Abstract: Individual eye tracking data can be used to determine whether an individual has actually looked at a particular region of a visual field. Aggregation of data corresponding to multiple individuals can provide trends and other data useful for designers of graphical representations (e.g., Web pages, advertisements) as well as other items that can be viewed. Representation of the aggregated viewing data, which indicates both regions viewed and regions not viewed, can be accomplished using several different techniques. For example, percentages of the number of viewers that viewed a particular region can be represented as a particular color, or the underlying image being viewed can be blurred based on and acuity gradient and the number of individuals viewing various regions. The various regions represented as viewed can be selected based on the type of viewing activity (e.g., reading, gazing) is associated with a particular region.

Abstract: A system of the present invention automatically controls electronic devices based on physiological conditions of a user. In this regard, the system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is positioned adjacent to an eye of a user and is configured to detect a physiological response of the user. The sensor is configured to transmit, in response to a detection of the physiological response, a signal indicative of the response. The controller is configured to receive the signal and to control an electronic device based on the signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a visual axis detecting apparatus having: a visual axis detection circuit for detecting a visual axis of an observer; an arithmetic circuit for performing an arithmetic operation of calculating a distributed state of variations of visual axis positions obtained in a plurality of visual axis detections executed by the visual axis detection circuit in a state in which the observer is observing a predetermined point, with respect to the predetermined point; a determination circuit for determining a condition of the visual axis according to the result of detection by the visual axis detection circuit; and a change circuit for changing a determination process of determining the condition of the visual axis by the determination circuit, according to the distributed state of variations.

Abstract: There is provided an optical apparatus includes a sensor for detecting vibration that is caused in the optical apparatus, a blur correction unit for correcting blur of an image obtained by the optical system, a control unit for controlling driving of the blur correction unit according to an output of the sensor, a finder for observing the image obtained by the optical system, the finder having an eyepiece optical system; and a display for displaying the image obtained by the optical system, in which the control unit changes a vibration detection frequency band depending on whether the finder is used or the display is used.

Abstract: The camera, which is put on a user, shoots and processes image into image data and records the same. The camera has two or more operation modes and is provided with a detector for detecting either the motion state or the physiological state of the user or both of them and a controller for selecting one mode from among the operation modes on the basis of the detection results by the detector.

Abstract: There is disclosed a VTR apparatus which can display a menu item for selecting a page and other VTR function menu items on the four corner portions in a viewfinder. These menu items have eye switch functions. When the page selection menu item is selected in the eye switch mode, a plurality of VTR function menu items are displayed on the four corner portions of the viewfinder as eye switches, and the names of these VTR functions are displayed as a list on the central field of the viewfinder.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a visual line detecting device for detecting the position of a fixation point of the eye of the operator obtained within the image plane of an electronic viewfinder which displays an image of an object of shooting, and an image processing circuit for processing and enlarging the image with the detected position of the fixation point as the center of the enlarging action.

Abstract: A device having a sight line detecting function includes an illumination unit for illuminating an eyeball of an observer looking into an observation screen, by a plurality of light-emitting members; an image-pickup member which receives the light reflected from the eyeball; a rotational angle calculating device which calculates the rotational angle of the eyeball of the observer, using the cornea reflection images detected by the image-pickup member; and a correction unit for calculating correction data for correcting error between the calculated rotational angle value and the sight line of the observer, and for storing the correction data. In this device, the correction unit stores a plurality of correction data corresponding to the number of the cornea reflection images, with respect to the same observer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a visual axis detecting apparatus having: a visual axis detection circuit for detecting a visual axis of an observer; an arithmetic circuit for performing an arithmetic operation of calculating a distributed state of variations of visual axis positions obtained in a plurality of visual axis detections executed by the visual axis detection circuit in a state in which the observer is observing a predetermined point, with respect to the predetermined point; a determination circuit for determining a condition of the visual axis according to the result of detection by the visual axis detection circuit; and a change circuit for changing a determination process of determining the condition of the visual axis by the determination circuit, according to the distributed state of variations.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and a camera are provided, which have line-of-sight detecting means, and are capable of selecting a proper AF point selected even if the actually detected line of sight deviates significantly from the observer's intention and capable of reducing the time required for selecting the AF point. A plurality of focus detecting areas are provided on an observing screen, from which focus information on a subject is detected. A line-of-sight detecting device picks up an image of an eyeball of the user to detect the location of a gazing point of the user, A grouping circuit groups the focus detecting areas into a plurality of groups with priorities based on the detected location of the gazing point. A selecting circuit selects one of the groups according to the priorities and selects at least one focus detecting area from the selected group.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and a camera are provided, which have line-of-sight detecting means, and are capable of selecting a proper AF point selected even if the actually detected line of sight deviates significantly from the observer's intention and capable of reducing the time required for selecting the AF point. A plurality of focus detecting areas are provided on an observing screen, from which focus information on a subject is detected. A line-of-sight detecting device picks up an image of an eyeball of the user to detect the location of a gazing point of the user, A grouping circuit groups the focus detecting areas into a plurality of groups with priorities based on the detected location of the gazing point. A selecting circuit selects one of the groups according to the priorities and selects at least one focus detecting area from the selected group.

Abstract: A device having a sight line detecting function includes an illumination unit for illuminating an eyeball of an observer looking into an observation screen, by a plurality of light-emitting members; an image-pickup member which receives the light reflected from the eyeball; a rotational angle calculating device which calculates the rotational angle of the eyeball of the observer, using the cornea reflection images detected by the image-pickup member; and a correction unit for calculating correction data for correcting error between the calculated rotational angle value and the sight line of the observer, and for storing the correction data. In this device, the correction unit stores a plurality of correction data corresponding to the number of the cornea reflection images, with respect to the same observer.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a viewfinder having a proximity sensor which is activated whenever a user looks through the viewfinder in preparation of viewing an object or framed scene. An illuminated status indicator mounted for viewing within the viewfinder for providing the user when camera status information is coupled to the proximity sensor through a microprocessor that controls the illumination level of the status indicator. The illumination level of the status indicator is controlled by the microprocessor in response to an auto-exposure algorithm that measures the brightness level of the object or framed scene that is being viewed by the user through the viewfinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing, in response to image signals originating in an object space, mixed image signals for providing nonuniform resolution images for stimulating simulated active percepts for passive perception by a viewer in an image space. The images have a highly detailed component which has its image content changed according to changes in the direction of a simulated observer's eye position in an object space. The images may be provided stereoscopically. The images may be provided at various apparent distances and the relationship between accommodation and convergence may be preserved. Audio waves for directionally simulating that which would be heard by the simulated observer may be provided.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus for capturing a video signal from a predetermined range in an image pickup screen and performing an AF operation based on the signal, a setting position of the range is made variable in the image pickup screen, the range is arranged to be moved to a viewpoint position detected by a viewpoint detecting device, and the AF operation is inhibited for a predetermined time if the setting position of the range is changed. The AF operation is also inhibited if the position to which the range is moved is in a low-contrast state or if the position is for example a display position where characters are displayed.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a projecting optical system for projecting an image of an object in a viewfield onto an image receiving surface. First detecting structure is provided for detecting which position is viewed in the viewfield. Second detecting structure is provided for detecting a defocus for the image receiving surface of the image of the object. Optical system driving structure is provided for driving a portion of the projecting optical system according to the defocus detected by the second detecting structure. A processor is provided for causing the detection by said second detecting structure and the drive by said optical system driving structure to be repeated until the image of the object is focused on the image receiving surface.

Abstract: An image pickup device displays, on a finder image area, an index mark indicating the wide angle side and the telephoto side of the zooming operations, an index mark indicating the zoom angle setting range in combination with the corresponding focal lengths, and an index mark indicating the current set position. When the photographer watches a desired position of the index mark, the viewpoint is detected by the viewpoint detecting device and the zooming operation is automatically conducted to the focal length corresponding to the viewpoint.

Abstract: A photographing unit for a microscope has a photometric detector to measure brightness of light from a sample and includes a changing member which changes a brightness of light toward an observation system and a control unit which controls the light based on a detection output of the photometric detector. In addition, the changing member can be controlled based on the presence of an observer. A shielding member can be provided that automatically shields an optical path of the observation system. An illumination system for an index on a reticle can be provided so that the illumination of the reticle can be performed or extinguished at desired times. Additionally, the color of light with which the index is illuminated may be made distinguishable from the color of light from a sample, and the contrast of the index to the sample can be controlled.

Abstract: A camera which has a visual line detection device to detect the visual line of a photographer, and which inhibits visual line detection and automatic focus adjustment operations when these operations are unnecessary. Visual line detection may be inhibited, for example, when a manual focus lens is used in the camera, or when a self-timer mode is being used and the photographer is not observing the camera viewfinder. In these types of situations, the visual line detection, focus detection region selection based upon the visual line detection result and focus adjustment action based upon the visual line detection result are inhibited, thereby preventing useless consumption of electric power, and preventing focusing on undesired objects.

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.

Abstract: A camera includes an objective lens, a detection device for detecting defocus associated with each of at least three portions in a view field, a setting device for manually setting whether the each of at least three portions is used for focusing or not and a selecting device for automatically selecting a portion from among a plurality of the manually set portions to have been used for focusing, and for performing focusing for the selected portion by the objective lens.

Abstract: A visual axis detecting method and apparatus comprising a device that illuminates an eye of an observer with a scanning light source, a photoelectric conversion device that receives reflection light from the eye of the observer, and an arithmetic device that detects Purkinje images and an iris image or a pupil image of the observer's eye on the basis of an output from the photoelectric conversion device, and that detects a direction of a visual axis of the observer from positions of the detected images.

Abstract: A camera capable of line of sight detection, has a line of sight detecting device for detecting the line of sight of the user who is watching the screen, an operation member manually operated by the user, and a display for selecting and displaying at least one of a plurality of index marks set in the screen on the basis of an output from the line of sight detecting device. The display starts display of the index mark in response to operation of the operation member, and maintains display of the index mark even after the operation of the operation member is canceled.

Abstract: A viewfinder system includes an eyepiece lens having at least one aspheric surface, and a visual line detecting part. The visual line detecting part includes an illuminating part for illuminating an eyeball of a viewer, a visual line lens arranged to form an eyeball image by using light reflected from the eyeball of the viewer, the visual line lens having at least one aspheric surface, and a detection part on which the eyeball image is formed. The visual line detecting part is arranged to detect a visual line of the viewer by using information outputted from the detection part.

Abstract: In an optical device having a line of sight detection circuit for detecting the line of sight of a user, a focus area selection circuit for selecting at least one of a plurality of focus areas on the basis of the detection result of the line of sight detection circuit, a focus detection circuit for detecting the focus state of the focus area selected by the focus area selection circuit, and a lens moving circuit for moving a lens, a control circuit controls the focus detection circuit and the lens moving circuit to repeat operation for checking if focus detection has become possible without moving the lens for a predetermined period of time when the detection result of the focus detection circuit indicates that focus detection is impossible, and to repeat the operation for checking if focus detection has become possible while moving the lens when the detection result of the focus detection circuit indicates that focus detection is impossible even after an elapse of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A camera operating in a plurality of photographing modes is provided with an image receiver for receiving the optical image of an object, a viewfinder for observing the object therethrough, a display device for displaying the photographing modes in visually recognizable characters so that they can be seen through the viewfinder, detecting means for detecting the direction of the visual axis of the photographer gazing at desired one of the characters, means for causing the photographer to recognize the completion of the selection of the photographing mode, and a controller for setting the camera to the selected photographing mode in conformity with the result of the detection by the detecting means, and controlling the camera in the selected photographing mode.

Abstract: A photographing unit for a microscope has a photometric detector to measure brightness of light from a sample and includes a changing member which changes a brightness of light toward an observation system and a control unit which controls the light based on a detection output of the photometric detector. In addition, the changing member can be controlled based on the presence of an observer. A shielding member can be provided that automatically shields an optical path of the observation system. An illumination system for an index on a reticle can be provided so that the illumination of the reticle can be performed or extinguished at desired times. Additionally, the color of light with which the index is illuminated may be made distinguishable from the color of light from a sample, and the contrast of the index to the sample can be controlled.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a movement detector for detecting a movement of an object image frame and outputting movement information, a tracking device for tracking the object image on the basis of the movement information of the object image frame detected by the movement detector, a motion detector for detecting a motion of the object in the object image frame and a controller for changing operating characteristics of the motion detector in correspondence with an operation state of the tracking device.

Abstract: An observation optical system whose eye relief is below 25 mm includes an eyepiece lens having a water absorptive antifogging coating applied on one surface thereof, and a member holding the eyepiece lens. Further, an eyeball-characteristic detecting system includes a light source for illuminating the eyeball of an observer, a light receiving element arranged on detection of the reflected light from the eyeball through the eyepiece to produce a signal, an optical member positioned in the path of the light from the light source to the light receiving element and having an antifogging coating on one surface thereof, and a circuit receptive of the signal for detecting the characteristic of the eyeball.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided with an eyepiece, a focusing screen onto which an image is projected, a reflecting device for reflecting the light from the focusing screen to thereby cause it to enter the eyepiece in order to show the image, an illuminating device for illuminating an eye, an imaging optical system for receiving the light from the eye through the eyepiece and a certain portion of the reflecting device, and forming the image of the eye by the light from the eye, and a photoelectric converter for receiving the image of the eye. The reflecting device comprises a hollow optical part, and the light from the eye passes through the hollow portion and the mirror portion of the optical part.

Abstract: A camera which performs visual line detection, and which assigns priority to photography when a release operation is performed during calibration information input for visual line detection. The camera includes an input unit to input into the camera calibration information relating to an eye of a photographer. The calibration information is automatically input when the photographer contacts an eyepiece of a viewfinder. A calculation unit calculates the visual line of the photographer, based upon the input calibration information and the state of the eye of the photographer looking through the viewfinder. A setting unit sets photographic conditions based upon the calculated visual line. When a release operation is performed during the action of calibration information input, a priority action execution unit suspends the input of calibration information, and the priority action execution unit actuates a photographic unit such that photography may be performed.

Abstract: By providing a line-of-sight-information detection device for detecting an angle of rotation of an eyeball, an individual-difference correction unit for correcting the detected angle of rotation of the eyeball for each individual, an individual-difference preserving unit for preserving line-of-sight information in which individual difference is corrected, a line-of-sight-information processing unit for calculating a line-of-sight position based on the corrected angle of rotation of the eyeball and generating an event at the line-of-sight position, and an event transmission unit for transmitting the event to a host system, it is possible to use line-of-sight information as a new basis for controlling a graphical user interface. Thus, the user's hands are used only on a keyboard, and the functions of a mouse, which has conventionally been operated by the user's hand, can be provided by the user's line of sight. As a result, it is possible, for example, to improve the operational efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a visual axis detection apparatus and the like which is constituted by light receiving device for receiving image of an observer's eye, read-out device for reading out the photoelectric conversion signals from the light receiving device, information processing device for extracting a plurality of characteristic information on the basis of the signals read out by the read-out device and outputting information regarding the direction of the observer's visual axis and restricting device for giving a restriction to the read-out area of the light receiving device.

Abstract: A finder apparatus in which a viewpoint detecting apparatus is built in a finder unit and a light emitting device and a photosensing device constructing the viewpoint detecting apparatus are arranged in a space which is formed by notching a part of an eyepiece.

Abstract: A camera comprising: finder means for inspecting an object, illumination means for illuminating an operator's eye by which the operator looks in at the finder means, a condensing optical system for condensing a reflected light from the operator's eye, photoelectric converter means for receiving the condensed reflected light, calculation means for calculating a direction of a visual axis of the operator's eye on the basis of an output of the photoelectric converter means, and condition setting means operable in response to the result of the calculation of the calculation means, for setting taking conditions of the camera.

Abstract: A visual axis detecting apparatus includes a two-dimensional image sensor having a plurality of detecting lines for receiving light from an eye, a first calculator for (i) detecting a change of luminance for neighboring pixels on the detecting lines, for (ii) calculating a number of pixels whose luminance is changed and a position of a center of gravity of the change of luminance as coordinates of an edge of a pupil of the eye from an amount of the change of luminance, for (iii) obtaining a plurality of coordinates of the edge of the pupil from the plurality of detecting lines, and for (iv) performing a correcting calculation of the plurality of coordinates of the edge of the pupil on the basis of an aspect ratio of a pixel of the image sensor, a second calculator for calculating a position of a center of the pupil from the plurality of coordinates of the edge of the pupil corrected by the first calculator, and a visual axis calculator for calculating a position of a visual axis by using the position of the c

Abstract: An optical apparatus including a first detection mechanism for detecting a corneal image reflected by a cornea of an eye and detecting information defining a refraction of spectacles, and a second detection mechanism for detecting the rotation amount of the eye using the detected corneal image of the eye and the information defining the refraction of the spectacles.

Abstract: An optical apparatus including a detecting unit for detecting sight line direction of a human eye, a correcting data forming unit, electrically connected to the detecting unit, for forming correcting data as to personal difference of a human eye, a visual mark presenting unit electrically coupled to the correcting data forming unit for presenting a plurality of focus point detecting frames for sampling correcting data at different positions in a visual field and being capable of flickering and lighting without flickering, and a control unit for controlling the apparatus on the basis of the sight line direction and the correcting data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveniently usable optical apparatus such as a camera which is provided with a visual axis detecting apparatus and a display portion in the field of view of a finder and which realizes a predetermined operating function which is not started when the finder observer is seeing the display portion and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera having a focus detecting device for independently detecting each of focus conditions in plural regions of a screen by use of an area sensor. More particularly, the invention provides a camera having a focus detecting device provided with a first mode for setting a first number as a number of focus detection areas and a second mode for setting a second number, smaller than the first number, of areas except for predetermined areas in the focus detection areas in the first mode, as focus detection areas, and arranged to allow selection of the first and second modes, thereby permitting a changeover of the number of focus detection areas according to a photographer's will.

Abstract: A line of sight detection device detects a user's line of sight by illuminating an eyeball of a user, receiving light from the eyeball of the user, detecting a wink of the user, detecting a line of sight of the user based on a light receiving state of a light receiving means, changing at least one of an illuminating condition of an illuminating means and a light receiving condition of the light receiving means, and repeating a line of sight detecting operation based on the light receiving state of the light receiving means during the line of sight detecting operation, the line of sight detecting operation being repeated without changing the illuminating condition of the illuminating means and the light receiving condition of the light receiving means when a wink detection means detects a wink of the user during the line of sight detecting operation.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes optical means for forming an object image, converting means for converting the object image into an image signal, displaying means for displaying an image on the basis of the image signal, designating means for designating an area in the displaying means, and recognizing means for extracting and recognizing a character in the image of the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for using correction data to correct for personal differences, to provide sight line information. The apparatus includes an image sensor for photographing an eyeball, a pupil diameter determination device for determining a pupil diameter of the eyeball in accordance with an output of the image sensor and a changing device for changing the correction data on the basis of the pupil diameter determined by the pupil diameter determination device.

Abstract: An apparatus having a line of sight detection device, comprises a viewfinder for observing a target object, a line of sight detection means for detecting a position of line of sight in the viewfinder of a user, focus detection means being possible to select a first operation mode for performing a first focus detecting operation or a second operation mode for performing a second focus detecting operation, and being possible to perform a focus detection to each of a plurality of focus detecting areas arranged in the viewfinder, range setting means for setting a plurality of determination range including the focus detecting areas, and for changing a size of the determination range to be set in accordance with the selection of the operation mode of the focus detecting means, selecting means for determining which determination range includes the position of line of sight detected by the line of sight detecting means, and for selecting at least one focus detecting area among the plurality of focus detecting areas,

Abstract: An accumulation-type image pickup device having first and second accumulation periods receives light relfected from an eye illuminated by a light beam from an illumination device. A memory for storing a signal from the image pickup device stores an image signal of the eye generated in one of the two accumulation periods of the image pickup device. The illumination device emits light in only one of the two accumulation periods. A differential signal generation circuit generates a differential signal between an image signal generated by the image pickup device during the first accumulation period and an image signal generated in the second accumulation period. The visual axis of the eye is determined on the basis of the signal from the differential signal generation circuit.

Abstract: In a camera having a line-of-sight detecting device for continuously detecting line-of-sight information which is information on a line of sight of a user of the camera, a predetermined action is performed when the user is determined on the basis of the detected line-of-sight information to be looking at a specific visual mark, wherein, until the line-of-sight information varies after the predetermined action is performed for the first time, the predetermined action for the second time is inhibited from being performed.

Abstract: A viewfinder system adapted for a single-lens reflex camera includes an optical system which guides light from an object to a viewer, a display part which displays information in a visual field of the optical system, a light combining member which is disposed in an optical path of the optical system and combines the light from the object with the information displayed by the display part, the light combining member having spectral transmission characteristics which differ with angles of incidence of light, and a correction member for keeping a spectral transmission characteristic of the entirety of the optical system substantially constant irrespectively of the angles of incidence of light on the light combining member.

Abstract: An eye ball detecting device includes a light-receiving unit on which a plurality of regions each including of a plurality of pixels are set, and which receives a reflected image from an eye ball of a user or a person to be examined, Furthermore, the device includes a determination unit for determining the approach of the eye ball of the user to the device when the output from the light-receiving unit satisfies a predetermined condition. The light-receiving unit outputs only one luminance value for each region.

Abstract: A line of sight detection device for detecting a line of sight of a user by using personal data of the user includes a personal data obtaining device for obtaining personal data related to the line of sight of the user, an attitude detection device for detecting an attitude of the device, a memory for storing the attitude of the device detected by the attitude detection device, the memory storing the attitude of the line of sight detection device at a time when the personal data obtaining device starts an obtaining operation of the personal data, and a determination device for comparing the attitude of the line of sight detection device stored in the memory with the attitude of the device during the obtaining operation for the personal data by the personal data obtaining device, and for outputting information indicative of a failure of the obtaining operation of the personal data when the compared attitudes of the device are different from each other.

Abstract: A view finder optical system including a window of an eye piece portion comprising an eye cup having a contact surface, a shape of the contact surface being made so as to incline an axis of the lens with respect to an axis of the eye piece. The shape of the contact surface is curved corresponding to the lens's shape. The contact surface is made so as to conform to a lens of glasses.