Connection unit, accessory, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

A connection unit 301A that is provided to an accessory mounted to an imaging device in order to prevent a contact from being short-circuited and thereby damaged by foreign matter or the like includes: a connection section 39A electrically connected to the imaging device; and a plurality of contacts PA1-PA26 provided to the connection section and arranged in one row. A first contact PA15 to be supplied with power from the imaging device among the plurality of contacts is arranged adjacent to an open drain contact or to a contact equipped with a backflow prevention function.

Description

Connectivity units, accessories and electronic devices

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection unit, an accessory, and an electronic device.

[0002] Accessory shoes to which camera accessories such as flash devices can be attached and detached are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 does not give sufficient consideration to the appropriate placement of electrical contacts for data communication.

[0003] JP 2008-180914 A

[0004] According to a first aspect, the connection unit is a connection unit provided in an accessory attached to an imaging device, and has a connection portion electrically connected to the imaging device and a plurality of contacts provided on the connection portion and arranged in a row, and among the plurality of contacts, a first contact for receiving power from the imaging device is arranged next to an open drain contact or a contact with a backflow prevention function.

[0005] According to a second aspect, the accessory includes the connection unit and a functional section electrically connected to the connection unit and having the function of the accessory.

[0006] According to a third aspect, the electronic device is an electronic device having a connection portion to which an accessory is attached and which is electrically connected to the accessory, the connection portion having a plurality of contacts arranged in a row, and among the plurality of contacts, the contact used to supply power from the electronic device to the accessory is arranged next to an open drain contact or a contact with a backflow prevention function.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect, the electronic device is an electronic device having a connection portion to which an accessory is attached and which is electrically connected to the accessory, the connection portion having a flexible printed circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in a row, and among the plurality of contacts, a plurality of video signal contacts for transmitting video data signals to a display accessory attached to the electronic device are arranged together at one end of the row.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect, an electronic device is an electronic device to which a first accessory is attached and to which the first accessory is attached via a second accessory, the electronic device having a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts, and when the first accessory is attached, the plurality of first contacts and the first accessory are electrically connected, and when the first accessory is attached via the second accessory, the second accessory and the electronic device are electrically connected using a portion of the plurality of first contacts and a predetermined contact among the plurality of second contacts.

[0009] The configurations of the embodiments described below may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configuration may be replaced with other components. Furthermore, components that are not particularly limited in terms of their placement may be placed in any position that can achieve their function, not limited to the placement disclosed in the embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view (part 1) of an interchangeable-lens camera as an electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (part 2) of an interchangeable-lens camera as an electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the accessory is a flash device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an intermediate adapter is attached to a camera body and then a flash device is attached to the intermediate adapter. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a flash device is attached to a camera body via the intermediate adapter. FIG. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating a shoe seat as viewed from the +Y direction, FIG. 6(b) is a diagram illustrating a plug provided on an EVF unit as viewed from below (the -Y side), and FIG. 6(c) is a diagram illustrating a plug provided on a flash device as viewed from below (the -Y side). FIG. 7(a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the intermediate adapter is viewed from below (the -Y side), FIG. 7(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the intermediate adapter and plug are viewed from the +X direction, and FIG. 7(c) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the intermediate adapter is viewed from above (the +Y side). FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera body and an accessory having a plug similar to that of an EVF unit. FIG. 9 is a table showing the names and functions of 26 electrical contacts provided on a shoe seat. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera body and an accessory having a plug similar to that of a flash device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when an intermediate adapter is interposed between the camera body and the accessory. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flexible printed circuit board provided with wiring connected to electrical contacts provided on a shoe seat of a camera body (electronic viewfinderless camera). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flexible printed circuit board provided with wiring connected to electrical contacts provided on a shoe seat of a camera body (electronic viewfinder-equipped camera).

[0011] An embodiment of an electronic device will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale of the shape, length, thickness, etc. of each part shown in the embodiment does not necessarily correspond to the actual product, and some elements may be omitted in each drawing to make it easier to understand.

