Patent US5857121A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5857121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Camera utilizing detection of visual line
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-12
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Granted: 1999-01-05
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Expires: 2017-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A camera includes an electronic viewfinder adapted to electrically display a photographing image, a visual line detection unit for detecting the position of a camera operator's visual line on a picture plane of the electronic viewfinder, and a display processing unit for displaying on the electronic viewfinder a photographing-related information involved in a camera photographing. In such a camera, the display processing unit controls a display position of the photographing-related information in accordance with an output of the visual line detection unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Arai
- 👤 Hirofumi Nakano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/61; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; H04N23/634; G03B2213/00; G03B2213/02; G03B2213/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An electronic apparatus, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting a position of visual line of sight of an observer in a pre-determined field and providing output signals indicative of said detected positon; (B) illumination means for use in visual line detection by said detection means; (C) a monitor, adapted to electrically display in said predetermined field an image, having a spectral characteristic which is substantially set to have no influence on a light emitted from said illumination means; (D) generating means for generating signals containing character display data indicative of a warning of an abnormal condition concerning an operation of said electronic apparatus; and (E) display processing means for receiving said signals containing said display data and displaying said display data on the monitor at said detected position of said observer's visual line of sight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An electronic apparatus, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting a position of visual line of sight of an observer in a pre-determined field and providing output signals indicative of said detected positon; (B) illumination means for use in visual line detection by said detection means; (C) a monitor, adapted to electrically display in said predetermined field an image, having a spectral characteristic which is substantially set to have no influence on a light emitted from said illumination means; (D) generating means for generating signals containing character display data indicative of a warning of an abnormal condition concerning an operation of said electronic apparatus; and (E) display processing means for receiving said signals containing said display data and displaying said display data on the monitor at said detected position of said observer's visual line of sight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said monitor is an electronic viewfinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising image pick-up means for converting an image of a subject into an electric signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means projects light emitted from said illumination means onto an operator's eyeball, and detects the operator's visual line by using a reflected light from the operator's eyeball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display data includes character data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display data includes power source information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display data includes speed information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination means emits infrared light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electronic apparatus being capable of using with a line of sight detecting device having detecting means for detecting a position of a visual line of sight of an observer in a predetermined field and providing output signals indicative of said detection position, illumination means for use in visual line detection by said detection means, comprising: (A) generating means for generating character display data indicative of a warning of an abnormal condition concerning an operation of said electronic apparatus; (B) display, adapted to electrically display in said predetermined field the display data, having a spectral characteristic which is substantially set to have no influence on a light emitted from said illumination means; and (C) display processing means for displaying said display data on the display at said detected position of said observer's visual line of sight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electronic apparatus being capable of using with a line of sight detecting device having detecting means for detecting a position of a visual line of sight of an observer in a predetermined field and providing output signals indicative of said detection position, illumination means for use in visual line detection by said detection means, comprising: (A) generating means for generating character display data indicative of a warning of an abnormal condition concerning an operation of said electronic apparatus; (B) display, adapted to electrically display in said predetermined field the display data, having a spectral characteristic which is substantially set to have no influence on a light emitted from said illumination means; and (C) display processing means for displaying said display data on the display at said detected position of said observer's visual line of sight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A monitor according to claim 9, wherein said display data includes character data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A monitor according to claim 9, wherein said display data includes power source information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A monitor according to claim 9, wherein said display data includes speed information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said illumination means emits infrared light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4574314A
Cited
US4836670A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-04 | 2002-07-06 | 2003-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-04 | 2006-07-06 | 2007-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-04 | 2010-07-06 | 2011-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |