Camera Accessory Communication for Real-Time Imaging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems struggle with highly real-time imaging control due to one-to-one communication between the camera main body and interchangeable lens, and the addition of an adapter complicates this further, leading to communication waits and impaired real-timeness.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a camera system that allows one-to-many communication between the camera main body, interchangeable lens, and accessory apparatus like an adapter, using various communication methods to optimize data exchange and support real-time imaging control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If one-to-one communication is used between camera main body and interchangeable lens, then communication simplicity is maintained, but real-time imaging control capability deteriorates when adapter is added

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time imaging control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication controller as an intermediary component that manages communication between the camera main body, interchangeable lens, and adapter. This mediator coordinates data transmission and enables one-to-many communication without requiring direct complex connections between all components, thus improving real-time control capability while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication controller is designed to handle multiple communication functions simultaneously - it manages data transmission between the camera main body and both the interchangeable lens and adapter through a unified interface. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain simplicity while supporting complex one-to-many communication patterns for real-time imaging control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If constant monitoring of operation member is implemented, then imaging control responsiveness is improved, but communication wait time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging control responsivenessVSAvoidcommunication wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of constant continuous monitoring, the system implements periodic sampling of operation member states at predetermined time intervals. This periodic action maintains imaging control responsiveness by regularly updating control data while reducing communication wait time by allowing other operations to proceed between sampling moments, thus resolving the time conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3410697B1Accessory apparatus and imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CANON KK
  • EP3410697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410697B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3410697B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An accessory apparatus is connectable to an imaging apparatus along with an interchangeable lens apparatus. The accessory apparatus includes an accessory communication unit configured to provide a communication channel to and from the imaging apparatus, an operation member allowing an operation by a user, and an accessory control unit configured to communicate with the imaging apparatus via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit notifies the imaging apparatus of a communication request according to detection of the operation of the operation member, and repeats transmitting operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the imaging apparatus from when the communication request is notified to when an end of the operation is detected.