Camera Accessory Communication Specification Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems face challenges in achieving optimal data communication between accessories, such as interchangeable lenses, and the camera body, due to variations in communication specifications.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an accessory mountable on a camera body, equipped with a transmission unit to send information about a drive target member to the camera body using specific communication specifications, and a reception unit to receive a value specifying the communication specification from the camera body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the accessory uses multiple communication specifications to ensure compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication specification compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit dynamically switches between different communication specifications based on the detected camera body type. The control unit determines whether the camera body is a first type or second type and configures the communication unit accordingly to use first or second communication specification, enabling adaptive compatibility without permanent multi-mode hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication specification parameters are changed based on the camera body type detection. The control unit changes the communication protocol parameters (first communication specification or second communication specification) to match the detected camera body, allowing the accessory to adapt its communication behavior without physical hardware changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the accessory automatically detects camera body type to switch communication specifications, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases due to detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic communication adaptationVSAvoidcommunication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory performs preliminary detection of the camera body type before establishing communication. The control unit detects whether the camera body is a first type or second type in advance and pre-configures the appropriate communication specification, preventing communication errors before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection result to adjust the communication specification. The control unit continuously monitors the camera body type and adjusts the communication protocol accordingly, ensuring accurate communication by basing decisions on actual detected conditions rather than assumptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250116918A1accessory

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A camera body, to which an accessory is mountable, includes a first communicator that transmits a first clock signal to the accessory to communicate with the accessory in synchronization with the first clock signal, and a second communicator that receives a second clock signal output from the accessory to communicate with the accessory in synchronization with the second clock signal. A value specifying a communication specification of the second communicator is transmitted between the first communicator and the accessory.