US5589908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control for variable magnification in an imaging apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-10
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2014-11-10
Abstract
Abstract In an imaging system having a variable magnification element, a controller for controlling magnification so as to achieve desirable image composition. An object image is projected onto a visual field of a camera view finder and divided into a number of small blocks. The distance to the image portion in each small block is detected by a multipoint range finder. Small blocks having the same detected distance, or small blocks whose distances differ by less than a predetermined threshold value, are grouped together into one or more medium block(s). An sight line detection sensor detects where, in the visual field of the view finder, a photographer's line of sight is directed. At least one medium block is selected as the final desired image to be photographed on the basis of the sight line determination. The focal length of a zoom lens is determined, depending on the size of the selected medium block and the distance to the image portion it contains, and the lens is automatically driven to the desired focal length and focus condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Irie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102; G03B2213/00; G03B2213/02; G03B2213/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An imaging apparatus having a predetermined image plane, said apparatus comprising: a variable magnification optical system for magnifying an image in the image plane with a variable magnification; detecting means for detecting a distance related to each of a plurality of image areas in the image plane means for designating a plurality of image portions by grouping together adjacent image areas having distance values that differ from each other by less than a predetermined amount: means for manually selecting one of the plurality of image portions designated by said designating means; and means for controlling the magnification of said variable magnification optical system in accordance with a size of the image portion selected by said manual selecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An imaging apparatus having a predetermined image plane, said apparatus comprising: a variable magnification optical system for magnifying an image in the image plane with a variable magnification; detecting means for detecting a distance related to each of a plurality of image areas in the image plane means for designating a plurality of image portions by grouping together adjacent image areas having distance values that differ from each other by less than a predetermined amount: means for manually selecting one of the plurality of image portions designated by said designating means; and means for controlling the magnification of said variable magnification optical system in accordance with a size of the image portion selected by said manual selecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said manual selecting means comprises a sight line detector for detecting sight line information of a viewer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said variable magnification optical system comprises a zoom lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
An imaging apparatus having a predetermined image plane, said apparatus comprising: a variable magnification optical system for magnifying an image in the image plane with a variable magnification; a finder for viewing the image; distance detecting means for detecting a distance related to each of a plurality of image areas in the image plane; means for designating a plurality of image portions by grouping together adjacent image areas having distances that differ from each other by less than a predetermined amount and for detecting a size of each of the plurality of image portions; sight line detecting means for detecting which of the plurality of image portions designated by said designating means is being viewed; and control means for controlling the magnification of said variable magnification optical system in accordance with the size of the image portion detected by said sight line detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
An imaging apparatus having a predetermined image plane, said apparatus comprising: a variable magnification optical system for magnifying an image in the image plane with a variable magnification; a finder for viewing the image; distance detecting means for detecting a distance related to each of a plurality of image areas in the image plane; means for designating a plurality of image portions by grouping together adjacent image areas having distances that differ from each other by less than a predetermined amount and for detecting a size of each of the plurality of image portions; sight line detecting means for detecting which of the plurality of image portions designated by said designating means is being viewed; and control means for controlling the magnification of said variable magnification optical system in accordance with the size of the image portion detected by said sight line detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said variable magnification optical system comprises a zoom lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus is a camera.
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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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |