Electronic devices and accessories

Abstract

[Problem] Even when static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory, the connection of the contact of the reference potential between the accessory and the electronic device is ensured. [Technical means] An electronic device (100) to which an accessory (200) is detachably attached, the electronic device including a plurality of contacts (TA01-TA21) that can be electrically connected to the accessory and are arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts include: contacts (TA02, TA03, TA05-TA017, TA19, TA20) for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory or for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; a first grounding contact (TA01, TA21) that is a contact arranged at both ends of the plurality of contacts and connected to the grounding terminal; and a second grounding contact (TA04, TA18) that is connected to the grounding terminal and is a contact arranged at both ends of some of the contacts other than the first reference potential contact when the accessory is connected to the plurality of contacts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices and accessories, each of which has contacts used for communication and power supply, etc. Background Art

[0002] Accessories such as strobe light units are attached to an accessory shoe equipped with an electronic device such as a camera. The accessory shoe includes a plurality of contacts (terminals) for supplying power to the accessory and for communicating with the accessory. However, any disconnection of the contacts of the electronic device and the accessory while the electronic device and the accessory are operating may cause a malfunction. In particular, if the ground (GND) contact, which is a reference potential contact, is disconnected, damage to the electronic device and / or the accessory may increase.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a GND contact of a camera has a protruding shape from a power contact toward an accessory so that the GND contacts come into contact with each other before the power contacts of the camera and the accessory come into contact with each other.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-185103 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the case where static pressure or impact from the outside is applied to the accessory, the GND contact of the accessory and the electronic device may be disconnected. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a countermeasure for such a situation.

[0009] The present invention provides an electronic device and an accessory, each of which can ensure connection of a reference potential contact between the accessory and the electronic device even when static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided with an accessory detachably attached thereto, the electronic device comprising a plurality of contacts which can be electrically connected to the accessory and are arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts comprises: a contact for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory or for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; a first grounding contact which is a contact arranged at both ends of the plurality of contacts and connected to the grounding terminal; and a second grounding contact which is connected to the grounding terminal and is a contact arranged at both ends of some of the contacts except the first reference potential contact when the accessory is connected to the plurality of contacts.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, an accessory is detachably attached to an electronic device, the accessory comprising a plurality of contacts, the plurality of contacts being electrically connectable to the electronic device and arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts comprises: a contact for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory or for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; a first grounding contact, which is a contact arranged at both ends of the plurality of contacts and connected to the grounding terminal; and a second grounding contact, which is connected to the grounding terminal and is a contact arranged at both ends of some of the contacts except the first grounding contact when the accessory is connected to the plurality of contacts.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] The present invention can provide an electronic device and an accessory, each of which can ensure connection of a reference potential contact between the accessory and the electronic device even when static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera and accessories according to one embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

[0019] Figure 4B is a flowchart showing processing performed by the camera according to the present embodiment.

[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 contact adjacent to a power contact is short-circuited according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 : is a diagram showing an example of assignment of function signals to types of accessories 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] Fig. 9 : is a diagram showing a configuration example of a camera and accessories according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Fig.10 is a diagram showing another structural example of the camera and accessories according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Fig.11 is a diagram showing still another structural example of the camera and accessories according to the present embodiment.

[0027] Fig.12 : is a diagram showing a structural example of an accessory according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Fig.13 : is a diagram showing a configuration example of a camera, accessories, and intermediate accessories according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Fig.14 Another structural example of the camera, accessory, and intermediate accessory according to the present embodiment is shown.

[0030] Fig.15 is a timing diagram of a strobe device according to the embodiment.

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

[0032] Fig.17 1 and 2 are an exploded view and a perspective view of the accessory shoe according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Fig.18 : is a diagram showing the configuration of an engaging member and a connecting terminal connector of the accessory shoe according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Fig.19 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the external flash unit according to the present embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 20 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a front view showing the internal configuration of the camera connector according to the present embodiment.

[0036] Fig.21 are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the camera connector according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 22 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an external flash unit according to a modified example.

[0038] Fig.23 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a front view showing an internal structure of a connector according to a modified example.

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

[0040] Fig.25 is a partial enlarged view of the connecting plug according to this embodiment.

[0041] Fig.26 : is a front sectional view showing a state where the camera connector according to the present embodiment is attached to the accessory shoe. Specific embodiments

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

[0043] Figure 1 The electrical structures of a camera 100 as an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention and an accessory 200 detachably attached to the camera 100 are 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 a one-to-one correspondence, respectively, and thus the two are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] The camera 100 is supplied with power from a battery 111. The battery 111 is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100. The camera control circuit 101, which is a control section of the camera 100, is a circuit that controls the entire camera 100, and includes a microcomputer having a built-in CPU and 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 Drop Out), a charge pump circuit, etc. The voltage of 1.8 V generated by the system power supply circuit 112 is constantly supplied from the battery 111 to the camera control circuit 101 as a camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C. The camera control circuit 101 controls the system power supply circuit 112, and thereby controls the 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 incident through the optical lens 121 is imaged on an image sensor 122 including a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor or the like. The subject image formed on the image sensor 122 is encoded into a digital imaging signal. The image processing circuit 123 performs image processing such as noise reduction processing and white balance processing on the digital imaging signal to generate image data, and converts the image data into an image file such as a JPEG format so that the image data is recorded in the recording memory 126. The image processing circuit 123 generates VRAM image data for display on the display circuit 127 based on the image data.

[0047] The memory control circuit 124 controls the 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 capable of high-speed reading and writing, such as DDR3 SDRAM, and is used for a workspace and the like for image processing performed by the image processing circuit 123. 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, 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 as power supply means are each a voltage conversion circuit that converts a voltage supplied from the system power supply circuit 112 into a predetermined voltage, and generates 3.3 V as the accessory power supply VACC in the present embodiment.

[0049] The accessory power supply circuit A131 is a power supply circuit that includes an LDO and the like and has low self-consumption power. The accessory power supply circuit B132 is a circuit that includes a DC / DC converter circuit and the like and can flow a larger current than the accessory power supply circuit A131. The self-consumption power of the accessory power supply circuit B132 is greater than the self-consumption power of the accessory power supply circuit A131. Therefore, when the load current is small, the accessory power supply circuit A131 is more efficient than the accessory power supply circuit B132, and when the load current is large, the accessory power supply circuit B132 is more efficient than the accessory power supply circuit A131. The camera control circuit 101 controls the on and off of the voltage outputs of the accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 according to the operating state of the accessory 200.

[0050] The protection circuit 133 as a protection component includes a current fuse element, a multi-way switch element, 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 A131 and B132 to the accessory 200 exceeds a predetermined value and becomes excessive (abnormal). In the present embodiment, the protection circuit 133 includes an electronic fuse circuit, and when a current of 1A or more flows, it notifies the camera control circuit 101 through the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC. The overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC indicates an overcurrent by a Hi level.

[0051] The camera connector 141 is a connector for electrically connecting to 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 along the arrangement direction thereof.

[0052] TC01 is connected to the ground terminal (GND), and serves not only as a contact for a reference potential (GND potential) but also as a contact for controlling wiring impedance of 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 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 accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 is connected to TC05 as a power supply contact via the 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 the resistor element Rp134 (10 kΩ). The camera control circuit 101 can detect whether 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 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 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 the Hi level to the Lo level, various transmissions are performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 via the contacts.

[0058] When detecting the attached state of the accessory 200, the camera control circuit 101 supplies power to the accessory 200 via TC05 as a power contact.

[0059] SCLK connected to TC07, MOSI connected to TC08, MISO connected to TC09, and CS connected to TC10 are signals used by the camera control circuit 101 as a communication master to perform SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication. In this embodiment, the communication clock frequency of 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 the TC 11. 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 a falling edge of the communication request signal / WAKE.

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

[0062] In the I2C communication, both data transmission from the camera 100 and data transmission from the accessory 200 are performed via SDA. When SPI communication and I2C communication are compared with each other, I2C communication has a communication speed lower than that of SPI communication, and lower power consumption can be achieved. SPI communication has a higher communication speed than I2C communication, and is therefore suitable for communication of information with a large amount of data. Therefore, in the communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 according to the present embodiment, information with a large amount of data is communicated in the SPI communication, and information with a small amount of data 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 SPI communication can be performed or needs to be performed based on the data, SPI communication is further performed.

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

[0064] Function signal communication can perform communication in parallel with I2C communication and SPI communication at a timing that does not depend on I2C communication or SPI communication.

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

[0066] Function signal communication is performed based on information acquired through I2C communication or SPI communication.

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

[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 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 reference potential but also as a contact for controlling wiring impedance of differential signals D2N and D2P. TC21 corresponds to a fourth ground contact. Contacts TC01, TC04, TC06, TC18, and TC21 are connected to, for example, a reference potential contact to be described later. Fig.17 The GND portion of the flexible substrate 158 shown is fixed to a metal member of the camera 100 having a GND level by screws 157 or the like. The metal member having a GND level includes, for example, the bonding member 151 and a base plate not shown in the camera 100 or the like.

[0070] In this embodiment, the attachment detection contact TC06 connected with the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is arranged next to the contact (first clock contact) TC07 for transmitting the SCLK (first clock signal) as a clock signal. Generally, the noise (clock noise) generated due to the potential fluctuation of the clock signal is transmitted to the contact adjacent to the contact of the clock signal, which may cause a malfunction. In particular, in a structure with a large number of contacts and a short distance between the contacts as in this embodiment, the impact 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 the accessory is attached, but is set to the GND potential after the accessory is attached. On the other hand, the SCLK contact TC07 for transmitting the clock signal does not transmit the clock signal before the accessory is attached, so the potential does not fluctuate. Since the clock signal is transmitted only after the accessory is attached, the potential fluctuates.

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

[0073] SCL (second clock signal) as a clock signal is also transmitted to the contact (second clock contact) TC13. However, the frequency of SCLK transmitted to the SCLK contact TC07 is higher than the frequency of 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 instead of next to the SCL contact TC13, which can provide a more significant effect of preventing malfunctions caused by 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 edge of the voltage fluctuation of the SCL contact TC13 tends to be more gentle than that of the SCLK contact TC07, and clock noise is less likely to occur. Therefore, arranging the attachment detection contact TC06 next to the SCLK contact TC07 instead of the SCL contact TC13 is more effective in preventing malfunctions 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 the clock signal. At this time, a clock signal (third clock signal) having a frequency higher than that of the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 can be transmitted. Since the differential signals D1N and D1P are paired signals, the clock noise is less than that of the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 used to transmit a single-ended signal. Therefore, the attachment detection contact TC06 is arranged next to the SCLK contact TC07 instead of the first differential signal contact TC19 and the second differential signal contact TC20, which can more effectively prevent malfunctions caused by clock noise.

[0076] The contact (first data contact) TC08 arranged on the side opposite to the attachment detection contact TC06 of the SCLK contact TC07 transmits MOSI (first data signal). Since MOSI is a data signal, it seems 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 fluctuation timing 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 power supply from the battery 205, and also receives power supply from the camera 100 via the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211. The accessory control circuit 201 as a control section 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] The accessory power supply circuit 202 is a circuit for generating power to be supplied to each circuit of the accessory 200, and includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an LDO, a charge pump circuit, etc. The voltage 1.8 V generated by the accessory power supply circuit 202 is constantly supplied as the accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A to the accessory control circuit 201. By controlling the accessory power supply circuit 202, the on and off of the power supply to each circuit of the accessory 200 is controlled.

[0079] The charging circuit 204 is a circuit for charging the battery 205 using the power supplied from the camera 100. When it can be determined that sufficient power is supplied from the camera 100 for 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 may operate without the battery 205 using only the power supply from the camera 100. In this case, the charging circuit 204 is not required.

[0080] The differential communication circuit 207 is a circuit for differential communication with the camera 100, and can transmit and receive data to and from the camera 100. The external communication IF circuit 208 is an IF circuit for 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.

[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. The function circuit 206 is a circuit having different functions depending on the type of the accessory 200. A configuration example of the function circuit 206 will be described later.

[0082] The external connection terminal 209 is a connector terminal that can be connected to an external device, and in this embodiment is a USB TYPE-C connector. The 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 the 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 a connector electrically connectable to 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 along 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 wiring impedance of 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 TA05 described below 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-mentioned accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET become the GND level which is the Lo level when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. Thus, TA06 becomes a contact for causing the camera 100 to detect 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. When determining that communication with the camera 100 is necessary, the accessory control circuit 201 outputs the communication request signal / WAKE at a Lo level to request the camera 100 to communicate.

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

[0093] The accessory control circuit 201 notifies the accessory 200 that it has a reason to communicate 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 a reason to communicate by polling. In addition, in the case where the accessory 200 has a reason to communicate, the accessory 200 can communicate this to the camera 100 in real time.

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

[0095] The FNC1 signal connected to TA14 (synchronization 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 be changed according to the type of accessory 200. For example, in the case where the accessory 200 is a microphone device, the signal is an audio data signal, and in the case where the accessory 200 is a strobe light device, the signal is a signal for controlling light emission timing. TA14 to TA17 correspond to functional signal contacts.

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

[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 used for data communication and connected to the external connection terminal 209 .

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

[0099] The contacts TA01, TA04, TA06, TA18 and TA21 are connected to, for example, Fig.19The GND portion of the flexible substrate 259 shown is fixed to a metal member having a GND level of the accessory 200 with unillustrated screws or the like. The metal member having a GND level includes, for example, the socket attachment leg 251 and an unillustrated base plate inside the accessory 200.

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

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

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

[0103] Figure 3 (b) shows an enlarged appearance of excessive static pressure applied to the accessory 200 from the right side as viewed from the subject side. At this time, force acts on the contacts TC01 and TA01 and adjacent contacts of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 in the disconnection direction, and there is a possibility that a poor connection may occur. On the other hand, a larger force acts on the contacts TC21 and TA21 and adjacent contacts in the connection direction 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. Thus, even if a poor connection temporarily occurs at the contact at one end due to excessive static pressure, the GND connection can be ensured at the contact at the other end. Therefore, this structure can suppress the damage of various circuits and electrical components as a result of the reference potential of the accessory 200 becoming unstable due to poor GND connection.

[0105] In the case where the accessory 200 with a part of the GND contacts missing is attached due to a defect or failure of the accessory connector 211, the camera control circuit 101 cannot detect that a part of the GND contacts are missing. In this case, the operating current is concentrated on the remaining GND contacts, and the accessory 200 may fail in some cases.

[0106] Figure 4A is a structural example for enabling the camera 100 to detect the connection state of the GND contact of the accessory 200, and shows Figure 1 Extraction portion of the structure shown related to the ground contact.

[0107] TC01, TC04, TC18, and TC21 are connected to 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] The SW circuit 1 is a switch circuit driven by a control signal of the camera control circuit 101, and when the SW circuit 1 is turned on by the control signal, TC01 is connected to GND. Desirably, the SW circuit 1 includes, for example, a FET, or a circuit having an impedance as small as possible when operating on and an impedance as large as possible when operating off. Figure 4A As shown, each of the SW circuits 2 , 3 , and 4 also has the same structure as that of the SW circuit 1 .

[0109] Figure 4B The flowchart shows the Figure 4A The camera control circuit 101 executes this process and other processes described later in accordance with a computer program. S represents 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 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 detects again, and if the signal level is Lo, it is assumed that the accessory 200 is attached, and 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 circuits 2 , 3 , and 4 are respectively turned off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0119] In S1010 , the camera control circuit 101 performs control to turn on each of the SW circuit 1 , the SW circuit 2 , the SW circuit 3 , and the SW circuit 4 .

[0120] Such control enables the camera control circuit 101 to confirm the attachment state of the ground contact and the attached accessory 200 and determine whether to supply power to 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 relative to the camera 100 or the like when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100, only a portion of the plurality of contacts TC01 to TC21 and TA01 to TA21 may be connected to each other. Fig.16 As shown, in the case where the Z direction is the attachment direction of the accessory 200 relative to the camera 100, the X direction is the direction in which the plurality of contacts TC01 to TC21 and TA01 to TA21 are aligned, and the Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, only a portion of the contacts may be connected in the following case.

[0122] First, if Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 As shown in (b), when the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Z direction, some of the plurality of contacts may be connected to each other on the side where the camera 100 and the accessory 200 are close to each other, but some of the plurality of contacts are disconnected from each other on the other side where the camera 100 and the accessory 200 are separated from each other. Although not shown, when the accessory 200 is tilted (twisted) relative to the camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Y direction, some of the plurality of contacts on the side opposite to the side where they are connected to each other are separated from each other.

[0123] As referenced later Figure 5As described above, in the camera 100 and the accessory 200 according to the present embodiment, an attachment detection process is performed 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 process can be performed. After the attachment detection process via the contacts TC06 and TA06 is performed, a communication request signal / WAKE is output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100 via the 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, thereby determining 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 the communication with the accessory 200. If the accessory 200 is tilted or twisted while being attached to the camera 100, only a part of the contacts are temporarily connected, a communication error is determined, and error processing such as an alarm is performed, which the user may misunderstand as a malfunction of the accessory 200.

[0124] Therefore, the present embodiment adopts the contact point arrangement to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which 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, when the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Z direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in (a), contacts TC01 and TA01 are connected to adjacent contacts, and contacts TC21 and TA21 are disconnected from adjacent contacts, or Figure 3 As shown in (b), the contacts TC21 and TA21 are connected to the adjacent contacts, and the contacts TC01 and TA01 are disconnected from the adjacent contacts.

[0126] This embodiment uses contacts TC06 and TA06 to detect attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1A , when contacts TC01 and TA01 are connected to each other, adjacent contacts TC06 and TA06 are often connected to each other. At this time, if the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are located near distant contacts TC21 and TA21, even if attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, the camera 100 is unlikely to detect the communication request signal / WAKE.

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

[0128] On the other hand, this embodiment adopts the following contact configuration. Figure 1 As shown, the attachment detection 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 multiple contacts TC01 to TC21 and TA01 to TA21 are configured (hereinafter referred to as the contact configuration direction) and the contacts TC21 and TA21 closest to the other end. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the first configuration 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 configuration relationship will be referred to as the second configuration relationship. Then, in the contact configuration direction, the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 is shorter than the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC21 and TA21. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the third configuration relationship. In this embodiment, contacts TC01~TC21 and TA01~TA21 are arranged at regular intervals, so that the distance between the contacts can be translated here as the number of other contacts arranged between these contacts, and the short (or long) distance can be translated as the small (or large) number of other contacts.

[0129] In the present embodiment, in the contact configuration direction, the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 is set to be equal to or less than the distance between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC21 and TA21. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the fourth configuration relationship. In particular, the present embodiment arranges the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 in the center between the contacts TC01 to TC21 and TC01 to 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 do not necessarily have to be arranged in the center between the contacts TC01 to TC21 and TC01 to 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 equal to or greater than the distance between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 in the contact configuration direction. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the fifth configuration 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 do not necessarily have to be arranged in the center between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and the contacts TC01 and TA01, but it is preferred to arrange them near the center.

[0131] Due to the above contact configuration, Figure 3 In the inclined state shown in (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 Figure 3 In the tilted state shown in (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, no matter in which state the accessory 200 is tilted, even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, the occurrence of a situation where the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE can be reduced.

[0132] Now, 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 to detect attachment, and the contacts TC06 and TA06 are used to detect the communication request signal / WAKE will be described. In this structure, when the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 and the contacts TC01 and TA01 and the adjacent contacts are disconnected from each other, the contacts TC11 and TA11 used for attachment detection may be connected to each other, but the contacts TC06 and TA06 used for the communication request signal / WAKE may be disconnected from each other, which causes a communication error.

[0133] Therefore, in order to avoid communication errors, it is preferable to arrange the attachment detection contact, not the contact for the communication request signal / WAKE, on one end side in the contact arrangement direction as in the present embodiment.

[0134] As will be explained later Fig. 20 (a) to 20 (c) and Fig.23As shown in the figure, in a structure in which the accessory 200 holds a plurality of contacts with a connection plug 256 as a holding member made of a non-conductive material such as a resin material, the connection plug 256 may have a convex shape facing the lower side (contact direction with the camera connector 141) in the figure. In this case, the contacts on one end side in the contact arrangement direction among the plurality of contacts may be connected, but the contacts on the other end side may be disconnected. However, even if a part of the contacts are 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 relative to the camera 100 around an axis parallel to the Y direction, some contacts on one end side in the contact configuration direction among the multiple contacts may be connected, but other contacts on the other end side may be disconnected. In the event that such a state occurs in the process of attaching the accessory 200 to the camera 100, the connection timing is offset between the multiple contacts. If the contact timing is significantly offset, the time lag from the detection of the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 until the detection of WAKE becomes longer, and thus it can be determined as a communication error. At this time, depending on the twisting direction of the accessory 200, the contacts TC01 and TA01 side or the contacts TC21 and TA21 side are connected first.

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

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

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

[0139] After the camera 100 detects the communication request signal / WAKE, communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed. Therefore, before the communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed, the connection of the contacts used for communication is not confirmed. 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 position between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 is more reliably connected, the contacts used for SPI communication performed after I2C communication are preferably arranged at the position between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11.

[0141] As shown in Figure 4 and the following description Fig.12 and Fig. 20 As shown, a structure in which the number of contacts is smaller than that of the camera 100 can be considered as the structure of the accessory 200. Even in this structure, the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact are necessary contacts, and the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact can be configured based on the same idea as the structure in which the number of contacts is equal to the number of contacts of the camera 100. However, a part of the first to fifth configuration relationships described above may not be satisfied.

[0142] For example, in the structure without contact TA21 as shown in FIG. 4 , the distance between the communication request contact TA11 and the contact TA01 in the contact configuration direction is longer than the distance between the communication request contact TA11 and the contact TA20. That is, the fourth configuration relationship is not satisfied. Fig.12In the structure without 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 a structure in which the contact position at the end of the accessory 200 is different from the contact position at the end of the camera 100, a part of the first to fifth configuration relationships may not be satisfied. In this case, it is assumed that the position of the contact at the end facing the camera 100 in the attached state is the position of the contact at the end of the accessory 200, and the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact may be arranged to satisfy the first to fifth configuration relationships. Alternatively, as Fig. 20 Like the protrusion 256a shown, the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact may be configured to satisfy the first to fifth configuration relationships in consideration of the distance relative to the protrusion 256a instead of the distance relative to the contacts at the end. Figure 5 The flowchart of (a) shows processing executed 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 Hi level to turn on the output of the accessory power circuit A131, and proceeds to S403. The accessory power circuit A131 outputs the accessory power 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 an 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 an overcurrent is flowing and proceeds to S405 for error processing.

[0147] Figure 6 (a) Schematically shows Figure 5Changes in signals when the flow proceeds to S404 in the process of A. IACC is the current of the accessory power supply VACC. Since the accessory power supply VACC rises normally after the power supply control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC is maintained at the Lo level.

[0148] Figure 6 (b) schematically shows Figure 5 (a) The change of the above signal when the flow enters S405 in the process. Since an overcurrent flows through IACC after the power supply 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 notification of 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 process to stop the power supply to the accessory 200. Therefore, even in the case where an overcurrent flows through the accessory power supply VACC, the camera control circuit 101 can detect the overcurrent and safely stop the system.

[0149] Generally, when an abnormal current flows through the accessory power supply VACC, it is presumed that the camera 100 and the accessory 200 are malfunctioning, but since the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 are exposed to the outside, adjacent contacts may be short-circuited due to the attachment of foreign matter such as metal parts.

