JP2024115625A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the detection accuracy of gaze detection without increasing the size. [Solution] The device comprises a viewfinder with an opening for viewing at one end and a device body with an image sensor disposed inside, and enables a first photographing operation to be performed with the viewfinder positioned on the upper side of the device body and a second photographing operation to be performed with the viewfinder positioned on the side of the device body, the viewfinder comprises an eyepiece optical system having an eyepiece lens, a light emitting section that emits detection light toward the eyeball, and a detection section with a rectangular light receiving surface that receives the detection light reflected by the eyeball, the detection section being positioned above or below the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system in the first photographing operation, and the detection section being oriented so that the horizontal component in the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface is oriented along the optical axis. [Selected Figure] Figure 3

Description

This technology relates to the technical field of imaging devices equipped with a viewfinder that displays an image of a subject when shooting.

Some imaging devices, such as video cameras and still cameras, are equipped with a viewfinder that displays the image of the subject when shooting. The viewfinder is used to determine the visual composition before shooting with the imaging device, to check the image before and after shooting, and to adjust the focus, and is installed as a viewing window or a monitor (display).

Some of these finders are equipped with a gaze detection device that detects the user's gaze in order to perform autofocusing and other operations when taking pictures (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Autofocus based on the detection results from the gaze detection device is performed by reflecting detection light, such as infrared light, emitted from the light-emitting unit on the cornea, receiving the reflected detection light by the detection unit, and calculating the pupil position based on the received detection light.

Patent document 1 shows an example of an imaging device in which a light-emitting unit that emits detection light (infrared light) is arranged around the eyepiece, the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit passes through a transmission window and reaches the cornea, and the detection light reflected by the cornea is guided to the detection unit by a beam splitter to perform autofocus.

Patent document 2 shows an example of an imaging device in which light-emitting units that emit detection light are arranged on opposite sides of the optical axis, and the detection light emitted from the light-emitting units and reflected by the cornea is reflected by a beam splitter arranged on the optical axis and directed to the detection unit, thereby performing autofocusing.

JP 2002-40535 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-163

However, in an imaging device in which the above-mentioned gaze detection device is provided in the viewfinder, when a photographer uses the viewfinder to take a picture, the position of the eyeball in the optical axis direction relative to the viewfinder may change due to shooting, personal differences, etc. Therefore, in order to improve the detection accuracy of gaze detection, it is necessary for the detection light to be properly incident on the detection unit regardless of changes in the position of the eyeball relative to the viewfinder.

Therefore, by arranging a beam splitter on the optical axis as in the imaging device described in Patent Document 2, the light reflected by the cornea is incident within the angle of view of the detection unit regardless of changes in the position of the eyeball in the optical axis direction relative to the viewfinder, so that the detection light can be properly incident on the detection unit regardless of changes in the position of the eyeball relative to the viewfinder.

On the other hand, in an imaging device equipped with a viewfinder having a gaze detection device, if the number of components of the gaze detection device is increased, space is required to arrange each component, which may result in an increase in size, so it is desirable to simplify the structure by reducing the number of components of the gaze detection device.

Therefore, the imaging device of this technology aims to improve the detection accuracy of gaze detection without increasing the size.

The imaging device according to the present technology comprises a viewfinder having an opening at one end for viewing, and a device body in which an imaging element is disposed, and is capable of performing a first photographing operation with the viewfinder positioned above the device body, and a second photographing operation with the viewfinder positioned to the side of the device body. The viewfinder comprises an eyepiece optical system having an eyepiece lens, a light emitting unit that emits detection light toward the eyeball, and a detection unit having a rectangular light receiving surface that receives the detection light reflected by the eyeball, the detection unit being positioned above or below the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system during the first photographing operation, and the detection unit being disposed such that the horizontal component in the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface is oriented along the optical axis.

This widens the vertical angle of view of the detector in the first capture, and widens the horizontal angle of view of the detector in the second capture.

2 to 11 show an imaging device according to the present technology, and this figure is a perspective view of the imaging device. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the internal structure of the viewfinder. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the image sensor. 3 is a diagram showing a path of light emitted from a light-emitting unit. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the path of light reflected by the cornea. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing the relationship between the position of the eyeball and the angle of view of the light receiving surface in the first photographing. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the eyeball and the angle of view of the light receiving surface in the second shooting. FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device.

