Imaging apparatus, accessory, and control method of them

Abstract

To appropriately set the relation between a suppliable power from an imaging apparatus to an accessory and a using power of the accessory while considering the presence or absence of power supply from an external power source to the accessory.SOLUTION: An accessory 100, 300 is capable of receiving power supply from the imaging apparatus. The accessory determines a suppliable power from an imaging apparatus 200 to the accessory and the presence or absence of power supply from an external power source 308 to the accessory, sets a using power of the accessory in accordance with a result of determining the suppliable power from the imaging apparatus and a result of determining the presence or absence of the power supply from the external power source, and gives information on the using power to the imaging apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory that is detachable from an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] An interchangeable lens type imaging device supplies power from a battery mounted on the imaging device to an attached interchangeable lens as an accessory. If an adapter can be attached to the interchangeable lens as an accessory that performs zoom driving, etc., the imaging device also supplies power to the adapter. Furthermore, to supplement the power supply capacity of the imaging device, it is also possible to supply power from an external power source directly to the adapter.

[0003] However, if an adapter is attached to the interchangeable lens or an external power source is removed from the adapter without the imaging device recognizing this, the power supplied from the imaging device to the interchangeable lens and the adapter increases, and the power available to the imaging device itself decreases. As a result, problems occur in the imaging operation of the imaging device, or the imaging device automatically switches to a power saving state.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging system that transmits a command indicating the available power of an accessory (interchangeable lens) from an imaging device to the accessory and determines the power and voltage of the accessory. Patent Document 2 discloses an imaging device that limits the power supplied to the interchangeable lens according to information from the interchangeable lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-64957 [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-10703 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose a method for appropriately setting the relationship between the available power supply of the imaging device and the power consumption (power usage) of the accessory.

[0007] The present invention provides an accessory and an imaging device that enable the relationship between the power that can be supplied from an imaging device to an accessory and the power used by the accessory to be appropriately set, taking into account whether or not the accessory is supplied with power from an external power source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An accessory according to one aspect of the present invention is capable of receiving power from an imaging device, the accessory comprising: a determination unit that determines the power that can be supplied from the imaging device to the accessory and whether or not the accessory is supplied with power from an external power source; and an accessory control unit that sets the power usage of the accessory in accordance with the determination result of the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and the determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from the external power source, and notifies the imaging device of information regarding the power usage.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device. The accessory includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the accessory is receiving power from an external power source, and an accessory control unit for setting a power usage of the accessory in accordance with a result of the determination of whether or not the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, and for notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power usage. When the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, the accessory control unit sets a power usage lower than when the accessory is receiving power from the imaging device without receiving power from the external power source.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory, the imaging device comprising: a notification receiving unit that receives, from the accessory, information regarding the power usage of the accessory that is set in accordance with a determination result of the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from an external power source; and a camera control unit that performs settings regarding the imaging device in accordance with the information regarding the power usage.

[0011] A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is applied to an accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, the control method comprising the steps of: causing the accessory to determine the power that can be supplied from the imaging device to the accessory and whether or not the accessory is supplied with power from an external power source; and causing the accessory to determine the power usage of the accessory in accordance with the determination result of the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and the determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from the external power source, and notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power usage.

[0012] A control method as another aspect of the present invention is applied to an accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device. The control method includes the steps of causing the accessory to determine whether or not the accessory is receiving power from an external power source, and causing the accessory to set the power usage of the accessory according to the result of the determination of whether or not the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, and notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power usage. When the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, the accessory is caused to set a power usage lower than when the accessory is receiving power from the imaging device without receiving power from the external power source. A program for causing a computer of the accessory to execute processing according to the above control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

