Abstract: The accessory apparatus provides, with an image-capturing apparatus, 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. An accessory controller acquires from a timer, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice, a first time of receiving the transmission request and acquires, in response to receiving a specific command through the second data communication channel from the image-capturing apparatus, accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time. The accessory controller transmits the accessory information to the image-capturing apparatus through the first data communication channel.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is configured to have an interchangeable lens detachably mounted thereto, and is provided with an image capturing unit configured to obtain a captured image, a synchronous signal generation unit configured to generate a synchronous signal for reading out the captured image continuously from the image capturing unit, a communication unit configured to transmit the synchronous signal to the interchangeable lens, and a measurement unit configured to measure a delay time from a timing at which the synchronous signal is generated until a timing at which the communication unit transmits the synchronous signal to the interchangeable lens, the delay time being transmitted to the interchangeable lens by the communication unit together with the synchronous signal.

Abstract: The accessory apparatus provides, with an image-capturing apparatus, 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. An accessory controller acquires from a timer, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice, a first time of receiving the transmission request and acquires, in response to receiving a specific command through the second data communication channel from the image-capturing apparatus, accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time. The accessory controller transmits the accessory information to the image-capturing apparatus through the first data communication channel.

Abstract: An imaging system has an interchangeable lens and a camera body capable of communicating with the interchangeable lens. A camera control unit of the camera body acquires focus-sensitivity-related information (including sensitivity information at an image height of the center and correction information of the sensitivity that changes depending on the image height) from a lens control unit of the interchangeable lens through communication at a suitable timing. The camera control unit corrects a change of the sensitivity caused by the image height using image height information of a focus detection region selected from a plurality of focus detection regions and the acquired focus sensitivity correction information. The camera control unit calculates a driving amount of the focus lens from the focus detection signal using the corrected focus sensitivity, generates a control signal for instructing the driving amount, and transmits the control signal to a lens control unit.

Abstract: An accessory apparatus is connectable to an imaging apparatus along with an interchangeable lens apparatus. The accessory apparatus includes an accessory communication unit configured to provide a communication channel to and from the imaging apparatus, an operation member allowing an operation by a user, and an accessory control unit configured to communicate with the imaging apparatus via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit notifies the imaging apparatus of a communication request according to detection of the operation of the operation member, and repeats transmitting operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the imaging apparatus from when the communication request is notified to when an end of the operation is detected.

Abstract: An imaging system has an interchangeable lens and a camera body capable of communicating with the interchangeable lens. A camera control unit of the camera body acquires focus-sensitivity-related information (including sensitivity information at an image height of the center and correction information of the sensitivity that changes depending on the image height) from a lens control unit of the interchangeable lens through communication at a suitable timing. The camera control unit corrects a change of the sensitivity caused by the image height using image height information of a focus detection region selected from a plurality of focus detection regions and the acquired focus sensitivity correction information. The camera control unit calculates a driving amount of the focus lens from the focus detection signal using the corrected focus sensitivity, generates a control signal for instructing the driving amount, and transmits the control signal to a lens control unit.

Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus includes a camera communicator configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for transmitting accessory data from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for transmitting camera data from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus; and a camera controller configured to perform communication with the accessory apparatus through the camera communicator. The camera controller and the accessory apparatus are configured to be capable of switching their communication modes between a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The camera controller is configured to cause the accessory apparatus to transmit the accessory data whose settings of parity bits are different between in the first and second communication modes.

Abstract: The accessory apparatus provides, with an image-capturing apparatus, 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. An accessory controller acquires from a timer, in response to receiving a transmission request as the notice, a first time of receiving the transmission request and acquires, in response to receiving a specific command through the second data communication channel from the image-capturing apparatus, accessory information corresponding to the first time or a second time acquired based on the first time. The accessory controller transmits the accessory information to the image-capturing apparatus through the first data communication channel.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is configured to have an interchangeable lens detachably mounted thereto, and is provided with an image capturing unit configured to obtain a captured image, a synchronous signal generation unit configured to generate a synchronous signal for reading out the captured image continuously from the image capturing unit, a communication unit configured to transmit the synchronous signal to the interchangeable lens, and a measurement unit configured to measure a delay time from a timing at which the synchronous signal is generated until a timing at which the communication unit transmits the synchronous signal to the interchangeable lens, the delay time being transmitted to the interchangeable lens by the communication unit together with the synchronous signal.

