Detachable-Lens Camera Power Control for Continued Shooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses face power supply limitations due to the combination of power sources and lens units, leading to potential power shortages that existing technologies cannot adequately address, especially when the lens unit is not equipped with a power supply.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a detachable lens unit that includes a determination unit to assess power consumption and control the supply of actuation power to the lens unit based on predetermined conditions, ensuring stable power distribution and enabling continued shooting even when power is not supplied to the lens unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power is supplied to the lens unit, then lens actuation functions are enabled, but power consumption increases and may exceed power supply capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply control where the power supply state to the lens unit changes based on operational conditions. The control unit dynamically switches between supplying power (when shooting operations are performed) and stopping power supply (when shooting is not performed), allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual operational needs while maintaining lens actuation capability when required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter (from powered to unpowered state) based on detection results. When the detection unit determines that shooting is not being performed, the system changes the power supply parameter to stop power flow to the lens unit, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving the ability to restore power supply when shooting operations resume
2Use of energy by moving object
If power supply is stopped to the lens unit to save power, then power consumption decreases, but lens actuation becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the detection unit continuously monitors shooting operation status and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the power supply state to the lens unit - maintaining power supply when shooting is detected and stopping power supply when shooting is not detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between power savings and functional availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic detection and control cycles to monitor shooting operations and adjust power supply accordingly. The detection unit periodically checks whether shooting is being performed, and the control unit periodically switches the power supply state based on these detection results, enabling the lens actuation function to be restored when needed while minimizing power consumption during non-operational periods
3Reliability
If both camera body and lens unit have battery power sources, then power availability increases, but power distribution control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the power supply control function from the lens unit by implementing a centralized control unit in the camera body. The control unit independently manages power distribution to the lens unit based on detection results, while the lens unit's own battery power source remains but is controlled externally. This separation simplifies the overall control architecture by centralizing decision-making while maintaining dual power source reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus to which a lens unit can be attached, is provided that includes an image sensor; a power supply that supplies power; and one or more processors and/or circuitry which functions as: a determination unit that determines whether or not to supply power to the lens unit based on at least one predetermined condition that includes at least one condition relating to power consumption of the lens unit; and a control unit that performs control so as not to supply actuation power to the lens unit according to a determination result by the determination unit, wherein the image sensor is capable of performing shooting even after the control unit performs control so as not to supply actuation power to the lens unit.