[0013] A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is applied to an imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory. The control method includes a step of causing the imaging device to receive, from the accessory, a notification of information regarding the power usage of the accessory that is set according to a result of determining the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and a step of causing the imaging device to perform settings regarding the imaging device according to the information regarding the power usage. A program for causing a computer of the imaging device to execute processing according to the control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the relationship between the power that can be supplied from an imaging device to an accessory and the power used by the accessory can be appropriately set while taking into consideration the presence or absence of power supply from an external power source to the accessory. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing power modes of the imaging system. [Diagram 3] 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between actual power consumption and available imaging modes of the imaging system. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an accessory. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an accessory and an imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0017] 1 shows the configuration of an imaging system 10 according to a first embodiment. The imaging system 10 includes an interchangeable lens 100 as a first accessory, an imaging device 200 to which the interchangeable lens 100 is detachably attached, and an adapter 300 as a second accessory detachably attached to the interchangeable lens 100. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the imaging system 10 includes the adapter 300 attached to the interchangeable lens 100. However, the imaging system 10 may include other accessories, such as an intermediate adapter that is attached between the interchangeable lens 100 and the imaging device 200 and has a focus adjustment function or an aperture adjustment function, as long as the accessory operates by receiving power from the imaging device 200.

[0018] The interchangeable lens 100 includes, as an imaging optical system, a fixed front lens 101, a variable magnification lens 102, an aperture 103, an anti-vibration lens 104, and a focus lens 105, which are arranged in this order from the subject side to the image side. Each lens is composed of one or more lens elements.

[0019] The variable magnification lens 102 is driven in a direction along the optical axis OA (hereinafter referred to as the optical axis direction) by a zoom actuator 106 such as a stepping motor or a DC motor to perform zooming. A zoom driving circuit 107 supplies a driving voltage and a driving current to the zoom actuator 106. The aperture 103 is driven by an aperture actuator 108 such as a stepping motor or a DC motor to change the aperture diameter. An aperture driving circuit 109 supplies a driving voltage and a driving current to the aperture actuator 108. The anti-vibration lens 104 is driven in a shift direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA by an anti-vibration actuator 110 such as a stepping motor or a voice coil motor to correct image blur caused by shaking of the imaging system 10 due to hand shake or the like. An anti-vibration driving circuit 111 supplies a driving voltage and a driving current to the anti-vibration actuator 110. The focus lens 105 is driven in the optical axis direction by a focus actuator 112 such as a stepping motor or a voice coil motor to perform focus adjustment (focusing). The focus drive circuit 113 supplies a drive voltage and a drive current to the focus actuator 112 .

[0020] Electrical contacts 116a, 116b, and 116c of the interchangeable lens 100 are electrically connected to electrical contacts 209a, 209b, and 209c of the image capture device 200, respectively. This allows communication of various information between the interchangeable lens 100 and the image capture device 200. In this embodiment, the lens control CPU 114 provided in the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera control CPU 206 provided in the image capture device 200 perform three-wire serial communication with the camera control CPU 206 as the clock master. However, communication may be performed using other communication methods.

[0021] When the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100 with the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the imaging device 200, electrical contacts 118a, 118b, and 118c of the interchangeable lens 100 are electrically connected to electrical contacts 303a, 303b, and 303c of the adapter 300, respectively. This allows communication of various information between the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300. In this embodiment, the lens control CPU 114 and the adapter control CPU 301 perform three-wire serial communication with the lens control CPU 114 as the clock master. However, communication may be performed using other communication methods.

[0022] The interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 hold optical information and characteristic information as their unique information, and can transmit this information to the imaging device 200. When the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100, the characteristic information of the adapter 300 is transmitted to the imaging device 200. The optical information means optical unique information (information such as focus sensitivity and focus correction amount) that changes depending on the lens state such as zooming, focusing, and aperture adjustment. The characteristic information basically means unique information that does not change depending on the lens state. For example, it is information such as identification information (lens ID, adapter ID) for identifying the model and serial number of the interchangeable lens and adapter, maximum communication speed, maximum F value, whether it is a zoom lens, whether autofocus (AF) is possible, image height, and power mode. The interchangeable lens 100 receives unique information of the imaging device 200 and the adapter 300 (adapter ID, power information described later, etc.).

[0023] Power contacts 117a, 117b, 117c, and 117d provided on the interchangeable lens 100 are electrically connected to power contacts 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d provided on the imaging device 200, respectively. This allows power to be supplied from the imaging device 200 to various sensors (not shown) mounted on the interchangeable lens 100, the lens control CPU 114, and drive circuits 107, 109, 111, 113, and the like.

[0024] Furthermore, power contacts 119a, 119b, 119c, and 119d provided on the interchangeable lens 100 are electrically connected to power contacts 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d provided on the adapter 300, respectively. As a result, when the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the imaging device 200, power is supplied from the imaging device 200 to the adapter control CPU 301, adapter operation unit 309, drive circuit 310, adapter actuator 311, and the like. The adapter operation unit 309 is a processing circuit that enables zoom operation of the interchangeable lens 100 to which the adapter 300 is connected, and can perform electric zoom of the interchangeable lens 100 via the drive circuit 310 and adapter actuator 311.

[0025] The power contacts 117a, 210a, 119a, and 304a are system power terminals for various sensors (not shown), the lens control CPU 114, and the adapter control CPU 301. The power contacts 117b, 210b, 119b, and 304b are ground terminals for the system power terminals. The power contacts 117c, 210c, 119c, and 304c are power power terminals for each drive circuit. The power contacts 117d, 210d, 119d, and 304d are ground terminals for the power power terminals. The imaging device 200 is equipped with a secondary battery 208 such as a lithium ion battery, and can receive power (electricity) from an external camera power supply 212 via a power connector 211 provided in the imaging device 200. The power supplied from the external camera power supply 212 is converted to a predetermined voltage by a camera power supply circuit 207 such as a DC-DC converter and supplied to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300.

[0026] The lens power supply circuit 115 is a power conversion circuit such as a DC-DC converter mounted on the interchangeable lens 100, and converts the power supplied to the interchangeable lens 100 into voltages suitable for the various sensors and driving circuits within the interchangeable lens 100 and distributes them.

[0027] The adapter power supply circuit 302 can receive power supplied to the adapter 300 from the imaging device 200 via each power contact of the interchangeable lens 100, or power from an external adapter power supply 308 via a power connector 307 provided on the adapter 300. The adapter power supply circuit 302 is a power conversion circuit such as a DC-DC converter, and converts the power supplied to the adapter 300 into voltages suitable for the various sensors and drive circuits in the adapter 300 and distributes them to them.

[0028] Although not shown in this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 may be provided with a connector or circuit that can receive power from an external power source to the lens power circuit 115, such as those provided in the adapter 300 described above.

[0029] When the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100 attached to the imaging device 200, the lens control CPU 114 controls the ON / OFF of the system power supply control switch 120 and the power power supply control switch 121 to control the power supply supply to the adapter 300. This allows power to be supplied to the adapter 300 at appropriate timing. In the adapter 300, the adapter control CPU 301 also controls the ON / OFF of the power supply control switch 305, thereby allowing power to be supplied to the drive circuit 310 and the adapter actuator 311 at appropriate timing.

[0030] The imaging device 200 has an imaging element 201 as a photoelectric conversion element configured by a CMOS sensor. The imaging element 201 photoelectrically converts an optical image (subject image) formed on its imaging surface by an imaging optical system. The electric charge accumulated in the imaging element 201 by the photoelectric conversion is output as an imaging signal (analog signal) at a predetermined timing and input to a video signal processing circuit 202.

[0031] The video signal processing circuit 202 converts the analog image signal from the image sensor 201 into a digital image signal and performs various signal processing such as amplification and gamma correction on the digital image signal to generate a video signal. The video signal is output to a camera control CPU 206, a display device 205 constituted by a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and a storage device 204 constituted by an optical disk, a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0032] The video signal processing circuit 202 is provided with an AF signal processing circuit 203 as a focus information generating section. The AF signal processing circuit 203 extracts high frequency components and luminance components obtained by a group of pixels in an AF area, which is a focus detection region, from the image pickup signal output from the image sensor 201 (or a video signal generated using the image pickup signal), and generates a signal indicating a focus evaluation value as focus information. The focus evaluation value indicates the contrast state, or sharpness, of the captured image, and changes with the movement of the focus lens 105. The position of the focus lens 105 where the focus evaluation value is maximum (peak) is the in-focus position in that AF area.

[0033] The camera control CPU 206 communicates with the lens control CPU 114 via the electrical contacts 116a to 116c and the electrical contacts 209a to 209c. The camera control CPU 206 has a power information processing unit 213. The power information processing unit 213 performs power supply settings including cutting off the power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300, and sets the range of selectable imaging modes from among a plurality of imaging modes with different imaging resolutions, frame rates, etc., according to the power information received from the lens control CPU 114.

[0034] The lens control CPU 114 communicates with the camera control CPU 206 via the electrical contacts 116a-116c and the electrical contacts 209a-209c. It also communicates with the adapter control CPU 301 via the electrical contacts 118a-118c and the electrical contacts 303a-303c. The lens control CPU 114 has a power information processing unit 122. The power information processing unit 122 determines the amount of power supply to the adapter 300 according to the power information received from the adapter control CPU 301. Then, according to the determined amount of power supply, it determines power information for when the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100 and transmits it to the imaging device 200. Note that the power information processing unit 122 transmits the power information of the interchangeable lens 100 to the imaging device 200 even when the adapter 300 is not attached to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0035] The adapter control CPU 301 communicates with the lens control CPU 114 via the electrical contacts 118a-118c and the electrical contacts 303a-303c. The adapter control CPU 301 has a power information communication unit 312 and a power supply determination unit 313. The power supply determination unit 313 determines whether or not the adapter external power supply 308 is connected to the power connector 307 and whether or not the adapter is receiving power supply from the adapter external power supply 308. The power information communication unit 312 transmits power information of the adapter 300 to the lens control CPU 114 in accordance with the determination of the power supply determination unit 313. The power information will be described in detail later.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the drive settings of the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 according to the power mode of the imaging device 200 (whether or not the external power source 212 for camera is connected, whether or not the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100, and whether or not the external power source 308 for adapter is connected). The interchangeable lens 100 and the imaging device 200 communicate usable power modes between each other, and perform control corresponding to the communicated power mode.

[0037] 2, "adapter not attached" indicates a state in which the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the imaging device 200, and the adapter 300 is not attached to the interchangeable lens 100. "Adapter attached" and "no adapter external power supply" indicate a state in which the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100, but the adapter external power supply 308 is not connected to the adapter 300, and the adapter 300 receives a supply of power from the imaging device 200 via the interchangeable lens 100. "Adapter attached" and "with adapter external power supply" indicate a state in which the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100, the adapter external power supply 308 is connected to the adapter 300, and the adapter 300 receives a supply of power from the adapter external power supply 308.

[0038] The power mode "L (no external camera power source connected)" indicates a state in which the amount of power that can be supplied from the image capture device 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 is small. In this embodiment, the amount of power that can be supplied from the image capture device 200 to the accessories (interchangeable lens 100 and adapter 300) in power mode L is set to 3 W. The image capture device 200 and interchangeable lens 100 in this embodiment are controlled in power mode L.

[0039] The power mode "H (with external camera power supply connected)" indicates a state in which the amount of power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 itself to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 is small, but because the external camera power supply 212 is connected to the imaging device 200, the amount of power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to them is large. When the external camera power supply 212 is connected to the imaging device 200 in the power mode L state, the imaging device 200 transitions to power mode H. Note that a state in which the amount of power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 itself to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 is large may also be included in this power mode H. In this embodiment, the amount of power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory in power mode H is set to 6 W.

[0040] In the "adapter not attached" state, the interchangeable lens 100 is in a normal drive state, and lens drive and aperture drive can be performed without particular restrictions, regardless of whether the power mode of the imaging device 200 is L or H. This is because the power mode of the interchangeable lens 100 is L, as described above.

[0041] In the "adapter attached" and "no external power supply for adapter", the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the imaging device 200 in power mode L. If the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100 while the power mode of the imaging device 200 remains L, for example, if the interchangeable lens 100 is designed to operate at approximately 3 W of power in power mode L, the power supplied from the imaging device 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 will be insufficient. In this case, the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 perform power saving drive that consumes less power than normal drive, for example by lowering the drive speed of the focus lens 105 in AF and the variable magnification lens 102 in zooming so as not to exceed the 3 W of power in power mode L. This prevents the imaging system 10 from becoming inoperable.

[0042] However, there are cases where the power mode changes from L to H when the state changes from "no adapter external power source" to "adapter external power source present" or when the camera external power source 212 is connected to the imaging device 200. In this case, the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 are able to drive the focus lens 105 and the variable magnification lens 102 without any restrictions in normal driving.

[0043] 3 shows the relationship between the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 and the imaging modes selectable in the imaging device 200. The imaging modes of the imaging device 200 include imaging modes that require a lot of power, such as 8K resolution and a frame rate of 60 fps. When the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 consume power up to nearly 3 W in power mode L (power amount 3 W), the imaging system 10 may not be able to guarantee the power. For this reason, the interchangeable lens 100 notifies the imaging device 200 of power information as information regarding the power consumption of the accessory. The power information may be information indicating the power consumption (information indicating the power consumption itself or information that can be converted into the power consumption), or information indicating a comparison result of the power consumption with a predetermined value (above a predetermined value, greater than a predetermined value, below a predetermined value, or smaller than a predetermined value).

[0044] The imaging device 200 allows the user to select an appropriate imaging mode according to the notified power information. In this example, the imaging device 200 has modes 1, 2, and 3 as a plurality of imaging modes.

[0045] When the imaging device 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are controlled in power mode L, the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 100 is 1.5 W, and the power consumption of the adapter 300 is 0.5 W. The power consumption here corresponds to the designed power consumption (power consumption) including a predetermined margin.

[0046] The interchangeable lens 100 receives notification from the adapter 300 of its identification information (adapter ID) or power information stored in the power communication unit 312 of the adapter 300. The interchangeable lens 100 notifies the imaging device 200 of power information (1.5W+0.5W=2W) indicating the accessory power usage, which is the sum of the power usage of the interchangeable lens 100 and the notified power usage of the adapter 300. Note that by notifying the imaging device 200 of the identification information of the adapter 300, it may be possible to make the imaging device 200 confirm the power information of the adapter 300 corresponding to the identification information.

[0047] If the power consumption of power mode L is 3 W and the power used by the accessories is 2 W, the imaging system 10 can operate in power mode L, and all of modes 1 to 3 can be selected as the imaging mode of the imaging device 200.

[0048] On the other hand, if the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 100 is 1.5 W and the power consumption of the adapter 300 is 1.0 W, the accessory power consumption will be 2.5 W. As a result, image capture modes 1 and 2 are selectable, but image capture mode 3 is not selectable. Furthermore, if the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 100 is 2.0 W and the power consumption of the adapter 300 is 1.0 W, the accessory power consumption will be 3.0 W. As a result, an image capture error occurs in the imaging device 200, and the power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 is cut off.

[0049] Also, when the previously described "adapter attached" and "adapter external power source present" are present, the power supply determination unit 313 of the adapter 300 determines that the adapter 300 is receiving power supply from the adapter external power source 308. In this case, since the adapter 300 is driven by power supplied from the adapter external power source 308, the power supplied from the image capture device 200 can be consumed only by the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, the power information communication unit 312 of the adapter 300 notifies the interchangeable lens 100 of power information indicating that the power consumption of the adapter 300 is 0 W, for example. In other words, the power information communication unit 312 notifies the interchangeable lens 100 of the power consumption of the adapter 300 (i.e., false power consumption) that is smaller than the power consumption when the adapter 300 is driven by receiving power supply from the image capture device 200. At this time, the power information communication unit 312 may notify the interchangeable lens 100 of a flag indicating that the adapter 200 is receiving power supply from the adapter external power source 308 as the power information of the adapter 300.

[0050] For example, if the power consumption of the interchangeable lens 100 is 2.0 W and the power consumption of the adapter 300 without the "adapter external power supply" is 1.0 W, the accessory power consumption will be 3.0 W. In contrast, if only the interchangeable lens 100 receives power supply from the imaging device 200 (the adapter 300 receives power supply from the adapter external power supply 308), the accessory power consumption will be 2.0 W, and all of modes 1 to 3 can be selected as the imaging mode.