Abstract: An imaging system has an interchangeable lens and a camera body capable of communicating with the interchangeable lens. A camera control unit of the camera body acquires focus-sensitivity-related information (including sensitivity information at an image height of the center and correction information of the sensitivity that changes depending on the image height) from a lens control unit of the interchangeable lens through communication at a suitable timing. The camera control unit corrects a change of the sensitivity caused by the image height using image height information of a focus detection region selected from a plurality of focus detection regions and the acquired focus sensitivity correction information. The camera control unit calculates a driving amount of the focus lens from the focus detection signal using the corrected focus sensitivity, generates a control signal for instructing the driving amount, and transmits the control signal to a lens control unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup apparatus that includes: an image pickup unit configured to generate picked-up image data by an image pickup process; a camera shake detection unit configured to detect an angular velocity generated by camera shake when shooting; an electronic image stabilization unit configured to perform an image stabilization process by moving a position of a cropping area in the picked-up image data, based on the angular velocity detected by the camera shake detection unit; and an area changing unit configured to change a size of the cropping area with respect to the picked-up image data, based on the angular velocity detected by the camera shake detection unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup apparatus that includes: an image pickup unit configured to generate picked-up image data by an image pickup process; a camera shake detection unit configured to detect an angular velocity generated by camera shake when shooting; an electronic image stabilization unit configured to perform an image stabilization process by moving a position of a cropping area in the picked-up image data, based on the angular velocity detected by the camera shake detection unit; and an area changing unit configured to change a size of the cropping area with respect to the picked-up image data, based on the angular velocity detected by the camera shake detection unit.

Abstract: Light from an object is converted by an imaging device into an electric signal carrying an object image. A video signal is generated by a video signal processor based on the electric signal. A human face is detected by a face detector if a human is contained in the image, based on the video signal. An on-screen signal is generated by an on-screen generator for either a first or a second menu window each for use in selection among imaging modes. The first and second windows are used when no face and the face is being detected, respectively. The on-screen signal is supplied to a screen which displays one of the windows. The generator is controlled by a controller based on information, supplied by the detector, indicating whether the face is contained in the image, so that the on-screen signal is generated for the first or the second window.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a cylindrical aluminum pipe, and two aluminum flanges which are fixed to both end surfaces of the aluminum pipe by screws. Screw holes into which screws are inserted can be formed in the wall of the aluminum pipe in a direction of the axis of the aluminum pipe simultaneously upon extrusion of the aluminum pipe. Communicating holes formed in the flanges communicate each set of two adjacent through holes among a plurality of the through holes formed in the wall of the aluminum pipe, thereby constructing one continuous coolant flow path inside the evaporator.

Abstract: An ice making drum with an improved ice making performance includes a cylindrical drum body, rotational shafts, and shaft members respectively provided at the end faces of the drum body. The drum body has refrigerant flow passages which are each defined by an outer wall portion forming an outer surface, an internal wall portion set apart from the outer wall portion inwardly in a radial direction, and adjoining partition portions extending between the outer wall portion and the internal wall portion. The whole drum body is integrally formed of the same metallic material.

Abstract: Light from an object is converted by an imaging device into an electric signal carrying an object image. A video signal is generated by a video signal processor based on the electric signal. A human face is detected by a face detector if a human is contained in the image, based on the video signal. An on-screen signal is generated by an on-screen generator for either a first or a second menu window each for use in selection among imaging modes. The first and second windows are used when no face and the face is being detected, respectively. The on-screen signal is supplied to a screen which displays one of the windows. The generator is controlled by a controller based on information, supplied by the detector, indicating whether the face is contained in the image, so that the on-screen signal is generated for the first or the second window.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ice storage detection switch for detecting an ice level in an ice storage chamber of an ice making machine including: a magnet lever rotatably fitted to the switch lever, for holding the magnet so that the magnet is located in a vicinity of the reed switch when the switch lever is not pressed; and a projecting portion formed on the switch case to be located between a rotational center of the magnet lever and the reed switch, the magnet separating from the reed switch through abutment of the magnet lever on the projecting portion and rotation of the magnet lever when the switch lever is pressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ice storage detection switch for detecting an ice level in an ice storage chamber of an ice making machine including: a magnet lever rotatably fitted to the switch lever, for holding the magnet so that the magnet is located in a vicinity of the reed switch when the switch lever is not pressed; and a projecting portion formed on the switch case to be located between a rotational center of the magnet lever and the reed switch, the magnet separating from the reed switch through abutment of the magnet lever on the projecting portion and rotation of the magnet lever when the switch lever is pressed.