IP Library Granted Patent US 9,774,830
Granted Patent B2
US 9,774,830 · App. 13/213,136 · Granted Sep 26, 2017

Imaging apparatus and imaging method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,774,830
App. No.
13/213,136
Granted
Sep 26, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging apparatus appropriately determines a zoom angle of view in the case where the imaging apparatus is worn on the head of a user, and the imaging apparatus is worn on the head of the user, including a sight line direction detection unit which detects sight line direction of the user, a zoom angle determination unit which determines a zoom angle of view such that the zoom angle of view becomes smaller as variations in the sight line direction decrease, and an imaging unit which captures an image of a subject according to the determined zoom angle of view.

Claims (21)

1. An imaging apparatus to be worn on a head of a user, the imaging apparatus comprising:

a sight line detection circuit that detects a sight line direction of the user;

a motion detection circuit that detects motion information indicating motion of a subject;

a zoom angle determination circuit that determines a zoom angle of view to be smaller as a correlation value between the motion of the subject obtained from the motion information and motion of the sight line direction increases; and

an imaging circuit that captures an image of the subject according to the zoom angle of view.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the imaging circuit captures an image of the subject positioned in the sight line direction by driving an optical system according to the sight line direction.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the zoom angle determination circuit determines the zoom angle of view to be larger as a difference between a center of the variations in the sight line direction and a direction of an optical axis increases.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sight line detection circuit detects the sight line direction based on an eye electric potential of the user.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sight line detection circuit and the zoom angle determination circuit are an integrated circuit.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein variations in the sight line direction in a whole screen are expressed by a standard deviation of the sight line direction.

7. An imaging method performed by an imaging apparatus to be worn on a head of a user, the imaging method comprising:

detecting a sight line direction of the user;

detecting motion information indicating motion of a subject;

determining a zoom angle of view to be smaller as a correlation value between the motion of the subject obtained from the motion information and motion of the sight line direction increases; and

capturing an image of the subject according to the zoom angle of view.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon for causing a computer to execute the imaging method according to claim 7 .

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →