed into a component force F2 in a direction along the chamfer portion 256b and a component force F3 in a direction perpendicular to the chamfer portion 256b in a vector space according to the principle of superposition. In a case where θ is an angle formed by the external force F1 and the chamfer portion 256b, the component force F2 and the component force F3 can be calculated by the following formula (1).

[0235] F2 = F1 cos θ

[0236] F3 = F1 sin θ (1)

[0237] In the case where the inclined surface portion 256b is provided, θ is 0° < θ < 90°. In this range, the following holds true:

[0238] F2 < F1

[0239] F3 < F1 (2)

[0240] Since the component force F2 escapes in the direction along the inclined surface portion 256b, the component force F3 is the only force that affects the connection plug 256. As described above, since the component force F3 is smaller than the external force F1, even if an external force of a certain degree is applied, the connection plug 256 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0241] By forming the inclined surface portion 256b on both sides in the X direction so that its width in the X direction narrows toward the lower side in the Y direction, not only the external force from the X direction but also the external force from the bottom side in the Y direction can be partially released.

[0242] Figure 13 A partially enlarged connection plug 256 viewed from the Z direction is shown. In the Y direction, let B be the height from the lower front end portion 256d of the protrusion portion 256a to the top surface of the connection plug 256 (the height of the connection plug including the protrusion portion), and let A be the height of the inclined surface portion 256b from the lower front end portion 256d (inclined surface start position 256c) to the upper end of the inclined surface portion 256b. At this time, as shown in Figure 17 B, A is preferably one fifth or more of B, more preferably one fourth or more, one third or more, or one half or more. That is, the inclined surface portion 256b is formed to have a significant size for the function of releasing the external force from the X direction, and is different from the chamfer shape that is usually provided at the corner portion of the protrusion portion. For the above function of releasing the external force, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface portion 256b with respect to the X direction is preferably set within the range of 45° ± 20°.

[0243] In order to secure a sufficient area of the contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251 with respect to the contact surface 152b of the fitting socket 1123 that is a positioning portion in the Z direction, the width in the X direction between the inclined surface start positions 256c at the lower front end portions 256d of the inclined surface portions 256b on both sides is preferably made as short as possible. The present embodiment sets the width in the X direction between the inclined surface start positions 256c within the width V in the X direction of the holding member 254, and thereby secures a sufficient area of the contact portion 251b.

[0244] The camera connector 216 has a configuration that fastens the socket attachment leg 251 and the holding member 254. Details of this fastening configuration will be described later.

[0245] The holding member 254 can be inserted Figure 17 (a) into the engagement portion interval 151aa of the engagement member 151 of the accessory socket 1123, and has a coupler 254a having a width V shorter than the width W of the socket attachment leg 251 in the X direction. The widths W and V are defined by Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera accessory attachment seat and attachment foot". The position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the X direction when the coupler 254a is engaged with the engagement member 151. The socket attachment leg 251 is in contact with the Z direction front side of the connecting terminal connector 152 when the contact portion 251b of the socket attachment leg 251 is in contact with the contact surface 152b of the Z direction front side of the connecting terminal connector 152. Figure 21 (a) and Figure 21 (b) the elastic deformer 154a of the accessory socket spring 154 of the force applying member, is forced in the Y direction upper side. Thereby, the top surface of the socket engagement portion 251a is brought into contact (press contact) with the bottom surface of the engagement member 151, and the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Y direction.

[0246] The position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Z direction when the contact portion 251b of the socket attachment leg 251 is in contact with the contact surface 152b of the Z direction front side of the connecting terminal connector 152.

[0247] The holding member 254 is also a structure for coupling the socket attachment leg 251 and the base portion 250, and the lock pin 252 and the connecting terminal 257 are disposed inside the coupler 254a.

[0248] Next, the fastening structure between the holding member 254 and the socket attachment leg 251 is described below. Figure 21 (a) shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the Y direction upper side, and Figure 21 (b) shows a cross section taken along Figure 26 (a) line B-B.

[0249] A pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b, which are fastening members for fastening the socket attachment leg 251 to the holding member 254, pass through the holding member 254 and are fastened to the socket attachment leg 251. At this time, by arranging one screw in each of the four regions approximately equally divided in the X direction and the Z direction in a well-balanced manner, the socket attachment leg 251 is stably held by the holding member 254. As described above, the socket attachment leg 251 is a component to which large stress can be applied. Therefore, by fastening the metal socket attachment leg 251 to the holding member 254 with a pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b configured in a well-balanced manner, the required mechanical strength can be ensured.

[0250] As Figure 26(b) shown, a plurality of connection terminals 257 are arranged in a region S held by a pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b. The width between the pair of first screws 260a and the width between the pair of second screws 260b are narrower than the width between the lower front end portions 256d of the protruding portions 256a of the connection plug 256, the width V of the holding member 254, the outermost width T of the connection plug 256, and the width W of the socket attachment leg 251.

[0251] Figure 22 A cross section of the accessory socket 1123 is shown as viewed from the Z direction in a state where the camera connector 216 is attached to the accessory socket 1123. This drawing shows the size T and V of the camera connector 216 and the positional relationship between the components of the camera connector 216 and the components of the accessory socket 1123.

[0252] In Figure 22 In the above-described state, the top surface of the socket engaging portion 251a of the camera connector 216 contacts the bottom surface (ceiling surface) of the engaging member 151 of the accessory socket 1123 in order to be positioned in the Y direction.

[0253] On the other hand, the lower front end portion 256d and the inclined surface portion 256b of the protruding portion 256a of the connection plug 256 in the camera connector 216 do not contact the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c and the inclined surface portion 152d of the accessory socket 1123, respectively. The gap between the lower front end portion 256d of the protruding portion 256a and the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c of the accessory socket 1123 is set to be as small as possible. Thereby, when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120, the lower front end portion 256d of the protruding portion 256a can contact the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c of the accessory socket 1123, and the amount of floating (tilting with respect to the accessory socket 1123) of the connection plug 256 can be reduced.

[0254] The gap between the inclined surface portions 256b and 152d and the gap between the inner end surface 152ccc of the groove portion 152c and the outer end surface of the connection plug 256 are each set to be large to a certain extent. Thereby, when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120, the application of a load to the connection terminals 257 and 152a can be prevented.

[0255] In the slot 152c of the accessory socket 1123, the relationship between the height of the slot 152c in the Y direction (the height from the bottom surface of the slot 152c to the ceiling surface of the connecting member 151) and the height of the beveled portion 152d in the Y direction is the same as the relationship between the height B of the connecting plug 256 and the height A of the beveled portion 256b in the camera connector 216. Preferably, similar to the tilt angle θ of the beveled portion 256b in the camera connector 216, the tilt angle of the beveled portion 256b relative to the X direction is also set within the range of 45° ± 20°.

[0256] The above embodiments describe that the surface shape of the inclined surface 256b provided on the protrusion 256a is flat, but the inclined surface 256b can be a curved surface with curvature. That is, the inclined surface 256b can have a surface that is inclined relative to the X direction.

[0257] This embodiment ensures that the compact camera connector 216 and accessory socket 1123 provide an area for providing a greater number of connection terminals than ever before, as well as a shape for protecting these connection terminals and an area for positioning between components.

[0258] A modified example of the external flash unit 120 will now be described. Figure 22 (a) shows the external flash unit 120 as viewed from the camera connector 216 side (lower side in the Y direction). Figure 23 (b) shows along Figure 23 (a) shows the cross section taken by line AA and illustrates the internal structure of camera connector 216. Figure 22 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the locking lever 253 are omitted. Figure 22 (b) Shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0259] During its attachment to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100, the camera connector 216, as Figure 18 (b) shows the lower side of the base portion 250 of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction. Figure 23 (a) The camera connector 216 has a socket attachment leg 300a, a locking pin 252, a locking lever 253, a retaining member 300, a connecting plug 300b, a Y-direction retaining member 258, and a socket cover 301.

[0260] The socket attachment leg 300a is a joint member for engaging the external flash unit 120 with the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100, like the socket attachment leg 251 in the above-described embodiment. That is, the socket attachment leg 300a is a joint member 151 attachable to and detachable from the accessory socket 1123 from the external flash unit 120 side.

[0261] In the above-described embodiment, the socket attachment leg 251 and the resin holding member 254 as the metal socket plate are formed as separate members in order to prioritize mechanical strength. On the other hand, in this modified example, the socket attachment leg 300a and the holding member 300 are formed as an integral member by a resin material (non-conductive material). Therefore, the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b for disposing the connection terminals 257 in the above-described embodiment are not required, the space for disposing the connection terminals 257 is widened, and thus a larger number of connection terminals 257 can be disposed. As a result, the external flash unit 120 can communicate more information with the camera 100 via the camera connector 216 and the accessory socket 1123.

