Camera Accessory Communication Protocol Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems between image capturing apparatuses and accessory apparatuses, such as interchangeable lenses, are inefficient in terms of initial communication speed, lacking specific details on communication formats and methods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of various communication modes, including clock synchronous and asynchronous methods, with specific data formats that allow or prohibit the addition of a BUSY signal, to optimize communication speed and reliability between the camera main body and interchangeable lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If initial communication is performed without specifying communication format and method, then the system maintains simplicity and compatibility, but communication speed remains slow and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial communication speedVSAvoidcommunication format complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing communication format and method selection mechanisms before actual data transmission begins. The camera control section determines the appropriate communication format (first or second format) and method (synchronous or asynchronous) in advance based on the accessory apparatus type, ensuring optimal communication speed is achieved from the start of data transfer without requiring complex real-time negotiations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the communication format and method adjustable and switchable based on different accessory apparatus types. The system can dynamically select between synchronous/asynchronous methods and different data formats (with/without BUSY signal) depending on the specific accessory being used, allowing the communication system to adapt its characteristics to match the requirements of each accessory while maintaining simplicity through automated selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If communication standby requests (BUSY signals) are allowed in the communication format, then communication reliability is improved, but communication speed decreases due to additional signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddata transfer speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different communication formats to be used for different accessory apparatus types. The first communication format with BUSY signal is applied to accessories that require high reliability and can tolerate the overhead, while the second format without BUSY signal is applied to accessories that prioritize speed. This localized optimization ensures each accessory receives the appropriate communication characteristics for its specific requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the communication format parameters (presence of BUSY signal, synchronous vs asynchronous timing) based on the accessory apparatus type. The camera control section changes these communication parameters dynamically to optimize the balance between reliability and speed for each specific accessory, rather than using a fixed format for all accessories

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3796083B1Image capture device, accessory device, and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 CANON KK
  • EP3796083B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3796083B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP3796083B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4A

AI summary

A camera microcomputer (205) receives first accessory attribute information of the accessory attribute information through the third communication channel by using a first communication method and then switches from the first communication method to a second communication method different from the first communication method, and controls communication so as to receive second accessory attribute information of the accessory attribute information through the third communication channel by using the second communication method.