Optical Lens Identification via Locking Apparatus Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face issues with contact-related data transmission between interchangeable lenses and camera housings, leading to problems like short circuits, interference, and incompatibility, especially with older mechanical systems, which are difficult and costly to retrofit for modern functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method using a defined optical radiation from light transmitters on the camera's support surface to reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the lens's locking apparatus, forming a binary coded signal that identifies the lens, allowing for contactless data transmission and compatibility with older lenses, and includes a sensor system to prevent malfunctions and distinguish between coded and uncoded lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts are used for data transmission between lens and camera housing, then power supply and signal transmission can be achieved, but short circuits and interference occur between contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical contact system with an optical system. Light transmitters emit optical signals that are reflected by the locking apparatus surfaces back to light receivers, enabling contactless data transmission. This substitution eliminates direct electrical contact between camera and lens, preventing short circuits and interference while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical contacts are arranged tightly next to one another for bidirectional data transmission, then power supply and signal exchange are enabled, but contacting problems arise after camera disuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces tight electrical contact arrangements with an optical transmission system. Light transmitters and receivers are positioned on the camera housing, emitting and detecting optical signals through the locking apparatus without requiring tight electrical contact. This eliminates contacting problems that occur after camera disuse while maintaining full bidirectional data transmission capability for lens settings and corrections.
3Reliability
If optical means are used to transmit radiation from camera to lens and back for data transmission, then contactless signal transmission is achieved, but the arrangement requires a great deal of space and many individual components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the locking apparatus serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical locking for the lens and simultaneously acts as an optical reflector with specific surface properties (reflecting or absorbing light) to encode lens identification data. By integrating the optical coding function into the existing locking mechanism, the patent avoids adding separate optical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining contactless data transmission capability.
4Loss of information
If bar code detection is performed during lens fitting operation, then lens identification is possible, but detection malfunctions cannot be ruled out and already fitted lenses cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous lens identification by using the optical reflection properties of the locking apparatus surfaces, which remain accessible after lens fitting. Unlike bar code detection that requires specific fitting conditions, the optical system can continuously read lens identification data through the locking apparatus at any time, ensuring reliable lens identification whether the lens is newly fitted or has been in use for some time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable, cost-effective identification and data transmission for interchangeable lenses, improving image quality by providing lens-specific data for correction and compatibility, and allows older lenses to be retrofitted for use with new camera systems without complex electrical contacts.
Implementation Method 1
a defined optical radiation is directed from two or more, preferably six light transmitters arranged in the support surface on the camera to reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the locking apparatus
Implementation Method 2
reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the locking apparatus which are assigned to said light transmitters
Implementation Method 3
The radiation returning from the respective white reflecting surfaces and black absorbing surfaces is picked up by light receivers arranged next to the light transmitters in the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable lens connects in a prescribed position to a support surface on a camera of a camera system using a locking apparatus. A method and apparatus for identifying interchangeable lenses uses optical radiation. After the locking operation is performed, a defined optical radiation is directed from two or more, preferably six, light transmitters arranged in the support surface to reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the locking apparatus which are assigned to said light transmitters. The radiation returning from the respective reflecting/absorbing surfaces is picked up by light receivers arranged next to the light transmitters in the support surface. A binary coded signal for identifying the interchangeable lens is formed from the output signals of the light receivers.