[0150] In the present embodiment, the accessory power supply VACC has a voltage of 3.3 V, while the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C and the accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A have a voltage of 1.8 V. Therefore, if a voltage of 3.3 V is applied to an electrical component that operates at a voltage of 1.8 V, the electrical component may be damaged. Since the post-short behavior depends on the characteristics of the electrical component, the camera control circuit 101 may not always be able to detect a short circuit between the terminals. For example, since the I2C communication signal is at the Hi level in the communication standby state, even if a voltage of 3.3 V equal to or higher than 1.8 V is short-circuited, an abnormality is not detected depending on the characteristics of the electrical component of the connection 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 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 element operating at 1.8V and the system can be stopped safely.

[0152] As described above, if the accessory power VACC is supplied when the GND contact is not connected, the reference potential of the accessory 200 becomes unstable, and thus various circuits and electrical components may be damaged. When operating the device, an external force that makes the connection of the connector terminal unstable may be applied. On the other hand, by arranging the accessory power VACC contact and the GND contact adjacent to each other as in the present embodiment, connection of only the accessory power VACC contact can be prevented more effectively than in the case where the accessory power VACC contact and the GND contact are separate terminals.

[0153] In this embodiment, the accessory 200 connects the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET to GND, but it can be connected to GND as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to GND via the resistor element Rd231 as in the illustrated accessory 200. 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 the resistor element Rd231 having such a resistance value that the voltage (Rd / (Rp+Rd))×1.8V 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 value (Vil) of the camera control circuit 101. For example, in the case where the low level detection threshold value (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). Fig. 9 In the example of , the resistance value of the resistor element Rd231 is set to 5 kΩ.

[0155] Figure 5 (b) shows that Fig. 9 The processing executed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 of the structure shown in FIG. Figure 5 S401 to S403 shown in (a) are the same, so their description will be omitted.

[0156] In S414 following S413, the camera control circuit 101 monitors the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET, and determines whether the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET contacts TC06 and TA06 are short-circuited with the accessory power supply VACC contacts TC05 and TA05. If the signal level is Lo, the camera control circuit 101 proceeds to S415 assuming no short circuit, and if the signal level is Hi, proceeds to S416 assuming a short circuit for error processing.

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

[0158] On the other hand, the voltage of the accessory power supply 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 supply control signal CNT_VACC1 to Lo in error processing, and stops outputting the accessory power supply VACC (power supply to the accessory 200). Therefore, the system can be stopped safely without continuously applying 3.3 V to the terminals of the elements operating at 1.8 V.

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

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

[0161] As described above, even if the power supply 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 functions of the FNC1 signal to the FNC4 signal as function signals connected to the contacts TC14 to TC17 and the contacts TA14 to TA17 are shown for each type of the accessory 200 (here, the microphone device and the strobe light 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 a configuration example 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 the sampling frequency and 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] TA14 is an FNC1 signal that is not used as an I2S data bus and is connected to GND. In this embodiment, an unused function signal is connected to GND, but the present invention is not limited to this 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 H level (high level) of a signal may be performed.

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

[0169] In this 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 maximum DATA frequency is 1.536 MHz, which is half a period of CLK.

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

[0171] This embodiment connects contacts TA18 and TC18 next to contacts TA17 and TC17 connected to the highest frequency FNC4 signal (BCLK) to the GND potential as a reference potential, but the present invention 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 the relative position of audio data Figure 8 (a) Example of augmented structure. The purpose of augmenting audio data is to increase the number of channels and resolution.

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

[0174] On the other hand, the FNC1 signal connected to the 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. The FNC3 signal connected to TA16 serves as an audio data signal (DATA1) which is a signal output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0176] In this way, when adding an audio data signal to increase the amount of audio data and using two signals, configuring the signals in the order of higher frequencies being arranged closer to the GND terminal can provide a structure that is relatively efficient in preventing crosstalk.

[0177] Figure 8 (c) shows a structural example of the functional circuit 206 in the case where the accessory 200 is a strobe light device. The light emitting circuit 206B1 in the functional circuit 206 is a strobe light emitting circuit including an IGBT and a trigger coil, etc., and controls the light emission of the light emitter 206B2. The light emitter 206B2 includes a xenon tube, etc. and emits illumination light to illuminate the subject. The charging circuit 206B3 includes a transformer, a switching FET, a capacitor, etc., and accumulates charge for causing the light emitter 206B2 to emit light.

[0178] The FNC1 signal connected to TA14 is a lighting synchronization signal (STARTX) for controlling the lighting 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 strobe device, and no signals are connected to these contacts.

[0179] This embodiment causes unused functional signal contacts to be disconnected (OPEN), but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and connection to a stable reference potential (such as a power supply potential and an L level or H level of a signal, etc.) can be performed based on contacts TC15 to TC17 which are the connection destinations of contacts TA15 to TA17.

[0180] In the strobe device, only the FNC1 signal is used among the function signals. Although the lighting synchronization signal (STARTX) is not a periodically generated signal, when the 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.

[0181] A description will now be given of further features of the contact configuration according to the present embodiment. Both SDA (first signal) connected to the contacts TC12 and TA12 as first signal contacts and SCL (second signal) connected to the contacts TC13 and TA13 as second signal contacts are signals used for I2C communication. These signals are transmitted by open-drain communication. Since both SDA and SCL are pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C, both are signals with relatively high impedance during communication standby and are susceptible to crosstalk.

[0182] Therefore, the present embodiment assigns the communication request signal (fourth signal) / WAKE to the contacts TC11 and TA11 as fourth signal contacts beside the SDA contacts TC12 and TA12. As described above, the communication request signal / WAKE is a signal for making a communication request from the accessory 200 to the camera 100.

[0183] Fig.15 (a) shows the timing when the accessory 200 makes a communication request to the camera 100 and performs I2C communication. Fig.15 As shown in (a), before the I2C communication through SCL and SDA, the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE changes from the Hi level to the Lo level. This is because the I2C communication is performed in response to this change. Therefore, arranging the contacts TC11 and TA11 of the communication request signal / WAKE at and near the SDA contact used for I2C communication can keep the SDA of the communication request signal / WAKE from crosstalk.

[0184] like Fig.15 As shown in (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 free from crosstalk.

[0185] The FNC1 signal is assigned to contacts TC14 and TA14 as 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 free from crosstalk.

[0186] In the strobe light device, a light emission synchronization signal (STARTX: a third signal) as an FNC1 signal is assigned to the contacts TC14 and TA14 beside the SCL contacts TC13 and TA13. Fig.15 (b) shows the timing when the accessory 200 makes a communication request to the camera 100 and performs I2C communication and strobe light emission. Fig.15 As shown in (b), at the timing (time period) of outputting the lighting synchronization signal, I2C communication is not performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 so that the control of the strobe light lighting is processed with the highest priority. In other words, the lighting 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 lighting synchronization signal from crosstalk.

[0187] Therefore, this embodiment arranges the STARTX contact on one side of the SDA contact and the SCL contact, and arranges the / WAKE contact on the other side, thereby achieving good I2C communication.

[0188] Similar to SDA, this embodiment sets the communication request signal / WAKE connected to the contacts TC11 and TA11 next to the SDA contacts TC12 and TA12 as an open drain signal. Compared with a push-pull type communication request signal / WAKE being a push-pull system, when the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE changes, crosstalk to SDA can be suppressed.

[0189] The SCLK connected to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07 is a clock signal used for SPI communication, and operates 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 SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07 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 GND when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. Therefore, this contact configuration can prevent crosstalk between SCLK and signals other than the SPI bus.

[0190] MOSI connected to other contacts TC08 and TA08 next to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07 is a data signal transmitted from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory control circuit 201 by SPI communication. In general, the timing of the MOSI output level change in SPI communication is synchronized with the timing of the SCLK output level change. Therefore, crosstalk between SCLK and MOSI can be suppressed by arranging the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08 next to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07.

[0191] MISO connected to other contacts TC09 and TA09 next to the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08 is a data signal transmitted from the accessory control circuit 201 to the camera control circuit 101 in SPI communication. Generally, like MOSI, the timing of the MISO output level change in SPI communication is synchronized with the timing of the SCLK output level change. Therefore, by arranging the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09 next to the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08, crosstalk between MOSI and MISO can be suppressed.

[0192] CS connected to other contacts TC10 and TA10 next to the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09 is a communication request signal sent from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory control circuit 201 in SPI communication. Generally, CS in SPI communication maintains a constant output level from the communication request until the communication is completed. Therefore, by arranging the CS contacts TC10 and TA10 next to the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09, crosstalk to MISO can be suppressed.

[0193] The communication request signal / WAKE connected to the contacts TC11 and TA11 adjacent to the CS contacts TC10 and TA10 is a signal for making a communication request from the accessory control circuit 201 to the camera control circuit 101. As described above, the communication request signal / WAKE is an open drain signal and is therefore relatively susceptible to crosstalk. Therefore, the present embodiment arranges the contacts TC10 and TA10 of CS, whose signal levels change relatively infrequently, next to the contacts TC11 and TA11 of the communication request signal / WAKE, and can suppress crosstalk to the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0194] The differential signal requiring impedance control is connected to the contacts TC01 to TC03 and TA01 to TA03 and the contacts TC19 to TC21 and TA19 to TA21 located at and near both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 (these will be collectively referred to as the two end sides below). The signal wiring to the accessory socket interface is usually configured with a flexible substrate. In order to achieve the desired wiring impedance on the flexible board, it is necessary to keep the distance between the lines of the differential signal and the GND to be wired in parallel constant. In the board using both sides, a mesh GND wiring is usually formed on the back side of the differential signal. Therefore, compared with the general single-ended signal, the signal wiring requiring impedance control has relatively large restrictions on the wiring design.

[0195] On the other hand, the present embodiment connects differential signals requiring impedance control to contacts located on both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211, thereby relatively reducing the relationship with other signals and improving the degree of freedom of wiring design.

[0196] Differential signals can be transmitted at high speeds of about 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, differential signals may not be used depending on the type of accessory 200. Accessories that do not use differential signals do not require contacts assigned to differential signals, so accessory costs can be reduced by removing contacts.

[0197] Fig.12 Show Figure 1 The structure of the accessory 200 shown in the figure is changed. More specifically, the structure has a structure in which the contacts TA01-TA03 and TA19-TA21 and the signals and circuits connected to these contacts are omitted. That is, Fig.12 The accessory 200 in has 15 contacts. Fig.12 In the structure of , 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 that does not require differential signals adopts a contact configuration in which contacts used for differential signals are deleted from the accessory connector 211 and only contacts required by the accessory 200 are included.

[0198] Fig.12 The accessory 200 in the embodiment sets the contacts TC04 and TA04 near both ends of the camera connector 141 and the accessory connector 211 and the contacts TC18 and TA18 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 when excessive static pressure or impact is applied to the accessory 200.

[0199] The direct attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 has been described. Fig.13 , a description 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 for simultaneously attaching a plurality of accessories to the camera 100, etc. This embodiment describes the intermediate accessory 400 as an extension cable. Fig.13 In the structure of , the intermediate accessory 400 is equivalent to an accessory, and the accessory 200 is equivalent to another accessory.

[0200] The intermediate accessory 400 has a camera shoe and an accessory shoe which are respectively attachable to the camera 100 and the accessory 200, and each is 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 making an electrical connection 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.

[0201] 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 to the accessory 200. The contacts TN01 to TN21 make one-to-one contact with the contacts TA01 to TA21 in the accessory connector 211, respectively.

[0202] The intermediate accessory 400 having this contact configuration can provide power supply 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.

[0203] exist Fig.13 , the number of contacts of the camera-side intermediate connector 311 is the same as the number of contacts of the camera connector 141, and the number of contacts of the accessory-side intermediate connector 312 is the same as the number of contacts of the accessory connector 211, but they may not necessarily be equal to each other.

[0204] Fig.14 The components 200 and the intermediate components 400 are shown. Fig.13 Although differential signals are connected to the contacts TC01 to TC03 and TC19 to TC21 on both ends of the camera connector 141 , differential signals may not be required depending on the function of the accessory 200 . Fig.14 The structure removes the contacts to which the differential signals are connected from the camera-side intermediate connector 311, the accessory-side intermediate connector 312, and the accessory connector 211. That is, Fig.14 The intermediate accessory 400 and the accessory 200 in FIG. 4 each have 15 contacts. Therefore, a contact configuration including only the contacts required for the intermediate accessory 400 and the accessory 200 is adopted.

[0205] A detailed description will now be given of a connection structure between the camera 100 and the external flash unit 120 as an example of the accessory 200 .

[0206] Fig.16 (a) shows the camera 100 as viewed from an oblique rear side. Fig.16 (b) shows how to attach the external flash unit 120 to the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100 . Fig.16 (c) shows that the external flash unit 120 is attached to the camera 100 as viewed from an oblique rear side.

[0207] The imaging optical system is provided on the front side (subject side) of the camera 100, and the image display unit 107 is provided on the rear side of the camera 100. A top cover 150 as an external member is provided on the top surface of the camera 100, and an accessory shoe 1123 is provided to the top cover 150. On the other hand, in the external flash unit 120, a camera connector 216 is provided at the bottom of the external flash unit 120. Fig.16 As shown in (b), the external flash unit 120 is slid relative to the camera 100 in a direction parallel to the front side in the Z direction (the attachment side in the first direction) so that the camera connector 216 and the accessory shoe 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 back side to the front side of the camera 100, that is, the direction from the image display unit 107 side toward the imaging optical system side. Usually used Fig.16The camera 100 is oriented in the direction of the horizontal plane, and the ...

[0208] A detailed description will now be given of the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100 . Fig.17 (a) shows the top cover 150 and the accessory shoe 1123 exploded. Fig.17 (b) shows the assembled accessory shoe 1123. The assembly direction of the accessory shoe 1123 on the top cover 150 is the Y direction.

[0209] The accessory shoe 1123 includes an engagement member 151, a connection terminal connector 152, a shoe stage 153, and an accessory shoe 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 arranged at regular intervals in the X direction on a connector base member 152e as a holding member made of a resin material or the like, and held by the connector base member 152e. The connection terminals 152a are connected to the external flash unit 120 by the engagement member 151. Figure 1 The contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown correspond to each other.

[0210] In the connection terminal connector 152, as Fig.17 As shown in (b), the connection terminal 152a is arranged on the front side (front side of the camera 100) in the Z direction which is the attachment direction of the external flash unit 120. Fig.19 The engagement hole portion 156 with which the lock pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 shown in (a) engages is provided at the rear (the rear surface side of the digital camera 100 ) of the connection terminal connector 152 in the Z direction.

[0211] During attachment of the external flash unit 120 to the accessory shoe 1123, the connection terminal 152a is 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 main substrate, not shown, of the camera 100. Therefore, while the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 1123, communication between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100 can be performed.

[0212] The socket stand 153 is a housing member that surrounds the engaging member 151 and the connecting terminal connector 152. The accessory shoe holding member 155 is a structural framework that holds the engaging member 151. Fig.17 As shown in (a), the accessory shoe holding member 155, the flexible substrate 158, the top cover 150, the socket stage 153 and the connection terminal connector 152 are fastened to the joint member 151 by four screws 157 inserted therein. Thereby, these members are positioned and fixed to each other. By arranging the four screws 157 one by one in four areas equally divided in the X direction and the Z direction, the above components can be connected in a well-balanced manner.

[0213] Fig.18 (a) shows the structure of the top surface side of the bonding member 151, and Fig.18 (b) shows the structure of the bottom surface side of the bonding member 151. Fig.18 (c) shows the structure of the connection terminal connector 152 on the top surface side. Fig.24 The accessory shoe 1123 is shown as viewed from the insertion direction of the external flash unit 120 .

[0214] The engaging member 151 is formed by bending a metal plate into a ring shape so that the end faces of the bent end face each other and contact each other at the joint 151a. The engaging member 151 has a pair of engaging portions 151b and a connector 151c that couples the pair of engaging portions 151b together. The engaging member 151 has a pair of first screw hole portions 151d for fastening screws 157, and a pair of second screw hole portions 151e. The engaging member 151 has an engaging hole portion 156 to be engaged with the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0215] like Fig.18 (a) and Fig.12 As shown, the pair of engagement portions 151b are separated by a first width (hereinafter referred to as an engagement portion interval) 151aa in the X direction. Fig.19 (b) The retaining member 254 of the external flash unit 120 to be described later is inserted into the engagement portion interval 151aa. The pair of first screw hole portions 151d are arranged at a predetermined interval in the X direction, and are used as a pair of first fastening hole portions arranged apart from each other in the X direction at the rear (back side) in the Z direction. The pair of second screw hole portions 151e are arranged at a predetermined interval in the X direction, and are used as a pair of second fastening hole portions arranged apart from each other in the X direction at the front in the Z direction. The engagement hole portion 156 is formed at a position that can engage with the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 in the area clamped between the pair of first screw hole portions 151d.

[0216] In the connection terminal connector 152, as Fig.17 (b) and Fig.18(c) shows that a plurality of connection terminals 152a are exposed. In the pitch direction (X direction) in which the plurality of connection terminals 152a are aligned, the position of the camera connector 216 is determined by the engagement portion interval 151aa of the engagement member 151. Therefore, the holding member 254 of the external flash unit 120 is positioned relative to the connection terminal connector 152 by the engagement member 151.

[0217] In being Figure 1 The connecting terminal connector 152 (connector base member 152e) of an example of the camera connector 141 shown in the figure has a plurality of connecting terminals 152a sandwiched in the X direction on both sides thereof. Fig.24 The contact surface and groove portion shown. That is, a contact surface 152b that contacts and positions the accessory shoe 1123 in the Z direction when the external flash unit 120 is attached, and a groove portion 152c into which the accessory shoe 1123 is inserted are formed. Each groove portion 152c is formed to extend from the contact surface 152b to the front side (attachment side) in the Z direction, and has a slope portion 152d to face the inside and the oblique upper side (to be inclined relative to the X direction). The portion of the groove portion 152c above the slope portion 152d extends outward in the X direction from the top position of the slope portion 152d. This is to prevent the generation of a dent (sinking) in the slope portion 152d during resin molding in the case where the slope portion 152d is formed up to the top of the groove portion 152c.

[0218] like Fig.24 As shown, in the X direction, the outermost inner surface 152ccc of the groove portion 152c in the connector base member 152e of the accessory socket 1123 is located outside the inner end surfaces (joint portion interval 151aa) of a pair of joining portions 151b of the joining member 151, and is located inside the outermost inner surface 151bb of the joining member 151.

[0219] A slope start position 152cc is provided at the inner side of the joint interval 151aa as the end (lower end) of the slope portion 152d on the bottom side of the groove portion 152c. Thus, an area for providing the contact surface 152b for contacting with the contact portion 251b described later of the camera connector 216 and positioning the contact portion 251b in the Z direction can be ensured. Providing a slope shape starting from the slope start position 152cc can expand the space into which the socket device (camera connector 216 described later) of the external flash unit 120 is inserted, and the degree of freedom of the shape of the socket device can be ensured. As a result, the socket device of the external flash unit 120 can be sufficiently formed in a shape that protects the connection terminal.

[0220] A description will now be given of the external flash unit 120 . Fig.19(a) shows the external flash unit 120 viewed from the camera connector 216 side (bottom side in the Y direction). Fig.19 (b) is along Fig.19 (a) is a cross section taken along line AA, and illustrates the internal structure of the camera connector 216. Fig. 20 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the lock lever 253 to be described later are omitted. Fig. 20 (b) shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0221] The camera connector 216 is connected to the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100. Fig.19 b is provided on the bottom side of the base portion 250 of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction ( Fig.19 (a) top side). The camera connector 216 includes a socket attachment leg (engagement member, socket plate) 251, a lock pin 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 254, a connection plug 256, and a Y-direction holding member 258.

[0222] The shoe attachment leg 251 is an engagement member that engages the external flash unit 120 with the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100 and holds the accessory shoe 1123. That is, the shoe attachment leg 251 is an engagement member on the external flash unit 120 side that is attachable to and detachable from the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 1123.

[0223] Large stress is applied to the accessory shoe 1123 and the camera connector 216 due to pressure for maintaining the attached state and external force (impact, etc.) acting on the external flash unit 120. The shoe attachment leg 251 is manufactured by processing a metal plate (sheet metal) to ensure high mechanical strength against such large stress.

[0224] The locking pin 252 is a member for preventing the external flash unit 120 from falling off in a state where the camera connector 216 (shoe attachment leg 251) is attached to the accessory shoe 1123, and is held on the shoe attachment leg 251 movable in the Y direction. More specifically, the locking pin 252 is slidably held in the Y direction by the Y direction holding member 258. The locking lever 253 and the Y direction holding member 258 are held by the holding member 254.

[0225] In a case where the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory shoe 1123 and the lock lever 253 is rotated, the Y-direction holding member 258 is locked in position by a cam portion not shown. Fig.19 (b) moves downward in the Y direction. At this time, the locking pin 252 also moves downward together with the Y direction holding member 258. Fig.19As a result, the locking pin 252 protrudes from the shoe attachment leg 251 and engages with the engagement hole portion 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 1123. The locking pin 252 and the engagement hole portion 156 serve as a positioning member in the Z direction for ensuring the electrical connection between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100.

[0226] As Figure 1 The connection plug 256 of one example of the accessory connector 211 shown is disposed on the front side in the Z direction of the camera connector 216, is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material) such as a resin material, and is integrated with the retaining member 254. The outermost width T in the X direction of the connection plug 256 is narrower than the width W in the X direction of the socket attachment leg 251. Thus, an area for providing the contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251 is ensured. The connection plug 256 has a structure for contacting with the socket attachment leg 251. Fig.18 (c) A plurality of connection terminals 257 are in contact with and communicate with the plurality of connection terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 1123 shown in FIG. The connection terminals 257 correspond to Figure 1 The accessory connector 211 is shown with contacts TA01 to TA21.

[0227] The plurality of connection terminals 257 are arranged to correspond to the plurality of connection terminals 152a one by one, and are held by the holding member 254 to extend in the Z direction and to 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 extending backward from the front end portion 257a along the Z direction, and has an extension portion 257b that elastically deforms the front end portion 257a when the front end portion 257a contacts the connection terminal 152a. Fig.19 (b) is displaced upward in the Y direction in FIG. A vertical extension portion 257c extending upward in the Y direction is formed at the rear end of the extension portion 257b in the Z direction. A flexible substrate connector 257d is provided at the upper end of the vertical extension portion 257c, which 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 holding member 254 from the top side in the Y direction.

[0228] The extension 257b has a step portion 257e having a step in the Y direction at the center of the Z direction. As described above, the extension 257b can be elastically deformed in the Y direction. However, in the case where the distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b is short, a sufficient amount of deformation cannot be obtained, and the 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 may be easily damaged. Therefore, setting the step portion 257e to the extension 257b can ensure a sufficient distance L without causing the extension 257b to interfere with the socket attachment leg 251.

[0229] like Fig. 20 (a) and Fig. 20 As shown in (b), at both ends of the connection plug 256 in the X direction, there are a pair of protrusions 256a that protrude downward in the Y direction (third direction) to clamp the plurality of connection terminals 257. Fig. 20 As shown in (b), the lower front end portion 256d of each protrusion 256a protrudes below the line obtained by connecting the lower ends of the front end portions 257a of the connection terminal 257 to protect the connection terminal 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portion 257a of the connection terminal 257 is arranged above (inside) the line obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 256d of a pair of protrusions 256a.

[0230] On the outer side (outer side) of each protrusion 256a in the X direction, there is an inclined portion 256b, which serves to extend obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 256d and faces the outer side obliquely downward, that is, it has an inclination with respect to the X direction. Since each protrusion 256a has such a shape, the connection plug 256 can be inserted into the groove portion 152c having the inclined portion 152d in the connection terminal connector 152.

[0231] The inclined surface 256b has the function of releasing external forces such as pressure and impact from the connection plug 256 to prevent the connection plug from being damaged. Fig. 20 (c) shows that an external force is applied to the connection plug 256 from the X direction. Fig. 20 (c) shows the connection plug 256 as viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0232] The external force from the X direction is defined as a vector F1. The external force F1 acting on the inclined portion 256b is decomposed into a component force F2 in the direction along the inclined portion 256b and a component force F3 in the direction perpendicular to the inclined portion 256b in the vector space according to the additive force. When θ is an angle formed by the external force F1 and the inclined portion 256b, the component force F2 and the component force F3 can be calculated by the following formula (1).

[0233] F2=F1cosθ

[0234] F3=F1sinθ (1)

[0235] When the inclined surface 256 b is provided, θ is 0°<θ<90°. In this range, the following holds:

[0236] F2 <F1

[0237] F3 <F1 (2)

[0238] Since the force component F2 escapes in the direction along the slope portion 256b, the force component F3 is the only force affecting the connection plug 256. As described above, since the force component F3 is smaller than the external force F1, the connection plug 256 can be prevented from being damaged even if a certain external force is applied.

[0239] By forming the inclined surface portions 256 b on both sides in the X direction so that the width thereof in the X direction becomes narrower 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.

[0240] Fig.25 FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged view of the connection plug 256 viewed from the Z direction. In the Y direction, it is assumed that B is the height from the lower front end 256d of the protrusion 256a to the top surface of the connection plug 256 (the height of the connection plug including the protrusion), and A is the height of the inclined surface 256b from the lower front end 256d (the inclined surface starting position 256c) to the upper end of the inclined surface 256b. At this time, as Fig.13 As shown, A is preferably one-fifth or more of B, more preferably one-quarter or more, one-third or more, or one-half or more. That is, the inclined portion 256b is formed to have a significant size for the function of releasing external force from the X direction, and is different from the chamfered shape generally provided at the corner of the protrusion. For the above-mentioned function of releasing external force, the inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 256b relative to the X direction is preferably set within the range of 45°±20°.

[0241] In order to ensure a sufficient area of ​​the contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251 relative to the contact surface 152b of the accessory shoe 1123 as the positioning portion in the Z direction, it is preferable to make the width in the X direction between the bevel start positions 256c at the lower front end portions 256d of the bevel portions 256b on both sides as short as possible. This embodiment sets the width in the X direction between the bevel start positions 256c inside the width V in the X direction of the holding member 254, and thereby ensures a sufficient area of ​​the contact portion 251b.

[0242] The camera connector 216 has a configuration of fastening the socket attachment legs 251 and the holding member 254. The details of this fastening configuration will be described later.

[0243] The retaining member 254 can be inserted into Fig.18 The accessory shoe 1123 shown in (a) has a coupling 254a having a width V in the X direction that is shorter than a width W of the shoe attachment leg 251. The widths W and V are defined by Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera Accessory Attachment Seat and Attachment Foot". When the coupling 254a is engaged with the coupling 151, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the X direction. The shoe attachment leg 251 is connected to the camera 100 by the coupling 254a. Fig.17 (a) and Fig.17 When the elastic deformer 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 of the biasing member shown in (b) contacts, the external flash unit 120 is biased upward in the Y direction. As a result, the top surface of the shoe engaging portion 251a is brought into contact (pressed contact) with the bottom surface of the engaging member 151, and the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 in the Y direction is determined.

[0244] When the contact portion 251 b of the socket attachment leg 251 contacts the contact surface 152 b of the connection terminal connector 152 on the front side in the Z direction, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Z direction.

[0245] The holding member 254 is also a configuration for coupling the socket attachment leg 251 and the base portion 250 , and the locking pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are arranged inside the coupler 254 a .

[0246] Next, a fastening structure between the holding member 254 and the socket attachment leg 251 is described below. Fig.21 (a) shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the upper side in the Y direction, and Fig.21 (b) shows the Fig.21 (a) is a cross section taken along line BB.

[0247] A pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b as fastening members for fastening the socket attachment leg 251 to the holding member 254 penetrate the holding member 254 and are fastened to the socket attachment leg 251. At this time, the socket attachment leg 251 is stably held by the holding member 254 by arranging one screw in each of four regions roughly equally divided in the X direction and the Z direction in a well-balanced manner. As described above, the socket attachment leg 251 is a component to which a 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 arranged in a well-balanced manner, the required mechanical strength can be ensured.

[0248] like Fig.21As shown in (b), a plurality of connection terminals 257 are arranged in an area S clamped 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 protrusions 256a of the connection plug 256, the width V of the retaining member 254, the outermost width T of the connection plug 256, and the width W of the socket attachment leg 251.

[0249] Fig.26 11 shows a cross section of the accessory shoe 1123 viewed from the Z direction in a state where the camera connector 216 is attached to the accessory shoe 1123. The figure shows the sizes 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 shoe 1123.

[0250] exist Fig.26 As described above, the top surface of the shoe engagement portion 251a of the camera connector 216 contacts the bottom surface (ceiling surface) of the engagement member 151 of the accessory shoe 1123 for positioning in the Y direction.

[0251] On the other hand, the lower front end portion 256d and the inclined portion 256b of the protrusion 256a of the connection plug 256 in the camera connector 216 do not contact the bottom surface and the inclined portion 152d of the groove portion 152c of the accessory shoe 1123, respectively. The gap between the lower front end portion 256d of the protrusion 256a and the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c of the accessory shoe 1123 is set to be as small as possible. Thus, when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120, the lower front end portion 256d of the protrusion 256a can contact the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c of the accessory shoe 1123, and the floating amount (relative to the inclination of the accessory shoe 1123) of the connection plug 256 can be reduced.

[0252] The gap between the inclined surfaces 256b and 152d and the gap between the inner end surface 152ccc of the groove 152c and the outer end surface of the connection plug 256 are each set to be large to a certain extent. Thus, when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120, a load can be prevented from being applied to the connection terminals 257 and 152a.

[0253] In the groove portion 152c of the accessory shoe 1123, the relationship between the height of the groove portion 152c in the Y direction (the height from the bottom surface of the groove portion 152c to the ceiling surface of the engaging member 151) and the height of the inclined 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 inclined portion 256b in the camera connector 216. It is also preferred that the inclination angle of the inclined portion 256b with respect to the X direction is also set within the range of 45°±20°, similar to the inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 256b in the camera connector 216.

[0254] The above embodiments describe that the inclined surface 256b provided on the protrusion 256a is flat, but the inclined surface 256b may be a curved surface with curvature, that is, the inclined surface 256b may have a surface that is inclined with respect to the X direction.

[0255] The present embodiment can ensure an area for providing a larger number of connection terminals than before, a shape for protecting these connection terminals, and an area for positioning between components in a compact camera connector 216 and accessory shoe 1123.

[0256] A description will now be given of a modified example of the external flash unit 120 . Fig. 22 (a) shows the external flash unit 120 viewed from the camera connector 216 side (lower side in the Y direction). Fig. 22 (b) shows the Fig. 22 (a) is a cross section taken along line AA, and illustrates the internal structure of the camera connector 216. Fig.23 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the lock lever 253 are omitted. Fig.23 (b) shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0257] The camera connector 216 is attached to the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100, as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 (b) is provided on the lower side of the base portion 250 in the Y direction of the external flash unit 120 ( Fig. 22 (a) upper side). The camera connector 216 has a socket attachment leg 300a, a lock pin 252, a lock lever 253, a holding member 300, a connection plug 300b, a Y-direction holding member 258, and a socket cover 301.

[0258] Like the shoe attachment leg 251 in the above-described embodiment, the shoe attachment leg 300a is an engaging member for engaging the external flash unit 120 with the accessory shoe 1123 of the camera 100. That is, the shoe attachment leg 300a is an engaging member on the external flash unit 120 side that is attachable to and detachable from the engaging member 151 of the accessory shoe 1123.

[0259] In the above-described embodiment, the socket attachment leg 251 as a metal socket plate and the resin retaining member 254 are formed as separate components so as to give priority to mechanical strength. On the other hand, in this modification, the socket attachment leg 300a and the retaining member 300 are formed as an integral component from a resin material (non-conductive material). Therefore, the pair of first screws 260a and the pair of second screws 260b described in the above-described embodiment are not required, and the space for configuring the connection terminal 257 becomes wider, so a larger number of connection terminals 257 can be configured. As a result, the external flash unit 120 can communicate more information with the camera 100 via the camera connector 216 and the accessory shoe 1123.

[0260] The connection plug 300b is provided on the front side in the Z direction of the camera connector 216, and in the present embodiment is formed as an integral member with the holding member 300 made of a non-conductive resin material. As in the above-described embodiment, the outermost width T of the connection plug 300b in the X direction is made narrower than the width W of the socket attachment leg 300a in the X direction, so that an area for providing the contact portion 300e is ensured in the socket attachment leg 300a. The connection plug 300b has a Fig.18 (c) The plurality of connection terminals 257 that the plurality of connection terminals 152a of the accessory shoe 1123 shown in FIG. 1 are in contact with and communicate with each other. The shoe 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 terminal 257 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and a step portion 257e is provided to ensure a sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension portion 257b without interfering with the shoe cover 301.

[0261] The shape of the connection plug 300b is also the same as that of the connection plug 256 of the previous embodiment, and a pair of protrusions 300c protruding downward in the Y direction are provided at both ends of the connection plug 300b in the X direction to clamp the plurality of connection terminals 257. Fig.23As shown in (b), the lower front end portion 300k of each protrusion 300c protrudes below the line obtained by connecting the lower ends of the front end portions 257a of the connection terminal 257 to protect the connection terminal 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portion 257a of the connection terminal 257 is arranged above (inside) the line obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 300k of a pair of protrusions 300c.

[0262] Even in this embodiment, an inclined portion 300f extending obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 300k and facing obliquely downward is provided on the outer side of each protrusion 300c in the X direction. Each protrusion 300c having such a shape enables the connection plug 300b to be inserted into the groove portion 152c having the inclined portion 152d in the connection terminal connector 152 described in the aforementioned embodiment. As described in the aforementioned embodiment, the inclined portion 300f has the function of releasing external forces such as pressure and impact on the connection plug 300b to prevent the connection plug from being damaged.

[0263] As in the previous embodiment, it is desirable to make the distance between the chamfer start positions 300g at the lower front end portions 300k of the chamfered portions 300f on both sides as short as possible in the X direction. Therefore, the chamfer start positions 300g on both sides are set within the width V in the X direction of the holding member 254 to sufficiently ensure the area of ​​the contact portion 300e of the socket attachment leg 300a.

[0264] The holding member 300 is formed to be insertable Fig.18 (a) is disposed in and engaged with the engagement portion interval 151aa of the engagement member 151 shown, and has a connector 300h having a width V in the X direction that is shorter than the width W of the socket attachment leg 300a. As in the previous embodiment, the width W and the width V are defined by Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera accessory attachment seat and attachment foot". When the connector 300h is engaged with the engagement member 151, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the X direction. The socket attachment leg 300a is in contact with the engagement member 151. Fig.17 (a) and Fig.17 When the elastic deformer 154a of the accessory shoe spring 154 shown in (b) contacts, it is urged in the Y direction, whereby the top surface of the shoe engagement portion 300d contacts the bottom surface of the engagement member 151. Thus, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Y direction.

[0265] 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 position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Z direction. The holding member 300 is also a structure for coupling the socket attachment leg 300a and the base portion 250, and the locking pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are arranged inside the connector 300h.

[0266] In the present embodiment, the case where the camera 100, the accessory 200, and the intermediate accessory 400 have 21 or 15 contacts is described, but the number of contacts may be other numbers.

[0267] In the present embodiment, the microphone device and the strobe light device have been described as the accessory 200, but the accessory according to the present invention includes various devices other than the microphone device and the strobe light device, such as an electronic viewfinder unit, etc. The present embodiment describes a camera as an electronic device, but the electronic device according to the present invention also includes various electronic devices other than the camera.

[0268] (Other embodiments)

[0269] The present invention can supply a program that implements one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and can be implemented by one or more processors in a computer of the system or device configured to read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0270] The above-described embodiments are merely typical examples, and various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments when implementing the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device to which an accessory is detachably attached, the electronic device comprising a plurality of contacts which are electrically connectable to the accessory and are arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an attachment direction of the accessory, in, The plurality of contacts include: a first reference potential contact which is a contact arranged at both ends of the plurality of contacts and is connected to a reference potential; and second reference potential contacts connected to the reference potential and arranged at both ends of the partial contacts other than the first reference potential contact in a case where the accessory is connected to the partial contacts among the plurality of contacts, wherein a contact point closest to the center between the first reference potential contacts and a contact point closest to the center between the second reference potential contacts are the same contact point, and Wherein, an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device is arranged between the second reference potential contacts.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: A communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory is arranged between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The communication contacts are contacts to which differential signals are connected.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: An equal number of communication contacts are arranged between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact on one side of both ends of the plurality of contacts and between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact on the other side.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plurality of contacts sequentially include from one end to the other end in the first direction: the first reference potential contact; at least one communication contact for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the second reference potential contact; a power contact for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory; an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device; two or more communication contacts for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the second reference potential contact; at least one communication contact for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and The first reference potential contact.

6. An accessory that can be detachably attached to the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the accessory comprising: The reference potential contacts each contact at least one of the two first reference potential contacts and the two second reference potential contacts at both ends.

7. An accessory that can be detachably attached to an electronic device, the accessory comprising a plurality of contacts that can be electrically connected to the electronic device and are arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an attachment direction to the electronic device, in, The plurality of contacts include: a first reference potential contact which is a contact arranged at both ends of the plurality of contacts and is connected to a reference potential; and second reference potential contacts connected to the reference potential and arranged at both ends of some of the contacts other than the first reference potential contact among the plurality of contacts, wherein a contact point closest to the center between the first reference potential contacts and a contact point closest to the center between the second reference potential contacts are the same contact point, and Wherein, an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device is arranged between the second reference potential contacts.

8. The accessory according to claim 7, wherein: The second reference potential contact contacts reference potential contacts arranged at both ends of some of the contacts when other accessories are connected to some of the contacts equipped in the electronic device.

9. The accessory according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: A communication contact used for communication between the electronic device and the accessory is arranged between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact.

10. The accessory according to claim 9, wherein: The communication contacts are contacts to which differential signals are connected.

11. The accessory according to claim 9, wherein: An equal number of communication contacts are arranged between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact on one side of both ends of the plurality of contacts and between the first reference potential contact and the second reference potential contact on the other side.

12. The accessory according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The plurality of contacts sequentially include from one end to the other end in the first direction: the first reference potential contact; at least one communication contact for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the second reference potential contact; a power contact for supplying power from the electronic device to the accessory; an attachment detection contact for detecting attachment of the accessory to the electronic device; two or more communication contacts for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; the second reference potential contact; at least one communication contact for communication between the electronic device and the accessory; and The first reference potential contact.

13. An accessory that can be detachably attached to an electronic device, the accessory comprising a plurality of contacts that can be electrically connected to the electronic device and are arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an attachment direction to the electronic device, the accessory comprising: a connector having protrusions protruding in a direction perpendicular to an 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 include: a reference potential contact connected to a reference potential and arranged at at least one of both ends of the plurality of contacts, wherein each protrusion includes a sloped portion on a side not facing the plurality of contacts so that the width of the protrusion in the first direction is smaller at a front end position in the protruding direction than at a position far from the front end in the protruding direction, and The sloped portion has a greater inclination relative to a direction perpendicular to an attachment direction to the electronic device and the first direction than a surface on a side facing the plurality of contacts.

14. The accessory according to claim 13, wherein: The plurality of contacts include a plurality of the reference potential contacts at both ends.

15. An accessory according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The accessory is an intermediate accessory that can be attached between the electronic device and other accessories.

16. An accessory comprising communication contacts for use in communication with the electronic device via an intermediate accessory which is an accessory according to claim 13 or 14.

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