Accessory apparatus, image-capturing apparatus, control apparatus, lens apparatus, control method, computer program and storage medium storing computer program

An image-capturing apparatus to which an accessory apparatus is detachably attachable, the image-capturing apparatus comprising:

• a camera communicator configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus;
• and
• a camera controller configured to perform data communication with the accessory apparatus through the camera communicator,
• wherein:
• the camera controller is configured to:
• provide a transmission request as the notice to the accessory apparatus through the notification channel;
• transmit, to the accessory apparatus through the first data communication channel, a specific command for causing the accessory apparatus to acquire accessory information corresponding to a first time at which the transmission request is received or to acquire accessory information corresponding to a second time acquired based on the first time, the accessory information changing with time;
• and
• receive the accessory information corresponding to the first or second time from the accessory apparatus through the second data communication channel.

An image-capturing system including an image-capturing apparatus and an accessory apparatus detachably attachable to the image-capturing apparatus, wherein:

• the image-capturing apparatus and the accessory apparatus respectively comprise a camera communicator and an accessory communicator configured to provide three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus;
• the accessory apparatus comprises:
• an accessory controller configured to perform data communication with the image-capturing apparatus through the accessory communicator and configured to acquire accessory information changing with time;
• and
• a timer configured to count time;
• the image-capturing apparatus comprises a camera controller configured to perform data communication with the accessory apparatus through the camera communicator,
• wherein the accessory controller is configured to:
• acquire from the timer, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice from the image-capturing apparatus through the notification channel, a first time at which the transmission request is received;
• acquire, in response to receiving a specific command from the image-capturing apparatus through the second data communication channel, the accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time;
• and
• the camera controller is configured to receive, from the accessory apparatus through the second data communication channel, the accessory information corresponding to the first or second time.

A control method of controlling an accessory apparatus detachably attachable to an image-capturing apparatus and configured to provide, with the image-capturing apparatus, three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

• causing the accessory apparatus to acquire, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice from the image-capturing apparatus through the notification channel, a first time at which the transmission request is received;
• causing the accessory apparatus to acquire, in response to receiving a specific command through the second data communication channel, the accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time;
• and
• causing the accessory apparatus to transmit the accessory information to the image-capturing apparatus through the first data communication channel.

A control method of controlling an image-capturing apparatus to which an accessory apparatus is detachably attachable and that is configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

• causing the image-capturing apparatus to provide a transmission request as the notice to the accessory apparatus through the notification channel;
• causing the image-capturing apparatus to transmit, to the accessory apparatus through the first data communication channel, a specific command for causing the accessory apparatus to acquire accessory information corresponding to a first time at which the transmission request is received at the accessory apparatus or to acquire accessory information corresponding to a second time acquired based on the first time, the accessory information changing with time;
• and
• causing the image-capturing apparatus to receive the accessory information corresponding to the first or second time from the accessory apparatus through the second data communication channel.

A control apparatus comprising:

• a motion vector detector configured to detect a motion vector in a first time period;
• a calculator configured to set, depending on the first time period, an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected by an angular velocity detector;
• and
• a communicator configured to:
• transmit the angular velocity detection time period and first ID information corresponding to the first time period in relation to each other;
• and
• receive the first angular velocity detected in the angular velocity detection time period and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other,
• wherein the calculator is configured to calculate an angular velocity of an object, when the first ID information and the second ID information are identical to each other, by using the motion vector detected in the first time period corresponding to the first ID information and the first angular velocity corresponding to the second ID information.

A control apparatus comprising:

• a communicator configured to receive an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected and first ID information in relation to each other, the first ID information corresponding to a first time period that is a motion vector detection time period in which a motion vector is detected, the angular velocity detection time period being set depending on the first time period;
• and
• an angular velocity detector configured to detect the first angular velocity in the angular velocity detection time period,
• wherein the communicator is configured to transmit the first angular velocity and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other, the second ID information being identical to the first ID information.

