# US 11,310,408 B2 · Lens apparatus, imaging apparatus, and intermediate accessory

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- Number: US 11,310,408 B2
- Document ID: US11310408B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/787,476
- Filed: 2020-02-11
- Published: 2020-06-04
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-31
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Suguru Tsukamoto; Yasuyuki Watazawa; Naoto Fujihashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310408B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/663: for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals
- G03B 7/20: in accordance with change of lens
- G03B 17/14: interchangeably
- G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38)
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- 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 camera body, a VBAT terminal and PGND terminal are both disposed adjacent to a TYPE terminal. In a case where the voltage of the TYPE terminal is a voltage of a first voltage range that does not include the VBAT voltage and does not include the voltage of the PGND terminal, a camera control unit distinguishes the mounted lens apparatus to be a first lens apparatus. In a case where the voltage of the TYPE terminal is a voltage of a second voltage range that is a voltage range different from the first voltage range, does not include the VBAT voltage and does not include the voltage of the PGND terminal, the camera control unit distinguishes the mounted lens apparatus to be a second lens apparatus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An imaging apparatus, to which a first lens apparatus that performs communication at a first voltage and a second lens apparatus that performs communication at a second voltage, that differs from the first voltage, are detachably mountable, the imaging apparatus comprising:
a distinguishing unit configured to distinguish a type of a mounted lens apparatus; and
a mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include
a first electric contact configured to supply electric power to the lens apparatus,
a second electric contact related to a ground level of the electric power, and
a third electric contact configured to be used for distinguishing a type of a mounted lens apparatus by the distinguishing unit,
wherein the first electric contact and the second electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the third electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts,
wherein, in a case where the voltage of the third electric contact is a voltage in a third voltage range that includes the voltage of the first electric contact or a fourth voltage range that includes the voltage of the second electric contact, communication with a mounted lens apparatus is not performed.

### Claim 2

A lens apparatus detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus, the lens apparatus comprising:
a mount unit, and
a plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the mount unit,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include:
a fourth electric contact related to a type of the lens apparatus,
a fifth electric contact configured to receive electric power, and
a sixth electric contact related to a ground level of the electric power,
wherein, when the lens apparatus is mounted to the imaging apparatus, a voltage of the fourth electric contact becomes a voltage corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus, and
wherein the fifth electric contact and the sixth electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the fourth electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The lens apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the fourth electric contact is connected to a ground level via a resistor having a resistance value set corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus.

### Claim 4

An intermediate accessory detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus, the intermediate accessory device comprising:
a first accessory mount unit configured to be capable of coupling with a mount unit of the imaging apparatus; and
a second accessory mount unit to which a lens apparatus can be detachably mounted, and a plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the first accessory mount unit,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include:
a fourth electric contact related to a type of the lens apparatus,
a fifth electric contact configured to receive electric power, and
a sixth electric contact related to a ground level of the electric power,
wherein, when the intermediate accessory is mounted to the imaging apparatus, a voltage of the fourth electric contact becomes a voltage corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus, and
wherein the fifth electric contact and the sixth electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the fourth electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The intermediate accessory according to claim 4, wherein the fourth electric contact is connected to a ground level via a resistor having a resistance value set corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus.

### Claim 6

A camera system comprising:
a imaging apparatus according to which a first lens apparatus that performs communication at a first voltage and a second lens apparatus that performs communication at a second voltage, that differs from the first voltage, are detachably mountable, the imaging apparatus comprising:
a distinguishing unit configured to distinguish a type of a mounted lens apparatus; and
a mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include
a first electric contact configured to supply electric power to a mounted lens apparatus,
a second electric contact configured to related to a ground level of the electric power, and
a third electric contact configured to be used for the distinguishing a type of a mounted lens apparatus by the distinguishing unit,
wherein the first electric contact and the second electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the third electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts,
wherein, in a case where the voltage of the third electric contact is a voltage in a first voltage range that does not include the voltage of the first electric contact and does not include the voltage of the second electric contact, the distinguishing unit distinguishes a mounted lens apparatus to be the first lens apparatus, and
wherein, in a case where the voltage of the third electric contact is a voltage of a second voltage range that does not include the first voltage range, does not include the voltage of the first electric contact, and does not include the voltage of the second electric contact, the distinguishing unit distinguishes a mounted lens apparatus to be the second lens apparatus; and
a lens apparatus detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus, the lens apparatus comprising:
a mount unit, and
a plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the mount unit,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include:
a fourth electric contact related to a type of the lens apparatus,
a fifth electric contact configured to receive electric power, and
a sixth electric contact related to a ground level of the electric power,
wherein, when the lens apparatus is mounted to the imaging apparatus, a voltage of the fourth electric contact becomes a voltage corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus, and
wherein the fifth electric contact and the sixth electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the fourth electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts.

### Claim 7

A camera system comprising:
a imaging apparatus according to which a first lens apparatus that performs communication at a first voltage and a second lens apparatus that performs communication at a second voltage, that differs from the first voltage, are detachably mountable, the imaging apparatus comprising:
a distinguishing unit configured to distinguish a type of a mounted lens apparatus; and
a mount unit where a plurality of electric contacts are arrayed,
wherein the plurality of electric contacts include
a first electric contact configured to supply electric power to a mounted lens apparatus,
a second electric contact configured to related to a ground level of the electric power, and
a third electric contact configured to be used for the distinguishing a type of a mounted lens apparatus by the distinguishing unit,
wherein the first electric contact and the second electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the third electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts,
wherein, in a case where the voltage of the third electric contact is a voltage in a first voltage range that does not include the voltage of the first electric contact and does not include the voltage of the second electric contact, the distinguishing unit distinguishes a mounted lens apparatus to be the first lens apparatus, and
wherein, in a case where the voltage of the third electric contact is a voltage of a second voltage range that does not include the first voltage range, does not include the voltage of the first electric contact, and does not include the voltage of the second electric contact, the distinguishing unit distinguishes a mounted lens apparatus to be the second lens apparatus;
a intermediate accessory detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus, the intermediate accessory device comprising:
a first accessory mount unit configured to be capable of coupling with a mount unit of the imaging apparatus; and
a second accessory mount unit to which a lens apparatus can be detachably mounted, and
a plurality of electric contacts arrayed on the first accessory mount unit, wherein the plurality of electric contacts include:
a fourth electric contact related to a type of the lens apparatus,
a fifth electric contact configured to receive electric power, and
a sixth electric contact related to a ground level of the electric power,
wherein, when the intermediate accessory is mounted to the imaging apparatus, a voltage of the fourth electric contact becomes a voltage corresponding to the type of the lens apparatus, and
wherein the fifth electric contact and the sixth electric contact are both disposed adjacent to the fourth electric contact in the array of the plurality of electric contacts; and
a lens apparatus detachably mountable to the intermediate accessory.