Patent ID: 6011926
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A horizon control for a camera for indicating whether a plane of the camera is level with respect to the ground surface, the plane of the camera having a x-axis and a y-axis extending from the camera, the y-axis being extended perpendicular to the x-axis, each axis extending in opposite first and second directions, the camera having a generally rectangular viewfinder having four corners, said horizon control comprising:an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;a x-axis level detector for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said x-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said x-axis level detector being electrically connected to said x-axis level indicator; anda y-axis level detector for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said y-axis level detector being electrically connected to said y-axis level indicator;wherein said x-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, wherein said y-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;wherein said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said x-axis, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said x-axis, and wherein said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said y-axis, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said y-axis.