Camera Accessory Discriminating Signal for Terminal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera accessory systems require distinct terminal counts to differentiate between master lenses and intermediate accessories, leading to complexity and potential for terminal collisions, and lack efficient device ID management for optimal communication.
Innovation Solution
A camera accessory system with a body-side communication unit that issues a discriminating signal to determine if a mounted device is a master or non-master lens, allowing for device ID assignment and communication without needing dedicated terminals for differentiation, enabling miniaturization and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distinct terminal counts are used to differentiate between master lenses and intermediate accessories, then device identification is achieved, but terminal complexity and potential for terminal collisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a body-side communication unit as an intermediary that manages device identification and terminal allocation. Instead of relying on fixed terminal counts at each device, the control unit mediates communication by assigning roles (master lens or intermediate accessory) and managing terminal usage dynamically, thereby reducing terminal complexity while maintaining reliable device differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static terminal differentiation (fixed terminal counts) to dynamic role assignment. The body-side control unit dynamically determines whether a mounted device is a master lens or intermediate accessory based on communication protocols, allowing flexible terminal usage without increasing terminal complexity
2Reliability
If dedicated terminals are disposed for device differentiation, then device identification is reliable, but the quantity of terminals and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal terminals that can serve multiple functions depending on the mounted device type. The same physical terminals are used for both master lenses and intermediate accessories, with their specific function determined dynamically by the body-side control unit based on communication protocols, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated terminals for each device type
Solution Approach 2:
The body-side communication unit acts as an intermediary that manages terminal allocation and device identification. It receives signals from mounted devices, determines their type (master lens or intermediate accessory), and manages communication accordingly, allowing reliable device differentiation without increasing terminal quantity
3Reliability
If multiple terminals are used for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates communication terminals based on the mounted device type and communication requirements. The body-side control unit determines whether a device is a master lens or intermediate accessory and activates only the necessary terminals for that specific communication scenario, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards (deactivates) unnecessary communication terminals when they are not needed for the current device configuration, and recovers (activates) them only when required. This dynamic on/off management of terminals based on actual communication needs reduces power consumption while maintaining reliable communication
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera accessory, at which light from a subject enters, detachably mountable at a camera body, includes: a communication unit that communicates with the camera body; and a first storage unit that stores a discriminating signal indicating whether or not another device capable of communicating with the camera body is mountable on a subject side of the camera accessory, wherein: the communication unit transmits the discriminating signal to the camera body.