Networked Lens Interface With Real-Time Action Completion Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens devices require complex communication line configurations for multiple connections to operation terminals, leading to increased load on the host side during lens action completion confirmation.

Innovation Solution

A lens device with a multi-purpose communication interface and a separate real-time trigger signal line allows independent control and immediate image capture post-action completion, enabling n-to-one or n-to-n connections via a network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-purpose communication interface is used for connecting multiple lens devices to operation terminals, then the connection versatility is improved, but the processing load on the operation terminal increases during lens action completion confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection versatilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface is segmented into two distinct parts: a multi-purpose communication interface for general control and data exchange, and a dedicated real-time trigger signal line for immediate action completion notifications. This segmentation allows the operation terminal to handle multiple lens devices through the multi-purpose interface while receiving instantaneous completion signals through the dedicated line, thereby reducing processing load and waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separate real-time trigger signal line acts as an intermediary between the lens device and the operation terminal. This dedicated signal line directly transmits action completion information without requiring the operation terminal to continuously poll or process communications through the multi-purpose interface, thus reducing the processing burden on the operation terminal while maintaining versatile connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the operation terminal continuously monitors lens action completion through the multi-purpose communication interface, then the real-time response is improved, but the processing delays increase due to communication overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time responseVSAvoidprocessing delays
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares two parallel communication paths in advance: the multi-purpose communication interface for general operations and the dedicated real-time trigger signal line for immediate notifications. By having the dedicated signal line ready beforehand, the system can instantly transmit action completion information without requiring real-time monitoring or polling through the multi-purpose interface, thereby eliminating communication overhead and processing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a separate real-time trigger signal line is added for immediate action completion notification, then the processing speed is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separate real-time trigger signal line is designed with a single dedicated function: transmitting action completion notifications. This specialization allows the signal line to operate independently and efficiently without requiring complex control logic or processing capabilities. The simplicity of its single-purpose design minimizes the increase in device complexity while maximizing processing speed for action completion notifications.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4220297B1Lens device, system with integrated lens device, inspection device with integrated lens device, and operation program
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 CBC CO LTD
  • EP4220297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220297B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4220297B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

To provide a lens device capable of outputting an action state of a lens while utilizing a multi-purpose communication interface capable of connecting a large number of camera devices, and to provide a lens device embedded system, a lens device embedded inspection device, and an operation program. A lens device 1 includes: a lens mechanism that is built into a lens main body 2 and forms the optical image; a drive control unit that is built into the lens main body 2 and drive-controls the lens mechanism; a control unit 9 that includes a microcomputer and outputs a drive control signal to the drive control unit; a first connection unit 13 that forms a first communication interface 13b capable of having input/output communication with the control unit 9, and is capable of connecting to a network 21; and a second connection unit 16 that includes a second communication interface 16a capable of outputting a signal from the control unit 9.