# US 10,771,670 B2 · Accessory and imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,670 B2 - Document ID: US10771670B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/992,875 - Filed: 2018-05-30 - Published: 2018-12-06 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-31 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Naoki Saito; Yasuyuki Watazawa; Naoto Fujihashi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771670B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/663: for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals - G03B 17/14: interchangeably - G03B 17/565: {Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors} - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - G03B 2206/00: Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract In a lens apparatus, a CS terminal is disposed adjacent to a DGND terminal, and a DCA terminal is disposed on the other side of the CS terminal from the DGND terminal. The terminals on the accessory correspond to terminals on an imaging apparatus where a CS terminal is disposed adjacent to a DGND terminal, and a DCA terminal is disposed on the other side of the CS terminal from the DGND terminal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intermediate accessory detachably mountable between an imaging apparatus and a lens apparatus and the intermediate accessory capable of communication with the imaging apparatus when mounted to the imaging apparatus, the intermediate accessory comprising: a mount unit which is capable of coupling with the imaging apparatus; and a plurality of electric contacts arrayed at the mount unit, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include: a first electric contact configured to receive supply of electric power, a second electric contact configured to set a ground level of the first electric contact, a third electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the intermediate accessory and configured to transmit and receive data, and a fourth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the intermediate accessory and configured to make notification of a timing relating to communication using the third electric contact, and wherein the fourth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the second electric contact on the mount unit, and the third electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the fourth electric contact from the second electric contact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the timing is notified by a signal transmitted using the fourth electric contact. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the communication using the third electric contact is communication performed, in a state where a plurality of accessories including the intermediate accessory are mounted to the imaging apparatus, between at least one of the plurality of accessories and the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The intermediate accessory according to claim 3, wherein the communication using the third electric contact is broadcast communication where one of the plurality of accessories and the imaging apparatus transmits data to all the other of the plurality of accessories and the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The intermediate accessory according to claim 4, wherein the timing includes a timing to start the broadcast communication. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The intermediate accessory according to claim 4, wherein the timing includes a timing at which preparation to receive data has been completed at all the other of the plurality of accessories and the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The intermediate accessory according to claim 3, wherein the communication using the third electric contact is peer-to-peer communication performed between one of the plurality of accessories and the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The intermediate accessory according to claim 7, wherein the timing includes a timing at which transmission of data has been completed at a data transmitting side of the one of the plurality of accessories or the imaging apparatus in the peer-to-peer communication. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The intermediate accessory according to claim 7, wherein the timing includes a timing at which preparation for reception of data has been completed at a data receiving side of the one of the plurality of accessories or the imaging apparatus in the peer-to-peer communication. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the mount unit comprises a contact holding member configured to hold the plurality of electric contacts, and wherein the contact holding member is provided with two tiers, each tier holding a different number of electric contacts from each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The intermediate accessory according to claim 10, wherein the first electric contact, and the second through fourth electric contacts, are held on different tiers of the contact holding member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The intermediate accessory according to claim 11, wherein the number of electric contacts included on the tier holding the first electric contact is smaller than the number of electric contacts included on the tier holding the second through fourth electric contacts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the second electric contact is disposed at an end of an array of the plurality of electric contacts. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the third electric contact is disposed adjacent to the fourth electric contact. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the mount unit has a bayonet claw configured to couple with the lens apparatus by bayonet coupling. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include an electric contact configured to receive a clock signal, an electric contact configured to be capable of transmitting data synchronously with the clock signal, and an electric contact configured to be capable of receiving data transmitted synchronously with the clock signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The intermediate accessory according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include: an electric contact for determining whether or not a lens apparatus is mounted to the imaging apparatus, and an electric contact for distinguishing a type of lens apparatus mounted to the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 18 An imaging apparatus to which an accessory is detachably mountable, and which is capable of communication with the accessory when the accessory is mounted to the imaging apparatus, the accessory being a lens apparatus having an optical system or an intermediate accessory mountable between the imaging apparatus and the lens apparatus, the imaging apparatus comprising: a mount unit which is capable of coupling with the accessory; and a plurality of electric contacts arrayed at the mount unit, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include: a fifth electric contact configured to supply electric power, a sixth electric contact configured to set a ground level of a first camera-side electric contact, a seventh electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to transmit and receive data, and an eighth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to make notification of a timing relating to communication using the seventh electric contact, and wherein the eighth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the sixth electric contact on the mount unit, and the seventh electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the eighth electric contact from the sixth electric contact. ### Claim 19 A camera system, comprising: an imaging apparatus; and a lens apparatus configured to be detachably mountable to the imaging apparatus, wherein the lens apparatus comprising: a first mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed, wherein the plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the first mount unit include: a first electric contact configured to receive supply of electric power from the imaging apparatus, a second electric contact configured to set a ground level of the first electric contact, a third electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the lens apparatus and configured to transmit and receive data between the imaging apparatus and the lens apparatus, and a fourth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the lens apparatus and configured to make notification of a timing relating to communication using the third electric contact, and wherein the fourth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the second electric contact on the first mount unit, and the third electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the fourth electric contact from the second electric contact, wherein the imaging apparatus comprising: a second mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed, wherein the plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the second mount unit include: a fifth electric contact configured to be connected to the first electric contact and supply electric power to the lens apparatus, a sixth electric contact configured to be connected to the second electric contact and set the ground level of a fifth electric contact, a seventh electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to be connected to the third electric contact and transmit and receive data between the imaging apparatus and the lens apparatus, and an eighth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to connected to the fourth electric contact and make notification of the timing relating to communication using the seventh electric contact, and wherein the eighth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the sixth electric contact on the second mount unit, and the seventh electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the eighth electric contact from the sixth electric contact. ### Claim 20 A camera system, comprising: an imaging apparatus; a lens apparatus configured to be detachably mountable to the imaging apparatus; and an intermediate accessory configured to be detachably mountable between the imaging apparatus and the lens apparatus, wherein the intermediate accessory comprising: a first mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed, wherein the plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the first mount unit include: a first electric contact configured to receive supply of electric power from the imaging apparatus, a second electric contact configured to set a ground level of the first electric contact, a third electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the intermediate accessory and configured to transmit and receive data between the imaging apparatus and the intermediate accessory, and a fourth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the intermediate accessory and configured to make notification of a timing relating to communication using the third electric contact, and wherein the fourth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the second electric contact on the first mount unit, and the third electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the fourth electric contact from the second electric contact, wherein the imaging apparatus comprising: a second mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed, wherein the plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the second mount unit include: a fifth electric contact configured to be connected to the first electric contact and supply electric power to the intermediate accessory, a sixth electric contact configured to be connected to the second electric contact and set the ground level of a fifth electric contact, a seventh electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to be connected to the third electric contact and transmit and receive data between the imaging apparatus and the intermediate accessory, and an eighth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the imaging apparatus and configured to connected to the fourth electric contact and make notification of the timing relating to communication using the seventh electric contact, and wherein the eighth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the sixth electric contact on the second mount unit, and the seventh electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the eighth electric contact from the sixth electric contact. ### Claim 21 A lens apparatus detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus and capable of communication with the imaging apparatus when mounted to the imaging apparatus, the lens apparatus comprising: an optical system; a mount unit which is capable of coupling with the imaging apparatus; and a plurality of electric contacts arrayed at the mount unit, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include: a first electric contact configured to receive supply of electric power, a second electric contact configured to set a ground level of the first electric contact, a third electric contact connected to a CMOS-type interface in the lens apparatus and configured to transmit and receive data, and a fourth electric contact connected to an open-type interface in the lens apparatus and configured to make notification of a timing relating to communication using the third electric contact, and wherein the fourth electric contact is disposed adjacent to the second electric contact on the mount unit, and the third electric contact is disposed on the opposite side of the fourth electric contact from the second electric contact.