[0012] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an interchangeable lens camera 1 as an electronic device according to one embodiment. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the optical axis of an interchangeable lens 200 (described later) is designated as the Z-axis direction, the left-right direction of the camera body 100 as the X-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the camera body 100 as the Y-axis direction.

[0013] The camera 1 includes a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens 200. A user of the camera 1 can select any interchangeable lens 200 and attach it to the camera body 100 for use. The user of the camera 1 can also select any accessory 300 and attach it to the camera body 100 for use. Note that the camera 1 does not have to be a camera with interchangeable lenses.

[0014] An interchangeable lens 200 is detachably mounted on the front surface (-Z side surface) of the camera body 100. An image sensor 102, such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), is also mounted inside the camera body 100. A release switch 103 is also provided on the top surface (+Y side surface) of the camera body 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , various buttons 104 are provided on the back surface (+Z side surface) of the camera body 100. A user can use the release switch 103, buttons 104, etc. to input shooting instructions, shooting condition setting instructions, and the like to the camera body 100.

[0015] 2, a rear monitor 105 is provided on the rear surface (+Z side surface) of the camera body 100. The rear monitor 105 is a display device that uses, for example, a liquid crystal display. The rear monitor 105 displays, for example, a live view of the subject image and a menu of shooting settings.

[0016] An accessory shoe (hereinafter referred to as shoe seat 106) for attaching accessory 300 is provided on the top surface (+Y side surface) of camera body 100. Shoe seat 106 functions as a connection between accessory 300 and camera body 100, and shoe seat 106 is provided with a retaining portion 106a for maintaining the attached state of accessory 300. Retaining portion 106a holds plug 301 provided on accessory 300 so that accessory 300 will not come off camera body 100 even if an external force acts on accessory 300.

[0017] Here, the accessory 300 is, for example, an EVF (electronic viewfinder) unit, a flash device (flash), an LED light, a tally lamp, a microphone, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, an auxiliary imaging device, or a device combining these. Note that Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a case where the accessory 300 is an EVF unit 300A, and Figure 3 illustrates a case where the accessory 300 is a flash device 300B. The EVF unit 300A in Figure 1 is provided with a plug 301A, and the flash device 300B in Figure 3 is provided with a plug 301B.

[0018] The accessory 300 also includes an intermediate adapter 300C that is interposed between the flash device 300B, the EVF unit 300A, etc. and the camera body 100 when the flash device 300B, the EVF unit 300A, etc. are attached to the camera body 100 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The intermediate adapter 300C has built-in functions as a wireless remote controller transmitter / receiver and a Genlock function, and is provided with a BNC terminal, a USB terminal, etc.

[0019] Fig. 4 shows how an intermediate adapter 300C (second accessory) is attached to the camera body 100, and then a flash device 300B (first accessory) is attached to the intermediate adapter 300C. A plug 301C is provided on the intermediate adapter 300C. Fig. 5 shows the state in which the flash device 300B is attached to the camera body 100 via the intermediate adapter 300C.

[0020] Figure 6(a) is a view of the shoe seat 106 as viewed from the +Y direction. Figure 6(a) shows a cross section of the retaining portion 106a of the shoe seat 106. As shown in Figure 6(a), 22 or more (26 in Figure 6(a)) electrical contacts (second contacts) PB1, PB2, ..., PB26 are provided in a row along the X-axis direction near the -Z-side end of the upper surface (+Y-side surface) of the shoe seat 16. Four electrical contacts (first contacts) PSB1 to PSB4 are also provided in the center of the upper surface (+Y-side surface) of the shoe seat 16.

[0021] FIG. 6B is a view of the plug 301A provided in the EVF unit 300A as seen from below (-Y side).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6B , a connection portion 39A connected to the shoe seat 109 is provided at the -Z end of the underside (-Y side) of the plug 301A, and 26 electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 are arranged in a row in the X-axis direction on the connection portion 39A. When the EVF unit 300A is attached to the camera body 100, each of the 26 electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 provided on the underside of the plug 301A comes into physical contact with each of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 provided on the upper surface of the shoe seat 106. This electrically connects each of the 26 electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 to each of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26. Here, the electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 are bent at two crank-like positions within the plug 301A, as shown in gray in FIG. 1 . The electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 have a shape that avoids mechanical interference with the retaining portion 106a of the shoe seat 106.

[0023] On the other hand, plug 301A of EVF unit 300A is not provided with electrical contacts corresponding to the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 provided on shoe seat 16. Therefore, even when EVF unit 300A is attached to camera body 100, the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 are not electrically connected to EVF unit 300A. In other words, EVF unit 300A does not input or output electrical signals to or from camera body 100 via the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4.

[0024] FIG. 6C is a view of the plug 301B provided in the flash device 300B as seen from below (the -Y side).

[0025] As shown in Figure 6(c), four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 are provided in the center of the bottom surface (the surface on the -Y side) of plug 301B. When flash device 300B is attached to camera body 100, each of the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 provided on the bottom surface of plug 301A comes into physical contact with each of the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 (Figure 6(a)) provided on the top surface of shoe seat 106. This electrically connects each of the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 to each of the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4.

[0026] On the other hand, the plug 301B of the flash device 300B is not provided with electrical contacts corresponding to the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 provided on the shoe seat 16. Therefore, even when the flash device 300B is attached to the camera body 100, the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 are not electrically connected to the flash device 300B. In other words, the flash device 300B does not input or output electrical signals to or from the camera body 100 via the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26.

[0027] Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing the plug 301C of the intermediate adapter 300C as viewed from below (the -Y side). Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing the intermediate adapter 300C and the plug 301C as viewed from the +X direction, with the intermediate adapter 300C indicated by a two-dot chain line and the plug 301C indicated by a solid line. Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing the intermediate adapter 300C as viewed from above (the +Y side).

[0028] A connection portion 39C that connects to shoe seat 109 is provided at the -Z end of the underside (-Y side surface) of plug 301C, and 26 electrical contacts PC1 to PC26 are arranged in a row in the X-axis direction on connection portion 39C. When intermediate adapter 300C is attached to camera body 100, each of the 26 electrical contacts PC1 to PC26 provided on the underside of intermediate adapter 300C comes into physical contact with each of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 provided on the upper surface of shoe seat 106. This electrically connects each of the 26 electrical contacts PC1 to PC26 to each of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26.

[0029] Additionally, three electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC3 are provided near the center of the underside of the plug 301C. As can be seen from FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c), these three electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC3 penetrate the plug 301C and the intermediate adapter 300C in the Y-axis direction and are exposed on the top surface of the intermediate adapter 300C. When the intermediate adapter 300C is attached to the camera body 100, each of the three electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC3 on the bottom surface of the intermediate adapter 300C comes into physical contact with each of the three electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB3 (see FIG. 6(a)) provided on the top surface of the shoe seat 106. This electrically connects each of the three electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC3 to each of the three electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB3.

[0030] Like the electrical contacts PA1-PA26, the electrical contacts PC1-PC26 have a crank-like shape bent at two points, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 7( b). The shape of the electrical contacts PC1-PC26 is designed to avoid mechanical interference with the retaining portion 106a of the shoe seat 106. Because the electrical contacts PC1-PC26 have this shape and portions of the electrical contacts PC1-PC26 are located at the positions indicated by the dashed circles in FIG. 7( a), the electrical contact corresponding to the electrical contact PSB4 provided on the shoe seat 16 cannot be provided in a state that penetrates the intermediate adapter 300C and plug 301C in the Y-axis direction, unlike the electrical contacts PSC1-PSC3. Therefore, even when the intermediate adapter 300C is attached to the camera body 100, the electrical contact PSB4 in FIG. 6( a) is not electrically connected to the intermediate adapter 300C (plug 301C). That is, the intermediate adapter 300C does not input or output electrical signals to or from the camera body 100 via the electrical contact PSB4.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, the top surface (+Y side surface) of the intermediate adapter 300C is provided with an electrical contact PSC4 in addition to the three electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC3. That is, the intermediate adapter 300C has electrical contacts that penetrate in the Y-axis direction and electrical contacts that do not. The electrical contact PSC4 does not penetrate the intermediate adapter 300C in the Y-axis direction and is electrically connected to one of the 26 electrical contacts PC1 to PC26 in FIG. 7A (electrical contact PC13 in this embodiment) via a flexible printed circuit board (see the double-headed arrow in FIG. 7B).

[0032] As a result, when the flash device 300B is attached to the upper surface of the intermediate adapter 300C, each of the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 (see FIG. 6(c)) provided on the lower surface of the flash device 300B comes into physical contact with each of the four electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC4 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate adapter 300C (see PSA1 to PSA4 circled by dashed lines in FIG. 7(c)). This allows each of the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 to be electrically connected to each of the four electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC4 while avoiding mechanical interference with the retaining portion 106a of the shoe seat 106.

[0033] 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the camera body 100 and an accessory (referred to as accessory 300A) having a plug 301A similar to that of the EVF unit 300A. The camera body 100 includes a body control unit 110. The body control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random-Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), etc.

[0034] In this embodiment, the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 provided on the shoe seat 106 are assigned functions as shown in FIG. 9 . Specifically, electrical contacts PB2 to PB7 are used to transmit video data signals to the accessory 300A. By transmitting video data signals via the electrical contacts PB2 to PB7, the user can view the video being captured and the captured video on the accessory 300A's display screen, such as an EVF. Electrical contacts PB9 to PB12 are used to transmit control signals to the accessory 300A. Electrical contact PB13 is used to transmit a strobe signal (a flash instruction signal to the flash device 300B). Electrical contacts PB14 and PB15 are used to supply power to the accessory 300A. Voltages VDD and VBAT are supplied to the electrical contacts PB14 and PB15, respectively, from the power supply circuit 130 connected to the battery 120 under control of the body control unit 110. Electrical contacts PB16-PB19 are contacts used to exchange release signals, insertion / removal detection signals, half-press signals, and multi-function signals, respectively. Electrical contact PB19 is a terminal capable of receiving multiple types of signals from accessories 300A and 300C. The signal format output from electrical contact PB19 varies depending on the type and manufacturer of accessories 300A and 300C. By switching pull-up on and off in the body control unit 110 inside the camera body 100, electrical contact PB19 can receive signals of various output formats. Receivable signals include, for example, CMOS output signals and open-drain output signals. When accessory 300A and 300C are attached and the body control unit 110 determines its type, it switches the internal pull-up on and off, so that electrical contact PB19 receives signals of the corresponding output format while the same accessory is attached. Electrical contacts PB24-PB26 are contacts for transmitting audio data signals to accessory 300A. The electrical contacts PB1, PB8, and PB23 are grounded, and the electrical contacts PB20 to PB22 are unused terminals (spare terminals) that are provided to support new functions of accessories and cameras through firmware updates, etc.

[0035] In this embodiment, the electrical contacts arranged in a row are arranged in the following order from one end of the row: video data signal terminals PB2-PB7, control signal terminals PB9-PB12, power supply terminals PB14-PB15, idle terminals PB20-PB22, and audio data signal terminals PB24-PB26. However, the order of the terminals may be changed. When terminals have the same purpose, signals are often synchronized or connected to the same IC chip, so it is preferable to arrange terminals with the same purpose consecutively in order from a wiring perspective. It is preferable to provide a GND (ground) terminal between each terminal group. In this embodiment, three GND (ground) terminals, PB1, PB8, and PB23, are provided, but these can be omitted as appropriate.

[0036] Accessory 300A includes accessory control unit 310 and functional unit 320. Functional unit 320 is a component for performing the functions of accessory 300A. If accessory 300A is EVF unit 300A, functional unit 320 is a display device. If accessory 300A is a GPS receiver, functional unit 320 is a GPS module. When accessory 300A is attached to camera body 100, as shown in FIG. 8 , 26 electrical contacts PA1 to PA26 of accessory 300A are electrically connected to 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 provided on shoe seat 106 of camera body 100. On the other hand, four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 are not connected to anything.

[0037] Although the accessory 300A of this embodiment is provided with 26 electrical contacts, similar to the shoe seat 106 of the camera body 100, electrical contacts not required for the accessory to function can be omitted as appropriate. For example, in the case of an EVF unit, terminals for audio data signals, unused terminals, and strobe signals can be omitted. Also, in the case of an accessory with a microphone function, terminals for video data signals, unused terminals, and strobe signals can be omitted. Furthermore, depending on the type of accessory, either the power-related electrical contact PB14 or the electrical contact PB15 can be omitted.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an accessory (referred to as accessory 300B) having a camera body 100 and a plug 301B similar to that of flash device 300B. In the example of Fig. 10, accessory 300B includes four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 and a functional unit 330. If accessory 300B is a flash device, functional unit 330 is a light-emitting device.

[0039] 10 is attached to the camera body 100, the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 of the accessory 300B are electrically connected to the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 provided on the shoe seat 106 of the camera body 100. On the other hand, no electrical contacts are connected to the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26.

[0040] 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration in which an intermediate adapter 300C is interposed between the camera body 100 and the accessory 300B. In the intermediate adapter 300C, electrical contact PC13, which is one of the 26 electrical contacts PC1 to PC26, is electrically connected to electrical contact PCS4 via wiring provided on a flexible printed circuit board, and the remaining 25 electrical contacts PC1 to PC12 and PC14 to PC26 are connected to a functional unit 340 via wiring provided on the flexible printed circuit board. The functional unit 340 is, for example, a transmitting and receiving device for a wireless remote controller.

[0041] When the accessory 300B is attached to the intermediate adapter 300C, the four electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 of the accessory 300B are electrically connected to the four electrical contacts PSC1 to PSC4 provided on the top surface of the intermediate adapter 300C.

[0042] By using intermediate adapter 300C, it is possible to simultaneously use the functions of intermediate adapter 300C (for example, the function as a transmitter / receiver for a wireless remote controller) and the functions of accessory 300B (for example, the function of a flash device). This makes it possible, for example, to control a flash device located away from camera body 100 using wireless communication, and to simultaneously emit light from this flash device and accessory 300B (flash device) attached to camera body 100, enabling multiple-light photography.

[0043] (Regarding the Arrangement of Electrical Contacts in the Shoe Seat 106) Next, the arrangement of the electrical contacts in the shoe seat 106 of the camera body 100 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the number of electrical contacts arranged in a row is 26. Conventionally, when electrical contacts arranged in a row are provided on the shoe seat of the camera body 100, the number of electrical contacts has been, for example, 21 or 15, and in the case of 21 electrical contacts, the spacing (pitch) between the electrical contacts is approximately 0.45 mm. On the other hand, when the number of electrical contacts arranged in a row is 26, as in this embodiment, the range in which the electrical contacts can be arranged is determined by standards, so the spacing (pitch) between the electrical contacts is narrower than in the case of 21 electrical contacts, at approximately 0.43 mm.

[0044] When the distance between the electrical contacts is narrowed in this manner, foreign matter may adhere to the electrical contacts, causing a short circuit between the electrical contacts. In particular, a short circuit occurring between the electrical contacts on both sides of the electrical contact PB15 (VBAT_ACC) shown in FIG. 9 is a problem.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, open drain contacts or electrical contacts with backflow prevention functionality are arranged on both sides of electrical contact PB15 (VBAT_ACC). Here, an open drain contact refers to a contact connected to the drain terminal of an FET, and a contact with backflow prevention functionality refers to, for example, a contact connected to a diode or a contact connected to a power supply via a circuit for preventing backflow. In this embodiment, electrical contact PB16 (ACC_RLS) is arranged adjacent to one side of electrical contact PB15. Electrical contact PB16 (ACC_RLS) is an open drain contact. Furthermore, in this embodiment, electrical contact PB14 (VDD_ACC) is arranged adjacent to the other side of electrical contact PB15. Electrical contact PB14 (VDD_ACC) is a contact with backflow prevention functionality.

[0046] This prevents damage to the electrical terminals on either side of electrical contact PB15 due to a short circuit. In this embodiment, there are two terminals for supplying voltage, PB14 (VDD_ACC) and PB15 (VBAT_ACC), and electrical contacts for preventing damage are arranged on both sides of electrical contact PB15, which is supplied with a higher voltage. Electrical contact PB14 supplies power to control accessory 300 at a lower voltage than electrical contact PB15. Electrical contact PB15 supplies power necessary for accessory 300 to function, and may supply high power and a variable voltage depending on the function. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrical terminals on either side of electrical contact PB15 are prevented from shorting out, which could cause significant damage.

[0047] In addition to ACC_RLS and VDD_ACC, other electrical contacts that can be arranged adjacent to electrical contact PB15 include, for example, ACC_WUP (half-press signal) (electrical contact PB18 in FIG. 9 ). In this embodiment, electrical contact PB18 (WUP terminal) and electrical contact PB16 (RLS terminal) are arranged on either side of electrical contact PB17 (DET terminal), and are arranged so that they are sandwiched between pulled-up terminals. Both electrical contact PB18 (WUP terminal) and electrical contact PB16 (RLS terminal) are open-drain contacts. Of the electrical contacts PB1 to PB26, electrical contact PB17 (DET terminal) and electrical contact PB15 (VBAT terminal) are terminals that particularly need to be protected from damage. In this embodiment, the open drain contacts or contacts with backflow prevention function are three electrical contacts PB14, PB16, and PB18, and electrical contact PB17 (DET terminal) and electrical contact PB15 (VBAT terminal) are arranged between these three terminals. This arrangement allows for efficient arrangement of the electrical contacts while protecting them from damage. The positions of electrical contact PB18 (WUP terminal) and electrical contact PB16 (RLS terminal) may be interchanged.

[0048] In addition, even if the number of electrical contacts arranged in a row is 22 to 25, or 27 or more, it can be said that open drain contacts or electrical contacts with backflow prevention functions should be placed on both sides of the electrical contact VBAT_ACC.

[0049] (Regarding the Electrical Contact PB13) Next, the electrical contact PB13 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the electrical contact PB13 is a contact (TTL) for transmitting a strobe signal. This electrical contact PB13 is an electrical contact that is not used unless the flash device 300B is attached via the intermediate adapter 300C as shown in FIG.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, the circuit is designed so that the electrical contact PB13 functions when a signal (insertion / removal detection signal) that the intermediate adapter 300C has been attached to the camera body 100 is detected via the electrical contact PB17 (attachment detection contact). This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the electrical contact PB13 while it is not in use, causing the electrical contact PB13 to short out due to the foreign matter.

[0051] 12 shows an example of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 500 provided with wiring that connects to electrical contacts provided on the shoe seat 106 of the camera body 100. This FPC 500 is an FPC that is used inside a camera body 100 that does not have an EVF (an electronic viewfinderless camera). The FPC 500 is provided with terminals PB1' to PB26' that connect to the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 described above, and terminals PSB1' to PSB4' that connect to the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4.

[0052] 12 has a first region AR1 in which wiring connected to electrical contacts PB2 to PB7 for transmitting video data signals is provided, a second region AR2 in which other wiring is provided, and a third region AR3 in which terminals PSB1' to PSB4' for the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 and wiring for driving the flash device are arranged. Terminals PB1' to PB26' and PSB1' to PSB4' are connected to various parts inside the camera body 100 via the respective wiring provided on the FPC 500.

[0053] On the other hand, Figure 13 shows an FPC 600 provided on the shoe seat 106 of a camera body 100 that is originally equipped with an EVF (a camera with an electronic viewfinder). In the case of such a camera with an electronic viewfinder, it is not necessary to assume that an accessory (such as the EVF unit 300A) that requires transmission of a video data signal will be attached to the camera body 100. Therefore, in the example of Figure 13, wiring for the electrical contacts PB2 to PB7 for transmitting the video data signal is not required. In this case, unnecessary wiring can be omitted, and the first area AR1 in Figure 12 can be omitted, simplifying the configuration inside the camera body 100.

[0054] In this manner, in this embodiment, the electrical contacts for transmitting video data signals in the shoe seat 106 are arranged together at one end of the row of 26 electrical contacts, so that unnecessary areas of the FPC 600 used in cameras with electronic viewfinders can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0055] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the plug 301A (301C) included in the accessory 300A (300C) attached to the camera body 100 has a connection portion 39A (39C) electrically connected to the shoe seat 106 of the camera body 100, and a plurality of electrical contacts PA1-PA26 (PC1-PC26) provided on the connection portion 39A (39C) and arranged in a row. Of the plurality of electrical contacts PA1-PA26 (PC1-PC26), the electrical contact (first contact) PA15 (PC15) for receiving power from the camera body 100 is arranged next to the open drain contact or the contact with backflow prevention function. That is, the camera body 100 of this embodiment has a shoe seat 106 electrically connected to the accessory 300, and the shoe seat 106 has electrical contacts PB1-PB26 arranged in a row. Of the electrical contacts PB1 and PB2, the electrical contacts (PB14, PB16) adjacent to the power contact (electrical contact PB15) used to supply power from the camera body 100 to the accessory 300 are open drain contacts or contacts with a backflow prevention function, which can prevent the electrical contacts PB14 and PB16 from shorting out and being damaged by foreign matter, etc.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, among the terminals (PB14, PB15) for supplying voltages, electrical contacts for preventing damage are arranged on both sides of electrical contact PB15, which is supplied with a higher voltage. This prevents the electrical terminals on both sides of electrical contact PB15 from shorting out, which could cause significant damage. Furthermore, in this embodiment, electrical contact PB18 (open drain contact) and electrical contact PB16 (open drain contact) are arranged on both sides of electrical contact PB17 (DET terminal), and are arranged so that they are sandwiched between the pulled-up terminals. This makes it possible to efficiently arrange the electrical contacts while protecting them from damage.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shoe seat 106 has an FPC (500 or 600) and a plurality of electrical contacts PB1 to PB26 arranged in a row, and of the plurality of electrical contacts PB1 to PB26, the plurality of electrical contacts PB2 to PB7 for transmitting video data signals to the EVF unit 300A are arranged together at one end of the row. This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary FPC area when the camera body 100 has an EVF, thereby reducing costs.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the camera body 100 to which the accessory 300B, such as a flash device, is attached via the intermediate adapter 300C has four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4 and 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26. When the accessory 300B is attached, the electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 of the accessory 300B are connected to the four electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB4. In contrast, when the accessory 300B is attached via the intermediate adapter 300C, the electrical contacts PSA1 to PSA4 of the accessory 300B are connected via the intermediate adapter 300C to three electrical contacts PSB1 to PSB3 and to electrical contact PB13, which is one of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26. In this way, by using electrical contact PB13, which is one of the 26 electrical contacts PB1 to PB26, instead of electrical contact PSB4, even in cases where electrical contact PSB4 cannot be used when intermediate adapter 300C is attached, accessory 300B can be attached to camera body 100 via intermediate adapter 300C and used.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical contact PB13 is set to function when the electrical contact PB17, which is one of the 26 electrical contacts, is used to detect that the intermediate adapter 300C has been attached to the camera body 100. This prevents the electrical contact PB13 from shorting out and being damaged if foreign matter or the like gets mixed in while the intermediate adapter 300C is not attached.

