Interchangeable Lens Focus Control via Reference Signal Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems with interchangeable lenses and camera bodies face challenges in achieving high-precision auto-focus control due to limitations in communication timing between the lens and the camera body, preventing the transmission of wobbling control signals at desired times.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a camera body with a second communication unit that transmits a reference signal and delay time information to the interchangeable lens, allowing the lens controller to drive the focus lens at a delayed timing, ensuring the exposure timing of the imaging element coincides with the stop period of the wobbling operation, thus enabling high-precision auto-focus control without waiting for communication processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If communication between the interchangeable lens and camera body is made periodically, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but it becomes impossible to transmit the wobbling control signal at the desired timing, degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the communication timing flexible rather than fixed. The main body controller dynamically determines when to transmit the wobbling control signal based on the imaging element's exposure timing, allowing the system to adapt communication schedules to operational requirements rather than following a rigid periodic pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by having the main body controller transmit the wobbling control signal to the lens controller in advance, before the imaging element begins its exposure period. This allows the lens to complete its wobbling operation and return to the stop position precisely when the imaging element needs to capture the image, ensuring high-precision auto-focus control
2Productivity
If the wobbling control signal is transmitted during communication process, then communication efficiency is maintained, but waiting time for communication process degrades productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting the wobbling control signal to the lens controller before the imaging element's exposure period begins. This advance transmission eliminates waiting time during the critical exposure moment, allowing the lens to complete its wobbling operation and return to the stop position precisely when needed, thereby improving auto-focus control speed without sacrificing communication efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes a main body controller operable to transmit a reference signal for providing a reference of a driving start timing of the focus lens and delay time information indicating delay time with respect to the reference signal, to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a lens controller operable to control the focus lens to be driven at a timing obtained by delaying the timing provided by the reference signal by the delay time based on the reference signal and the delay time information received from the main body controller. The delay time is set so that, for example, an exposure timing of a predetermined area in the imaging element is substantially coincident with a stop period of the wobbling operation of the focus lens.