Below, a description of how the imaging device of this technology can be implemented is given with reference to the attached drawings.

The embodiment of the invention shown below is an application of the imaging device of this technology to a still camera.

The scope of application of the imaging device of this technology is not limited to still cameras. The imaging device of this technology can be widely applied to various imaging devices with various imaging functions, such as video cameras and mobile information terminals.

In the following explanation, the front-to-rear direction is the direction seen by the photographer when taking pictures with a still camera. Therefore, the subject side (object side) is the front, and the photographer side is the rear. Note that the front-to-rear directions shown below are for the sake of convenience, and the implementation of this technology is not limited to these directions.

The lenses referred to below include both those made up of a single lens and those made up of multiple lenses as a lens group.

<General configuration of imaging device>
The image pickup device 1 has a device body 2 and a viewfinder 3, with the necessary parts arranged inside and outside an outer casing 4 (see FIG. 1).

A circular light-transmitting opening (not shown) is formed in the front of the device body 2, and the area surrounding the light-transmitting opening is provided as a mount for attaching the lens barrel 70. Inside the device body 2, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is arranged behind the light-transmitting opening as an imaging element.

The device body 2 has various operation units 5 arranged, for example, on the top or rear surface. The operation units 5 include, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a zoom knob, and a mode switching knob. A display 6 is arranged on the rear surface of the device body 2. Inside the device body 2, a main board (control board) (not shown) is arranged.

The lens barrel 70 is, for example, an interchangeable lens that can be attached to and detached from the device body 2. Note that this technology can also be applied to a type in which a lens unit having a structure similar to the internal structure of the lens barrel 70 is incorporated inside the device body, and a retractable type in which this lens unit protrudes from or is stored in the device body.

In addition, in this technology, the imaging device 1 may be configured by the device body 2 and the viewfinder 3, or the imaging device 1 may be configured by the device body 2, the viewfinder 3, and the lens barrel 70.

The lens barrel 70 is composed of a roughly cylindrical outer tube 71 whose axial direction is in the front-to-rear direction, and the necessary parts attached or supported inside and outside the outer tube 71. The axial direction of the lens barrel 70 coincides with the overall optical axis direction of the imaging device 1.

The lens barrel 70 is attached to the device body 2 by connecting the rear end to a mount section, for example, by a bayonet connection. The lens barrel 70 is provided with, for example, a plurality of operation rings 72 that function as zoom rings and focus rings. The operation rings 72 are rotatably supported by the outer cylinder 71, and zooming and focusing are performed by rotating the operation rings 72.

A number of lenses (not shown) are positioned at intervals in the optical axis direction (front-to-back direction) inside the lens barrel 70, and these lenses are composed of movable lenses (movable lens group) that can move in the optical axis direction and fixed lenses (fixed lens group) that cannot move in the optical axis direction.

<Finder configuration, etc.>
The structure of the finder 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The optical axis of the viewfinder 3 is oriented in the front-to-rear direction, and has an opening 3a at the rear end for the photographer to look through. The viewfinder 3 is provided with a gaze detection device that detects the emitted detection light and performs automatic focus control. Note that in the imaging device 1, the control automatically performed by the gaze detection device is not limited to focus control, and the gaze detection device may be configured to automatically change settings such as white balance control and mode change control.

The viewfinder 3 has a viewfinder case 7 that is configured as part of the outer housing 4, and the necessary parts arranged inside and outside the viewfinder case 7 (see Figures 2 to 4). The viewfinder case 7 has a case section 7a that opens to the rear, and a panel section 7b that is attached to the rear end of the case section 7a. The panel section 7b is formed in a frame shape that is penetrated from the front to the rear.

Inside the viewfinder case 7, the viewfinder housing 8 is arranged except for its rear end. The viewfinder housing 8 has a lens case 9, a lens holder 10, a front holder 11, and a first light blocking body 12, and an eyepiece optical system 13 is arranged inside the viewfinder housing 8.

