Interchangeable Lens Dual Communication System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems face inaccuracies in control due to inappropriate data transmission between the camera body and interchangeable lens, leading to suboptimal performance in functions like focus adjustment and shake correction.

Innovation Solution

A dual communication system is implemented, utilizing command data communication for bidirectional data exchange and hotline communication for continuous, high-frequency data transmission from the interchangeable lens to the camera body, ensuring accurate and timely data exchange for focus adjustment and shake correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single communication channel is used for data transmission between camera body and interchangeable lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of focus adjustment and shake correction deteriorate due to insufficient data transmission frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus adjustment accuracyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into two distinct channels: command data communication for bidirectional control signals and hotline communication for unidirectional high-frequency state data transmission from lens to camera body. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function, enabling high-precision focus and shake correction control without requiring a completely complex dual-system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hotline communication channel, while dedicated to unidirectional transmission, works in conjunction with the bidirectional command data channel to create a multi-functional communication system. The command data channel handles both commands from camera to lens and status acknowledgments from lens to camera, while the hotline provides continuous state data, together serving multiple control functions through a coordinated dual-channel approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If data transmission frequency is increased for real-time focus and shake correction control, then the reliability of control operations is improved, but the loss of time for data processing and transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol operation reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hotline communication implements periodic data transmission at high frequency, continuously sending lens state data (focusing lens position, shake correction lens position) from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. This periodic high-frequency transmission ensures that the camera body always has up-to-date information for reliable real-time control of focus and shake correction operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The dual communication system maintains continuous data flow between camera body and interchangeable lens throughout the photographing process. The hotline communication provides uninterrupted unidirectional data transmission while the command data channel continuously exchanges control commands, ensuring that control operations remain reliable and responsive without interruption or data gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3598225B1Interchangeable lens and method of transmitting data
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 NIKON CORP
  • EP3598225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3598225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3598225B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An interchangeable lens that is removably attachable to a camera body includes: a moving member that is movable within the interchangeable lens; a first communication unit that performs first communication with the camera body; and a second communication unit that performs second communication in which data is periodically transmitted to the camera body; wherein: the data transmitted in the second communication includes first information indicating a position of the moving member and second information that can be used for calculation of a movement amount of the moving member.