Mounting device, imaging device, accessories, adapter device

Abstract

To prevent erroneous detection related to mounting of an accessory on an imaging apparatus, while preventing a reduction in reliability related to electrical connection.SOLUTION: A mount device having a plurality of terminals comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The plurality of terminals each include a contact part brought into contact with a corresponding terminal of the mount device at an individual contact height. A first contact height being the contact height of the contact part of the first terminal is different from a second contact height being the contact height of the contact part of the second terminal and the contact part of the third terminal. The first terminal is arranged close to the second terminal and the third terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus having a mount with terminals that can be electrically connected to other devices. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that an accessory (camera accessory) that is detachable from an imaging device receives power from the imaging device while attached to the imaging device, or communicates various commands, data, and the like with the imaging device. In general, in order to supply power and communicate as described above, a mounting portion of the imaging device and the accessory, called a mount, is provided with a plurality of terminals that are electrically connected by contacting each other. In some cases, each of these multiple terminals performs independent communication using a different communication system.

[0003] For example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal arrangement that prevents a terminal for detecting the attachment of an accessory provided on the imaging device from sliding against a power supply terminal on the accessory side when the accessory is attached or detached from the imaging device using a bayonet connection method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-038300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, as the imaging device and the accessory become more sophisticated, the amount of data transmitted and received between them increases. In this case, it is desirable to increase the number of terminals in the imaging device and the accessory.

[0006] However, in an imaging device and an accessory that employs a bayonet coupling method, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, an increase in the number of terminals increases wear between the terminals caused by attaching and detaching the accessory to the imaging device. In this case, wear can reduce the insulation resistance of each terminal, cause short circuits between terminals, or increase the contact resistance of each terminal, thereby reducing the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminals.

[0007] Furthermore, when a bayonet coupling method or the like is adopted and terminals for attachment detection are provided as in the technology described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, it is preferable to prevent erroneous detection of the attachment of an accessory when an electrical connection between the corresponding terminals has not been established.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration in reliability of electrical connection between a mount device for an imaging device or the like and an accessory. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the imaging device according to the present invention is a device that can attach and detach accessories. Imaging The device includes a mount portion and a plurality of terminals arranged along a circumferential direction of the mount portion and used for electrical connection with corresponding terminals arranged on the accessory, the plurality of terminals being Imaging a first terminal used to detect that the accessory is attached to the device; second and third terminals for supplying power to the accessory via the second and third terminals; and a fourth terminal for indicating a reference voltage level corresponding to the second terminal; Each of the plurality of terminals is Accessories a first contact height that is a contact height of the contact portion of the first terminal and the contact portion of the fourth terminal is different from a second contact height that is a contact height of the contact portion of the second terminal and the contact portion of the third terminal, and the accessory is ImagingWhen attached to an apparatus, in a direction parallel to the central axis direction of the mounting portion, the contact portion of the second terminal and the contact portion of the third terminal are located closer to the accessory than the contact portion of the first terminal and the contact portion of the fourth terminal, the first terminal is arranged closer to the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals whose contact portions have the first contact height, and the fourth terminal is arranged farther from the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals whose contact portions have the first contact height. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in reliability of the electrical connection between a mount device for an imaging device or the like and an accessory. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating exemplary types of camera accessories that can be attached to a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a camera system including a first interchangeable lens 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a camera body 100 to which the first interchangeable lens 200 can be directly coupled. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of both a first interchangeable lens 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a camera body 100 when the first interchangeable lens 200 is connected to the camera body 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of a camera mount A and a lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a connection state between terminals due to relative rotation between a camera mount A and a lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 according to the present embodiment via a conversion adapter 400. [Figure 7]2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating an example of a camera mount C and a lens mount D according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a connection state between the mounts when a second interchangeable lens 300 is attached via a conversion adapter 400 to a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to a camera body 100 according to the present embodiment via an intermediate accessory 500. [Figure 10] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of the connection state between the mounts when a first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention via an intermediate accessory 500. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection state between a TYPE_IN terminal of a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and each camera accessory. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation until the first communication is started when any camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of each action related to a second communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of broadcast communication in the third communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of P2P communication in the third communication according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating exemplary internal configurations of a CS terminal, a DCA terminal, and a DGND terminal in a camera mount A and a lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining exemplary effects on an electric circuit depending on differences in terminals adjacent to an LCLK terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a camera mount A of a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external perspective view of a camera body 100 and a first interchangeable lens 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. [Figure 21] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention in an uncoupled state. [Figure 22] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a coupled state of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment) (Connection system for imaging devices and camera accessories) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] First, an example of connection between an imaging device employing a lens exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a camera accessory will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an example of types of camera accessories that can be attached to a camera body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera accessories in this embodiment include an exchange lens, a conversion adapter, an intermediate accessory, and the like, which are provided with an accessory mount that can be coupled to a camera mount provided in the imaging device. Specifically, the above-mentioned accessory mount is provided with a plurality of accessory recesses and accessory claws that can be engaged with a plurality of camera claws and a camera recess that are arranged in order in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis in the camera mount. The accessory mount can move from a mated state in which the claws and recesses of each mount are mated with each other to an engaged state in which the claws engage with each other in a direction parallel to the optical axis (hereinafter simply referred to as the optical axis direction). The mated state is a mounting start state of the camera accessory described later, and the engaged state is a mounting completion state of the camera accessory described later.

[0015] 1, camera accessories connectable to the camera body 100 will be described. The first interchangeable lens 200 is one of the camera accessories that can be directly attached to the camera body 100, and includes a lens mount B as an accessory mount that can be directly coupled to a camera mount of the camera body 100, which will be described later. The intermediate accessory 500 is one of the camera accessories that can be directly attached to the camera body 100, and includes a lens mount B as an accessory mount that can be directly coupled to the camera body 100, and a camera mount A that can be directly coupled to the first interchangeable lens 200. In other words, the first interchangeable lens 200 can also be connected to the camera body 100 via the intermediate accessory 500.

[0016] Also, the second interchangeable lens 300 can be indirectly attached to the camera body 100 via a conversion adaptor 400 that can be directly attached to the camera body 100. That is, the lens mount D, which is an accessory mount provided on the second interchangeable lens 300, cannot be directly coupled to the camera mount A provided on the camera body 100. And, the camera mount C provided on the conversion adaptor 400 and the lens mount D of the second interchangeable lens 300 can be directly coupled (attached) to each other.

[0017] As described above, the first interchangeable lens 200, the first interchangeable lens 200 with the intermediate accessory 500 therebetween, and the second interchangeable lens 300 with the conversion adapter 400 therebetween can be attached to the camera body 100. In the following description common to the first interchangeable lens 200 and the second interchangeable lens 300, the first interchangeable lens 200 and the second interchangeable lens 300 will be collectively referred to as interchangeable lenses. Similarly, the conversion adapter 400 and the intermediate accessory 500 will be collectively referred to as adapters.

[0018] (Basic configuration of the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200) Next, the basic configuration of the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustratively illustrating a camera system including the first interchangeable lens 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the camera body 100 to which the first interchangeable lens 200 can be directly coupled (attached and detached). In FIG. 2, both the first interchangeable lens 200 and the respective mounts provided on the camera body 100 are collectively referred to as a mount unit 1. Details of the mounts provided on the first interchangeable lens 200 and the camera body 100 will be described later. Note that in this embodiment, the imaging device (e.g., the camera body 100) and the camera accessory (e.g., the first interchangeable lens 200) are detachable from each other.

[0019] The camera body 100 is an imaging device typified by a digital camera. As shown in Fig. 2, the camera body 100 has a charge accumulation type solid-state imaging element (hereinafter simply referred to as an imaging sensor) 12 that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject guided by a lens 10 provided inside a first lens 200 and outputs an electrical signal. The camera body 100 also has an A / D conversion section 13 that converts an analog electrical signal output from the imaging sensor 12 into a digital signal, and an image processing section 14 that generates a video signal by performing various types of image processing on the digital signal. The video signal (still image or moving image) generated by the image processing section 14 can be displayed on a display section 15 and can be recorded on a recording medium 16.

[0020] The camera body 100 also functions as a buffer when processing video signals, and has a memory 17 for storing operating programs used by a camera control unit 101, which will be described later.

[0021] The camera body 100 also has a camera operation input unit 18 including a power switch for turning the power on and off, a shooting switch (release switch) for starting recording of a video signal, and a selection / setting switch for setting various menus. The camera body 100 also has a camera control unit 101 including a microprocessor (CPU) that comprehensively controls the operation of the camera body 100 and camera accessories that can be attached to the camera body 100. The camera control unit 101 performs various settings based on signals input from the camera operation input unit 18, for example, or controls communication with a first lens control unit 201 provided in a first interchangeable lens 200 via the mount unit 1.

[0022] On the other hand, the first interchangeable lens 200 has a lens 10 which is an optical member equipped with a plurality of lens groups such as a zoom lens, a shift lens, and a focus lens, and a light amount adjustment member such as an aperture. The first interchangeable lens 200 also has an actuator that moves or operates the plurality of lens groups and optical members such as an aperture, and has a lens driving unit 11 that drives the actuator. The first interchangeable lens 200 also has a first lens control unit 201 including a lens microprocessor (LCPU) that comprehensively controls the operation of the first interchangeable lens 200. The first lens control unit 201 controls communication with the camera control unit 101 via the mount unit 1, or controls the lens driving unit 11, for example.

[0023] (Basic configuration of electrical terminals) Next, the internal configuration of the camera when the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 are connected will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of both the camera body 100 and the first lens 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention when the first lens 200 is connected to the camera body 100. The camera mount and the lens mount each include a locking mechanism, a mount holding mechanism, and a plurality of electrical terminals. Details of each mount will be described later.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the mount unit 1 has a plurality of terminals that can electrically connect the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 to each other. In the camera body 100, the plurality of terminals (camera side terminals) are exposed to the outside of the camera body 100 as a plurality of electrical contact pins provided on a contact holding member 105 that corresponds to the terminal holding portion in the ring-shaped camera mount A (Fig. 4(a)). In the first interchangeable lens 200, the plurality of terminals (accessory side terminals) are exposed to the outside of the first interchangeable lens 200 as a plurality of electrical contact surfaces provided on a contact surface holding member 205 that corresponds to the terminal holding portion in the ring-shaped lens mount B (Fig. 4(b)). The electrical contact pins and electrical contact surfaces on the camera body 100 side and the first interchangeable lens 200 side are electrically connected to each other at corresponding contacts when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100.

[0025] In this embodiment, as described later, each mount has steps of different heights in the optical axis direction (the central axis direction of the mount) so that the contact positions of corresponding terminals in the optical axis direction of each mount are different. These terminals are unitized as a single component, and each terminal in each mount is connected to a flexible printed circuit board as a single wiring part.

[0026] 18 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the internal configuration of the camera mount A of the camera body 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, each terminal is electrically connected by a single flexible printed circuit board 106, and is connected to an internal board (not shown) provided inside the camera body 100. A plurality of holes into which each terminal can be inserted are provided at positions where each terminal of the contact holding member 105 is held, and the terminals 1001 to 1012, which are camera side terminals, are inserted into each of the plurality of holes. In this state, the pressing plate 107 presses each terminal against the subject side (mount abutment surface side) in the optical axis direction, and is fastened to the contact holding member 105 with the screws 108a, 108b, and 108c inserted through the through holes of the pressing plate 107.

[0027] In this embodiment, the single-unit structure of the camera mount A in the camera body 100 has been described, but the other mounts described later also have in common at least the point that multiple terminals are electrically connected to a single flexible printed circuit board (wiring).

[0028] In this configuration, for example, compared to a case where the terminals of each mount are divided into a plurality of units and scattered in the circumferential direction of the mount, the terminals can be grouped together and arranged at a position away from the exposure opening provided on the front surface of the imaging sensor 12. Therefore, for example, when unwanted light is incident on the camera mount side when a camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100, the unwanted light reflected by the terminals formed of a metal member can be reduced in influence on the photographing of the subject. Also, by forming each terminal as a single unit, the wiring inside the imaging device and the camera accessory is reduced from becoming complicated, and the assembly of the mount is facilitated.

[0029] Below, we will explain the functions of each terminal common to both camera mount A and lens mount B. VDD terminals 1001, 2001 are terminals that supply communication control power (VDD) as communication power used mainly for communication control from the camera body 100 to a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200). The voltage of the power supply supplied to the first interchangeable lens 200 is 5.0V.

[0030] The VBAT terminals 1002 and 2002 are terminals that supply a driving power source (VBAT) from the camera side to the camera accessory side as driving power used for operating a mechanical driving unit of an actuator used to drive an aperture or focus lens. In other words, the VBAT terminals 1002 and 2002 are terminals that are used to supply power sources other than the communication power. The power source voltage supplied to the first interchangeable lens 200 is set to 4.5V. The above-mentioned VDD terminal and VBAT terminal are power supply system terminals for supplying power from the camera body 100 to the camera accessory. The voltage supplied to the VBAT terminal may be configured to be changeable by changing the output setting of the power supply circuit according to the type of accessory attached to the camera body 100.

[0031] The DGND terminals 1012 and 2012 are ground terminals (ground terminals) corresponding to the communication control power supply VDD. That is, the DGND terminals 1012 and 2012 are terminals that indicate the ground level (voltage) corresponding to a specific terminal. Note that, in this embodiment, grounding refers to making the voltage level of the ground terminal approximately the same level (ground level) as the negative side of a power supply such as a battery.

[0032] The PGND terminals 1004, 2004 are terminals indicating a ground level corresponding to terminals of a mechanical drive system including a motor (actuator) and the like provided on the camera body 100 and the camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200) side. In other words, the PGND terminal is a ground terminal (ground terminal) corresponding to the drive power supply VBAT. The DGND terminal and PGND terminal described above are ground terminals for grounding the camera body 100 and various power supply systems of the camera accessories to the ground level.

[0033] The MIF terminals 1005, 2005 are terminals that detect that a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200) has been attached to the camera body 100. The camera control unit 101 detects that a camera accessory has been attached to or detached from the camera body 100 by detecting the level of the voltage indicated by the MIF terminal. Then, after detecting, for example, that a camera accessory has been attached through this detection, the camera control unit 101 starts the supply of power to the power supply terminals and performs control to start communication between the camera body 100 and the camera accessory.

[0034] The TYPE terminals 1003, 2003 are terminals for determining the type of camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200) attached to the camera body 100. The camera control unit 101 detects the voltage value of the signal indicated by the TYPE terminal, and determines the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 based on that value. In the first interchangeable lens 200, the TYPE terminal is pulled down and connected to the DGND terminal with a predetermined resistance value, which will be described later. The resistance value differs depending on the type of camera accessory.

[0035] Next, various communication terminals between the camera body 100 and the camera accessories will be described. The multiple communication terminals provided in the mount unit 1 are divided into multiple communication systems (groups), and each communication system can perform communication independently. In this embodiment, the LCLK terminals 1008, 2008, the DCL terminals 1006, 2006, and the DLC terminals 1007, 2007 are a first communication unit that performs a first communication. The DLC2 terminals 1009, 2009 are a second communication unit that performs a second communication independent of the first communication unit. Furthermore, the CS terminals 1011, 2011, and the DCA terminals 1010, 2010 are a third communication unit that performs a third communication independent of the first and second communication units. In this embodiment, the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 can perform first to third independent communications via the multiple communication terminals described above.

[0036] The LCLK terminals 1008, 2008 are terminals of the first communication unit, terminals for a communication clock signal output from the camera body 100 to the camera accessory, and terminals for the camera body 100 to monitor the busy state of the accessory.

[0037] DCL terminals 1006, 2006 are terminals of the first communication section, and are terminals for communication data for performing two-way communication between the camera body 100 and the camera accessory.

[0038] The DLC terminals 1007, 2007 are terminals of the first communication unit, and are terminals for communication data output from a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200) to the camera body 100.

[0039] The LCLK terminal, DCL terminal, and DLC terminal corresponding to the above-mentioned first communication unit can switch the signal output method between a so-called CMOS output type and an open type. Note that the CMOS output type in this embodiment has a switch output on both H (High) and L (Low) indicated by voltage. In contrast, the open type has a switch output only on the L side. Note that the open type in this embodiment refers to a so-called open drain type, but may also be an open collector type.

[0040] The DLC2 terminals 1009, 2009 are terminals of the second communication unit, and are terminals for communication data output from a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200) to the camera body 100.

[0041] The DCA terminals 1010, 2010 are terminals of a third communication unit, and are terminals for communication data for performing two-way communication between the camera body 100 and a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200).

[0042] The CS terminals 1011, 2011 are terminals of the third communication unit, and are signal terminals for requesting communication between the camera body 100 and a camera accessory (for example, the first interchangeable lens 200). In this embodiment, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the communication voltage at the terminals corresponding to the first to third communication units is set to 3.0 V.

[0043] (Structure of mount part 1) Next, the structure of the mount unit 1 including the camera mount A and the lens mount B will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the configuration of the camera mount A and the lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4(a) shows a front view of the camera mount A provided on the camera body 100, and Fig. 4(b) shows a front view of the lens mount B provided on the first interchangeable lens 200. Fig. 5 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the connection state of each terminal due to the relative rotation of the camera mount A and the lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5(a) shows the mounting start state of the camera mount A and the lens mount B, Fig. 5(b) shows the mounting transition state of the camera mount A and the lens mount B, and Fig. 5(c) shows the mounting completion state of the camera mount A and the lens mount B. Each diagram in Fig. 5 shows the state in which the terminals provided on each mount are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera mount A and the lens mount B. Here, the above-mentioned optical axis is parallel to the central axis passing through the center of the opening part of the camera mount A and the lens mount B.

[0044] In the state shown in FIG. 5(a), multiple claws on the camera mount A are inserted into multiple recesses on the lens mount B, and multiple claws on the lens mount B are inserted into multiple recesses on the camera mount A. By rotating the camera mount A and the lens mount B relatively from this state in the lens mounting direction, the state transitions to a state in which the corresponding terminals on both mounts are connected to each other, as shown in FIG. 5(c). Here, the lens mounting direction is a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the camera mount A (and the lens mount B), and in this embodiment, it indicates the mounting direction of the interchangeable lens based on the camera mount A side. In addition, when the optical axis (of the interchangeable lens) and the central axis of the mount coincide with each other, the lens mounting direction and the optical axis are perpendicular to each other. In the state shown in FIG. 5(c), the relative rotation of the camera mount A and the lens mount B is restricted by a lock mechanism (not shown) which is a rotation restriction member provided on each mount.

[0045] 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external perspective view of the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19(a) shows a state in which the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, and Fig. 19(b) shows a state in which the first interchangeable lens 200 has been removed from the camera body 100.

[0046] 19, the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 each have a camera mount A and a lens mount B equipped with abutment surfaces that are parallel to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. With the reference surfaces of the camera mount A and the lens mount B in contact with each other, the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 can be rotated relatively from the mounting start position to the mounting completion position described above.

[0047] 5(b) shows a state in which only the PGND terminals start connecting with each other before the other corresponding terminals start connecting with each other during the period from the start of mounting the camera mount A and the lens mount B to the completed mounting state. This will be described in detail later.

[0048] In the following description of this embodiment, the electrical terminals on the camera mount are referred to as contact pins, and the electrical terminals on the lens mount are referred to as contact surfaces (or contact pieces). Note that the terminals on the camera mount may be referred to as contact surfaces, and the terminals on the lens mount may be referred to as contact pins.

[0049] The mount section 1 of this embodiment is a two-stage mount with a step in the optical axis direction, as shown in each of Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Fig. 5(a), in the camera mount A of the camera body 100, the step protruding toward the subject side is called the upper stage of the camera mount (second stage), and the step on the imaging element side is called the lower stage of the camera mount (first stage). In other words, the upper stage of the camera mount protrudes toward the subject side (or camera accessory side) in the optical axis direction more than the lower stage of the camera mount.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5(b), in the lens mount B of the first interchangeable lens 200, the step recessed toward the subject side is called the lower lens mount step (second step), and the step protruding toward the imaging element side when mounted on the camera mount is called the upper lens mount step (first step). That is, when the lens mount is mounted on the camera mount, the upper lens mount step protrudes toward the imaging device side in the optical axis direction more than the lower lens mount step. The terminals of the upper camera mount step can only contact the terminals of the lower lens mount step, and the terminals of the lower camera mount step are structured to contact only the terminals of the upper lens mount step. In addition, in the camera mount A, the lower camera mount step is located on the near side in the relative rotation direction (accessory mounting direction) with the lens mount B, and the upper camera mount step is located on the far side. In addition, in the lens mount B, the upper lens mount step is located on the near side in the relative rotation direction with the camera mount A, and the lower lens mount step is located on the far side.

[0051] In this embodiment, in order to vary the positions (in the direction parallel to the central axis of the mount) at which the terminals used for electrical connection are disposed, steps are provided in both the camera mount A and the lens mount B, but this is not limiting. Any configuration may be adopted as long as the positions at which the terminals are disposed are varied in each mount. For example, a slope may be provided in the direction parallel to the central axis of the mount so that the positions at which the terminals are disposed are continuously varied, or the amount of protrusion of the terminals themselves that protrude in the direction parallel to the central axis of the mount may be varied.

[0052] 5(c), the lens mount B rotates (to the right in the figure) relative to the camera mount A while the terminals provided on the lens mount B and the camera mount A slide and come into contact with each other. Then, for example, when the mounting of the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 is complete, each contact pin of the camera mount A and each paired (corresponding) contact surface of the lens mount B are electrically connected independently. Note that, hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, electrical conduction between electrically paired (corresponding) terminals of the camera mount A and the lens mount B will be referred to as connection, and electrical conduction between electrically unpaired (uncorresponding) terminals will be referred to as contact.

[0053] In this embodiment, the multiple claw groups on the camera mount A side and the lens mount B side are each bayonet claws, and the attachment (coupling) of the two is completed by the claw groups engaging with each other in the optical axis direction using a so-called bayonet coupling method.

[0054] The arrangement order of the terminals of the mount unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the lens (accessory) mounting direction is the relative rotation (mounting) direction of the lens mount B with respect to the camera mount A. Therefore, when the accessory mounting direction is used as a reference, the side where the terminal (VDD terminal) that contacts the terminal provided last on the lens mount B among the terminals provided on the camera mount A is located is the back side in the lens mounting direction, and the opposite side is the front side. And the side where the terminal (VDD terminal) that contacts the terminal provided first on the camera mount A is located is the back side in the lens mounting direction, and the opposite side is the front side. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the VDD terminal 1001, the VBAT terminal 1002, the TYPE terminal 1003, and the PGND terminal 1004 are arranged in order from the back side (end) in the lens mounting direction on the upper stage of the camera mount. The rear side in the lens mounting direction is the side where the terminal that will lastly come into contact with the terminal on the lens side when the first interchangeable lens 200 is mounted on the camera body 100 is located.

[0055] Arranged on the lower section of the camera mount are, in order from the rear in the direction in which the lens is attached, a MIF terminal 1005, a DCL terminal 1006, a DLC terminal 1007, an LCLK terminal 1008, a DLC2 terminal 1009, a DCA terminal 1010, a CS terminal 1011, and a DGND terminal 1012.

[0056] Similarly, arranged on the lower stage of the lens mount, in order from the rear in the direction in which the lens is attached, are a VDD terminal 2001, a VBAT terminal 2002, a TYPE terminal 2003, and a PGND terminal 2004. Arranged on the upper stage of the lens mount, in order from the rear in the direction in which the lens is attached, are a MIF terminal 2005, a DCL terminal 2006, a DLC terminal 2007, an LCLK terminal 2008, a DLC2 terminal 2009, a DCA terminal 2010, a CS terminal 2011, and a DGND terminal 2012.

[0057] That is, four terminals are provided on each of the upper stage of the camera mount and the lower stage of the lens mount, and eight terminals are provided on each of the lower stage of the camera mount and the upper stage of the lens mount. The upper stage of the camera mount and the lower stage of the lens mount are configured with fewer terminals (exposed contacts) than the lower stage of the camera mount and the upper stage of the lens mount.

[0058] When the camera mount and the lens mount are rotated relative to each other to attach and detach the camera accessory to and from the imaging device, as in the bayonet coupling method, the terminals provided on each mount slide against each other when attaching and detaching. Generally, on the same surface in the optical axis direction, the contact pin on the camera mount side that is located at the innermost side in the lens mounting direction does not slide against the contact surface on the non-corresponding accessory side when attaching and detaching the camera accessory to the imaging device. Also, on the same surface in the optical axis direction, the contact surface on the lens mount side that is located at the innermost side in the lens mounting direction does not slide against the contact pin on the non-corresponding camera side when attaching and detaching the camera accessory to the imaging device. That is, on the camera mount, the contact pin (terminal) that is located at the innermost side of the other contact pins (terminals) does not slide (come into contact) with the contact surfaces (terminals) provided on the lens mount other than the contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the camera accessory is attached to the imaging device. In addition, in the lens mount, the contact surfaces (terminals) that are located in front of the other contact surfaces (terminals) do not slide (come into contact) with any of the contact pins (terminals) provided on the camera mount other than the contact pins that come into contact with each other when the camera accessory is attached to the imaging device.

[0059] However, other terminals besides these will wear out the more times the lens mount is attached and detached from the camera mount.In particular, the camera mount's terminal (contact pin) is a movable pin that can move forward and backward (project and retract) in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and slides against the lens mount's terminal (contact surface) at a single point at its tip, so it is necessary to improve the durability of the contact pin against sliding.

[0060] The above-mentioned problem becomes more pronounced as the number of terminals arranged in a row on the same plane perpendicular to the optical axis increases, and the number of times the contact pins and contact surfaces slide increases. Furthermore, wear on the contact pins and contact surfaces increases the contact impedance of the terminals, causing a large voltage drop, which may fall below the allowable operating voltage range of the electrical circuit, resulting in a risk of malfunction of, for example, an interchangeable lens.

[0061] In this embodiment, in order to reduce the number of times the terminals slide against each other, the terminals are held at two different positions in the optical axis direction, an upper step and a lower step, and the contact height between the contact pins on the camera side and the contact surface on the interchangeable lens side is made different on the upper and lower steps. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce wear between the terminals at each step.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of terminals held in the upper and lower stages of the mount is different, so that, for example, a terminal with a higher importance among multiple terminals can be arranged on the side with fewer terminals, thereby reducing wear of the important terminals. Specifically, power supply terminals (VDD terminal, VBAT terminal, PGND terminal) that are terminals of signals for which an increase in contact impedance should be suppressed as much as possible are arranged on the upper stage of the camera mount and the lower stage of the lens mount, which have fewer terminals. On the other hand, terminals mainly for communication that are less susceptible to the influence of impedance increase (compared to power supply terminals) are arranged on the lower stage of the camera mount and the upper stage of the lens mount. This configuration enables a stable power supply to the accessory, which contributes to stabilizing each operation (for example, focus control, etc.) of the camera accessory.

[0063] The DGND terminal 1012 in the camera mount A is located at the bottom of the camera mount and at the front end (starting end) in the lens mounting direction, so it is located at the most unfavorable location in terms of durability due to sliding of the contact pin on the camera side. However, in order to protect the electric circuits and elements provided in the camera accessory from static electricity, the DGND terminal needs to be physically connected to ground by a metal part formed on the camera mount. In this embodiment, the DGND terminal is located at the front end in the lens mounting direction to facilitate processing for the above reasons.

[0064] In addition, this embodiment assumes a system in which the DGND terminal has a smaller current level than the PGND terminal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the PGND terminal, which has a larger current level, is arranged in the upper part of the camera mount (lower part of the lens mount), which is advantageous in that the number of terminals is small and the increase in contact impedance is reduced.

[0065] Next, in camera mount A of this embodiment, two power supply system contact pins (VDD terminal 1001, VBAT terminal 1002) are arranged at the first and second positions as seen from the rear side in the lens attachment direction on the upper stage of the camera mount. Also, in camera mount A of this embodiment, a TYPE terminal 1003 is arranged adjacent to the power supply system terminals. Furthermore, in lens mount B of this embodiment, two power supply system contact surfaces (VDD terminal 2001, VBAT terminal 2002) are arranged at the first and second positions as seen from the rear side in the lens attachment direction on the lower stage of the lens mount. Also, in lens mount B of this embodiment, a TYPE terminal 2003 is arranged adjacent to the power supply system terminals. Note that the state in which the terminals are adjacent to each other as described above refers to the state in which the terminals are next to each other on the mount.

[0066] With the above-mentioned configuration, the two terminals of the power supply system (the VDD terminal and the VBAT terminal) and the PGND terminal are not adjacent to each other in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to reduce short circuits between the two terminals of the power supply system and the PGND terminal, and to prevent malfunctions and failures of the power supply circuit provided on the camera side due to such short circuits.

[0067] Incidentally, the TYPE terminal 1003 disposed between the VBAT terminal 1002 and the PGND terminal 1004 can protect the electric circuitry of the camera body 100 by providing a protection element on the signal line of the TYPE terminal 1003 .

[0068] Here, for terminals other than the TYPE terminal, if a protection element is added to the signal line in the same way as for the TYPE terminal 1003, it is possible to take the same measures as for the TYPE terminal. However, as described above, the DCL terminal, DLC terminal, LCLK terminal, DLC2 terminal, DCA terminal, and CS terminal are each terminals for communication, so adding a protection element increases the wiring capacitance. In this case, the increased wiring capacitance may affect communication, such as disrupting the responsiveness of the rise and fall of the communication waveform, so it is desirable to configure the terminals for communication without providing protection elements as much as possible.

[0069] In contrast, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, the signal voltage of the TYPE terminal 1003 is constant, and for example, this signal value does not change while the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100. Therefore, even if a protective element or the like is added to the TYPE terminal 1003 as in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, the effect on the operations performed by the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 is small.

[0070] Like the TYPE terminal 1003, the MIF terminal 1005 also has a constant signal voltage, and therefore may be configured to include a protective element like the TYPE terminal 1003. However, in the mount section 1 of this embodiment, the MIF terminal 1005 is not disposed next to the power supply terminals. The reason for this will be described later.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(c), in the camera mount A and the lens mount B, the pitch W2 (distance) between the VDD terminal and the VBAT terminal is configured to be wider than the basic pitch W1 (W2>W1). In addition, in the camera mount A and the lens mount B, the MIF terminal and the PGND terminal are held in different stages in the optical axis direction of each mount, and the pitch W3 between the terminals is configured to be wider than the basic pitch W1 and the pitch W2 (W3>W2>W1). In this embodiment, the pitch between the terminals is the distance between the centers (between the center lines) of each terminal (contact pin and contact surface) in the mounting direction (rotation direction) of the lens mount B, but it may also be the distance between the conductive parts (between the metal areas) provided on the terminals. In addition, when the lens mount B is mounted on the camera mount A, the distance between the contact points (connection points) between the corresponding contact pins and contact surfaces of adjacent terminals may be the pitch between the terminals.

[0072] In this embodiment, the width of the contact surface of the VDD terminal 2001 and the VBAT terminal 2002 in the circumferential direction of the lens mount B is a basic width, which will be described later, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the width of the contact surface of the VDD terminal 2001 and the VBAT terminal 2002 may be wider or narrower than the basic width. In this case, the pitch between the VDD terminal and the VBAT terminal needs to be set in consideration of the difference between the width of the VDD terminal 2001 and the VBAT terminal 2002 and the basic width. For example, if the width of the VDD terminal 2001 and the VBAT terminal 2002 is wider than the basic width in the lens removal direction, the pitch between the VDD terminal and the VBAT terminal needs to be widened by the difference from the basic width described above.

[0073] The basic pitch is the distance between the terminals that is set in consideration of the backlash and tolerances involved in the manufacture and assembly of the camera body 100. The contact pins on the camera mount A side for which the basic pitch is set are configured such that, unless there is deformation such as bending or conductive foreign matter between the terminals, one contact surface on the lens mount B side for which the basic width described below is set and multiple contact pins do not come into contact at the same time. Therefore, by the contact pins on the camera mount A side coming into contact with two or more points on the contact surface on the lens mount B side, it is possible to prevent adjacent terminals from shorting out. In the following description, it is assumed that the pitch between adjacent terminals of contact pins unless otherwise specified is set to the basic pitch.

[0074] The basic width is the width of the contact surface on the lens mount B side, which is set in consideration of the backlash and tolerance involved in the manufacture and assembly of the camera accessory. The width of the contact surface is the width of each contact surface in the mounting direction (rotation direction) of the lens mount B. As described above, multiple contact pins for which the basic pitch is set on the camera mount A side will not come into contact with one contact surface for which the basic width is set at the same time. In addition, the contact surface on the lens mount B side for which the basic width is set will not cause the contact pin on the imaging device side to fall off from the contact surface on the camera accessory side when the camera accessory is mounted, unless the contact pin on the camera side is deformed or there is no conductive foreign matter between the contact pins. In the following description, it is assumed that the width of the contact surface is set to the basic width unless otherwise specified.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the inter-terminal pitch of the VDD terminal 1001 and the VBAT terminal 1002 on the camera side is set to be approximately 3° wider than the width of the VDD terminal 2001 and the VBAT terminal 2002 on the accessory side, for which a basic width has been set, taking into consideration the miniaturization of the unit and the safety of the power supply. With this configuration, even if the VDD terminal or the VBAT terminal on the camera side is deformed or a conductive foreign object is present between the terminals, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the VDD terminal on the accessory side and the above-mentioned two terminals coming into contact at the same time, thereby reducing the occurrence of short circuits between adjacent terminals.

[0076] In this embodiment, the terminal pitch between the VDD terminal 1001 and the VBAT terminal 1002 is increased by 3° from the basic pitch in the circumferential direction of the camera mount A, but the present invention is not limited to this. This embodiment may be configured to increase the terminal pitch at least in the relative rotation direction between the camera mount A and the lens mount B.

