Accessory device, imaging apparatus, and communication control program

An imaging apparatus to which an accessory device is detachably mounted, the apparatus comprising:

• an imaging apparatus communication unit provided with, between itself and the accessory device, a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device, an accessory data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus, and an imaging apparatus data communication channel used for data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device;
• and
• an imaging apparatus control unit configured to control the imaging apparatus communication unit,
• wherein the imaging apparatus control unit transmits, via the notification channel, a transmission request signal requesting data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus, and transmits a second data to the accessory device, via the imaging apparatus data communication channel, in response to start receiving of a first data transmitted from the accessory device according to the transmission request signal.

A communication control program of a computer installed in an accessory device,

• wherein the accessory device is detachably mounted to an imaging apparatus, the accessory device comprising, between itself and the imaging apparatus:
• a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device;
• an accessory data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus;
• and
• an imaging apparatus data communication channel used for data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device,
• wherein the communication control program causes the computer of the accessory device to perform the steps of:
• transmitting a first data to the imaging apparatus, via the accessory data communication channel, in response to receiving a transmission request signal requesting data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus via the notification channel;
• and
• receiving a second data, via the imaging apparatus data communication channel, transmitted from the imaging apparatus in response to start receiving of the first data.

A communication control program of a computer installed in an imaging apparatus,

• wherein an accessory device is detachably mounted to the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus comprising, between itself and the accessory device:
• a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device;
• an accessory data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus;
• and
• an imaging apparatus data communication channel used for data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device,
• wherein the communication control program causes the computer of the imaging apparatus to perform the steps of:
• transmitting a transmission request signal to the accessory device, via the notification channel, requesting transmission of data from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus;
• and
• in response to start receiving of a first data transmitted from the accessory device according to the transmission request signal, transmitting, a second data to the accessory device via the imaging apparatus data communication channel.

An imaging system including an imaging apparatus and an accessory device detachably mountable to the imaging apparatus,

• wherein the accessory device comprises:
• an accessory communication unit having, between itself and the imaging apparatus, a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device, an accessory data communication channel used for data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus data communication channel used for data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device;
• and
• an accessory control unit configured to control the accessory communication unit,
• wherein the imaging apparatus comprises:
• an imaging apparatus communication unit having, between itself and the accessory device, the notification channel, the accessory data communication channel and the imaging apparatus data communication channel;
• and
• an imaging apparatus control unit configured to control the imaging apparatus communication unit,
• wherein the imaging apparatus control unit transmits a transmission request signal to the accessory device, via the notification channel, requesting data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus,
• the accessory control unit transmits a first data to the imaging apparatus, via the accessory data communication channel, in response to receiving the transmission request signal, and
• the imaging apparatus control unit transmits a second data to the accessory device, via the imaging apparatus data communication channel, in response to start receiving of the first data.