JP2002040520A - Finder device and optical equipment using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To obtain a small finder device capable of performing both diopter adjustment and line-of-sight detection and an optical device using the same. [Object] To form an erect image of a subject image formed on a predetermined surface. In a finder device that forms an erect image with a member and observes through an eyepiece including a diopter adjustment lens, a projection device that irradiates a light beam to an observer's eyeball observed through the eyepiece without passing through the eyepiece. A half mirror that reflects an eyeball image based on a light part and light reflected from the eyeball in a light path width between the eyepiece and the erect image forming member, in a direction deviating from a direction perpendicular to a finder optical axis. A finder device comprising: a line-of-sight detecting means having a light beam reflected by the half mirror and an eye-ball image detecting unit for detecting information on the eye-ball image by receiving the light beam.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a finder device and an optical apparatus using the same, and for example, includes a line-of-sight direction detecting means capable of detecting a diopter direction of a photographer and a diopter adjusting means capable of adjusting diopter. It is suitable for an optical device (camera) such as a film camera, a video camera, and a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a finder device for a single-lens reflex camera having both a finder diopter adjusting means for adjusting a finder diopter (diopter) and a sight line detecting means for detecting a sight line direction of an observer is known. For example, see JP-A-5-188.
No. 430.

In this publication, a light projecting optical system 10 for irradiating a photographer's eyeball 3 to detect a line of sight, a light receiving optical system 20 for receiving light reflected from the photographer's eyeball, and an optical path of the light receiving optical system 20 are described. A light beam separating means 41 for separating a light beam from an object from an optical path is provided, and a moving lens 2b for diopter adjustment is arranged on the penta roof prism side or the observer side of the light beam separating means 41.

According to the invention of this publication, even when a part of an optical member constituting the finder is moved in order to adjust the diopter of the finder, the optical change exerted on the visual line detection by the diopter adjustment of the finder is suppressed. Discloses a finder device that can detect the direction of the line of sight under a constant condition regardless of the adjusted diopter.

[0005]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-18843
In the viewfinder device proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0, the optical axis of the line-of-sight detection means is positioned on the exit side of the penta roof prism and perpendicular to the optical axis of the eyepiece including the diopter-adjustable lens. I have to. Further, both the light projecting means and the light receiving means for line of sight detection are located in a direction orthogonal to the finder optical axis via a light beam separating means arranged at 45 degrees to the finder optical axis. For this reason, a large space for disposing each member on the exit side of the penta roof prism is required, and the entire finder apparatus tends to be large.

According to the present invention, the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced by appropriately setting the configuration of an eyepiece including a diopter adjusting lens and a line-of-sight detecting means for detecting the line-of-sight direction of an observer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a finder device capable of easily adjusting diopter and detecting a line of sight of an observer, and an optical apparatus using the same.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a finder apparatus for converting an object image formed on a predetermined surface into an erect image by an erect image forming member, and through an eyepiece including a diopter adjusting lens. In a viewfinder apparatus for observation, a light projecting unit that irradiates a light beam to an observer's eyeball to be observed through the eyepiece without passing through the eyepiece, and an eyeball image based on light reflected from the eyeball and the eyepiece. In the optical path between the erect image forming member, a half mirror that reflects light in a direction deviated from the direction perpendicular to the finder optical axis, and receives light flux reflected by the half mirror to receive information about the eyeball image. A gaze detecting unit having an eyeball image detecting unit for detecting the visual axis;

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the half mirror is disposed at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees with respect to the finder optical axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a mirror is disposed between the erect image forming member and the eyeball image detecting member, and reflects a light beam passing through the erect image forming member. A photometric unit having a photometric unit for receiving the reflected light from the mirror and measuring the object image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the invention, the eyepiece lens is a negative lens having a concave surface facing the observation side in order from the erect image forming member side, and a diopter adjustment moving on the optical axis. And a positive lens.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving lens for diopter adjustment, which is rotatably mounted around the eyepiece so as not to interfere with an eyecup of the eyepiece according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. An operating member for driving the operating member, a gear member configured to rotate integrally with the operating member, a rectilinear cam portion including a gear meshing with a gear portion of the gear member, and the moving lens includes the rectilinear cam portion. A biasing means for contacting the moving lens with the cam portion of the rectilinear cam portion; and at least two biasing means for contacting the moving lens with the cam portion of the rectilinear cam portion.
Locking means configured to be locked in one of two positions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical apparatus including the finder device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the features of a finder device of the present invention best. FIG. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a finder unit is attached to a camera body member described later, and FIG. 4 is an external rear view of a camera (optical apparatus) implementing the finder device of the present invention. Figure 1
4 to 4, the same reference numerals denote the same members. Reference numeral 1 denotes a pentaprism (image inverting means) as an erect image forming member for guiding a light beam from a photographing optical system (not shown) to a viewfinder optical axis La side (eyepiece side) via a mirror, and 2 denotes a photographer's line of sight. Is a light projecting element (light projecting unit) that irradiates infrared rays for detecting the light, and is provided around the eyepiece. Reference numeral 3 denotes a light receiving element for receiving a light flux including eyeball image information reflected by a photographer's eyeball among light fluxes emitted from the light projecting element 2, and 4 denotes a light receiving element that receives a reflected light flux from the photographer's eyeball. It is a half mirror that guides the light from the photographic lens to the element and transmits the luminous flux from the photographing lens to the eyeball of the photographer, and is set within a range of 50 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the finder optical axis La. Reference numeral 6 denotes a lens for collecting light reflected from the photographer's eyeball and guiding the light to the light receiving element 3. The members 3 and 6 constitute one element of the eyeball image detecting unit. Reference numeral 8 denotes a sensor holder for holding the light receiving element 3, and reference numeral 9 denotes a pressure contact for crimping connection between the light receiving element 13 and a flexible wiring board (not shown) for exchanging signals with a central processing unit of a camera (not shown). The clip, which is the means, and each of the members 3, 6, 8, 9 are adhered and fixed to a finder base 14, which will be described later. 10
Is a viewfinder 14 which will be described later.
It is a mirror retainer for fixing to. Members 2, 3,
Reference numerals 6, 8, and 9 constitute one element of the visual line detecting means.
Although the light projecting unit 2 directly illuminates the eyeball without passing through the eyepiece, the light may be illuminated via an infrared filter or the like. (Emission protection members 29 and 30 to be described later serve as the infrared filter.) 11 is a first lens having a concave surface on the photographer's eyeball side, and 12 is a movement on the optical axis for diopter adjustment. A second lens 13 of possible positive refractive power, said second lens 13
A lens holder to which the lens 12 is adhered and fixed, 14 is a finder base to which the first lens 11 is adhered and fixed, and 15 is rotated when the photographer moves the second lens 12 on the optical axis to adjust diopter. The operation dial 1 (operation member), which is an operation member, and the operation dial 1 are screwed with screws 42 with an upper cover 41, which is an external member, so as to rotate integrally with the operation dial 15.
A diopter adjustment gear fixed to 5 and integrally formed with a gear 16a and an unevenness 16b radially in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and 17 is when the operation dial 15 is rotated by urging the diopter adjustment gear 16 In order to stop at a fixed angle and create a click feeling when rotating, the upper cover
A click plate fixed to 1; (locking means) 18 is a diopter adjusting cam provided with a gear portion 18a meshing with the gear portion 16a of the diopter adjusting gear 16 and a rectilinear cam portion 18b;
Reference numeral 19 denotes a pin member having a pin abutting on the diopter adjusting cam 18 and a hole slidable with a shaft described later. Reference numeral 20 denotes a lens member capable of sliding the lens holder 13 and the pin member 19 in the direction of the viewfinder optical axis. The shaft 21 penetrates the lens holder 13 and the pin member 19 with the finder optical axis La.
The compression spring 22, which is a biasing means for biasing in the direction of the eyeball of the photographer, that is, the eyepiece direction of the camera, in parallel with the camera, causes the eyepiece portion to protrude from the upper lid 41, which is the external member, and the photographer The eyepiece holders 23 and 24 for attaching an eye cup for looking through the viewfinder of the camera include the light emitting element 2, the central processing unit of the camera connected to the light emitting element, and a flexible printed circuit board (not shown). A light-emitting element holder 25 for being sandwiched between the eyepiece holder 22 and the light-emitting element holder 25 is arranged to prevent dust or the like from entering the viewfinder.
A protective glass 26, which is a plate glass having no lens power, is a holding member 2 for fixing the protective glass 25 and the light emitting element holders 23 and 24 to the eyepiece holder 22 with mounting screws 5;
Reference numerals 7 and 28 denote aperture sheets serving as aperture means for adjusting the amount of light of the light projecting element 2, and reference numerals 29 and 30 denote light projecting protection members which are adhered and fixed to the eyepiece holder 22 to constitute the appearance.

The finder base 14 and the eyepiece holder 22 are fixed by screws (not shown). The members 2 to 6 and 8 to 30 constitute a finder unit. The finder unit is provided with a screw 4
4 fixed. The operation dial 15 is rotatably fixed to the diopter adjusting gear 16 with a screw 42 sandwiching the upper lid 41. The click plate 17 is screwed and fixed to an upper lid 41 which is the external member.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a photometric sensor base for fixing a photometric condenser lens 33, which is fixed to a front plate member (not shown) having a so-called lens mount screwed by screws.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a filter for cutting infrared light, reference numeral 33 denotes a condenser lens, and reference numeral 35 denotes a photometric sensor which is a sensor for measuring luminance in a photographing screen. The members 33 and 35 constitute one element of the photometric unit. Reference numeral 34 denotes a photometric sensor holder, which is a support for adhesively fixing the photometric sensor 35, and 36 denotes the photometric sensor 3
5 is a clip for pressing and fixing the flexible wiring board 5 and a flexible wiring board (not shown). The members 31 to 36 constitute a photometric sensor unit (photometric means) 103.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a mirror for changing a part of the finder optical path to the photometric sensor unit 103 side. The angle between the optical axis La1 and the optical axis La may be in the range of 80 to 100 degrees, and the size of the entire apparatus can be easily reduced. The reflection surface of the mirror 37 may be formed on the inclined surface of the finder base 14 as a vapor deposition surface.

In the above configuration, when the photographer holds the camera and looks into the finder and turns the operation dial 15 while looking at the subject, the diopter adjusting gear 16 fixed by the screw 42 is also integrated with the operation dial 15. Rotate.

At this time, the click plate 17 is in contact with the unevenness 16b of the diopter adjusting gear 16, and is stopped at a predetermined rotation angle by these locking means. As a result, it is locked in at least two positions. Further, the gear portion 16 of the diopter adjusting gear 16
The diopter adjustment cam 18 rotates in a direction opposite to the diopter adjustment gear 16 by the gear portion 18a of the diopter adjustment cam 18 that meshes with a.

The second lens 12, which is a movable lens for adjusting the diopter, is adhered and fixed to the lens holder 13, and the second lens 12 is
Together with the shaft 20, and is slidably held in a direction parallel to the finder optical axis.

The second lens 12 and the lens holder 13 constitute a second lens unit.

The second lens unit and the pin member 19 are constantly urged toward the ivy side (observer side) by the compression spring 21, and the rectilinear cam portion is rotated with the rotation of the diopter adjustment cam 18. By 18b, the second lens unit moves in the optical axis direction. The diopter adjustment cam 18 has a stop means (not shown) between the operation dial 15 and the upper lid 41 which is the external member so that the diopter adjustment cam 18 cannot be rotated to the height difference. The pin 1
The nine members are configured not to come off the straight cam 18b.

The angle between the half mirror 4 and the optical axis La is larger than 45 degrees (within a range of 50 degrees to 60 degrees,
(Preferably within a range of 47 degrees to 58 degrees), so that the light-receiving hands such as the condenser lens 6 and the sensor holder 8 are directed toward the lens 11 and the lens holder 13 as shown in FIGS. Approaching and approaching the eyepiece side. Thereby, the light receiving sensor unit 1
A gap is formed between the light receiving sensor unit 102 and the pentabrhythm 1, and the photometric sensor unit 103 different from the light receiving sensor unit 102 and the photometric sensor unit 103 can be arranged there.

In the present invention, as described above, in order to achieve efficient miniaturization of the camera by arranging the mechanical parts efficiently,
As a feature of the arrangement of the finder optical system, the diopter adjusting lens system is composed of a negative lens (concave lens) 11 and a positive lens (convex lens) 12, and the diopter is adjusted by moving the positive lens 12 among them.

In particular, a fixed negative lens and a movable positive lens are arranged between the light beam separating means 4 and the light projecting section 2 to adjust the diopter. Movement of the lens for the purpose of minimizing the change in magnification of the reflected light from the eyeball for gaze detection, and
The size of the diopter-adjustable finder with a visual line detection function is achieved while taking a large movement stroke of the movable lens 12 on the finder optical axis La to increase the diopter adjustment range as much as possible.

The diopter adjusting mechanism described above adjusts the diopter by changing the focal length and the principal point position by moving the lens. If the distance between the lenses is widened, the focal length is shortened and at the same time the principal point moves to the observer side, both of which have the effect of making the diopter (+).
Conversely, when the lens interval is reduced, the focal length increases, and at the same time the principal point moves to the focus plate side. Both of them have the effect of reducing the diopter to (-).

Therefore, the lens layout of the negative lens 11 and the positive lens 12 is a layout in which a sufficient diopter adjustment effect can be obtained by a small movement of the lens. If the movement of the lens is small, the change in the light incident position on the positive lens 12 due to the diopter adjustment is small. The smaller the change in the light incident position, the smaller the change in distortion caused by the change in the refractive power of the lens of the light. As a result, the influence of the diopter change on the gaze detection system is reduced. With this configuration, a system in which the distortion (change in magnification) of the eye gaze detection system due to diopter adjustment is suppressed can be realized while achieving miniaturization.

In the present invention, the diopter is adjusted by moving the positive lens 12 and fixing the negative lens 11.
Even if the lens 1 is moved to fix the positive lens 12, the embodiment of the present invention is not changed. However, when the negative lens is moved and the positive lens is fixed, the change of the principal point position is reversed, and the lens must be largely moved to adjust the diopter. In addition, since the incident position on the positive lens is increased, it becomes difficult to correct aberration. Further, in order to arrange the light beam separating means 4 as close as possible to a fixed lens, there is an advantage that the fixed lens is more easily arranged as a negative lens than as a positive lens.

Further, the eyepiece may be composed of, for example, a negative lens, a positive lens, and a positive lens from the pentabrhythm side, and at least one of the positive lenses may be moved on the optical axis as a diopter adjustment lens.

In the present embodiment, an image reversing means other than the pentaprism may be used, and a finder device having the above-described members may be arranged on the light exit side.

In this embodiment, for the detection of the line of sight of the observer, for example, a known line of sight detection device disclosed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-258302 and 9-269527 can be applied.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the light projecting unit 2, the light receiving unit 3, the light beam separating means 4, and the moving lens 12 are arranged as close as possible, and the length of the finder optical axis La is shortened. The overall size of the camera has been reduced. Further, the inclination of the reflection surface of the light beam separating means 4 is set to be larger than 45 degrees to bring the light receiving sensor unit 102 closer to the moving lens 12 and to provide a space between the moving lens 12 and the pen rhythm. By arranging a sensor 103 different from the light receiving sensor unit 102, high-density components are arranged and the camera is downsized.

In the above configuration, since the diopter adjusting lens 12 can be driven at a position close to the operation member 15, the number of intervening parts can be reduced, and a driving mechanism with less backlash can be configured. . Also, since the diopter adjusting lens 12 is close to the eyepiece group, it can be easily assembled. Furthermore, since the diopter adjusting lens 12 is arranged between the line-of-sight detecting light projecting unit 2 so as to overlap in the vertical direction of the camera, the length in the vertical direction on the finder optical axis is reduced. And the camera can be miniaturized.

Further, since the positive lens 12 is moved for diopter adjustment, even if the diopter is changed, the distortion change (so-called magnification change) of the reflected light from the photographer's eyeball is suppressed to be low. Therefore, accurate gaze detection can be performed in any diopter state within the diopter adjustment range.

An operating member 15 rotatably attached to the eyepiece so as not to interfere with the eyecup rubber, a gear member configured to rotate integrally with the operating member, a gear portion of the gear member, A rectilinear cam provided with a meshing gear, a moving lens which abuts the rectilinear cam and is movably arranged in the direction of the finder optical axis, and a bias for bringing the moving lens into contact with a cam portion of the rectilinear cam A spring and locking means for locking the rectilinear cam or the contacting member at at least two positions are provided, so that diopter adjustment is performed favorably.

Further, according to this embodiment, the finder unit having the diopter adjustment mechanism and the cover member constituting the external appearance of the camera on which the operation members are arranged can be formed separately, and assembling workability can be improved. improves. Also, during normal use of the camera, the operating member is hidden under the eyecup rubber, the diopter can be changed only when necessary, and the operating member is not accidentally rotated by the locking means, Effects such as improved operability of the camera can be obtained.

[0037]

According to the present invention, the eyepiece including the diopter adjusting lens and the line-of-sight detecting means for detecting the line-of-sight direction of the observer are appropriately set as described above. It is possible to achieve a finder device that can easily adjust the diopter and detect the direction of the line of sight of the observer while miniaturizing the entire device, and an optical device using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a finder device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the finder device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the finder device of the present invention is mounted on a camera body member.

FIG. 4 is an external rear view of a camera having the finder device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 pentaprism 2 light emitting element 3 light receiving element 4 half mirror 5 screw 6 condenser lens 8 sensor holder 9 clip 10 mirror holder 11 first lens (fixed) 12 second lens (movable) 13 lens holder 14 finder base 15 operation dial Reference Signs List 16 diopter adjusting gear 17 click plate 18 diopter adjusting cam 19 pin member 20 shaft 21 compression spring 22 eyepiece holder 23 light emitting element holder 24 light emitting element holder 25 protective glass 26 pressing member 27 aperture sheet 28 aperture sheet 29 light emitting protection Member 30 Projection protection member 31 Photometry sensor base 32 Filter 33 Condensing lens 34 Photometry sensor holder 35 Photometry sensor 36 Clip 37 Mirror 41 Top cover (exterior member) 42 Screw 43 Body member 44 Viewfinder mounting screw 45 Exterior stop Bis

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A viewfinder device, in which a subject image formed on a predetermined surface is formed into an erect image by an erect image forming member and observed through an eyepiece including a diopter adjusting lens, is observed through the eyepiece. In the light path between the eyepiece lens and the erect image forming member, the eyeball image based on the light projecting unit that irradiates the observer's eyeball with a light beam without passing through the eyepiece lens and the reflected light from the eyeball, A half-mirror that reflects light in a direction deviated from a direction perpendicular to the viewfinder optical axis, and an eye-gaze detecting unit that has an eyeball image detecting unit that receives light flux reflected by the half-mirror and detects information about the eyeball image A finder device characterized by the following. 2. The finder device according to claim 1, wherein the half mirror is disposed at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees with respect to the finder optical axis. 3. A mirror disposed between the erect image forming member and the eyeball image detecting member, for reflecting a light beam passing through the erect image forming member, and receiving a reflected light from the mirror to form a subject image. 3. The finder device according to claim 1, further comprising a photometric unit having a photometric unit for performing photometry. 4. The eyepiece lens comprises: a negative lens having a concave surface facing the observation side in order from the erect image forming member side; and a positive lens for diopter adjustment moving on the optical axis. The finder device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein 5. An operation member for driving a diopter adjustment moving lens rotatably mounted around the eyepiece so as not to interfere with an eyecup of the eyepiece, and an operation member integrated with the operation member. A gear member configured to rotate, a rectilinear cam portion provided with a gear meshing with the gear portion of the gear member, and the moving lens abutting on the rectilinear cam portion and movably disposed in the finder optical axis direction; An urging means for bringing the moving lens into contact with the cam portion of the rectilinear cam portion;
The finder device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a locking means configured to lock in one of two positions. 6. An optical apparatus comprising the finder device according to claim 1.