US5815741A — Image observing apparatus and imaging apparatus u…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

An image observing apparatus comprising: an optical element including a first face inclined relative to an observer, a second face comprised of a reflective concave side, and a third face which light from an image enters so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detecting means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of the first face, between the first face and the light source, for reflecting the light emanating from the light source, wherein the light from the image entering the third face is reflected by the first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by the second face, and emerges from the first face, and wherein the light, from the light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 186 words

An image observing apparatus comprising: an optical element including a first face inclined relative to an observer, a second face comprised of a reflective concave side, and a third face which light from an image enters so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detecting means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of the first face, between the first face and the light source, for reflecting the light emanating from the light source, wherein the light from the image entering the third face is reflected by the first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by the second face, and emerges from the first face, and wherein the light, from the light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first face is inclined relative to a center axis connecting the center of a virtual image of the image formed by said optical element and a center of a eyeball of the observer.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 31 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an angle θ formed by a line normal to said first face and the center axis satisfies a condition such that 20°≦θ≦40°.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for forming the image.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 25 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said optical element includes a prism member including a first face, second face and third face.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of at least one face constituting said optical element is a curved face having a single symmetry plane only.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source includes an infrared radiation source, and said light reflecting means includes a dichroic film formed on a plate which transmits visible light and reflects infrared radiation.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said light reflecting means is disposed approximately parallel to said first face.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source includes an infrared radiation source and said light reflecting means includes a dichroic film formed on said first face which transmits the visible light and reflects infrared radiation.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 50 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in said second face there is formed a half mirror which partially transmits the light and partially reflects the light, and in a second face side of said optical element there is provided an auxiliary member for observing an outside scene.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

An image observing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said display means, optical element, line-of-sight detecting means and light reflecting means are provided for both eyes of the observer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 207 words

An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging means for taking an image; a recording means for recording the image taken by said imaging means; and observing means including: an optical element including a first face inclined relative to an observer, a second face comprised of a reflective concave side, and a third face which light from one of the taken image and the recorded image enters so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detecting means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of said first face, for reflecting the light emanating from said light source, wherein the light, from the image entering said third face is reflected by said first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by said second face, and emerges from said first face, and wherein the light from said light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 207 words

An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging means for taking an image; a recording means for recording the image taken by said imaging means; and observing means including: an optical element including a first face inclined relative to an observer, a second face comprised of a reflective concave side, and a third face which light from one of the taken image and the recorded image enters so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detecting means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of said first face, for reflecting the light emanating from said light source, wherein the light, from the image entering said third face is reflected by said first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by said second face, and emerges from said first face, and wherein the light from said light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first face is inclined relative to a center axis connecting a center of a virtual image of the image formed by said optical element and a center of eyeball of the observer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an angle θ formed by a line normal to said first face and the center axis satisfies a condition such that 20°≦θ≦40°.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 16 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a display means for forming the image.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said optical element includes a prism member including said first face, second face and third face.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the shape of at least one face constituting said optical element is a curved face having a single symmetry plane only.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said light source includes an infrared radiation source, and said light reflecting means includes a dichroic film formed on a plate which transmits visible light and reflects infrared radiation.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said light reflecting means is disposed approximately parallel to said first face.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said light source includes an infrared radiation source and said light reflecting means includes a dichroic film formed on said first face which transmits the visible light and reflects the infrared radiation.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 49 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in said second face there is formed a half mirror which partially transmits the light and partially reflects the light, and in a second face side of said optical element there is provided an auxiliary member for observing an outside scene.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said display means, optical element, line-of-sight detecting means and light reflecting means are provided for both eyes of the observer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 35 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said imaging means and said recording means is controlled by utilizing data regarding the line of sight detected by said line-of-sight detecting means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

An imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said imaging means, recording means and observing means is detachable.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 173 words

An imaging apparatus for taking an image and for recording the image comprising: an observing means including: an optical element including a first face, a second face, and a third face so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detection means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of said first face, for reflecting the light emanating from said light source, wherein the light, from the image entering said third face is reflected by said first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by said second face, and emerges from said first face, and wherein the light from said light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 173 words

An imaging apparatus for taking an image and for recording the image comprising: an observing means including: an optical element including a first face, a second face, and a third face so as to have overall a positive refractive power; line-of-sight detection means for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source provided on an observing side of said optical element to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving means for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and light reflecting means, provided in an observing side of said first face, for reflecting the light emanating from said light source, wherein the light, from the image entering said third face is reflected by said first face, is convergently-reflected to a first face side by said second face, and emerges from said first face, and wherein the light from said light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by said light reflecting means and enters said light receiving means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-09-28	2002-03-30	2002-09-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-09-28	2006-03-30	2006-09-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-09-28	2010-03-30	2010-09-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image observing apparatus and imaging apparatus utilizing the image observing apparatus

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