US5579048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selection apparatus using an observer's line of sight
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-07-26
•
Granted: 1996-11-26
•
Expires: 2014-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A selection apparatus including a display unit for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen, a line-of-sight position detecting unit for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen, and an input unit through which the operator inputs an instruction, the input unit operating without using a line of sight. The selection apparatus also includes a control unit. When the display unit displays all of the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input through the input unit, and the line-of-sight position detecting unit detects the line-of-sight position on any of the displays, the control unit selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected. The control unit differentiates a status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected displays. The control unit then executes the contents of the selected display. Preferably, for example, a photographer may perform function selection by manipulating a switch while looking at a function menu displayed on the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahide Hirasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; G; G03; G03B; G03B2213/00; G03B2213/02; G03B2213/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of displays indicated by said display means in accordance with said line-of-sight position and said instruction, wherein said control means erases at least the non-selected displays and executes the contents of the selected display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of displays indicated by said display means in accordance with said line-of-sight position and said instruction, wherein said control means erases at least the non-selected displays and executes the contents of the selected display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means blinks the selected display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means erases the executed selected display after the execution thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising alarm means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as invalid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said line-of-sight position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, and an instruction is input through said input means, selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected, and which, when execution of the contents of the selected display is impossible, cancels the selecting operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said line-of-sight position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, and an instruction is input through said input means, selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected, and which, when execution of the contents of the selected display is impossible, cancels the selecting operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means further differentiates a status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected displays.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means erases the non-selected displays.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means blinks the selected display.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said control means further executes contents of the selected display, and after the executing operation, said control means erases the executed selected display.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising alarm means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as invalid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
117 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said display means indicates all the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input through said input means, and said line-of-sight position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected, erases at least the non-selected displays, and executes the contents of the display thus selected.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
117 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said display means indicates all the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input through said input means, and said line-of-sight position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected, erases at least the non-selected displays, and executes the contents of the display thus selected.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said control means blinks the selected display.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said control means further erases the executed selected display.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising alarm means for giving an alarm when the selected display is regarded as invalid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
137 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line-of-sight; and control means which, when the instruction to change from a selected function to another function is input by said input means, controls said display means to indicate all the displays on the same screen by illuminating them, and which, when said line-of-sight detecting means detects the line-of-sight position of any of said displays, controls said display means to differentiate a status of display of the display on which said line-of-sight position has been detected from those of other displays on which said line-of-sight position has not been detected.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
137 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line-of-sight; and control means which, when the instruction to change from a selected function to another function is input by said input means, controls said display means to indicate all the displays on the same screen by illuminating them, and which, when said line-of-sight detecting means detects the line-of-sight position of any of said displays, controls said display means to differentiate a status of display of the display on which said line-of-sight position has been detected from those of other displays on which said line-of-sight position has not been detected.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said input means is in a first condition, selects one of said displays in accordance with said line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second condition, differentiates a status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected displays and executes the contents of the display selected.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, when said input means is in a first condition, selects one of said displays in accordance with said line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second condition, differentiates a status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected displays and executes the contents of the display selected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
121 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, if said line-of-sight position detecting means detects said line-of-sight position on one of said displays when said input means is in a first condition, selects the display on which said line-of-sight position has been detected and moves the selected display in accordance with a movement of said line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second condition, stops the movement of the selected display.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
121 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line of sight; and control means which, if said line-of-sight position detecting means detects said line-of-sight position on one of said displays when said input means is in a first condition, selects the display on which said line-of-sight position has been detected and moves the selected display in accordance with a movement of said line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second condition, stops the movement of the selected display.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selection apparatus comprising: line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on a screen; display means for indicating on the same screen (i) a plurality of displays and (ii) a marker which shows the detected line-of-sight position; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line-of-sight; and control means which, when said input means is in a first condition, extinguishes the displays except the marker, and which, when said input means is in a second condition, selectively shows a display indicated by said display means at the line-of-sight position where the marker has been indicated.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
108 words
A selection apparatus comprising: line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on a screen; display means for indicating on the same screen (i) a plurality of displays and (ii) a marker which shows the detected line-of-sight position; input means through which the operator inputs an instruction, said input means operating without using a line-of-sight; and control means which, when said input means is in a first condition, extinguishes the displays except the marker, and which, when said input means is in a second condition, selectively shows a display indicated by said display means at the line-of-sight position where the marker has been indicated.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said display means comprises a finder of a camera.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said display means comprises a monitor.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means comprises a push-button switch.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means comprises a dial switch.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said input means comprises a lever switch.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said displays comprise character information.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
13 words
A selection apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said displays comprise picture information.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
83 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; and control means for moving at least one of said plurality of displays indicated on said screen in accordance with the line-of-sight position of the operator detected by said line-of-sight position detecting means, and for inhibiting said display from moving to a position where another display has been indicated on said screen.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
83 words
A selection apparatus comprising: display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen; line-of-sight position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen; and control means for moving at least one of said plurality of displays indicated on said screen in accordance with the line-of-sight position of the operator detected by said line-of-sight position detecting means, and for inhibiting said display from moving to a position where another display has been indicated on said screen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |