Abstract:
The camera view-correction apparatus comprises at least one dividing plate located in the view finder so as to divide the view finder into several regions. Each region has a light source at the far end, so that when all the light sources are successfully observed without being shielded by the dividing plate, it indicates that the optical axis of the view finder is matched with the optical axis of the lens. Alternatively, the camera view-correction apparatus has a plurality of plates located in the view finder. The plates enclose a tunnel free space with a cross shape for the cross-sectional view. Light can pass the tunnel free space and reach the eyes. If the optical axis of the view finder is tilted, some portion of the light is shielded by the plates with respect to the tilted direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for camera to take a view. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for correcting a view direction for a camera to take a view of objects. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a conventional automatic-focusing camera, such as a dual-eye camera, or a simple digital camera, which take a view of objects through a view finder when taking pictures. In FIG. 1, since the structure is greatly simplified, the lens  10  and the view finder  20  has a certain fixed distance. As a result, the actual object view  30  from the lens  10  is inevitably different from the object view  40  from the view finder  20  because the view points are separated by the distance. Usually, camera designers have always tried to reduce the distance between the view finder  20  and the lens  10  to minimize the view difference. 
     However, even if the camera designers can reduce the view difference, the view difference can also be induced by a deviation of view direction from eyes through the view finder. The view difference induced by the photographers is sever also. 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the view difference induced by photographer&#39;s eyes. In FIG. 2, when the eye takes the view through the view finder  20  with an optical axis  60  deviating from a vertical optical axis  50  with respect to the lens  10 . As a result, the object view  30 ′ from the lens  10  is greatly different from the object view  40 ′ from the view finder  20  along the optical axis  60 . This phenomenon is natural for the photographer and is more obvious when the object is closer to the lens  10 . Particularly, the photographer may often hold the camera with a tilted plane under absent mind. Practically, the view difference is more sever and more often occurring due to improper view point by the photographers without notice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is at least an object of the invention to provide a camera view-correction apparatus to correct an optical axis of a view finder, whereby the view finder can have the optical axis matching with an optical axis of lens. The view difference is effectively reduced. 
     It is at least another object of the invention to provide a camera view-correction apparatus using a correction mark installed in the view finder. The correcting mark provides information to the photographer when the eyes has a tilted optical axis from the optical axis of the lens. 
     It is at least still an object of the invention to provide a camera view-correction apparatus using a correction mark installed in the view finder. The photographer can view the object precisely in front of the lens using the correction mark. The view difference can be effectively reduced. 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a camera view-correction apparatus suitable use with a view finder. The camera view-correction apparatus comprises at least one dividing plate located in the view finder so as to divide the view finder into several regions. Each region has a light source at the far end, so that when all the light sources are successfully observed without being shielded by the dividing plate, it indicates that the optical axis of the view finder is matched with the optical axis of the lens. 
     The invention provides a camera view-correction apparatus suitable use with a view finder. The camera view-correction apparatus comprises a plurality of plates located in the view finder. The plates enclose a tunnel free space with a cross shape for the cross-sectional view. Light can pass the tunnel free space and reach the eyes. If the optical axis of the view finder is tilted, some portion of the light is shielded by the plates with respect to the tilted direction. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a conventional automatic-focusing camera, such as a dual-eye camera, or a simple digital camera, which take a view of objects through a view finder when taking pictures; 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing, schematically illustrating the view difference induced by photographer&#39;s eyes; 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct the vertical view direction, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3B is a side view, schematically illustrating a principle to correct the view direction for the camera view-correction apparatus, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3C is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct the horizontal view direction, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3D is a side view, schematically illustrating a principle to correct the view direction for the camera view-correction apparatus, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct both the horizontal and vertical directions, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a forth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In order to have a correct view direction from eyes, the invention provides a correction mark implemented in a view finder, so that eyes can adjust the view direction. The correction mark of the invention includes at least two light sources and at least one dividing plate. 
     First Embodiment 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct the vertical view direction, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3A, a view finder  20  is implemented with a correction mark. The correction mark includes light sources  80  and  90 , and a dividing plate  70 . For the vertical correction, the dividing plate is set by a horizontal manner, so as to divide the view finder  20  into an upper space and a lower space. The light source  80  is located in the upper space at one end toward the object, and the light source  90  is located in the lower space at the same end. 
     FIG. 3B is a side view, schematically illustrating a principle to correct the view direction for the camera view-correction apparatus, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3B, when the photographer takes pictures, the eye may view at different directions, such as the view directions  100 ,  110 ,  120 . Since the light sources  80 ,  90  are located at the far end of the view finder  20  and are separated by the dividing plate  70 , only the view direction  110  can simultaneously observe both the light sources  80 ,  90 . If the view direction is tilted, not along to a long axis of the dividing plate  70 , one of the light sources  80 ,  90  is shielded by the dividing plate  70 . As a result the view direction  100  can only observe the light source  80 . Similarly, the view direction  120  can only observe the light source  90 . The view difference would severely occur, if the eye observes the object from the view directions  100  and  120 . Therefore, by the correction mark of the invention, the eye can be set to the right direction match to the lens optical axis of the camera. 
     Similarly, the correction for the horizontal view direction can be achieved by the same principle. FIG. 3C is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct the horizontal view direction, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. The view finder  20  is implemented with the correction mark, which includes at least two light sources  140 ,  150 , and a dividing plate  130 . The plane of the dividing is set vertically. Now, the light source  140  is located on a left side of the dividing plate  130 , and the light source  150  is located on the right side of the dividing plate  130 . The dividing plate  130  divide the view finder into a left space and a right space. 
     FIG. 3D is a side view, schematically illustrating a principle to correct the view direction for the camera view-correction apparatus, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3D, when the photographer takes pictures, the eye may view at different directions, such as the view directions  160 ,  170 ,  180 . Since the light sources  140 ,  150  are located at the far end of the view finder  20  and are separated by the dividing plate  130 , only the view direction  170  can simultaneously observe both the light sources  140 ,  150 . If the view direction is tilted, not along to a long axis of the dividing plate  130 , one of the light sources  140 ,  150  is shielded by the dividing plate  130 . As a result the view direction  160  can only observe the light source  140 . Similarly, the view direction  180  can only observe the light source  150 . The view difference would severely occur, if the eye observes the object from the view directions  160  and  180 . Therefore, by the correction mark of the invention, the eye can be set to the right direction match to the lens optical axis of the camera. 
     With the same principle above, the horizontal correction and the vertical correction can be simultaneously achieved by including the vertical dividing plate and the horizontal dividing plate, so that the view finder can be divided into several spaces horizontally and vertically. Several light sources are located in each of the spaces. When all the light sources are observed simultaneously, it indicates that the view direction is on the right directing matching to the lens optical axis. 
     FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder with dividing plates used to correct both the horizontal and vertical directions, according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3E, an example of the correction mark with a T-like structure for both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is schematically illustrated. In FIG. 3E, a dividing plate  190  is arranged to have a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, so that the view finder  20  is divided into three spaces. Each of the spaces is implemented with a light source. In this example, two light sources  210  and  220  are arranged to be located on the both sides of the horizontal plate, so as to correct the vertical view direction. In order to reducing the number of light sources used in the correction mark, the light sources  210 ,  220  are arranged on the same side of the vertical plate. In this manner, only one additional light source  200  is necessary to be located on the other side of the vertical plate. When all three light sources are simultaneously observed by the eye, it indicated the view direction is on the right direction matching the lens optical axis, horizontally and vertically. 
     Generally, the two dividing plates are not absolutely necessary to be vertical to each other. It can also achieve the same function, once the two planes of the dividing plates are tilted to each other. The light sources can be more than three. However, three light source is the best choice to achieve the purpose with the simplified structure. In the practical applications, all of the factors, such as a smaller light source dimension, a longer dividing plate, and a closer distance of the light source to the dividing plate, can improve the correction effects. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The correction mark can also be arranged in a different manner. FIG. 4 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4, a reflection type correction mark is implemented in the view finder  20  (see FIG.  3 A). The reflection type correction mark includes, for example, two the light sources  260  and  270 , two reflection plate  240  and  250 , and a dividing plate  230 . The two light sources  260  and  270  are separately located on the both sides of the dividing plate  230  but not at the far end of the view finder. The light sources  260  and  270  may not be directly observed by the eye. In order to the observe the light sources  260  and  270 , the reflection plates  240 ,  250  are located between the dividing plate  230  and the light sources  260 ,  270 . The reflection plates  240 ,  250  also have a tilted angle from the dividing plate  230 , so that the light sources  260 ,  270  can be reflected by the reflection plates  240 ,  250  into the eye. If the eye is at the view direction  290 , both the light sources  260 ,  270  are observed by the eye through the reflection plates  240 ,  250 . However, if the light sources  260 ,  270  may also be directly observed by the eye if the light sources  260 ,  270  is put sufficiently close to the dividing plate  230 . Similarly, if the view direction is tilted, such as the view direction  280 , only the light source  260  is observed. The view difference severely occurs at the view direction  280 . 
     With the similar structure, two sets of corrections marks on two independent directions, such as the horizontal and the vertical directions, can be easily achieved also. 
     Third Embodiment 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, a cross-tunnel-type reflection mark is schematically illustrated. The dividing plate  300  is arranged to enclose a tunnel space  310  in the view finder  20  (see FIG.  3 A). The space  310  has a cross-like geometrical structure. The dividing plate  300  forms a tunnel, which has a cross-like geometric structure at the cross-sectional view in this embodiment. In this embodiment, there may be no need of an additional light source. The light source may come from the environment. However, a planar light source can enter the space  310  and reach the eye. When the eye observers the objects through the view finder  20 , the eye can see the light source with a structure conformal to the inner wall of the dividing plate  300 , so that the light source has a cross-like structure consistent with the space  310 . If the view direction is tilted, it is the natural physical phenomenon that one light bar of the cross-like structure  310  would disappear due to the shield from the dividing plate  300 . Only when the cross-like geometrical structure is well observed, the view direction is precisely set along the view direction matching to the lens optical axis. 
     The narrower of the light arms of the cross-like structure, the more precise the view direction. If only one direction of the view direction is necessary to be corrected, the cross-like structure can also be reduced into one horizontal structure or a vertical structure, a cross(+)-like structure, or a T-like structure as previously discussed. In fact, an L-like structure or a T-like structure are also another choices. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a camera view-correction apparatus associating with a view finder, according to a forth preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 6, a light-guide correction mark is illustrated. The light-guide correction mark includes a light guiding plate  320  with a two-directional structure, such as a cross (+)-like structure form the cross-sectional view, is implemented in the view finder. In this embodiment, the light can enter the light-guide  320  from the side at the two directions. When the eye observes the object through the view finder, if the view direction is tilted, as previously discussed, one direction of the light would miss. Only when the cross-like geometrical structure is well observed, the view direction is precisely set along the view direction matching to the lens optical axis. 
     The narrower of the light guide, the more precise the view direction. If only one direction of the view direction is necessary to be corrected, the cross-like structure can also be reduced into one horizontal structure or a vertical structure, a cross(+)-like structure, or a T-like structure, as previously discussed. In fact, an L-like structure is also another easy structure. 
     In the invention, various types of correction marks are introduced. By a proper arrangement of geometric structure of the correction mark, the view direction of eye can be adjusted to the best direction by simply observing the correction mark to see whether the correction mark is well observed. Any tilted view direction would cause a missing portion of the geometric structure of the correction mark. The correction mark preferably includes a horizontal correction and a vertical correction simultaneously. 
     Moreover, a cross-sectional dimension of the correction mark is tiny when the view direction is on the directing along the dividing plate. The correctional mark does not block the objects within the view finder. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.