[0060] The shoe seat 106 described in the above embodiment may be provided in an electronic device other than a camera.

[0061] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0062] 1 Camera (electronic device) 39A Connection part 39C Connection part 106 Shoe seat (connection part) 300B Flash device (first accessory) 300C Intermediate adapter (second accessory) 301A Plug (connection unit) 301C Plug (connection unit) 320 Functional part 340 Functional part 500 Flexible printed circuit board 600 Flexible printed circuit board AR1 First area AR2 Second area PB1 to PB26 Electrical contact (contact, second contact) PA15 Electrical contact (first contact) PB17 Electrical contact (attachment detection contact) PSB1 to PSB4 Electrical contact (first contact)

Claims

1. A connection unit provided in an accessory attached to an imaging device, a connection portion electrically connected to the imaging device; a plurality of contacts provided on the connection portion and arranged in a line; A connection unit, wherein a first contact among the plurality of contacts to which power is supplied from the imaging device is arranged next to an open drain contact or a contact with a backflow prevention function.

2. The connection unit according to claim 1 , wherein open drain contacts or contacts with backflow prevention functions are arranged on both sides of the first contact.

3. 3. The connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact with backflow prevention function disposed adjacent to the first contact is a second contact to which power is supplied from the imaging device at a voltage lower than that of the first contact.

4. 3. The connection unit according to claim 1, wherein an open drain contact arranged adjacent to the first contact is a third contact for transmitting a release signal from the imaging device.

5. a fourth contact for detecting attachment of the accessory is disposed adjacent to the third contact; The connection unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are arranged in this order.

6. a fifth contact for transmitting a half-press signal from the imaging device is disposed adjacent to the fourth contact; The connection unit according to claim 5 , wherein the first contact, the third contact, the fourth contact, and the fifth contact are arranged in this order.

7. A connection unit according to claim 1 or 2; an accessory comprising: a functional part electrically connected to the connection unit and having a function of the accessory;

8. An electronic device having a connection part to which an accessory is attached and which is electrically connected to the accessory, The connection portion has a plurality of contacts arranged in a line, An electronic device, wherein among the plurality of contacts, a contact used to supply power from the electronic device to the accessory is arranged next to an open drain contact or a contact with a backflow prevention function.

9. An electronic device having a connection part to which an accessory is attached and which is electrically connected to the accessory, the connection portion includes a flexible printed circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in a line; Among the plurality of contacts, a plurality of video signal contacts for transmitting video data signals to a display accessory attached to the electronic device are arranged together at one end of the row.

10. the electronic device is an imaging device that does not have an electronic viewfinder, the flexible printed circuit board has a first region and a second region, 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein a first group of wiring is provided in the first region to connect each of the plurality of video signal contacts to the electronic device, and a second group of wiring is provided in the second region to connect contacts other than the plurality of video signal contacts among the plurality of contacts to the electronic device.

11. the electronic device is an imaging device having an electronic viewfinder, 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the flexible printed circuit board does not have wiring connecting each of the plurality of video signal contacts to the electronic device, but has wiring connecting contacts other than the plurality of video signal contacts among the plurality of contacts to the electronic device.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the number of the contacts is 22 or more.

13. An electronic device to which a first accessory is attached and to which the first accessory is attached via a second accessory, a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts; When the first accessory is attached, the plurality of first contacts and the first accessory are electrically connected, When the first accessory is attached via the second accessory, the second accessory and the electronic device are electrically connected using some of the plurality of first contacts and a predetermined contact among the plurality of second contacts. electronic equipment.

14. the plurality of second contacts include an attachment detection contact used to detect that the second accessory is attached to the electronic device; The electronic device according to claim 13 , wherein a predetermined one of the second contacts is electrically connected to the electronic device when it is detected using the attachment detection contact that the second accessory has been attached to the electronic device.

15. The electronic device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the number of the first contacts is 22 or more.