Abstract:
A binoculars for capturing images includes two optical systems and a image-capturing device installed in one optical system. The optical system having the image-capturing device includes a beam-splitting element, and the beam-splitting element divides a beam into two beams, wherein one beam is received by eye and another beam is received by the image-capturing device simultaneously. Consequently, the image-capturing device takes photos through the optical system of the binoculars.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a binocular, and more particularly to a binocular having a digital camera.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A variety of instruments have been disclosed to view the scenery. These instruments include telescopes and binoculars. The telescope has an optical system consisting of an object lens, a prism and an eyeglass. The binoculars has two optical systems, wherein each system is the same with the telescope. The binoculars is more comfortable for viewing because it enables the user to view the field with both eyes. Therefore, the binoculars is extensively used for viewing different objects, such as birds, opera, etc. However, when an image requires being captured, the user must remove the binoculars from the eyes and then use a camera to capture the image.  
           [0005]    Instruments having the functions of viewing and shooting objects are available now. For example, a camera with a telephoto lens can view a distant object besides capturing a photo. However, these cameras with telescopic function enable the user to view the field with one eye and make the user uncomfortable. The binoculars is fitter for human eyes than the camera with telescopic function. Besides, it is expensive to buy a camera and a binoculars simultaneously.  
           [0006]    Ricoh Japan disclosed an apparatus including a telescope and a digital camera in the past. The user can take photos of the field viewed through the telescope by using the digital camera. However, the apparatus is still fit for one eye, and the view angle is still narrow.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The object of the invention is to provide a binoculars for capturing images, wherein the binoculars has a digital camera and the digital camera captures the images via the optical system of the binoculars. Thus, binocular users can view the field and take photographs by using the binoculars at the same time.  
           [0008]    According to the object of the invention, the binoculars for capturing images includes two optical system, and an image-capturing device. Each optical system includes an object lens set, an ocular lens set, and a prism set disposed between the object lens set and the ocular lens set. One optical system further includes a beam-splitting element, and the image of an object entering the optical system is separated into two images. The image-capturing device is installed in one optical system, and the image separated from the beam-splitting element can be captured by the image-capturing device.  
           [0009]    The feature of the invention is that the image-capturing device captures images via the optical system of the binoculars.  
           [0010]    The invention has an advantage of viewing and capturing the image of an object simultaneously. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 schematically shows a binoculars for capturing images according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 schematically shows the ray tracing in the binoculars for capturing images according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 schematically shows another binoculars for capturing images according to the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 schematically shows the ray tracing in the binoculars for capturing images according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    First Embodiment  
         [0017]    Referring to FIG. 1, a binoculars  10  for capturing images has a binocular mechanism  12 , and an image-capturing device  14  is combined with the binocular mechanism  12 . The binocular mechanism  12  includes a first optical system  22  and a second optical system  24 . The optical systems  22  and  24  respectively have an object lens set  26 ,  28 , an ocular lens set  30 ,  32 , and a prism set  34 ,  36  disposed between the object lens set  26 ,  28  and the ocular lens set  30 ,  32 . The prism sets  34  and  36  respectively have a front prism  38 ,  40  receiving light from the object lens set  26 ,  28 , and a rear prism  42 ,  44  emitting light toward the ocular lens set  30 ,  32 . The first optical system  22  further includes a beam-splitting device  50  adjacent to the prism set  34 . In the first embodiment of the invention, the beam-splitting device  50  is a filter formed on the second-reflection surface  48  of the front prism  38 . An image-capturing device  14  is combined with the first optical system  22 , and the lens  52  of the image-capturing device  14  receives light passing the filter  50 . A supplementary prism  46  is positioned on the filter  50 , so as to reduce the optical path length between the object lens set  26  and the image-capturing device and protect thereof. Moreover, the optical path length of the first optical system  22  is equal to the optical path length measured from the object lens set  26  to the lens  52  of image-capturing device  14 .  
         [0018]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a beam  54  from an object (not shown) passes the object lens set  26 , and enters the front prism  38  of the prism set  34 . In the front prism  38 , the beam  54  is reflected upon the filter  50  whereby the beam  54  is divided into two beams  56 ,  58 . One beam  56  passes the supplementary prism  46 , and enters the lens  52  of the image-capturing device  14 . The image-capturing device  14  further captures the beam  56  from the object. Another beam  58  reflected by the filter  50  enters the rear prism  42  and is reflected three times. Next, the beam  58  emitted from the rear prism  42  travels through the ocular lens set  30  and is received by human eye. Thus, the image of the object is simultaneously captured and viewed via the optical systems  22 ,  24  of the binoculars  10 .  
         [0019]    Second Embodiment  
         [0020]    Referring to FIG. 3, a binoculars  10  for capturing images has a binocular mechanism  12 , and an image-capturing device  14  is combined with the binocular mechanism  12 . The binocular mechanism  12  includes a first optical system  22  and a second optical system  24 . The optical systems  22  and  24  respectively have an object lens set  26 ,  28 , an ocular lens set  30 ,  32 , and a prism set  34 ,  36  disposed between the object lens set  26 ,  28  and the ocular lens set  30 ,  32 . The prism sets  34  and  36  respectively have a front prism  38 ,  40  receiving light from the object lens set  26 ,  28 , and a rear prism  42 ,  44  emitting light toward the ocular lens set  30 ,  32 . The first optical system  22  further includes a beam-splitting device  46  adjacent to the prism set  34 . In the second embodiment of the invention, the beam-splitting device  50  is a filter formed on the second-reflection surface  60  of the rear prism  42 . A supplementary prism  46  is positioned on the filter  50 , so as to protect thereof. An image-capturing device  14  is combined with the first optical system  22 , and the lens  52  of the image-capturing device  14  receives light passing the filter  50 . Moreover, the optical path length of the first optical system  22  is equal to the optical path length measured from the object lens set  26  to the lens  52  of image-capturing device  14 .  
         [0021]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a beam  54  from an object (not shown) passes the object lens set  26  and enters the front prism  38  of the prism set  34 . In the front prism  38 , the beam  54  is reflected twice, and then enters the rear prism  42 . In the rear prism  42 , the beam  54  is reflected upon the filter  50  whereby the beam  54  is divided into two beams  56 ,  58 . One beam  56  passes the supplementary prism  46 , and enters the lens  52  of the image-capturing device  14 . The image-capturing device  14  further captures the beam  56  from the object. Another beam  58  reflected by the filter  50  is reflected again by one surface of the rear prism  42  adjacent to the front prism  38 . Next, the beam  58  emitted from the rear prism  42  travels through the ocular lens set  32  and is received by human eye. Thus, the image of the object is simultaneously captured and viewed via the optical systems  22 ,  24  of the binoculars  10 .  
         [0022]    In the first optical system  22 , the beam  54  from an object is divided into two beams  56 ,  58 . The intensity of the beam  56  received by the image-capturing device  14  is reduced, and so is the intensity of the beam  58 , which is received by human eye. Therefore, the second optical system  24  further has a filter  62  for reducing light intensity. Moreover, when user receives light via the optical systems  22 ,  24 , user&#39;s eyes won&#39;t feel different light intensity from the object.  
         [0023]    In the invention, the image-capturing device  14  has a detector, such as CCD, CMOS for receiving light from the object.  
         [0024]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.