Camera Adapter Protocol Translation for Lens Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens-interchangeable camera systems face communication mismatches due to different communication protocols between lenses and camera bodies, leading to potential power state switching issues and communication failures when noise influences the communication timing.
Innovation Solution
An adapter apparatus that communicates with both the camera body and interchangeable lens using different protocols, ensuring initial communication and switching to an optimal method based on data type and timing, and includes a power control unit to manage power states and prevent unexpected power state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the lens apparatus switches power state to sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential timing mismatches and noise susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter apparatus serves as an intermediary between the camera body and lens apparatus, managing communication protocols and power state transitions. It buffers and translates commands, ensuring reliable communication even when the lens is in sleep mode by mediating the interaction between the active camera body and the low-power lens apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing communication protocols and power management strategies before actual image capture. The camera body and adapter negotiate communication methods in advance, and power states are pre-coordinated to ensure that the lens transitions to sleep mode only when communication is not required, preventing timing mismatches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols are used between camera body and lens apparatus, then adaptability to different lens types is improved, but communication failures occur due to protocol mismatches and timing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter apparatus acts as a protocol translator and mediator between the camera body and various lens apparatuses. It receives commands from the camera body in one protocol format and translates them into the appropriate format for the connected lens, enabling universal compatibility while maintaining reliable communication through standardized translation rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter apparatus provides universal compatibility by supporting multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It can interface with different types of lens apparatuses (EF, EF-S, M mount) and camera bodies, performing multiple functions including protocol translation, power management, and communication coordination within a single device.
3Reliability
If the lens apparatus remains in active state to maintain steady communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens apparatus alternates between active and sleep states in periodic cycles, waking up only when communication is required and returning to sleep mode when communication completes. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining communication reliability during active periods through coordinated wake-up signals from the camera body.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera body maintains continuous monitoring and control capability while the lens is in sleep mode, ready to immediately initiate communication when needed. The useful action of image capture is continuous, while the communication action is intermittent, allowing the lens to remain in low-power state without affecting the overall continuity of the photography process.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An interchangeable lens is connected to a camera body through an adapter apparatus. The adapter apparatus can communicate with the interchangeable lens through a plurality of communication methods and includes a communication unit configured to control the communication with the lens apparatus, and a setting unit configured to switch a communication setting in the adapter apparatus between a first setting and a second setting. The first setting is compliant with a first communication method as a communication method in an initial communication to be performed at a start-up of the interchangeable lens, and the second setting is compliant with a second communication method different from the first communication method. When the second setting is set as the communication setting, the adapter apparatus sets the first setting as the communication setting and transmits a signal for switching a power state to the interchangeable lens through the first communication method.