[0077] Next, in the mount section 1 of this embodiment, a PGND terminal 1004 is arranged at the front end in the lens mounting direction on the upper stage of the camera mount, and a PGND terminal 2004 is arranged at the front end in the lens mounting direction on the lower stage of the lens mount.

[0078] Moreover, the PGND terminal 2004 in the lens mount B has a contact surface wider than the basic width described above, and is the terminal with the widest contact surface among the multiple terminals provided in the lens mount B. In this embodiment, the width of the contact surface described above is the width of the contact surface facing the direction in which the lens mount B is released from the camera mount A (removal direction) based on the point (connection point) where the corresponding terminals are electrically connected. This removal direction is synonymous with the front side in the mounting direction of the lens mount B. The width of the contact surface may be simply the width of the contact surface facing the direction in which the lens mount B is released from the camera mount A (removal direction) based on the center of the contact surface in the circumferential direction of the mount.

[0079] With this configuration, the PGND terminal 2004 is the first of all terminals to be electrically connected to the corresponding terminal when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100. Also, the PGND terminal 2004 is the last of all terminals to be electrically disconnected from the corresponding terminal when the attachment of the first interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100 is released (detached).

[0080] For example, assume that the PGND terminal is disposed further back in the lens mounting direction than the power supply terminals (VDD terminal, VBAT terminal). In this case, for example, when removing the first interchangeable lens 200 from the camera body 100, the PGND terminal of the lens mount may slide against the power supply terminal of the camera mount. In this case, depending on the speed at which the first interchangeable lens 200 is rotated in the removal direction, the PGND terminal of the lens mount may momentarily come into contact with the power supply terminal of the camera mount. Therefore, due to the above problem, the output of the camera power supply unit 103 of the camera body 100, which will be described later and which is connected to the power supply terminal, may short out, causing a malfunction related to the power supply or malfunction in the power supply control.

[0081] Also, for example, assume a configuration in which the PGND terminal is disconnected from the contact surface on the lens mount side before the other terminals. In this case, if the power supply terminals on the camera mount A side and the lens mount B side are not disconnected and the PGND terminals are disconnected while the power supply from the camera body 100 is maintained, there is a risk of malfunction or failure in both devices.

[0082] In response to the above-mentioned problem, in the mount section 1 of this embodiment, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to or detached from the camera body 100, the PGND terminal 2004 of the lens mount B does not slide (does not come into contact) with any of the other terminals except for the PGND terminal 1004 of the camera mount A. With this configuration, the power supply terminals (VDD terminal, VBAT terminal) of the camera mount A do not momentarily come into contact with the PGND terminal 2004 of the lens mount B, thereby reducing the risk of both terminals shorting out.

[0083] Furthermore, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, among all the terminals described above, the PGND terminals in both mounts are connected to each other first when the camera accessory is attached to the camera side, and are disconnected last when the accessory is removed. In other words, when the camera accessory is removed (disconnected) from the camera side, the PGND terminals maintain a connection state between the terminals of the camera side mount and the lens side mount until the connections between the other corresponding terminals, except for the PGND terminals, are disconnected in the mount unit 1. This configuration makes it possible to avoid so-called ground floating, in which the connection between the PGND terminals is disconnected while the power supply is maintained in the camera mount A and the lens mount B, and to reduce malfunctions and problems in both devices.

[0084] 5(c), in the camera mount A and the lens mount B, the pitch between the PGND terminal 1004 and the adjacent TYPE terminal 1003 is wider than the basic pitch (W2>W1). Specifically, the pitch between the PGND terminal 1004 and the TYPE terminal 1003 is wider than the basic pitch by approximately the same amount as the width of the contact surface of the PGND terminal 2004 facing the direction in which the lens mount B is released (removal direction) is wider than the basic pitch. This configuration reduces simultaneous contact between the PGND terminal 2004 and the PGND terminal 1004 and the TYPE terminal 1003, which is caused by making the PGND terminal 2004 of the lens mount B wider than the basic width, and reduces short circuits between adjacent terminals.

[0085] 5, in mount unit 1 of this embodiment, MIF terminal 1005 is disposed at the innermost side in the lens attachment direction in the lower stage of the camera mount, and MIF terminal 2005 is disposed at the innermost side in the lens attachment direction in the upper stage of the lens mount. This configuration makes it possible to reduce wear on the MIF terminal, which is a terminal that detects the attachment state of lens mount B relative to camera mount A and is an important terminal that serves as a trigger for starting and ending communication between the camera and camera accessory.

[0086] Furthermore, the MIF terminal 2005 of lens mount B has a contact surface with a narrower width than the contact surface with the basic width described above in the relative rotation direction of lens mount B. Specifically, in lens mount B of this embodiment, the width of the MIF terminal 2005 is made narrower (shorter) by about 1° than the basic width so that the connection order of the terminals described above is observed even when the backlash and tolerances related to manufacturing and assembly are taken into consideration. With this configuration, the MIF terminals are the last to be connected among all the terminals described above that mount unit 1 has when a camera accessory is attached to the camera side, and are the first to be disconnected when the accessory is detached.

[0087] Therefore, in the mount section 1 of this embodiment, the camera does not erroneously detect that a camera accessory is attached when the lens mount B is not completely attached to the camera mount A. This configuration makes it possible to suppress erroneous detection of the attachment of a camera accessory when, for example, the power supply terminals are not connected to each other, and to reduce malfunctions of the camera before power is supplied from the camera to the camera accessory.

[0088] Next, as shown in each diagram of FIG. 5, in the camera mount A of this embodiment, the DGND terminal 1012 is disposed at the front end in the lens mounting direction in the lower stage of the camera mount, and the CS terminal 1011 is disposed adjacent to the DGND terminal 1012. Also, in the lens mount B of this embodiment, the DGND terminal 2012 is disposed at the front end in the lens mounting direction in the upper stage of the lens mount, and the CS terminal 2011 is disposed adjacent to the DGND terminal 2012. The arrangement of the CS terminals will be described in detail later. Also, as described above, the DGND terminal is disposed at the front end in the lens mounting direction, taking into consideration the ease of processing for physically connecting the metal part of the mount to ground.

[0089] 5, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, the terminal group of the first communication unit (LCLK terminal, DCL terminal, DLC terminal) is arranged adjacent to the MIF terminal. Also, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, the terminal group corresponding to the first communication unit is arranged on the back side in the lens attachment direction than the terminal groups of the second and third communication units.

[0090] This configuration makes it possible to reduce wear on the terminals corresponding to the first communication unit in the lower stage of the camera mount and the upper stage of the lens mount, next to MIF terminal 1005. Furthermore, the above-mentioned configuration makes it possible to reduce wear on the terminal group corresponding to the first communication unit that performs the first communication, which is particularly important among the communications executed between the camera side and the lens side, more than on the other communication terminals.

[0091] 5, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, a DLC2 terminal 1009 is arranged adjacent to a terminal group corresponding to the first communication unit in the lower stage of the camera mount. Also, in the mount unit 1 of this embodiment, a DLC2 terminal 2009 is arranged adjacent to a terminal group corresponding to the first communication unit in the upper stage of the lens mount. This will be described in detail later.

[0092] (Configuration of conversion adapter 400) Next, a case where the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a state where the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 according to this embodiment via the conversion adapter 400. Note that the mounts of the conversion adapter 400 and the second interchangeable lens 300 as shown in Fig. 6 are collectively referred to as a mount unit 2.

[0093] The conversion adapter 400 has the same lens mount B as the first interchangeable lens 200 described above, on the side to which the camera body 100 is coupled. The conversion adapter 400 also has a camera mount C on the opposite side to the lens mount B, which corresponds to the lens mount D provided on the second interchangeable lens 300. FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating the camera mount C and the lens mount D according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7(a) shows a front view of the camera mount C provided on the conversion adapter 400, and FIG. 7(b) shows a front view of the lens mount D provided on the second interchangeable lens 300. Details of the terminals provided on the camera mount C and the lens mount D will be described later.

[0094] The conversion adapter 400 is a camera accessory including an adapter operation input unit 402 that allows a user to input operations, an adapter power supply unit 403 for the conversion adapter 400, and an adapter control unit 401 that includes a CPU that controls the overall operation of the conversion adapter 400. The adapter control unit 401 controls communication between the adapter control unit 401 and the camera control unit 101 via the mount unit 1, or accepts operation input to the adapter operation input unit 402. In this embodiment, the conversion adapter 400 is used to indirectly mount, for example, a second interchangeable lens 300, which is an interchangeable lens with a flange back length that is not compatible with the camera body 100, to the camera body 100.

[0095] On the other hand, the second interchangeable lens 300 includes a lens 19 having optical members such as a focus lens, a zoom lens, an aperture, and an anti-vibration lens (not shown), and a lens driving unit 20 that drives an actuator that moves or operates structures (e.g., each optical member) provided inside the lens 19. The second interchangeable lens 300 also includes a second lens control unit 301 having a CPU that controls communication between the second lens control unit 301 and the camera control unit 101 via the mount unit 1 and the mount unit 2, or controls the driving of the lens driving unit 20.

[0096] Next, the connection configuration between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300 via the conversion adapter 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the connection state between the mounts when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached via the conversion adapter 400 to the camera body 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of each terminal in the mount unit 1 is as described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Note that in this embodiment, it is not essential that the conversion adapter 400 be provided with a DLC2 terminal on the second interchangeable lens 300 side (camera mount C side).

[0097] 8, the mount unit 2 includes a plurality of terminals capable of electrically connecting the conversion adaptor 400 and the second interchangeable lens 300 to each other. In the camera mount C, the plurality of terminals are exposed to the outside of the conversion adaptor 400 as a plurality of electrical contact pins provided on a contact holding member 405 corresponding to the terminal holding portion. In the lens mount D, the plurality of terminals are exposed to the outside of the second interchangeable lens 300 as a plurality of electrical contact surfaces provided on a contact surface holding member 305 corresponding to the terminal holding portion. The above-mentioned contact pins and contact surfaces are electrically connected to each other at corresponding contacts when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the conversion adaptor 400 attached to the camera body 100.

[0098] Below, we will explain the functions of each terminal common to both the camera mount C and the lens mount D. The VDD terminals 3001, 4001 are terminals that supply communication control power (VDD) as communication power used mainly for communication control from the camera body 100 to the second interchangeable lens 300 and the conversion adapter 400. The power voltage supplied from the camera body 100 to each camera accessory is 5.0V.

[0099] The VBAT terminals 3002, 4002 are terminals that supply driving power (VBAT) from the camera body 100 to the second interchangeable lens 300 as driving power used mainly for operating mechanical driving parts including actuators such as motors. The power supply voltage supplied from the camera body 100 to each camera accessory is set to 4.5 V. The above-mentioned VDD terminal and VBAT terminal are power supply system terminals for supplying power from the camera body 100 to the camera accessories.

[0100] The DGND terminals 3012, 4012 are ground terminals (GND terminals) corresponding to the communication control power supply VDD. The DGND terminals 3012, 4012 are also configured to be connected to the ground of the circuit provided inside the conversion adaptor 400.

[0101] The PGND terminals 3004, 4004 are ground terminals that connect to ground the camera body 100 and a mechanical drive system including a motor (actuator) and the like provided in the second interchangeable lens 300. In other words, the PGND terminals are ground terminals (GND terminals) that correspond to the drive power supply VBAT.

[0102] The MIF terminals 3005, 4005 are terminals that detect that the second interchangeable lens 300 has been attached to the camera body 100. The camera control unit 101 detects that a camera accessory has been attached to or detached from the camera body 100 by detecting the level of the voltage indicated by the MIF terminal. Then, after detecting, for example, that a camera accessory has been attached by this detection, the camera control unit 101 starts the supply of power to the power supply terminals and performs control so as to start communication between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300 via the conversion adapter 400.

[0103] Next, a description will be given of terminals for various communications between the conversion adapter 400 and the second interchangeable lens 300. Unlike the above-described first interchangeable lens 200, the second interchangeable lens 300 is provided with only a terminal corresponding to the first communication unit as an independent communication system.

[0104] The LCLK terminals 3008, 4008 are terminals of the first communication unit, terminals for a communication clock signal output from the camera body 100 to the second interchangeable lens 300, and terminals for the camera body 100 to monitor the busy state of the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0105] The DCL terminals 3006, 4006 are terminals of the first communication unit, terminals for communication data for performing two-way communication between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300, and are so-called CMOS output type interfaces. Note that the CMOS output type in this embodiment has switch outputs on both the H (High) and L (Low) voltages. In contrast, the open type, which will be described later, has a switch output only on the L side.

[0106] The DLC terminals 3007, 4007 are terminals of the first communication unit, terminals for communication data output from the second interchangeable lens 300 to the camera body 100, and are CMOS type interfaces.

[0107] In addition, the VDD terminal, the VBAT terminal, the DGND terminal, the PGND terminal, the MIF terminal, the LCLK terminal, the DCL terminal, and the DLC terminal are electrically connected in the conversion adaptor 400 from the mount unit 1 side to the mount unit 2 side.

[0108] The following describes the connection configuration within the conversion adaptor 400 of each terminal that is not provided on the mount unit 2. The TYPE terminals 1003 and 2003 provided on the mount unit 1 are pulled down connected to the DGND terminal in the conversion adaptor 400 with a predetermined resistance value described later.

[0109] The DLC2 terminal is a terminal corresponding to the second communication unit as described above, but is not used as a communication terminal when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400. Therefore, the DLC2 terminals 1009, 2009 are pulled down and connected to the DGND terminal inside the conversion adapter 400 with a predetermined resistance value, which will be described later, as a termination process.

[0110] The DCA terminal is a terminal corresponding to the third communication unit as described above, and in mount unit 1, is a terminal for communication data for performing two-way communication between camera body 100 and conversion adaptor 400, and is a so-called CMOS type interface. Note that in the mount of conversion adaptor 400, the DCA terminal is not connected between terminals from mount unit 1 side to mount unit 2 side.

[0111] The CS terminal is a terminal corresponding to the third communication unit as described above, and is a signal terminal for requesting communication between camera body 100 and conversion adaptor 400, and is an open type interface. Note that in the mount of conversion adaptor 400, the CS terminal is not connected between terminals from mount unit 1 side to mount unit 2 side.

[0112] Here, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the communication voltage at the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is set to the same voltage as VDD. Also, the communication voltage at the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units is set to approximately 3.0 V. In other words, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the communication voltage at the first communication unit is different from the communication voltage at the second and third communication units.

[0113] (Configuration of intermediate accessory 500) Next, a case where the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 via the intermediate accessory 500 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 according to this embodiment via the intermediate accessory 500. Note that the mounts of the intermediate accessory 500 and the first interchangeable lens 200 as shown in Figure 9 are collectively referred to as the mount unit 3.

[0114] The intermediate accessory 500 has a lens mount B identical to that of the first interchangeable lens 200 described above, on the side to which the camera body 100 is coupled. The intermediate accessory 500 also has a camera mount A identical to that of the camera body 100, on the side opposite the lens mount B. Note that details of each mount are the same as those of the camera body 100 and first interchangeable lens 200 described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0115] The intermediate accessory 500 is a camera accessory including an accessory operation input unit 502 that allows a user to input operations, an accessory power supply unit 503 of the intermediate accessory 500, and an accessory control unit 501 including a CPU that comprehensively controls the operation of the intermediate accessory 500. The accessory control unit 501 controls communication between the accessory control unit 501 and the camera control unit 101 via the mount unit 1, or receives operation input to the accessory operation input unit 502. Note that in this embodiment, the intermediate accessory 500 is, for example, an extender including a lens group (not shown) for magnification variation, or a camera accessory that can be provided with some camera function as the operation of both the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200.

[0116] Next, the connection configuration between the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 via the intermediate accessory 500 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the connection state between the mounts when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention via the intermediate accessory 500. The configuration of each terminal in the mount unit 1 is as described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] 10, the mount unit 3 has a plurality of terminals capable of electrically connecting the intermediate accessory 500 and the first interchangeable lens 200. Note that, as each terminal, a contact pin exposed to the outside of the intermediate accessory 500 is the same as the contact pin of the camera body 100 described above.

[0118] Below, we will explain the features of the intermediate accessory 500 for the above-mentioned camera body 100 and first interchangeable lens 200. As shown in Fig. 10, the intermediate accessory 500 can be connected via terminal groups provided on each of the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200.

[0119] Between the VDD terminals 1001, 2001 of the intermediate accessory 500, there is a through wiring from the mount part 1 to the mount part 3, and it is also possible to supply VDD (power supply for communication control) to the electrical circuitry of the intermediate accessory 500.

[0120] Between the DGND terminals 1012, 2012 of the intermediate accessory 500, a through wiring is provided between the terminals from the mount unit 1 to the mount unit 3, and the electrical circuit of the intermediate accessory 500 can be grounded to the DGND terminal.

[0121] The DCA terminals 1010, 2010 of the intermediate accessory 500 are terminals corresponding to the third communication unit described above, and are terminals for communication data for performing two-way communication between the camera body 100, the first interchangeable lens 200, and the intermediate accessory 500. The CS terminals 1011, 2011 of the intermediate accessory 500 are terminals corresponding to the third communication unit described above, and are signal terminals for requesting communication between the camera body 100, the first interchangeable lens 200, and the intermediate accessory 500.

[0122] Although no special mention is made of the VBAT terminal, PGND terminal, MIF terminal, TYPE terminal, LCLK terminal, DCL terminal, DLC terminal, and DLC2 terminal of intermediate accessory 500, each of the above terminals is through-wired between the terminals of mount unit 1 and mount unit 3.

[0123] Here, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 via the intermediate accessory 500, the communication voltage at each terminal of the first, second, and third communication units is set to approximately 3.0 V, just as when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached directly to the camera body 100.

[0124] (Terminal processing of each signal line in the communication terminal) Next, the terminal processing of the signal lines of each communication terminal will be described with reference to Figures 3, 8, and 10. In the camera mount A, the signal line corresponding to the LCLK terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal corresponding to the first communication unit via a resistor R_LCLK_C120 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the camera mount A side. In the lens mount B, the signal line corresponding to the LCLK terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal corresponding to the first communication unit via a resistor R_LCLK_L220 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the lens mount B side.

[0125] In the lens mount B, the signal line corresponding to the DCL terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal of the first communication unit via a resistor R_DCL_L221 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the lens mount B side.

[0126] In the camera mount A, the signal line corresponding to the DLC terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal of the first communication unit via a resistor R_DLC_C121 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the camera mount A side.

[0127] In the camera mount A, the signal line corresponding to the DLC2 terminal is pulled down connected to the signal line of the DGND terminal via a resistor R_DLC2_C122 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the camera mount A side. Note that, in the conversion adaptor 400, the signal line corresponding to the DLC2 terminal is pulled down connected to the signal line of the DGND terminal via a resistor R_DLC2_A422 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value inside the conversion adaptor 400.

[0128] In the camera mount A, the signal line corresponding to the CS terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal of the third communication unit via a resistor R_CS_C123 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the camera mount A side. In addition, in the lens mount B, the signal line of the CS terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal corresponding to the third communication unit via a resistor R_CS_L222 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the lens mount B side. In addition, the signal lines of the CS terminals in the conversion adapter 400 and the intermediate accessory 500 are pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of each terminal corresponding to the third communication unit via resistors R_CS_A420 and R_CS_A520 exhibiting predetermined resistance values ​​in each device.

[0129] On the camera mount A side, the signal line of the DCA terminal is pulled up and connected to the same potential as the communication voltage of the terminal corresponding to the third communication unit via a resistor R_DCA_C124 exhibiting a predetermined resistance value on the camera mount A side.

[0130] (Configuration of the communication interface section in the camera body 100) Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 8, we will explain the configuration of the first communication I / F unit 102a and the second and third communication I / F units 102b, which function as interface circuits between each communication terminal provided in the camera body 100 and the camera control unit 101.

[0131] 3 and 8, a first communication I / F unit 102a is provided inside the camera body 100. This first communication I / F unit 102a is connected to each of the DCL terminal, DLC terminal, and LCLK terminal, and functions as an interface circuit for the first communication performed between the camera body 100 and each interchangeable lens.

[0132] In addition, the second and third communication I / F units 102b are provided inside the camera body 100. The second and third communication I / F units 102b are connected to the DLC2 terminal, the DCA terminal, and the CS terminal, respectively, and function as interface circuits for the second and third communications performed between the camera body 100 and each interchangeable lens. Hereinafter, the first communication I / F unit 102a and the second and third communication I / F units 102b will be collectively referred to as the I / F unit 102. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, the camera control unit 101 will be described as being driven at a voltage level of 3.3V, and the voltage level of the camera control unit 101 will be described as being 3.3V, but the voltage level may be other values.

[0133] One of the main roles of the I / F unit 102 is to provide a level shifter function for converting between the voltage indicated by the terminals provided on the camera mount A and the voltage of the camera control unit 101. As for this level shifter function, for example, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the interface voltage of each terminal corresponding to the first, second, and third communication units is 3.0V as described above. In contrast, the voltage of the camera control unit 101 indicates 3.3V, resulting in a difference between the voltages indicated by the two. In order to adjust for this difference, the I / F unit 102 performs voltage conversion of the voltage indicated by each terminal.

[0134] Also, for example, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the interface voltage of the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is the same voltage (5.0V) as VDD as described above. And the interface voltage of the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units is 3.0V. In this case as well, the I / F unit 102 performs voltage conversion of the voltage indicated by each terminal to adjust the difference between the two. That is, the I / F unit 102 performs voltage conversion of the signal of each terminal by being supplied with a power supply voltage (3.3V) indicating the same voltage level as the voltage of the camera control unit 101 and a power supply voltage (5.0V or 3.0V) having the same voltage level as the voltage indicated by each terminal.

[0135] As for the second and third communication I / F unit 102b, since the voltage level indicated by each terminal provided on the mount is always a fixed value, if the fixed value is the same voltage level as the voltage of the camera control unit 101, the above-mentioned level shifter function is not essential.

[0136] Also, one of the main roles of the I / F unit 102 is to switch the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 to an open drain type output or a CMOS output type output on the side of the camera mount A. The details of this will be specifically described below.

[0137] For example, in the initial state immediately after the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 of the camera body 100 perform open-drain type output. Note that the camera control unit 101 monitors the voltage level of the LCLK terminal 1008 by the BUSY input terminal of the camera control unit 101, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, for example, when communication with the first interchangeable lens 200 is not possible (communication is not possible), a low level voltage is output to the LCLK terminal 2008 on the lens mount B side, and when communication is possible, the LCLK terminal 2008 is switched to the input side. At this time, a high level voltage is output to the LCLK terminal line of each mount by resistors R_LCLK_C120 and R_LCLK_L220, which are pull-up resistors.

[0138] On the other hand, when the camera control unit 101 detects, for example, a change in the voltage level of the LCLK terminal 1008 to a high level, it recognizes that the first interchangeable lens 200 has entered a state in which communication is possible. Thereafter, the camera control unit 101 selects whether the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 are to be used as an open drain type or a CMOS output type, and changes the output type to the selected type using the I / F unit 102. Here, communication when the I / F unit 102 is used as the open drain type is referred to as open drain communication, and communication when the I / F unit 102 is used as the CMOS output type is referred to as CMOS communication.

[0139] If a high-level voltage is detected from the LCLK terminal 1008 when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached, the camera control unit 101 switches the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 to the CMOS output type, and performs CMOS communication with the first interchangeable lens 200. Furthermore, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached, the camera control unit 101 performs open-drain communication with the second interchangeable lens 300 while maintaining the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 as the open-drain type. Thereafter, when it is determined that the second interchangeable lens 300 is an interchangeable lens compatible with CMOS communication, the camera control unit 101 switches the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 to the CMOS output type using the I / F unit 102, and performs CMOS communication with the lens side.

[0140] The open type output method described above may be a so-called open collector output in addition to the open drain output, and the high level voltage output may be realized by providing a pull-up resistor as described above. The method of switching the output method is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that the LCLK terminal 1008 and the DCL terminal 1006 are configured to perform open type communication at least when any interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body 100.

[0141] Furthermore, one of the main roles of the I / F unit 102 is to have an input / output direction switching function for switching the input and output directionality of the DCL terminal 1006 and the DCA terminal 1010 on the camera mount A side. As described above, the DCL terminal and DCA terminal perform bidirectional communication of communication data, so the I / F unit 102 switches the input / output direction of the signal.

[0142] In this embodiment, the voltage indicated by the communication terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is switched to the same voltage as VDD or 3.0 V depending on the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100. On the other hand, the voltage indicated by the communication terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units does not change depending on the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100, but is always a constant value (3.0 V).

[0143] The first communication I / F unit 102a is supplied with a power supply voltage (Vs) of either the same voltage as VDD or 3.0 V, and a power supply voltage (3.3 V) of the same potential as the voltage indicated by the camera control unit 101 from a camera power supply unit 103 described later. The second and third communication I / F units 102b are supplied with a power supply voltage of 3.0 V and a power supply voltage (3.3 V) of the same potential as the voltage indicated by the camera control unit 101 from the camera power supply unit 103 described later.

[0144] (Configuration of camera power supply unit and power supply switching unit in camera body 100) Next, the configuration of the camera power supply unit 103 that generates each power supply in the camera body 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 8. The camera power supply unit 103 generates a communication control power supply (VDD) as a power supply for supplying power to the attached camera accessory via a VDD terminal, or a power supply for supplying power to the first communication I / F unit 102a via a power supply switching unit 104 described later. The camera power supply unit 103 also generates a drive power supply (VBAT) as a power supply for supplying power to the attached camera accessory via a VBAT terminal. As described above, in this embodiment, the power supply voltage of VDD is set to 5.0V, and the power supply voltage of VBAT is set to 4.5V.

[0145] Furthermore, the camera power supply unit 103 generates a 3.3 V power supply as a power supply to be supplied to the camera control unit 101 and the I / F unit 102. Furthermore, the camera power supply unit 103 generates a 3.0 V power supply as a power supply to be supplied to the I / F unit 102 via the power supply switching unit 104 described later.

[0146] Next, the power supply switching unit 104 for switching the power supply (voltage) supplied to the first communication I / F unit 102a will be described in detail. The power supply switching unit 104 is connected to the camera power supply unit 103. The power supply switching unit 104 supplies only one of the power supplies VDD and 3.0V generated by the camera power supply unit 103 to the first communication I / F unit 102a as the power supply Vs for the communication interface. The power supply voltage is switched according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101.

[0147] Here, when the camera control unit 101 determines, using the TYPE terminal 1003, that the type of the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 is the first interchangeable lens 200, it controls the power supply switching unit 104 so that the power supply Vs becomes a 3.0V power supply. On the other hand, when the camera control unit 101 determines that the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, it controls the power supply switching unit 104 so that the power supply Vs for the communication interface becomes the same voltage as VDD. Furthermore, during a period in which the attachment of a camera accessory is not detected in the camera body 100 and during a period until the type of the attached camera accessory is determined, the camera control unit 101 controls the power supply switching unit 104 so that the power supply Vs becomes a 3.0V power supply. With this configuration, for example, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is directly attached to the camera body 100, it is possible to prevent a voltage of 3.0V or more from being applied to the electric circuit of the first interchangeable lens 200, which has a rated voltage of 3.0V.

[0148] Note that the configuration may be such that the power supply Vs for the communication interface is not supplied when the camera body 100 has not detected the attachment of a camera accessory and during the period until the type of the attached camera accessory is determined. Similarly, the configuration may be such that the power supply Vs (3.0 V) supplied to the second and third communication I / F units 102b is not supplied. This configuration can prevent a predetermined voltage from being applied to each terminal when power is not being supplied from the camera side to the camera accessory side, thereby reducing the inflow of unintended voltage current between incompatible terminals when a camera accessory is not attached.

[0149] As described above, in the camera body 100, the camera control unit 101 controls the I / F unit 102 and the power switching unit 104, making it possible to carry out each communication at an appropriate voltage according to the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100.

[0150] (Configuration of the Communication Interface Unit in the First Interchangeable Lens 200) Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the first lens side I / F 202 that functions as an interface circuit between each communication terminal provided in the first interchangeable lens 200 and the first lens control unit 201 will be described.

[0151] 3, a first lens side I / F unit 202 is provided inside the first interchangeable lens 200 as an interface unit for communication in the first interchangeable lens 200. This first lens side I / F unit 202 functions as an interface circuit for communication between the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 via terminals corresponding to the first, second, and third communication units, respectively.

[0152] One of the main roles of the first lens side I / F unit 202 is to have a level shifter function for converting between a voltage indicated by a terminal provided on the lens mount B and a voltage indicated by the first lens control unit 201. As the level shifter function, for example, when the voltage level indicated by the first lens control unit 201 differs from the voltage level indicated by each terminal, the first lens side I / F unit 202 performs voltage conversion of the voltage indicated by each terminal in order to adjust the difference between the two. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, when the voltage level indicated by the first lens control unit 201 and the voltage level indicated by each terminal are the same (3.0 V), the above-mentioned level shifter function is not essential.

[0153] Moreover, one of the main roles of the first lens side I / F unit 202 is to switch an LCLK terminal 2008 to an input or an open-drain type output on the lens mount B side. Furthermore, one of the main roles of the first lens side I / F unit 202 is to switch a DLC terminal 2007 to an open-drain type output or a CMOS output type output on the lens mount B side.

[0154] Note that the control of the LCLK terminal 2008 and the DLC terminal 2007 when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 is as described above in the description of the communication interface on the camera body 100 side. That is, the first lens control unit 201 controls the first lens side I / F unit 202 to switch the output types of the LCLK terminal 2008 and the DLC terminal 2007 according to the voltage level output by the LCLK terminal 2008.

[0155] Moreover, one of the main roles of the first lens side I / F unit 202 is an input / output direction switching function for switching the input and output directionality of the DCL terminal 2006 and the DCA terminal 2010 on the lens mount B side. As described above, the DCL terminal and DCA terminal perform bidirectional communication of communication data, so the first lens side I / F unit 202 switches the input / output direction of signals.

[0156] (Configuration of Lens Power Supply Unit in First Interchangeable Lens 200) Next, the configuration of the lens power supply unit 203 that generates each power supply in the first interchangeable lens 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the lens power supply unit 203 on the first interchangeable lens 200 side is supplied with a communication control power supply (VDD) from the camera power supply unit 103 described above via a VDD terminal. In this state, the lens power supply unit 203 generates a power supply of 3.0 V as a power supply voltage to be supplied to the first lens control unit 201 and the first lens side I / F unit 202 based on the VDD supplied from the camera body 100 side.

[0157] In addition, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the driving circuit unit 204 on the first interchangeable lens 200 side is supplied with driving power (VBAT) from the camera power supply unit 103 described above via the VBAT terminal.

[0158] In this embodiment, the first lens control unit 201 and the first lens side I / F unit 202 have the same power supply voltage level (3.0 V), but the voltage level indicated by the first lens control unit 201 may be set to 3.3 V. In this case, since it is necessary to supply power supplies of voltage levels of 3.0 V and 3.3 V to the lens side I / F unit 202, the lens power supply unit 203 generates power supplies of 3.0 V and 3.3 V.

[0159] (Configuration of the Communication Interface Unit in the Second Interchangeable Lens 300) Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the configuration of the second lens side I / F unit 302, which functions as an interface circuit between each communication terminal provided in the second interchangeable lens 300 and the second lens control unit 301, will be described.

[0160] 8, a second lens side I / F unit 302 is provided inside the second interchangeable lens 300. This second lens side I / F unit 302 is connected to a DCL terminal 3006, a DLC terminal 3007, and an LCLK terminal 3008, and functions as an interface circuit for the first communication performed between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0161] One of the main roles of the second lens side I / F unit 302 is to have a level shifter function for converting between a voltage indicated by a terminal provided on the lens mount D and a voltage indicated by the second lens control unit 301.

[0162] As an example of this level shifter function, it is assumed that the voltage level indicated by each terminal is the same as VDD, and the voltage indicated by the second lens control unit 301 is 3.3 V. In this case, in order to adjust the difference between the two, the second lens side I / F unit 302 performs voltage conversion of the voltage indicated by each terminal in order to adjust the difference. Note that, when the voltage indicated by the second lens control unit 301 and the voltage indicated by each terminal are the same level, the above-mentioned level shifter function is not essential.

[0163] Moreover, one of the main roles of the second lens side I / F unit 302 is a function to switch the LCLK terminal 3008 to input or open-drain type output on the lens mount D side. Furthermore, one of the main roles of the second lens side I / F unit 302 is a function to switch the DLC terminal 3007 to open-drain type output or CMOS output type output on the lens mount D side.

[0164] It should be noted that the control of the LCLK terminal 3008 and the DLC terminal 3007 when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400 is as described above in the description of the communication interface for the first interchangeable lens 200. That is, the second lens control unit 301 controls the second lens side I / F unit 302 to switch the output types of the LCLK terminal 3008 and the DLC terminal 3007 depending on the voltage level output by the LCLK terminal 3008.

[0165] (Configuration of Lens Power Supply Unit in Second Interchangeable Lens 300) Next, the configuration of the lens power supply unit 303 that generates each power supply in the second interchangeable lens 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. When the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the lens power supply unit 303 on the second interchangeable lens 300 side is supplied with a communication control power supply (VDD) from the above-mentioned camera power supply unit 103 via a VDD terminal. In this state, the lens power supply unit 303 generates a power supply of 3.3V as a power supply voltage to be supplied to the second lens control unit 301 and the second lens side I / F unit 302 based on the VDD supplied from the camera body 100 side.

[0166] In addition, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the driving circuit section 304 on the second interchangeable lens 300 side is supplied with driving power (VBAT) from the aforementioned camera power supply section 103 via the VBAT terminal.

[0167] (Internal configuration of conversion adapter 400) Next, the internal configuration and operation of the circuitry included in the conversion adapter 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. With the conversion adapter 400 attached to the camera body 100, the adapter power supply unit 403 of the conversion adapter 400 is supplied with a communication control power supply (VDD) from the camera power supply unit 103 described above via a VDD terminal. In this state, the adapter power supply unit 403 generates power to be supplied to the adapter control unit 401 including the adapter CPU and the adapter operation input unit 402, based on the VDD supplied from the camera body 100 side.

[0168] The adapter operation input unit 402 allows settings related to manual focus and settings related to the aperture diameter to be made through user operation input, and includes an operation member that can be manually operated by the user, such as a ring member that can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the conversion adapter 400.

[0169] The adapter control unit 401 asserts / negates a communication request of a CS terminal 2011 provided on a lens mount B of the conversion adapter 400 under the control of an open interface unit 404 formed of an N-channel transistor. In addition, the adapter control unit 401 receives the voltage level of the CS terminal 2011 and monitors the voltage level of the CS terminal 2011.

[0170] The operation information input by the adapter operation input unit 402 is reflected in various settings of the camera body 100 by third communication via a terminal corresponding to the third communication unit between the adapter control unit 401 and the camera control unit 101. Specifically, when the adapter control unit 401 detects the operation information input to the adapter operation input unit 402, it controls the open interface unit 404 and transmits a communication request to the camera control unit 101 using the CS terminal 2011 corresponding to the third communication unit. In this case, the detected operation information is transmitted to the camera control unit 101 using the DCA terminal 2010 corresponding to the third communication unit.

[0171] (Internal configuration of intermediate accessory 500) Next, the internal configuration and operation of the circuitry included in the intermediate accessory 500 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. When the intermediate accessory 500 is attached to the camera body 100, the communication control power supply (VDD) is supplied to the accessory power supply unit 503 of the intermediate accessory 500 from the camera power supply unit 103 described above via a VDD terminal. In this state, the accessory power supply unit 503 generates power to be supplied to the accessory control unit 501 including the accessory CPU and the accessory operation input unit 502, based on the VDD supplied from the camera body 100 side.

[0172] The accessory operation input unit 502 enables settings related to manual focus and settings related to the aperture diameter through user operation input, and includes an operation member that can be manually operated by the user, such as a ring member that can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the intermediate accessory 500.

[0173] The intermediate accessory 500 also includes an open interface unit 504 formed of an N-channel transistor, similar to the conversion adaptor 400 described above. This open interface unit 504 has substantially the same operation as the open interface unit 404 described above, although the controlled object is different, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0174] The operation information input by the accessory operation input unit 502 is reflected in various settings of the camera body 100 by third communication via a terminal corresponding to the third communication unit between the accessory control unit 501 and the camera control unit 101 or the first lens control unit 201. Specifically, when the accessory control unit 501 detects the operation information input to the accessory operation input unit 502, it controls the open interface unit 504 and transmits a communication request to the camera control unit 101 using the CS terminal 2011 corresponding to the third communication unit. In this case, the detected operation information is transmitted to the camera control unit 101 using the DCA terminal 2010 to the third communication unit.

[0175] (How to identify camera accessories) 11 and Table 1 below, a method for determining the type of camera accessory attached to camera body 100 on the camera body 100 side will be described. More specifically, a method for camera control unit 101 in camera body 100 to determine the type of camera accessory attached to camera body 100 based on the voltage level indicated by TYPE terminal 1003 will be described.

[0176] [Table 1]

[0177] As described above, Table 1 shows the relationship between the input signal of the TYPE terminal and the communication voltage when each camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100 (including errors, etc.). In this embodiment, information (table data) showing the relationship between the voltage level indicated by the TYPE_IN terminal and the attached accessory as shown in Table 1 is stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the camera control unit 101. The table data may be configured to be recorded in any memory area of ​​a recording unit provided inside the camera body 100.

[0178] When the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the TYPE terminal 1003 is connected in a pull-up manner to a power supply indicating a voltage level of 3.3 V via a resistor R_TYPE_C126. In this case, the TYPE terminal 1003 is also connected in a pull-down manner to the DGND terminal side by a resistor R_TYPE_L224. In this case, the TYPE terminal 1003 inputs a voltage obtained by dividing the 3.3 V power supply by the resistance values ​​of the resistors R_TYPE_C126 and R_TYPE_L224 to the camera control unit 101. In this embodiment, the resistance values ​​of the above-mentioned resistors are set in consideration of a case where the terminals are shorted (shorted), according to a ratio to the resistance values ​​of other resistors connected to terminals that may be shorted.

[0179] Furthermore, when the conversion adapter 400 is attached to the camera body 100, the TYPE terminal is pulled up via resistor R_TYPE_C126 to a power supply indicating a voltage level of 3.3V, and pulled down via resistor R_TYPE_A421 to the DGND terminal side. In this case, a voltage obtained by dividing the 3.3V power supply by the resistance values ​​of resistors R_TYPE_C126 and R_TYPE_A421 is input to the camera control unit 101.

[0180] Here, the camera control unit 101 has an AD converter that converts an analog data signal into a digital data signal and a TYPE_IN terminal as its input port. The TYPE_IN terminal is connected to the TYPE terminal 1003. For the sake of explanation, the resolution of the AD converter is assumed to be 10 bits (1024 divisions: 0x0000 to 0x03FF). Furthermore, a resistor showing a predetermined resistance value (1 kΩ in this embodiment) for protecting the TYPE_IN terminal is connected between the TYPE terminal 1003 and the TYPE_IN terminal.

[0181] For the sake of explanation, the predetermined resistance values ​​of the resistors are illustratively as follows: The resistance value of the resistor R_TYPE_C 126 indicating the pull-up resistance value in the camera body 100 is 100 kΩ. The resistance value of the resistor R_TYPE_L 224 indicating the pull-down resistance value in the first interchangeable lens 200 is 33 kΩ. The resistance value of the resistor R_TYPE_A 421 indicating the pull-down resistance value in the conversion adapter 400 is 300 kΩ.

[0182] The camera control unit 101 determines the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 according to the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal. Specifically, the camera control unit 101 performs AD conversion on the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal. Then, the camera control unit 101 determines the type of camera accessory by comparing the voltage value after AD conversion with a threshold value (reference value) corresponding to the type of lens previously stored in a memory (not shown) of the camera control unit 101.

[0183] A specific method of distinguishing each camera accessory will be described below. FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the connection state between the TYPE_IN terminal of the camera body 100 and each camera accessory according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11(a) shows a case where the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, and FIG. 11(b) shows a case where the conversion adapter 400 is attached to the camera body 100. FIG. 11(c) shows a case where the TYPE terminals provided on the camera body 100 and the camera accessory are not in proper contact with each other due to poor contact or the like. FIG. 11(d) shows a case where the TYPE terminal is shorted to the adjacent VBAT terminal due to a conductive foreign object adhering between the terminals or the like. FIG. 11(e) shows a case where the TYPE terminal is shorted to the adjacent PGND terminal due to a conductive foreign object adhering between the terminals or the like.

[0184] 11(a), when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the voltage level (after AD conversion) input to the TYPE_IN terminal of the camera control unit 101 is approximately "0x0103." Note that in the case shown in FIG. 11(a), the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is determined based on the ratio (voltage division ratio) of the pull-up resistor 100 kΩ in the camera body 100 to the protective resistor 1 kΩ and the pull-down resistor 33 kΩ in the first interchangeable lens 200.

[0185] The camera control unit 101 compares the table data (shown in Table 1) stored in memory with the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal. For example, if the voltage level (after AD conversion) input to the TYPE_IN terminal is "0x0103", it is included in the voltage level range "0x0080 to 0x017F" showing that the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached as shown in Table 1. In this case, the camera control unit 101 determines that the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100.

[0186] 11(b), when the conversion adapter 400 is attached to the camera body 100, the voltage level (after AD conversion) input to the TYPE_IN terminal of the camera control unit 101 is approximately "0x0300." In the case shown in FIG. 11(b), the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is determined based on the ratio (voltage division ratio) of the pull-up resistor 100 kΩ to the protective resistor 1 kΩ in the camera body 100 and the pull-down resistor 300 kΩ in the conversion adapter 400.

[0187] In this case, the voltage level (after AD conversion) input to the TYPE_IN terminal is "0x0300", which is included in the voltage level range "0x0280 to 0x037F" indicating that the conversion adaptor 400 is attached as shown in Table 1. Therefore, the camera control unit 101 determines that the conversion adaptor 400 is attached to the camera body 100.

[0188] 11(c), when there is poor contact between the TYPE terminals of the camera body 100 and the camera accessory, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal of the camera control unit 101 is approximately "0x03FF." In this case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is determined only by the pull-up resistor 100 kΩ in the camera body 100.

[0189] In the above case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is a voltage that does not correspond to either the first interchangeable lens 200 or the conversion adapter 400. In this case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal corresponds to error 1 shown in Table 1, so the camera control unit 101 cannot determine the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100. Note that the state shown in FIG. 11(c) corresponds to, for example, a case where the MIF terminals of the camera body 100 and the camera accessory are properly connected, but the TYPE terminals are not in contact with each other.

[0190] 11(d), if the TYPE terminal is shorted to an adjacent terminal due to, for example, a conductive foreign object adhering between the TYPE terminal and the adjacent VBAT terminal, the signal line on the VBAT terminal side will be connected to the TYPE terminal. Here, if the type of camera accessory attached to camera body 100 is identified before power is supplied to the VBAT terminal, the result of identifying the type of camera accessory will differ depending on the state of the VBAT power supply.

[0191] For example, when the VBAT power supply is off and the signal line of the VBAT power supply is at the same potential as the signal line of the PGND terminal, the signal line of the TYPE terminal is at the same potential as the signal line of the PGND terminal. In this case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is determined based on the ratio (voltage division ratio) of the pull-up resistor 100 kΩ and the protective resistor 1 kΩ in the camera body 100, and the value is approximately "0×000A". In this case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal corresponds to error 1 shown in Table 1, so the camera control unit 101 cannot identify the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100.

[0192] Also, for example, when the VBAT power supply is off and the signal line of the VBAT power supply is floating, there is no effect of a short between the TYPE terminal and the VBAT terminal, and the type of the camera accessory can be determined as described above. After that, when the VBAT terminals are connected to each other and the VBAT power supply is supplied to the VBAT terminal, a voltage equivalent to the VBAT power supply voltage is applied to the TYPE terminal. In this case, since the VBAT terminal indicates a voltage level higher than the power supply voltage of the TYPE_IN terminal, there is a possibility that a current of an unintended voltage level will flow into the TYPE_IN terminal via a diode (not shown) present in the TYPE_IN terminal.

[0193] Therefore, in the camera body 100 of this embodiment, a protective resistor of 1 kΩ is provided in series with the signal line of the TYPE terminal. This configuration reduces the inflow of current at an unintended voltage level into the TYPE_IN terminal (the power supply), and suppresses the occurrence of malfunctions in the components connected to the TYPE_IN terminal. Note that a configuration in which a protective diode is connected to the signal line between the protective resistor of 1 kΩ and the TYPE_IN terminal may also be used.

[0194] Also, the camera control unit 101 may be configured to detect the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal again when the VBAT power is supplied to the VBAT terminal, and re-determine the type of the camera accessory. In this case, in the state shown in FIG. 11(d), a voltage equivalent to the power supply voltage of the VBAT terminal is applied to the TYPE terminal, so the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is approximately "0x03FF". In this case, the camera control unit 101 cannot determine the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100, but can prevent a current of an unintended voltage level from flowing into the TYPE_IN terminal.

[0195] On the other hand, if power is supplied to the VBAT terminal before the type of camera accessory is identified, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is AD converted with the power supply voltage indicated by the VBAT terminal applied to the TYPE terminal. In this case, the voltage level (after AD conversion) input to the TYPE_IN terminal is approximately "0x03FF". In this case, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal corresponds to error 1 shown in Table 1, so the camera control unit 101 cannot identify the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100.

[0196] 11(e), if the TYPE terminal is shorted to an adjacent terminal due to a conductive foreign object adhering between the TYPE terminal and the adjacent PGND terminal, the TYPE terminal will be connected to the signal line on the PGND terminal side. In this case, since the PGND terminal is a ground terminal, the voltage input to the TYPE_IN terminal is determined based on the ratio (voltage division ratio) of the pull-up resistor 100 kΩ and the protective resistor 1 kΩ in the camera body 100, and the value is approximately "0×000 A". Therefore, in this case as well, the camera control unit 101 cannot identify the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100.

[0197] As described above, when the TYPE terminal is shorted to an adjacent terminal, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is close to the voltage level indicated by the PGND terminal or close to the power supply voltage level indicated by the VBAT terminal. In such a case, the camera control unit 101 cannot determine what camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100, and therefore cannot execute or instruct appropriate operations for each camera accessory.

[0198] Therefore, in the camera body 100 of this embodiment, when a value close to the voltage level indicated by the PGND terminal is input to the TYPE_IN terminal of the camera control unit 101, the camera control unit 101 controls so as not to communicate with the camera accessory. In this embodiment, when the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is within the range of "0x0000 to 0x007F", the camera control unit 101 determines that an error state has occurred in the connection state of the TYPE terminal, and does not communicate with the camera accessory.

[0199] Furthermore, when a value of the power supply voltage level indicated by the VBAT terminal is input to the TYPE_IN terminal, the camera control unit 101 performs control so as not to communicate with the camera accessory. In this embodiment, when the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is within the range of "0x0380 to 0x03FF", the camera control unit 101 determines that an error state has occurred, that is, an abnormality has occurred in the connection state of the TYPE terminal, and does not communicate with the camera accessory.

[0200] With this configuration, the camera body 100 of this embodiment can prevent a voltage level exceeding the rated voltage from being applied to the camera accessory side when the type of camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 is misidentified.

[0201] (Operation when a camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100) Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a communication selection process showing the process until the first communication is started as an operation when a camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustratively explaining the operation until the first communication is started when any camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100. In this embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the camera control unit 101, and the camera control unit 101 executes the program read from the memory. Therefore, the operation of each step described below is executed by the camera control unit 101. In addition, each unit constituting the camera body 100 and the camera accessory may be configured to instruct and execute the operation of each corresponding step, instead of the operation according to a predetermined program. In addition, the camera control unit 101 in this embodiment functions as a detection unit that detects the voltage level indicated by each terminal, and a control unit that controls the communication by each communication terminal.

[0202] First, communication selection processing is started in response to an instruction to turn on the power of the camera body 100 by operating a power switch (not shown) or the like provided on the camera body 100. Then, in step S601, the camera control unit 101 reads the voltage level of the MIF_IN terminal, and stores information about the state of the MIF_IN terminal based on the read voltage level in a RAM area (not shown) in the aforementioned memory.

[0203] Next, in step S602, based on information about the state of the MIF_IN terminal stored in the RAM area, if the MIF_IN terminal indicates High, it is determined that no camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100, and the process returns to step S601. On the other hand, if the MIF_IN terminal indicates Low, it is determined that a camera accessory is attached to the camera body 100.

[0204] Next, in step S603, the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is AD converted and read, and information regarding the state of the TYPE_IN terminal based on the read voltage level is stored in the above-mentioned RAM area.

[0205] Next, in step S604, it is determined whether the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is equal to or greater than "0x0080" and equal to or less than "0x017F" as the state of the TYPE_IN terminal read from the RAM area. If it is determined that the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is equal to or greater than "0x0080" and equal to or less than "0x017F", the process proceeds to step S605, and if the above condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S608.

[0206] Next, in step S605, it is determined that the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 is the first interchangeable lens 200 (lens type 1), and the power supply switching unit 104 is controlled to set the power supply Vs for the communications interface to 3.0V.

[0207] Next, in step S606, power supply from the camera power supply unit 103 to the VDD terminal is started.

[0208] Next, in step S607, a communication voltage of 3.0V is set, and the first communication using the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is started, and the process proceeds to step S614.

[0209] In step S608, it is determined whether the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is equal to or greater than "0x0280" and equal to or less than "0x037F" as the state of the TYPE_IN terminal read from the RAM area. If it is determined that the voltage level input to the TYPE_IN terminal is equal to or greater than "0x0280" and equal to or less than "0x037F", the process proceeds to step S609, and if the above condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S612.

[0210] Next, in step S609, it is determined that the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 is the second interchangeable lens 300 (lens type 2) via the conversion adapter 400, and the power supply switching unit 104 is controlled to set the power supply Vs to VDD (5.0 V).

[0211] Next, in step S610, power supply from the camera power supply unit 103 to the VDD terminal begins.

[0212] Next, in step S611, a communication voltage of 5.0 V is set, and the first communication using the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is started, and the process proceeds to step S614.

[0213] Next, in step S612, it is determined that the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100 is a camera accessory that is not compatible with the camera body 100 (Reserved), or that a predetermined terminal indicates an abnormality (Error).

[0214] Then, in step S613, communication with the camera accessory is not started, and each part of camera body 100 is controlled to execute processing for displaying a warning about an error or the like on display unit 15, and the process proceeds to step S614.

[0215] In step S614, it is determined whether or not an instruction to turn off the power to camera body 100 has been given, for example, by operating a power switch (not shown) etc. If it is determined in step S614 that an instruction to turn off the power switch has been given, the process proceeds to step S619, where the power to camera body 100 is turned off, and the communication selection process ends. If it is determined in step S614 that an instruction to turn off the power switch has not been given, the process proceeds to step S615.

[0216] Next, in step S615, the voltage level of the MIF_IN terminal is read again, and information on the state of the MIF_IN terminal based on the read voltage level is stored in the RAM area described above. Note that in the process of S615, the information on the state of the MIF_IN terminal read in the process of S601 described above may be updated (overwritten), or may be stored separately in a different storage area.

[0217] Next, in step S616, it is determined whether the MIF_IN terminal indicates High based on information about the state of the MIF_IN terminal stored in the RAM area. If it is determined in step S616 that the MIF_IN terminal indicates High, it is determined that the camera accessory has been removed from camera body 100, and the process proceeds to step S617. If it is determined in step S616 that the MIF_IN terminal does not indicate High (i.e., indicates Low), it is determined that the camera accessory remains attached to camera body 100, and the process returns to step S614.

[0218] In step S617, communication with the camera accessory is stopped. Then, in step S618, power supply from the camera power supply unit 103 to the VDD terminal is stopped, and the process returns to step S601. After that, the above-mentioned processes are repeatedly executed.

[0219] Although not shown in FIG. 12, at a predetermined timing, the camera body 100 determines whether or not a driving power supply (VBAT) is supplied to the camera accessory using the VBAT terminal, and supplies VBAT based on the determination result.

[0220] (Details of the first, second and third communications) Next, a description will be given of each communication performed between the camera body 100 and the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100. First, a description will be given of the first communication. As described above, the first communication is one of the communication systems performed between the camera body 100 and the camera accessory attached to the camera body 100. The first communication unit is a clock synchronous or start-stop synchronous communication system performed using the LCLK terminal, DCL terminal, and DLC terminal corresponding to the first communication unit.

[0221] In this embodiment, both the first interchangeable lens 200 and the second interchangeable lens 300 are compatible with the first communication. However, as described above, the communication voltage related to the first communication differs between the first interchangeable lens 200 and the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0222] The first communication is used, for example, to transmit drive commands such as drive a focus lens, drive a zoom lens, and drive an aperture to a camera accessory. The camera accessory that receives the drive command executes an operation according to the drive command. The first communication is also used when the camera accessory transmits information (state information) related to the state of the camera accessory itself, such as the position of the focus lens, the focal length, and the aperture opening diameter (aperture value), to the camera body 100.

[0223] Next, the second communication will be described. As described above, the second communication is one of the communication systems performed between the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200, and is an asynchronous communication performed using the DLC2 terminal corresponding to the second communication unit. Note that the second interchangeable lens 300 does not have a terminal corresponding to the second communication unit such as the DLC2 terminal, so the second communication is not performed between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0224] In the second communication, the first interchangeable lens 200 becomes the parent device (master) of the communication and transmits a predetermined amount of optical data including the focus lens position, zoom lens position, aperture value, and image stabilization lens state of the first interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100. In the second communication, the camera body 100 becomes the child device (slave) of the communication. Note that the type and order of data to be transmitted from the first interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100 are instructed from the camera body 100 to the first interchangeable lens 200 by the first communication described above.

[0225] Here, with reference to FIG. 13, the operation on the camera side and the camera accessory side when performing the second communication will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustratively explaining each operation related to the second communication according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is stored in a memory (not shown), and the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 execute the program read from the memory. Therefore, the operation of each step described below is executed by the camera control unit 101 or the first lens control unit 201. Note that, instead of the operation according to a predetermined program, each unit constituting the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 may instruct and execute the operation of each corresponding step.

[0226] 13 is started at the timing when image capture control of a subject is started in the camera body 100. First, in step S1301, the camera body 100 transmits a request to start the second communication by first communication to the first interchangeable lens 200. Note that the request to start transmitted in step S1301 includes various types of data intended to be acquired from the first interchangeable lens 200 by the second communication, and a registration communication command in which the order in which this data is to be received is preset.

[0227] Next, in step S1311, the first interchangeable lens 200 receives the start request transmitted from the camera body 100, and proceeds to step S1312. Then, in step S1312, the first interchangeable lens 200 generates various data based on the registration communication command included in the start request in a specified order.

[0228] Next, in step S1313, various data generated in the first interchangeable lens 200 is transmitted to the camera body 100 using the second communication. That is, in step S1313, various data generated on the first interchangeable lens 200 side is transmitted to the camera body 100 side using the DLC2 terminal 2009 of the first interchangeable lens 200 and the DLC2 terminal 1009 of the camera body 100.

[0229] Next, in the camera body 100, various data transmitted by using the second communication from the first interchangeable lens 200 in the processing of step S13032 is sequentially received, and the second communication is terminated in response to completion of reception of each specified data. Note that in this embodiment, the flow shown in FIG. 13 is repeatedly executed each time imaging control of a subject is started.

[0230] In this way, when the second communication is executed, the start request is transmitted using the first communication, but a terminal corresponding to the second communication unit different from the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit is used to enable communication of an independent communication system different from the first communication described above. With this configuration, communication of various data (e.g., optical data) can be performed as the second communication between the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200 without interfering with communication performed in the first communication (e.g., a control request to an actuator, etc.). As described above, since the start request of the second communication is transmitted from the camera body 100 side to the first interchangeable lens 200 side using the first communication, the establishment of the first communication is a necessary condition for performing the second communication.

[0231] Next, the third communication will be described. As described above, the third communication is one of the communication systems performed between the camera body 100 and the first interchangeable lens 200, the conversion adapter 400, and the intermediate accessory 500. The third communication is an asynchronous communication performed using the DCA terminal and the CS terminal corresponding to the third communication unit. Also, as described above, the second interchangeable lens 300 does not have a terminal corresponding to the third communication unit, so the third communication is not performed between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0232] In the third communication, the camera body 100 becomes the parent device (master) of the communication, and the first interchangeable lens 200, the conversion adapter 400, and the intermediate accessory 500, which are directly and indirectly attached to the camera body 100, become child devices (slaves) of the communication.

[0233] In the above-mentioned example, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9, a case where one conversion adapter 400 or one intermediate accessory 500 is provided between the camera body 100 and a predetermined interchangeable lens has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a total of two or more conversion adapters 400 and intermediate accessories 500 may be provided between the camera body 100 and a predetermined interchangeable lens. Therefore, in the third communication, multiple slaves may be connected in series to one master related to communication. For this reason, in the third communication, it is possible to switch between a broadcast communication mode in which the camera body 100 transmits a signal to multiple camera accessories (slaves) at once, and a P2P (Peer-to-Peer) mode in which communication is performed by specifying a specific camera accessory.

[0234] In the broadcast communication mode and P2P mode of the third communication, the DCA terminal functions as a terminal for communication data capable of two-way communication. In contrast, the CS terminal has different functions in the broadcast communication mode and the P2P mode. For details, the broadcast communication will be described first with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a timing diagram for explaining an example of the broadcast communication in the third communication according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 14 shows a case where the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 via the intermediate accessory 500.

[0235] In FIG. 14, in the broadcast communication in the third communication, communication signals using the CS terminal are illustrated as "CS (camera)", "CS (lens)", and "CS (accessory)". Also, communication signals using the DCA terminal are illustrated as "DCA (camera)", "DCA (lens)", and "DCA (accessory)". Also, "CS" and "DCA" in the figure indicate signal waveforms shown by the CS terminal and DCA terminal of the camera body 100, the intermediate accessory 500, and the first interchangeable lens 200 at a predetermined communication control timing. Hereinafter, a case where broadcast communication is performed from the accessory control unit 501 to the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 in response to broadcast communication from the camera control unit 101 to the first lens control unit 201 and the accessory control unit 501 will be described.

[0236] In the following description, the signal line connected to the CS terminal is referred to as the signal line CS, and the signal line connected to the DCA terminal is referred to as the signal line DCA. At the timing of <1> shown in Fig. 14, the camera control unit 101 starts outputting a low level to the signal line CS. This operation is for the camera control unit 101, which is the communication master, to notify the first lens control unit 201 and the accessory control unit 501, which are communication slaves, that broadcast communication will start.

[0237] Next, at timing <2> shown in Fig. 14, the camera control unit 101 outputs data to be transmitted to the signal line DCA. Then, at timing <3> shown in Fig. 14, the first lens control unit 201 and the accessory control unit 501 detect the start bit ST input to the signal line DCA and start Low output to the signal line CS. Note that, since the camera control unit 101 has already output Low to the signal line CS at timing <1>, the signal level of the signal line CS on the camera side does not change at this timing.

[0238] Next, when output of the data to be transmitted up to the stop bit SP is completed at timing <4> shown in Fig. 14, the camera control unit 101 releases the Low output to the signal line CS at timing <5>. On the other hand, when the first lens control unit 201 and the accessory control unit 501 receive data up to the stop bit SP, they analyze the received data and perform internal processing on the received data. When the internal processing is completed and preparations for receiving the next data are completed, the first lens control unit 201 and the accessory control unit 501 release the Low output to the signal line CS at timings <6> and <7> shown in Fig. 14.

[0239] The time required for analyzing the received data and for internal processing of the received data varies depending on the processing power of the CPU installed in each control unit. Therefore, in order to perform continuous communication, each control unit needs to know the timing when the internal processing of the received data is completed in the other control units.

[0240] In this embodiment, as described above, the CS terminal outputs an open drain type signal. Therefore, the signal level of the signal line CS becomes a high output when the camera control unit 101, the first lens control unit 201, and the accessory control unit 501 all cancel the low output to the signal line CS. That is, each control unit (CPU) involved in the broadcast communication determines that the other control units (CPUs) are ready to perform the next communication by confirming that the signal level of the signal line CS has become a high output. With this configuration, the camera body 100 and a predetermined camera accessory of this embodiment can continuously perform appropriate communication.

[0241] 14, the accessory control unit 501 confirms that the High output of the signal line CS has been released. After that, the accessory control unit 501 starts a Low output to the signal line CS to notify the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 of the start of broadcast communication.

[0242] Next, at timing <9> shown in FIG. 14, the accessory control unit 501 outputs the data to be transmitted to the signal line DCA.

[0243] On the other hand, the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 detect the start bit ST input from the signal line DCA, and start outputting a low level to the signal line CS at the timing of <10> shown in Fig. 14. Note that since the accessory control unit 501 has already output a low level to the signal line CS at the timing of <8>, the signal level of the signal line CS on the accessory side does not change at this timing.

[0244] 14, the accessory control unit 501 finishes outputting up to the stop bit SP, and then releases the Low output to the signal line CS at timing <12>. Meanwhile, the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 receive data up to the stop bit SP input from the signal line DCA. After that, the camera control unit 101 and the first lens control unit 201 analyze the received data and perform internal processing associated with the received data, and release the Low output to the signal line CS at timings <13> and <14> when they are ready to receive the next data.

[0245] As described above, in the broadcast communication mode of the third communication of this embodiment, the signal line CS functions as a signal line for notifying the start of broadcast communication and a signal indicating that communication is in progress (processing).

[0246] Next, the function of the CS terminal in the P2P mode in the third communication will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a timing diagram for illustratively explaining the P2P communication in the third communication according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that Fig. 15 shows a case where the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 via the intermediate accessory 500. Also, the signal lines and signal waveforms shown in Fig. 15 are substantially the same as those in the broadcast communication mode described with reference to Fig. 14, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0247] Hereinafter, we will explain the case where the camera control unit 101 transmits 1 byte of data to the first lens control unit 201, and then transmits 2 bytes of data from the first lens control unit 201 to the camera control unit 101 in response to the 1 byte of data.

[0248] In the following description, the signal line connected to the CS terminal is referred to as the signal line CS, and the signal line connected to the DCA terminal is referred to as the signal line DCA. At timing <15> shown in Fig. 15, the camera control unit 101 transmits a command to the first lens control unit 201 to transmit specific data using the signal line DCA.

[0249] Next, after completing the output of the stop bit SP on the signal line DCA on the camera side at timing <16> shown in Fig. 15, the camera control unit 101 starts outputting a low level to the signal line CS at timing <17>. Then, while outputting a low level to the signal line CS, the camera control unit 101 prepares to receive data, and at timing <18> when the preparation is complete, it releases the low level output to the signal line CS.

[0250] On the other hand, after detecting a Low signal on the signal line CS output by the camera control unit 101, the first lens control unit 201 analyzes the command received from the camera control unit 101 and performs internal processing related to the command. After that, the first lens control unit 201 confirms that the Low output of the signal line CS on the camera side has been released, and then at the timing of <19> shown in Fig. 15, the first lens control unit 201 transmits data according to the command received from the camera control unit 101 using the signal line DCA.

[0251] Next, at timing <20> shown in Fig. 15, the first lens control unit 201 finishes outputting up to the stop bit SP of the second byte, and then starts Low output to the signal line CS on the lens side at timing <21>. After that, the first lens control unit 201, after being prepared to receive the next data, cancels the Low output to the signal line CS at timing <22> shown in Fig. 15. Note that in the explanation shown in Fig. 15, the accessory control unit 501 that is not selected as a communication partner in P2P communication is not involved in various operations on the signal lines CS and DCA.

[0252] As described above, in the third communication of this embodiment, in the P2P mode, the signal line CS functions as a signal line for notifying the end of data transmission on the data transmitting side and a standby request related to data transmission.

[0253] As described above, in the third communication according to the present embodiment, the function of the CS terminal is made different between the broadcast communication mode and the P2P mode. With this configuration, communication in both the broadcast communication mode and the P2P mode can be realized using only two signal lines, the signal line CS and the signal line DCA, which are related to the CS terminal and the DCA terminal, respectively.

[0254] Furthermore, the transmission and reception of various data using the third communication is performed using the DCA terminal, which has a CMOS output type. With this configuration, even if the output type of the CS terminal is configured as an open drain type, high-speed communication can be achieved.

[0255] (Arrangement of each terminal) Based on the circuit configurations and operations of the camera body 100 and each camera accessory described above, the arrangement of each terminal arranged on the camera mount A and lens mount B according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0256] First, the arrangement of the MIF terminal will be described. Here, it is assumed that the MIF terminal 1005 of the camera mount is arranged in a position where it slides with other terminals (contact surfaces) except the MIF terminal 2005 arranged on the lens mount B, or that the MIF terminal is connected before the DGND terminal or PGND terminal. In this case, when the lens mount B is not completely attached to the camera mount A, power is not supplied from the camera body 100 to the camera accessory. Therefore, when the terminals provided on the lens mount B slide with the terminals on the camera mount A side, there is a risk that the MIF terminal 1005 will come into contact with terminals other than the MIF terminal 2005, and the voltage level indicated by the MIF terminal 1005 will momentarily become Low.

[0257] In this case, even though the connection between the corresponding terminals of both mounts is not yet complete, the camera body 100 erroneously detects that the camera accessory is attached. Therefore, power supply may start when the camera accessory is not completely attached to the camera body 100, and the power supply and ground connection may not be electrically stable, which may cause malfunctions or problems with the camera body 100 and the camera accessory. The same problem occurs when the MIF terminals are connected to each other before the ground terminals are connected to each other.

[0258] In this embodiment, in order to solve the above-described problems, the MIF terminals 1005 and 2005 are disposed at the rear of the lower stage of the camera mount and the upper stage of the lens mount in the lens mounting direction in the camera mount A and the lens mount B, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, the MIF terminal 1005 on the camera mount A side does not slide with any of the other terminals except the MIF terminal 2005 on the lens mount B side when the mounts are attached or detached. This configuration can prevent the camera body 100 side from erroneously detecting that the camera accessory is attached. In addition, this configuration allows power to be supplied from the camera body 100 side to the camera accessory side with the power supply terminals and the ground terminals securely connected to each other. Therefore, the camera body 100 and each camera accessory of this embodiment can reduce malfunctions and problems of the camera body 100 and the camera accessories.

[0259] Next, the arrangement of the DLC terminal, DCL terminal, and LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit will be described. As described above, the drive control and acquisition of state information between the camera body 100 and the first and second interchangeable lenses 200 and 300 are performed using the first communication. In other words, the transmission and reception of main data required for the photographing operation of a subject using the camera body 100 is performed using the first communication. Even if the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units are worn due to the sliding between the terminals and the electrical connection between the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units is unstable, as long as the first communication is performed accurately, the main drive control of the camera accessories related to the photographing operation is possible. Therefore, the terminals corresponding to the first communication unit are more important in performing the imaging operation than the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units.

[0260] Therefore, in the camera mount A of this embodiment, the terminals corresponding to the first communication unit are arranged in a position where the number of times the terminals slide (contact) with each other is smaller than the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units. Specifically, in the camera mount A of this embodiment, the DLC terminal, DCL terminal, and LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit are arranged on the inner side in the lens mounting direction than the DLC2 terminal, CS terminal, and DCA terminal. Also, in the camera mount A, the DLC terminal, DCL terminal, and LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit are arranged in a position where the number of times the terminals slide (contact) with each other is smaller than the MIF terminal. Therefore, the arrangement of the terminals in the lens mount B is reversed from the arrangement of the terminals in the camera mount A.

