US6091450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image pickup apparatus having function of detecting proximity of eye
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-10
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-06-10
Abstract
Abstract In an image pickup apparatus which is provided with both a large-size image display monitor and an EVF of the type which is provided in a video camera or the like, the EVF is provided with a proximity-of-eye detecting circuit, and if proximity of an eye of a photographer is detected, the large-size image display monitor is turned off. However, if the large-size image display monitor faces the direction of a subject side, the large-size image display monitor remains on. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced, and a subject can visually confirm a photographed image even during photography. In addition, if the proximity of the eye of the photographer is detected, control of the image pickup apparatus based on an external (for example, wireless) control signal is inhibited.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahide Hirasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/50; H04N23/53; H04N23/531; H04N23/65; H04N23/651
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means detects whether an eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said viewfinder is an electronic viewfinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said inhibiting means inhibits the driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said driving means drives said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the direction of the subject side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus which includes a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, comprising: a first detecting step of detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; a changing step of changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; a second detecting step of detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; an inhibiting step of inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and a driving step of driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus which includes a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, comprising: a first detecting step of detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; a changing step of changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; a second detecting step of detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; an inhibiting step of inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and a driving step of driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of controlling said image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first detecting step includes detecting whether an eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of controlling said image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said driving step includes driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the direction of the subject side, even if it is detected in said first detecting step that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the direction of the subject side, even if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a viewfinder through which to observe a subject and a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; detecting an image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting driving of said monitor if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the direction of the subject side, even if it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of a backlight of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving the backlight of said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a direction of a subject side or in a direction of a photographer side; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the direction of the photographer side and to the direction of the subject side; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of a backlight of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving the backlight of said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor does not face the direction of the photographer side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first detecting means detects whether an eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said viewfinder is an electronic viewfinder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said inhibiting means inhibits the driving of the backlight of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said driving means drives the backlight of said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the direction of the subject side, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a first direction or in a second direction which is different from the first direction; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the first direction and to the second direction; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the first direction, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a viewfinder through which to observe a subject; a monitor capable of displaying a picked-up image in a first direction or in a second direction which is different from the first direction; first detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; changing means for changing an image-displaying direction of said monitor to the first direction and to the second direction; second detecting means for detecting the image-displaying direction of said monitor; inhibiting means for inhibiting driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; and driving means for driving said monitor if the image-displaying direction of said monitor faces the first direction, even if said first detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first detecting means detects whether an eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said viewfinder is an electronic viewfinder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said inhibiting means inhibits the driving of said monitor if said first detecting means detects that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: operating means provided at a body of said image pickup apparatus, for generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving means for receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; displaying means for permitting observation of a subject; detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said displaying means; control means for controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated by said operating means or the signal received by said receiving means; and inhibiting means for inhibiting control based on the signal which is received by said receiving means when said detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said displaying means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: operating means provided at a body of said image pickup apparatus, for generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving means for receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; displaying means for permitting observation of a subject; detecting means for detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said displaying means; control means for controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated by said operating means or the signal received by said receiving means; and inhibiting means for inhibiting control based on the signal which is received by said receiving means when said detecting means detects that the photographer is in proximity to said displaying means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said detecting means detects whether an eye of the photographer is in proximity to said displaying means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus provided with a display part which permits observation of a subject, comprising: an operating step of generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus, at a body of said image pickup apparatus; a receiving step of receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; a detecting step of detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said display part; a control step of controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated in said operating step or the signal received in said receiving step; and an inhibiting step of inhibiting control based on the signal which is received in said receiving step when it is detected in said detecting step that the photographer is in proximity to said display part.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus provided with a display part which permits observation of a subject, comprising: an operating step of generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus, at a body of said image pickup apparatus; a receiving step of receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; a detecting step of detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said display part; a control step of controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated in said operating step or the signal received in said receiving step; and an inhibiting step of inhibiting control based on the signal which is received in said receiving step when it is detected in said detecting step that the photographer is in proximity to said display part.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus provided with a viewfinder, comprising: an operating step of generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus, at a body of said image pickup apparatus; a receiving step of receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; a detecting step of detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; a control step of controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated in said operating step or the signal received in said receiving step; and an inhibiting step of inhibiting control based on the signal which is received in said receiving step when it is detected in said detecting step that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus provided with a viewfinder, comprising: an operating step of generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus, at a body of said image pickup apparatus; a receiving step of receiving, from outside the body, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; a detecting step of detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; a control step of controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated in said operating step or the signal received in said receiving step; and an inhibiting step of inhibiting control based on the signal which is received in said receiving step when it is detected in said detecting step that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
124 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus provided with a display part which permits observation of a subject, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving, from outside the image pickup apparatus, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said display part; controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated or the signal received from outside the image pickup apparatus; inhibiting control based on the signal which is received when it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said display part.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
124 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operation processing for an image pickup apparatus provided with a display part which permits observation of a subject, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving, from outside the image pickup apparatus, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; detecting whether a photographer is in proximity to said display part; controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated or the signal received from outside the image pickup apparatus; inhibiting control based on the signal which is received when it is detected that the photographer is in proximity to said display part.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
122 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operating processing for an image pickup apparatus provided with a viewfinder, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving, from outside the image pickup apparatus, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated or the signal received from outside the image pickup apparatus; and inhibiting control based on the signal which is received when it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
122 words
A storage medium in which is stored a program for executing operating processing for an image pickup apparatus provided with a viewfinder, said storage medium permitting the following processing to be executed which comprises the steps of: generating a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; receiving, from outside the image pickup apparatus, a signal for operating said image pickup apparatus; detecting whether an eye of a photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder; controlling said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the signal generated or the signal received from outside the image pickup apparatus; and inhibiting control based on the signal which is received when it is detected that the eye of the photographer is in proximity to said viewfinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |