Accessory Apparatus for Manual Focus Control in Interchangeable Lens Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interchangeable lens camera systems face challenges in providing user-friendly manual focus operations, especially when combined with camera bodies and lenses of varying characteristics, as existing solutions do not adequately address the need for improved usability during autofocus operations.
Innovation Solution
An accessory apparatus is introduced, removably attached between the camera body and interchangeable lens, featuring processors, memory, and communication units that facilitate communication between the camera body, lens, and adapter. This apparatus accepts manual focus operations, sets the drive amount of the focus lens, and transmits the drive speed or amount to the lens, enhancing user control and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual focus operations are implemented during autofocus operations by operating the focus control ring of an interchangeable lens, then users can perform MF operations to focus on different objects, but the usability of MF operations does not improve sufficiently due to various camera body and lens characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory apparatus serves as an intermediary device attached between the camera body and interchangeable lens. It includes a communication unit that communicates with both the camera body and lens, and a control unit that controls the focus lens based on operations from an operation unit. This intermediary structure enables standardized MF operations that work across different camera body and lens combinations, resolving the compatibility issue while improving usability.
2Ease of operation
If the focus lens drive amount is directly controlled by the operation unit, then manual focus operations can be performed, but precise control over the focus lens drive amount and speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to control the focus lens based on operations from the operation unit, with the ability to adjust drive amount and drive speed parameters. The accessory apparatus can modify these parameters dynamically, allowing precise control over the focus lens movement. This enables users to achieve accurate focus positioning by adjusting drive amount and speed parameters according to different shooting scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory apparatus is removably attached between an image capturing apparatus and an interchangeable lens. The accessory apparatus performs first communication with the image capturing apparatus and second communication with the interchangeable lens, and accepts a predetermined operation related to a manual focus operation. The accessory apparatus sets a degree to which a drive amount of a focus lens in the interchangeable lens is made effective relative to an operation amount of the first operation unit, and transmits the drive amount or a drive speed of the focus lens in the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens through the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the degree set.