Interchangeable Lens Accessory Communication for Optical Parameter Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In lens interchangeable type camera systems, the lack of communication methods for accessories attached to the lens prevents accurate correction of optical parameters, leading to suboptimal image processing when accessories like wide converters or extenders are used.

Innovation Solution

An interchangeable lens with a communicator that acquires and transmits optical information to the camera, allowing for proper parameter correction through a dual communication method, enabling effective communication between the camera, lens, and accessory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a camera communicates with interchangeable lenses using standard communication methods, then basic lens information can be acquired, but optical information changes due to accessory attachment cannot be properly detected or corrected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical informationVSAvoidaccessory compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is equipped with a communication unit that acts as an intermediary, enabling it to directly communicate with both the camera and the interchangeable lens. This mediator role allows the accessory to transmit its type information and optical parameter changes to the camera, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining compatibility across different accessory types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the camera system uses a fixed communication protocol, then communication stability is maintained, but it cannot acquire information from diverse accessory types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidaccessory type recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit in the accessory is designed with universal functionality to communicate with both the camera and the interchangeable lens using standardized protocols. This multi-functionality enables the same communication interface to handle different accessory types (wide converters, extenders, etc.) while maintaining stable communication, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If accessory information is not transmitted to the camera, then communication complexity is reduced, but optical parameter correction becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidoptical parameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into multiple independent communication units: one in the camera, one in the interchangeable lens, and one in the accessory. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently with standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while enabling accurate transmission of optical parameter information from the accessory to the camera for precise correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11558541B2Interchangeable lens and accessory

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 CANON KK

AI summary

An interchangeable lens communicable with an accessory and an image pickup apparatus includes a communicator configured to communicate with the accessory and the image pickup apparatus, and a memory configured to store information corresponding to a type of accessory. The communicator acquires information on the type of the accessory by communicating with the accessory, and transmits optical information corresponding to the type of the accessory to the image pickup apparatus.