Interchangeable Lens Data Storage and Accessory Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interchangeable lens systems require large storage capacity in adapters for lens data conversion and communication cutoff switches, making them bulky and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An interchangeable lens system that stores lens data differently, with first data for no accessories and differential data for mounted accessories, generating corrected lens data internally and transferring it to the camera body, eliminating the need for large storage in accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lens data conversion is performed in the adapter, then lens data can be transmitted to the camera body, but the adapter requires large storage capacity which makes it bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens data transmissionVSAvoidadapter size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lens data storage function from the adapter and relocates it to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens stores both first lens data (when no accessory is mounted) and second lens data (when an accessory is mounted), eliminating the need for the adapter to have large storage capacity. This resolves the contradiction by removing the bulky storage requirement from the adapter while maintaining lens data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the adapter store and process lens data, the patent inverts the approach by having the interchangeable lens store and process the data. The interchangeable lens determines whether to transmit first lens data or second lens data based on accessory mounting status, reversing the traditional data processing location from adapter to lens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a communication cutoff switch is provided in the accessory to switch communication paths, then appropriate lens data can be transmitted, but the accessory becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication switching capabilityVSAvoidaccessory size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication switching function from the accessory and relocates it to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a specifying unit that determines whether an accessory is mounted and selects the appropriate communication path accordingly. This eliminates the need for the accessory to contain a communication cutoff switch, reducing its size while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The interchangeable lens performs self-determination of accessory mounting status and autonomously selects the appropriate lens data to transmit. The specifying unit within the interchangeable lens detects whether an accessory is mounted and automatically chooses between first lens data and second lens data, making the system self-regulating without requiring additional control components in the accessory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adapter stores both first lens data and second lens data, then lens data can be provided for different configurations, but the adapter requires larger storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens data varietyVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the dual storage function from the adapter and places it in the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens stores first lens data for when no accessory is mounted and second lens data for when an accessory is mounted. This approach maintains adaptability to different configurations while eliminating the need for the adapter to have large storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10331018B2Interchangeable lens, camera system,communication method, and program

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

To provide an interchangeable lens, a camera system, a communication method, and a program in which lens data can be caused to be efficiently stored in an interchangeable lens, necessity of storing the lens data in the accessory can be eliminated by storing lens data in a case where an accessory is not mounted on the interchangeable lens and lens data in a case where the accessory is mounted on the interchangeable lens, and it is unnecessary to have a particular function of transmitting appropriate lens data to the accessory. An interchangeable lens includes a specifying unit that specifies a mounted accessory by acquiring identification information from the accessory, a storage unit including a first storage area that stores first lens data and a second storage area that stores one or a plurality of pieces of second lens data, a third lens data generation unit, and a lens control unit.