[0051] The flowchart in Fig. 4 shows the accessory drive setting process executed by the interchangeable lens 100 and adapter 300 (hereinafter collectively referred to as accessories) and the imaging device 200. The accessory (lens control CPU 114 and adapter control CPU 301, respectively, as computers) and the imaging device 200 (camera control CPU 206, as a computer) execute this process according to a program. Of this process, the process executed by the accessory may be executed by either the interchangeable lens 100 or the adapter 300, regardless of the configurations of the interchangeable lens 100 and adapter 300 exemplified in Fig. 1. S denotes a step.

[0052] In S101, the accessory transmits unique information including identification information of the accessory to the imaging device 200, and the imaging device 200 receives the unique information.

[0053] Next, in S102, the accessory and the imaging device 200 communicate in the power mode to confirm with each other the current available power (power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory).

[0054] Next, in S103, the accessory determines whether the power mode confirmed in S102 is H. If the power mode is H, the accessory proceeds to S105, where it performs normal driving (first operation) without restrictions. On the other hand, if the power mode is L, the accessory proceeds to S104.

[0055] In S104, the accessory determines whether or not there is power being supplied from an external power source. In the configuration of Fig. 1, the adapter 300 determines whether or not the adapter external power source 308 is connected to the adapter 300. If there is no power being supplied from the external power source, the process proceeds to S105, and the accessory performs normal operation. On the other hand, if there is power being supplied from the external power source, the process proceeds to S106.

[0056] In S106, the accessory performs power saving drive (second operation) that uses less power than normal drive, thereby ensuring necessary operation of the imaging system 10.

[0057] The flowchart in Fig. 5 shows the imaging setting process (control method) executed by the accessory and the imaging device 200. The accessory (lens control CPU 114 and adapter control CPU 301) and the imaging device 200 (camera control CPU 206) execute this process according to a program. The lens control CPU 114 and adapter control CPU 301 correspond to a determination means and an accessory control means, and the camera control CPU 206 corresponds to a notification receiving means and a camera control means. Of this process, the process executed by the accessory may be executed by either the interchangeable lens 100 or the adapter 300, regardless of the configurations of the interchangeable lens 100 and the adapter 300 illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0058] In S201, the accessory transmits unique information including identification information of the accessory to the imaging device 200, and the imaging device 200 receives the unique information.

[0059] Next, in S202, the accessory and the imaging device 200 communicate with each other in a power mode to confirm the current available power with each other.

[0060] Next, in S203, the accessory determines whether or not the power mode confirmed in S202 is H. If the power mode is H, the accessory proceeds to S204, and if the power mode is L, the accessory proceeds to S209.

[0061] In S204, the accessory determines (sets) the power usage of the accessory to be notified to the imaging device 200 as A.

[0062] Next, in S205, the accessory notifies the imaging device 200 of information indicating the power A to be used as power information.

[0063] Next, in S206, the accessory and the imaging device 200 check whether the power mode is L or not, and proceeds to S207 if the power mode is L, and proceeds to S213 if the power mode is H. This check is performed because the power mode may change if the adapter external power supply 308 is connected to or disconnected from the adapter 300 after the check in S203.

[0064] On the other hand, in S209, the accessory determines whether or not there is power supply from an external power source. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the adapter 300 determines whether or not the adapter external power source 308 is connected to the adapter 300. If there is no power supply from the external power source, the process proceeds to S204, where the accessory determines the power usage to be A, and in S205 the accessory notifies the imaging device 200 of information indicating the power usage A as the power information. At this time, as described above, the accessory may notify the imaging device 200 of information indicating the comparison result of the power usage with a predetermined value (for example, greater than the predetermined value) as the power information. If there is power supply from the external power source, the process proceeds to S210.

[0065] In S210, the accessory determines (sets) the power usage to B, which is smaller than A. That is, the accessory determines a false power usage that is smaller than the case where the accessory receives power supply from the imaging device 200.

[0066] Next, in S211, the accessory notifies the imaging device 200 of information indicating the power consumption B as power information. At this time, as described above, the accessory may notify the imaging device 200 of information indicating a comparison result between the power consumption and a predetermined value (e.g., smaller than the predetermined value) as the power information.

[0067] In this way, the accessory notifies the imaging device 200 of power information according to the determination result of the power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 in S203 (power mode is H or L) and the determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from the external power source 308 for the adapter in S209.

[0068] In S212 after S211, the imaging device 200 determines whether the accessory usage power B indicated by the power information notified from the accessory is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value B', and proceeds to S213 if it is equal to or less than the threshold value B', and proceeds to S212 if it is greater than the threshold value B'.

[0069] In S213, the imaging device 200 allows selection of all imaging modes 1 to 3. In this embodiment, there are two types of power modes, H and L, and in H, all imaging modes 1 to 3 of the imaging device 200 can be used without restrictions, but power modes other than H and L may be provided, and the imaging modes selectable in each power mode may be changed from the imaging modes described above.

[0070] On the other hand, in S207, the imaging device 200 determines whether the accessory usage power A indicated by the power information notified from the accessory is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold A', and proceeds to S208 if it is equal to or greater than the threshold A', and proceeds to S214 if it is less than the threshold A'. Note that the threshold A' indicates power greater than the threshold B'.

[0071] In S208, the imaging device 200 cuts off the power supply to the accessory. That is, a setting is made to not supply power to the accessory (not to continue). This is because, if the power mode is L and the accessory power consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold A', the accessory power consumption exceeds the power range that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory, and the imaging operation cannot be continued. For example, when the interchangeable lens 100 uses an amount of power close to that of the power mode L, if the adapter 300 is attached to the interchangeable lens 100, the amount of power exceeds that of the power mode L even if these are driven in power saving mode. Therefore, by cutting off the power supply from the imaging device 200 to the accessory in such a case, it is possible to avoid a power shortage in the imaging system 10. Note that in the above-mentioned S213 and the next S214, the imaging mode is set after the imaging device 200 sets the power supply to the accessory (to continue).

[0072] In S214, the imaging device 200 restricts the selectable imaging modes. That is, since the accessory power consumption is smaller than the threshold A' but larger than the power consumption B, the selection of all imaging modes is not permitted, and the imaging modes that can be selected are restricted to those that are executable within the power amount range of the power mode L and are permitted to be selected.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the imaging device 200 and the accessory (100, 300) communicate to confirm the power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory, and communicate power information (power used by the accessory) from the accessory to the imaging device 200. This enables the accessory to operate within the power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory, regardless of changes in the amount of power supplied to the accessory in a situation not recognized by the imaging device 200. In other words, it is possible to appropriately set the relationship between the power that can be supplied from the imaging device 200 to the accessory and the power used by the accessory, and it is possible to avoid problems caused by power shortages in the imaging system 10.

[0074] The above embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0075] (Configuration 1) An accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, a determination unit that determines whether or not power can be supplied from the imaging device to the accessory and whether or not power is being supplied from an external power source to the accessory; an accessory control means for setting the power consumption of the accessory according to a result of determining the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and for notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption. (Configuration 2) 2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the power consumption is information indicating the power consumption or information indicating a comparison result of the power consumption with a predetermined value. (Configuration 3) The accessory described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when receiving power supply from the external power source, the accessory control means notifies the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption indicating a lower power consumption than when receiving power supply from the imaging device without receiving power supply from the external power source. (Configuration 4) The accessory described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the accessory control means sets whether the accessory performs a first operation or a second operation that uses less power than the first operation, depending on the result of the determination of the available power and the result of the determination of whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source. (Configuration 5) The accessory described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the accessory is at least one of a lens device that is detachably attached to the imaging device and an adapter that is detachably attached to the lens device attached to the imaging device. (Configuration 6) An accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, A determination unit for determining whether or not power is being supplied from an external power source to the accessory; an accessory control unit that sets a power consumption of the accessory in accordance with a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and notifies the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption; The accessory is characterized in that, when the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, the accessory control means sets the power consumption to be smaller than when the accessory is not receiving power from the external power source but is receiving power from the imaging device. (Configuration 7) An imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory, a notification receiving unit for receiving, from the accessory, information regarding power usage of the accessory that is set according to a result of determining the available power supply from the imaging device and a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source; an imaging device comprising: a camera control means for performing settings related to said imaging device in response to said information regarding power usage; (Configuration 8) 8. The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the information regarding the power consumption is information indicating the power consumption or information indicating a result of comparing the power consumption with a predetermined value. (Configuration 9) 8. The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the settings relating to the imaging device are settings of a selectable imaging mode among a plurality of imaging modes that the imaging device has. (Configuration 10) 8. The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the setting related to the imaging device is a setting as to whether or not to supply power from the imaging device to the accessory. (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0076] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible for each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Interchangeable lenses (lens devices) 114 Lens control CPU 200 Imaging device 206 Camera control CPU 300 Adapter 301 Adapter control CPU External power supply for 308 adapter 312 Electric Power Information and Communications Department 313 Power supply judgment unit

Claims

1. An accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, a determination unit that determines whether or not power can be supplied from the imaging device to the accessory and whether or not power is being supplied from an external power source to the accessory; an accessory control means for setting the power consumption of the accessory according to a result of determining the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and for notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption.

2. 2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the power consumption is information indicating the power consumption or information indicating a result of comparison of the power consumption with a predetermined value.

3. The accessory described in claim 1, characterized in that, when receiving power supply from the external power source, the accessory control means notifies the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption indicating a lower power consumption than when receiving power supply from the imaging device without receiving power supply from the external power source.

4. The accessory described in claim 1, characterized in that the accessory control means sets whether the accessory performs a first operation or a second operation that uses less power than the first operation depending on the result of the determination of the available power and the result of the determination of whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source.

5. 2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory is at least one of a lens device detachably attached to the imaging device and an adapter detachably attached to the lens device attached to the imaging device.

6. An accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, A determination unit for determining whether or not power is being supplied from an external power source to the accessory; an accessory control unit that sets a power consumption of the accessory in accordance with a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and notifies the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption; The accessory is characterized in that, when the accessory is receiving power from the external power source, the accessory control means sets the power consumption to be smaller than when the accessory is not receiving power from the external power source but is receiving power from the imaging device.

7. An imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory, a notification receiving unit for receiving, from the accessory, information regarding power usage of the accessory that is set according to a determination result of the available power supply from the imaging device and a determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from the external power source; an imaging device comprising: a camera control means for performing settings related to said imaging device in response to said information regarding power usage;

8. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding the power consumption is information indicating the power consumption or information indicating a result of comparison of the power consumption with a predetermined value.

9. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the setting related to the imaging device is a setting of a selectable imaging mode from among a plurality of imaging modes that the imaging device has.

10. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the setting related to the imaging device is a setting as to whether or not to supply power from the imaging device to the accessory.

11. A method for controlling an accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, comprising the steps of: causing the accessory to determine whether power can be supplied from the imaging device to the accessory and whether power is being supplied from an external power source to the accessory; A control method comprising the steps of causing the accessory to determine the power usage of the accessory based on a result of determining the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and notifying the imaging device of information regarding the power usage.

12. A method for controlling an accessory capable of receiving power from an imaging device, comprising the steps of: causing the accessory to determine whether or not power is being supplied to the accessory from an external power source; a step of causing the accessory to set a power consumption of the accessory in accordance with a result of determining whether or not power is being supplied from the external power source, and causing the accessory to notify the imaging device of information regarding the power consumption; A control method characterized by causing the accessory to set the power consumption level to be lower when the accessory is receiving power from the external power source than when the accessory is receiving power from the imaging device without receiving power from the external power source.

13. 13. A program for causing a computer of an accessory capable of receiving power supply from an imaging device to execute a process according to the control method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A method for controlling an imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory, comprising the steps of: a step of causing the imaging device to receive, from the accessory, a notification of information regarding power usage of the accessory that is set according to a determination result of the power that can be supplied from the imaging device and a determination result of the presence or absence of power supply from the external power source; and causing the imaging device to perform settings related to the imaging device in accordance with the information related to power usage.

15. 15. A program for causing a computer of an imaging device capable of supplying power to an accessory to execute a process according to the control method of claim 14.

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