Camera system operable in accordance with stored memory

Abstract

A camera system is provided that permits memory data dedicated to particular camera accessories to be transmitted to the camera body for enabling the operation of the camera. The camera accessories can carry dedicated information or variable information to the camera body. Synchronization between the camera accessory and the camera body can be provided by a train of clock pulses. Information can be programmed in a fixed memory circuit to insure that only a particular accessory so designated will provide information to the camera body to prevent any erroneous inputting of data from a plurality of camera accessories that are contemplated for use with a particular camera body.

What is claimed is: .[.1. In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the improvement comprising: 
     
        camera body..]. 4. In a camera system operable in accordance with stored memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera body comprising: first means for transmitting electric power toward the camera accessory;   second means for transmitting a train of clock pulses toward the camera accessory;   third means for serially transmitting address data toward the camera accessory;   fourth means for serially receiving the memory data from the camera accessory;   fifth means for transmitting an initiating signal toward the camera accessory to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   means for generating the clock pulses;   means for converting the serially received memory data into parallel data in response to the clock pulses;   means for serially providing the address data in response to the clock pulses;   means for originating an operation signal in response to a manual operation of the camera;   means for supplying the electric power in response to the operation signal;   means for producing the initiating signal in response to the operation signal; and   
     
     
       means for storing the parallel data. 5. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said third and fourth means in total include a common terminal .[.and.]. means for sequentially changing over the electric connection of said common terminal between said converting means and said providing 
     
     
        means in response to the clock pulses. 6. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said third and fifth means in total include a common terminal, and wherein said providing means and said producing means in total are adapted so that the address data are preceded by the initiating 
     
     
        signal produced as special address data. 7. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said third to fifth means in total include a common terminal and means for sequentially changing over the electric connection of said common terminal between said converting means and a combination of said providing means and said producing means in response to the clock pulses, and wherein the combination of said providing means and said producing means is adapted so that the address data are preceded by the 
     
     
        initiating signal produced as special address data. 8. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said first to fifth means are capable of being connected to a plurality of kinds of accessories, and wherein said providing means includes means for making the address data for respective 
     
     
        accessories differ from each other. 9. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said storing means includes a plurality of registers for 
     
     
        sequentially receiving the parallel data from said converting means. 10. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said supplying means includes means for maintaining the power supply while the operation signal 
     
     
        is existing. 11. The camera body according to claim 4, wherein said producing means includes means for repeating the production of the 
     
     
        initiating signal while the operation signal is existing. 12. The camera body according to claim 4, further comprising means for determining whether or not the camera accessory is attached to the camera body, and means for postponing the production of the initiating signal in accordance with the determining means when the camera accessory is not attached to the camera body. .[.13. In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only-memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to address said read-only-memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory and for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock   
     
     
        pulses..].  14. .[.The camera accessory according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to access said read-only memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock pulses; .Iaddend.wherein said third and fourth means in total include a common terminal and means for sequentially changing over the electric connection of said common terminal between said converting means and said   
     
     
        reading and outputting means in response to the clock pulses. 15. .[.The camera accessory according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to access said read-only memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock pulses; .Iaddend.wherein said third and fifth means in total include a common terminal, and wherein said controlling means is responsive to   
     
     
        special address data corresponding to said initiating signal. 16. .[.The camera accessory according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to access said read-only memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock pulses; .Iaddend.wherein said third to fifth means in total include a common terminal and means for sequentially changing over the electric connection of said common terminal between said reading and outputting means and a combination of said converting means and said controlling means in response to the clock pulses, and wherein said controlling means is responsive to a special address data corresponding to said initial   
     
     
        data. 17. .[.The camera accessory according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to access said read-only memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock pulses; .Iaddend.further comprising means responsive to said converting means for examining whether or not the parallel data include an information designating the camera accessory to determine whether or not   
     
     
        the memory data are to appear at said fourth means. 18. .[.The camera accessory according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   third means for serially receiving an address data from the camera body;   fourth means for serially transmitting the memory data toward the camera body;   fifth means for receiving an initiating signal from the camera body to control the timing of reading the memory data corresponding to the address data;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   means for converting the serially received address data into parallel data to access said read-only memory in response to the clock pulses;   means for parallelly reading the addressed memory data in said read-only-memory for serially outputting the read memory data at said fourth means in response to the clock pulses; and   means for controlling the timing of reading the memory data of said reading and outputting means in response to said initiating signal and said clock pulses; .Iaddend.wherein said read-only-memory includes a predetermined   
     
     
        check data at an address to be addressed in a predetermined turn. .[.19. The camera accessory according to claim 13, wherein the camera accessory consists of an exchangeable objective lens..]. .[.20. The camera accessory according to claim 13, wherein the camera accessory consists of a lens 
     
     
        accessory..]. 21. In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera body comprising: means for generating a train of clock pulses;   means for transmitting the clock pulses toward the camera accessory;   means for serially receiving the memory data from the camera accessory;   means for converting the serially received memory data into parallel data in response to the clock pulses;   means for storing the parallel data;   means for transmitting a controlling signal toward the camera accessory to control the camera accessory so that the transmission of the memory data from the camera accessory toward the camera body is enabled during the transmission of the controlling signal;   means for originating an operation signal in response to a manual operation of the camera; and   means for producing the controlling signal in response to the operation signal, said producing means including means for repeating the production of the controlling signal during the time period the operation signal is   
     
     
        existing. 22. The camera body according to claim 21, further comprising means for transmitting electric power toward the camera body, and means for supplying the electric power during the time that the operation signal is existing. .[.23. In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accesory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   third means for receiving a controlling signal from the camera body;   means for parallely reading the memory data from said read-only memory and for serially outputting the read memory data in response to the clock pulses, said reading and outputting means including means responsive to the controlling signal for enabling the serially outputting operation during the time that the controlling signal is being received; and   means for serially transmitting the read memory data toward the camera   
     
     
        body..]. 24. .[.The camera system according to claim 23,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   third means for receiving a controlling signal from the camera body;   means for parallely reading the memory data from said read-only memory and for serially outputting the read memory data in response to the clock pulses, said reading and outputting means including means responsive to the controlling signal for enabling the serially outputting operation during the time that the controlling signal is being received; and   means for serially transmitting the read memory data toward the camera body .Iaddend.wherein said read-only memory includes a predetermined check   
     
     
        data. 25. .[.The camera system according to claim 23,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   third means for receiving a controlling signal from the camera body;   means for parallely reading the memory data from said read-only memory and for serially outputting the read memory data in response to the clock pulses, said reading and outputting means including means responsive to the controlling signal for enabling the serially outputting operation during the time that the controlling signal is being received; and   means for serially transmitting the read memory data toward the camera body   
     
     
        .Iaddend.wherein the camera accessory consists of a lens accessory. 26. .[.The camera system according to claim 23,.]. .Iadd.In a camera system operable in accordance with memory data by means of carrying the memory data from a camera accessory to a camera body, the camera accessory comprising: first means for receiving electric power from the camera body;   second means for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body;   a read-only memory for storing the memory data;   third means for receiving a controlling signal from the camera body;   means for parallely reading the memory data from said read-only memory and for serially outputting the read memory data in response to the clock pulses, said reading and outputting means including means responsive to the controlling signal for enabling the serially outputting operation during the time that the controlling signal is being received; and   means for serially transmitting the read memory data toward the camera body .Iaddend.wherein the camera accessory consists of an exchangeable   
     
     
        objective lens. 27. The camera system according to claim 26, wherein said read-only memory includes data representative of a fully open aperture 
     
     
        size of the exchangeable objective lens. 28. The camera system according to claim 26, wherein said read-only memory includes data representative of 
     
     
        a minimum aperture size of the exchangeable objective lens. 29. The camera system according to claim 26, wherein said read-only memory includes data representative of a focal length of the exchangeable objective lens. 
     
     
        .Iadd.0.  In a camera system operable in accordance with data communication between a camera body and a plurality of kinds of detachable camera accessories to be attached to different exclusive connecting portions of the camera body, the camera body comprising: a plurality of electric contacts exposed at a first portion of the camera body for exclusive electric connection with a first kind of the detachable camera accessory;   means for controlling the data communication between the camera body and all the plurality of kinds of camera accessories;   a plurality of signal lines for connecting the electric contacts to the controlling means, respectively;   said controlling means including means connected to said plurality of signal lines for controlling the transmission of digital signals from the camera body to the plurality of kinds of camera accessories and from the plurality of kinds of camera accessories to the camera body;   at least one electric contact exposed at a second portion of the camera body for exclusive electric connection with a second kind of the detachable camera accessory; and   at least one signal line for connecting the electric contact at the second portion to at least one of the plurality of signal lines, whereby not only the data communication between the controlling means and the first kind of camera accessory, but also at least some of the data communication between the controlling means and the second kind of camera accessory appears at the plurality of electric contact exposed at the first portion of the   
     
     
        camera body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  The camera body according to claim 30 further comprising a manually operable switch for shutter release, wherein the controlling means includes means for periodically repeating the data communication between the camera body and the plurality of kinds of camera accessories during a time when the switch continues to be manually 
     
     
        operated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  In a camera system operable in accordance with data communication between a camera body and a plurality of kinds of detachable camera accessories to be attached to different exclusive connecting portions of the camera body, the camera body comprising: a plurality of electric contacts exposed at a first portion of the camera body for exclusive electric connection with a first kind of the detachable camera accessory;   means for controlling the data communication between the camera body and all the plurality of kinds of camera accessories, the controlling means including means for carrying out a serial time-shared data communication between the camera body and the plurality of kinds of camera accessories, said means for carrying out a serial time-shared data communication having means for identifying the share of time during which each camera accessory is in communication with the camera body and means for receiving data to be serially transmitted from the camera accessories;   a plurality of signal lines for connecting the electric contacts to the controlling means, respectively;   at least one electric contact exposed at a second portion of the camera body for exclusive electric connection with a second kind of the detachable camera accessory; and   at least one signal line for connecting the electric contact at the second portion to at least one of the plurality of signal lines, whereby not only the data communication between the controlling means and the first kind of camera accessory, but also at least some of the data communication between the controlling means and the second kind of camera accessory appears at the plurality of electric contact exposed at the first portion of the   
     
     
        camera body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  The camera body according to claim 32 further comprising a manually operable switch for shutter release, wherein the controlling means includes means for periodically repeating the data communication between the camera body and the plurality of kinds of camera accessories during a time when the switch continues to be manually operated. .Iaddend.