Interchangeable Lens Memory Management via Logic IC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera systems require memory management on the camera body side for interchangeable lenses, which limits flexibility and compatibility, especially when the memory capacity of the lens data varies with focal length and object distance changes during zooming and focusing operations.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable lens with a logic IC and independent memory that communicates with the camera body, using a memory capacity set-pin to select appropriate addressing modes and store zoom and distance codes, allowing the lens to manage its own memory and maintain compatibility with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If memory capacity is increased to store more lens data for various focal lengths and object distances, then the lens can support more functions and data requirements, but the memory management complexity on the camera body side increases and compatibility with conventional systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens side logic IC autonomously manages memory allocation, data storage, and retrieval operations. It handles zoom code and object distance code detection, automatically selects appropriate memory pages based on current lens parameters, and performs data exchange with the camera body without requiring the camera body to manage memory details. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by increasing memory capacity while keeping camera body complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens side logic IC acts as an intermediary between the memory and the camera body. It translates camera body requests into memory-specific operations, manages address mapping, and handles data formatting. This intermediary layer allows the system to use large capacity memory while maintaining compatibility with conventional camera bodies that expect standard memory interfaces.
2Quantity of substance
If memory capacity is increased to accommodate larger lens data, then the lens can store more comprehensive data for different focal lengths and distances, but compatibility with prior-art SLR camera bodies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes addressing parameters dynamically based on the current lens state (zoom position and focus distance). The lens side logic IC detects zoom codes and object distance codes, then uses these parameters to select appropriate memory pages. This parameter-based memory selection allows comprehensive data storage while maintaining compatibility with conventional camera bodies through standardized communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory addressing scheme is dynamic rather than static. The lens side logic IC continuously monitors lens parameters (zoom position, focus distance) and automatically adjusts memory page selection based on current operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use large capacity memory effectively while maintaining backward compatibility with conventional camera systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera body reads lens data by communication with the interchangeable lens, then flexibility and capability expansion are enhanced, but the speed of obtaining lens data during zooming and focusing operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Lens data is pre-organized in the memory by pages, with each page containing data for specific combinations of focal length ranges and object distance ranges. The lens side logic IC pre-calculates and prepares the appropriate memory page addresses based on detected zoom and focus codes. This preliminary organization of data allows the camera body to quickly retrieve the required data without performing complex searches or calculations during exposure operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable lens which can communicate with an associated camera body when the interchangeable lens is detachably attached to the camera body to exchange data of the interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens includes a logic IC via which the interchangeable lens communicates with the camera body; and a memory which is provided independent of the logic IC, connected to the logic IC, and stores the data of the interchangeable lens.