Patent US5734930A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5734930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical apparatus having a visual axis detector
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-10-10
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Granted: 1998-03-31
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Expires: 2015-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An optical apparatus having predetermined functions includes a visual-axis detecting device for detecting the direction of the visual axis of an operator, a posture detecting device for detecting the posture of the optical apparatus, and a control device for causing the predetermined functions to be performed in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device and for causing the predetermined functions to be performed by using a predetermined algorithm in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device when the visual-axis detecting device is disallowed to operate.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinichi Hagiwara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; G03B2213/00; G03B2213/02; G03B2213/025; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An optical apparatus, comprising: visual-axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of an operator; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said optical apparatus; control means for controlling said optical apparatus on the basis of an output from said visual-axis detecting means; and display means for respectively displaying different display patterns that indicate respective visual-axis detection modes for a first posture of said optical apparatus and a second posture in which said optical apparatus is rotated by 90 degrees from the first posture, said display means displaying a symbol for indicating a visual axis of the eye using different display patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical apparatus, comprising: visual-axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of an operator; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said optical apparatus; control means for controlling said optical apparatus on the basis of an output from said visual-axis detecting means; and display means for respectively displaying different display patterns that indicate respective visual-axis detection modes for a first posture of said optical apparatus and a second posture in which said optical apparatus is rotated by 90 degrees from the first posture, said display means displaying a symbol for indicating a visual axis of the eye using different display patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical apparatus includes a camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displaying means illuminates said symbol to indicate said first posture and flickers said symbol to indicate said second posture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displaying means illuminates said symbol to indicate said first posture and deilluminates said symbol to indicate said second posture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye controlling means for controlling said camera based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis of the eye, said display means illuminating or deilluminating said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A camera comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye controlling means for controlling said camera based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis of the eye, said display means illuminating or deilluminating said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said posture detecting means comprises a detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein the symbol is not illuminated when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical direction and wherein the symbol is illuminated when the top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a horizontal direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said posture detecting means comprises a detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area, controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
A camera comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye; controlling means for controlling said camera based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis of the eye, wherein said display means illuminates or flickers said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
A camera comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye; controlling means for controlling said camera based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis of the eye, wherein said display means illuminates or flickers said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 14, wherein said posture detecting means comprises a detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A camera according to claim 14, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera according to claim 14, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera according to claim 14, wherein the symbol does not flicker when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical direction and wherein the symbol is illuminated when the top or bottom of said camera is oriented in a horizontal direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said posture detecting means comprises a detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said controlling means selects one of a plurality of measuring areas in accordance with the detected visual axis, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area, controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
146 words
A camera comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas selectable in an object to be photographed; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; means for displaying a mark corresponding to each of said plurality of measuring areas in a viewfield; visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of visual axis of a user; and controlling means for controlling said camera based on a detection result of said visual axis detecting means, wherein said controlling means selects a measuring area corresponding to a mark to which said visual axis is directed in said plurality of measuring areas to control said camera based on a measurement result relating to said selected measuring area and said controlling means sets a non-selected area when said posture detecting means detects that said camera is in a predetermined posture.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
146 words
A camera comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas selectable in an object to be photographed; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; means for displaying a mark corresponding to each of said plurality of measuring areas in a viewfield; visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of visual axis of a user; and controlling means for controlling said camera based on a detection result of said visual axis detecting means, wherein said controlling means selects a measuring area corresponding to a mark to which said visual axis is directed in said plurality of measuring areas to control said camera based on a measurement result relating to said selected measuring area and said controlling means sets a non-selected area when said posture detecting means detects that said camera is in a predetermined posture.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein said posture detecting means comprises a posture detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area, controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
A camera according to claim 23, wherein the number of the selectable measuring areas when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical direction is less than the number of the selectable measuring areas when the top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a horizontal orientation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein said posture detecting means comprises an orientation detector for detecting the posture of said camera.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area, controls the amount of exposure, and weighs the brightness of the selected measuring area.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
105 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein a single measuring area is provided in a center portion of a display of said displaying means and two sets of two measuring areas are respectively provided on both sides of the center portion when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a horizontal orientation, or a single measuring area is provided in a center portion of a display of said displaying means and a single measuring area is provided on each of both sides of the center portion when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical orientation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
99 words
A camera according to claim 28, wherein a single measuring area is provided in a center portion of a display of said displaying means and two sets of three measuring areas are respectively provided on both sides of the center portion when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a horizontal orientation, or a single measuring area is provided in the center portion and two sets of two measuring areas are respectively provided on both sides of the center portion when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical orientation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
118 words
A camera comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas in an object to be photographed; detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and controlling means for automatically selecting a measuring area of the plurality of measuring areas and for controlling said camera based on a measurement result related to the automatically selected measurement area, wherein said controlling means selectively operates a plurality of mutually different algorithms, and said controlling means selects an algorithm from among said plurality of mutually different algorithms according to a detection result of said detection means and selects the measuring area from among the plurality of measuring areas by using the selected algorithm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
118 words
A camera comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas in an object to be photographed; detecting means for detecting a posture of said camera; and controlling means for automatically selecting a measuring area of the plurality of measuring areas and for controlling said camera based on a measurement result related to the automatically selected measurement area, wherein said controlling means selectively operates a plurality of mutually different algorithms, and said controlling means selects an algorithm from among said plurality of mutually different algorithms according to a detection result of said detection means and selects the measuring area from among the plurality of measuring areas by using the selected algorithm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 35, wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation on the selected measuring area.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
A camera according to claim 36, wherein said controlling means performs the automatic selection according to mutually different algorithms when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a horizontal orientation and when the top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical orientation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
51 words
A camera according to claim 37, further comprising visual axis detecting means for detecting to which measuring area a visual axis of the eye of a user of said camera is directed, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation according to the detection of said visual axis detecting means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
A camera according to claim 37, further comprising visual axis detecting means for detecting to which measuring area a visual axis of the eye of a user of said camera is directed, and wherein said controlling means controls the amount of exposure according to the detection of said visual axis detecting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
67 words
A camera according to claim 37, further comprising visual axis detecting means for detecting to which measuring area a visual axis of the eye of a user of said camera is directed, and wherein said controlling means performs a focusing operation according to the detection of said visual axis detecting means and controls the amount of exposure according to the detection of said visual axis detecting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
A camera according to claim 37, wherein said controlling means performs the automatic selection according to an algorithm such that a measuring area existing at an upper portion of said plurality of measuring areas is preferentially selected when a top or bottom surface of said camera is oriented in a vertical orientation.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye; controlling means for controlling said apparatus based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis, wherein said display means changes a state of display of the symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus comprising: visual axis detecting means for detecting information relating to a visual axis of an eye; controlling means for controlling said apparatus based on said information relating to the visual axis of the eye; posture detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and display means for displaying a symbol indicating the detected visual axis, wherein said display means changes a state of display of the symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said displaying means illuminates or flickers said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said displaying means illuminates or deilluminates said symbol according to a detection result of said posture detecting means.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas of an object; display means for displaying a mark corresponding to each of said plurality of measuring areas in a viewfield; visual axis detecting means for detecting the direction of the visual axis of a user; detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and controlling means for controlling said apparatus based on a detection result of said visual axis detecting means, wherein said controlling means selects a measuring area corresponding to a mark to which said visual axis is directed from among said plurality of measuring areas to control said apparatus based on a measurement result relating to said selected measuring area and, wherein if said posture detecting means detects that said apparatus is in a predetermined posture, then said controlling means defines an area of said plurality of measuring areas as a measuring area where said apparatus is not controlled based on a measuring result relating to said area defined by said controlling means.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus comprising: measuring means for performing a measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas of an object; display means for displaying a mark corresponding to each of said plurality of measuring areas in a viewfield; visual axis detecting means for detecting the direction of the visual axis of a user; detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and controlling means for controlling said apparatus based on a detection result of said visual axis detecting means, wherein said controlling means selects a measuring area corresponding to a mark to which said visual axis is directed from among said plurality of measuring areas to control said apparatus based on a measurement result relating to said selected measuring area and, wherein if said posture detecting means detects that said apparatus is in a predetermined posture, then said controlling means defines an area of said plurality of measuring areas as a measuring area where said apparatus is not controlled based on a measuring result relating to said area defined by said controlling means.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus comprising: measuring means for performing measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas; detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and controlling means for automatically selecting an area of said plurality of measuring areas to control said apparatus based on a measurement result in the automatically selected area, wherein said controlling means selects an algorithm from among a plurality of mutually different algorithms according to a detection result of said detecting means and performs said automatic selection with the selected algorithm.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus comprising: measuring means for performing measurement relating to each of a plurality of measuring areas; detecting means for detecting a posture of said apparatus; and controlling means for automatically selecting an area of said plurality of measuring areas to control said apparatus based on a measurement result in the automatically selected area, wherein said controlling means selects an algorithm from among a plurality of mutually different algorithms according to a detection result of said detecting means and performs said automatic selection with the selected algorithm.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-30 | 2001-09-29 | 2002-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-30 | 2005-09-29 | 2006-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-30 | 2009-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |