Electronic devices and accessories

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device and an accessory. A function suitable for attachment to the electronic device is realized in consideration of a relationship with other contacts. The accessory (200) is attachable to and detachable from the electronic device (100). The electronic device includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and configured in a row. The plurality of contacts includes a function signal contact (TC17) to which a signal having a function different depending on a type of the accessory is connected, a reference potential contact (TC18) to which a reference potential is connected, and a contact for supplying power to the accessory or communicating with the accessory. The function signal contact and the reference potential contact are configured adjacent to each other.

Description

[0001] (This application is a divisional application of the application filed on April 2, 2021, with application number 2021800275549 and title "Electronic Devices and Accessories".) Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to electronic devices and accessories, each having contacts used for communication, power supply, etc. Background Technology

[0003] Accessories such as strobe light units are attached to accessory sockets provided with electronic devices such as cameras. The accessory socket includes multiple contacts (terminals) for supplying power to the accessory and for communicating with the accessory.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an accessory in which a notification contact for notifying a camera of the accessory's startable state and a data contact for outputting a data signal to the camera are arranged adjacent to each other, and a GND contact is arranged adjacent to the data contact.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-34172 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, Patent Document 1 only discloses a configuration of multiple contacts with fixed functions.

[0010] The present invention provides accessories and electronic devices that are designed to be attached to electronic devices with consideration of their relationship with other contacts.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is detachably attached to an accessory. The electronic device includes a plurality of contacts electrically connected to the accessory and arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts include: a function signal contact connected to a signal having a function varying depending on the type of the accessory; a reference potential contact connected to a reference potential; and contacts for supplying power to the accessory or communicating with the accessory. The function signal contact and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, an accessory is attachable to and detachable from an electronic device, and includes a plurality of contacts electrically connected to the electronic device and arranged in a row. The plurality of contacts include: a function signal contact connected to a signal having a function varying depending on the type of the accessory; a reference potential contact connected to a reference potential; and contacts for supplying power to or communicating with the electronic device. The function signal contact and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] The present invention can provide accessories and electronic devices that are designed to be attached to electronic devices with consideration of their relationship with other contacts. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a camera and accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a camera with accessories attached and its contact configuration according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates how an external force is applied to an accessory attached to a camera according to this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating the structure for determining the connection state of a grounding contact according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4B This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the camera according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the camera according to this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signal changes when a contact adjacent to the power contact is short-circuited according to this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the assignment of function signals for different types of accessories according to this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the connection destination structure of the functional signals according to this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a camera and accessories according to this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating another structural example of a camera and accessories according to this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating yet another structural example of a camera and accessories according to this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of an accessory according to this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the camera, accessories, and intermediate accessories according to this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 14 Another structural example of a camera, accessory, and intermediate accessory according to this embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a timing diagram of a strobe device, which is an accessory according to this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 16 This is a perspective view of the camera and the external flash unit as an accessory according to this embodiment.

[0033] Figure 17 These are exploded and perspective views of the accessory socket according to this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating the construction of the engagement member and the connection terminal connector of the accessory socket according to this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 19 These are perspective and cross-sectional views of the external flash unit according to this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 20 These are perspective views and front views illustrating the internal structure of the camera connector according to this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 21 These are top and cross-sectional views of the camera connector according to this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 22 These are perspective and cross-sectional views of the external flash unit based on the modified example.

[0039] Figure 23 These are perspective views and front views showing the internal structure of a connector according to a modified example.

[0040] Figure 24 This is a front view of the accessory socket according to this embodiment.

[0041] Figure 25This is a partial enlarged view of the connector according to this embodiment.

[0042] Figure 26 This is a front cross-sectional view showing the state in which the camera connector according to this embodiment is attached to the accessory socket. Specific Implementation

[0043] Embodiments according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 The electrical structure of a camera 100 and an accessory 200 detachably attached to the camera 100, which are electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In the camera 100 and the accessory 200, the plurality of contacts (terminals) TC01 to TC21 of the camera connector 141 provided in the camera 100 and the plurality of contacts TA01 to TA21 of the accessory connector 211 provided in the accessory 200 are respectively connected to each other in a one-to-one correspondence, thereby electrically connecting the two to each other.

[0045] Power is supplied to the camera 100 from the battery 111. The battery 111 can be attached to the camera 100 and is removable from the camera 100. The camera control circuit 101, which is a control component of the camera 100, is a circuit that controls the entire camera 100 and includes a microcomputer with a built-in CPU, etc.

[0046] The system power supply circuit 112 generates power to supply power to the various circuits in the camera 100, and includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an LDO (low dropout) circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The 1.8V voltage generated by the system power supply circuit 112 is constantly supplied from the battery 111 to the camera control circuit 101 as the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C. The camera control circuit 101 controls the system power supply circuit 112, and thereby controls the on / off switching of power supply to the various circuits of the camera 100.

[0047] Optical lens 121 is attachable to and detachable from camera 100. Light from the subject incident through optical lens 121 is imaged on image sensor 122, including a CMOS sensor or CCD sensor. The subject image formed on image sensor 122 is encoded into a digital image signal. Image processing circuit 123 performs image processing on the digital image signal, such as noise reduction and white balance processing, 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 recording memory 126. Image processing circuit 123 generates VRAM image data for display on display circuit 127 based on the image data.

[0048] The memory control circuit 124 controls the transmission and reception of image data and other data generated by the image processing circuit 123, etc. The volatile memory 125 is a high-speed read and write memory such as DDR3 SDRAM, and serves as the workspace 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 CFexpress card that can be attached to and removed from the camera 100 via a connector not shown. The display circuit 127 is a display located on the back of the camera 100 and includes an LCD panel and an organic EL display panel, etc. The backlight circuit 128 adjusts the brightness of the display circuit 127 by changing the amount of backlight light emitted by the display circuit 127.

[0049] The accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132, which are power supply components, are each voltage conversion circuits that convert the voltage supplied from the system power supply circuit 112 into a predetermined voltage, and in this embodiment, they generate 3.3V as accessory power supply VCC.

[0050] The power supply circuit A131 for accessories includes an LDO and has low self-discharge. The power supply circuit B132 for accessories includes a DC / DC converter and can carry a larger current than power supply circuit A131. The self-discharge of power supply circuit B132 is greater than that of power supply circuit A131. Therefore, when the load current is low, power supply circuit A131 is more efficient than power supply circuit B132, and when the load current is high, power supply circuit B132 is more efficient than power supply circuit A131. The camera control circuit 101 controls the switching on and off of the voltage output of power supply circuits A131 and B132 according to the operating state of accessory 200.

[0051] The protection circuit 133, as a protective component, includes a current fuse element, a multiplexer element, and an electronic fuse circuit combining a resistor, an amplifier, and a switch element. It outputs an overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC when the power current from the accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 to the accessory 200 exceeds a predetermined value and becomes excessive (abnormal). In this embodiment, the protection circuit 133 includes an electronic fuse circuit and notifies the camera control circuit 101 via the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC when a current of 1A or higher flows. The overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC indicates overcurrent using a Hi level.

[0052] The camera connector 141 is a connector for electrically connecting to the accessory 200 via 21 contacts TC01~TC21 arranged in a row. The contacts TC01~TC21 are arranged in this order from one end to the other along their configuration direction.

[0053] TC01 is connected to the ground terminal (GND) and serves not only as a contact for the reference potential (GND potential) but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of the differential signals D1N and D1P, as described below. TC01 corresponds to the third ground contact.

[0054] The differential signal D1N connected to TC02 and the differential signal D1P connected to TC03 are paired differential data communication signals used for data communication and are connected to the camera control circuit 101. TC02, TC03, TC07~TC17, TC19 and TC20, which will be described later, are communication contacts.

[0055] TC04, serving as the first grounding contact, is connected to GND and acts as a reference potential contact between camera 100 and accessory 200. TC04 is arranged outside TC05, as described below, along the contact configuration direction.

[0056] The accessory power supply VCC generated by the accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 is connected to TC05, which serves as a power contact, via the protection circuit 133.

[0057] The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to TC06, which serves as the attachment detection contact. The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via resistor element Rp134 (10kΩ). The camera control circuit 101 can detect whether an 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 (a 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 (GND potential as described later), it is detected that the accessory 200 is attached.

[0058] When the power to the camera 100 is turned on and the signal level (potential) of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET changes from Hi level to Lo level, various transmissions are performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 via the contacts.

[0059] When the camera control circuit 101 detects that the accessory 200 is attached, it supplies power to the accessory 200 via the TC05, which is a power contact.

[0060] The SCLK connected to TC07, the MOSI connected to TC08, the MISO connected to TC09, and the CS connected to TC10 are signals used by the camera control circuit 101, which acts as the communication master device, for SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication. In this embodiment, the communication clock frequency for SPI communication is 1MHz.

[0061] A communication request signal / WAKE, used to request communication from accessory 200 to camera control circuit 101, is connected to TC11. The communication request signal / WAKE is pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via a resistor. Camera control circuit 101 can receive a communication request from accessory 200 by detecting the falling edge of the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0062] SDA connected to TC12 and SCL connected to TC13 are signals used by the camera control circuit 101 as a communication master device for I2C (inter-integrated circuit) communication. SDA and SCL are signals pulled up to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C for open-drain communication (hereinafter referred to as open-drain communication), and in this embodiment, the communication frequency is 100kbps.

[0063] In I2C communication, both data transmission from camera 100 and data transmission from accessory 200 are performed via SDA. When comparing SPI and I2C communication, I2C communication has a lower communication speed than SPI communication and can achieve lower power consumption. SPI communication has a higher communication speed than I2C communication and is therefore suitable for communication of large amounts of information. Therefore, in the communication between camera 100 and accessory 200 according to this embodiment, large amounts of information are communicated via SPI communication, and small amounts of information are communicated via I2C communication. For example, data is first communicated via I2C communication, and control is performed to further execute SPI communication if it is possible or necessary to execute SPI communication based on that data.

[0064] 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 depending on the type of accessory 200 attached. For example, if accessory 200 is a microphone device, the signal communicated via TC15 is an audio data signal. If accessory 200 is a lighting (strobe or flash) unit, the signal communicated via TC14 is a signal used to control the timing of light emission. Depending on the type of accessory attached, signals used to achieve different functions can be communicated via the same contact. For example, if accessory 200 is an accessory other than a lighting unit, a synchronization signal used to control timing different from the timing of light emission can be communicated via TC14. TC14 to TC17 correspond to function signal contacts. Communication using at least one of these function signal contacts is also called function signal communication.

[0065] Functional signal communication can be performed in parallel with I2C and SPI communication at timings that do not depend on I2C or SPI communication.

[0066] As used herein, the type of accessory refers to the aforementioned microphone device and lighting unit, etc. Accessories that achieve the same purpose, such as lighting with different performance characteristics, belong to the same type. Accessories that achieve different purposes, such as microphone devices and lighting units, belong to different types.

[0067] Functional signal communication is performed based on information obtained through I2C or SPI communication.

[0068] TC18, as the second grounding contact (reference potential contact), is also connected to GND, and like TC04, it serves as a contact for the reference potential between camera 100 and accessory 200.

[0069] 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 used for data communication and connected to the camera control circuit 101. For example, USB communication can be performed via TC19 and TC20.

[0070] TC21 is connected to GND and can be used not only as a reference potential contact but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of differential signals D2N and D2P. TC21 corresponds to the fourth ground contact. Contacts TC01, TC04, TC06, TC18, and TC21 are connected, for example, to [the following will be described later]. Figure 17The flexible substrate 158 shown has a GND portion, and the GND portion of the flexible substrate 158 is fixed to a metal component of the camera 100 having a GND level by screws 157 or the like. The metal component having a GND level includes, for example, a connecting member 151 and a base plate (not shown) inside the camera 100.

[0071] In this embodiment, the attachment detection contact TC06, which is connected to the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET, is arranged next to the contact (first clock contact) TC07, which transmits the SCLK (first clock signal) as a clock signal. Normally, noise (clock noise) generated by potential fluctuations in the clock signal is transmitted to contacts adjacent to the clock signal contact, which can cause malfunctions. This effect is particularly pronounced in structures with a large number of contacts and short distances between them, as in this embodiment. Therefore, arranging the attachment detection contact TC06 next to the SCLK contact TC07 can suppress the effects of clock noise.

[0072] The accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is pulled up before the accessory is attached, but is set to GND after the accessory is attached. On the other hand, the SCLK contact TC07, used to transmit the clock signal, does not transmit the clock signal before the accessory is attached, so its potential does not fluctuate. Since the clock signal is only transmitted after the accessory is attached, its potential fluctuates.

[0073] When the SCLK contact TC07 transmits the clock signal, the attached detection contact TC06 is at GND potential. Therefore, even if the attached detection contact TC06 receives clock noise, the potential of the control circuit of the camera 100 or accessory 200 is unlikely to fluctuate, thus preventing malfunctions. Furthermore, clock noise can be suppressed from propagating to locations farther than the attached detection contact TC06. As a result, since a GND terminal is not required, the effects of clock noise can be suppressed without increasing the number of contacts.

[0074] The SCL (second clock signal), serving as the clock signal, is also transmitted to contact TC13 (second clock contact). However, the frequency of SCLK transmitted to SCLK contact TC07 is higher than the frequency of SCL, and SCLK contact TC07 generates more clock noise compared to SCL contact TC13. Therefore, placing the attachment detection contact TC06 next to SCLK contact TC07 instead of SCL contact TC13 provides a more significant effect in preventing faults caused by clock noise.

[0075] Aside from the frequency difference, the SCL signal transmitted by the SCL contact TC13 is the clock signal according to the I2C communication standard, and it drives the voltage fluctuation of the signal line through an open-drain connection. On the other hand, the SCLK signal transmitted by the SCLK contact TC07 is the clock signal according to the SPI communication standard, and it drives the voltage fluctuation of the signal line through a CMOS output. Therefore, the voltage fluctuation edge of the SCL contact TC13 is smoother than that of the SCLK contact TC07, and clock noise is less likely to occur. Therefore, placing the attachment detection contact TC06 next to the SCLK contact TC07 instead of the SCL contact TC13 is more effective in preventing faults caused by clock noise.

[0076] 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 clock signals. At this time, a clock signal (a third clock signal) with a higher frequency than that of the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 can be transmitted. Because the differential signals D1N and D1P are paired signals, less clock noise is generated compared to the clock noise generated by the SCLK contact TC07 or the SCL contact TC13 used for transmitting single-ended signals. Therefore, placing the attachment detection contact TC06 next to the SCLK contact TC07 instead of next to the first differential signal contact TC19 and the second differential signal contact TC20 can more effectively prevent faults caused by clock noise.

[0077] The contact TC08 (first data contact), located on the opposite side of the SCLK contact TC07 from the attached detection contact TC06, transmits the MOSI (first data signal). Since the MOSI is a data signal, it appears susceptible to clock noise. However, because the MOSI is a data signal of the same SPI communication standard as the clock signal transmitted by the SCLK contact TC07, its potential fluctuations are synchronized with the clock signal and are less affected by clock noise. Therefore, contact TC08 does not need to be fixed to the GND potential and can be used as a MOSI contact.

[0078] Accessory 200 has a battery 205 and receives power from the battery 205, and also receives power from the camera 100 via camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211. Accessory control circuit 201, which is a control component of accessory 200, is a circuit for controlling the entire accessory 200, and is a microcomputer with a built-in CPU or the like.

[0079] The accessory power supply circuit 202 is used to generate power to be supplied to the various circuits of accessory 200, and includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an LDO, and a charge pump circuit. The 1.8V voltage generated by the accessory power supply circuit 202 is constantly supplied to the accessory control circuit 201 as the accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A. The connection and disconnection of the power supply to the various circuits of accessory 200 are controlled by controlling the accessory power supply circuit 202.

[0080] The charging circuit 204 is used to charge the battery 205 using power supplied from the camera 100. When it can be determined that sufficient power has been supplied from the camera 100 for charging, 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 this embodiment, the accessory 200 can operate using only power from the camera 100 without the battery 205. In this case, the charging circuit 204 is not required.

[0081] The differential communication circuit 207 is used for differential communication with the camera 100, and can send data to and receive data from the camera 100. The external communication IF circuit 208 is an IF circuit for data communication with external devices not shown, such as Ethernet communication IF, wireless LAN communication IF, and public network communication IF.

[0082] Accessory control circuit 201 controls differential communication circuit 207 and external communication IF circuit 208, thereby enabling the transmission of data received from camera 100 to external devices, or the transmission of data received from external devices to camera 100. Functional circuit 206 is a circuit with different functions depending on the type of accessory 200. An example of the structure of functional circuit 206 will be described later.

[0083] External connection terminal 209 is a connector terminal that can be connected to an external device, and in this embodiment, it is a USBTYPE-C connector. Connection detection circuit 210 is a circuit for detecting that an external device is connected to external connection terminal 209, and accessory control circuit 201 can detect that an external device is connected to external connection terminal 209 by receiving the output signal of connection detection circuit 210.

[0084] The power switch 203 is a switch used to turn the operation of the accessory 200 on and off, and the accessory control circuit 201 can detect the ON (on) position and OFF (off) position by reading the signal level of the terminal to which the power switch 203 is connected.

[0085] Accessory connector 211 is a connector that can be electrically connected to camera 100 via 21 contacts TA01~TA21 arranged in a row. The contacts TA01~TA21 are arranged in this order from one end to the other along the configuration direction.

[0086] TA01 is connected to GND and serves not only as a reference potential contact but also as a contact for controlling the wiring impedance of differential signals D1N and D1P. TA01 corresponds to the third ground contact.

[0087] The differential signal D1N connected to TA02 and the differential signal D1P connected to TA03 are paired data communication signals used for data communication and are connected to the differential communication circuit 207. TA02, TA03, TA07~TA17, TA19, and TA20, mentioned later, are communication contacts.

[0088] TA04, serving as the first grounding contact, is connected to GND and acts as a reference potential contact between camera 100 and accessory 200. TA04 is located outside TA05, described below, along the contact configuration direction.

[0089] Accessory power circuit 202 and charging circuit 204 are connected to TA05, which serves as a power contact, and accessory power supply VCC supplied from camera 100 is connected to TA05.

[0090] TA06, serving as the attachment detection contact, is directly connected to GND, and when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100, it causes the aforementioned accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET to become the GND level, which is the Lo level. Thus, TA06 becomes a contact used to enable the camera 100 to detect the attachment of the accessory 200.

[0091] SCLK connected to TA07, MOSI connected to TA08, MISO connected to TA09, and CS connected to TA10 are signals used to enable the accessory control circuit 201 to function as a communication slave device and perform SPI communication.

[0092] The communication request signal / WAKE, used by the accessory control circuit 201 to request communication with the camera 100, is connected to TA11. When the accessory control circuit 201 determines that communication with the camera 100 is required, it outputs the communication request signal / WAKE at a Lo level and requests the camera 100 to communicate.

[0093] When power is supplied from camera control circuit 101 to accessory 200 via TC5 in response to detecting that accessory 200 is in an attached state, accessory control circuit 201 notifies camera control circuit 101 that power supply has been received by changing the signal level (potential) of communication request signal / WAKE from Hi level to Lo level.

[0094] The accessory control circuit 201 notifies the accessory 200 of a reason to communicate with the camera 100 by changing the signal level (potential) of the communication request signal / WAKE from Hi level to Lo level even without any request from the camera. Using this structure, the camera control circuit 101 can omit the operation of periodically checking whether the accessory 200 has a reason to communicate through polling. Furthermore, when the accessory 200 has a reason to communicate, it can communicate this status to the camera 100 in real time.

