Camera Accessory Communication Timing Synchronization
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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, particularly in ensuring accurate timing and synchronization of communication signals.
Innovation Solution
The camera system incorporates a creation unit for generating information about a drive target member's position, a reception unit for receiving communication data from the camera body, a calculation unit for determining the time period between data reception and creation, and transmission units for sending this information, utilizing multiple terminals for synchronized clock signals and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple terminals are used for communication between accessory and camera body, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is segmented into multiple dedicated terminals: clock signal terminals (first and third terminals) for timing synchronization, data terminals (second and fourth terminals) for information exchange, power terminals (seventh and ninth terminals) for voltage supply, and ground terminals (eighth and tenth terminals) for reference potential. This segmentation allows each terminal to perform a specific function, improving communication reliability while keeping the overall structure manageable through clear functional separation.
2Measurement precision
If time period calculation is implemented to synchronize data transmission, then communication accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory performs preliminary actions by calculating the time period between receiving data from the camera body and creating position information about the drive target member. The accessory-side calculation unit computes this time interval in advance, and the accessory-side first transmission unit transmits the calculated time period to the camera body before the actual position data is needed. This preliminary calculation enables the camera body to accurately timestamp and synchronize the position information without requiring complex real-time processing during the actual measurement.
3Measurement precision
If clock signal synchronization is implemented across multiple terminals, then timing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different terminals are assigned specific qualities and functions: the first terminal outputs a first clock signal at a specific frequency to the camera body, while the third terminal inputs a second clock signal from the camera body. The second terminal transmits data in synchronization with the first clock signal, and the fourth terminal receives data in synchronization with the second clock signal. This local quality differentiation ensures that each terminal operates with the appropriate timing characteristics for its specific function, achieving overall timing precision without requiring all terminals to handle all synchronization aspects.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory that is mountable at a camera body and is capable of carrying out communication with the camera body, includes: a creation unit that creates first information pertaining to a position of a drive target member in the accessory; an accessory-side reception unit that receives second information pertaining to the communication from the camera body; a calculation unit that calculates third information related to a time period between reception of the second information and creation of the first information by the creation unit; and an accessory-side first transmission unit that transmits the third information to the camera body.