An image-capturing apparatus to which a lens apparatus detachably attachable, the image-capturing apparatus comprising:

• an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed through the lens apparatus;
• a motion vector detector configured to detect a motion vector in a first time period, by using an image signal produced from an output from the image sensor;
• a calculator configured to set, depending on the first time period, an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected by an angular velocity detector;
• and
• a communicator configured to:
• transmit, to the lens apparatus, the angular velocity detection time period and first ID information corresponding to the first time period in relation to each other;
• and
• receive the first angular velocity detected in the angular velocity detection time period and second ID information corresponding to that angular velocity in relation to each other,
• wherein the calculator is configured to calculate an angular velocity of an object, when the first ID information and the second ID information are identical to each other, by using the motion vector detected in the first time period corresponding to the first ID information and the first angular velocity corresponding to the second ID information.

A lens apparatus detachably attachable to an image-capturing apparatus, the lens apparatus comprising:

• an image-capturing optical system;
• a communicator configured to receive an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected and first ID information corresponding to the first time period in relation to each other, the angular velocity detection time period being set depending on a first time period that is a motion vector detection time period in which a motion vector is detected;
• and
• an angular velocity detector configured to detect the first angular velocity in the angular velocity detection time period,
• wherein the communicator is configured to transmit, to the image-capturing apparatus, the first angular velocity and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other, the second ID information being identical to the first ID information.

A control method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a motion vector in a first time period;
• setting, depending on the first time period, an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected by an angular velocity detector;
• transmitting the angular velocity detection time period and first ID information corresponding to the first time period in relation to each other;
• receiving the first angular velocity detected in the angular velocity detection time period and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other;
• and
• calculating an angular velocity of an object, when the first ID information and the second ID information are identical to each other, by using the motion vector detected in the first time period corresponding to the first ID information and the first angular velocity corresponding to the second ID information.

A control method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected and first ID information in relation to each other, the first ID information corresponding to a first time period that is a motion vector detection time period in which a motion vector is detected, the angular velocity detection time period being set depending on the first time period;
• detecting the first angular velocity in the angular velocity detection time period;
• and
• transmitting the first angular velocity and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other, the second ID information being identical to the first ID information.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a control method of controlling an accessory apparatus detachably attachable to an image-capturing apparatus and configured to provide, with the image-capturing apparatus, three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

• causing the accessory apparatus to acquire, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice from the image-capturing apparatus through the notification channel, a first time at which the transmission request is received;
• causing the accessory apparatus to acquire, in response to receiving a specific command through the second data communication channel, the accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time;
• and
• causing the accessory apparatus to transmit the accessory information to the image-capturing apparatus through the first data communication channel.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a control method of controlling an image-capturing apparatus to which an accessory apparatus is detachably attachable and that is configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, three channels that are a notification channel used for providing a notice from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus and a second data communication channel used for data transmission from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

• causing the image-capturing apparatus to provide a transmission request as the notice to the accessory apparatus through the notification channel;
• causing the image-capturing apparatus to transmit, to the accessory apparatus through the first data communication channel, a specific command for causing the accessory apparatus to acquire accessory information corresponding to a first time at which the transmission request is received at the accessory apparatus or to acquire accessory information corresponding to a second time acquired based on the first time, the accessory information changing with time;
• and
• causing the image-capturing apparatus to receive the accessory information corresponding to the first or second time from the accessory apparatus through the second data communication channel.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a control method, the control method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a motion vector in a first time period;
• setting, depending on the first time period, an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected by an angular velocity detector;
• transmitting the angular velocity detection time period and first ID information corresponding to the first time period in relation to each other;
• receiving the first angular velocity detected in the angular velocity detection time period and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other;
• and
• calculating an angular velocity of an object, when the first ID information and the second ID information are identical to each other, by using the motion vector detected in the first time period corresponding to the first ID information and the first angular velocity corresponding to the second ID information.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a control method, the control method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an angular velocity detection time period in which a first angular velocity is detected and first ID information in relation to each other, the first ID information corresponding to a first time period that is a motion vector detection time period in which a motion vector is detected, the angular velocity detection time period being set depending on the first time period;
• detecting the first angular velocity in the angular velocity detection time period;
• and
• transmitting the first angular velocity and second ID information corresponding to the first angular velocity in relation to each other, the second ID information being identical to the first ID information.