JPH03192338A - Observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically start the action of additional function such as an automatic focusing mechanism by providing a means for starting the action of the additional function for the observation device when the a detecting means detects that they eye of an observer approaches the observation device. CONSTITUTION:When a photographer intends to perform photographing and turns on the power source switch of the power source 10 of a camera which is the observation device, a timer starts the action in a controller 11 correspond ing to the on-stage of the switch. A signal giving an instruction that the approaching state of the eye of the photographer is detected is transmitted from the controller 11 to an arithmetic processor 13 at intervals of time DELTAT1. The arithmetic processor 13 which receives the signal turns on a light emitting element 1. Infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 1 illuminates the vicinity of the eye point of the photographer through a half mirror 2, a lens 3, an ocular 4 and a dichroic mirror 5. When the arithmetic processor 13 detects that the eye of the photographer approaches the device, the controller 11 transmits a driving signal to a lens driving device 12 based on the focus detecting signal of a focus detecting unit 20 so as to start the focusing of a photographing lens 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an observation device such as a camera or a microscope, and relates to additional functions of the observation means of the observation device.

(Prior Art) Observation devices, such as cameras and microscopes, do not only simply observe objects, but also adjust the focus of objective lenses (focus detection and lens drive) and shoot film based on instructions from the observer. It has an additional function that automatically determines the exposure value. Taking a camera as an example, a photographer conducting an observation turns on the power switch on the camera body, completes preparations for basic camera operations, and then presses the release button halfway to adjust the auto focus. Start photometry.

However, in the conventional example described above, when the observer operates a function added to the original function of the observation device, the disadvantage is that it is necessary to input information to start the operation of the additional function itself into the observation device. was there. For example, in the case of a camera, additional functions such as automatic focus adjustment begin when the photographer presses the release button halfway.

Therefore, even if you press the release button all the way after deciding on the composition for the subject, focus detection will only be performed from the moment you press the button halfway, so it takes time to adjust the focus of the photographic lens.
The drawback was that you would miss the photo opportunity.

Various proposals have been made to reduce the release time lag of the above-mentioned camera. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-42639, the focus detection operation is started by detecting that the photographer is holding the camera, and the focus detection operation is started by detecting that the photographer is holding the camera. A system is disclosed in which activation is initiated by detecting an action of a photographer looking into an eyepiece of a camera. Automatic focus (AF) detection starts when the photographer grasps the camera's grip, and when the photographer looks into the viewfinder, the objective lens begins to drive based on previously detected AF data.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the autofocus system, the initial position of the objective lens is determined based on AF data before the photographer determines the composition of the subject using the finder. Therefore, when the photographer looks into the viewfinder, the objective lens is driven based on the AF distance measurement data that starts from the moment the photographer holds the camera, so there is a time lag, and it is not always possible to take a picture. There is a problem in that the focus position on the main subject does not match the person's intended focus position.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the present invention, an observation device such as a camera or a microscope is provided with a detection device for detecting the approach state of the observer's eyes to the observation device, and the detection device detects the observer's eyes. The apparatus is equipped with means for detecting the approach of the observer to the observation apparatus and initiating the above-mentioned additional functions on the observation apparatus, and automatically focusing the objective lens provided in the observation apparatus when the observer looks into the observation apparatus. It is characterized by automatically starting the operation of additional functions such as mechanisms. As a result, the observer does not have to input operation start information into the additional function, and the initial operating state of the additional function is made appropriate.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically show a first embodiment of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to a single-lens reflex camera. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a single-lens reflex camera that is an observation device, and FIGS. 2 (A) and (B) are flow charts showing the operation of the automatic focus adjustment mechanism in the camera shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an output diagram of the light receiving element.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a light emitting element, which is an infrared light emitting diode with an emission spectrum that is insensitive to the observer, 2 is a half mirror for infrared light, 13 is a lens, 4 is an eyepiece, and 5 is a half mirror for infrared light.
5 is a dichroic mirror that reflects infrared light and transmits visible light, 6 is a light receiving element such as an area sensor, 10 is a power switch, 11 is a control device, 12 is a lens drive device, and 13 is an arithmetic processing device. This is the configuration of the core part of the invention. The rest is similar to the configuration of a normal single-lens reflex camera, with 20 being a focus detection unit, 21 being a photographing lens,
22 is a flip-up mirror, 23 is a sub-mirror, 24 is a focusing plate, 25 is a condenser lens, and 26 is a pentagonal roof prism.

7j The single-lens reflex camera, which is the observation device in the S1 embodiment, is equipped with a photoelectric detection system consisting of the above-mentioned elements 1 to 6 and an arithmetic processing unit 13 as a means for detecting the approaching state of the eyes of the photographer (observer) to the observation device. A control device 11 is provided as a means for detecting the approach state of the photographer's eyes to the observation device and starting the operation of functions added to the observation device such as an automatic focus adjustment function. There is.

The control device 11 instructs the start of the operation, and also has the function of stopping the operation of the additional function based on the output of the line of sight detection device and maintaining that state when the photographer's eyes move away from the observation device. There is. The details of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 3.

FIG. 2(A) shows the flow of this embodiment. When a photographer turns on a power switch of a power source 10 of a camera, which is an observation device, in order to take a photograph, a timer starts operating in a control device 11 correspondingly. The time since the timer starts operating is expressed as T. On the other hand, at this point, the time interval ΔT1 for detecting the approaching state of m patient's eyes with the line of sight detection device and the time limit T that limits the length of the detection time.
LI is set in advance (#1 to #2).

The control device 11 sends a signal to the arithmetic processing device 13 at time intervals of ΔT1 to give a command to detect the approaching state of the photographer's eyes. The arithmetic processing unit 13 that receives the signal lights up the light emitting element 1. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 1 passes through a half mirror 2, a lens 3, an eyepiece 4, and a dichroic mirror 5, and illuminates the vicinity of the photographer's eye point, which is indicated by an x mark in FIG. If the photographer has not yet held the camera, no image signal will appear on the light receiving element 6 because there is no reflected light from the photographer's eyeballs. In response to this result, the arithmetic processing unit 13 detects that the photographer's eyes are not close to the viewfinder of the camera (#4).

When the control device 11 receives a non-approach signal from the photographer's eyes from the arithmetic processing device 13, it compares the time T measured by the timer with a predetermined time limit TLI. Here the measurement time T
If TLI is longer than the time limit, it is determined that the photographer has no intention of photographing, and the control device 11 sets the power switch 1° of the camera to the OFF state (#19).

- On the other hand, if the measurement time T is shorter than the time limit TLI, the control device 11 continues the operation of detecting the approach of the photographer's eyes (#3).

When the photographer looks through the finder to start shooting, the photographer captures the subject image that passes through the shooting lens 21, is reflected by the flip-up mirror 22, and is focused on the focusing plate 24. and is observed through the eyepiece lens 4. Also, at this time, part of the subject light is from the photographing lens 2! After passing through the flip-up mirror 22 and reflected by the sub-mirror 23, the focus detection unit 2
I am guided by 0.

When the photographer looks through the finder, the infrared light emitted from the light receiving element 1 is reflected by the eyeball and re-enters the eyepiece 4, and then passes through the dichroic mirror 5, lens 3, and half mirror.
The image is formed on the light receiving element 6 via the light receiving element 2 . FIG. 3 shows one line of signal output from the light receiving element 6, which is composed of an area sensor, at this time.

In the figure, the image signal is indicated by a solid line, and it can be seen that reflected images of the pupil, iris, cornea, etc. are formed depending on the difference in reflective surface and reflectance. The arithmetic processing unit 13 recognizes the corneal reflection image and the presence of the pupil from this image signal, and detects that the photographer's eyes are in a close state (#3).

On the other hand, the broken line in FIG. 3 is an example of a signal obtained when an object other than the photographer's eye, such as a hand or clothes, approaches the camera's eye point position.

In general, objects that approach the viewfinder of a camera are often diffuse objects with low contrast to infrared light, so the obtained signal is flat and the output itself is small. Therefore, the signals of these outputs and the reflected image from the eye can be easily distinguished.

When the arithmetic processing unit 13 detects the approach of the photographer's eyes, it transmits an eye approach signal to the control device 11 (#4).

When the control device 11 receives this signal, it resets the time interval for detecting the eye approach state to ΔT2 (ΔT2>ΔTl) and resets the timer (#5 to #6).

Furthermore, the control device 11 sends a drive signal to the lens drive device 12 based on the focus detection signal of the focus detection unit 20,
It has the role of starting the focus adjustment of the i-shadow lenses 21 (#7).

By automatically detecting the proximity of the eyes in this way,
A camera according to the invention relieves the photographer of the need for manual action to initiate autofocus adjustment. As a result, the focus adjustment operation consisting of focus detection and lens drive starts from the moment the photographer holds the camera, so composition can be determined quickly, and the initial focus adjustment operation for the main subject is appropriately set. Focus detection time also becomes faster.

When the shutter release switch is turned on while automatic focus adjustment of the photographic lens 21 is being performed, the photographic lens 21 is first maintained in the adjusted state after the focus adjustment function is performed (
#8. #20).

Furthermore, the control device 11 sends a signal to a shutter unit (not shown) to operate the shutter and take a picture (#21).
.

After the photographing is completed, the control device 11 resets the timer and starts the automatic focus adjustment operation of the photographic lens 21 again (#6~
#7).

- On the other hand, when the shutter release switch is in the OFF state, the approaching state of the photographer's eyes is detected at time intervals ΔT2 (#8 to #9).

If the photographer continues to hold the camera, the processing unit 1
3 detects that the photographer's eyes are approaching, and sends an approach signal to the control device 11 (#10).

In response, the control device 11 resets the timer and continues automatic focus adjustment (#6 to #7).

When the photographer stops looking through the camera finder, the light reflected from the eyeball no longer reaches the light receiving element 6. In response, the arithmetic processing unit 13 detects that the photographer's eyes have moved away from the camera, and sends an eye non-approaching signal to the control device 1 (#9 to #10).

The control device 11 controls the lens driving device 12 based on this signal.
A stop signal is sent to the camera to maintain the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 21 (#11).

Various cases need to be considered for canceling the detection of the proximity state of the photographer's eyes. For example, when the photographer uses the camera's self-timer function, changes the shooting mode during shooting, or reloads the film after it is used up, the photographer takes his eyes off the viewfinder during shooting. There are various situations that exist. Therefore, when the photographer's eyes are in a non-approaching state, the control device 11 simultaneously checks whether the various functions of the camera are in operation. When any of the functions described above is in operation, the control device 11 resets the timer, sets the time interval for detecting the approaching state of the photographer's eyes to ΔT2, and sends a signal to the arithmetic processing device 13.
Detection of the approach state is continued (#5 to #7).

As a result of detecting the approach state of the photographer's eyes, if it is found that the photographer is not looking into the finder yet, the computing device 13 sends a non-approaching signal to the control device 11 (#16
~ #17).

The control device 11 that has received the non-approach signal again checks other functions such as the above-mentioned self-timer (#!2).

The photographer is #! Since the photographer does not operate any other functions except for the film rewind function when he or she has finished filming or observing, the control device 11 starts the timer after confirming that no other functions of the camera are operating. The measurement time T and the time limit ΔTL2 are compared (#!2 to #14).

If the measurement time T is longer than the time limit ΔTL2, the control device 11 recognizes that the observer has finished photographing and sets the power switch 10 to the OFF state (#19).

Even when the photographer has finished photographing or observing, if the time interval ΔT2 for detecting the approaching state in [1] is relatively short, a situation may occur in which the measurement time T is less than the time limit ΔTL2. At this time, the control device 11 resets the time interval for detecting the approaching state of the S patient's eyes to ΔTl (ΔTl<ΔT2) and starts detecting the approaching state of the eyes again (#15 to #16).

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2(A), when the power switch 10 is turned on and the approaching state of the eyes is first detected, the measurement time T and the time limit TLI are immediately compared. If other functions are operating, processing such as resetting the timer or lengthening the f14J time limit TLI may be added.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2A shows an example in which there is no information manual means (for example, half-pressing the shutter button switch) for starting the operation of the focus adjustment function added to the camera.

On the other hand, the flowchart shown in FIG. 2(B) is an example in which there is an information manual means for starting the operation of the additional function. What is shown is a case regarding focus adjustment, and when a function like that shown in FIG. 2 (A) is being executed as a normal operation, information for operating the focus adjustment function is forcibly inputted from the information manual means. Then, the flow shown in FIG. 2(B) preferentially interrupts the flow shown in FIG. 2(A).

As a result, first, the timer is held and the focus adjustment function starts operating (#a to #b).

When the shutter release switch is depressed at this time, after focus adjustment is completed, this state is maintained and the shutter is released (#C to #e).

Further, if the shutter release switch is not turned on, it returns to the original position at the time of the interruption (#C).

In the present invention, a light emitting element 1, a half mirror 2, a lens 3, a dichroic mirror 5, and a light receiving element 6 are used as means for detecting whether a photographer is looking into a camera which is an observation device.
, a line of sight detection device consisting of an arithmetic processing unit 13 is used. The line of sight of the photographer looking through the finder is determined by detecting the reflected light from the eyeball illuminated with infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 1. For example, the third
When the image signal as shown in the figure is obtained, the arithmetic processing unit 13 detects the boundary coordinates Za and Zb between the pupil and the iris and the coordinate Zd of the reflected image of the cornea, and calculates β *mouth c* sinθ”= (Za+Zb)/ 2
- The line of sight of the photographer can be detected by performing an arithmetic process called Zd. Here, β is the lateral magnification of the receiving optical system, O
C is the distance between the center of curvature of the cornea and the center of the pupil, θ is the rotation angle of the optical axis of the eyeball, and the line of sight of the eyeball is approximately 5 to 7
[deg] deviated in the direction of the nose.

The embodiments described so far have been related to the autofocus function of a camera. However, the present invention is of course not limited to this. #@Shadow Detection of the proximity of the patient's eyes includes starting, stopping, and holding automatic exposure, starting and stopping the display in the viewfinder of a camera, opening and closing the eyepiece shutter of an eye reflex camera, and opening and closing the lens barrier of a lens shutter camera. It can also be effectively applied to control operations such as opening and closing.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram of the main parts when the present invention is applied to a microscope device. In the figure, 1 is a light emitting element, 4 is an eyepiece, 7 is a touch sensor,
11 is a control device, 12 is a lens drive device, 20 is a focus detection unit, 31 is an objective lens, 32 is a relay lens,
34, 35 is a projection lens, 36, 37, 38 are prisms, 39 is a mirror, 40 is a stage, and 41 is a mask.

The microscope device, which is the observation device in the present invention, has an automatic focus adjustment function as an additional function, and in addition to this, the observer's eyes are close to or in contact with the observation device. That is, the touch sensor 7 is a means for detecting that the observer is looking into the eyepiece of the microscope, and the means for starting the operation of the automatic focus adjustment function, which is a function added to the microscope, based on the output of the sensor. A certain control device 11 is provided.

1j control device 11 has the function of stopping the operation of the additional functions of the observation device and maintaining that state when it is detected that the observer's eyes have left the observation device.

When an observer turns on a power switch (not shown), the light emitting element 1 lights up. The light emitted from the light emitting element 1 is transmitted through a projection lens 34, a mask 41, a projection lens 35, and a prism 36.
, the object to be examined placed on the stage 40 is illuminated through the objective lens 31, and preparations for operation of the original functions of the microscope are completed. The light reflected by the object to be examined is guided to the eye point of the eyepiece via the objective lens 31, prisms 36, 37, relay lens 32, prism 38, and eyepiece 4. Further, a part of the reflected light from the object to be inspected passes through the prism 38 and reaches the focus detection unit 20 via the mirror 39.

As described above, the microscope device of this embodiment has a focus adjustment function for the objective lens system in addition to its original function as an observation device. When the observer is not performing microscopic observation, the autofocus does not need to operate and therefore does not function. When the observer approaches the eyepiece and touches the touch sensor 7 disposed in the eyepiece in an attempt to observe, the touch sensor 7 sends an eye approach signal to the control device 11 . Upon receiving the approach signal, the control device 11 sends a signal to the focus detection unit 20 to start focus detection, and based on the detection information obtained by the focus detection unit 20, the control device 11 controls the objective lens system (objective lens 31 , prism 36.37,
sends a signal to move the relay lens 32). The lens driving device 12 adjusts the focus by moving the lens barrel of the microscope, which is surrounded by a broken line in the figure, by a predetermined amount based on the focus detection information, which includes the objective lens system and the illumination device. Therefore, at the same time that the observer starts the original observation operation of looking into the eyepiece of the microscope,
Operation of additional functions of the microscope can be started. Furthermore, when the observer's eyes move away from the eyepiece of the microscope, the touch sensor 7 detects the separation and stops sending the eye approach signal to the control device 11. As a result, the control device 11 sends a signal to the lens driving device 12 to stop the focus adjustment of the objective lens system, and causes the objective lens system to maintain the same position.

In this embodiment, a touch sensor is used as a means for detecting the approach of the observer's eyes, but a capacitance sensor that detects a change in capacitance may be used instead.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the present invention, an observation device such as a camera or a microscope is provided with a means for detecting the approaching state of the observer's eyes with respect to the observation device, and a method according to the output of the detection means. Means are provided for starting the operation of the functions provided in addition to the original functions of the observation device. This has made it possible to automatically start the functions added to the observation device, such as automatic focusing, when the observer sets his/her eyes on the observation device in order to look into the observation device. As a result,
The observer is freed from the need to manually enter operation start information for the additional function, and is now able to appropriately start the operation of the additional function. Furthermore, by operating the additional function only when necessary, it has become possible to obtain a significant effect in terms of battery consumption.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the automatic focus adjustment function of the camera, Fig. 3 is an output diagram of the light receiving element in the first embodiment, and Fig. 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of a microscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, l is a light emitting element, 2 is a half mirror, 3 is a lens, 4 is an eyepiece, 5 is a dichroic mirror, 6 is a light receiving element, 7 is a touch sensor, 10 is a power switch, 11 is a control device, 12 is a lens drive device, 13 is an arithmetic processing unit; 2
0 is a focus detection unit, 21 is a photographic lens, 22 is a flip-up mirror, 23 is a sub-mirror, 24 is a focusing plate, 25
is a condenser lens, 26 is a penta roof prism, 3
1 is an objective lens, 32 is a relay lens, 34, 35 is a projection lens, 36, 37, 38 are prisms, 39 is a mirror, 40 is a stage, and 41 is a mask. Figure 3 Figure Q Poor. c Figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) means for detecting the approach state of the observer's eyes to the observation device; the detection means detects the state in which the observer's eyes are set in the eyepiece of the observation means; An observation device characterized in that the operation of a function added to the observation function of the observation device is started. (2) The detection signal detects that the observer's eyes are away from the eyepiece of the observation means, and the function added to the observation function of the observation device is activated based on the detection signal. 2. The observation device according to claim 1, further comprising means for discontinuing the additional function and for maintaining the state of the additional function at the time of discontinuation.