[0262] The connection plug 300b is disposed on the front side in the Z direction of the camera connector 216 and is formed as an integral member with the holding member 300 made of a non-conductive resin material in the present embodiment. Like the above-described embodiment, the connection plug 300b is made to have an outermost width T in the X direction that is narrower than the width W of the socket attachment leg 300a in the X direction, so that a region for providing the contact portion 300e is ensured in the socket attachment leg 300a. The connection plug 300b has a plurality of connection terminals 257 for contacting and communicating with the plurality of connection terminals 152a of the accessory socket 1123 shown in (c). The socket cover 301 is a housing attached to the holding member 300 and is a member for protecting the plurality of connection terminals 257. The shape of the connection terminals 257 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and a stepped portion 257e is provided to ensure a sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension portion 257b without interfering with the socket cover 301. Figure 18

[0263] The shape of the connection plug 300b is also the same as that of the connection plug 256 of the above-described embodiment, and a pair of protrusion portions 300c protruding downward in the Y direction is provided at both ends in the X direction of the connection plug 300b to sandwich the plurality of connection terminals 257. As shown in (c), the connection plug 300b is formed in a rectangular shape in the X direction and the Y direction, and the plurality of connection terminals 257 are disposed in the connection plug 300b in a row in the X direction. Figure 17 ​(b) shown, the lower front end portion 300k of each protrusion portion 300c protrudes below the line obtained by connecting the lower end of the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257 to protect the connecting terminal 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257 is disposed above (inside) the line obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 300k of the pair of protrusion portions 300c.

[0264] Even in the present embodiment, a slope portion 300f extending obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 300k and facing obliquely downward is provided on the outer side of the X direction of each protrusion portion 300c. Each protrusion portion 300c having such a shape makes it possible to insert the connecting plug 300b into the groove portion 152c having the slope portion 152d in the connecting terminal connector 152 described in the foregoing embodiment. As described in the foregoing embodiment, the slope portion 300f has an effect of releasing external forces such as pressure and impact on the connecting plug 300b to prevent the connecting plug from being damaged.

[0265] As in the foregoing embodiment, it is desirable to make the distance between the slope start positions 300g at the lower front end portions 300k of the slope portions 300f on the both sides in the X direction as short as possible. Therefore, the slope start positions 300g on the both sides are disposed within the width V in the X direction of the holding member 254 to sufficiently secure the area of the contact portion 300e of the socket attachment leg 300a.

[0266] The holding member 300 is formed so as to be insertable Figure 17 The holding member 300 is formed so as to be insertable ​ (a) and ​ When the elastic deformer 154a of the accessory socket spring 154 shown in (b) is contacted, it is urged in the Y direction, whereby the top surface of the socket engagement portion 300d is contacted with the bottom surface of the engagement member 151. Thereby, the position of the external flash unit 120 with respect to the camera 100 is determined in the Y direction.

[0267] The position of the external flash unit 120 with respect to the camera 100 in the Z direction is determined when the contact portion 300e of the socket attachment leg 300a contacts the contact surface 152b on the front side in the Z direction of the connection terminal connector 152. The retaining member 300 is also a configuration for coupling the socket attachment leg 300a and the base portion 250, and the locking pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the coupler 300h.

[0268] In the present embodiment, a case in which the camera 100, the accessory 200, and the intermediate accessory 400 have 21 or 15 contacts has been described, but the number of contacts can be another number.

[0269] In the present embodiment, the microphone device and the stroboscopic light device have been described as the accessory 200, but the accessory according to the present application includes various devices such as an electronic viewfinder unit in addition to the microphone device and the stroboscopic light device. The present embodiment has described the camera as the electronic device, but the electronic device according to the present application also includes various electronic devices other than the camera.

[0270] (Other Embodiments)

[0271] The present application can supply a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or a device via a network or a storage medium, and can be realized by one or more processors in a computer of the system or the device configured to read and execute the program. The present application can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0272] The above-described embodiments are merely typical examples, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments when implementing the present application.

Claims

1. An electronic device including an accessory socket via which an accessory is detachably attachable to the electronic device, the accessory socket including a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and configured in a row, wherein the plurality of contacts including: an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device; a power supply contact for supplying a power source from the electronic device to the accessory; and a first reference potential contact connected to a reference potential, wherein, in a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic device, a potential of the attachment detection contact becomes the reference potential, wherein the attachment detection contact is arranged on one side of two sides of the power supply contact, and the first reference potential contact is arranged on the other side, wherein the first reference potential contact is arranged outside the power supply contact in a configuration direction of the plurality of contacts, and wherein the attachment detection contact and the power supply contact are arranged adjacent to each other. 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, the plurality of contacts further including a first communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory, and wherein the first communication contact is arranged at a position opposite to the attachment detection contact with respect to the power supply contact.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein, The electronic device transmits a clock signal to the accessory via the first communication contact.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein, the plurality of contacts further including: a second communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the first communication contact with respect to the attachment detection contact, and configured to transmit data in synchronization with the clock signal transmitted via the first communication contact; a third communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the first communication contact with respect to the second communication contact, and configured to receive data in synchronization with the clock signal transmitted via the first communication contact; and a fourth communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the second communication contact with respect to the third communication contact, and configured to transmit a communication request signal to the accessory. 5.The electronic device of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control component configured to supply a power source to the power supply contact in a case where attachment of the accessory is detected by the attachment detection contact.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, In a case where a current value supplied to the accessory is higher than a predetermined value, the control component stops supplying the power source to the accessory.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, In a case where the control component detects a short circuit between the attachment detection contact and the power supply contact, the control component stops supplying the power source to the accessory.

8. The electronic device of any of claims 1-4, wherein, the plurality of contacts further including a second reference potential contact connected to the reference potential and arranged at a position where the first reference potential contact and at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory are sandwiched by the power supply contact.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, the plurality of contacts sequentially include, from one end to the other end in the configuration direction of the plurality of contacts: the second reference potential contact; at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the first reference potential contact; the power supply contact; the attachment detection contact; a first communication contact, a second communication contact, a third communication contact, and a fourth communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; a third reference potential contact connected to the reference potential; at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and a fourth reference potential contact connected to the reference potential.

10. The electronic device of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The electronic device is an imaging device.

11. An accessory attachable to and detachable from an electronic device via an accessory socket of the electronic device, the accessory comprising a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory socket and arranged in a row, wherein, the plurality of contacts including: an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device; a power supply contact for supplying a power supply from the electronic device to the accessory; and a first reference potential contact connected to a reference potential, wherein, in a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic device, a potential of the attachment detection contact becomes the reference potential, wherein the attachment detection contact is arranged on one side of the power supply contact, and the first reference potential contact is arranged on the other side, wherein the first reference potential contact is arranged on an outer side of the power supply contact in a direction of arrangement of the plurality of contacts, and wherein the attachment detection contact and the power supply contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

12. The fitment of claim 11, wherein, the attachment detection contact: is directly connected to the reference potential; is connected to the reference potential via a resistor element; is connected to the reference potential via a switching member; or is connected to the reference potential via a resistor element and a switching member connected in series.

13. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of contacts further includes a first communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory, wherein the first communication contact is arranged at a position opposite to the attachment detection contact with respect to the power supply contact.

14. The fitment of claim 13, wherein, The accessory receives a clock signal from the electronic device via the first communication contact.

15. The fitment of claim 13, wherein, The plurality of contacts further includes: a second communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the first communication contact with respect to the attachment detection contact, and configured to receive data in synchronization with the clock signal received via the first communication contact; a third communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the second communication contact with respect to the first communication contact, and configured to transmit data in synchronization with the clock signal received via the first communication contact; and a fourth communication contact arranged at a position opposite to the third communication contact with respect to the second communication contact, and configured to receive a communication request signal from the electronic device.

16. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, In a case where attachment of the accessory is detected by the attachment detection contact, a power supply is supplied to the accessory via the power supply contact.

17. The fitment of claim 16, wherein, In a case where a current value supplied to the accessory is higher than a predetermined value, the supply of the power supply from the electronic device is stopped.

18. The fitment of claim 16, wherein, In a case where a short circuit between the attachment detection contact and the power supply contact is detected, the supply of the power supply from the electronic device is stopped.

19. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of contacts further includes a second reference potential contact connected to the reference potential and arranged at a position sandwiching the first reference potential contact and at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory in the attachment direction of the accessory to the electronic device.

20. The fitment of claim 19, wherein, The plurality of contacts includes, in order from one end to the other end in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts: the second reference potential contact; at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the first reference potential contact; the power supply contact; the attachment detection contact; first, second, third, and fourth communication contacts used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; a third reference potential contact connected to the reference potential; at least one communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and a fourth reference potential contact connected to the reference potential.

21. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of contacts includes, in order from one end to the other end in the row of the plurality of contacts: the first reference potential contact; the power supply contact; the attachment detection contact; two or more communication contacts used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and a second reference potential contact connected to the reference potential.

22. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The accessory is an intermediate accessory attachable between the electronic device and another accessory.

23. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of contacts is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an attachment direction of the accessory to the electronic device, wherein the accessory includes a connector having a protruding portion protruding in a direction perpendicular to the attachment direction to the electronic device and the first direction at positions on both outer sides of the plurality of contacts in the first direction, wherein the plurality of contacts includes: a reference potential contact connected to the reference potential and arranged at at least one of both ends, and wherein each protruding portion includes a beveled portion on a side not facing the plurality of contacts, so that a width of the protruding portion at a leading end position in a protruding direction is smaller in the first direction than a width of the protruding portion at a position away from the leading end in the protruding direction.

24. The fitment of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The electronic device is an image pickup device. 25.An accessory including communication contacts for communicating with an electronic device via an intermediate accessory that is the accessory according to any one of claims 11 to 24.

Images