Remote Zoom Control for Manual Interchangeable Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interchangeable-lens digital cameras with manual zoom lenses lack remote zoom operation capabilities, limiting the ability to control the angle of view remotely from external devices.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus with a communication unit and control unit that transmits control commands to a driver device to mechanically drive the zoom mechanism in the lens unit, allowing remote zoom operation from an external device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual zoom lens is used in an interchangeable-lens digital camera, then the lens structure remains simple and cost-effective, but remote zoom operation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driver device as an intermediary component that mechanically couples to the lens unit's zoom mechanism. This driver device receives control commands from external devices via the camera body and translates them into mechanical zoom operations, enabling remote control without requiring the lens itself to be complex. The driver device acts as a mediator between the electronic control system and the mechanical zoom mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the lens unit containing the zoom mechanism, the driver device that provides mechanical drive capability, and the camera body that handles communication and control logic. This segmentation allows the manual zoom lens to retain its simple structure while gaining remote control capability through the separate driver device that attaches to both the lens and the camera.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication protocols are standardized across lens units and driver devices, then interoperability is improved, but communication reliability may be compromised due to protocol compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal communication interfaces and standardized protocols in both the lens unit and driver device, allowing them to communicate effectively regardless of manufacturer or specific model. The camera body acts as a universal controller that can manage different lens units and driver devices through standardized command sets, enabling one device to perform multiple functions across different hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the lens unit and driver device exchange status information, capability data, and operational feedback. This allows the system to dynamically adapt communication parameters and verify protocol compatibility, maintaining reliability while supporting universal interoperability. The feedback loop enables error detection and correction, ensuring reliable communication even across different device types.
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable-lens image capture apparatus receives, from an external device, a command to control a zoom adapter for mechanically driving a zoom mechanism in an interchangeable lens from outside the interchangeable lens. The image capture apparatus then transmits the received command to the zoom adapter through the interchangeable lens. A zoom operation can be remotely performed from the external device on a manual zoom lens attached to the interchangeable-lens image capture apparatus, which has a function of communicating with the external device.