[0261] This configuration makes it possible for the terminal groups corresponding to the first communication unit to have higher durability against sliding (contact) between terminals depending on the number of times the camera accessory is attached to and detached from the camera body 100 than the terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units. Therefore, the camera body 100 and camera accessory of this embodiment can reduce communication failures caused by friction of the contact pins and contact surfaces corresponding to the DCL terminal, DLC terminal, and LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit, and can improve the communication reliability between them.

[0262] Next, the arrangement of the DGND terminal and the CS terminal will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the internal configuration of the CS terminal, DCA terminal, and DGND terminal in the camera mount A and the lens mount B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16(a) shows a case where the DCA terminal is arranged adjacent to the DGND terminal, which is different from the arrangement order of the terminals described in this embodiment, and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing the arrangement order of the terminals in this embodiment.

[0263] As described above, since the DCA terminal is a CMOS output type terminal, when a short circuit occurs between the DCA terminal and the DGND terminal as shown in FIG. 16(a), a relatively large current flows in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Specifically, when a conductive foreign object is attached between the DCA terminal and the DGND terminal and the voltage level indicated by the DCA terminal is set to High output, the CMOS output type DCA terminal shorts out with the DGND terminal. In this case, there is a risk that an unintended large current will flow to the DGND terminal side of the camera along the path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 16(a). In this case, there is a risk that a malfunction will occur in the electrical circuit of the camera body 100.

[0264] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the DGND terminal is adjacent to the CS terminal. As described above, the CS terminal is a terminal that performs open-type output. Therefore, even if the DGND terminal and the CS terminal are shorted due to a conductive foreign object or the like adhering between them, only a small current flows to the DGND terminal side along the path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 16(b). Specifically, since the CS terminal is a terminal that indicates an open-type output, even if the DGND terminal and the CS terminal are shorted, only a small current with a low voltage level flows from the power supply on the camera side through a pull-up resistor to the DGND terminal side on the camera side. Therefore, by adopting the above-mentioned configuration, the camera body 100 and the camera accessory of this embodiment can prevent malfunctions in the electric circuit of the camera body 100 caused by a large current flowing to the ground side via the DGND terminal on the camera side.

[0265] Next, the arrangement of the DLC2 terminal and the LCLK terminal will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram for illustratively explaining the influence on the electric circuit according to the difference in the terminal adjacent to the LCLK terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17(a) shows a case where the CS terminal is adjacent to the LCLK terminal. FIG. 17(b) shows a case where the DCA terminal is adjacent to the LCLK terminal. FIG. 17(c) shows a case where a foreign object exists between the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 when the DLC2 is adjacent to the LCLK terminal. FIG. 17(d) shows a case where a bent terminal comes into contact with an adjacent terminal when the DLC2 is adjacent to the LCLK terminal. Each diagram shown in FIG. 17 shows a case where the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400.

[0266] As shown in Fig. 17(a), for example, assume that the CS terminal is disposed adjacent to the LCLK terminal in the camera body 100 and the conversion adaptor 400. Note that Fig. 17(a) shows a case where a conductive foreign object 90 is present between the LCLK terminal and the CS terminal of the conversion adaptor 400, and the two terminals are shorted together due to electrical continuity between the two terminals.

[0267] Assume that the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400. In this case, as shown in the figure, the signal line of the LCLK terminal is pulled up and connected to VDD (5.0 V) via a resistor R_LCLK_C120 in the camera body 100 and a resistor R_LCLK_L320 in the second interchangeable lens 300. On the other hand, the CS terminal is pulled up and connected to a voltage level of 3.0 V via a resistor (resistor) provided inside the camera body 100 and a resistor (resistor) provided inside the conversion adapter 400.

[0268] In this case, when the LCLK terminal and the CS terminal are shorted, a voltage of 3.0V or more is applied from the signal line side of the LCLK terminal to the signal line side of the CS terminal via resistors R_LCLK_C120 and R_LCLK_L320. Normally, both the second and third communication I / F units 102b and the adapter control unit 401 operate on a power supply voltage of 3.0V. However, as described above, when both terminals are shorted, a voltage above the upper limit voltage is applied to elements such as the second and third communication I / F units 102b and the adapter control unit 401, which may cause malfunctions in the electrical circuits of the conversion adapter 400 and the camera body 100.

[0269] Here, the upper limit voltage is a rated voltage that does not cause any malfunction in the electric circuits connected to each terminal, or an operating voltage that allows the electric circuits connected to each terminal to operate normally.

[0270] Next, as shown in Fig. 17(b), for example, assume that the DCA terminal is disposed adjacent to the LCLK terminal in the camera body 100 and the conversion adaptor 400. Note that Fig. 17(b) shows a case where a conductive foreign object 90 is present between the LCLK terminal and the DCA terminal of the conversion adaptor 400, and the terminals are shorted due to electrical continuity between the two terminals.

[0271] Assume that the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400. In this case, as shown in the figure, the signal line of the LCLK terminal is pulled up and connected to VDD (5.0 V) via a resistor R_LCLK_C120 in the camera body 100 and a resistor R_LCLK_L320 in the second interchangeable lens 300. On the other hand, the DCA terminal is pulled up and connected to a voltage level of 3.0 V via a resistor (resistor) provided inside the camera body 100 and a resistor (resistor) provided inside the conversion adapter 400.

[0272] In this case, when the LCLK terminal and the DCA terminal are shorted, a voltage of 3.0V or more is applied from the signal line side of the LCLK terminal to the signal line side of the DCA terminal via resistors R_LCLK_C120 and R_LCLK_L320. Normally, both the second and third communication I / F units 102b and the adapter control unit 401 operate on a power supply voltage of 3.0V. However, as described above, when both terminals are shorted, a voltage above the upper limit voltage is applied to elements such as the second and third communication I / F units 102b and the adapter control unit 401, which may cause malfunctions in the electrical circuits of the conversion adapter 400 and the camera body 100.

[0273] For the reasons explained above, it is not desirable to set the CS terminal and the DCA terminal as terminals corresponding to the second and third communication units adjacent to the LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit on the front side in the lens mounting direction.

[0274] Hereinafter, a case where the DLC2 terminal is adjacent to the LCLK terminal as a configuration of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 17(c), when the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal are arranged adjacent to each other, it is assumed that the terminals are shorted due to the presence of a conductive foreign object 90. In this case, as described above, the second interchangeable lens 300 does not have a terminal (DLC2 terminal) corresponding to the second communication unit, so even if the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the second communication is not performed. In other words, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the DLC2 terminal corresponding to the second communication unit is not used between the camera body 100 and the second interchangeable lens 300.

[0275] Therefore, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, even if the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal are shorted, no malfunction will occur in the electrical circuits of the conversion adapter 400, such as the adapter control unit 401. Even if the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal are shorted, the voltage applied to both terminals can be suppressed to below the respective upper limit voltages by voltage division based on resistors provided in the second interchangeable lens 300, the conversion adapter 400, and the camera body 100. Details of this will be described later. That is, it is preferable to arrange the terminal corresponding to the second communication unit (DLC2 terminal) adjacent to the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit. With this configuration, the camera body 100 and the conversion adapter 400 according to this embodiment can prevent malfunctions in the electrical circuits provided in the conversion adapter 400 and the camera body 100.

[0276] When the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the communication voltages of the first communication unit and the second communication unit are the same (3.0 V). In this case, even if the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal are shorted, as described above, a voltage equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage is not applied to elements such as the I / F unit 102 of the camera body 100.

[0277] Furthermore, when the first interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the second communication and the third communication may be used simultaneously and independently of each other. In this case, even if the DLC2 terminal corresponding to the second communication unit is shorted to the DCA terminal corresponding to the third communication unit, the communication voltage of the second communication unit and the third communication unit is the same (3.0 V), so a voltage equal to or higher than the operating voltage is not applied to the second and third communication I / F units 102b.

[0278] As described above, it is preferable to arrange the terminal corresponding to the second communication unit (DLC2 terminal) next to the terminal corresponding to the first communication unit, and arrange the terminal corresponding to the third communication unit (CS terminal or DCA terminal) opposite to the terminal corresponding to the second communication unit. In other words, it is preferable to arrange the terminal corresponding to the third communication unit so as to be adjacent to the DLC2 terminal on the opposite side of the LCLK terminal corresponding to the first communication unit adjacent to one side of the DLC2 terminal corresponding to the second communication unit. With this configuration, even if any interchangeable lens is directly or indirectly attached to the camera body 100, it is possible to prevent malfunctions from occurring in the electric circuits of the camera body 100 and the conversion adapter 400.

[0279] Here, the voltages applied to each interface unit inside the camera body 100 will be described in detail. It is assumed here that the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400. In this case, the signal line of the LCLK terminal is pulled up and connected to VDD (5.0 V) via a resistor R_LCLK_C120 in the camera body 100 and a resistor R_LCLK_L320 in the second interchangeable lens 300. On the other hand, the DLC2 terminal is pulled down and connected to the signal line of the DGND terminal via a resistor R_DLC2_C122 provided inside the camera body 100 and a resistor R_DLC2_A422 provided inside the conversion adapter 400.

[0280] Here, the combined resistance of R_LCLK_C120 and R_LCLK_L320 is R_LCLK, and the combined resistance of R_DLC2_C122 and R_DLC2_A422 is R_DLC2. In addition, when the terminals are shorted as described above, the voltage applied to the signal line of the LCLK terminal and DLC2 terminal is V_ST1. The combined resistance R_LCLK, combined resistance R_DLC2, and applied voltage V_ST1 are calculated by the following formulas (1), (2), and (3), respectively. R_LCLK=1 / ((1 / R_LCLK_C120)+(1 / R_LCLK_L320))··(1) R_DLC2=1 / ((1 / R_DLC2_C122)+(1 / R_DLC2_A422))···(2) V_ST1=5.0×(R_DLC2 / (R_LCLK+R_DLC2)) (3)

[0281] For example, if R_LCLK is set to 10 kΩ and R_DLC2 is set to 100 kΩ, based on equations (1), (2), and (3), the applied voltage V_ST1 will be approximately 4.5 V, which means that a voltage exceeding the upper limit voltage (3.0 V) of the second and third communication I / F units 102b will be applied.

[0282] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, by setting R_LCLK to 10 kΩ and R_DLC2 to 10 kΩ, the applied voltage V_ST1=2.5 V is adjusted to be equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage (3.0 V) of the second and third communication I / F units 102b. To make the applied voltage equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage of the second and third communication I / F units 102b, the following formula (4) should be satisfied. (R_DLC2 / (R_LCLK+R_DLC2))≦(3.0 / VDD)··(4)

[0283] By setting the resistance values ​​of R_LCLK_C120, R_LCLK_L320, R_DLC2_C122, and R_DLC2_A422 so as to satisfy the above-mentioned formula (4), it is possible to protect the second and third communication I / F units 102b from overvoltage.

[0284] Here, in this embodiment, as described above, the camera control unit 101 detects that the LCLK terminal has switched from a Low level to a Hi level immediately after a predetermined interchangeable lens is attached. Furthermore, when the interchangeable lens is the second interchangeable lens 300, the camera control unit 101 performs open-drain output type communication with the second interchangeable lens 300 side, and determines whether or not the second interchangeable lens 300 supports CMOS output type communication through the communication. Then, when it is determined that the second interchangeable lens 300 supports CMOS output type communication, the output method of the LCLK terminal and the DCL terminal is switched to the CMOS output type. Here, when the output type of the LCLK terminal and the DCL terminal is switched to the CMOS output type, the voltage indicated by the LCLK terminal 1008 becomes the power supply voltage (5.0 V) output from the first communication I / F unit 102a without passing through the R_LCLK_C 120.

[0285] Assume that the low-level input threshold (VIL_LCLK) of the input terminal of the LCLK signal of the first communication I / F unit 102a is 0.5 V, and furthermore, that R_LCLK=10 kΩ, R_DLC2_A422=470 Ω, and R_DLC2_C122=10 kΩ. In this case, based on the expressions (2) and (3), the applied voltage V_ST1≈0.2 V is smaller than the low-level input threshold of the first communication I / F unit 102a, so the camera control unit 101 determines that communication with the interchangeable lens is not possible, and performs control so as not to start communication with the lens side.

[0286] With this configuration, the output type of the LCLK terminal will not switch to the CMOS output type on the camera body 100 side, making it possible to prevent a voltage equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage from being applied to elements such as the second and third communication I / F units 102b. To prevent the output type of the LCLK terminal on the camera body 100 side from switching to the CMOS output type, the following formula (5) should be satisfied. (R_DLC2 / (R_LCLK+R_DLC2))≦VIL_LCLK··(5)

[0287] By setting the resistance values ​​of R_LCLK_C120, R_LCLK_L320, R_DLC2_C122, and R_DLC2_A422 so as to satisfy the above-mentioned formula (5), it is possible to protect the second and third communication I / F units 102b from overvoltage.

[0288] However, even if the above-mentioned formula (5) is satisfied, if the resistance value of R_DLC2_C122 is small, the terminal current of the lens side I / F unit 202 must be set to a large value during the second communication using the DLC2 terminal. For example, this corresponds to the case where R_DLC2_A422 is 10 kΩ and R_DLC2_C122 is 470 Ω. In contrast, in this embodiment, taking the second communication into consideration, the values ​​of each resistor are set so that the resistance value of R_DLC2_A422 is 470 Ω is smaller than the resistance value of R_DLC2_C122=10 kΩ.

[0289] 17(d), it is assumed that when the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal are disposed adjacent to each other, the contact pin of the DLC2 terminal 1009 provided on the camera body 100 side is bent, causing a short circuit with the adjacent LCLK terminal. Note that the terminal processing of the LCLK terminal and the DLC2 terminal has been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0290] 10D, the voltage applied to the LCLK terminal and DLC2 terminal 1009 on the camera body 100 side is denoted as V_ST2. In this case, the applied voltage V_ST2 is calculated by equation (6). V_ST2=5.0×R_DLC2_C122 / (R_LCLK+R_DLC2_C122) (6)

[0291] For example, if R_LCLK is 10 kΩ and R_DLC2_C122 is 100 kΩ, then V_ST2 is approximately 4.5 V based on equations (1) and (6), and a voltage exceeding the upper limit voltage (3.0 V) of the second and third communication I / F unit 102b is applied. In this case, as described above, there is a risk of a malfunction occurring in the electrical circuit of the camera body 100 including the second and third communication I / F unit 102b.

[0292] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, by setting R_LCLK=10 kΩ and R_DLC2_C122=10 kΩ, the applied voltage V_ST2=2.5V is adjusted to be equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage (3.0) of the second and third communication I / F units 102b. In order for the applied voltage to be equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage of the second and third communication I / F units 102b, the following formula (7) should be satisfied. Note that the high level input threshold of the input terminal of the DLC2 signal of the second and third communication I / F units 102b is set to VIH_DLC2. VIH_DLC2≦R_DLC2 / (R_LCLK+R_DLC2)≦(3.0 / VDD) ···(7)

[0293] By setting the resistance values ​​of R_LCLK_C120, R_LCLK_L320, and R_DLC2_C122 so as to satisfy the above-mentioned formula (7), it is possible to protect the second and third communication I / F units 102b from overvoltage.

[0294] Here, when the second interchangeable lens 300 is attached to the camera body 100 via the conversion adapter 400, the DLC2 terminal is pulled down and connected to the DGND signal line via a resistor (resistor) R_DLC2_A422 provided inside the conversion adapter 400. In this case, it is expected that a low-level voltage will be input to the DLC2 input terminal (DLC2_IN) provided in the camera control unit 101.

[0295] Assume that the high-level input threshold of the input terminal of the DLC2 signal is VIH_DLC2 2.3V, R_LCLK 10kΩ, and R_DLC2_C122 10kΩ. In this case, based on the formula (6), the applied voltage V_ST2=2.5V exceeds the voltage level of the threshold VIH_DLC2, so the camera control unit 101 judges that the DLC2 terminal is a high-level voltage output. Therefore, a high-level voltage is input to the DLC2 input terminal (DLC2_IN) instead of the expected low-level voltage, so in this case, it is possible to detect that there is an abnormality in the terminal (error detection). In this case, the LCLK terminal 1008 maintains the open-drain type output state, and further displays a warning to the user to check the state of the terminal provided on each mount (error processing).

[0296] With this configuration, even if the LCLK terminal and DLC2 terminal are shorted due to a broken terminal, the LCLK terminal 1008 of the camera body 100 will not switch to a CMOS output type terminal, and the second and third communication I / F sections 102b can be protected from overvoltage.

[0297] Incidentally, if the communication voltage of the second and third communication units is configured to be switched according to the interchangeable lens attached so that it is the same voltage as the first communication unit, malfunctions in the electrical circuit when the terminals are shorted can be prevented. However, in order to reduce power consumption related to communication and to increase the communication speed, the communication voltage of the second and third communication units is set to the lowest communication voltage among the communication voltages of the first communication unit.

[0298] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a digital camera is used as an example of the camera body 100, which is an imaging device, but the present invention may be configured to use an imaging device other than a digital camera, such as a digital video camera or a security camera.

[0299] In the above-described embodiment, the case where an interchangeable lens, a conversion adapter, and an intermediate accessory are used as an example of a camera accessory for implementing the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the camera accessory, any device other than those described above may be used as long as it can be directly or indirectly coupled (mounted) to the camera mount A of the camera body 100.

[0300] 4(a) and 4(b), the mounting direction is the direction in which the lens mount B rotates clockwise relative to the camera mount A when the camera body 100 is viewed from the side facing the subject during shooting, but this is not limited to this. For example, the mounting direction may be the direction in which the lens mount B rotates counterclockwise relative to the camera mount A when the camera body 100 is viewed from the side facing the subject during shooting. In this case, at least the arrangement of the terminals arranged on each mount described above may be reversed.

[0301] In the above embodiment, the lens mounting direction (accessory mounting direction) is defined based on the camera mount A, and the arrangement of the terminals in each mount has been described. However, when the lens mount B is used as the reference, the arrangement of the terminals is reversed. For example, when the lens mount B is used as the reference, the VDD terminal 2001 comes into contact with any of the terminals arranged on the camera mount A first, so the side on which the VDD terminal 2001 is arranged is the near side in the lens mounting direction. Alternatively, the arrangement of each terminal may be defined by the relative mounting direction (rotation direction) of the camera mount A and the lens mount B. In this case, the side on which the VDD terminal of the camera mount A that comes into contact with the terminal arranged on the lens mount B last is located is the far side, and the side on which the VDD terminal of the lens mount B that comes into contact with the terminal arranged on the camera mount A first is located is the near side. In addition, the side of the terminals of camera mount A where the DGND terminal that first comes into contact with the terminal provided on lens mount B is located is the front side, and the side of the terminals of lens mount B where the DGND terminal that last comes into contact with the terminal provided on camera mount A is located is the back side.

[0302] The above-mentioned innermost and innermost sides in the mounting direction of the lens mount refer to positions within a range in which terminals corresponding to both the camera and the lens mount are present when the camera accessory is mounted on the camera body 100. Therefore, for example, in the mount of a camera accessory that can be mounted on the camera body 100, if there is a terminal that is not provided on the camera body 100 side, the position at which the terminal is located does not matter. Similarly, in the imaging device to which each camera accessory described in the above embodiment can be mounted, if there is a terminal that is not provided on the camera accessory side, the position at which the terminal is located does not matter.

[0303] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the terminals provided on the mount on the imaging device side are contact pins, and the terminals provided on the mount on the accessory side are contact surfaces, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mount on the imaging device side may be provided with contact surfaces, and the mount on the accessory side may be provided with contact pins corresponding to the contact surfaces, so that the corresponding contact surfaces and contact pins can be electrically connected to each other. In this case, the features of the camera mount and the accessory mount described in the above-mentioned embodiment can also be implemented in the corresponding accessory mount and lens mount.

[0304] In the imaging device and accessory according to the above-described embodiment, for example, when terminals on the camera mount are used as contact surfaces, the width of each contact surface on the camera mount in the circumferential direction of the mount may be appropriately adjusted. Also, when terminals on the accessory mount are used as contact pins, the pitch between the contact pins on the accessory mount may be appropriately adjusted.

[0305] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a computer program according to the flow shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 is stored in advance in a memory (not shown), and the camera control unit 101 executes the program, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program may be in any form, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS, as long as it has the function of a program. In addition, a recording medium corresponding to a memory for supplying the program may be, for example, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, or an optical / magneto-optical recording medium.

[0306] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a device having either a camera mount A or a lens mount (accessory mount) B is actually rotated relative to a device having the other mount, thereby bayonet-coupling the two devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the camera mount A and the lens mount B are rotated relative to each other, allowing the two to be bayonet-coupled. Below, a modified example of the present invention employing this configuration will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 20 to 22.

[0307] Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. Fig. 21 is a diagram for illustratively explaining a non-coupled state of the mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. Fig. 22 is a diagram for illustratively explaining a coupled state of the mounting mechanism 5000 according to a modified example of the present invention. For the sake of explanation, Figs. 20 to 22 simultaneously show the movable mounting part 5010 of the mounting mechanism 5000 and a lens mount B capable of bayonet coupling. Also, explanations of the same members as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are omitted and the same reference numerals are used.

[0308] As shown in FIG. 20, the mount mechanism 5000 of this modification has the optical axis 3000 as the central axis, and the operation unit 5030, the fixed mount unit 5020, the movable mount unit 5010, and the contact holder 105 are arranged in this order from the side where the lens mount B is attached. The operation unit 5030 is a ring-shaped operation means that can rotate around the central axis, and is fixed to the movable mount unit 5010 by an arm 5040 with a screw. In this modification, the operation unit 5030 and the movable mount unit 5010 are fixed at a total of two points using two arms 5040 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. With this configuration, the movable mount unit 5010 also rotates integrally around the central axis in response to the operation unit 5030 being rotated.

[0309] The movable mount section 5010 is provided with movable mount claw sections 5011a, 5011b, and 5011c that can be bayonet-coupled with a plurality of claws (bayonet claws) provided on the lens mount B. The movable mount section 5010 is also provided with a threaded section 5012 that is threaded around the central axis, and the state of engagement with a threaded section 5022 of a fixed mount section 5020 (described later) changes with the rotation of the movable mount section 5010 around the central axis.

[0310] The fixed mount part 5020 is provided with a camera mount surface 5021 that abuts against the mount surface of the lens mount B, and a screw part 5022 that screws into the screw part 5012 of the movable mount part 5010 described above. Unlike the movable mount part 5010 described above, the fixed mount part 5020 does not rotate around the central axis in response to the rotation operation of the operating member 5030.

[0311] Next, a bayonet coupling method of the mount mechanism according to this modification will be described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22. Note that each claw provided on the lens mount B is in a state where it can be engaged with the movable mount claws 5011a-c of the movable mount 5010 when it is inserted through the opening of the operation member 5030 and the opening of the fixed mount part 5020. The state shown in Figs. 21(a)-(c) is a state where the operation member 5030 is located in the unlocked position. In this state, the mount abutment surface of the lens mount B abuts against the camera mount surface (mount abutment surface) 5021 of the fixed mount part 5020, but the claws of the lens mount 301 and the movable mount 5010 do not engage with each other (do not overlap) when viewed from the central axis direction. Fig. 21(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the CC cross section shown in Fig. 21(b). Fig. 22 illustrates the mount mechanism 5000 in a state where the operation member 5030 is rotated from this state.

[0312] The state shown in FIG. 22 is a state in which the operating member 5030 is located at the lock position. In this state, as viewed from the central axis direction, the claws of the lens mount B and the movable mount 5010 overlap and engage with each other in a direction parallel to the mount central axis. In this state, the screwing state between the screw portion 5022 of the fixed mount portion 5020 and the screw portion of the movable mount portion 5010 changes with the rotational operation of the operating member 5030, and the movable mount portion 5010 moves toward the imaging device in a direction parallel to the mount central axis. FIG. 22(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the CC cross section shown in FIG. 22(b). As shown in FIG. 21(c) and FIG. 22(c), in response to the change of the unlocked state of the mount mechanism 5000 to the locked state, the movable mount portion 5010 moves in a direction away from the fixed mount portion 5020 in a direction parallel to the mount central axis (i.e., the optical axis). With this configuration, each of the movable mount claws 5011a to 5011c engaged with a bayonet claw provided on the lens mount B moves toward the imaging device.

[0313] As described above, in the mount mechanism 5000 of this modification, the movable mount part, which has a claw that can engage with a claw on the lens mount side, rotates around the central axis of the mount, so that the movable mount part can move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the mount relative to the fixed mount part. With this configuration, the mount mechanism 5000 of this modification can reduce the occurrence of a gap (backlash) that occurs between the lens mount and the camera mount when they are connected.

[0314] In the above-described modified example, the mounting mechanism 5000 is provided on the imaging device side. However, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the mounting mechanism 5000 is provided on the camera accessory side, such as an interchangeable lens.

[0315] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing 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 the 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 functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0316] 100 Camera body 101 Camera control unit 200 The first replacement lens 201 First lens control unit 300 Second Interchangeable Lens 301 Second lens control unit 400 conversion adapter 401 Adapter control unit 500 Intermediate Accessories 501 Accessory control unit 1001-1012 Camera side terminal 2001-2012 Accessory side terminal 3001, 3002, 3004-3008, 3012 Accessory side terminal 4001, 4002, 4004-4008, 4012 Camera side terminal

Claims

1. An imaging device to which an accessory can be attached and detached, A mount part, a plurality of terminals arranged along a circumferential direction of the mounting portion and used for electrical connection with corresponding terminals arranged on the accessory; having the plurality of terminals include a first terminal used to detect that the accessory is attached to the imaging device, second and third terminals for supplying power to the accessory via the second and third terminals, and a fourth terminal indicating a reference voltage level corresponding to the second terminal; each of the plurality of terminals includes a contact portion that contacts a corresponding terminal of the accessory at a contact height in a direction parallel to a central axis direction of the mounting portion; a first contact height that is a contact height of a contact portion of the first terminal and a contact portion of the fourth terminal is different from a second contact height that is a contact height of a contact portion of the second terminal and a contact portion of the third terminal; when the accessory is attached to the imaging device, in a direction parallel to a central axis direction of the mount portion, a contact portion of the second terminal and a contact portion of the third terminal are located closer to the accessory than a contact portion of the first terminal and a contact portion of the fourth terminal; the first terminal is disposed closer to the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals, the contact portions of which have the first contact height; An imaging device characterized in that the fourth terminal is arranged farther from the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals whose contact portions are at the first contact height.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first terminal is located closer to the front than the second terminal in a mounting direction when the accessory is mounted to the imaging device, the mounting direction being perpendicular to a direction parallel to a central axis of the mount portion.

3. a terminal holding portion for holding the plurality of terminals; the first contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal held by a first step of the terminal holding portion among the plurality of terminals, the second contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal among the plurality of terminals, the terminal being held in a second step different from the first step of the terminal holding portion, 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the number of the terminals arranged in the second stage is smaller than that of the terminals arranged in the first stage.

4. a terminal holding portion for holding the plurality of terminals; the first contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal held by a first step of the terminal holding portion among the plurality of terminals, the second contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal among the plurality of terminals, the terminal being held in a second step different from the first step of the terminal holding portion, 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals includes a fifth terminal in the second stage, the fifth terminal indicating a reference voltage level corresponding to the third terminal.

5. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the second terminal is disposed farther from the first stage than other terminals of the plurality of terminals disposed in the second stage.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the fifth terminal is arranged closer to the first stage than other terminals arranged in the second stage among the plurality of terminals.

7. the second terminal is a terminal used for supplying power for communication from the imaging device to the accessory, the third terminal is a terminal for supplying power from the imaging device to be used for driving a motor provided in the accessory or a device attached to the accessory, 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the third terminal is arranged, among the multiple terminals in the second stage, closer to the first stage than the second terminal and farther from the first stage than the fifth terminal.

8. the plurality of terminals includes a sixth terminal in the second stage that outputs a signal used to detect the type of the accessory; 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the sixth terminal is arranged, among the multiple terminals in the second stage, closer to the first stage than the second terminal and the third terminal, and farther from the first stage than the fifth terminal.

9. the plurality of terminals include, in the first stage, a seventh terminal, an eighth terminal, a ninth terminal, a tenth terminal, an eleventh terminal, and a twelfth terminal corresponding to communication between the imaging device and the accessory; 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the seventh terminal, the eighth terminal, the ninth terminal, the tenth terminal, the eleventh terminal, and the twelfth terminal are disposed farther from the second stage than the first terminal and closer to the second stage than the fourth terminal.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of terminals are contact pins capable of being electrically connected to terminals on the accessory side, and the pitch between the first terminal and the adjacent fifth terminal of the first terminal is wider than the pitch between other terminals among the plurality of terminals.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the pitch between the terminals is a distance between center points of the terminals in a circumferential direction of the mount portion.

12. 11. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the pitch between the terminals is a distance between conductive portions of each of the terminals in a circumferential direction of the mount portion.

13. The plurality of terminals have contact surfaces that can be electrically connected to terminals on the accessory side, 10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal has a narrower width in a circumferential direction of the mount portion than the other terminals among the plurality of terminals.

14. The plurality of terminals are capable of being electrically connected to corresponding terminals provided on the accessory side, 14. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal is the last to come into contact with a terminal on the corresponding accessory side among the plurality of terminals when the accessory is attached to the imaging device, and the first to be released from contact with the terminal on the corresponding accessory side among the plurality of terminals when the accessory is removed from the imaging device.

15. An accessory that can be attached to and detached from a mounting device, A mount part, a plurality of terminals arranged along a circumferential direction of the mounting portion and used for electrical connection with corresponding terminals arranged on the mounting device; having the plurality of terminals include a first terminal used to indicate a predetermined voltage when the accessory and the mounting device are electrically connected, a second terminal and a third terminal for supplying power to the accessory, and a fourth terminal indicating a reference voltage level corresponding to the second terminal; each of the plurality of terminals includes a contact portion that contacts a corresponding terminal of the mounting device at a contact height in a direction parallel to a central axis direction of the mounting portion; a first contact height that is a contact height of a contact portion of the first terminal and a contact portion of the fourth terminal is different from a second contact height that is a contact height of a contact portion of the second terminal and a contact portion of the third terminal; when the accessory is attached to the mounting device, in a direction parallel to a central axis direction of the mounting part, a contact portion of the first terminal and a contact portion of the fourth terminal are located closer to the mounting device than a contact portion of the second terminal and a contact portion of the third terminal; the first terminal is disposed closer to the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals, the contact portions of which have the first contact height; An accessory characterized in that the fourth terminal is positioned farther from the second terminal and the third terminal than other terminals among the plurality of terminals whose contact portions have the first contact height.

16. 16. The accessory according to claim 15, wherein the first terminal is used to detect that the accessory is attached to the mounting device by indicating the predetermined voltage.

17. 17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the first terminal is connected to a reference voltage level internal to the accessory.

18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the second terminal is located further back than the first terminal in a mounting direction when the accessory is mounted on the mounting device perpendicular to a direction parallel to the central axis of the mounting portion.

19. a terminal holding portion for holding the plurality of terminals; the first contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal held by a first step of the terminal holding portion among the plurality of terminals, the second contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal among the plurality of terminals, the terminal being held in a second step different from the first step of the terminal holding portion, 19. The accessory according to claim 15, wherein the number of terminals arranged in the second row is smaller than the number of terminals arranged in the first row.

20. a terminal holding portion for holding the plurality of terminals; the first contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal held by a first step of the terminal holding portion among the plurality of terminals, the second contact height is a contact height of a contact portion of a terminal among the plurality of terminals, the terminal being held in a second step different from the first step of the terminal holding portion, 19. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the plurality of terminals comprises a fifth terminal in the second stage exhibiting a reference voltage level corresponding to the third terminal.

21. The accessory of claim 20, wherein the second terminal is disposed farther from the first stage than other terminals of the plurality of terminals disposed in the second stage.

22. The accessory according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the fifth terminal is arranged closer to the first row than other terminals of the plurality of terminals arranged in the second row.

23. The second terminal is a terminal used to supply power for communication to the accessory, the third terminal is a terminal used to receive power from the mounting device to drive a motor of the accessory or a device attached to the accessory, 23. The accessory of claim 22, wherein the third terminal is disposed closer to the first stage than the second terminal and farther from the first stage than the fifth terminal.

24. the plurality of terminals includes a sixth terminal in the second row used to indicate a type of the accessory; The accessory of claim 23, wherein the sixth terminal is located closer to the first stage than the second terminal and the third terminal, and farther from the first stage than the fifth terminal.

25. the plurality of terminals include, in the first row, a seventh terminal, an eighth terminal, a ninth terminal, a tenth terminal, an eleventh terminal, and a twelfth terminal corresponding to communication between the accessory and the mounting device; The accessory of claim 24, characterized in that the seventh terminal, the eighth terminal, the ninth terminal, the tenth terminal, the eleventh terminal, and the twelfth terminal are located farther from the second stage than the first terminal and closer to the second stage than the fourth terminal.

26. The plurality of terminals are capable of being electrically connected to corresponding terminals provided on the mounting device, An accessory as described in any one of claims 15 to 25, characterized in that when the accessory is attached to the mounting device, the first terminal is the last to initiate contact with the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals on the mounting device side, and when the accessory is removed from the mounting device, the first terminal is the first to release contact with the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals on the mounting device side.

27. The plurality of terminals have contact surfaces that can be electrically connected to terminals of the mounting device, The accessory according to any one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that the first terminal, among the plurality of terminals, has a width in the circumferential direction of the mounting portion that is narrower than the other terminals among the plurality of terminals.

28. The plurality of terminals are contact pins capable of being electrically connected to terminals of the mounting device, The accessory described in any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the pitch between the first terminal and the fifth terminal adjacent to the first terminal is wider than the pitch between other terminals among the plurality of terminals.

29. 29. The accessory according to any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the accessory is an interchangeable lens that is detachable from the mount device.

Images