Camera system, lens unit, camera body, and wireless communication adapter

• US 20070147815A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Hiroshi
• Application Number:
  US11/583,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20070147815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/56
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/14 interchangeably
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0083 Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00838 Preventing unauthorised reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32117 in a separate transmission or protocol signal prior to or subsequent to the image data transmission, e.g. in digital identification signal [DIS], in non standard setup [NSS] or in non standard field [NSF] for mode signalling H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0036 Detecting or checking connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0072 Detecting the status of a connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3235 Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3239 using a plurality of different authentication information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/663 for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals

Abstract

A camera system includes a camera body and a lens unit attached detachably to the camera body. The camera body transmits authentication information through a communication terminal to the lens unit that is attached to the camera body. The lens unit stores the authentication information in an authentication memory. When the lens unit is detached, the camera body transmits the authentication information by wireless to the lens unit. The lens unit compares the received authentication information with one stored in the authentication memory for verification. When the authentication information is matched, the image capturing with the lens unit and the image data transmission from the lens unit to the camera body are possible.

Claims

1. A camera system including a lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device, and a camera body to which said lens unit is attached detachably, said camera system executing image data transmission from said lens unit to said camera body and control signal transmission/reception between said lens unit and said camera body, said camera system comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection between said lens unit and said camera body;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication between said lens unit and said camera body;

an authentication information memory provided in one of said lens unit and said camera body, said authentication information memory storing authentication information used for said wireless communication;

an authentication memory provided in the other one of said lens unit and said camera body, said authentication memory storing said authentication information received through said communication terminal;

an authenticator provided in said the other one, said authenticator comparing said authentication information in said authentication memory with said authentication information received from said one through said wireless communication for verification purpose when said lens unit is detached from said camera body;

a detector in said camera body, said detector detecting attachment and detachment of said lens unit; and

a controller for controlling said communication between said lens unit and said camera body, said controller executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said communication terminal when said lens unit is attached to said camera body while executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said wireless communication when said lens unit is detached from said camera body, said controller permitting said image data transmission through said wireless communication after said verification by said authenticator.

2. A camera system described in claim 1, wherein said one is said camera body and said the other one is said lens unit.

3. A camera system described in claim 1, wherein said one is said lens unit and said the other one is said camera body.

4. A camera system described in claim 2, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body and an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and wherein said camera body identification information and said authentication code are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

5. A camera system described in claim 2, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body, an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and an unique IP address given to said lens unit, and wherein said camera body identification information, said authentication code, and said IP address are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

6. A camera system described in claim 3, wherein said authentication information includes lens unit identification information that identifies said lens unit and an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and wherein said lens unit identification information and said authentication code are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

7. A camera system described in claim 3, wherein said authentication information includes lens unit identification information that identifies said lens unit, an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and an unique IP address given to said lens unit, and wherein said lens unit identification information, said authentication code, and said IP address are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

8. A camera system described in claim 1, wherein said authentication information memory and said authentication memory are nonvolatile.

9. A camera system described in claim 1, wherein said camera body further including:

a display for showing a list of said authentication information in said authentication memory; and

an operation key for selecting said authentication information in said list, said selected authentication information being deleted from said authentication memory.

10. A camera system described in claim 9, wherein said authentication information selected by said operation key is deleted from said authentication information memory.

11. A camera system described in claim 2, wherein said lens unit further including:

a lens unit memory previously storing lens unit identification information that identifies said lens unit and a lens unit name, said lens unit identification information and said lens unit name being transmitted through said communication terminal to said camera body and stored in said authentication information memory.

12. A camera system described in claim 1, wherein said camera body further including:

an external interface for connection with an external device, through which said authentication information in said authentication information memory and said authentication memory is changed.

13. A camera system described in claim 4, wherein said camera body identification information includes a name of said camera body.

14. A camera system described in claim 4, wherein said authentication code is random numbers.

15. A camera system described in claim 4, wherein said wireless communication is executed under a Bluetooth standard with the use of a BD address of said camera body as said camera body identification information and a PIN code as said authentication code.

16. A camera system described in claim 4, wherein said wireless communication is executed under a wireless LAN system with the use of a MAC address of said camera body as said camera body identification information and a WEP key as said authentication code.

17. A camera system described in claim 11, wherein said wireless communication is initiated with said lens unit name as an ESS ID.

18. A camera system described in claim 11, wherein said lens unit identification information is a MAC address of said lens unit.

19. A lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device and being attached to a camera body detachably, said lens unit transmitting image data to said camera body while transmitting/receiving control signals with said camera body, said lens unit comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection with said camera body;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with said camera body;

an authentication memory for storing authentication information received from said camera body through said communication terminal, said authentication information being used for said wireless communication;

an authenticator for comparing said authentication information in said authentication memory with said authentication information received from said camera body through said wireless communication for verification purpose when said lens unit is detached from said camera body; and

a lens controller for controlling all circuits of said lens unit, said lens controller permitting said image data transmission through said wireless communication after said verification by said authenticator.

20. A lens unit described in claim 19, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body and an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and wherein said camera body identification information and said authentication code are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

21. A lens unit described in claim 19, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body, an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and an unique IP address given to said lens unit, and wherein said camera body identification information, said authentication code, and said IP address are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

22. A lens unit described in claim 19, wherein said authentication memory is nonvolatile.

23. A camera body to which a lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device is attached detachably, said camera body receiving image data from said lens unit and transmitting/receiving control signals with said lens unit, said camera body comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection with said lens unit;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with said lens unit;

an authentication information memory for storing authentication information used for said wireless communication, said authentication information being transmitted to said lens unit through said communication terminal and stored to an authentication memory in said lens unit;

a detector for detecting attachment and detachment of said lens unit; and

a camera controller for controlling all circuits of said camera body, said camera controller executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said communication terminal when said lens unit is attached to said camera body while executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said wireless communication when said lens unit is detached from said camera body.

24. A camera body described in claim 23, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body and an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and wherein said camera body identification information and said authentication code are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

25. A camera body described in claim 23, wherein said authentication information includes camera body identification information that identifies said camera body, an authentication code for establishment of said wireless communication, and an unique IP address given to said lens unit, and wherein said camera body identification information, said authentication code, and said IP address are associated with each other in said authentication memory.

26. A camera body described in claim 23, wherein said authentication information memory is nonvolatile.

27. A camera system including a lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device, a camera body to which said lens unit is attached detachably, and a wireless communication adapter to which said lens unit is attached detachably, said camera system executing image data transmission from said lens unit to said camera body and control signal transmission/reception between said lens unit and said camera body, said camera system comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection of said lens unit to said camera body and said wireless communication adapter;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication between said camera body and said wireless communication adapter;

an authentication information memory provided in said camera body, said authentication information memory storing authentication information used for said wireless communication;

an authentication memory provided in said lens unit, said authentication memory storing said authentication information received from said camera body through said communication terminal;

an authenticator provided in said lens unit, said authenticator comparing said authentication information in said authentication memory with said authentication information received from said camera body through said wireless communication for verification purpose when said lens unit is detached from said camera body;

a detector provided in said camera body, said detector detecting attachment and detachment of said lens unit; and

a controller provided in said camera body, said controller controlling said communication between said lens unit and said camera body, said controller executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said communication terminal when said lens unit is attached to said camera body while executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said wireless communication when said lens unit is detached from said camera body, said controller permitting said image data transmission through said wireless communication after said verification by said authenticator.

28. A lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device and being attached detachably to a camera body or a wireless communication adapter which makes wireless communication with said camera body, said lens unit transmitting image data to said camera body while transmitting/receiving control signals to said camera body, said lens unit comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection with said camera body and said wireless communication adapter;

an authentication memory for storing authentication information received from said camera body through said wireless communication when said lens unit is attached to said camera body, said authentication information being used for said wireless communication;

an authenticator for comparing said authentication information in said authentication memory with said authentication information received from said camera body through said wireless communication for verification purpose when said lens unit is detached from said camera body; and

a lens controller for controlling all circuits of said lens unit, said lens controller permitting said image data transmission through said wireless communication after said verification by said authenticator.

29. A camera body to which a lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device is attached detachably, said camera body receiving image data from said lens unit and transmitting/receiving control signals with said lens unit, said lens unit being attached detachably to a wireless communication adapter which makes wireless communication with said camera body, said camera body comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection with said lens unit;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with said wireless communication adapter;

an authentication information memory for storing authentication information used for said wireless communication, said authentication information being transmitted to said lens unit through said communication terminal and stored to an authentication memory in said lens unit;

a detector for detecting attachment and detachment of said lens unit; and

a camera controller for controlling all circuits of said camera body, said camera controller executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said communication terminal when said lens unit is attached to said camera body while executing said image data transmission and said control signal transmission/reception through said wireless communication when said lens unit is detached from said camera body.

30. A wireless communication adapter to which a lens unit having a taking lens and a solid state imaging device is attached detachably, said wireless communication adapter transmitting image data to a camera body while transmitting/receiving control signals with said camera body, said wireless communication adapter comprising:

a communication terminal for electrical connection with said lens unit;

a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with said camera body;

a recognizer for recognizing a command to said lens unit received from said camera body; and

a detector for detecting attachment and detachment of said lens unit.