Image Capture Terminal Synchronization for Reliable Accessory Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting whether an accessory is attached due to exposed terminals that can lead to foreign object intrusion or terminal failure, resulting in incorrect attachment detection.
Innovation Solution
The image capturing apparatus employs a system with specific terminals for power supply and communication, including a first terminal for outputting a signal, a second terminal for inputting a signal, and a third terminal for supplying power, where the apparatus controls power supply based on synchronized signal detection between these terminals to ensure accurate accessory attachment detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If terminals are externally exposed in the mount portion to enable easy accessory attachment and detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to foreign object intrusion or terminal failure causing incorrect attachment detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the terminal functions into multiple specialized terminals: a first terminal for signal output, a second terminal for signal input, and a third terminal for power supply. This segmentation allows the system to use different terminals for different purposes, enabling more reliable attachment detection through synchronized signal verification between the first and second terminals, while the third terminal provides power only after successful verification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power is supplied to the accessory after attachment detection to enable accessory operation, then functionality is improved, but reliability deteriorates if attachment detection is incorrect due to foreign objects or terminal failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification of accessory attachment by detecting synchronized signals between the first terminal (signal output) and second terminal (signal input) before supplying power through the third terminal. This preliminary action ensures that power is only supplied to properly attached accessories, preventing incorrect power supply to foreign objects or improperly attached accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the second terminal to verify the signal output from the first terminal. When the accessory is properly attached, it should return a synchronized signal to the second terminal that matches the output from the first terminal. This feedback mechanism provides reliable verification of correct attachment before power supply is enabled.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of terminals including a terminal used for electrical connection with an accessory, and a first mount portion connectable with a second mount portion on the accessory. With the accessory and the image capturing apparatus detachably attached, a first terminal is configured to output a signal from the image capturing apparatus to the accessory, a second terminal is configured to input a signal output from the accessory to the image capturing apparatus, and a third terminal is configured to supply first power to the accessory. A second signal is detected as a signal input to the second terminal when a first signal is output to the first terminal. When it is detected that the second signal is a signal changing in synchronization with the first signal, the first power is supplied to the accessory via the third terminal.