[0095] SDA connected to TA12 and SCL connected to TA13 are signals used to enable the accessory control circuit 201 to function as a communication slave device and perform I2C communication.

[0096] 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 change depending on the type of accessory 200. For example, if accessory 200 is a microphone device, the signal is an audio data signal; and if accessory 200 is a strobe light device, the signal is a signal used to control the timing of light emission. TA14 to TA17 correspond to function signal contacts.

[0097] TA18, as the second grounding contact (reference potential contact), is also connected to GND, and like TA04, serves as the reference potential contact between camera 100 and accessory 200.

[0098] 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.

[0099] TA21 is connected to GND and serves not only as a reference potential contact but also as a terminal for controlling the wiring impedance of differential signals D2N and D2P. TA21 corresponds to the fourth ground contact.

[0100] Contacts TA01, TA04, TA06, TA18, and TA21 are connected, for example, to the connections described later. Figure 19 The flexible substrate 259 shown has a GND portion, and the GND portion of the flexible substrate 259 is fixed to a metal component with a GND level in the accessory 200 by screws or the like (not shown). The metal component with a GND level includes, for example, a socket attachment leg 251 and a base plate (not shown) inside the accessory 200.

[0101] Figure 2(a) shows an accessory connector 211 arranged on a socket provided at the lower part of the accessory (strobe light device) 200 connected to a camera connector 141 arranged on an accessory socket provided at the upper part of the camera 100. Figure 2 (b) shows an example configuration of the 21 contacts TC01 to TC21 in the camera connector 141. TC01 is located at the right end when viewed from the subject side, and the 21 contacts up to TC21 are arranged in a row. The accessory socket, relative to the accessory socket having the camera connector 141, is connected by allowing it to... Figure 2 (b) is attached by sliding from the top to the bottom.

[0102] Figure 2 (c) shows an example configuration of the 21 contacts TA01 to TA21 in accessory connector 211. Similar to camera connector 141, TA01 is located at the right end when viewed from the subject side, and the 21 contacts up to TC21 are arranged in a row. Normally, 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 accessory 200, the contacts may break. In particular, if a force in the rotational direction is applied in the direction in which the contacts in accessory 200 are configured, breakage may occur at the end contacts.

[0103] Figure 3 (a) A magnified view shows the appearance of excessive hydrostatic pressure applied to accessory 200 from the left side, viewed from the subject side. At this time, force acts in the disconnecting direction on contacts TC21 and TA21 of camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211, as well as adjacent contacts, and a poor connection may occur. On the other hand, compared to the normal state, a greater force acts in the connecting direction on contacts TC01 and TA01, as well as adjacent contacts.

[0104] Figure 3 (b) A magnified view shows the appearance of excessive hydrostatic pressure applied to accessory 200 from the right side, viewed from the subject side. At this time, force acts in the disconnecting direction on contacts TC01 and TA01 of camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211, as well as adjacent contacts, and a poor connection may occur. On the other hand, compared to the normal state, a greater force acts in the connecting direction on contacts TC21 and TA21, as well as adjacent contacts.

[0105] In this embodiment, contacts TC01 and TA01, and TC21 and TA21 at both ends of the camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211 are connected to GND. Therefore, even if a temporary poor connection occurs at one end due to excessive static pressure, a GND connection can be ensured at the other end. Thus, this structure can prevent the reference potential of accessory 200 from becoming unstable due to a poor GND connection, and prevent damage to various circuits and electrical components.

[0106] If accessory 200 has some missing GND contacts due to defects or malfunctions in accessory connector 211, camera control circuit 101 cannot detect the missing GND contacts. In this case, operating current is concentrated on the remaining GND contacts, and accessory 200 may malfunction under certain circumstances.

[0107] Figure 4A This is a structural example for enabling camera 100 to detect the connection status of the GND contact of accessory 200, and it shows... Figure 1 The extraction portion related to the grounding contact in the structure shown.

[0108] TC01, TC04, TC18, and TC21 are connected to the input terminals P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the camera control circuit 101, respectively, and are pulled to the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C via resistors 1011 Rp_g1, 1021 Rp_g2, 1031 Rp_g3, and 1041 Rp_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.

[0109] SW circuit 1 is a switching circuit driven by a control signal from camera control circuit 101, and TC01 is connected to GND when SW circuit 1 is turned on by the control signal. Ideally, SW circuit 1 includes, for example, a FET, or a circuit having the lowest possible impedance when operation is on and the highest possible impedance when operation is off. Figure 4A As shown, SW circuits 2, 3 and 4 each have the same structure as SW circuit 1.

[0110] Figure 4B The flowchart shows the process for determining Figure 4A The sequence of connection states of the grounding terminals in the structure shown. The camera control circuit 101 executes this process and other processes described later according to a computer program. S denotes a step.

[0111] 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, and the camera control circuit 101 returns to S1001 and performs the detection again. If the signal level is Lo, it is assumed that the accessory 200 is attached, and the camera control circuit 101 proceeds to S1002.

[0112] In S1002, the camera control circuit 101 controls the SW circuit 1 to be turned on and the SW circuits 2, SW circuit 3, and SW circuit 4 to be turned off respectively.

[0113] In S1003, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P1, and if the voltage level is Lo, it determines that TC01 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is Hi, it determines that TC01 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0114] Next, in S1004, the camera control circuit 101 controls the SW circuit 2 to be turned on and the SW circuit 1, SW circuit 3, and SW circuit 4 to be turned off respectively.

[0115] In S1005, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P2, and if the voltage level is Lo, it determines that TC04 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is Hi, it determines that TC04 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0116] Next, in S1006, the camera control circuit 101 controls the SW circuit 3 to be turned on and the SW circuit 1, SW circuit 2, and SW circuit 4 to be turned off respectively.

[0117] In S1007, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P3, and if the voltage level is Lo, it determines that TC18 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is Hi, it determines that TC18 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0118] Next, in S1008, the camera control circuit 101 controls the SW circuit 4 to be turned on and the SW circuit 1, SW circuit 2, and SW circuit 3 to be turned off respectively.

[0119] In S1009, the camera control circuit 101 confirms the voltage level of the input terminal P4, and if the voltage level is Lo, it determines that TC21 is connected to the ground contact, and if the voltage level is Hi, it determines that TC21 is not connected to the ground contact.

[0120] In S1010, the camera control circuit 101 controls the SW circuit 1, SW circuit 2, SW circuit 3 and SW circuit 4 to be turned on respectively.

[0121] Such control enables the camera control circuit 101 to confirm the attachment status of the grounding contact and the attached accessory 200, and to determine whether to supply power to the accessory power circuit 202 based on the grounding connection status.

[0122] On the other hand, if the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 when it is attached to the camera 100, only a portion of the contacts TC01~TC21 and TA01~TA21 can be connected to each other. For example... Figure 16 As shown, when the Z direction is the attachment direction of accessory 200 relative to camera 100, the X direction is the direction in which multiple contacts TC01~TC21 and TA01~TA21 are aligned, and the Y direction is the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions, only a portion of the contacts can be connected in the following cases.

[0123] First, such as 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 contacts can 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 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 contacts on the side opposite to the side where they are connected to each other are separated from each other.

[0124] See below for reference. Figure 5In the camera 100 and accessory 200 according to this embodiment, attachment detection processing is performed before various communications when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100. At this time, if attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected, attachment detection processing can be performed. After attachment detection processing via contacts TC06 and TA06, a communication request signal / WAKE is output from the accessory 200 to the camera 100 via contacts (hereinafter also referred to as communication request contacts) TC11 and TA11. By detecting this communication request signal / WAKE, the camera 100 performs various communications, thereby determining that the accessory 200 is in a communicable state. However, if even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE, then the camera 100 determines that there is an error in the communication with the accessory 200. If accessory 200 is tilted or twisted while it is being attached to camera 100, only a portion of the contacts will be temporarily connected. This is interpreted as a communication error, and incorrect actions such as alarms will be taken. The user may mistakenly believe that accessory 200 is malfunctioning.

[0125] Therefore, this embodiment employs a contact arrangement to reduce the occurrence of situations where the camera 100 cannot detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100 is detected.

[0126] As described above, when the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Z direction, such as 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 as shown in (a). Figure 3 As shown in (b), contacts TC21 and TA21 are connected to adjacent contacts, and contacts TC01 and TA01 are disconnected from adjacent contacts.

[0127] This embodiment uses contacts TC06 and TA06 to detect the attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100. For example... Figure 3 As shown in Figure A, when contacts TC01 and TA01 are connected to each other, adjacent contacts TC06 and TA06 are often connected to each other. In this case, if the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are located near the distant contacts TC21 and TA21, the camera 100 is unlikely to detect the communication request signal / WAKE even if the attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100 is detected.

[0128] On the other hand, such as Figure 3As shown in (b), if contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected to each other during the connection of contacts TC21 and TA21, and if contacts TC11 and TA11 are configured on the side of contacts TC01 and TA01 away from contacts TC06 and TA06, then even if the attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100 is detected, camera 100 is unlikely to detect the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0129] On the other hand, this embodiment employs the following contact configuration. For example... Figure 1 As shown, attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06, and communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged between the nearest contacts TC01 and TA01 at one end and the nearest contacts TC21 and TA21 at the other end in the direction in which the multiple contacts TC01~TC21 and TA01~TA21 are configured (hereinafter referred to as the contact configuration direction). This configuration relationship will be referred to as the first configuration relationship. Attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are arranged between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and 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 attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 is shorter than the distance between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and 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, such that the distance between the contacts can be expressed as the number of other contacts arranged between these contacts, and the short (or long) distance can be expressed as the small (or large) number of other contacts.

[0130] In this embodiment, in the contact configuration direction, the distance between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC01 and TA01 is set to be equal to or less than the distance between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC21 and TA21. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the fourth configuration relationship. Specifically, in this embodiment, the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged in the center between contacts TC01~TC21 and TC01~TC21, and the distances between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC01 and TA01, as well as the distances between communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC21 and TA21, are equal to each other. The communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 do not necessarily need to be arranged in the center between contacts TC01~TC21 and TC01~TC21, but they are preferably arranged near the center.

[0131] In this embodiment, the distance between the attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and contacts TC01 and TA01 in the contact configuration direction is equal to or greater than the distance between the attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and communication request contacts TC11 and TA11. This configuration relationship will be referred to as the fifth configuration relationship. Specifically, in this embodiment, the attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are arranged in the center between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC01 and TA01, and the distances between the attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and contacts TC01 and TA01, as well as the distances between the attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11, are equal to each other. The attached detection contacts TC06 and TA06 do not necessarily need to be arranged in the center between the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 and contacts TC01 and TA01, but it is preferable to arrange them near the center.

[0132] Due to the above contact configuration, Figure 3 In the tilted state shown in (a), if the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected to each other, then the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are very likely 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 very likely to be disconnected from each other. As a result, regardless of which tilted state the accessory 200 is in, even if the attachment of the accessory 200 to the camera 100 is detected, the occurrence of the camera 100 failing to detect the communication request signal / WAKE can be reduced.

[0133] Now, we will describe a comparative example of the positions of the interchangeable contacts TC06 and TA06, and contacts TC11 and TA11. Specifically, we will describe the case where contacts TC11 and TA11 are used to detect attachment, and contacts TC06 and TA06 are used to detect the communication request signal / WAKE. In this configuration, when the accessory 200 is tilted relative to the camera 100 and contacts TC01 and TA01, along with adjacent contacts, are disconnected from each other, contacts TC11 and TA11 used for attachment detection can connect to each other, but contacts TC06 and TA06 used for the communication request signal / WAKE can disconnect from each other, leading to a communication error.

[0134] Therefore, in order to avoid communication errors, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to arrange the attachment detection contact at one end of the contact configuration direction, rather than the contact used for the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0135] As will be explained later. Figure 20 (a)~20(c) and Figure 23As shown, in the configuration where the accessory 200 uses a connector plug 256, made of a non-conductive material such as resin, to hold multiple contacts, the connector plug 256 may have a convex shape facing downwards (in the contact direction with the camera connector 141). In this case, contacts on one end of the contact configuration direction may be connected, but contacts on the other end may be disconnected. However, even if some contacts are disconnected when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100, the contact configuration shown in this embodiment can reduce the occurrence of communication errors.

[0136] As described above, when accessory 200 is twisted relative to camera 100 about an axis parallel to the Y direction, some contacts on one end of the contact configuration direction of the plurality of contacts can connect, but other contacts on the other end can disconnect. When this occurs during the process of attaching accessory 200 to camera 100, the connection timing between the plurality of contacts is offset. If the contact timing is significantly offset, the time delay from the attachment detection of accessory 200 to camera 100 until the WAKE detection becomes longer, thus indicating a communication error. In this case, depending on the twisting direction of accessory 200, the connection is first initiated between the contact points TC01 and TA01 sides or the contact points TC21 and TA21 sides.

[0137] When the connection between contacts TC01 and TA01 is initiated, the closer the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are to contacts TC21 and TA21, the longer the time delay from the attachment detection of accessory 200 until the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE becomes. The longer the time delay, the easier it is to determine a communication error. On the other hand, when the connection between contacts TC21 and TA21 is initiated, and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 are arranged on the contacts TC01 and TA01 of the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06, a time delay occurs from the attachment detection of accessory 200 until the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE.

[0138] On the other hand, this embodiment uses the above-described contact arrangement, and regardless of which side of the contact point is connected, the time delay from the attachment detection of accessory 200 to the detection of the communication request signal / WAKE is shortened.

[0139] In this embodiment, contacts TC07 and TA07 to TC10 and TA10 used for SPI communication (communication in the second communication method) between camera 100 and accessory 200 are arranged between attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and communication request contacts TC11 and TA11. Contacts TC12, TA12, TC13, and TA13 used for I2C communication (communication in the first communication method) between camera 100 and accessory 200 are arranged on the side opposite to the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 relative to the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11, and are located close to the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11.

[0140] After the camera 100 detects the communication request signal / WAKE, communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed. Therefore, the connection of the contacts used for communication is not confirmed before communication between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 is performed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, if the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 are connected to each other with the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11, then the communication contacts TC07, TA07~TC10, TA10, TC12, TA12, TC13, and TA13 configured near and between these contacts can be considered connected.

[0141] Since the positions of the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11 can be considered to be more reliably connected, the contacts used for SPI communication performed after I2C communication are preferably arranged between the attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 and the communication request contacts TC11 and TA11.

[0142] As shown in Figure 4 and the following will be used for explanation. Figure 12 and Figure 20 As shown, a structure with fewer contacts than that of camera 100 can be considered as the structure of accessory 200. Even in this structure, attachment detection contacts and communication request contacts are necessary contacts, and they can be configured according to the same idea as in a structure where the number of contacts is equal to that of camera 100. However, some of the first to fifth configuration relationships described above may not be satisfied.

[0143] For example, in the structure without contact TA21 as shown in Figure 4, the distance between communication request contact TA11 and contact TA01 in the contact configuration direction is longer than the distance between communication request contact TA11 and contact TA20. That is, the fourth configuration relationship is not satisfied. For example, in... Figure 12In the structure shown without contacts TA01~TA03 and TA19~TA21, the distance between the attached detection contact TA06 and contact TA04 in the contact configuration direction is shorter than the distance between the attached detection contact TA06 and the communication request contact TA11. In other words, the fifth configuration relationship is not satisfied.

[0144] As described above, in a structure where the contact positions at the end of accessory 200 differ from those at the end of camera 100, some of the first to fifth configuration relationships may not be satisfied. In this case, assuming that the position of the contact at the end facing camera 100 in the attached state is the same as the position of the contact at the end of accessory 200, attachment detection contacts and communication request contacts can be arranged to satisfy the first to fifth configuration relationships. Alternatively, as... Figure 20 As shown in the protrusion 256a, the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact can be configured to satisfy the first configuration relationship to the fifth configuration relationship, taking into account the distance relative to the protrusion 256a rather than the distance relative to the contact at the end. Figure 5 (a) shows the processing performed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 is attached to the camera 100.

[0145] In S401, the camera control circuit 101, which is an attachment detection component, monitors the signal level of the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET and determines whether accessory 200 is attached. If the signal level is Hi, the camera control circuit 101 assumes that accessory 200 is not attached, returns to S401 and performs the detection again, and if the signal level is Lo, it assumes that accessory 200 is attached and proceeds to S402.

[0146] In S402, the camera control circuit 101 sets the power control signal CNT_VACC1 to the Hi level to turn on the output of the accessory power supply circuit A131 and proceeds to S403. The accessory power supply circuit A131 outputs accessory power VCC in response to the power control signal CNT_VACC1 becoming Hi.

[0147] 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; if the signal level is Hi, it assumes that an overcurrent is flowing and proceeds to S405 for error handling.

[0148] Figure 6 (a) schematically shown in Figure 5In the processing of A, the signal changes when the process enters S404. IACC is the current of the accessory power supply VCC. Since the accessory power supply VCC rises normally after the power control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC remains at the Lo level.

[0149] Figure 6 (b) schematically shown in Figure 5 (a) The changes in the aforementioned signals when the process enters S405. Since an overcurrent flows through IACC after the power control signal CNT_VACC1 is set to Hi in S402, the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC changes to the Hi level and notifies the camera control circuit 101. Upon receiving the overcurrent detection signal DET_OVC, the camera control circuit 101 disconnects the outputs of the accessory power supply circuits A131 and B132 as an error handling step to stop the power supply to the accessory 200. Therefore, even if an overcurrent flows through the accessory power supply VCC, the camera control circuit 101 can detect the overcurrent and safely stop the system.

[0150] Typically, when an abnormal current flows through the accessory power supply VCC, it is presumed that the camera 100 and accessory 200 are malfunctioning. However, since the camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211 are exposed to the outside, the adjacent contacts may short-circuit due to the adhesion of foreign objects such as metal parts.

[0151] In this embodiment, the accessory power supply VCC has a voltage of 3.3V, while the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C and the accessory microcomputer power supply VMCU_A have a voltage of 1.8V. Therefore, if a voltage of 3.3V is applied to an electrical component operating at 1.8V, that component may be damaged. Since the behavior of a short circuit depends on the characteristics of the electrical component, the camera control circuit 101 may not always be able to detect a short circuit between terminals. For example, since the I2C communication signal is at a Hi level in communication standby mode, even if a short circuit occurs with a voltage of 3.3V equal to or greater than 1.8V, the anomaly may not be detected based on the characteristics of the electrical component at the destination.

[0152] On the other hand, in this embodiment, GND contacts TC04 and TA04 are arranged on one side of the accessory power supply VCC contacts TC05 and TA05, and the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET contacts TC06 and TA06 are arranged on the other side. As described above, in accessory 200, the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to GND. Therefore, even if a short circuit occurs between the contacts, overcurrent can be detected without applying 3.3V to the component operating at 1.8V, and the system can be safely stopped.

[0153] As described above, if the accessory power supply VCC is supplied when the GND contact is not connected, the reference potential of accessory 200 becomes unstable, potentially damaging various circuits and electrical components. During operation, external forces may be applied that destabilize the connection of the connector terminals. On the other hand, by configuring the accessory power supply VCC contact and the GND contact adjacent to each other as in this embodiment, connection of only the accessory power supply VCC contact can be prevented more effectively compared to the case where the accessory power supply VCC contact and the GND contact are separate terminals.

[0154] In this embodiment, the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET is connected to GND in accessory 200, but it can be done as follows: Figure 9 As shown in accessory 200, the accessory is connected to the detection signal / ACC_DET via resistor element Rd231 to GND. Short-circuit current can be reduced by connecting the accessory to GND via resistor element Rd231.

[0155] In this case, a resistor element Rd231 needs to be selected with a resistance value such that the voltage obtained by dividing the 1.8V voltage of the camera microcomputer power supply VMCU_C through resistor elements Rp134 and Rd231 by (Rd / (Rp+Rd))×1.8V satisfies the low-level threshold (Vil) of the camera control circuit 101. For example, if the low-level detection threshold (Vil) of the camera control circuit 101 is 0.33 times the power supply voltage, the resistance value of resistor element Rd231 needs to be half or less than that of resistor element Rp134 (10kΩ). Figure 9 In the example, the resistance value of resistor element Rd231 is set to 5kΩ.

[0156] Figure 5 (b) shows that in the presence of Figure 9 The processing performed by the camera control circuit 101 when the accessory 200 of the shown structure is attached to the camera 100. Due to S411~S413 and Figure 5 (a) S401~S403 are the same, so their description will be omitted.

[0157] 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 VCC contacts TC05 and TA05. If the signal level is Lo, the camera control circuit 101 assumes no short circuit and proceeds to S415; if the signal level is Hi, it assumes a short circuit and proceeds to S416 for error handling.

[0158] Figure 6 (c) Schematic illustration of a structure with added resistor element Rd231 (5kΩ) Figure 9 The state of the aforementioned signals when the accessory power supply VCC and accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET are short-circuited in accessory 200. After setting the power control signal CNT_VACC1 to Hi in S402, no overcurrent flows in IACC because the current is limited by the resistor element Rd231.

[0159] On the other hand, the voltage of the accessory power supply VCC 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 handling, etc., the camera control circuit 101 sets the power control signal CNT_VACC1 to Lo in error handling and stops outputting the accessory power supply VCC (power supply to accessory 200). Therefore, the system can be safely stopped without continuously applying 3.3V to the terminals of components operating at 1.8V.

[0160] like Figure 10 As shown, the accessory 200 can be controlled by the accessory control circuit 201 via the NPN transistor 212, which acts as a switch, causing the accessory attachment detection signal / ACC_DET to become a Lo level (GND potential). If in Figure 1 In the structure shown, accessory 200 is attached to camera 100, so camera control circuit 101 can always detect accessory 200, but... Figure 10 In the structure shown, the accessory control circuit 201 can notify the accessory 200 to attach to the camera 100 at any time.

[0161] like Figure 11 As shown, accessory 200 can be configured to connect resistor element Rd231 in series with NPN transistor 212. In this case, with Figure 1 The structure is the same, but the resistance value needs to be half or less of the resistor element Rp134 (10kΩ).

[0162] As described above, even if the power contacts and adjacent contacts are short-circuited, this embodiment can maintain the safety of the system including the camera 100 and the accessory 200 and prevent damage to both.

[0163] Figure 7 Examples of the functions of the FNC1 to FNC4 signals, which are function signals connected to contacts TC14 to TC17 and contacts TA14 to TA17, are shown for various types of accessories 200 (here, microphone devices and strobe light devices).

[0164] In the microphone device, FNC2 to FNC4 signals are used as the digital audio (I2S: Inter-IC Sound Standard) data bus to transmit audio data. Figure 8 (a) shows a structural example of the functional circuit 206 when accessory 200 is a microphone device.

[0165] The audio processing circuit 206A1 in functional circuit 206 is a codec circuit for converting the audio signal input from microphone 206A2 into digital audio (I2S) data format, and is controlled by accessory control circuit 201. Accessory control circuit 201 can set the sampling frequency and resolution by controlling audio processing circuit 206A1. In this embodiment, the sampling frequency is 48MHz and the resolution is 32-bit. Microphone 206A2 is, for example, a MEMS-IC microphone or an electret condenser microphone.

[0166] TA14 is the FNC1 signal that is not used as an I2S data bus and is connected to GND. In this embodiment, the unused functional signal is connected to GND, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it can be connected to a reference potential that is a stable potential other than GND potential (0V) (such as power supply potential and L level (low level) or H level (high level) of the signal).

[0167] The FNC2 signal connected to TA15 (DATA contact) is an audio data signal (DATA), which is the signal output from accessory 200 to camera 100.

[0168] The FNC3 signal connected to TA16 (LRCLK contact) is the audio channel clock signal (LRCLK), which is the signal output from accessory 200 to camera 100.

[0169] The FNC4 signal connected to TA17 (BCLK contact) is the audio bit clock signal (BCLK), which is the signal output from camera 100 to accessory 200.

[0170] In this embodiment, since the sampling frequency is 48MHz and the resolution is 32bit as described above, the LRCLK frequency is 48MHz and the BCLK frequency is 3.072MHz. The maximum DATA frequency is 1.536MHz, which is half a cycle of CLK.

[0171] In the contact configuration according to this embodiment, reference potential contacts TA18 and TC18, connected to the GND potential as a reference potential, are arranged next to contacts TA17 and TC17, which are connected to the highest frequency FNC4 signal (BCLK) among the functional signal contacts connected to the functional signals. The signal wiring to the accessory socket interface is typically configured with a flexible substrate. To reduce product costs, the flexible substrate can have a single-sided specification, and the substrate wiring is performed in the same configuration as the contact configuration. In this embodiment, the GND contact, serving as the reference potential contact, is arranged next to the functional signal contact connected to the highest frequency signal among the functional signals. This structure can suppress radiated noise (EMI) from the functional signal contacts, interference with signals connected to other contacts, and crosstalk with signals other than the I2S data bus.

[0172] In this embodiment, contacts TA18 and TC18 next to contacts TA17 and TC17, which are connected to the highest frequency FNC4 signal (BCLK), are connected to the GND potential, which serves as a reference potential. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the same effect can be obtained even if connected to a stable reference potential other than GND.

[0173] Figure 8 (b) shows the audio data relative to Figure 8 (a) An example of an added structure. The purpose of adding audio data is to increase the number of channels and resolution.

[0174] The FNC4 signal connected to TA17 is the audio bit clock signal (BCLK), which is related to... Figure 8 The same as shown in (a).

[0175] On the other hand, the FNC1 signal connected to TA14 is the audio channel clock signal (LRCLK), which is the signal output from accessory 200 to camera 100.

[0176] The FNC2 signal connected to TA15 is an audio data signal (DATA2), which is the signal output from accessory 200 to camera 100. The FNC3 signal connected to TA16 is used as an audio data signal (DATA1), which is the signal output from accessory 200 to camera 100.

[0177] In this way, when adding audio data signals to increase the amount of audio data and using two signals, configuring the signals in the order of higher frequency and closer to the GND terminal can provide a relatively efficient structure in preventing crosstalk.

[0178] Figure 8 (c) An example of the structure of the functional circuit 206 is shown when accessory 200 is a strobe lamp device. The light-emitting circuit 206B1 in the functional circuit 206 is a strobe lamp light-emitting circuit including an IGBT and a trigger coil, and controls the light emission of the emitter 206B2. The 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, and a capacitor, etc., and accumulates the charge used to make the emitter 206B2 emit light.

[0179] The FNC1 signal connected to TA14 is a light-emitting synchronization signal (STARTX) used to control the lighting timing of the light emitter 206B2, and it is a signal output from the camera 100 to the accessory 200. Signals FNC2 through FNC4 are not used in the strobe light device, and no signals are connected to these contacts.

[0180] This embodiment opens unused function signal contacts, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment. It can also connect to stable reference potentials (such as power supply potential and L level or H level of signal) based on contacts TC15-TC17, which are the connection destinations of contacts TA15-TA17.

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

[0182] Further features of the contact configuration according to this embodiment will now be described. SDA (first signal), connected to contacts TC12 and TA12 as first signal contacts, and SCL (second signal), connected to contacts TC13 and TA13 as second signal contacts, are both signals used for I2C communication. These signals are transmitted via 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.

[0183] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication request signal (fourth signal) / WAKE is assigned to contacts TC11 and TA11, which are fourth signal contacts adjacent to SDA contacts TC12 and TA12. As described above, the communication request signal / WAKE is a signal used to make a communication request from accessory 200 to camera 100.

[0184] Figure 15 (a) Shows the timing of accessory 200 making a communication request to camera 100 and initiating I2C communication. For example... Figure 15 As shown in (a), before I2C communication via SCL and SDA, the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE changes from Hi level to Lo level. This is because 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 contacts used for I2C communication can protect the SDA of the communication request signal / WAKE from crosstalk.

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

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

[0187] In the strobe light device, the light-emitting synchronization signal (STARTX: third signal) that serves as the FNC1 signal is assigned to the contacts TC14 and TA14 next to the SCL contacts TC13 and TA13. Figure 15 (b) Shows the timing of accessory 200 making a communication request to camera 100, performing I2C communication, and illuminating the strobe light. For example... Figure 15 As shown in (b), during the timing (time period) of the output light-emitting synchronization signal, no I2C communication is performed between the camera 100 and the accessory 200 in order to process the control of the strobe light emission with the highest priority. In other words, the light-emitting synchronization signal is a signal whose signal level changes before (or after) the I2C communication, but does not change during the I2C communication. This structure can keep the SCL of the light-emitting synchronization signal free from crosstalk.

[0188] Therefore, in this embodiment, the STARTX contact is arranged on one side of the SDA and SCL contacts, and the / WAKE contact is arranged on the other side, thereby achieving good I2C communication.

[0189] Similar to SDA, in this embodiment, the communication request signal / WAKE connected to contacts TC11 and TA11 next to SDA contacts TC12 and TA12 is set as an open-drain signal. Compared to the push-pull type communication request signal / WAKE, which is a push-pull system, crosstalk to SDA can be suppressed when the signal level of the communication request signal / WAKE changes.

[0190] The SCLK connected to SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07 is the clock signal used for SPI communication and operates at a drive frequency of 1MHz in this embodiment. In this embodiment, attachment detection contacts TC06 and TA06 adjacent to 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 with a potential equivalent to GND when accessory 200 is attached to camera 100. Therefore, this contact configuration prevents crosstalk between SCLK and signals other than the SPI bus.

[0191] The MOSI, connected to other contacts TC08 and TA08 adjacent to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07, transmits data signals from the camera control circuit 101 to the accessory control circuit 201 via SPI communication. Typically, the timing of changes in the MOSI output level during SPI communication is synchronized with the timing of changes in the SCLK output level. Therefore, crosstalk between the SCLK and MOSI can be suppressed by arranging the MOSI contacts TC08 and TA08 adjacent to the SCLK contacts TC07 and TA07.

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

[0193] The CS, connected to the 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. Typically, the CS in SPI communication maintains a constant output level from the start of the communication request until the communication is complete. Therefore, by arranging the CS contacts TC10 and TA10 next to the MISO contacts TC09 and TA09, crosstalk to the MISO can be suppressed.

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

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

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

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

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

[0199] Figure 12 In accessory 200, contacts TC04 and TA04, as well as contacts TC18 and TA18, near both ends of camera connector 141 and accessory connector 211 are configured as GND contacts. This contact configuration allows the contacts at both ends of accessory connector 211 to be configured as ground contacts even when only a portion of the contacts of camera connector 141 are connected to accessory 200. This structure also prevents the GND contacts from disconnecting even under excessive static pressure or impact applied to accessory 200.

[0200] The direct attachment of accessory 200 to camera 100 has already been explained. Now refer to... Figure 13 This document will provide a description of an intermediate accessory 400 attached between the camera 100 and the accessory 200. The camera 100 and accessory 200 have the structures described above. 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 multiple accessories to the camera 100, etc. In this embodiment, the intermediate accessory 400 is described as an extension cable. Figure 13 In the structure, intermediate component 400 is equivalent to a component, and component 200 is equivalent to another component.

[0201] Intermediate accessory 400 has a camera socket and an accessory socket that can be attached to camera 100 and accessory 200 respectively, 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~TM21 arranged in a row and is a connector for electrical connection with camera 100. Each of the contacts TM01~TM21 makes one-to-one contact with contacts TC01~TC21 in camera connector 141.

[0202] On the other hand, the accessory-side intermediate connector 312 has 21 contacts TN01~TN21 arranged in a row, and is a connector for electrical connection with accessory 200. Each of the contacts TN01~TN21 makes one-to-one contact with the contacts TA01~TA21 in accessory connector 211.

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

[0204] exist Figure 13 In the camera-side intermediate connector 311, the number of contacts is the same as that of the camera connector 141, and the number of contacts of the accessory-side intermediate connector 312 is the same as that of the accessory connector 211, but they do not necessarily have to be equal to each other.

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

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

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

[0208] The camera optical system is located on the front side (subject side) of the camera 100, and the image display unit 107 is located on the rear side of the camera 100. A top cover 150, as an external component, is located on the top surface of the camera 100, and an accessory socket 1123 is attached to the top cover 150. On the other hand, in the external flash unit 120, the camera connector 216 is located at the bottom of the external flash unit 120. Figure 16 As shown in (b), the external flash unit 120 slides relative to the camera 100 in a direction parallel to its front side (attachment side in the first direction) in the Z direction, so that the camera connector 216 and the accessory socket 1123 engage with each other. Thus, the external flash unit 120 can be attached to the camera 100. The front side in the Z direction is the direction from the rear side to the front side of the camera 100, that is, the direction from the image display unit 107 side towards the imaging optical system side. Typically used... Figure 16And the X direction (second direction), Y direction (third direction), and Z direction (front-back direction) shown in subsequent figures. The X direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z direction in the horizontal plane when the Z direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, and it is the width direction of the camera 100. The Y direction is the direction perpendicular to both the Z and X directions, and it is the height direction of the camera 100.

[0209] A detailed description of the accessory socket 1123 for camera 100 will now be given. Figure 17 (a) shows the top cover 150 and the disassembled accessory socket 1123. Figure 17 (b) shows the assembled accessory socket 1123. The assembly direction of the accessory socket 1123 on the top cover 150 is the Y direction.

[0210] Accessory socket 1123 includes a engaging member 151, a connecting terminal connector 152, a socket base 153, and an accessory socket spring 154. The engaging member 151 is a component for retaining the external flash unit 120 by engaging with it. The connecting terminal connector 152 includes a plurality of connecting terminals 152a, which are regularly spaced along the X direction on a connector base member 152e, which serves as a retaining member made of resin or the like, and are held by the connector base member 152e. The connecting terminals 152a and... Figure 1 The contacts TC01~TC21 in the camera connector 141 shown correspond to each other.

[0211] In the connecting terminal connector 152, such as Figure 17 As shown in (b), the connection terminal 152a is positioned in the front (front side of the camera 100) in the Z direction, which is the attachment direction of the external flash unit 120. To connect with... Figure 19 (a) The engagement hole 156 of the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120 shown is provided at the rear of the connection terminal connector 152 in the Z direction (the rear side of the digital camera 100).

[0212] During the attachment of the external flash unit 120 to the accessory socket 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 disposed on the lower side of the top cover 150 in the Y direction. The flexible substrate 158 is connected to the main substrate (not shown) of the camera 100. Therefore, when the external flash unit 120 is attached to the accessory socket 1123, communication between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100 can be performed.

[0213] The socket base 153 is a housing component that surrounds the engaging member 151 and the connecting terminal connector 152. The accessory socket retaining member 155 is the structural framework that retains the engaging member 151. (As...) Figure 17 As shown in (a), the accessory socket retaining member 155, flexible substrate 158, top cover 150, socket base 153, and connecting terminal connector 152 are fastened to the engaging member 151 by four screws 157 inserted therein. Thus, these components are positioned and fixed to each other. By arranging the four screws 157 one by one in four equally divided areas along the X and Z directions, the aforementioned components can be connected in a well-balanced manner.

[0214] Figure 18 (a) shows the construction of the top surface side of the joining member 151, and Figure 18 (b) shows the construction of the bottom side of the joining member 151. Figure 18 (c) shows the construction of the connection terminal connector 152 on the top side. Figure 24 The accessory socket 1123 is shown as viewed from the insertion direction of the external flash unit 120.

[0215] The connecting member 151 is formed by bending a metal plate into a ring shape such that the end faces of the bent ends face each other and contact each other at the seam 151a. The connecting member 151 has a pair of connecting portions 151b and a connector 151c that joins the pair of connecting portions 151b together. The connecting member 151 has a pair of first screw holes 151d and a pair of second screw holes 151e for fastening screws 157. The connecting member 151 has a connecting hole 156 for engaging with the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0216] like Figure 18 (a) and Figure 12 As shown, the pair of joints 151b are separated by a first width (hereinafter referred to as the joint gap) 151aa in the X direction. Figure 19 (b) The retaining member 254 of the external flash unit 120, which will be described later, is inserted into the engagement space 151aa. The pair of first screw holes 151d are provided at predetermined intervals in the X direction, and serve as a pair of first fastening holes that are separated from each other in the X direction on the rear (back side) side in the Z direction. The pair of second screw holes 151e are provided at predetermined intervals in the X direction, and serve as a pair of second fastening holes that are separated from each other in the X direction on the front side in the Z direction. The engagement hole 156 is formed at a position in the region sandwiched between the pair of first screw holes 151d that can engage with the locking pin 252 of the external flash unit 120.

[0217] In the connecting terminal connector 152, such as Figure 17 (b) and Figure 18As shown in (c), multiple connection terminals 152a are exposed. The position of the camera connector 216 is determined by the engagement interval 151aa of the engagement members 151 in the spacing direction (X direction) where the multiple connection terminals 152a are aligned. Therefore, the retaining member 254 of the external flash unit 120 is positioned relative to the connection terminal connector 152 by the engagement members 151.

[0218] In the role of Figure 1 An example of the camera connector 141 shown is a connector 152 (connector base member 152e) with multiple connector terminals 152a clamped on both sides in the X direction on the front side in the Z direction. Figure 24 The contact surface and groove are shown. Specifically, a contact surface 152b is formed that contacts and positions the accessory socket 1123 in the Z direction when the external flash unit 120 is attached, and a groove 152c into which the accessory socket 1123 is inserted. Each groove 152c is formed to extend from the contact surface 152b towards the front side (attachment side) in the Z direction and has a beveled portion 152d facing inward and upward (inclined relative to the X direction). The portion of the groove 152c above the beveled portion 152d extends outward in the X direction from the top position of the beveled portion 152d. This is to prevent indentations (sinking) from forming in the beveled portion 152d during resin molding, provided that the beveled portion 152d extends to the top of the groove 152c.

[0219] like Figure 24 As shown, in the X direction, the outermost inner surface 152ccc of the groove 152c in the connector base member 152e of the fitting socket 1123 is located outside the inner end face (joint spacing 151aa) of a pair of joints 151b of the joint member 151, and inside the outermost inner surface 151bb of the joint member 151.

[0220] A sloped starting position 152cc is provided on the inner side of the joint spacing 151aa, which serves as the bottom surface side of the sloped portion 152d of the groove portion 152c. This ensures that the area for providing contact with the contact portion 251b (described later) of the camera connector 216 and positioning that contact portion 251b in the Z direction is secured. The sloped shape starting from the sloped starting position 152cc expands the space into which the socket device of the external flash unit 120 (the camera connector 216 described later) is inserted, and ensures freedom in the shape of the socket device. As a result, the socket device of the external flash unit 120 can be sufficiently formed to protect the shape of the connecting terminals.

[0221] The external flash unit 120 will now be described. Figure 19(a) shows the external flash unit 120 as viewed from the camera connector 216 side (bottom side in the Y direction). Figure 19 (b) is along Figure 19 (a) shows the cross section taken by line AA and illustrates the internal structure of camera connector 216. Figure 20 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the locking lever 253, which will be described later, are omitted. Figure 20 (b) Shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0222] When the camera connector 216 is attached to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100, such as Figure 19 b shows the bottom side of the base portion 250 of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction. Figure 19 (a) Top side). The camera connector 216 includes a socket attachment leg (engaging member, socket plate) 251, a locking pin 252, a locking lever 253, a retaining member 254, a connecting plug 256, and a Y-direction retaining member 258.

[0223] The socket attachment leg 251 is a connecting member that engages and holds the external flash unit 120 to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100. In other words, the socket attachment leg 251 is a connecting member on the side of the external flash unit 120 that can be attached to and detached from the connecting member 151 of the accessory socket 1123.

[0224] The pressure used to maintain the attachment and the external forces (impacts, etc.) acting on the external flash unit 120 cause significant stress to the accessory socket 1123 and camera connector 216. The socket attachment leg 251 is manufactured by machining a sheet metal plate to ensure high mechanical strength to withstand such high stress.

[0225] The locking pin 252 is a component used to prevent the external flash unit 120 from detaching when the camera connector 216 (receptacle attachment leg 251) is attached to the accessory socket 1123, and is held on the receptacle attachment leg 251 which is movable in the Y direction. More specifically, the locking pin 252 is slidably held in the Y direction by the Y-direction retaining member 258. The locking lever 253 and the Y-direction retaining member 258 are held by the retaining member 254.

[0226] With the external flash unit 120 attached to the accessory socket 1123 and the locking lever 253 rotated, the Y-direction retaining member 258 is held in place by a cam portion (not shown). Figure 19 (b) The locking pin 252 moves downward in the Y direction. At this time, the locking pin 252 also moves downward together with the Y-direction retaining member 258. Figure 19(b) Moves downward in the Y direction. As a result, the locking pin 252 protrudes from the socket attachment leg 251 and engages with the engagement hole 156 provided in the engagement member 151 of the accessory socket 1123. The locking pin 252 and the engagement hole 156 serve as positioning members in the Z direction for ensuring the electrical connection between the external flash unit 120 and the camera 100.

[0227] As Figure 1 An example of the accessory connector 211 shown is shown with a connector plug 256 disposed on the front side of the camera connector 216 in the Z direction. This plug is made of a non-conductive material (dielectric material), such as resin, and is integrated with the retaining member 254. The outermost width T of the connector plug 256 in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the socket attachment leg 251 in the X direction. This ensures sufficient area for providing a contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251. The connector plug 256 has a design for connecting to… Figure 18 (c) The accessory socket 1123 shown has multiple connection terminals 152a for contact and communication with multiple connection terminals 257. Connection terminals 257 correspond to... Figure 1 The accessories connector 211 shown has contacts TA01~TA21.

[0228] Multiple connection terminals 257 are configured to correspond one-to-one with multiple connection terminals 152a, and are held by retaining members 254 to extend in the Z direction and be arranged in the X direction. Each connection terminal 257 has a front end portion 257a that contacts the corresponding connection terminal 152a. Each connection terminal 257 has a shape that extends rearward from the front end portion 257a in the Z direction, and has an extension portion 257b, which, when the front end portion 257a contacts the connection terminal 152a, elastically deforms the front end portion 257a to... Figure 19 (b) is shifted upward in the Y direction. A vertical extension 257c extending upward in the Y direction is formed at the rear end of the extension 257b in the Z direction. A flexible substrate connector 257d is provided at the upper end of the vertical extension 257c. The flexible substrate connector 257d is connected to the main substrate (not shown) of the external flash unit 120 and is connected to the flexible substrate 259 inserted into the retaining member 254 from the top side in the Y direction.

[0229] The extension 257b has a stepped portion 257e at its center in the Z direction, which has a step in the Y direction. As described above, the extension 257b can elastically deform in the Y direction. However, when the distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b is short, sufficient deformation cannot be obtained, and durability is reduced. As a result, repeated attachment and removal of the connecting terminal 152a and the front end 257a may easily damage the extension 257b. Therefore, providing the stepped portion 257e to the extension 257b ensures a sufficient distance L without causing the extension 257b to interfere with the socket attachment leg 251.

[0230] like Figure 20 (a) and Figure 20 As shown in (b), at both ends of the connector 256 in the X direction, there is a pair of protrusions 256a that protrude downwards in the Y direction (third direction) to clamp a plurality of connector terminals 257. Figure 20 As shown in (b), the lower front end portion 256d of each protrusion 256a protrudes below the wire obtained by connecting the lower ends of the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257, thereby protecting the connecting terminal 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257 is positioned above (inside) the wire obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 256d of a pair of protrusions 256a.

[0231] On the outer side (outside) of each protrusion 256a in the X direction, there is a beveled portion 256b. This beveled portion 256b serves as an outer side that extends obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 256d and faces obliquely downward, that is, it is inclined relative to the X direction. Because each protrusion 256a has such a shape, the connector plug 256 can be inserted into the slot 152c with the beveled portion 152d in the connector terminal connector 152.

[0232] The beveled portion 256b serves to release external forces such as pressure and impact from the connector 256 to prevent damage to the connector. For example, Figure 20 (c) shows an external force applied to the connector 256 from the X direction. Figure 20 (c) shows the connector 256 as viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0233] The external force from the X direction is defined as a vector, F1. The external force F1 acting on the inclined plane 256b is decomposed in vector space according to the addition force into a component force F2 along the direction of the inclined plane 256b and a component force F3 in the direction perpendicular to the inclined plane 256b. When θ is the angle formed by the external force F1 and the inclined plane 256b, the component forces F2 and F3 can be calculated by the following equation (1).

[0234] F2 = F1cosθ

[0235] F3 = F1sinθ(1)

[0236] With the inclined plane 256b provided, θ is 0° < θ < 90°. Within this range, the following holds true:

[0237] F2 <F1

[0238] F3 <F1(2)

[0239] Since the component force F2 escapes along the inclined surface 256b, the component force F3 is the only force affecting the connector 256. As described above, since the component force F3 is less than the external force F1, even if a sufficiently large external force is applied, damage to the connector 256 can be prevented.

[0240] By forming inclined surfaces 256b on both sides in the X direction, and narrowing their width in the X direction towards the lower side in the Y direction, not only can the external force from the X direction be partially released, but also the external force from the bottom side in the Y direction can be partially released.

[0241] Figure 25 The diagram shows a partially enlarged view of the connector 256 viewed from the Z direction. In the Y direction, it is assumed that B is the height from the lower front end portion 256d of the protrusion 256a to the top surface of the connector 256 (including the height of the connector of the protrusion), and A is the height from the lower front end portion 256d (the starting position of the slope 256c) to the upper end of the slope portion 256b. At this time, as... Figure 13 As shown, A is preferably one-fifth or more of B, more preferably one-quarter or more, one-third or more, or half or more. That is, the beveled portion 256b is formed to have a significant size for releasing external force from the X direction, and is different from the chamfered shape usually provided at the corner of the protrusion. For the above-mentioned function of releasing external force, the inclination angle θ of the beveled portion 256b relative to the X direction is preferably set in the range of 45°±20°.

[0242] To ensure a sufficient area for the contact portion 251b on the socket attachment leg 251 relative to the contact surface 152b of the fitting socket 1123, which serves as the positioning portion in the Z direction, it is preferable to make the width in the X direction between the slope start positions 256c at the lower front ends 256d of the slope portions 256b on both sides as short as possible. In this embodiment, the width in the X direction between the slope start positions 256c is set inside the width V in the X direction of the retaining member 254, thereby ensuring a sufficient area for the contact portion 251b.

[0243] The camera connector 216 has a configuration that secures the socket attachment leg 251 and retaining member 254. Details of this securing configuration will be described later.

[0244] Member 254 can be inserted Figure 18 (a) The accessory socket 1123 shown has a joint spacing 151aa in the joint member 151, and has a connector 254a, which has a width V in the X direction that is shorter than the width W of the socket attachment leg 251. Widths W and V are defined by Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera Accessory Attachment Seats and Attachment Feet". When the connector 254a engages with the joint 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 251, in its engagement with the joint member 151, is... Figure 17 (a) and Figure 17 (b) When the elastic deformer 154a of the fitting socket spring 154 of the force-applying member shown in the diagram comes into contact, it is subjected to an upward force in the Y direction. As a result, the top surface of the socket joint 251a comes into contact (presses) with the bottom surface of the joint member 151, and the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Y direction.

[0245] When the contact portion 251b of the socket attachment leg 251 contacts the contact surface 152b on the front side of the connection terminal connector 152 in the Z direction, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Z direction.

[0246] The retaining member 254 is also a structure for connecting the socket attachment leg 251 and the base portion 250, and the locking pin 252 and the connecting terminal 257 are disposed inside the connector 254a.

[0247] Next, the fastening structure between retaining member 254 and socket attachment leg 251 will be described. Figure 21 (a) shows the camera connector 216 viewed from above in the Y direction, and Figure 21 (b) shows along Figure 21 (a) The cross section intercepted by line BB.

[0248] A pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b, serving as fastening members for securing the socket attachment leg 251 to the retaining member 254, penetrate the retaining member 254 and are fastened to the socket attachment leg 251. At this time, the socket attachment leg 251 is stably held by the retaining member 254 by arranging one screw in each of four regions that are approximately equally divided along the X and Z directions in a well-balanced manner. As mentioned above, the socket attachment leg 251 is a component to which high stress can be applied. Therefore, by fastening the metal socket attachment leg 251 to the retaining 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.

[0249] like Figure 21As shown in (b), a plurality of connection terminals 257 are disposed in a region S held by a pair of first screws 260a and a pair of second screws 260b. The width between the pair of first screws 260a and the width between the pair of second screws 260b are narrower than the width between the lower front ends 256d of the protrusions 256a of the connector 256, the width V of the retaining member 254, the outermost width T of the connector 256, and the width W of the socket attachment leg 251.

[0250] Figure 26 The figure shows a cross-section of the accessory socket 1123 viewed from the Z direction with the camera connector 216 attached to the accessory socket 1123. The figure illustrates the dimensions T and V of the camera connector 216 and the positional relationships between the components of the camera connector 216 and the components of the accessory socket 1123.

[0251] exist Figure 26 As described above, the top surface of the socket engagement portion 251a of the camera connector 216 contacts the bottom surface (ceiling surface) of the engagement member 151 of the accessory socket 1123 for positioning in the Y direction.

[0252] On the other hand, the lower front end portion 256d and the beveled portion 256b of the protrusion 256a of the connector plug 256 in the camera connector 216 do not contact the bottom surface and beveled portion 152d of the slot 152c of the accessory socket 1123, respectively. The gap between the lower front end portion 256d of the protrusion 256a and the bottom surface of the slot 152c of the accessory socket 1123 is set to be as small as possible. As a result, 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 slot 152c of the accessory socket 1123, and the floating amount (tilt relative to the accessory socket 1123) of the connector plug 256 can be reduced.

[0253] The gaps between the beveled portions 256b and 152d, and between the inner end face 152ccc of the groove 152c and the outer end face of the connector 256, are each set to be large enough to prevent load from being applied to the connectors 257 and 152a when an external force in the X direction is applied to the external flash unit 120.

[0254] In the slot 152c of the accessory socket 1123, the relationship between the height of the slot 152c in the Y direction (the height from the bottom surface of the slot 152c to the ceiling surface of the connecting member 151) and the height of the beveled portion 152d in the Y direction is the same as the relationship between the height B of the connecting plug 256 and the height A of the beveled portion 256b in the camera connector 216. Preferably, similar to the tilt angle θ of the beveled portion 256b in the camera connector 216, the tilt angle of the beveled portion 256b relative to the X direction is also set within the range of 45° ± 20°.

[0255] The above embodiments describe that the surface shape of the inclined surface 256b provided on the protrusion 256a is flat, but the inclined surface 256b can be a curved surface with curvature. That is, the inclined surface 256b can have a surface that is inclined relative to the X direction.

[0256] This embodiment ensures that the compact camera connector 216 and accessory socket 1123 provide an area for providing a greater number of connection terminals than ever before, as well as a shape for protecting these connection terminals and an area for positioning between components.

[0257] A modified example of the external flash unit 120 will now be described. Figure 22 (a) shows the external flash unit 120 as viewed from the camera connector 216 side (lower side in the Y direction). Figure 22 (b) shows along Figure 22 (a) shows the cross section taken by line AA and illustrates the internal structure of camera connector 216. Figure 23 (a) shows the camera connector 216. However, the base portion 250 and the locking lever 253 are omitted. Figure 23 (b) Shows the camera connector 216 viewed from the front in the Z direction.

[0258] During its attachment to the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100, the camera connector 216, as Figure 22 (b) shows the lower side of the base portion 250 of the external flash unit 120 in the Y direction. Figure 22 (a) The camera connector 216 has a socket attachment leg 300a, a locking pin 252, a locking lever 253, a retaining member 300, a connecting plug 300b, a Y-direction retaining member 258, and a socket cover 301.

[0259] Similar to the socket attachment leg 251 in the above embodiment, the socket attachment leg 300a is a connecting member for engaging the external flash unit 120 with the accessory socket 1123 of the camera 100. That is, the socket attachment leg 300a is a connecting member on the side of the external flash unit 120 that can be attached to and detached from the connecting member 151 of the accessory socket 1123.

[0260] In the above embodiment, the socket attachment leg 251, which is a metal socket plate, and the resin retaining member 254 are formed as separate components to prioritize mechanical strength. On the other hand, in this modified example, the socket attachment leg 300a and the retaining member 300 are formed as a single 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 previous embodiment are not required, and the space for configuring the connection terminals 257 is widened, thus allowing for the configuration of a greater number of connection terminals 257. As a result, the external flash unit 120 can communicate more information with the camera 100 via the camera connector 216 and the accessory socket 1123.

[0261] The connector plug 300b is located on the front side of the camera connector 216 in the Z direction, and in this embodiment, it is integrally formed with the retaining member 300 made of non-conductive resin material. Similar to the embodiment described above, the outermost width T of the connector plug 300b in the X direction is narrower than the width W of the socket attachment leg 300a in the X direction, thereby ensuring an area for providing the contact portion 300e within the socket attachment leg 300a. The connector plug 300b has a design for connecting with… Figure 18 (c) The accessory socket 1123 shown has multiple connection terminals 152a that contact and communicate with multiple connection terminals 257. The socket cover 301 is a housing attached to the retaining member 300 and is a member for protecting the multiple connection terminals 257. The shape of the connection terminals 257 is the same as that in the above embodiment, and a stepped portion 257e is provided to ensure a sufficient distance L in the Z direction of the extension 257b without interfering with the socket cover 301.

[0262] The shape of the connector 300b is the same as that of the connector 256 in the aforementioned embodiment, and a pair of protrusions 300c protruding downward in the Y direction are provided at both ends of the connector 300b in the X direction to hold multiple connector terminals 257. Figure 23As shown in (b), the lower front end portion 300k of each protrusion 300c protrudes below the wire obtained by connecting the lower end of the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257, thereby protecting the connecting terminal 257 from external forces such as pressure and impact. That is, the front end portion 257a of the connecting terminal 257 is positioned above (inside) the wire obtained by connecting the lower front end portions 300k of a pair of protrusions 300c.

[0263] Even in this embodiment, each protrusion 300c has a beveled portion 300f extending obliquely upward from the lower front end portion 300k and facing downward on its outer side in the X direction. The protrusions 300c having this shape allow the connector plug 300b to be inserted into the slot 152c with the beveled portion 152d in the connector terminal connector 152 described in the previous embodiment. As described in the previous embodiment, the beveled portion 300f serves to release external forces such as pressure and impact on the connector plug 300b to prevent damage to the connector plug.

[0264] Similar to the aforementioned embodiments, it is desirable to minimize the distance in the X direction between the slope start positions 300g at the lower front ends 300k of the sloped portions 300f on both sides. Therefore, the slope start positions 300g on both sides are set within the width V in the X direction of the retaining member 254 to sufficiently ensure the area of ​​the contact portion 300e of the socket attachment leg 300a.

[0265] The retaining member 300 is formed to be insertable Figure 18 (a) The engaging member 151 shown engages with the engaging portion space 151aa and has a connector 300h that has 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 width V are defined by Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) B7101-1975 "Camera Accessory Attachment Seats and Attachment Feet". When the connector 300h engages with the engaging 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 its engagement with the engaging member 151. Figure 17 (a) and Figure 17 (b) When the elastic deformer 154a of the accessory socket spring 154 in contact, a force is applied to the side along the Y direction, thereby causing the top surface of the socket engagement 300d to contact 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.

[0266] When the contact portion 300e of the socket attachment leg 300a contacts the contact surface 152b on the front side of the connection terminal connector 152 in the Z direction, the position of the external flash unit 120 relative to the camera 100 is determined in the Z direction. The retaining member 300 is also constructed for connecting the socket attachment leg 300a and the base portion 250, and the locking pin 252 and the connection terminal 257 are disposed inside the connector 300h.

[0267] In this embodiment, the camera 100, accessory 200, and intermediate accessory 400 are described as having 21 or 15 contacts, but the number of contacts can be other than that.

[0268] In this embodiment, the microphone device and the strobe device are described as accessory 200, but accessories according to the invention include various devices such as an electronic viewfinder unit in addition to the microphone device and the strobe device. In this embodiment, the camera is described as an electronic device, but the electronic device according to the invention also includes various electronic devices other than a camera.

[0269] (Other embodiments)

[0270] The present invention can supply a program that implements one or more functions of the above 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 circuitry (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0271] The above embodiments are merely typical examples, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments when implementing the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device detachably attached to an accessory, the electronic device including a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and configured in a row. in, The plurality of contacts include: Functional signal contacts, which are connected to signals having different functions depending on the type of the accessory; A reference potential contact is connected to a reference potential; and Contacts for supplying power to the accessory or communicating with the accessory, and The functional signal contact and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, There are multiple functional signal contacts, and Among these, the contact with the highest frequency signal and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, There are multiple functional signal contacts, and Among them, the unused contacts of the plurality of functional signal contacts are connected to the reference potential.

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The reference potential is the ground potential, the power supply potential, or the low or high potential of the signal.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the accessory is a microphone device, the functional signal contacts include a BCLK contact connected to the audio bit clock signal in the inter-IC audio standard, an LRCLK contact connected to the audio channel clock signal, and a DATA contact connected to the audio data signal. The reference potential contact is arranged adjacent to the BCLK contact on one side, the LRCLK contact is arranged adjacent to the BCLK contact on the other side, and the DATA contact is arranged adjacent to the LRCLK contact.

6. An accessory that can be attached to and detached from an electronic device, and includes a plurality of contacts electrically connected to the electronic device and configured in a row. in, The plurality of contacts include: Functional signal contacts, which are connected to signals having different functions depending on the type of the accessory; A reference potential contact is connected to a reference potential; and Contacts for supplying power to the electronic device or communicating with the electronic device, and The functional signal contact and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein, There are multiple functional signal contacts, and Among these, the contact with the highest frequency signal and the reference potential contact are arranged adjacent to each other.

8. The accessory according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, There are multiple functional signal contacts, and Among them, the unused contacts of the plurality of functional signal contacts are connected to the reference potential.

9. The accessory according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The reference potential is the ground potential, the power supply potential, or the low or high potential of the signal.

10. The accessory according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, When the accessory is a microphone device, the functional signal contacts include a BCLK contact connected to the audio bit clock signal in the inter-IC audio standard, an LRCLK contact connected to the audio channel clock signal, and a DATA contact connected to the audio data signal. The reference potential contact is arranged adjacent to the BCLK contact on one side, the LRCLK contact is arranged adjacent to the BCLK contact on the other side, and the DATA contact is arranged adjacent to the LRCLK contact.

11. The accessory according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein, The accessory is an intermediate accessory that can be attached between the electronic device and other accessories.

12. An accessory comprising contacts for communication with the electronic device via an intermediate accessory as claimed in claim 11.

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