The eyepiece optical system 13 includes an eyepiece lens 14, a first lens 15, a second lens 16, and a third lens 17, as well as an optical filter 18 and a display panel (not shown) arranged in front of the optical filter 18. For example, an electroluminescence organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence) or a liquid crystal panel is used as the display panel.

The lens case 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the front-to-rear direction. The lens case 9 functions as the outer cylindrical part of the viewfinder housing 8.

The lens holder 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the front-to-rear direction, and, for example, the part other than the rear end is disposed inside the lens case 9. The lens holder 10 functions as the inner cylindrical part of the viewfinder housing 8.

The front holder 11 is attached to the front end of the lens holder 10 inside the lens case 9. The front holder 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-to-rear direction.

The lens holder 10 and the front holder 11 hold the various components that make up the eyepiece optical system 13. Inside the lens holder 10, an eyepiece lens 14, a first lens 15, a second lens 16, and a third lens 17 are held in that order from the rear, spaced apart from each other in the front and rear. The number of lenses held inside the lens holder 10 is arbitrary. Inside the front holder 11, an optical filter 18, a display panel, etc. are held, spaced apart from each other in the front and rear.

Inside the lens holder 10, a second light shielding body 19 is disposed between the eyepiece lens 14 and the first lens 15 as a light shielding frame. The second light shielding body 19 has the function of blocking visible light, and is disposed with its outer peripheral surface in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder 10. The second light shielding body 19 prevents unnecessary internal reflections in the eyepiece optical system 13, making it difficult for the photographer to see the outer peripheral portions of the first lens 15, second lens 16, and third lens 17, preventing adverse effects on the way the subject appears when the photographer uses the viewfinder 3.

The first light shielding body 12 is provided as a viewfinder cover, and has the function of blocking visible light and detection light (infrared light) emitted from the light emitting section described below. The first light shielding body 12 is attached to the panel section 7b of the viewfinder case 7. The first light shielding body 12 prevents unnecessary internal reflections in the eyepiece optical system 13, making it difficult for the photographer to see the outer peripheries of the eyepiece lens 14, first lens 15, second lens 16, and third lens 17, preventing adverse effects on the way the subject appears when the photographer uses the viewfinder 3.

The first light shielding body 12 has a portion of its front surface in contact with the rear surface of the lens holder 10, and has a base surface portion 20 formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, a window frame portion 21 protruding rearward from the inner periphery of the base surface portion 20, and a plurality of detection light transmitting portions 22 protruding from the inner periphery of the window frame portion 21. The first light shielding body 12 is formed, for example, by injection molding, with the base surface portion 20, the window frame portion 21, and the detection light transmitting portions 22 integrally formed.

The base surface portion 20 of the first light blocking body 12 is positioned inside the viewfinder case 7, and the portion other than the front end of the window frame portion 21 protrudes rearward from the viewfinder case 7.

The window frame 21 has a pair of side sections 23 positioned on the left and right, bridging sections 24 connecting the upper and lower ends of the side sections 23, and a protruding section 25 protruding downward from the lower bridging section 24, and the two side sections 23 and two bridging sections 24 form a frame-like section. The protruding section 25 is inclined so that its rear surface faces diagonally upward and rearward, and has a placement recess 25a in the rear surface section.

A pair of side sections 23 of the window frame section 21 each have an attachment groove 23a extending vertically. An eyecup (eye hood) (not shown) for blocking light is detachably attached to the first light blocking body 12, and the eyecup is attached to the first light blocking body 12 by inserting and engaging a pair of attachment protrusions provided at one end into the attachment groove 23a.

The detection light transmitting section 22 is part of the first light shielding body 12 and therefore blocks visible light, but has the function of transmitting the detection light (infrared light) emitted from the light emitting section. The detection light transmitting section 22 is formed in a flat plate shape, and for example, two on each side section 23 are connected to each other while being spaced apart from each other vertically, for a total of four.

The detection light transmission sections 22 are slightly inclined so that they approach each other in the left-right direction as they move forward, and are located directly behind the outer periphery of the eyepiece lens 14.

The board holder 26 is attached to the front side of the first light blocking body 12. The board holder 26 has a mounting frame portion 27 formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape and a number of receiving protrusions 28 protruding rearward from the mounting frame portion 27. The multiple receiving protrusions 28 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the mounting frame portion 27, and some of them protrude inward from the inner circumference of the mounting frame portion 27.

The substrate holder 26 is attached to the first light shield 12 with the mounting frame portion 27 fitted into the base surface portion 20.

A substrate 29 is attached to the substrate holder 26. For example, a flexible printed circuit board is used as the substrate 29.

The board 29 is connected to a power supply control circuit (not shown). The board 29 is formed in a generally U-shape that opens upward, and has a connecting portion 30 that extends to the left and right, and a pair of mounting portions 31 that protrude upward from both the left and right ends of the connecting portion 30.

For example, four light-emitting units 32 are mounted on the rear surface of the mounting unit 31 on the substrate 29. The light-emitting units 32 have the function of emitting detection light, for example, infrared light. Note that the light-emitting units 32 may emit light other than infrared light as detection light.

The board 29 is attached to the board holder 26 with each part of the connecting portion 30 and the mounting portion 31 contacting the receiving protrusion 28 from behind. When the board 29 is attached to the board holder 26 and the board holder 26 is attached to the first light blocking body 12, the light emitting portions 32 are positioned near the detection light transmitting portions 22 between the receiving protrusions 28. At this time, the exit surface (rear surface) 32a, which is the position where the detection light from the light emitting portion 32 is emitted, is positioned inside the outermost periphery of the eyepiece optical system 13.

A detector 33 that receives the detection light emitted from the light emitter 32 is disposed inside the finder housing 8. The detector 33 is disposed in a recess 25a formed in the protrusion 25 of the first light blocking body 12, and is positioned between the opening 3a and the eyepiece optical system 13.

The detection unit 33 has, for example, an imaging lens 34 and an image sensor 35 (see Figures 5 and 6). The imaging lens 34 is a convex lens, and has the function of converging incident light and forming an image on the image sensor 35. The rear surface of the image sensor 35 is formed as a light receiving surface 35a. The light receiving surface 35a is formed in a rectangular shape, and has a longitudinal direction L and a lateral direction S.

In addition, in the detection unit 33, the imaging lens 34 may be composed of multiple lenses, or the imaging lens 34 may not be present. An example of a configuration without an imaging lens 34 is a configuration having a pinhole and light passing through the pinhole is imaged on the image sensor 35.

By configuring the detection unit 33 in this way without the imaging lens 34, the configuration of the detection unit 33 is simplified, and the manufacturing costs of the imaging device 1 can be reduced.

The detector 33 is located at the lower end of the first light shield 12, and is positioned below the outer periphery of the eyepiece 14. Therefore, the detector 33 is unlikely to be in the photographer's field of view when taking a picture, so the photographer can take a good picture without feeling uncomfortable.

When the detector 33 is placed in the placement recess 25a, the light receiving surface 35a faces diagonally upward and rearward according to the inclination of the protrusion 25. Therefore, the front end of the light receiving surface 35a is inclined toward the side approaching the optical axis P. The detector 33 is connected to a detection circuit (not shown).

The detector 33 may be located at the upper end of the first light shield 12. However, by arranging the detector 33 at the lower end of the first light shield 12, the lower end of the viewfinder 3 is connected to the device body 2, so that sufficient space can be secured for arranging the detector 33, and the imaging device 1 can be made compact while improving the design freedom. In addition, by arranging the detector 33 at the lower end of the first light shield 12, it is possible to easily route the wiring connecting the detector 33 to the main board or the like located inside the device body 2, and the length of the wiring can be shortened.

In the above, an example is shown in which the light-emitting unit 32 is disposed closer to the photographer than the eyepiece 14, but the light-emitting unit 32 may be disposed closer to the subject than the eyepiece 14. For example, the light-emitting unit 32 may be disposed via a substrate on the second light-shielding body 19 disposed between the eyepiece 14 and the first lens 15.

<Finder operation>
The operation of the finder 3 configured as above will now be described (see FIGS. 7 to 10).

In the viewfinder 3, when a current is supplied from the power control circuit to the light emitting unit 32, detection light is emitted from the light emitting unit 32. The current is supplied from the power control circuit to the light emitting unit 32 when, for example, the power button (operation unit 5) is operated to transition the imaging device 1 to the driving state.

A portion of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 32 is blocked by the portions of the window frame 21 other than the detection light transmitting portion 22, but light A that is directed toward the detection light transmitting portion 22 is transmitted through the detection light transmitting portion 22 and directed toward the eyeball 40 of the photographer using the viewfinder 3 (see FIG. 7). The amount of light A is sufficient to perform detection, and a portion of the light A reaches the cornea 50.

The detection light that reaches the cornea 50 is reflected by the cornea 50. At this time, in the viewfinder 3, the emission position of the detection light (emission surface 32a) is located inside the outermost circumference of the eyepiece optical system 13, and the emission position is located close to the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13, so that each detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 32 and reaching the cornea 50 tends to be distributed in a narrow range of the cornea 50, particularly near the pupil 60. Therefore, the reflected detection light is less likely to be blocked by individual differences in the shape of the eyelids and eyes, or fluctuations in the position of the eyeball, and is more likely to enter the detection unit 33.

In addition, the finder 3 is provided with four light-emitting elements 32 spaced apart from one another in the vertical and horizontal directions, increasing the probability that the detection light reflected by the cornea 50 will be incident on the detection element 33.

At least a portion of the detection light (light A) reflected by the cornea 50 is incident on the detection unit 33 (see FIG. 8). When the detection light is incident on the detection unit 33, a detection signal related to line of sight detection is calculated by the detection circuit based on the incident detection light, and focusing control is automatically performed according to the calculated detection signal.

In this way, in the imaging device 1, focusing control is performed automatically by detecting the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 32, but when the photographer is taking a picture, the position of the eyeball 40 in the optical axis direction relative to the viewfinder 3 may change due to individual differences or may fluctuate due to the photographer's movements.

In response to such changes and fluctuations, the gaze detection device provided in the viewfinder 3 ensures that the cornea 50 is within the angle of view of the image sensor 35 regardless of changes or fluctuations, because the horizontal component Lh in the longitudinal direction L of the light receiving surface 35a of the image sensor 35 provided in the detection unit 33 is oriented along the optical axis P during the first photographing operation, which is performed with the viewfinder 3 positioned above the device body 2.

Specifically, the horizontal component Lh in the longitudinal direction L of the light receiving surface 35a is aligned along the optical axis direction, and the short side direction S of the light receiving surface 35a is perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Below, we explain the relationship between the position of the eyeball 40 and the angle of view of the light receiving surface 35a during each shot (see Figures 9 and 10).

When the first photographing is performed with the viewfinder 3 positioned above the device body 2, i.e., when photographing is performed with the imaging device 1 in a landscape orientation, the detection unit 33 (light receiving surface 35a) is positioned diagonally below and in front of the eyeball 40, directly below the center line M that passes through the center of the eyeball 40 (see FIG. 9). In addition, in the first photographing, the width of the light receiving surface 35a in the vertical direction is made larger than its width in the horizontal direction, and the angle of view of the light receiving surface 35a is made vertically long. The center line M is a line that is approximately aligned with the optical axis P.

In this case, when the eyeball 40 is close to the viewfinder 3 at a short distance, the eyeball 40 is likely to be in the upper region of the angle of view, and the cornea 50 is within the range of the angle of view (see the upper diagram in Figure 9). Conversely, when the eyeball 40 is far from the viewfinder 3 at a long distance, the eyeball 40 is likely to be in the lower region of the angle of view, and the cornea 50 is within the range of the angle of view (see the lower diagram in Figure 9).

In particular, in the first photograph, the angle of view is vertically long, but since the detection unit 33 is positioned directly below the center line M and diagonally downward in front of the eyeball 40, the cornea 50 remains within the range of the angle of view, regardless of whether the subject is close or far away, even if the cornea 50 moves slightly left or right relative to the angle of view.

On the other hand, when the second photographing is performed with the viewfinder 3 positioned to the side of the device body 2, that is, when photographing is performed with the imaging device 1 in a portrait orientation, the detection unit 33 (light receiving surface 35a) is positioned diagonally to the front side of the eyeball 40, directly beside the center line M that passes through the center of the eyeball 40 (see FIG. 10). In the second photographing, the width of the light receiving surface 35a in the left-right direction is made larger than its width in the up-down direction, and the angle of view of the light receiving surface 35a is made horizontally elongated.

In this case, when the eyeball 40 is close to the viewfinder 3 at a short distance, the eyeball 40 is likely to be in the left or right region of the angle of view, and the cornea 50 is within the range of the angle of view (see the upper diagram in Figure 10). Conversely, when the eyeball 40 is far from the viewfinder 3 at a long distance, the eyeball 40 is likely to be in the right or left region of the angle of view, and the cornea 50 is within the range of the angle of view (see the lower diagram in Figure 10).

In particular, in the second photograph, the angle of view is set to a horizontal state, but since the detection unit 33 is positioned diagonally to the front side of the eyeball 40 directly beside the center line M, the cornea 50 remains within the range of the angle of view, regardless of whether the subject is close or far away, even if the cornea 50 moves slightly up and down relative to the angle of view.

<Summary>
As described above, the imaging device 1 is provided with a detection unit 33 having a rectangular light receiving surface 35a that receives detection light reflected by the eyeball 40, and the detection unit 33 is positioned above or below the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13 during the first photographing, and the detection unit 33 is arranged so that the horizontal component Lh in the longitudinal direction L of the light receiving surface 35a is oriented along the optical axis P.

Therefore, the vertical angle of view of the detector 33 is wider in the first photograph, and the horizontal angle of view of the detector 33 is wider in the second photograph. This makes it possible to prevent the cornea 50 from falling out of the angle of view due to changes or fluctuations in the position of the eyeball 40 in the optical axis direction relative to the finder 3 without using a beam splitter or a large image sensor, and improves the detection accuracy of gaze detection without increasing the size.

In particular, when a beam splitter is used, the viewfinder becomes larger in the optical axis direction of the eyepiece optical system, and the overall optical length becomes longer, which tends to reduce the magnification in the viewfinder. Increasing the magnification in the viewfinder also tends to increase the size of the eyepiece optical system, which also risks causing the viewfinder to become larger.

Therefore, by configuring the viewfinder 3 so that the horizontal component Lh in the longitudinal direction L of the light receiving surface 35a is oriented along the optical axis P, deviation of the cornea 50 from the angle of view due to changes or fluctuations in the position of the eyeball 40 in the optical axis direction relative to the viewfinder 3 can be prevented, thereby improving the detection accuracy of gaze detection without reducing the magnification of the viewfinder 3 or increasing its size.

In addition, since the detection unit 33 is positioned above or below the cornea 50 during the first photographing, the detection unit 33 is unlikely to be in the photographer's field of view during photographing, and the detection accuracy of gaze detection can be improved while ensuring good photographing.

Furthermore, the detection unit 33 is disposed between the opening 3a and the eyepiece optical system 13, and the end of the light receiving surface 35a opposite the opening 3a is inclined toward the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13.

As a result, the orientation of the light receiving surface 35a is adjusted to approach the center of the eyeball 40 when photographing the photographer, making it easier for the cornea 50 to be within the range of the angle of view of the light receiving surface 35a, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of gaze detection.

Furthermore, since only one detection unit 33 is provided, no space is required to arrange multiple detection units 33, and the number of parts can be reduced and the size can be made smaller, while improving the detection accuracy of gaze detection.

However, the finder 3 can also be configured to have multiple detectors 33 to increase the amount of incident detection light, etc.

In addition, at least one light-emitting unit 32 is disposed on each side of the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13.

As a result, the light emitted from each light-emitting unit 32, which is located on the opposite side of the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13, is directed toward the cornea 50, increasing the probability that the detection light reflected by the cornea 50 will be incident on the detection unit 33, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of gaze detection.

In particular, by arranging multiple light-emitting units 32 on opposite sides of the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13, the light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting units 32 arranged on opposite sides of the optical axis P of the eyepiece optical system 13 is directed toward the cornea 50, which further increases the probability that the detection light reflected from the cornea 50 will be incident on the detection unit 33, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of gaze detection.

In the above, the first shooting is defined as shooting with the viewfinder 3 positioned above the device body 2, but the first shooting also includes shooting with the viewfinder 3 positioned below the device body 2.

<One embodiment of the imaging device>
An example of a system configuration of a still camera according to an embodiment of the imaging device of the present technology will be described below (see FIG. 11 ).

The imaging device (still camera) 100 (corresponding to imaging device 1) has a lens unit 101 that performs imaging functions, a camera signal processing unit 102 that performs signal processing such as analog-to-digital conversion of captured image signals, and an image processing unit 103 that performs recording and playback processing of the image signals.

The imaging device 100 also includes an image display unit 104 (corresponding to display 6) such as a liquid crystal panel that displays captured images, an R/W (reader/writer) 105 that writes and reads image signals to the memory 1000, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 106 that controls the entire imaging device 100, an input unit 107 (corresponding to operation unit 5) that is made up of various switches and the like through which the user performs required operations, and a lens drive control unit 108 that controls the drive of the lens arranged in the lens unit 101.

The lens unit 101 is composed of an optical system including a lens group 109, and an image sensor 110 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor).

The camera signal processing unit 102 performs various signal processing operations on the output signal from the image sensor 110, such as converting the signal into a digital signal, removing noise, correcting image quality, and converting the signal into a luminance and color difference signal.

The image processing unit 103 performs compression, encoding, decompression, and decoding of image signals based on a specified image data format, as well as conversion of data specifications such as resolution.

The image display unit 104 has the function of displaying various data such as the operation status of the user on the input unit 107 and captured images.

The R/W 105 writes image data encoded by the image processing unit 103 to the memory 1000 and reads image data recorded in the memory 1000.

The CPU 106 functions as a control processing unit that controls each circuit block provided in the imaging device 100, and controls each circuit block based on instruction input signals, etc., from the input unit 107.

The input unit 107 is composed of, for example, a shutter release button for performing shutter operations and a selection switch for selecting an operation mode, and outputs an instruction input signal to the CPU 106 in response to operations by the user.

The lens drive control unit 108 controls motors (not shown) that drive each lens of the lens group 109 based on control signals from the CPU 106.

The memory 1000 is, for example, a semiconductor memory (memory card) that is removable from a slot connected to the R/W 105, or an internal memory located inside the imaging device 100.

The operation of the imaging device 100 is described below.

In a standby state for shooting, under the control of the CPU 106, an image signal captured by the lens unit 101 is output to the image display unit 104 via the camera signal processing unit 102 and displayed as a camera-through image. In addition, when an instruction input signal for zooming is input from the input unit 107, the CPU 106 outputs a control signal to the lens drive control unit 108, and a specific lens in the lens group 109 is moved under the control of the lens drive control unit 108.

When a shutter (not shown) of the lens unit 101 is operated by an instruction input signal from the input unit 107, the captured image signal is output from the camera signal processing unit 102 to the image processing unit 103, where it is compressed and encoded and converted into digital data in a specified data format. The converted data is output to the R/W 105 and written to the memory 1000.

Focusing and zooming are performed by the lens drive control unit 108 moving a specific lens in the lens group 109 based on a control signal from the CPU 106.

When playing back image data recorded in memory 1000, the R/W 105 reads out specific image data from memory 1000 in response to an operation on the input unit 107, and after the image processing unit 103 performs decompression and decoding processing, the playback image signal is output to the image display unit 104, and the playback image is displayed.

In this technology, "imaging" refers to a process that includes only some or all of a series of processes, from photoelectric conversion processing in which the light captured by the image sensor 110 is converted into an electrical signal, to conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 110 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 102, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion into luminance and color difference signals, etc., compression encoding/decompression decoding processing of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 103, conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution, and writing processing of the image signal to the memory 1000 by the R/W 105.

