Interchangeable lens

Abstract

To solve the problem in which information on initialization is insufficient in a conventional camera system.SOLUTION: An interchangeable lens comprises: attachment means to which a camera body is attached; a plurality of driven members in which a state changes, receiving driving force; initialization means that implements initialization processing to each of the plurality of driven members; initialization status transmission means that transmits an initialization status indicative of a status of the initialization processing about each of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a first transmission path in accordance with a request to be output at a first cycle from the camera body; and driven state transmission means that transmits a driven state of at least one driven member of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path in accordance with a request to be output from the camera body at a second cycle different from the first cycle. The driven state transmission means is configured to, after a change in the initialization status of the at least one driven member occurs, start transmitting the driven state of the driven member in which the change in the initialization status occurs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a camera system that includes a camera body and an interchangeable lens that can be attached to and detached from the camera body. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a camera system that includes a camera body and a camera head and that initializes the camera head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-319631 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With regard to a mechanism for initializing an interchangeable lens attached to a camera, a mechanism different from conventional techniques is desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An interchangeable lens according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an attachment means to which a camera body is detachably attached, a plurality of driven members whose state changes in response to a driving force, an initialization means for performing an initialization process on each of the plurality of driven members, an initialization status transmission means for transmitting an initialization status indicating the status of the initialization process for each of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a first transmission path in response to a request output from the camera body at a first period, and a driven state transmission means for transmitting the driven state of at least one of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path in response to a request output from the camera body at a second period different from the first period, wherein the driven state transmission means begins transmitting the driven state of the driven member whose initialization status has changed after a change occurs in the initialization status of at least one of the driven members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an interchangeable lens camera system to which the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an interchangeable lens camera system to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing details of the holding portions 102 and 202. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of command data communication. [Figure 5] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of hotline communication. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of initialization status data. [Figure 7] 4 is a time chart showing the execution sequence of initialization processing after power is turned on. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of driven state data. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the process from power-on operation until photography becomes possible. [Figure 10]4 is a time chart showing the execution sequence of initialization processing after power is turned on. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an interchangeable lens camera system to which the present invention is applied. Note that Fig. 1 shows only the devices and apparatus related to the present invention, and illustration and description of other devices and apparatus are omitted. Camera 1 is composed of a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens 200 that can be attached to and detached from camera body 100.

[0008] The camera body 100 is provided with a lens mount 101 to which an interchangeable lens 200 is detachably attached. A holding portion (electrical connection portion) 102 that holds contacts is provided in the vicinity of the lens mount 101 of the camera body 100 (on the inner periphery of the lens mount 101) in a state where it partially protrudes on the inner periphery of the lens mount 101. This holding portion 102 is provided with a plurality of contacts.

[0009] The interchangeable lens 200 is also provided with a lens mount 201 to which the camera body 100 is detachably attached, corresponding to the lens mount 101 on the body side. A holding portion (electrical connection portion) 202 that holds contacts is provided in the vicinity of the lens mount 201 of the interchangeable lens 200 (on the inner periphery of the lens mount 201) in a state where it partially protrudes on the inner periphery of the lens mount 201. This holding portion 202 is provided with a plurality of contacts.

[0010] When the interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the holder 102, which has multiple contacts, is electrically and physically connected to the holder 202, which has multiple contacts. Both holders 102, 202 are used to supply power from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200, and to send and receive signals between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 200.

[0011] An image sensor 104, such as a CMOS or CCD, is provided behind a lens mount 101 inside the camera body 100. Buttons 107, which serve as an input device, are provided above the camera body 100. A user uses an input device such as buttons 107 to give instructions to the camera body 100 to take a photograph or to set photographing conditions.

[0012] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an interchangeable lens camera system to which the present invention is applied. Interchangeable lens 200 is equipped with imaging optical system 210 that forms an image of a subject. Imaging optical system 210 is composed of multiple lenses 210a to 210c and aperture 211. These multiple lenses 210a to 210c include focusing lens 210b for controlling the focus position of the subject image and blur correction lens 210c for correcting image blur of the subject image.

[0013] The interchangeable lens 200 is provided with a lens control unit 203 that controls each unit of the interchangeable lens 200. The lens control unit 203 is composed of a microcomputer (not shown) and its peripheral circuits, etc. The lens control unit 203 is connected to a first lens communication unit 217, a second lens communication unit 218, a focusing lens driving unit 212, a blur correction lens driving unit 213, an aperture driving unit 214, a ROM 215, and a RAM 216.

[0014] The first lens side communication unit 217 and the second lens side communication unit 218 exchange data with the camera body 100 via the communication contacts of the holders 102 and 202. The first lens side communication unit 217 and the second lens side communication unit 218 are communication interfaces on the interchangeable lens 200 side. The lens control unit 203 uses these communication interfaces to perform various communications (hotline communication, command data communication) described below with the camera body 100 (body control unit 103 described below).

[0015] The focusing lens driver 212 has an actuator such as a stepping motor, and drives the focusing lens 210b in response to a signal input to the focusing lens driver 212. Similarly, the blur correction lens driver 213 and the aperture driver 214 each have an actuator such as a voice coil motor, and drive the blur correction lens 210c and the aperture 211 in response to an input signal, respectively.

[0016] The focusing lens 210b is driven in the optical axis direction by a focusing lens driver 212. The blur correction lens 210c is driven in directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X direction, Y direction) by a blur correction lens driver 213. The diaphragm 211 is driven by a diaphragm driver 214 so as to change the size of the opening (aperture diameter) through which subject light passes. In other words, each of these members is a driven member whose driven state changes when driven by the driving force from the respective driver. Here, the driven state refers to a state that changes when the driven member is driven, among states unique to each driven member. For example, the driven state includes the position in the optical axis direction for the focusing lens 210b, the position in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis for the blur correction lens driver 213, and the aperture diameter for the diaphragm 211 (and the F-number of the imaging optical system 210, which changes depending on the aperture diameter).

[0017] It should be noted that other driven members than the above-described driven members (focusing lens 210b, image blur correction lens 210c, and diaphragm 211) may be provided within the interchangeable lens 200. For example, similar to the above-described focusing lens 210b, a zoom lens may be provided as a member that is movable in the optical axis direction of the imaging optical system 210, and a mechanism for electrically driving the zoom lens (a so-called power zoom mechanism) may be provided within the interchangeable lens 200.

[0018] The ROM 215 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores in advance predetermined control programs and the like that are executed by the lens control unit 203. The RAM 216 is a volatile storage medium that is used by the lens control unit 203 as a storage area for various data.

[0019] The lens control unit 203 has, in the form of software, an initialization status transmission unit 221, a driven state transmission unit 222, and an initialization control unit 223. These functional units are realized in software form when the lens control unit 203 executes a predetermined control program stored in the ROM 215.

[0020] The initialization control unit 223 executes a predetermined initialization process for each of the multiple driven members. The initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status data indicating the status of the initialization process for each of the multiple driven members (e.g., status data indicating whether the initialization process has been completed or not) to the camera body 100 at predetermined intervals via a first transmission path (described in detail later). The drive status transmission unit 222 transmits drive status data indicating the drive status of the multiple driven members to the camera body at predetermined intervals via a second transmission path (described in detail later), which is different from the first transmission path. Here, the mechanism by which the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits the initialization status data to the camera body 100 at predetermined intervals will be described. The camera body 100 issues a command to the interchangeable lens 200 requesting initialization status data at predetermined intervals until it receives a signal from the interchangeable lens 200 indicating the completion of the initialization process. The initialization status transmission unit 221 of the interchangeable lens responds to this request command with the prepared initialization status data. With this mechanism, the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status data to the camera body 100 at predetermined intervals.

[0021] A shutter 115 for controlling the exposure state of the image sensor 104 and an optical filter 116 that combines an optical low-pass filter and an infrared cut filter are provided in front of the image sensor 104. Subject light that has passed through the imaging optical system 210 is incident on the image sensor 104 via the shutter 115 and the filter 116.

[0022] Inside the camera body 100, there is provided a body control unit 103 that controls each part of the camera body 100. The body control unit 103 is made up of a microcomputer, RAM and its peripheral circuits, etc., not shown.

[0023] The body control unit 103 is connected to a first body-side communication unit 117 and a second body-side communication unit 118. The first body-side communication unit 117 is connected to the holder 102, and can exchange data with the first lens-side communication unit 217 via multiple contacts provided on the holder 102. Similarly, the second body-side communication unit 118 can exchange data with the second lens-side communication unit 218. In other words, the first body-side communication unit 117 and the second body-side communication unit 118 are each body-side communication interfaces. The body control unit 103 uses these communication interfaces to perform various communications (hotline communication, command and data communication) described below with the interchangeable lens 200 (lens control unit 203).

[0024] A display device 111 configured with an LCD panel or the like is disposed on the back surface of the camera body 100. The body control unit 103 displays on this display device 111 an image of the subject based on the output of the image sensor 104 (a so-called through image) and various menu screens for setting shooting conditions and the like.

[0025] The body control unit 103 has, in the form of software, an initialization status receiving unit 121, a driven status receiving unit 122, and a drive control unit 123. Each of these functional units is realized in software by the body control unit 103 executing a predetermined control program. The initialization status receiving unit 121 receives initialization status data transmitted by the initialization status transmitting unit 221. The driven status receiving unit 122 receives driven status data indicating the driven status of multiple driven members transmitted by the driven status transmitting unit 222. The drive control unit 123 executes control processing (described below) for each driven member based on the initialization status data received by the initialization status receiving unit 121.

[0026] (Explanation of holding units 102 and 202) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing details of the holders 102 and 202. Note that the holder 102 is located to the right of the lens mount 101 in FIG. 3 , in accordance with an actual mount structure. That is, the holder 102 in this embodiment is located in a position recessed from the mount surface of the lens mount 101 of the camera body 100 (to the right of the lens mount 101 in FIG. 3 ). Similarly, the holder 202 is located to the right of the lens mount 201 because the holder 202 in this embodiment is located in a position protruding from the mount surface of the lens mount 201 of the interchangeable lens 200. Because the holders 102 and 202 are located in this manner, when the mount surfaces of the lens mount 101 and the lens mount 201 are brought into contact with each other to mount-couple the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 200, the holders 102 and 202 are connected, and the electrical contacts provided on both holders are also connected. This mount structure is well known, so further explanation and illustration will be omitted.

[0027] 3, there are 12 contacts BP1 to BP12 in the holding portion 102. In addition, there are 12 contacts LP1 to LP12 in the holding portion 202, which correspond to the above 12 contacts, respectively.

[0028] Contacts BP1 and BP2 are connected to a first power supply circuit 130 inside the camera body 100. The first power supply circuit 130 supplies to contact BP1 the operating voltage for each section inside the interchangeable lens 200, excluding circuits that have drive systems such as actuators and consume relatively large amounts of power (such as the focusing lens drive unit 212, the image blur correction lens drive unit 213, and the aperture drive unit 214). In other words, contacts BP1 and LP1 supply the operating voltage for each section inside the interchangeable lens 200, excluding the above-mentioned drive units. The voltage that can be supplied to this contact BP1 ranges from a minimum voltage value to a maximum voltage value (for example, a voltage range of about 3 V), but the voltage that is normally supplied is a voltage value near the midpoint between the maximum and minimum voltage values. As a result, the current supplied from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200, when the power is on, is within a range of approximately several tens of mA to several hundreds of mA.

[0029] The contact BP2 is a ground terminal corresponding to the operating voltage applied to the contact BP1, that is, the contacts BP2 and LP2 are ground terminal voltages corresponding to the operating voltages.

[0030] In the following description, the signal line formed by contacts BP1 and LP1 will be referred to as signal line V33. Additionally, the signal line formed by contacts BP2 and LP2 will be referred to as signal line GND. These contacts LP1, LP2, BP1, and BP2 form power system contacts for supplying power from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200.

[0031] Contacts BP3, BP4, BP5, and BP6 are connected to the body-side first communication unit 117. Contacts LP3, LP4, LP5, and LP6 on the interchangeable lens 200 side corresponding to these contacts are connected to the lens-side first communication unit 217. The body-side first communication unit 117 and the lens-side first communication unit 217 transmit and receive data to and from each other using these contacts (communication system contacts). The content of communication between the body-side first communication unit 117 and the lens-side first communication unit 217 will be described in detail later.

[0032] In the following description, the signal line formed by contacts BP3 and LP3 will be referred to as signal line CLK. Similarly, the signal line formed by contacts BP4 and LP4 will be referred to as signal line BDAT, the signal line formed by contacts BP5 and LP5 will be referred to as signal line LDAT, and the signal line formed by contacts BP6 and LP6 will be referred to as signal line RDY.

[0033] The contacts BP7, BP8, BP9, and BP10 are connected to the body-side second communication unit 118. The contacts LP7, LP8, LP9, and LP10 on the interchangeable lens 200 side corresponding to these contacts are connected to the lens-side second communication unit 218. The lens-side second communication unit 218 uses these contacts (communication system contacts) to transmit data to the body-side second communication unit 118. The content of communication between the body-side second communication unit 118 and the lens-side second communication unit 218 will be described in detail later.

[0034] In the following description, the signal line formed by contacts BP7 and LP7 will be referred to as signal line HREQ. Similarly, the signal line formed by contacts BP8 and LP8 will be referred to as signal line HANS, the signal line formed by contacts BP9 and LP9 will be referred to as signal line HCLK, and the signal line formed by contacts BP10 and LP10 will be referred to as signal line HDAT.

[0035] The contacts BP11 and BP12 are connected to a second power supply circuit 131 inside the camera body 100. The second power supply circuit 131 supplies to the contact BP12 a drive voltage for circuits that have drive systems such as actuators and consume relatively large amounts of power (such as the focusing lens drive unit 212, the blur correction lens drive unit 213, and the aperture drive unit 214). That is, the drive voltages for the focusing lens drive unit 212, the blur correction lens drive unit 213, and the aperture drive unit 214 are supplied from the contacts BP12 and LP12. The voltage that can be supplied to this contact BP12 ranges from a minimum voltage to a maximum voltage, but all of these ranges are greater than the range of voltages that can be supplied to the contact BP1 described above (for example, the maximum voltage that can be supplied to the contact BP12 is several times the maximum voltage that can be supplied to the contact BP1). That is, the voltage that is supplied to the contact BP12 is a voltage that differs in magnitude from the voltage that is supplied to the contact BP1 described above. The voltage value normally supplied to contact BP12 is a voltage value near the midpoint between the maximum and minimum voltage values ​​that can be supplied to contact BP12. As a result, the current supplied from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200 when the power is on is approximately 10 mA to several A.

[0036] The contact BP11 is a ground terminal corresponding to the drive voltage applied to the contact BP12. That is, the contact BP11 and the contact LP11 are ground terminals corresponding to the drive voltage.

[0037] In the following description, the signal line formed by contacts BP11 and LP11 will be referred to as the signal line PGND. Furthermore, the signal line formed by contacts BP12 and LP12 will be referred to as the signal line BAT. These contacts LP11, LP12, BP11, and BP12 form power supply system contacts for supplying power from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200.

[0038] As is clear from the magnitude relationship between the voltage (current) values ​​supplied to the above-mentioned contacts BP12 and LP12 and the voltage (current) values ​​supplied to contacts BP1 and LP1, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the current flowing through contacts BP11 and LP11, which serve as the ground terminals for the voltages supplied to each contact, is greater than the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the current flowing through contacts BP2 and LP2. This is because the power consumed by each drive unit having a drive system such as an actuator is greater than that consumed by electronic circuits such as the lens control unit 203 within the interchangeable lens 200, and because each drive unit does not consume power when there is no need to drive a driven member.

[0039] (Command and data communication explanation) The lens control unit 203 controls the first lens side communication unit 217 to receive control data from the first body side communication unit 117 and transmit response data to the first body side communication unit 117 in parallel at a predetermined first predetermined cycle (for example, 16 milliseconds in this embodiment) via contacts LP3 to LP6, i.e., signal lines CLK, BDAT, LDAT, and RDY. Details of the communication performed between the first lens side communication unit 217 and the first body side communication unit 117 will be described below.

[0040] In this embodiment, communication between the lens control unit 203 and the first lens side communication unit 217 and the body control unit 103 and the first body side communication unit 117 is referred to as "command data communication." Also, a transmission path consisting of four signal lines (signal lines CLK, BDAT, LDAT, and RDY) used for command data communication is referred to as a first transmission path. Also, a communication system for performing this command data communication is referred to as a "command data communication system."

[0041] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of command data communication. At the start of command data communication (T1), the body control unit 103 and the first body-side communication unit 117 first check the signal level of the signal line RDY. The signal level of the signal line RDY indicates whether the first lens-side communication unit 217 is able to communicate. If communication is not possible, the lens control unit 203 and the first lens-side communication unit 217 output an H (High) level signal from the contact LP6. In other words, the signal level of the signal line RDY is set to H level. If the signal line RDY is H level, the body control unit 103 and the first body-side communication unit 117 will not start communication until it becomes L level. Furthermore, they will not execute the next process during communication.

[0042] When the signal line RDY is at L (low) level, the body control unit 103 and the first body-side communication unit 117 output a clock signal 401 from contact BP3. That is, the clock signal 401 is transmitted to the first lens-side communication unit 217 via signal line CLK. The body control unit 103 and the first body-side communication unit 117 synchronize with this clock signal 401 and output a body-side command packet signal 402, which is the first half of the control data, from contact BP4. That is, the body-side command packet signal 402 is transmitted to the first lens-side communication unit 217 via signal line BDAT.

[0043] Furthermore, when a clock signal 401 is output to the signal line CLK, the lens control unit 203 and the first lens-side communication unit 217 output a lens-side command packet signal 403, which is the first half of the response data, from the contact LP5 in synchronization with the clock signal 401. In other words, the lens-side command packet signal 403 is transmitted to the first body-side communication unit 117 via the signal line LDAT.

[0044] The lens control unit 203 and the first lens side communication unit 217 set the signal level of the signal line RDY to H level (T2) in response to completion of transmission of the lens side command packet signal 403. The lens control unit 203 starts a first control process 404 (described below), which is a process in accordance with the contents of the received body side command packet signal 402.

[0045] When the first control process 404 is completed, the lens control unit 203 notifies the first lens side communication unit 217 of the completion of the first control process 404. In response to this notification, the first lens side communication unit 217 outputs an L-level signal from contact LP6. That is, the signal level of the signal line RDY is set to L level (T3). In response to this change in signal level, the body control unit 103 and the first body side communication unit 117 output a clock signal 405 from contact BP3. That is, the clock signal 405 is transmitted to the first lens side communication unit 217 via the signal line CLK.

[0046] The body control unit 103 and the first body-side communication unit 117 output a body-side data packet signal 406, which is the latter half of the control data, from contact BP4 in synchronization with this clock signal 405. In other words, the body-side data packet signal 406 is transmitted to the first lens-side communication unit 217 via signal line BDAT.

[0047] Furthermore, when a clock signal 405 is output to the signal line CLK, the lens control unit 203 and the lens-side first communication unit 217 output a lens data packet signal 407, which is the latter half of the response data, from the contact LP5 in synchronization with the clock signal 405. In other words, the lens-side data packet signal 407 is transmitted to the body-side first communication unit 117 via the signal line LDAT.

[0048] The lens control unit 203 and the first lens side communication unit 217 change the signal level of the signal line RDY back to H level (T4) in response to completion of transmission of the lens side data packet signal 407. The lens control unit 203 starts a second control process 408 (described below), which is a process in accordance with the content of the received body side data packet signal 406.

[0049] Here, the first control process 404 and the second control process 408 performed by the lens control unit 203 will be described.

[0050] For example, consider a case where the received body-side command packet signal 402 requests specific data from the interchangeable lens. As a first control process 404, the lens control unit 203 analyzes the content of the command packet signal 402 and generates the requested specific data. Furthermore, as the first control process 404, the lens control unit 203 also performs a communication error check process that uses checksum data included in the command packet signal 402 to simply check whether there are any errors in the communication of the command packet signal 402 based on the number of data bytes. The specific data signal generated in the first control process 404 is output to the body side as a lens-side data packet signal 407. Note that in this case, the body-side data packet signal 406 output from the body side after the command packet signal 402 is a dummy data signal (including checksum data) that has no particular meaning to the lens side. In this case, as a second control process 408, the lens control unit 203 performs the above-described communication error check process using the checksum data included in the body-side data packet signal 406.

[0051] Next, for example, a case will be described in which the received body-side command packet signal 402 is an instruction to drive a driven member on the lens side. For example, a case will be described in which the command packet signal 402 is an instruction to drive the focusing lens 210b, and the received body-side data packet signal 406 is the amount of drive of the focusing lens 210b. As a first control process 404, the lens control unit 203 analyzes the contents of the command packet signal 402 and generates an acknowledgement signal indicating that the contents have been understood. Furthermore, as a first control process 404, the lens control unit 203 also performs the above-mentioned communication error check process using checksum data included in the command packet signal 402. The acknowledgement signal generated in the first control process 404 is output to the body side as a lens-side data packet signal 407. Furthermore, as a second control process 408, the lens control unit 203 analyzes the contents of the body-side data packet signal 406 and performs the above-mentioned communication error check process using the checksum data included in the body-side data packet signal 406.

[0052] When the second control process 408 is completed, the lens control unit 203 notifies the first lens side communication unit 217 of the completion of the second control process 408. As a result, the lens control unit 203 causes the first lens side communication unit 217 to output an L level signal from the contact LP6. In other words, the signal level of the signal line RDY is set to L level (T5).

[0053] If the received body-side command packet signal 402 is an instruction to drive a driven member on the lens side (for example, a focusing lens) as described above, the lens control unit 203 causes the lens-side first communication unit 217 to set the signal level of the signal line RDY to L level, and causes the focusing lens driving unit 212 to execute processing to drive the focusing lens 210b by the corresponding driving amount.

[0054] The communications performed from time T1 to time T5 described above constitute one command data communication. As described above, in one command data communication, the body control unit 103 and the first body side communication unit 117 transmit one body side command packet signal 402 and one body side data packet signal 406. That is, although they are transmitted in two parts for processing convenience, the body side command packet signal 402 and the body side data packet signal 406 together constitute one piece of control data.

[0055] Similarly, in one command data communication, one lens-side command packet signal 403 and one lens-side data packet signal 407 are transmitted by the lens control unit 203 and the first lens-side communication unit 217. That is, the lens-side command packet signal 403 and the lens-side data packet signal 407 together constitute one piece of response data.

[0056] As described above, the lens control unit 203 and the first lens side communication unit 217 receive control data from the first body side communication unit 117 and transmit response data to the first body side communication unit 117 in parallel. The contacts LP6 and BP6 used for command data communication are contacts through which asynchronous signals (signal level of the signal line RDY / H (High) level or L (Low) level) that are not synchronized with other clock signals are transmitted.

[0057] (Hotline communication explanation) The lens control unit 203 controls the lens side second communication unit 218 to transmit lens position data to the body side second communication unit 118 via contacts LP7 to LP10, i.e., signal lines HREQ, HANS, HCLK, and HDAT. Details of communication performed between the lens side second communication unit 218 and the body side second communication unit 118 will be described below.

[0058] In this embodiment, communication between the lens control unit 203 and the lens-side second communication unit 218 and the body control unit 103 and the body-side second communication unit 118 is referred to as "hotline communication." Also, a transmission path consisting of four signal lines (signal lines HREQ, HANS, HCLK, and HDAT) used for hotline communication is referred to as a second transmission path. Also, a communication system for performing these hotline communications is referred to as a "hotline communication system."

[0059] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of hotline communication. The body control unit 103 of this embodiment is configured to start hotline communication every second predetermined period (for example, 1 millisecond in this embodiment). This period is shorter than the period for command data communication. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing how hotline communication is repeatedly executed every predetermined period Tn. FIG. 5(b) shows an expanded view of the period Tx of one of the repeatedly executed hotline communications. The procedure of hotline communication will be described below based on the timing chart of FIG. 5(b).

[0060] At the start of hotline communication (T6), the body control unit 103 and the body-side second communication unit 118 first output an L-level signal from contact BP7. That is, the signal level of the signal line HREQ is set to L. The lens-side second communication unit 218 notifies the lens control unit 203 that this signal has been input to contact LP7. In response to this notification, the lens control unit 203 starts executing a generation process 501 for generating lens position data. The generation process 501 is a process in which the lens control unit 203 causes a focusing lens position detection unit (not shown) to detect the position of the focusing lens 210b, and generates lens position data representing the detection result.

[0061] When the lens control unit 203 completes execution of the generation process 501, the lens control unit 203 and the second lens-side communication unit 218 output an L-level signal from contact LP8 (T7). That is, the signal level of the signal line HANS is set to L. In response to this signal being input to contact BP8, the body control unit 103 and the second body-side communication unit 118 output a clock signal 502 from contact BP9. That is, the clock signal is transmitted to the second lens-side communication unit 218 via the signal line HCLK.

[0062] The lens control unit 203 and the lens-side second communication unit 218 output a lens position data signal 503 representing lens position data from the contact LP10 in synchronization with this clock signal 502. In other words, the lens position data signal 503 is transmitted to the body-side second communication unit 118 via the signal line HDAT.

[0063] When transmission of the lens position data signal 503 is completed, the lens control unit 203 and the lens-side second communication unit 218 output an H-level signal from the contact LP8. That is, the signal level of the signal line HANS is set to H level (T8). In response to this signal being input to the contact BP8, the body-side second communication unit 118 outputs an H-level signal from the contact LP7. That is, the signal level of the signal line HREQ is set to H level (T9).

[0064] The communication performed from time T6 to time T9 described above constitutes one hotline communication. As described above, in one hotline communication, one lens position data signal 503 is transmitted by the lens control unit 203 and the second lens-side communication unit 218. The contacts LP7, LP8, BP7, and BP8 used for hotline communication are contacts through which asynchronous signals that are not synchronized with other clock signals are transmitted. In other words, the contacts LP7 and BP7 are contacts through which asynchronous signals (signal level of the signal line HREQ / H (High) level or L (Low) level) are transmitted, and the contacts LP8 and BP8 are contacts through which asynchronous signals (signal level of the signal line HANS / H (High) level or L (Low) level) are transmitted.

[0065] Command data communication and hotline communication can be performed simultaneously or partially in parallel. That is, one of the first lens side communication unit 217 and the second lens side communication unit 218 can communicate with the camera body 100 even when the other is communicating with the camera body 100.

[0066] (Description of the process that is executed after power-on) When the user turns on the power of the camera 1 (for example, by turning on a power switch (not shown)), the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) executes initialization processing for each unit of the interchangeable lens 200. Similarly, the body control unit 103 executes initialization processing for each unit of the camera body 100.

[0067] In this initialization process, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) first initializes the first lens side communication unit 217 and the second lens side communication unit 218. Similarly, the body control unit 103 first initializes the first body side communication unit 117 and the second body side communication unit 118. These processes enable data communication (command data communication and hotline communication) between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 200.

[0068] After initializing each communication unit, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) starts initializing the multiple driven members of the interchangeable lens 200. The interchangeable lens 200 of this embodiment includes multiple driven members (focusing lens 210b, image blur correction lens 210c, and aperture 211). After the camera 1 is powered on, the body control unit 103 and lens control unit 203 cannot perform normal control processing on these driven members until the initialization control unit 223 has completed executing a predetermined initialization process. Examples of normal control processing include a drive status transmission process by the drive status transmission unit 222 and a drive process by the drive control unit 123.

[0069] In this embodiment, the initialization control unit 223 sequentially executes initialization processing for each driven member in the order of the aperture 211, the image blur correction lens 210c, and the focusing lens 210b. The camera body 100 (body control unit 103) cannot execute processing that handles these driven members until the initialization processing by the initialization control unit 223 is complete. For example, until the initialization of the aperture 211 is complete, the camera body 100 (body control unit 103) cannot freely change the aperture diameter of the aperture 211, and therefore cannot execute processing such as exposure control.

[0070] In this embodiment, the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status data indicating the initialization status of each driven member to the camera body 100 (initialization status reception unit 121) at predetermined intervals. The body control unit 103 reads the initialization status data received by the initialization status reception unit 121 and sequentially starts control processing for driven members for which initialization has been completed. For example, the drive control unit 123 does not execute control processing for driven members for which the initialization status data indicates that execution of the initialization processing has not yet been completed.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of information (data) indicating the initialization status. When the initialization of each communication unit is completed, the body control unit 103 transmits an initialization status request command (data) 50 shown in FIG. 6(a) from the body-side first communication unit 117 to the interchangeable lens 200 at predetermined intervals. When the lens-side first communication unit 217 receives this initialization status request command (data) 50, it transmits initialization status information (data) 60 shown in FIG. 6(b) to the body-side first communication unit 117. That is, the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status information (data) 60 indicating whether the initialization process for each of the multiple driven members has been completed or not to the body-side first communication unit 117 at predetermined intervals (e.g., 16 milliseconds) via the lens-side first communication unit 217. In the command data communication shown in FIG. 4, the initialization status request command (data) 50 corresponds to the body-side command packet signal 402, and the initialization status information (data) 60 corresponds to the lens-side data packet signal 407.

[0072] 6, areas marked "N / A" are areas where no data is specified. In other words, any data can be stored in the areas marked "N / A." The first body-side communication unit 117 and the first lens-side communication unit 217 simply ignore the data stored in these areas.

[0073] The initialization status request command (data) 50 shown in Fig. 6(a) is two bytes of data, and the lowest byte is an identification integer 51 that indicates that this data is the initialization status request command (data) 50. In Fig. 6(a), as an example, this identification integer 51 is a hexadecimal number "60H", but other communication may be used as long as it can be identified as the initialization status request command (data) 50.

[0074] The initialization status information (data) 60 shown in FIG. 6(b) is two-byte data, and the lowest byte is an identification integer 61 indicating that this data is initialization status information (data) 60. The eighth bit is a flag 62 indicating whether the initialization process of the aperture 211 has been completed or is incomplete. If the initialization process of the aperture 211 has not been completed, the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status information (data) 60 with flag 62 set to 0. Similarly, the ninth bit is a flag 63 indicating whether the initialization process of the blur correction lens 210c has been completed or is incomplete, and the tenth bit is a flag 64 indicating whether the initialization process of the focusing lens 210b has been completed or is incomplete.

[0075] 7 is a time chart showing the execution order of initialization processes after the power is turned on. When the power is turned on for the camera 1 at time T10, the body control unit 103 starts initialization process 71 for each communication unit. Similarly, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) also starts initialization process 72 for each communication unit.

[0076] When the initialization process 71 of each communication unit is completed, the body control unit 103 starts transmitting the above-mentioned initialization status request command (data) 50. After this, the body control unit 103 repeatedly transmits the initialization status request command (data) 50 at predetermined intervals until the control process 78 of the focusing lens 210b, which will be described later, is completed (i.e., during the period Ti).

[0077] When the initialization process 72 for each communication unit is completed, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) starts initialization process 73 for the aperture 211. The initialization process 73 for the aperture 211 includes, for example, a process of returning an aperture actuator (not shown) that drives the aperture 211 to its origin. This process is a process of driving the aperture actuator to drive (contact drive) the aperture 211 to the aperture maximum aperture position (a position where the aperture abuts against a mechanical limit provided on the aperture maximum aperture side where the aperture is fully open). Until the initialization control unit 223 has completed execution of the initialization process 73 for the aperture 211, the lens control unit 203 (initialization status transmission unit 221) causes the first lens-side communication unit 217 (to the camera body 100) to transmit initialization status information (data) 60 in which flag 62, flag 63, and flag 64 are all set to 0 each time an initialization status request command (data) 50 is transmitted from the camera body 100.

[0078] In this embodiment, there are two types of initialization processing for the aperture 211. One of these is initialization processing 1, which occurs when the power is turned on (started up) from a "power off state" in which the power switch on the camera body 100 is turned off. The other is initialization processing 2, which occurs when the camera body is started up from a "sleep state" in which the power switch on the camera body remains on but the camera body has transitioned to a low power consumption state. Here, the position of the aperture 211 before entering the sleep state (controlled aperture position) is stored in memory within the lens control unit 203 when the camera transitions to the sleep state.

[0079] The initialization process 1 is a process for returning the aperture actuator (not shown) that drives the aperture 211 to its original position as described above.

[0080] On the other hand, initialization process 2 is a process in which, after first performing the origin return process of the aperture actuator as described above, the aperture 211 is driven and controlled to the aperture position (control aperture position) before transition to the sleep state that was stored in the memory in the lens control unit 203 described above.

[0081] The body control unit 103 recognizes whether the camera body is in a power-off state or a sleep state, and when sending an initialization start instruction to the lens control unit 203, it transmits information (parameter) indicating whether to perform initialization process 1 or initialization process 2 to the lens control unit 203. The lens side control unit 203 performs either initialization process 1 or initialization process 2 based on this parameter.

[0082] When the execution of the initialization process 73 for the aperture 211 is complete (i.e., when the initialization of the aperture 211 is complete and normal aperture control is possible), the initialization status transmission unit 221 begins transmitting initialization status information (data) 60 in which the flag 61 is set to 1. When the body control unit 103 receives the initialization status information (data) 60 in which the flag 61 is set to 1, it causes the drive control unit 123 to start executing control process 74 for the aperture 211. The control process for the aperture 211 includes, for example, a photometric calculation process that determines photometric information necessary for exposure control based on the output from the image sensor 104 in the body, and a process for acquiring aperture position information for detecting the current position of the aperture 211. This control process for the aperture 211 may also include a photographic aperture control process that changes and controls the aperture 211 to a photographic aperture value that should be controlled during photography, depending on photographic conditions such as the photography mode and the aforementioned photometric information (subject brightness).

[0083] On the other hand, following the initialization process for the aperture 211, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) sequentially executes initialization process 75 for the blur correction lens 210c and initialization process 77 for the focusing lens 210b. That is, in this embodiment, the lens control unit 203 (initialization control unit 223) completes the initialization process for the aperture 211 before the initialization processes for the other driven members. Each time each of these initialization processes is completed, the initialization status transmission unit 221 changes each flag (flag 62, flag 63) in the initialization status information (data) 60 that it transmits from 0 to 1. After detecting such a change in each flag (i.e., the end of each initialization process), the body control unit 103 causes the drive control unit 123 to execute control processes for driven members for which it is determined that control other than initialization processes is now possible according to the respective flags (for example, control process 76 for the blur correction lens 210c (for example, a centering process operation for the blur correction lens and an operation for acquiring the associated position information of the blur correction lens via the command data communication system rather than the hotline communication system described above) and control process 78 for the focusing lens 210b (for example, a process for clearing data related to focusing processes stored in the in-body memory (for example, defocus information that indicates focus deviation that was stored for the immediately preceding focusing process) from the memory). Then, when the initialization process for each driven member shown in FIG. 7 is completed, and further when all of the control processes for each driven member are completed, if an operation member that instructs the start of shooting is performed (for example, a half-press or full-press operation on the release button), the camera 1 will perform shooting preparation operations (focusing lens control, blur correction lens control, aperture control, etc.) and will be ready to start shooting.

[0084] The initialization process 77 for the focusing lens 210b described above, like the initialization process 73 for the diaphragm 211 described above, includes a process of returning the focusing lens actuator (not shown) that drives the focusing lens to its original position. This process of returning the focusing lens to its predetermined reference position (for example, the telephoto end position or the wide-angle end position). Whether the focusing lens 210b has reached the reference position is detected by a sensor (a photointerrupter, not shown) provided in the interchangeable lens, and the lens control unit 203 controls the focusing lens actuator to stop based on the detection result of this sensor.

[0085] Similar to the initialization process 73 for the aperture 211 described above, the initialization process 77 for the focusing lens 210b also has two types of processes (initialization process 1 when the power is turned on (started up) from the "power off state", and initialization process 2 when the camera body is started up from the "sleep state"). The contents of initialization processes 1 and 2 are similar to the initialization process 73 for the aperture 211, and the only difference is whether the object to be driven is the aperture 211 or the focusing lens 210b, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0086] Meanwhile, the initialization process 75 for the blur correction lens 210c described above is a process for calculating a correction value for correcting the output of a position detection sensor that detects the position of the blur correction lens 210c. In this embodiment, a low-cost sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor) is used as the position detection sensor for the blur correction lens 210c. The output of such a position detection sensor fluctuates with fluctuations in ambient temperature. For this reason, a process is required to correct the output of the position detection sensor in accordance with the ambient temperature so that proper position detection can be performed regardless of the ambient temperature. In the initialization process 75, as this correction process, a correction value based on the ambient temperature is calculated and stored in the memory of the lens control unit 203. The initialization process 75 ends with the process of storing this correction value. Then, when actually detecting the position of the blur correction lens 210c, the output of the position detection sensor that detects the position of the blur correction lens 210c is corrected based on the correction value stored in the memory of the lens control unit 203. The ambient temperature is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided on a circuit board inside the lens.

[0087] In the initialization process 75 of this embodiment, the process of returning the blur correction lens 210c to its origin (the process of driving the blur correction lens 210c to a predetermined reference position, for example, the process of driving the blur correction lens 210c so that its center coincides with the center of the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 200) is not performed in order to save energy.

[0088] (Explanation of driven state data) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of the drive state information (data). The drive state information (data) is information (data) that represents the drive state of multiple driven members of the interchangeable lens 200. The drive state transmission unit 222 transmits the drive state information (data) 80 shown in FIG. 8 to the camera body 100 (drive state reception unit 122) at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 1 millisecond). The drive state information (data) 80 is transmitted by hotline communication. That is, the drive state information (data) 80 is transmitted from the lens side second communication unit 218 to the body side second communication unit 118 via the second transmission path. The drive state transmission unit 222 starts transmitting the drive state of each driven member after initialization of all driven members is completed. That is, the transmission of the drive state information (data) 80 does not start until the initialization control unit 223 completes the initialization process for each driven member. In other words, after the initialization status receiving unit 121 receives initialization status information (data) 60 indicating that initialization of all driven members has been completed, the drive status receiving unit 122 on the camera body 100 side begins receiving drive status information (data) 80 by issuing a request signal to the interchangeable lens 200 using the hotline communication system described above. Here, we will describe how the drive status transmitting unit 222 transmits initialization status data to the camera body 100 at predetermined intervals (second intervals). The camera body 100 transmits a signal (request signal) to the interchangeable lens 200 requesting drive status information (data) at second intervals (e.g., 1 msec). The drive status transmitting unit 222 of the interchangeable lens prepares for this request signal and responds with drive status information (data). Through this mechanism, the drive status transmitting unit 222 transmits drive status information (data) to the camera body 100 at the second predetermined intervals.

[0089] Driven state information (data) 80 is 4-byte data consisting of position data 81 of focusing lens 210b, aperture diameter data 82 of diaphragm 211, and position data 83 of blur correction lens 210c. Position data 81 of focusing lens 210b is a 1-byte integer, with values ​​from 0 to 255 corresponding to each position from the closest position to the infinity position. Aperture diameter data 82 of diaphragm 211 is also a 1-byte integer, with values ​​from 0 to 255 corresponding to each position from the widest aperture (maximum aperture diameter) to the smallest aperture (minimum aperture diameter). Position data 83 of blur correction lens 210c is data consisting of a combination of two 1-byte integers, with the position of blur correction lens 210c in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of imaging optical system 210 corresponding to values ​​from 0 to 255 in the X-axis direction and values ​​from 0 to 255 in the Y-axis direction.

[0090] The body control unit 103 acquires the current driven state of each driven member by referencing the driven state data 80 received by the driven state receiving unit 122. Then, based on the acquired driven state, the body control unit 103 causes the drive control unit 123 to perform drive control. For example, when driving the focusing lens 210b, the body control unit 103 determines by referencing the driven state data 80 whether the focusing lens 210b has been driven to the target position.

[0091] (Explanation of the process from turning the power on until you are ready to take a photo) Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing from when the power is turned on until shooting is possible. The left side of Fig. 9 shows the processing executed by the body control unit 103, and the right side of Fig. 9 shows the processing executed by the lens control unit 203. First, the processing executed by the body control unit 103 will be explained.

[0092] In step S100, the body control unit 103 accepts a power-on operation by the user. In step S110, the body control unit 103 executes initialization processing for the first body side communication unit 117 and the second body side communication unit 118. In step S120, the body control unit 103 outputs a predetermined lens startup signal to the interchangeable lens 200 via the contacts of the holder 102. In step S130, the body control unit 103 causes the first body side communication unit 117 to send a predetermined initialization start instruction.

[0093] In step S140, the body control unit 103 determines whether a predetermined period of time (e.g., 16 milliseconds) has elapsed since execution of step S130. The body control unit 103 repeats the processing of step S140 until the predetermined period of time has elapsed. If the predetermined period of time has elapsed, processing proceeds to step S150. In step S150, the body control unit 103 transmits an initialization status request command (data) 50 to the interchangeable lens 200. In step S160, the initialization status receiving unit 121 receives initialization status information (data) 60. In step S170, the body control unit 103 references the initialization status information (data) 60 received in step S160 and determines whether the initialization status has changed since the previously received initialization status information (data) 60. If the initialization status has not changed, processing proceeds to step S140 and waits for the predetermined period of time to elapse since execution of step S170. On the other hand, if the initialization status has changed, processing proceeds to step S180. In step S180, the drive control unit 123 executes a predetermined control process for the driven member whose initialization status has changed. In step S190, the body control unit 103 determines whether initialization of all driven members has been completed. If there are any uninitialized driven members remaining, the process returns to step S140 and waits for a predetermined period of time to elapse since execution of step S190. On the other hand, if initialization of all driven members has been completed, the process proceeds to step S200 and transitions the camera body 100 to a shooting-ready state.

[0094] Next, the processing executed by the lens control unit 203 will be described. In step S210, a lens startup signal is input from the camera body 100. The lens control unit 203 starts startup processing in response to this signal. In step S220, the initialization control unit 223 executes initialization processing for the first lens side communication unit 217 and the second lens side communication unit 218. In step S230, the lens control unit 203 receives an initialization start instruction from the camera body 100. In step S240, the initialization control unit 223 sequentially starts initialization processing for each driven member. The initialization control unit 223 first starts initialization processing for the diaphragm 211, and when this is complete, sequentially starts initialization processing for the other driven members. As described above, the initialization control unit 223 executes only one initialization processing at a time.

[0095] In step S250, the lens control unit 203 determines whether or not an initialization status request command (data) 50 has been received from the camera body 100. The lens control unit 203 repeats step S250 until it receives the initialization status request command (data) 50. If the initialization status request command (data) 50 has been received, the process proceeds to step S260. In step S260, the initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status information (data) 60 to the camera body 100. In step S270, the lens control unit 203 determines whether all of the flags in the initialization status information (data) 60 transmitted immediately before in step S260 were 1. If a negative determination is made in step S270, the process proceeds to step S250. On the other hand, if initialization status information (data) 60 in which all flags are 1 has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S280. In step S280, the lens control unit 203 transitions the interchangeable lens 200 to a shooting-enabled state.

[0096] According to the camera system of the first embodiment described above, the following advantageous effects can be obtained. (1) The initialization control unit 223 executes a predetermined initialization process for each of the multiple driven members. The initialization status transmission unit 221 transmits initialization status information (data) indicating whether the initialization process for each of the multiple driven members has been completed or not to the camera body 100. Since the initialization status is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100 in this way, it is possible to shorten the time required to detect the completion of initialization of the interchangeable lens.

[0097] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, initialization status information (data) is transmitted to the camera body 100 via the first transmission path (command data communication system) at predetermined intervals (for example, 16 msec in response to a request command issued from the camera body at a first predetermined interval). In this way, the initialization status is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100 periodically at a certain predetermined interval, thereby reducing the time required to detect the completion of initialization of the interchangeable lens.

[0098] Furthermore, after initialization of each driven member is complete, driven state transmission unit 222 transmits driven state data indicating the driven state of the driven member to camera body 100 at predetermined intervals via the second transmission path (hotline communication system). In this manner, camera body 100 can quickly learn the state of the driven member immediately after the initialization process is complete.

[0099] (2) The initialization control unit 223 completes the initialization process for the diaphragm 211 before the initialization process for the other driven members. The initialization process for the diaphragm member in this embodiment is a process for setting the diaphragm 211 to either the maximum aperture (initialization process 1) or the photographic diaphragm opening stored before sleep (initialization process 2), and initially sets the diaphragm 211 to a metering preparation state appropriate for the situation (maximum aperture metering or stopped-down metering to the photographic diaphragm). This allows the camera body to begin preparations for metering operations (such as the above-mentioned metering calculation process based on the image sensor output) without waiting for the initialization of the other driven members, thereby shortening the time until the camera is ready to take pictures.

[0100] (3) The initialization status transmission unit 221 of the interchangeable lens 200 periodically transmits initialization status data 60, which indicates the initialization status of multiple driven members each time, to the camera body 100. This allows the camera body 100 to reliably grasp the status of each driven member each time and perform preparatory operations on the body side accordingly, thereby shortening the time it takes to become ready for photography.

[0101] (4) The initialization control unit 223 executes the initialization process for multiple driven members one at a time in a predetermined order. This makes it possible to always maintain a consistent order in which the initialization process for each driven member is completed, making control easier.

[0102] (5) The driven state receiving unit 122 starts receiving the driven state of the driven member after the initialization state data 60 indicating that the initialization of the driven member has been completed is received by the initialization state receiving unit 121. This prevents the reception of an inaccurate driven state from an uninitialized driven member.

[0103] (6) The drive control unit 123 does not execute a predetermined control process for a driven member for which the initialization process is incomplete according to the initialization status data 60. This prevents inappropriate drive control from being executed for an uninitialized driven member.

[0104] (Second embodiment) The camera system according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a configuration similar to that of the camera system according to the first embodiment. However, compared to the first embodiment, the order (procedure) in which the initialization control unit 223 executes the initialization process for the multiple driven members is different. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same contents as those in the first embodiment.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the execution order of initialization processes after power-on. After executing initialization process 72 for each communication unit, the initialization control unit 223 according to this embodiment executes initialization processes for multiple driven members in parallel. That is, it simultaneously starts execution of initialization process 73 for the aperture 211, initialization process 75 for the motion compensation lens 210c, and initialization process 77 for the focusing lens 210b. Each of these initialization processes requires a different amount of time, and the body control unit 103 starts execution of control processes for the driven members in order of the driven members for which initialization has been completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when aperture initialization process 73 is completed first, it accordingly starts execution of aperture control process 74. Then, once execution of aperture control process 74 is completed, it waits until execution of initialization processes for the other driven members is completed. Then, each time execution of an initialization process is completed, it executes the corresponding control process (for example, motion compensation lens control process 76 or focusing lens control process 78).

[0106] As in the first embodiment, there are two types of initialization processes 73 and 77 (processing at startup from a "power-off state" and processing at startup from a "sleep state").

[0107] The operation flow of the second embodiment is almost the same as the operation flow shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the difference from the operation flow of the first embodiment is that in step S240, the initialization control unit 223 "simultaneously starts" the initialization process for each driven member.

[0108] According to the camera system of the second embodiment described above, the following advantageous effects can be obtained in addition to the advantageous effects obtained by the camera system of the first embodiment. (1) The initialization control unit 223 starts executing the initialization process for multiple driven members simultaneously. This allows multiple initialization processes to be performed in parallel, which shortens the time required to complete all initializations and therefore shortens the time required to reach a state where photography is possible.

[0109] (2) The initialization control unit 223 simultaneously starts executing initialization processing for multiple driven members. Each time initialization processing is completed for a driven member, the interchangeable lens 200 transmits information indicating this to the camera body. This allows the camera body to quickly learn which driven members have completed initialization processing, and accordingly, the camera body can begin preparing for photography in sequence, further shortening the time it takes to reach a state where photography is possible.

[0110] The following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention, and one or more of the modifications may be combined with the above-described embodiment.

[0111] (Variation 1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the driven state transmission unit 222 did not transmit the driven state until initialization of all driven members was completed. However, it may be configured so that the driven state is transmitted sequentially starting with the driven members for which initialization has been completed. For example, the driven state data 80 may be variable-length data, and only information related to the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 211 may be transmitted, so that transmission of the driven state of the diaphragm 211 begins after initialization of the diaphragm 211 is completed.

[0112] (Variation 2) The driven members are not limited to the above-mentioned diaphragm, focusing lens, and image blur correction lens, and the order in which the driven members are initialized is not limited to the order shown in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0113] (Variation 3) The interchangeable lens 200 of the above embodiment (FIG. 8) is configured to transmit drive state information of multiple driven members as drive state information of the driven members communicated to the camera body side using a hotline communication system. However, the present invention is not limited to transmitting state information of multiple driven members, and may be configured to transmit information indicating the drive state of any one driven member.

[0114] (Variation 4) In each of the above embodiments, the interchangeable lens 200 is configured to transmit the initialization status data 60 to the camera body 100 at a first predetermined cycle using the command data communication system. However, it is also possible to devise a way to quickly notify the camera body of any changes in the initialization process until the initialization process on the interchangeable lens 200 side is complete. For example, it is also possible to configure the communication cycle of the command data communication system to be shortened until the initialization process of all driven members of the interchangeable lens 200 is complete. Specifically, it is also possible to configure the communication cycle of the command data communication systems on the camera body 100 side and the interchangeable lens 200 side to be controlled to a cycle shorter than the first predetermined cycle. This allows the camera body 100 to quickly know the completion of the initialization process of each driven member, thereby shortening the time required for preparation for and shooting.

[0115] (Variation 5) In the initialization process 75 for the blur correction lens 210c in each of the above embodiments, it may be configured to perform a process of driving the blur correction lens 210c to a reference position (for example, a process of driving the blur correction lens 210c so that the center position of the blur correction lens 210c coincides with the center of the optical axis of the photographing lens 200). For example, if there is sufficient battery power remaining on the camera body side, such a process of returning the blur correction lens 210c to its origin may be added to the initialization process 75.

[0116] (Variation 6) In the second embodiment described above, the three initialization processes 73, 75, and 77 are started simultaneously, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the system so that only two of the initialization processes are started simultaneously and the remaining initialization processes are started at different times.

[0117] (Variation 7) In the above embodiment, each time the state of each initialization process changes (each time an initialization process is completed), information indicating this is sent to the camera body, but other methods are also possible. For example, until the initialization process for all driven members to be initialized is completed, the interchangeable lens can be configured to send information indicating that not all initialization processes have been completed (for example, information indicating that all initialization processes are incomplete; for example, data in which flags 62 to 63 in the initialization status data 60 in FIG. 6 are all "0"). Then, once the initialization process for all driven members is completed, the interchangeable lens can be configured to send information indicating this (information indicating that all initialization processes have been completed; specifically, data in which flags 62 to 63 in the initialization status data 60 in FIG. 6 are all "1"). With this configuration, the interchangeable lens can also notify the camera body that all initialization processes have been completed.

[0118] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other forms that are conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1...camera, 100...camera body, 101...lens mount, 102...holding unit, 103...body control unit, 117...first body side communication unit, 118...second body side communication unit, 121...initialization status receiving unit, 122...driven state receiving unit, 123...drive control unit, 200...interchangeable lens, 201...lens mount, 202...holding unit, 203...lens control unit, 210...imaging optical system, 210b...focusing lens, 210c...blur correction lens, 211...aperture, 212...focusing lens driving unit, 213...blur correction lens driving unit, 214...aperture driving unit, 217...first lens side communication unit, 218...second lens side communication unit, 221...initialization status transmitting unit, 222...driven state transmitting unit, 223...initialization control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] an attachment means for detachably attaching a camera body; a plurality of driven members whose states change when subjected to a driving force; an initialization unit that executes an initialization process on each of the plurality of driven members; an initialization status transmitting means for transmitting an initialization status indicating the status of the initialization process for each of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a first transmission path in response to a request output from the camera body at a first period; a driven state transmitting means for transmitting the driven state of at least one of the plurality of driven members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path in response to a request output from the camera body at a second cycle different from the first cycle, The interchangeable lens is characterized in that the driven state transmission means starts transmitting the driven state of the driven member whose initialization state has changed after a change has occurred in the initialization state of at least one driven member.

Images