Wearable camera system with viewfinder means

• US 6,307,526 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1998
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: W. Steve G. Mann
• Original Assignee: W. Steve G. Mann
• Inventors: Mann, W. Steve G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/172,599
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/9, 348/115, 348/207, 348/211
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/53 of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/673 based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A novel means and apparatus for a new kind of photography and videography is described. In particular, a wearable camera with a viewfinder suitable for long-term use is introduced. The system, in effect, absorbs and quantifies rays of light and processes this quantigraphic information on a small wearable computer system, then the processed information is re-constituted into light rays emerging to reconstruct the virtual image of objects at nearly the same position in space, or at a coordinate transformed position, as viewed by the wearer of the apparatus. The wearer of the apparatus becomes, after adaptation, an entity that seeks, without conscious thought or effort, an optimal point of vantage and camera orientation. Because of the wearer'"'"'s ability to constantly see the world through the apparatus, which may also function as an image enhancement device, the apparatus behaves as a true extension of the wearer'"'"'s mind and body, giving rise to a new genre of documentary video.

Claims

1. Camera bearing headgear, comprising:

an electronic camera borne by said headgear;

an electronic display for providing a viewfinder for said electronic camera, said electronic display;

responsive to an electronic output from said electronic camera;

borne by said headgear;

positioned such that an optical axis of said camera is perpendicular to an

optical axis of said display; and

having a polarizer;

a mirror arranged for diverting light that would otherwise enter an eye of a wearer to said camera and for diverting light emitted from said display to said eye of said wearer such that diverted light from said display is collinear with said light that would otherwise enter said eye of said wearer;

a first beamsplitter, said first beamsplitter positioned between said mirror and said eye of said wearer;

a second beamsplitter interposed along said optical axes and making a 45°

angle with said optical axes; and

a further polarizer in front of said camera oriented to block polarized light emitted by said display.

2. Camera bearing headgear, comprising:

an electronic camera borne by said heads ear;

an electronic display for providing a viewfinder for said electronic camera, said electronic display;

responsive to an electronic output from said electronic camera;

borne by said head gear;

optics including a beamsplitter such that light emitted from said display passes through said beamsplitter at least once before travelling away from said beamsplitter and then back toward said beamsplitter and being reflected off said beamsplitter toward an eye of a wearer.

3. The headgear of claim 2 where said display includes a polarizer.

4. The headgear of claim 2 where said beamsplitter comprises a dichroic beamsplitter with polarization properties.