That is, "imaging" may refer only to the photoelectric conversion process of converting the light captured by the image sensor 110 into an electrical signal, or may refer to a process ranging from the photoelectric conversion process of converting the light captured by the image sensor 110 into an electrical signal to the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 110 to a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 102, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion to luminance and color difference signals, etc. ... to the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 110 to a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 102, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion to luminance and color difference signals, etc., to the processing performed by the image processing unit 103. It may refer to the process of compressing, encoding, expanding, and decoding the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image sensor 110, and the process of converting data specifications such as resolution, etc., by the image sensor 110, from the photoelectric conversion process of converting the captured light into an electrical signal by the image sensor 110 to the process of converting the output signal from the image sensor 110 into a digital signal, noise removal, image quality correction, conversion to luminance and color difference signals, etc., by the camera signal processing unit 102, and the process of compressing, encoding, expanding, and decoding the image signal based on a predetermined image data format by the image processing unit 103, and the process of converting data specifications such as resolution, etc., by the R/W 105, and it may also refer to the process of writing the image signal to the memory 1000 by the R/W 105. The order of each process in the above processes may be changed as appropriate.

In addition, in this technology, the imaging device 100 may be configured to include only some or all of the imaging element 110, the camera signal processing unit 102, the image processing unit 103, and the R/W 105 that perform the above processing.

<This technology>
The present technology can be configured as follows.

(1)
a viewfinder having an opening at one end for viewing;
a device body having an imaging element disposed therein;
A first photographing operation is performed in a state where the finder is positioned on the upper side of the device body, and a second photographing operation is performed in a state where the finder is positioned on the side of the device body.
the finder includes an eyepiece optical system having an eyepiece lens, a light emitting section that emits detection light toward the eyeball, and a detection section that has a rectangular light receiving surface that receives the detection light reflected by the eyeball,
the detection unit is located above or below the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system in the first photographing;
The detection unit is disposed such that a horizontal component in the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface is oriented along an optical axis.

(2)
The imaging device according to (1), wherein the detection unit is positioned above or below the cornea during the first imaging.

(3)
the detection unit is disposed between the aperture and the eyepiece optical system,
The imaging device according to (1) or (2), wherein an end of the light receiving surface opposite the opening is inclined toward an optical axis of the eyepiece optical system.

(4)
The imaging device according to (1) or (2), wherein the detection unit is positioned outside an outer periphery of the eyepiece optical system.

(5)
The imaging device according to (1) or (2), wherein the detection unit is positioned below an optical axis of the eyepiece optical system.

(6)
The imaging device according to (1) or (2), further comprising one detection unit.

(7)
The imaging device according to (1) or (2), wherein the light emitting units are arranged at least one on each side across an optical axis of the eyepiece optical system.

(8)
The imaging device according to (7), wherein the light emitting units are arranged on opposite sides of the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system.

1 Imaging device 3 Finder 3a Opening 13 Eyepiece optical system 14 Eyepiece lens 32 Light emitting section 32a Emission surface (emission position)
33 Detector 35a Light receiving surface 40 Eyeball 50 Cornea P Optical axis 100 Imaging device 110 Imaging element

Claims (8)

a viewfinder having an opening at one end for viewing;
a device body having an imaging element disposed therein;
A first photographing operation is performed in a state where the finder is positioned on the upper side of the device body, and a second photographing operation is performed in a state where the finder is positioned on the side of the device body.
the finder includes an eyepiece optical system having an eyepiece lens, a light emitting section that emits detection light toward the eyeball, and a detection section that has a rectangular light receiving surface that receives the detection light reflected by the eyeball,
the detection unit is located above or below the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system in the first photographing;
The detection unit is disposed such that a horizontal component in the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface is oriented along an optical axis. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is positioned above or below the cornea in the first imaging. the detection unit is disposed between the aperture and the eyepiece optical system,
The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the end of the light receiving surface opposite the opening is inclined toward the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is positioned outside an outer periphery of the eyepiece optical system. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is positioned below an optical axis of the eyepiece optical system. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises one detection unit. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light emitting sections is disposed on each of opposite sides across an optical axis of the eyepiece optical system. The imaging device according to claim 7 , wherein the light emitting units are arranged on opposite sides of the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system.

Images