Interchangeable Lens Camera Busy Signal Control Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interchangeable lens cameras face inefficiencies in confirming a busy state without wasteful communications, particularly when multiple operations are performed, as current methods require repeated inquiries and responses or rely on fixed busy signal notifications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a busy signal control method that includes communication signal terminals and busy signal terminals in both the camera body and lens unit, allowing for efficient busy state confirmation by transmitting a busy signal control instruction that indicates the type of operation, thereby reducing unnecessary communications and allowing the lens unit to set the busy signal only during specified operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data communications are used to inquire about and respond to busy state, then communication flexibility is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to repeated inquiries and responses
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol is segmented into two distinct parts: a dedicated busy signal line for efficient busy state notification, and data communication lines for flexible information exchange. This segmentation allows the busy signal to be transmitted independently without requiring repeated data communication cycles, thereby improving communication efficiency while maintaining flexibility for other data exchanges.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed busy signal level is used to notify busy state, then notification simplicity is improved, but operational versatility deteriorates when multiple operation types exist
Solution Approach 1:
The busy signal notification system is made dynamic by allowing the camera body to transmit different operation type information through the communication signal terminal. The lens unit responds by setting the busy signal terminal to a specific level based on the received operation type, enabling the system to adapt to multiple operation types while maintaining a simple binary signal level interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple busy signal terminals are provided for multiple operation types, then operational coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single busy signal terminal is designed to serve multiple operation types through dynamic configuration. The camera body transmits operation type information via data communication, and the lens unit interprets this information to set the appropriate busy signal level, making one terminal universal for multiple operations rather than requiring separate terminals for each operation type.
4Reliability
If busy signal monitoring load is increased to cover all operation types, then monitoring completeness is improved, but system burden deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback-based monitoring where the camera body transmits operation type information to the lens unit, which then autonomously determines when to set the busy signal based on the received instructions. This feedback mechanism allows the lens unit to self-regulate its monitoring activities, reducing the overall system burden while maintaining complete monitoring coverage for all specified operation types.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present invention provides an interchangeable lens camera having a camera body and a lens unit that is freely attachable and detachable to the camera body. In the interchangeable lens camera, a communications unit in the camera body sends via communications terminals (MT_MOSI and MT_MISO) an INTR_BUSY control instruction that instructs whether to make notification with a busy signal (INTR_BUSY signal) for any operation out of a plurality of types of operations that can be executed, and the lens unit or camera body communications unit sets the busy signal (INTR_BUSY) to an ON state (low level) only during the period of operation of the type indicated by the INTR_BUSY control instruction.