Image observing apparatus and imaging apparatus utilizing the image observing apparatus

• US 5,815,741 A
• Filed: 05/15/1997
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Shouichi, Okuyama, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalakis, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/856,684
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 396/51, 351/210, 250/221
• US Class Current: 396/51
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/531 being rotatable or detachable

Abstract

An image observing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an optical element including a first face inclined relative to an observer, a second face composed of a reflective concave side, and a third face which the light from the image enters so as to have overall a positive refractive power; a line-of-sight detecting device for detecting a line of sight of the observer including a light source to illuminate a fore eye portion of the observer and a light receiving device for receiving an image of the fore eye portion; and a light reflecting device, provided in an observing side of the first face, for reflecting the light emanating from the light source. In this image observing apparatus, the light from the image entering the third face is reflected by the first face, is condenser-reflected at a first face side by the second face, and is irradiated from the first face. Moreover, the light, from the light source, reflected at the fore eye portion of the observer is reflected by the light reflecting device and enters the light receiving device.

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">20°

≦

θ

≦

40°

.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">20°

≦

θ

≦

40°

.

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

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

25. 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.