US6118484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-16
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2015-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An imaging apparatus includes a sight axis detecting unit for detecting a sight axis of an observer, a driving unit for driving an objective lens system on the basis of an area detected by the sight axis detection unit, a display unit for displaying areas of a plurality of objects on the basis of an image signal of an image pick-up unit, an image pick-up unit, and an objective lens system.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Yokota
- 👤 Masamichi Toyama
- 👤 Toshiki Ishino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/272; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; H04N23/635; H04N23/67; H04N23/673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus capable of automatically following a target in an object image, said apparatus comprising: means for displaying an object image; means for designating a plurality of targets in the object image and displaying respective frames indicating respective contour outlines of the plurality of targets superposed on the object image at positions where the respective targets lie in said displaying means; means for manually selecting a target to be followed from among the plurality of targets, said manually selecting means including a target selecting switch having an ON state and an OFF state, and visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of a user, wherein said target is selected in accordance with an output of said visual axis detecting means, and wherein a detection operation of said visual axis detecting means is performed in response to said target selecting switch being switched to the ON state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus capable of automatically following a target in an object image, said apparatus comprising: means for displaying an object image; means for designating a plurality of targets in the object image and displaying respective frames indicating respective contour outlines of the plurality of targets superposed on the object image at positions where the respective targets lie in said displaying means; means for manually selecting a target to be followed from among the plurality of targets, said manually selecting means including a target selecting switch having an ON state and an OFF state, and visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of a user, wherein said target is selected in accordance with an output of said visual axis detecting means, and wherein a detection operation of said visual axis detecting means is performed in response to said target selecting switch being switched to the ON state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of targets consists of a sharp-focused portion in the object image displayed in said displaying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus performing a target following operation including a target following motion that continuously maintains the target in-focus on a detecting surface of said image displaying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
An image-taking apparatus capable of automatically following a target in an object image, said apparatus comprising: means for displaying an object image; means for designating a plurality of targets in the object image and displaying respective patterns indicating each of the plurality of targets superposed on the plurality of targets in the object image in said displaying means; and means for manually selecting a target to be followed from among the plurality of targets, said manually selecting means including a target selecting switch having an ON state and an OFF state, and visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of a user, wherein said target is selected in accordance with an output of said visual axis detecting means, and wherein a detection operation of said visual axis detecting means is performed in response to said target selecting switch being switched to the ON state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
An image-taking apparatus capable of automatically following a target in an object image, said apparatus comprising: means for displaying an object image; means for designating a plurality of targets in the object image and displaying respective patterns indicating each of the plurality of targets superposed on the plurality of targets in the object image in said displaying means; and means for manually selecting a target to be followed from among the plurality of targets, said manually selecting means including a target selecting switch having an ON state and an OFF state, and visual axis detecting means for detecting a direction of a visual axis of a user, wherein said target is selected in accordance with an output of said visual axis detecting means, and wherein a detection operation of said visual axis detecting means is performed in response to said target selecting switch being switched to the ON state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus performs a following motion that continuously maintains the target in-focus on a detecting surface of said image displaying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of targets designate a respective plurality of objects in the object image, and wherein respective distances from said apparatus to said plurality of objects are mutually different.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of targets consists of a sharp-focused portion in the object image displayed in said displaying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of targets includes a frame, respectively surrounding one of the plurality of sharp-focused portions, wherein each of the frames is substantially similar to an outline of a respective portion of the object image displayed in said displaying means, and wherein said displaying means displays the frame respectively surrounding one of the plurality of sharp-focused portions of the object image displayed in said displaying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said displaying means further displays a cursor for indicating a position of the visual axis.
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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) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |