Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal unit having an on-chip photodetector.On a transparent substrate are laid down a metallic wiring, an n-type a-Si, an a-SiGe, and a p-type a-Si successively, an insulating film is formed, and then a transparent electrode is formed to have a light detection region.

Abstract: A camera includes an electronic viewfinder adapted to electrically display a photographing image, a visual line detection unit for detecting the position of a camera operator's visual line on a picture plane of the electronic viewfinder, and a display processing unit for displaying on the electronic viewfinder a photographing-related information involved in a camera photographing. In such a camera, the display processing unit controls a display position of the photographing-related information in accordance with an output of the visual line detection unit.

Abstract: An eye axis detector for detecting to which position the eye axis of a user is directed in a picture, comprising means for dividing and specifying the picture into a plurality of pictures, and means for extracting the watching point of the user using a plurality of types of eye axis information concerning the eye axis in each area within such divided picture.

Abstract: The apparatus is designed to adjust the zoom magnification control of a camera having a variable-magnification device, and includes a camera optical system for converting a scene into an image, a view finder for displaying said image to a user, a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens, a detector coupled to the view finder for detecting a zoom condition of the user's face, and an analysis system for analyzing the detected zoom condition and for generating an input signal to the zoom control to change the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.The method includes the steps of converting a scene into an image using a camera optical system; displaying the image to a user; detecting a zoom condition of the user's face with a zoom-condition detector; analyzing the detected zoom condition of the user's face; and generating an input signal to a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.

Abstract: An optical apparatus with the visual axis detecting function is comprised of an imaging optical system, visual axis detecting means for detecting to which of a plurality of areas in the field of view of the optical system a visual axis is directed, and focusing means responsive to the output of the visual axis detecting means to detect defocus regarding the area to which the visual axis is directed, and adjust the optical system so as to correct the defocus, the focusing means continuously effecting the detection of the defocus and the adjustment of the optical system when the area to which the visual axis is directed after the correction of the defocus is a moving object.

Abstract: A camera with a visual line position detection device is capable of shortening the time required for auto focus detection and capable of more accurate selection of the focus detection point. The camera includes a focus detection device to output the results of distance measurements at a plurality of points where focus detection is possible and to detect focus for one of these points. A liquid crystal display device displays on a screen specified symbols overlapping the subject image on the positions corresponding to each of the points. A microprocessor accepts the results of the distance measurements from the focus detection system and selects one of the points based on the photographer visual line position as the point for focus detection among all the points whose distances are measured and on which focus detection is possible, excluding the points with an infinite focus distance.

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.

Abstract: A visual axis controllable optical apparatus, which is used in different postures. The optical apparatus includes a light detecting device for receiving light reflected by an eye, and detecting the intensity distribution of the received light, a storage device for storing personal data associated with a personal difference of the eye in correspondence with the different postures and a visual axis detecting device for detecting a visual axis. The visual axis detecting device detects the position of the visual axis using the personal data stored in the storage device corresponding to the posture of the optical apparatus, and the intensity distribution detected by the light detecting device.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for detecting rotation of an eyeball of an observer to provide sight line information, including an optical unit for imaging light flux from the eye of the observer, an image sensor for receiving light flux from the optical unit, and a control unit for designating a read-out region for the image sensor and reading out information from the read-out region.

Abstract: A camera includes a photo-taking lens, an automatic focus adjusting device for effecting the automatic focus adjustment of the photo-taking lens, an eye-gaze detecting device for detecting the photographer's eye-gaze position in a finder field corresponding to a photographing picture plane, and producing an eye-gaze detection signal corresponding to the eye-gaze position, a focus adjustment signal producing device for outputting a plurality of focus adjustment signals corresponding to a plurality of detection areas in the photographing picture plane, and a control signal producing device for producing a control signal for controlling the automatic focus adjusting means, on the basis of the eye-gaze detection signal and the focus adjustment signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus including an illuminating unit for illuminating an eyeball, a light-receiving unit for receiving light reflected by the eyeball to measure the state of an anterior eye portion, and a holding unit for holding the illuminating unit and the light-receiving unit. The apparatus can be easily assembled, and optical characteristics are properly determined to accurately detect the state of the anterior eye portion.

Abstract: Abnormality determination of eyeball illumination is performed by a computer on the basis of the output level, i.e., lightness of a cornea reflection image. When an abnormality is determined, a display indicating it is made and a warning is given. At the same time, power supply for eyeball illumination is stopped. The abnormality determination of eyeball illumination is performed by comparing the output level of a cornea reflection image with a predetermined reference value or comparing the output level ratio or difference of the cornea reflection image with a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A camera having a line of sight detecting device, includes a line of sight detection portion for detecting the line of sight position of a photographer, a portion of selection of a line of sight mode for selecting one of a single mode for locking a line of sight position obtained when a plurality of previous detection results of the line of sight detection portion satisfy a predetermined eye-gazing condition and a continuous mode for renewing the line of sight position on the basis of the latest line of sight position from the line of sight detection portion, a control mode setting portion for selecting a control mode for setting a camera phototaking condition, and a phototaking control for setting the camera phototaking condition in accordance with the line of sight position of the photographer when the control mode is selected, wherein when the control mode is selected by the control mode setting portion, the continuous mode is selected by the portion of selection of a line of sight mode, and the camera pho

Abstract: An optical device having a line of sight detection circuit, includes a line of sight detection circuit for detecting the line of sight of a user, a display member for displaying the position of the line of sight detected by the line of sight detection circuit, an operation unit which can operate in a plurality of operation modes on the basis of information of the line of sight detected by the line of sight detection circuit. The display member changes the display mode for the line of sight position in accordance with the operation mode of the operation unit.

Abstract: A camera control device is provided with a determination device for dividing the image frame into plural areas including a central area and determining the object distance in each of the areas; a focal length detecting device for detecting the focal length of a phototaking lens; an eye-gaze direction detecting device for detecting the position of the eye-gaze of the user, corresponding to one of the areas of the image frame, thereby specifying the area desired by the user; a phototaking magnification calculating device for calculating the phototaking magnification in each of the areas, based on the output of the focal length detecting device and that of the determination device; and an area selecting device for selecting either the central area in case the phototaking magnification in the central area, calculated by the above-mentioned calculating device exceeds a predetermined value, or an area specified by the eye-gaze direction detecting device in case the above-mentioned predetermined value is not exceede

Abstract: A video camera has a normal operation control mode in which a normal operation is allowed to be performed and a demonstration mode in which each of a plurality of functions of the video camera is sequentially executed for a predetermined period of time, and is arranged to permit switching between the normal operation control mode and the demonstration mode. When a visual-line detecting circuit, a switch mounted on an eyecup, a sensor composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, or the like, detects that the operator is viewing an electronic viewfinder during the demonstration mode, the demonstration mode is switched over to the normal operation control mode. The demonstration mode is resumed upon detection of detachment of the eye of the operator from the electronic viewfinder.

Abstract: A viewpoint detection apparatus includes a viewpoint detection unit for detecting the viewpoint of an operator on a display screen, a correction circuit for detecting and correcting any deviation between the actual viewpoint position of the operator and the viewpoint position detected by the viewpoint detection unit, and a storage circuit for storing correction information which is generated by the correction circuit and used for correcting the deviation. The apparatus has a mode of correcting the deviation based on the correction information stored in the storage circuit, and a mode of correcting the deviation by a calculation in the correction circuit without using the correction information.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus including a photometry device that detects a luminance value for each of a plurality of areas of a photometric field, a selection circuit that selects one of the plurality of areas to be a reference area, a computing circuit that computes a difference value for each of the plurality of areas, each difference value representing a difference between the luminance value for a respective area and the luminance value for the reference area, and a display device that respectively displays the difference values for each of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: A camera for detecting the line-of-sight of a user includes a photographing controller for performing a continuous shot operation in which a photographing operation is repeated continuously while a release button is pressed, a line-of-sight detector for detecting the position of the user's line-of-sight, a line-of-sight detection controller for operating the line-of-sight detector for every photographing operation, a focus detector for performing a focus detecting operation based on the position of the line-of-sight detected by the line-of-sight detector, a determinator for determining whether the result of focus detection by the focus detector is appropriate, and a focus detection controller for operating the focus detector without operating the line-of-sight detector if the determinator determines that the result of focus detection is inappropriate.

Abstract: A viewpoint detection device comprises a viewpoint detection circuit which detects a position of viewpoint of an operator, a memory for storing detection information from the viewpoint detection circuit in a case where the position of the viewpoint is properly detected, and a correction circuit which compensates an output of the viewpoint detection circuit by using detection information stored in the memory, when the detection of the position of viewpoint is not conducted properly by the viewpoint detection circuit.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having predetermined functions includes a visual-axis detecting device for detecting the direction of the visual axis of an operator, a posture detecting device for detecting the posture of the optical apparatus, and a control device for causing the predetermined functions to be performed in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device and for causing the predetermined functions to be performed by using a predetermined algorithm in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device when the visual-axis detecting device is disallowed to operate.

Abstract: An equipment having a line of sight detection device includes a line of sight detection device for detecting a user's line of sight, a first detector for performing a focus detecting operation in a plurality of focus detection areas, a selector for selecting a specific focus detection area from among the plurality of focus detection areas on the basis of the line of sight detected by the line of sight detection device, a second detector for detecting any change in the focus state in the specific focus detection area at least from the result of the past focus detection in the specific focus detection area, and a determination device for determining a reliability of the specific focus detection area selected by the selecting device, on the basis of the change in the focus state detected by the second detector.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus, which includes an area sensor for receiving an eyeball image, detects a visual axis by processing a photoelectric conversion signal from the area sensor. An area enough to detect the visual axis is set within the area sensor before a signal is taken out to detect the visual axis. The photoelectric concretion element in the set area is subjected to an A/D conversion to process the signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a sight axis may be used with a device for detecting the attachment of a detachable power supply. Forming structure is provided for forming information corresponding to a sight axis of a viewer of the apparatus. Structure is also provided for detecting when the power supply of the apparatus is switched on. Setting structure is provided for setting a first control mode for controlling the apparatus on the basis of the information formed by the forming means, and a second control mode for controlling the apparatus without utilizing the information. Control circuitry is provided for preferably causing the setting structure to automatically set the second control mode when the power supply is detected as being switched on. Preferably, a first storage area is provided for storing correction data unique to the viewer and used for correcting the sight axis information.

Abstract: A camera includes a photo-taking lens, an automatic focus adjusting device for effecting the automatic focus adjustment of the photo-taking lens, an eye-gaze detecting device for detecting the photographer's eye-gaze position in a finder field corresponding to a photographing picture plane, and producing an eye-gaze detection signal corresponding to the eye-gaze position, a focus adjustment signal producing device for outputting a plurality of focus adjustment signals corresponding to a plurality of detection areas in the photographing picture plane, and a control signal producing device for producing a control signal for controlling the automatic focus adjusting means, on the basis of the eye-gaze detection signal and the focus adjustment signals.

Abstract: A gazing point detecting device is provided with means for receiving light reflected by an observer's eye and providing an electrical signal, first means for forming gazing axis information regarding the direction of the observer's gazing axis on the basis of the electrical signal, and second means for selecting on the basis of the gazing axis information the direction of the gazing axis which has been pointed to for the longest time of a predetermined unit time or the direction of the gazing axis which is highest in frequency, and forming a signal indicative of the observer's gazing point.

Abstract: A device intended to be associated, on the one hand, with a viewfinder, on the eyepiece side thereof, and, on the other hand, with a calculating mechanism, to form a system making it possible to determine at every instant that portion of a field sighted by the eye of an observer through the viewfinder. The device is arranged on the image side of the eyepiece of the viewfinder and includes a splitter element associated with a thick optical plate whose parallel faces are orthogonal to the optical axis of the finder.

Abstract: A sight line detecting device includes a controller operable in a sight line information using mode for controlling an optical apparatus for use in accordance with sight line information, and usable in a sight line information prohibiting mode for controlling the apparatus without using the sight line information. A selector selects either mode for controlling the optical apparatus.

Abstract: A line of sight detecting device which detects the line of sight of the user. The device includes a determination unit for determining whether the line of sight detection is successful or not. An estimation unit estimates the cause of failure if line of sight detection can not be carried out. A notification unit provides information about the cause of failure of the line of sight detection. The information being estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus which includes a focus detection device for independently detecting focus states of N different regions in a scene. The apparatus includes a selection circuit and a focus adjustment circuit. The selection circuit simultaneously selects, among the N regions, an arbitrary number of regions, the arbitrary number being less than N, and the selection circuit setting, among the N regions which are all selectable, a first number and a second number, different from the first number, of regions as regions simultaneously selected. The focus adjustment circuit performs focus adjustment on the basis of the focus states independently detected in the regions set by the selection circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image observation apparatus which comprises an optical system having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and a positive refracting power to guide light from an image to an observer and a visual axis detection system including a light source for illuminating an anterior ocular segment of the observer to detect a visual axis of the observer, a light-receiving device for receiving an image of the anterior ocular segment which is formed by light reflected by the anterior ocular segment and having passed through a portion of the optical system, and a device for correcting an aberration of the image of the anterior ocular segment which occurs when the image passes through at least a portion of the optical system.

Abstract: A user-friendly camera with a visual line detection system simplifies the operation by making manual selection possible for establishing an auto focus region directly without going through time consuming procedures, even when the camera is selecting an auto focus region based on visual line information. An auto selection mode, a visual line selection mode, and a manual selection mode are available for establishing an auto focus region with mode selection being made by an auto focus region switching system. When selection of the auto focus region is being executed in the visual line selection mode, signals from the auto focus region manual selection system may be entered so that the manual selection input takes priority and the intention of the photographer becomes the priority. The change of mode is temporarily executed easily during the visual line selection mode operation.

Abstract: A line-of-sight detecting device includes an area sensor composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for receiving an image of an eyeball of a viewer. The area sensor is divided into block areas each having some of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each block area outputs a value on the basis of the output of the photoelectric conversion elements constituting that block area. A particular block area satisfying predetermined conditions based on the output values of the block areas is selected from the plurality of block areas. Image processing is performed on those photoelectric conversion elements which are in a predetermined range based on the position of the particular block area to thereby detect the line of sight of the viewer, wherein the number of photoelectric conversion elements constituting each block area is changed in accordance with a predetermined situation.

Abstract: A camera with a line-of-sight detecting device, having a light source illuminating an eye of a photographer with light; a conversion device converting reflected light from the illuminated eye to an output corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light; and an eye gazing point determination system identifying an eye-gazing point of the photographer when an output difference or an output ratio between a peak output and a background output of the conversion device is greater than a predetermined value and when the magnitude of a peak output from the conversion device is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A visual axis detection apparatus including a correction data storage section to store the correction data to correct errors in the detected visual information; an individual variation correction data detection system to detect the individual variation data related to the visual axis of an observer; a correction data updating section to update the correction data on the basis of the new individual variation data detected by the individual variation detection system and the correction data stored in the correction data storage section; and a visual axis correction section to correct the detected visual axis by use of the correction data updated by the correction data updating section and stored in the correction data storage section. The apparatus adds a weight to the already stored correction data in accordance with the individual variation data when obtaining individual variation data anew, and uses this weighted data as the correction data.

Abstract: In a camera with a finder device which is capable of diopter adjustment, a visual axis detection unit detects the visual axis direction and the fundus imaging state of an observer, a multi-distance measurement unit measures distances to a plurality of points in a photographing frame, a diopter driving unit adjusts the imaging position, and a diopter controller drives the diopter driving unit in accordance with the outputs from the visual axis detection unit and the multi-distance measurement unit. Therefore, since diopter correction is attained based on distance measurement information corresponding to visual axis information, a finder image in which an object at an observation position of an observer is always in focus can be realized.

Abstract: A camera includes an orientation detection device that detects the orientation of the camera, a recording device that records photographic settings to be used during photography, and a camera controller. The recording device records the photographic settings relative to different orientations of the camera. The camera controller controls the camera based upon the detected orientation and photographic settings recorded in the recording device for that detected orientation.

Abstract: A camera includes a photo-taking lens, an automatic focus adjusting device for effecting the automatic focus adjustment of the photo-taking lens, an eye-gaze detecting device for detecting the photographer's eye-gaze position in a finder field corresponding to a photographing picture plane, and producing an eye-gaze detection signal corresponding to the eye-gaze position, a focus adjustment signal producing device for outputting a plurality of focus adjustment signals corresponding to a plurality of detection areas in the photographing picture plane, and a control signal producing device for producing a control signal for controlling the automatic focus adjusting means, on the basis of the eye-gaze detection signal and the focus adjustment signals.

Abstract: A camera with a visual line position detection device capable of highly accurate determinations even when diopter adjustment is accomplished after initial completion of correction of the visual line position determining system. The camera includes a screen to form a subject image, a pentagonal prism provided inside the finder, a visual line position detection device equipped with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit to detect the visual line position, and a diopter adjustment lens placed on the photographer's side of the pentagonal prism. The diopter adjustment lens is displaced after the correction of the visual line position detection device, and a correction coefficient needed to compute the visual line position on the screen obtained during the correction of the visual line position detection device is changed according to the displacement amount of the diopter adjustment lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to a camera havingsight line detection means for detecting the line of sight of an observer,focus detection means having plural focus detection areas and capable of focus detection in each focus detecting area, andselection means for selecting at least one of the plural focus detecting areas, based on the information of the line of sight detected by the sight line detection means, wherein the selection means is adapted to select the focus detecting area based on the result of focus detection by the focus detection means, according to the state of detection of the line of sight by the sight line detection means.

Abstract: An apparatus having an irradiation device for irradiating the eye of an observer; a sensor having a number of pixels with a set pitch; an image forming optical unit for imaging light reflected by the eye onto the sensor; and an electronic circuit for making a signal denoting the direction of the line of sight of the eye in accordance with an output from the sensor, wherein the relationship expressed by Pitch X/.beta.<0.41 mm is satisfied when an assumption is made that the image forming magnification of the image forming unit is .beta. and the pitch of the pixels of the sensor is Pitch X so that accuracy in detecting the line of sight of the eye is improved.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens system in an eye direction detection device, applied to an observing optical system, modifies illumination light from a light source to be parallel in a lateral direction of a user's eye positioned to look through the observing optical system, dispersed in a vertical direction of the position of the user's eye, and substantially centered on the position of the user's eye. The anamorphic lens system transmits the illumination light from the light source to an illumination light exit surface positioned away from the optical axis of the observing optical system, and the illumination light is projected toward the position of the user's eye from the illumination light exit surface to separate signals from the image of the eye and an image formed by eyeglasses, if worn. The illumination light exit surface is a rectangular window having a longitudinal side parallel to longitudinal side of a field of view of the observing optical system, and is positioned below the position of a user's eye.

Abstract: A camera capable of utilizing a visual line of a photographer for a photographic operation is provided. The camera includes a visual-line detecting part for detecting a visual line (fixation point) of the photographer and a correcting part for correcting a deviation between the fixation point detected by the visual-line detecting part and an actual fixation point of the photographer's eye. The correcting part operates in association with a starting operation of the camera.

Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical apparatus with a visual axis detection function. The apparatus having finder means for observing an object, and visual axis detection means for detecting a visual axis position of an observer who looks into a field of view of a finder comprises a visual axis input index which is arranged in the field of view of the finder means, visual axis input means for executing a predetermined function selected when the visual axis detection means detects that the visual axis of the observer is located on or near the visual axis input index and selection means for causing the observer to select the predetermined function to be executed by said visual axis input means from a plurality of functions.

Abstract: An optical apparatus detects a visual point of an observer, and reduces the visual axis detection error due to anatomical differences between people, such as the difference in the size of the eye. The apparatus sequentially displays a plurality of marks in a finder, and can calculate a precise visual point position on the basis of errors between the calculated visual point position and the marks when the observer sequentially watches these marks.

Abstract: In a camera having a viewfinder that is detachable from the camera body, and a visual line detection device, calibration data specific for different photographers is stored in a memory located in the detachable viewfinder. This eliminates the need to re-input the calibration data every time the viewfinder is changed. Additionally, when a classification code is stored in a memory in each camera body, the classification code being specific for each camera body, the calibration data is stored in correspondence with the classification codes in the viewfinder memory. Then, the appropriate calibration data is accessed by reading the classification code from the camera body memory then the viewfinder is attached to a camera body, and then accessing the calibration data that is stored in correspondence with that read classification code in the viewfinder memory.

Abstract: In an imaging system having a variable magnification element, a controller for controlling magnification so as to achieve desirable image composition. An object image is projected onto a visual field of a camera view finder and divided into a number of small blocks. The distance to the image portion in each small block is detected by a multipoint range finder. Small blocks having the same detected distance, or small blocks whose distances differ by less than a predetermined threshold value, are grouped together into one or more medium block(s). An sight line detection sensor detects where, in the visual field of the view finder, a photographer's line of sight is directed. At least one medium block is selected as the final desired image to be photographed on the basis of the sight line determination.

Abstract: An optical instrument having an image stabilizing function comprises an image stabilizing device comprising an image blur correction member to effect vibration suppression, a detecting device for detecting whether a part of body of a user has approached the optical instrument or not, and a control device for controlling a drive of the image stabilizing device in accordance with an output of the detecting device. Another optical instrument having an image stabilizing function comprises an image stabilizing device for effecting vibration suppression, a sight axis detection device for detecting a direction of sight axis of a user, and a control device for controlling a drive of the image stabilizing device in accordance with an output of the sight axis detection device.

Abstract: An eye direction detecting apparatus for a camera having a light transferring system for guiding a beam of parallel light rays to an eye of a photographer includes a light receiving system having a light receiving portion on which a first Purkinje image based on specular reflection of a cornea of the eye and reflecting light from a retina of the eye is formed, the light receiving portion generating a light receiving output. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit for detecting the eye direction of the eye based on the light receiving output of the light receiving portion. Further, according to the teachings of the present invention, including an optical member having certain identically inclined surfaces prevents refracted light from forming a ghost image within the light receiving system of an eye direction detecting apparatus.