Selection apparatus using an observer's line of sight

A selection apparatus including a display unit for indicating a plurality of displays on the same screen, a line-of-sight position detecting unit for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen, and an input unit through which the operator inputs an instruction, the input unit operating without using a line of sight. The selection apparatus also includes a control unit. When the display unit displays all of the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input through the input unit, and the line-of-sight position detecting unit detects the line-of-sight position on any of the displays, the control unit selects the display on which the line-of-sight position has been detected. The control unit differentiates a status of display of the selected display from those of the non-selected displays. The control unit then executes the contents of the selected display. Preferably, for example, a photographer may perform function selection by manipulating a switch while looking at a function menu displayed on the screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a selection apparatus which is to be used 
when an operator selects a desired function from a plurality of functions 
of a multi-function apparatus using, in particular, the operator's line of 
sight. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A "function operation," which requires an operator of an apparatus to 
visually observe changes in circumstances during operation so as to 
operate the apparatus in accordance with the circumstances thus observed, 
is very common in apparatuses produced as consumer goods as well as in 
apparatuses for use in special fields. Typical examples of such 
apparatuses produced as consumer goods include automobiles and cameras. 
Typical examples of the apparatuses for use in special fields include 
machining apparatuses equipped with a microscope and remote control 
apparatuses using a video camera. 
In particular, in a functional apparatus, such as a camera or a microscope, 
in which the operator applies his or her eye to the eyepiece section when 
operating the apparatus, it is necessary that the switches and other 
operating members should be situated in such a way that the operator can 
be sure of their positions without a visual check. It would be 
inconvenient for the operator if he had to separate the eye from the 
eyepiece section upon each operation to be sure of the position of the 
relevant switch or operating member. Moreover, the need to visually check 
the position of the switch, etc. would make it impossible for the operator 
to visually observe changes in the circumstances, with the result that 
there is a fear that the apparatus will be prevented from being properly 
operated. 
In view of this, various ideas have been proposed regarding the arrangement 
of switches, operating members, etc. of such apparatuses. 
In the field of cameras, for example, an arrangement is generally adopted 
in which the release button is situated where the forefinger naturally 
comes to rest when the user holds the camera in his hands. Similarly, in a 
video camera, the recording start switch is generally situated where the 
thumb rests, and the scaling switches are arranged where the index and 
middle fingers are to be placed. Further, the plurality of function 
switches with which the camera is equipped are made in different sizes or 
provided with rough surfaces having different peculiar feels to the touch 
so that the switches may be easily identified, whereby it is possible for 
a multi-function apparatus to be correctly operated. 
In functional apparatuses produced as consumer goods, a rapid reduction in 
size and weight is in progress with the increase in the number of 
functions. The reduction in size and weight has led to a substantial 
reduction in the surface area of the apparatus, resulting in a problem 
that all the switches cannot be arranged on the apparatus or, if they can, 
no space is available for imparting distinctive sizes and shapes to them. 
Further, as a result of the increase in the number of functions, there has 
emerged a problem that there is a limit to the variety of rough surfaces, 
i.e., the different peculiar feels to the touch, to be imparted to the 
plurality of switches. 
FIG. 1 shows an example of the layout of basic function selecting switches 
in a conventional video camera. In the drawing, numeral 1 indicates a 
video camera having a body 2, on a side surface of which there are 
arranged: a switch 3 for effecting superimposition of a character title on 
an image, a switch 4 for effecting fade-in and out, a switch 5 for 
imparting dates to pictures, a switch 6 for switching between auto and 
manual focusing, etc. Further, scaling switches 7 and 8 for scaling in the 
tele-end and wide-angle-end directions are arranged in that section of the 
body 2 where the index and middle fingers of the photographer lie. When 
the photographer 9 photographs a subject 11 while observing it through a 
finder 10 in the body 2, he manipulates the above switches 3 through 8 as 
needed. 
Thus, in the conventional video camera 1, it is necessary to manipulate a 
number of switches, 3 through 8, during photographing, which is not only 
inconvenient but may also lead to an uncertain manipulation of the 
switches, resulting in an erroneous operation. 
In an actual multi-function video camera, more switches are provided in 
addition to the switches 3 through 8 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, it is 
practically impossible to correctly manipulate such a large number of 
switches without visually checking their positions. 
To overcome this problem, the present inventor proposed in Japanese Patent 
Applications No. 3-257795 and 4-202 a system (which will be referred to as 
the "prior invention") according to which camera function menus are 
displayed in the finder through which the photographer looks when 
photographing and, from the line of sight of the photographer, which is 
observed by a line-of-sight detector arranged in the eyepiece section, it 
is determined at which of the function menus displayed in the finder he is 
gazing. Then, the function corresponding to the function menu the 
photographer is gazing at is caused to be carried out, thus enabling the 
photographer to properly select a desired function without separating his 
eye from the finder. 
In the above-described system of the previous invention, selection of a 
menu from the selectable function menus displayed in the finder is 
executed far less often as compared with the operation of the entire 
apparatus (i.e., photographing). Therefore, there is no need to constantly 
display the function menus in the finder. If constantly displayed in the 
finder, the menus would become a nuisance to the user, who keeps looking 
through the finder throughout the operation. Further, for the function 
menus to be displayed in the finder in such a way as not to be an obstacle 
to the operation the user performs while looking through the finder, the 
number of function menus must be limited. 
In addition, the above system, in which the line of sight of the operator 
is constantly observed so as to make the apparatus always ready for any of 
the functions looked at by the operator, has a problem in that the 
operator may look at the wrong menu, resulting in malfunction of the 
camera. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a 
selection apparatus in which not only can the operator select a desired 
function without a visual check of the relevant switch, but such selection 
is optional according as whether the operator desires to do so or not. For 
improved operability, the apparatus includes: a display means for 
displaying a plurality of display items on the same screen; line-of-sight 
position detecting means for detecting a line-of-sight of an operator on 
said screen; an input means by which the operator inputs instructions to 
the apparatus; and a control means for performing a selecting operation 
according to the line-of-sight position and the input instructions. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a selection apparatus 
comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays on the same 
screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided for detecting 
a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen. Input means are 
provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. Control means 
are provided which, when the line-of-sight position detecting means 
detects the line-of-sight position on any of said displays, and an 
instruction is input through said input means, selects the display on 
which the line-of-sight position has been detected. 
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a selection 
apparatus includes display means for indicating a plurality of displays on 
the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means is provided for 
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen. Input 
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. 
Control means are provided which, when said display means indicates all 
the displays on the same screen in response to an instruction input 
through said input means, and said line-of-sight position detecting detect 
the line-of-sight position of any of said displays, selects the display on 
which the line-of-sight position has been detected and executes the 
contents of the display thus selected. 
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a selection 
apparatus comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays 
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided 
for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on the screen. 
Control means are provided which, when the display means indicates all the 
displays on the same screen by illuminating them, and said line-of-sight 
position detecting means detects the line-of-sight position on any of said 
displays, control said display means in such a way that the display at 
which said line-of-sight position has been detected is flashed. 
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a selection 
apparatus includes a display means for indicating a plurality of displays 
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means is provided for 
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen. Input 
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. 
Control means are provided which, when said input means is in a first 
condition, selects one of said displays in accordance with said 
line-of-sight position, and, which, when said input means is in a second 
condition, executes the contents of the display selected. 
According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a selection 
apparatus includes display means for indicating a plurality of displays on 
the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided for 
detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen. Input 
means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. 
Control means are provided which, if said line-of-sight position detecting 
means detects said line-of-sight position on one of said displays when 
said input means is in a first condition, selects the display on which 
said line-of-sight position has been detected and moves the selected 
display in accordance with a movement of said line-of-sight position, and, 
which, when said input means is in a second condition, stops the movement 
of the display. 
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a selection 
apparatus comprises display means for indicating a plurality of displays 
on the same screen. Line-of-sight position detecting means are provided 
for detecting a line-of-sight position of an operator on said screen. 
Input means are provided through which the operator inputs an instruction. 
Control means are provided which, when said input means is in a first 
condition, extinguishes the display given by said display and, which, when 
said input means is in a second condition, selectively shows a display 
obtained by said display means at the line-of-sight position detected. 
Other objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent 
from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference 
to FIGS. 2 through 27. 
First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with 
reference to FIGS. 2 through 6. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the 
construction of a video camera equipped with a selection apparatus 
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, 
numeral 11 indicates a video camera having a finder 12 comprising an 
infrared ray generator 12a, an eyepiece 12b, a photoelectric conversion 
element 12c and a monitor 12d. An infrared ray from the infrared ray 
generator 12a is applied to an eyeball 13 of the photographer through the 
eyepiece 12b and reflected by the eyeball 13. The infrared ray, reflected 
by the eyeball 13, is received by the photoelectric conversion element 
12c, and the received image is converted into an electric signal, which is 
supplied to a line-of-sight position detector 14. 
The line-of-sight position detector 14 detects the line of sight of the 
photographer on the basis of the electric signal supplied from the 
photoelectric conversion element 12c so as to detect at what section of 
the monitor 12d the photographer is gazing. A line-of-sight position data 
signal output from the line-of-sight position detector 14 is supplied to a 
central processing unit 15 of a microcomputer or the like. The central 
processing unit 15 controls the entire video camera 11. 
Numeral 16 indicates a character generator for displaying function menus. 
It is controlled by a control signal output from the central processing 
unit 15. Whether to display the function menus or not, what kinds of 
function menus to display and at what position of the monitor 12d, etc. 
are determined by the central processing unit 15. The central processing 
unit 15 controls the character generator 16, and a function menu display 
signal for displaying a function menu on the monitor 12d is supplied from 
the character generator 16 to a superimposing device 17. 
The superimposing device 17 superimposes the function menu signal supplied 
from the character generator 16 on a video signal supplied from an image 
pick-up photoelectric conversion element 21, which will be described 
below, before showing them on the monitor 12d of the finder 12. The video 
signal input to the superimposing device 17 comprises image information on 
a subject 22 projected onto the image pick-up photoelectric conversion 
element 21 through an optical system comprising a focusing lens 18, a 
scaling lens 19, an aperture 20, etc. 
The image pick-up photoelectric conversion element 21 is driven by a 
driving circuit 23, to which a signal indicative of drive timing is 
supplied from a synchronous signal generating circuit 24. The synchronous 
signal generating circuit 24 supplies the central processing unit 15 and 
the character generator 16 with vertical and horizontal synchronous 
signals for checking a display position on the monitor 12d of the finder 
12. 
The focusing lens 18, the scaling lens 19 and the aperture 20 are moved by 
actuators 25, 26 and 27 corresponding to them, respectively. The actuators 
25, 26 and 27 are driven by drivers 28, 29 and 30 corresponding to them, 
respectively. The drivers 28, 29 and 30 are controlled by an optical 
system control unit 31, which can communicate with the central processing 
unit 15 through a communication path 32. 
Numeral 33 indicates a pull-up resistor, and numeral 34 indicates an 
electro-mechanical switch (hereinafter referred to as the "E.M switch") 
which is to be operated when the operator selects a function menu. The E.M 
switch 34 comprises a push-button switch of a normally-open type and 
includes, as shown in FIG. 3, an armor section 34a having an opening 34b, 
through which a push-button section 34c is exposed. When the push-button 
section 34c is depressed by a finger 34d of the operator against the 
resilient force of the switch, a conductor 34e, which is provided on the 
back side of the push-button section 34c, comes into contact with first 
and second contacts 34g and 34h, which are provided on a base plate 34f, 
to bring the contacts 34g and 34h into conduction. Further, when the 
contacts 34g and 34h are not in conduction, an output line 34k, pulled up 
by a battery 34j and the pull-up resistor 33, is provided. Then, when the 
depression of the push-button section 34c by the finger 34d is cancelled, 
the push-button section 34c returns to the initial position by its own 
resilient force. As a result, the conductor 34e is separated from the 
first and second contacts 34g and 34h, whereby the contacts 34g and 34h 
are brought out of conduction, and the output line 34k is pulled up by the 
battery 34j and the pull-up resistor 33. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the E.M switch 34, constructed as described above, is 
arranged substantially at the center of a side surface of the body 35 of 
the video camera 11. In order that the photographer may easily feel the 
E.M switch 34 when operating the camera, no similar switches are arranged 
around the E.M switch 34. Further, according to the present invention, the 
number of switches for selecting functions is substantially reduced, so 
that it is possible to arrange a single E.M switch 34 on a relatively wide 
side surface of the body 35 of the video camera 11. 
In FIG. 4, numerals 36 and 37 indicate scaling switches corresponding to 
the scaling switches 7 and 8 for scaling in the tele-end and 
wide-angle-end directions. These scaling switches are arranged at those 
positions on the surface of the body 35 where the index and middle fingers 
of the photographer are to be placed when the photographer holds the body 
35 with his right hand during photographing. 
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image shown on the monitor 12d 
of the finder 12. In the drawing, numeral 38 indicates the screen of the 
monitor 12d, which displays a title 39 and a date 40 as well as an image 
22a of the subject 22. Further, the screen 38 of the monitor 12d displays, 
in a superimposed form, the following function menus: "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41 
for turning on/off the display of the title 39 and superimposed recording; 
"AF ON(OFF)" 42 for turning on/off the autofocusing; "FADE" 43 for 
executing fading; and "DATE ON(OFF)" 44 for turning on/off the date. 
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of program operations executed in 
the central processing unit 15 in order to enable the photographer to 
perform function selection by manipulating the E.M switch 34 while looking 
at a function menu displayed on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d. 
In FIG. 6, when the execution of this flow of operations is started, a 
judgment is first made in step S5-1 as to whether a "MENU SELECTION" flag 
is set or not. The "MENU SELECTION" flag is a flag for judging whether a 
function has been selected by the photographer or not and whether the 
execution of the relevant instruction has been started or not. At this 
stage, no menu selection has been executed yet, so that the "MENU 
SELECTION" flag is not set. Therefore, the judgment result in step S5-1 is 
NO, and the procedure advances to step S5-2. 
In step S5-2, a judgment is made as to whether the E.M switch 34 is closed 
or not. When it is determined that the E.M switch 34 is open, the 
procedure advances to step S5-3, where a judgment is made as to whether a 
"SELECTION MODE" flag is set or not. The "SELECTION MODE" flag is a flag 
which indicates that function selection can be performed. At this stage, 
the E.M switch is not closed at all, so that the "SELECTION MODE" flag is 
not set. Accordingly, the judgment result in step S5-3 is NO, so that the 
procedure advances to step S5-4, where menu cancelling is effected, that 
is, the function menu display on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d is 
erased so that the photographer will not perform function selection. Then, 
the procedure returns to step S5-1. 
If it is determined in step S5-2 that the E.M switch 34 is closed, the 
procedure advances to step S5-5, where a judgment is repeatedly made as to 
whether the E.M switch 34 has been opened or not until the switch is found 
to be open. When it is determined in step S5-5 that the E.M switch 34 is 
open, a function menu display is provided on the screen 38 of the monitor 
12d, as described above, and the photographer gazes at a particular one of 
the function menus thus displayed on the screen 38, closing the E.M switch 
34 again. The judgment in step S5-5 is made for the purpose of preventing 
the procedure from advancing too far to cause a particular function to be 
inadvertently selected even if the photographer holds E.M switch 34 closed 
for long after closing it for the first time. 
When it is determined in step S5-5 that the E.M switch has been opened, the 
procedure advances to step S5-6, where a judgment is made as to whether 
the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set or not. As described above, when the E.M 
switch 34 is changed from the "closed" to the "open" state for the first 
time, the function menus are to be displayed, from this time on, on the 
screen 38, so the "SELECTION MODE" flag is not set at this state. 
Accordingly, the judgment result in step S5-6 is NO, and the procedure 
advances to step S5-7, where the function menus are displayed on the 
screen 38. Then, the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set in the next step, S5-8. 
After this, line-of-sight coordinate data from the central processing unit 
15 of FIG. 1 is captured, and, in the next step, S5-10, the function menu 
corresponding to the line-of-sight position, which is being checked, is 
nominated as a candidate function to be selected. Then, the procedure 
returns to step S5-1. 
While the photographer is selecting a function with his or her line of 
sight, the E.M switch 34 remains open. When the E.M switch 34 is open, it 
means that the photographer desires no function selection or that he is 
actually conducting it. In the present case, the "SELECTION MODE" flag is 
set, so that the processes of steps S5-1, S5-2 and S5-3 are successively 
passed through, and then the above-described procedures from step S5-7 
onward are repeatedly executed. 
After selecting a function, the photographer closes the E.M switch 34 again 
while gazing at the corresponding function menu, and then opens it again. 
This time the "SELECTION MODE" flag is set, so that the judgment result in 
step S5-6 is YES, and the procedure advances to step S5-11. In step S5-11, 
a judgment is made as to whether the function menu nominated in step S5-10 
is valid or not. That is, when it is uncertain whether the photographer 
has closed the E.M switch 34 while reliably gazing at a particular 
function menu, the nominated function menu is regarded as invalid, and the 
procedures from step S5-7 onward are executed again to perform the 
function menu selecting operation over again. 
When it is determined in step S5-11 that the nominated function menu is 
valid, the procedure advances to step S5-12, where the display of the 
function menus which have not been selected is erased, leaving the 
selected function menu only. Then, in step S5-13, a "MENU SELECTED" flag 
is set, and, in step S5-14, an instruction signal is supplied to the 
optical system control unit 31 from the central processing unit 15. Then, 
the procedure returns to step S5-1. 
At this stage, the "MENU SELECTED" flag has been set in step S5-13, so that 
the judgment result in step S5-1 is YES, and the procedure advances to 
step S5-15. In step S5-15, a judgment is made as to whether the execution 
of the instruction according to the instruction signal, supplied to the 
optical system control system 31 from the central processing unit 15 of 
FIG. 2, has been completed or not. This judgment is possible by 
communication of the central processing unit 15 with the optical system 
control unit 31 through the communication path. If the execution of the 
instruction has not been completed yet, the procedures from step S5-12 
onward are executed to continue the output of the instruction signal 
mentioned above. 
When it is determined in step S5-15 that the execution of the instruction 
has been completed, the procedure advances to step S5-16, where the 
"SELECTION MODE" flag and the "MENU SELECTED" flag are reset. After this, 
the function menu displayed on the screen 38 is erased in step S5-17, and 
then the procedure returns to step S5-1, where the system is set in 
standby for another cycle of function selecting operation, which is 
started by manipulating the E.M switch 34. 
To summarize the above description, when the photographer closes the E.M 
switch 34 once, the apparatus is set to the function selection mode, and 
function menus, such as "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41, "AF ON(OFF)" 42, "FADE" 43 and 
"DATE ON(OFF)" 44, shown in FIG. 5, are displayed in a superimposed form 
on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d. The photographer closes the E.M 
switch 34 again while he keeps on gazing at a desired menu of these 
function menus, whereby it is determined that an instruction to execute a 
particular one of the function menus has been given by the photographer, 
and the display of the other function menus is erased, leaving the 
selected function menu only. 
Then, the function corresponding to the selected function menu is executed, 
and, simultaneously with the completion of the execution, the remaining 
function menu display is also erased. Subsequently, the apparatus is 
automatically restored to the standby condition in which it is ready to 
receive another instruction from the photographer with respect to a 
desired function menu. That is, the apparatus is restored to the initial 
condition, i.e., the condition prior to the first closing of the E.M 
switch 34 by the photographer. 
Due to the above operations, it is possible for the display, selection and 
determination of function menus to be conducted only when the photographer 
desires it; if not desired, it need not be performed at all, which is 
advantageous from the viewpoint of preventing a malfunction. That is, the 
menu display is effected only when the photographer desires a function 
selection and starts a menu selection by closing the E.M switch 34 for the 
first time. 
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with 
reference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the construction of the video 
camera is the same as that of the above embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so 
FIG. 2 will be referred to in describing this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a 
flowchart showing the flow of program operations executed in the central 
processing unit 15 in the selection apparatus of this embodiment. 
Steps S6-1.about.S6-10, step S6-11, step S6-12, and steps S6-14.about.S6-17 
in FIG. 7 correspond to steps S5-1.about.S5-10, step S5-12, step S5-13, 
and steps S5-14.about.S5-17 in FIG. 6, respectively. FIG. 7 is 
distinguished from FIG. 6 by the position of the step for judging whether 
a nominated function menu is valid or not. That is, while in the flowchart 
of the FIG. 6 step S5-11, for judging whether a nominated function menu is 
valid or not, is between step S5-6 and step S5-12, step S6-13 for the same 
judgment in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is between step S6-12 and step S6-14. 
According to this embodiment, step S6-13 for judging whether a nominated 
function menu is valid or not is removed from between step S6-6 and step 
S6-11. Thus, when the photographer wishes to cancel the function selection 
mode without designating any function after he has changed the E.M switch 
34 from the "closed" to the "open" state to display the function menus on 
the screen 38, he may gaze at a section of the screen which is other than 
the function menus in the procedures of steps S6-7 through step S6-10, and 
change the E.M switch 34 from the "closed" to the "open" state again in 
steps S6-3 and step S6-6, whereby it is possible for the photographer to 
intentionally nominate an invalid function menu. 
When, after the procedures of steps S6-11 and S6-12, the nominated function 
is judged to be invalid in step S6-13 the procedure advances to step 
S6-16, and, in the next step, S6-17, the cancelling of the function 
selection mode is set, whereby it is possible for the photographer to 
intentionally cancel the function selection mode without executing any 
particular function. 
If in step S6-13 the nominated function is judged to be valid, an 
instruction signal is output in step S6-14, as in step S5-14 of FIG. 6 of 
the above-described embodiment. The process flow in this case is 
substantially the same as that of FIG. 6. 
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described 
with reference to FIGS. 8 through 11. In this embodiment, the construction 
of the video camera is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 
and the example of the image shown on the monitor of the finder is the 
same as that of FIG. 5, so FIGS. 2 and 5 will be referred to in describing 
this embodiment. 
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of procedures for enabling the 
photographer to check on the progress of the nomination of a function 
menu, which nomination is executed in steps S5-10 and S6-10 in the case of 
the above embodiments. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail an all 
function menu illuminating process conducted in step S7-5 of FIG. 8. FIG. 
10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the instruction signal output 
procedures in the case where the display system of FIG. 8 is adopted, 
which signal output procedures are executed in steps S5-14 and S6-14 of 
FIGS. 6 and 7 in the case of the above two embodiments. 
First, assuming that the photographer is gazing at the menu "TITLE ON(OFF)" 
41 displayed on the screen 38, as shown in FIG. 5, all the function menus 
are first illuminated (not flashed) in step S7-5, and then, in the next 
step, S7-6, only the menu "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41 is flashed. Regarding the 
function menus that are flash-displayed in steps 5-10 and 6-10 of FIGS. 6 
and 7, they are left to keep on flashing when the procedures of steps S5-7 
and step S6-7 in FIGS. 6 and 7 are passed through. 
The reason for first illuminating all the function menus in step S7-5 will 
be explained. At the stage where the procedures of steps S5-7.about.S5-10 
or steps S6-7.about.S6-10 of FIG. 6 or 7 are being executed, the 
photographer has not designated any particular menu yet, so that he may 
gaze at any one of various function menus. In this condition, only the 
function menu that is being gazed at flashes, and the remaining function 
menus continue to be illuminated. Due to this arrangement, the 
photographer can ascertain that the function menus are also being 
recognized by the video camera 11. 
In other words, those function menus which are not being gazed at by the 
photographer must be illuminated. When the photographer gazes at a 
function menu, and then turns his gaze to another function menu, the first 
function menu must be changed from the flashed to the illuminated state, 
and the second function menu must start flashing instead. That is why step 
S7-5, in which a function menu is switched from the flashing to the 
illuminated state, has to be provided before the display of a function 
menu can be changed from the flashed to the illuminated state. 
According to FIGS. 6 and 7, the video camera 11 periodically repeats the 
procedures of steps S5-10 and S6-10 while the photographer is conducting 
function menus selection. Therefore, step S7-5 of FIG. 8 is periodically 
passed through. However, if all the menus were to be first illuminated 
each time step S7-5 is passed through, the period of flashing could not be 
matched with the timing of illumination in step S7-5 of FIG. 8, resulting 
in an unnatural flashing. The problem of such an unnatural flashing can be 
overcome by performing the process to be executed in step S7-5 of FIG. 8 
in the manner, for example, shown in FIG. 9. 
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the above-described all function 
menu illuminating procedures to be executed in step S7-5 of FIG. 8. When a 
particular function menu is flashing exclusively, all the function menus 
are being illuminated. Thus, in step S8-1 of FIG. 9, the apparatus is held 
in standby during the flashing period in step S8-1 of FIG. 9, i.e., until 
all the function menus are illuminated. When all the function menus are 
illuminated, the procedure advances to step S8-2, where the flashing of 
all the function menus is inhibited. Thus, if, for example, the procedure 
of step S7-6 is such that flashing of a menu is started from a 
non-illuminated state, it is possible to change the function menu to be 
flashed and to give a flashing display in a natural manner. 
To return to FIG. 8, assuming that the photographer is gazing at the "AF 
ON(OFF)" 42 displayed on the screen 38 in step S7-2, all the function 
menus are first illuminated (not flashed) in step S7-7, and then, in the 
next step, S7-8, solely the "AF ON(OFF)" 42 is flashed. 
Further, assuming that, in step S7-4, the photographer is gazing at the 
menu "FADE" 43, displayed on the screen 38, all the function menus are 
first illuminated (not flashed) in step S7-11, and then, in step S7-12, 
solely the menu "FADE" 43 is flashed. 
Further, assuming that, in step S7-4, the photographer is gazing at the 
function menu "DATE ON(OFF)" 44, displayed on the screen 38, all the 
function menus are first illuminated in step S7-9 and then, in step S7-10, 
solely the menu "DATE ON(OFF)" 44 is flashed. 
The function menus "AF ON(OFF)" 42, "FADE" 43, "DATE ON(OFF)" 44 are dealt 
with in the same manner as in the case of the menu "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41, 
thereby making it possible to change the flashed function menu and to give 
a flashing display in a natural manner. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing in detail the flow of instruction 
signal output procedures, which are to be executed in step S6-14 in the 
case of FIG. 7, where the function menu display system based on the 
above-described process of FIG. 8 is adopted. 
For example, when the function menu "AF ON(OFF)" 42 is flashing, it means 
that the photographer has changed the E.M switch 34 from the "closed" to 
the "open" state while gazing at the menu display "AF ON(OFF)" 42, that 
is, he has designated the menu "AF ON(OFF)" 42. Accordingly, the procedure 
advances to step S9-7 after passing through the judgment procedures of 
steps S9-1 and S9-6 of FIG. 10. In step S9-7, all the function menus are 
first erased. Then, if, in step S9-8, the apparatus is in the "AF ON" 
state, the procedure advances to step S9-9 so as to bring it to the "AF 
OFF" state. If the apparatus is in the "AF OFF" state in step S9-8, the 
procedure advances to step S9-11 so as to bring the apparatus to the "AF 
ON" state. 
The reason for first erasing all the function menus in step S9-7 is to 
display only that function menu selected by the photographer in step S9-9 
or S9-11. In step S9-9, the "AF OFF" is illuminated, and, in the next 
step, S9-10, an "AF OFF" instruction signal is output. In step S9-11, the 
"AF ON" is illuminated, and, in step S9-12, an "AF ON" instruction signal 
is output. 
This also applies to the other function menus. However, regarding the 
function menus "TITLE ON(OFF)" 41 and "DATE ON(OFF)" 44, an explicit 
display is given as shown in FIG. 5, so that, after erasing all the 
function menus, the photographer can be sure of the operation results 
without any special display of the selected function menu. Thus, after the 
judgment procedures in steps S9-3 of FIG. 10 and S9-15 of FIG. 11 are 
passed through, instruction signal output procedures are executed in steps 
S9-4 and S9-5 of FIG. 10 and in steps S9-16 and S9-17 of FIG. 11. 
Regarding the function menu "FADE" 43, the fading operation is conducted in 
synchronism with the operation of a recording-start/standby changeover 
switch (not shown). That is, when the recording start switch is depressed 
when the apparatus is in the "FADE" mode, the screen is first whitened 
before recording is started. Then, the white screen is faded into an 
actual photographing screen. Similarly, when the recording stop switch is 
depressed during recording in the "FADE" mode, the actual photographing 
screen is faded into a white screen to stop the photographing. 
Thus, regarding the "FADE" mode, a display on the screen 38 is required in 
the standby state in which the apparatus is ready for fading, whereas no 
display is required in the non-standby state in which the photographer 
wishes no fading after all. Thus, in step S9-22 of FIG. 11, a "FADE" 
display is given only when a fade standby instruction signal is output; 
when the fading is cancelled in step S9-21 of FIG. 11, the "FADE" display 
remains erased. 
In the selection apparatuses of the above three embodiments, the apparatus 
is set to the function selection mode only when the operator wishes 
function selection; only then, the function menus are displayed. When the 
apparatus is not in the menu selection mode, the function menus are not 
displayed. Thus, when the operator does not wish function selection, he is 
spared the obstruction of the field of view by the menu display. Further, 
since it is only when the operator wishes to select a function menu that a 
menu display is given, the operator can easily and efficiently check 
whether the apparatus has been set to the selection mode or not. Further, 
a function menu being gazed at by the operator is displayed in a different 
manner (e.g., flashing) from that in which the remaining function menus 
are displayed, whereby it is possible for the operator to make sure that 
his line of sight is in conformity with the recognition by the apparatus, 
thereby eliminating errors in function menu selection. Further, since the 
operator communicates the execution instruction for a particular function 
to the apparatus both by the line of sight and by switch manipulation, it 
is possible for the operator to cause the apparatus to function in 
accordance with his or her intentions. 
Although the above three embodiments have been described as applied to the 
video camera 11, which the photographer operates while looking through the 
finder 12, the present invention is not restricted to this type of video 
camera. It goes without saying that the technical idea of the present 
invention is applicable to any apparatus in which the operator selects a 
desired function from among a plurality of functions while observing an 
object. 
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described 
with reference to FIGS. 12 through 15. In this embodiment, the components 
which are the same as those in the above embodiments will be indicated by 
the same reference numerals. Further, FIG. 5 will be referred to in 
describing this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the 
construction of a video camera equipped with a function selection 
apparatus according to this embodiment. The construction shown in the 
drawing differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in that the pull-up resistor 33 
and the E.M switch 34 of FIG. 2 are replaced by a switch unit 45 and a 
line 46 for supplying power source voltage to the switch unit 45. 
The switch unit 45 comprises a push-button switch of a normally open type. 
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, it includes an armor section 45a and a 
push-button section 45c which is exposed through an opening 45b. First and 
second conductors 45d and 45e, which are concentrically arranged, are 
provided on the back side of the push-button section 45c. When the 
push-button section 45c is lightly depressed by a finger (not shown) of 
the photographer against its resilient force, the first conductor 45d 
comes into contact with first and second contacts 45g and 45h which are 
provided on a base plate 45f, thereby bringing the two contacts 45g and 
45h into conduction. This causes the voltage of an output line 45k, which 
has been pulled up solely by a first resistor 45j, to be changed to a 
voltage that is divided between the first resistor 45j and a second 
resistor 45m. 
When the push-button section 45c is further, i.e., more deeply, depressed 
by the finger of the photographer (not shown) against its resilient force, 
the second conductor 45e comes into contact with the first contact 45g and 
a third contact 45n, thereby bringing the two contacts 45g and 45n into 
conduction. This causes the output line 45k to be grounded through the 
third contact 45n, the second conductor 45e and the first contact 45g. 
When the depression of the push-button section 45c by the finger is 
cancelled, the push-button switch 45c is restored to the initial position 
by its own resilient force. This causes the two conductors 45d and 45e to 
be separated from the first through third contacts 45g through 45n to 
bring the contacts 45g through 45n out of conduction, with the result that 
the output line 45k is pulled up solely by the first resistor 45j. 
Table 1 shows the relationship between the manner in which the push-button 
section 45c of the switch unit 45 is depressed and the output electric 
potential of the output line 45k. Here, the relationship is shown on the 
assumption that the power source voltage is 5 V, and that the values of 
resistance of the first and second resistors 45j and 45m are the same. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Manner of Depression 
45 h/45 g 
45 n/45 g 
45 k output voltage 
______________________________________ 
Untouched open open 5 V 
Half depressed 
closed open 2.5 V 
Fully depressed 
closed closed 0 V 
-- open closed -- 
______________________________________ 
As can be clearly seen from Table 1, the switch unit 45, which can be 
shifted in two stages in accordance with the manner in which the 
push-button switch 45c is depressed, makes it possible to select from 
three different states with respect to a single output line, 45k. A state 
in which the first and second contacts 45g and 45h are separated from each 
other and in which the first and second contacts 45g and 45n are in 
contact with each other, is impossible in the structure shown in FIGS. 13 
and 14. This switch structure enables the photographer to select a desired 
function menu with his or her line of sight more reliably and more 
efficiently. 
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of procedures by which 
function menu selection is effected with the line of sight by using the 
switch unit 45 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The procedures are executed in 
the central processing unit 15. In the drawing, step S13-1, step 
S13-4.about.step S13-7, step S13-9, step S13-10, step S13-11, step S13-12 
and step S13-14 respectively correspond to step S5-1, step 
S5-11.about.step S5-14, step S5-6, step S5-9, step S5-10, step S5-15 and 
step S5-17 of FIG. 6 executed in the above-described embodiment. 
First, in step S13-1, a judgment is made as to whether or not a function 
menu has already been selected and the execution of the relevant 
instruction has been started, in accordance with the condition of a 
"FUNCTION MENU SELECTION" flag. At the time of first judgment, no function 
menu has been selected yet, so the procedure advances to step S13-2, where 
a judgment is made as to whether the first and second contacts 45g and 45h 
are in contact with each other or not. If the first and second contacts 
45g and 45h are not in contact with each other, the procedure advances to 
step S13-3, where the "FUNCTION MENU SELECTION" flag is reset. Then, the 
function menus displayed on the screen 38 are erased, and the procedure 
returns to step S13-1, where, when the first and second contacts 45g and 
45h are brought into contact with each other, similar procedures are 
executed. 
When it is made sure in step S13-2 that the first and second contacts 45g 
and 45h are in contact with each other, a judgment is made in the next 
step, S13-3, as to whether the first and third contacts 45g and 45n are in 
contact with each other or not. If the first and third contacts 45g and 
45n are not in contact with each other, it is determined that the 
photographer is going to select a function menu displayed on the screen 38 
while holding the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 half 
depressed, and the procedure advances to step S13-9, where a function menu 
display as shown in FIG. 5 is given on the screen 38. Then, relevant 
line-of-sight coordinates are captured in step S13-10. After this, the 
function menu corresponding to the relevant line-of-sight position is 
nominated as a candidate menu to be selected, and then the procedure 
returns to step S13-1. 
When the photographer thus keeps the first and second contacts 45g and 45h 
in contact with each other by holding the push-button section 45c of the 
switch unit 45 in the half-depressed state, the procedures of steps S13-1 
through S13-3.fwdarw.steps S13-9 through S13-11 are repeated, and, in that 
time, the photographer can freely select a menu from the menus on the 
screen 38 with his or her line of sight. 
When it is determined in step S13-3 that the first and third contacts 45g 
and 45n are in contact with each other, a judgment is made in step S13-4 
as to whether the nominated function menu is valid or not. That is, a 
judgment is made as to whether or not the photographer has fully depressed 
the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 while reliably gazing at 
a particular function menu. If it is uncertain whether or not the 
photographer has fully depressed the push-button section 45c of the switch 
unit 45 while gazing at a particular function menu, the nominated function 
menu is regarded as invalid, and an alarm display (which is given, for 
example, by flashing all the function menus) is shown in step S13-5 while 
the photographer continues to hold the push-button section 45c fully 
depressed. After this, the procedure returns to step S13-1. 
In this case, when the photographer releases the push-button section 45c, 
the function menu selection is entirely cancelled, as described above, in 
steps S13-13 and S13-14. 
When an alarm display is given in step S13-8, the photographer may release 
the push-button section 45c first and then depress the push-button section 
45c again, whereby it is possible for the photographer to perform the 
function menu selection operation again. The operation of releasing the 
push-button section 45c and then depressing it again comes quite natural 
to the photographer. Further, by thus performing the function menu 
selecting operation again, the photographer is spared the inconvenience of 
being incapable of re-performing the selection without passing through the 
registration procedures. 
Further, when the push-button section 45c is released from the finger, the 
procedure advances to the resetting process in steps S13-13 and S13-14 
after passing through the procedures of from step S13-8 to steps S13-1 and 
S13-2, so that, in actual operation, the registration procedures are not 
passed through when the selection operation is to be performed again. 
Thus, there is no fear that the wrong function menu may be registered. 
When the nominated function menu is judged to be valid in step S13-4, only 
the selected menu is displayed on the screen 38 in step S13-5. Then, in 
step S13-6, a "FUNCTION MENU SELECTED" flag is set, and, in step S13-7, an 
instruction signal is output from the central processing unit 15 to the 
optical system control unit 31 in accordance with the selected function 
menu. After this, the procedure returns to step S13-1. 
At this stage, the "FUNCTION MENU SELECTED" flag has been set in step 
S13-6, so the procedure advances from step S13-1 to step S13-2, where a 
judgment is made as to whether the execution of the instruction has been 
completed or not. This judgment is possible by communication of the 
central processing unit 15 with the optical system control unit 31 through 
the communication path 32. If the execution of the instruction has not 
been completed yet, the operations of steps S13-5 through S13-7 are 
performed, and then the procedure returns to step S13-1, where the output 
of the instruction signal is continued. 
When it is determined in step S13-12 that the execution of the instruction 
has been completed, the "FUNCTION MENU SELECTED" flag is reset and the 
function menu display is erased through steps S13-13 and S13-14, and then 
the procedure returns to step S13-1, where the apparatus is set in the 
standby state in which the photographer is waited for to start another 
menu selection by depressing the push-button section 45c. 
In the selection apparatus of this embodiment, the prior-art function 
selection switch, which must be operated a plurality of times, is improved 
such that different outputs can be derived through different manners in 
which it is operated, whereby the operator can determine easily and 
reliably what operation he is performing. Further, the apparatus adopts an 
arrangement in which, unless the switch condition for the n-th operation 
is satisfied, an (n+1)-th changeover of the switch is not accepted, or in 
which, when the n-th changeover of the switch is cancelled, the operations 
from that stage on are all cancelled, and the procedure returns to the 
(n-1)-th switch operation. Due to this arrangement, when, for example, the 
cancelling of the function selection mode itself is desired during a 
series of operations, it is possible to restore the apparatus to the 
initial state by a single process by bringing it to the condition in which 
the first switching operation has not been conducted yet (i.e., the 
condition in which the switch is OFF), whereas, in the prior art 
construction, which has only one kind of output form, the apparatus can 
never be restored to the initial state without passing through all the 
series of operations. Further, due to the switch structure in which the 
output form is varied according to the manner in which it is depressed, 
the operator can perform the above plurality of operations solely by 
depressing a single switch in different manners, whereby it is always 
possible to discontinue the above operations solely by releasing the 
switch. Further, the operational complexity is substantially mitigated 
through a combination of the above function with a function by which the 
kind of operation being gazed at by the operator and the kind of operation 
being executed are displayed and a function by which an alarm display is 
given whenever the operator has operated the apparatus in an inappropriate 
manner. 
Other structural features and operations of this embodiment are the same as 
those of the above embodiments described above, so a description thereof 
will be omitted. 
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described 
with reference to FIGS. 16 through 20. Since this embodiment is 
substantially the same as the above-described ones, FIGS. 5, 6, and 12 
through 15 will be referred to in describing this embodiment. 
In this embodiment, the following function menu movement registration 
procedures (1) through (5) can be executed: 
(1) When performing the normal switching operation, the same procedures as 
those of the function menu selection described with reference to FIG. 15 
are executed. 
(2) When the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 is held half 
depressed for a predetermined period of time, the position of a function 
menu is moved, making it possible to register the function menu at a new 
position. 
(3) When the operator continues to gaze at the function menu which he or 
she wishes to move while keeping the push-button section 45c of the switch 
unit 45 half depressed, the function menu display is presently changed to 
the display of that function menu only that he is gazing at, and that 
function menu moves in accordance with the line-of-sight position. 
(4) When the operator turns his or her line of sight from the function menu 
to a desired position, and then the push-button section 45c of the switch 
unit 45 is fully depressed, the function menu moves to that position. 
(5) If some other function menu has already been registered at that 
position when the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 is fully 
depressed, an alarm display is given by flashing all the registered 
function menus on the screen 38 of the finder 12. 
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the 
photographer. In step S14-1 of the drawing, the photographer selects the 
menu to be moved while watching the display of FIG. 5. When the selection 
has been completed, the photographer continues, in step S14-2, to gaze at 
the function menu thus selected while lightly depressing the push-button 
section 45c of the switch unit 45 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and remains in 
standby in this state until the function menu display is changed to that 
of the selected function menu only. When the display is changed to that of 
the selected function menu only, the function menu moves with the 
line-of-sight position, so that, in step S14-4, the function menu moves to 
the desired position, and, in step S14-5, the push-button section 45c is 
fully depressed. 
Next, if, upon checking the function menu display in step S14-6, all the 
function menus displayed in FIG. 5 are found to be flash-displayed, it 
means that some other menu has already been registered at the destination 
of movement of the above function menu. Thus, the position and type of the 
already-registered function menu is checked in step S14-10, and in the 
next step, S14-11, the necessity of re-doing the above process is 
recognized. Then, in step S14-9, the operator releases the push-button 
section 45c to terminate or re-do the processing. 
If, in step S14-6, the function menu to be moved is displayed through a 
single flash, it means that the movement of the function menu has been 
achieved, so the position of the function menu is ascertained in step 
S14-7, to make sure, in step S14-8, that the function menu has been 
successfully moved. Then, in step S14-9, the push-button section 45c is 
released to terminate the process. 
FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts illustrating function menu selection 
procedures using the switch unit 45 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. As in the 
case of FIG. 15, the procedures of these flowcharts are executed in the 
central processing unit 15, and the switch used in the setting of function 
menus is the switch unit 45 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, i.e., the switch 
which gives different output forms according to the manner in which the 
push-button section 45c is depressed. 
In step S15-1 of FIG. 17, a judgment is made as to whether or not a 
function menu has been selected and the relevant function has been 
executed (i.e., whether the apparatus is in the "FUNCTION MENU SELECTED" 
state). If it is determined that no function menu has been selected yet, a 
judgment is made in step S15-2 as to whether the push-button section 45c 
of the switch unit 45 is being lightly depressed or not. If the 
push-button section 45c is being lightly depressed, the procedure advances 
to step S15-3, where a judgment is made as to whether a series of function 
menu registering operations, which constitute the main feature of this 
embodiment, have been completed and whether the photographer has released 
the push-button section 45c or not. 
When the series of function menu registering operations have been 
completed, the "light depression" of the push-button section 45c is 
detected, with the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag set, so that the 
procedure returns to step S15-2 without executing any further operation 
until the push-button section 45c is released. 
When the function menu registering operations have not been completed yet, 
a judgment is made in step S15-4 as to whether the push-button switch 
section 45c is being fully depressed by the photographer or not. When the 
push-button section 45c is not being fully depressed, it is determined 
that the photographer is performing the function menu selection described 
with reference to FIG. 15 or is going to register a function menu, and the 
procedure advances to step S15-11. In step S15-11, a judgment is made as 
to whether a "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag is set or not. From the 
result of this judgment, it is determined whether the function menu 
selection is being performed or not. 
If it is determined in step S15-11 that the "FUNCTION MENU BEING 
REGISTERED" flag is not set, the procedure advances to step S15-12, where 
a function menu display as shown in FIG. 5 is given. Then, in step S15-13, 
the position of the photographer's line of light is detected and captured 
as two-dimensional coordinates. 
FIG. 19 shows an example of the method of capturing the line-of-sight 
position, according to which the entire screen 38 is divided into nine 
areas 1 through 9, and a judgment is made as to which of these areas the 
line of sight of the photographer is directed. Then, in step S15-14 of 
FIG. 18, the function menu corresponding to the position of the line of 
sight is nominated as a candidate, and the procedure advances to step 
S15-15. 
So far, the procedures are basically the same as those for the function 
menu selection described above with reference to FIG. 15. The 
correspondence between the line-of-sight position and the function menu is 
as follows: for example, when the line-of-sight position is in area 1 of 
FIG. 19, the function menu "TITLE ON/OFF" is selected as a candidate from 
the table shown in FIG. 20. 
To return to FIG. 18, in step S15-15, a judgment is made as to whether the 
value of a counter Cm has exceeded a threshold value Cmlim or not. If not, 
the value of the counter Cm is incremented in step S15-16, and then the 
procedure returns to step S15-1. Thus, unless the value of the counter Cm 
exceeds the threshold value Cmlim, the operation when the push-button 
section 45c is lightly depressed is the same as the function menu 
selecting operation of FIG. 15. 
As long as the push-button section 45c is kept half depressed, the 
procedure circulates through the loop: step S15-1.about.step S15-4 of FIG. 
17.fwdarw.step S15-11.about.step S15-16 of FIG. 18. 
When, with the passage of time, the value of the counter Cm exceeds the 
threshold value Cmlim, the procedure advances to step S15-17, where the 
value of the counter Cm is reset to 0. Then, it is determined that the 
function menu registering operation has started, and the "FUNCTION MENU 
BEING REGISTERED" flag is set in step S15-18. Then, the procedure advances 
to step S15-19, where only the function menu nominated in step S15-14, 
i.e., the function menu at which the photographer has been gazing while 
keeping the push-button section half-depressed, is displayed, and the 
display of the other function menus is erased. 
Then, the procedure advances to step S15-21, where the function menu left 
in step S15-19 is displayed at the position of the photographer's line of 
sight (the position where the line-of-sight coordinates were captured in 
step S15-13 following step S15-12, step S15-21 having been reached for the 
first time through step S15-17). After this, the procedure returns to step 
S15-1 of FIG. 17. 
Assuming that the photographer is still holding the push-button section 45c 
half-depressed at this time, the procedure advances through the loop of 
step S15-1.about.step S15-4 of FIG. 17 to reach step S15-11 of FIG. 18. 
Since the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag has been set in step 
S15-11, the procedure advances to step S15-20, where the line-of-sight 
coordinates are captured. Then, in step S15-21, the nominated function 
menu is displayed at the position indicated by the line-of-sight 
coordinates obtained in step S15-20, and the photographer shifts his or 
her line of sight while lightly depressing the push-button section 45c. 
Then, as the procedure circulates through the loop: step S15-1.about.step 
S15-4 of FIG. 17.about.step S15-11.fwdarw.step S15-20.fwdarw.step S15-21 
of FIG. 18, the nominated function menu changes its position of display, 
as in the case of the function menu "FADE" 43 shown in FIG. 21, which 
moves as follows: position A.fwdarw.position B.fwdarw.position 
C.fwdarw.position D. 
When the photographer moves the menu "FADE" 43 to, for example, position D 
of FIG. 21, and then fully depresses the push-button section 45c, the 
procedure advances from step S15-4 to step S15-5 of FIG. 17. In step 
S15-5, a judgment is made as to whether the "FUNCTION MENU BEING 
REGISTERED" flag is set or not. If not, the procedures of step 
S15-6.about.step S15-10, similar to those of step S13-4.about.step S13-8 
of FIG. 15, are executed. When the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag 
is set, the procedure advances from step S15-5 to step S15-22 of FIG. 18. 
That the photographer has fully depressed the push-button section 45c means 
that he or she is going to move the function menu to the position of the 
line of sight, so, in step S15-22, a judgment is made as to whether there 
is already any other function menu at the position to which the 
photographer wishes to move the function menu. As stated above, the 
line-of-sight coordinates are given in the form of areas 1 through 9 as 
shown in FIG. 19. By providing a table as shown in FIG. 20 in the central 
processing unit 15, it can be easily checked whether there is a function 
menu in any of areas 1 through 9. 
When a superimposition of function menus is detected in step S15-22, the 
procedure advances to step S15-27, where the nominated function menu, 
which has been following the movement of the photographer's line of sight, 
is erased. Instead, in step S15-28, all the function menus stored in the 
table of FIG. 20 are flash-displayed at the relevant position to give an 
alarm to the photographer. Further, the photographer is called upon to 
check the kind and position of the function menu already registered. After 
this, the procedure returns to step S15-1 of FIG. 17. 
When no superimposition of function menus is detected in step S15-22, the 
procedure advances to step S15-23, where the function menu which has been 
changing its position in accordance with the line-of-sight position is 
fixed to the position of the photographer's line of sight. In the next 
step, S15-24, the function menu stored in the table of FIG. 20 is changed. 
When the menu changing process has been completed in the normal manner, 
the newly registered menu is flashed once in step S15-25 to inform the 
photographer of the completion of the function menu registration, and, in 
step S15-26, the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag is set. 
After this, the procedure returns to step S15-1, and, when the photographer 
releases the push-button section 45c, believing that the registration of 
the function menu registration has been completed, the procedure advances 
from step S15-2 to step S15-30. In step S15-30, the "FUNCTION MENU 
SELECTED" flag is reset; in step S15-31, the "FUNCTION MENU BEING 
REGISTERED" flag is reset: and, in step S15-32, the "FUNCTION MENU 
REGISTERED" flag is reset. Then, in step S15-33, the function menu is 
cancelled, and then the procedure returns to step S15-1. 
When the photographer continues to keep the push-button section 45c 
depressed after the completion of the registration of the function menu, 
the procedure moves from step S15-2 to step S15-3, where a judgment is 
made as to whether the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag is set or not. If 
it is set, the procedure returns to step S15-2. Due to this arrangement, 
the function menu registering operation is started anew even when the 
photographer continues to keep the push-button section 45c depressed after 
the registration of the function menu, thereby preventing the same 
function menu from being erroneously re-registered. 
When, in step S15-1, the function menu has already been selected, the 
procedure advances to step S15-29, where a judgment is made as to whether 
the execution of the relevant instruction has been completed or not. If it 
has been completed, the procedure advances to step S15-30; if not, the 
procedure advances to step S15-7. 
By executing the above processes, it is possible to execute the 
above-described function menu movement registration procedures (1) through 
(5). 
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described 
with reference to FIGS. 22 through 27. 
In this embodiment, the following procedures (1).about.(6) can be 
performed: 
(1) When the normal switch operation is to be conducted, the same steps as 
those of the function menu selecting operation described with reference to 
FIGS. 6 and 15 are taken. 
(2) When the photographer remains in standby for a predetermined period of 
time while keeping the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 
half-depressed, it becomes possible for him to register an arbitrary new 
function menu he or she desires at an arbitrary position. 
(3) When the photographer remains in standby for a while, keeping the 
push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 half-depressed, the display 
of all the function menus are presently erased, leaving only a marker 
which is indicative of the line-of-sight position, which marker follows 
the movement of the line-of-sight position. 
(4) When the photographer moves the marker to a desired position by means 
of his or her line of sight, and depresses a function button (e.g., the 
zoom TELE button) while holding the push-button section 45c of the switch 
unit 45 fully depressed, the function menu corresponding to the function 
button (e.g., "TELE") is displayed at that position. 
(5) If some other function menu has already been registered at that 
position when the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 is fully 
depressed, all the registered function menus are flash-displayed on the 
screen 38 of the finder 12 to give an alarm. 
(6) In some cases, cancelling of a function menu is desired so as to 
prevent a malfunction due to erroneous function menu gazing, etc. In such 
cases, the photographer fully depresses the push-button section 45c of the 
switch unit 45 without depressing the function button, whereby the display 
of the function menu designated by the line of sight can be erased. 
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing operation procedures to be conducted by the 
photographer. In step S19-1 of the drawing, a function menu to be newly 
registered is selected. The "function menu to be newly registered" means a 
function menu which is not registered in a table similar to FIG. 21 and 
which represents a function that is equivalent to those of the function 
switches shown in FIG. 27. 
In the next step, S19-2, the push-button section section 45c of the switch 
unit 45 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is lightly depressed, and, in the next 
step, step S19-3, the function menu display shown in FIG. 4 is erased, and 
the photographer remains in standby until a marker 56 like "*", which 
follows the movement of the line-of-sight position (see FIG. 26) is 
displayed on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d of the finder 12 shown in 
FIG. 11. When the marker 56 is displayed, the procedure advances to step 
S19-4, where the marker 56 is moved to the position where the photographer 
wishes to register the function menu, and, in step S19-5, the push-button 
section 45c of the switch unit 45 is fully depressed. 
Then, the procedure advances to step S19-6, where the contents of the 
display on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d are checked. If, at this time, 
all the registered function menus are being flash-displayed, it means that 
some other function menu had already been registered at the position of 
the marker 56, so that the procedure advances to step S19-13, where this 
fact is ascertained. Then, in step S19-14, the push-button section 45c of 
the switch unit 45 is released. 
After this, a judgment is made in step S19-15 as to whether the function 
menu registration is to be suspended or not. If it is to be suspended, the 
procedure advances to step S19-16, where no further step is taken in this 
regard, and, in step S19-17, a judgment is made as to whether the function 
menu registration has been cancelled or not. If it has not been cancelled, 
the procedure returns to step S19-16. When the function menu display 
ceases to be shown on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d, it means that the 
function menu registration has been cancelled, so the operation is 
terminated. 
When it is determined in step S19-15 that the function menu registration is 
not to be suspended, that is, when it is determined that the function menu 
registration is to be cancelled, the procedure advances to step S19-18, 
where the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 is fully depressed 
again. Then, the function menu which had been registered at the position 
of the marker 56 is cancelled. Of the function menus flash-displayed, only 
that function menu which is at the position of the marker 56 is erased, so 
that, in step S19-19, it is repeatedly checked whether the target function 
menu has been erased or not until it is actually erased. When the function 
menu has been erased, it is ascertained in step S19-20 that the function 
menu has been cancelled, with which this operation is terminated. 
When, in step S19-6, the marker 56 is flash-displayed, it means no function 
menu is registered at that position, so that a function menu can be newly 
registered. Thus, after the position of registration of the function menu 
(the position of the marker 56) is checked in step S19-7, the push-button 
section 45c of the switch unit 45 is released in step S19-8. After this, 
the procedure moves to step S19-19, where a judgment is made as to whether 
the function menu registration is to be suspended or not. If it is to be 
suspended, the procedure passes successively through steps S19-16 and 
S19-17 to terminate the operation. 
If it is determined in step S19-19 that the function menu registration is 
not to be suspended but that a function menu is to be registered anew, the 
procedure advances to step S19-10, where the function switch corresponding 
to the function menu selected in step S19-1 is turned on, and, in the next 
step, S19-16, a judgment is repeatedly made as to whether the selected 
function menu has been displayed on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d or 
not until the display is actually shown. When the selected menu is 
displayed on the screen 38 of the monitor 12d, the procedure advances to 
the next step, S19-12, where it is ascertained that the registration of 
the new function menu has been completed, with which this operation is 
terminated. 
When all the registered function menus are being flash-displayed, it means 
that some other function menu is registered at the position of the marker 
56, which is ascertained in step S19-13, and, in step S19-14, the 
push-button section 45c is released. After this, if it is determined in 
step S19-15 that the function menu registration is to be suspended, the 
procedure advances to step S19-16, where no further step is taken in this 
regard, and, if, in the next step, S19-17, no function menu display is 
shown, it means that the function menu registration has been cancelled, so 
the operation is terminated. 
Next, the above procedures (1) through (6) and the operation of FIG. 22 
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 23 through 25. As in 
the case of FIGS. 15, 17 and 18, the procedures of the drawings are 
executed in the central processing unit 15. The switch used for function 
menu setting is the switch unit 45 which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, 
which switch unit provides different output modes according as how the 
push-button section 45c is depressed. 
In step S20-1 of FIG. 23, it is checked whether a "POSITION REGISTERED" 
flag, which will be described below, is set or not. When the "POSITION 
REGISTERED" flag is not set, a function menu is selected in step S20-2, 
and a judgment is made as to whether the function is being carried out 
(whether the function menu has been selected) or not. When the function 
menu has not been selected yet, a judgment is made in step S20-3 as to 
whether the push-button section 45c has been lightly depressed or not. 
When the push-button section 45 has been lightly depressed by the 
photographer, a judgment is made in step S20-4 as to whether a series of 
function menu registering operations have been completed and the 
photographer has released the push-button section 45c or not. 
When the series of function menu registering operations have been 
completed, it is found that the push-button section 45c is being lightly 
depressed, with the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag set, so that the 
processes from here onward are not executed, and the procedure returns to 
step S20-3. 
When the series of function menu registering operations have not been 
completed yet, it means that the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag is not 
set, so the procedure advances to step S20-5, where a judgment is made as 
to whether the push-button section 45c is being fully depressed or not. 
When it is not being fully depressed, it is determined that the 
photographer is either performing the function menu selection described 
with reference to FIG. 15 or going to register a function menu, so the 
procedure advances to step S20-12 of FIG. 24. 
In step S20-12, a judgment is made as to whether the "FUNCTION MENU BEING 
REGISTERED" flag is set or not. Through this judgment, it is determined 
whether function menu selection is being performed or registration is 
being performed. When, in step S20-12, the "FUNCTION MENU BEING 
REGISTERED" flag is not set, the procedure advances to step S20-13, where 
a function menu display as shown in FIG. 5 is given, and, in the next 
step, S20-14, the line-of-sight position is detected and captured as 
two-dimensional coordinates. 
The light-of-sight position can be captured by, for example, checking to 
which of the areas as shown in FIG. 19 the line of sight of the 
photographer is directed. Then, in step S20-15, the function menu 
corresponding to the line-of-sight position is nominated as a candidate, 
and the procedure advances to step S20-16. 
In step S20-16, a judgment is made as to whether the value of the counter 
Cm has exceeded the threshold value Cmlim or not. If it has not exceeded 
the threshold value yet, the value of the counter Cm is incremented in 
step S20-17, and then the procedure returns to step S20-1 of FIG. 23. 
Thus, unless the value of the counter Cm exceeds the threshold value 
Cmlim, the operation when the push-button section 45c is being lightly 
depressed is the same as the function menu selecting operation shown in 
FIG. 14. As long as the push-button section 45c remains lightly depressed, 
the procedure circulates through the loop: step S20-1.about.step S20-5 of 
FIG. 23.fwdarw.step S20-12.about.step S20-17 of FIG. 24. 
When, in step S20-6, the value of the counter Cm exceeds the threshold 
value Cmlim with the passage of time, the procedure advances to step 
S20-18, where the value of the counter Cm is reset to 0. Further, it is 
determined in step S20-19 that the function menu registering operation has 
started, and the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag is set. So far, the 
procedures are basically the same as those of the function menu selecting 
operation described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. 
Next, in step S20-20 of FIG. 24, the function menu display as shown in FIG. 
5 is entirely erased first, and then, in step S20-22, the marker 56 is 
displayed at the position of the photographer's line of sight detected in 
step S20-14. After this, the procedure returns to step S20-1 of FIG. 22. 
The position of the photographer's line of sight may be displayed in a 
dispersed form for each area. 
If, at this time, the photographer continues to keep the push-button 
section 45c half-depressed, the judgment result in step S20-12 is YES 
since the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag has been set in step 
S20-19 of FIG. 24, and the procedure advances to step S20-21, where the 
line-of-sight coordinates are captured. Then, in the next step, S20-22, 
the marker 56 is displayed at the position corresponding to the 
line-of-sight coordinates obtained in step S20-21. That is, when the 
photographer moves the line of sight while keeping the push-button section 
45c half-depressed, the marker 56 changes its position as: position 
A.fwdarw.position B.fwdarw.position C.fwdarw.position D to move to the 
relevant line-of-sight position as the procedure circulates through the 
loop: step S20-1.about.step S20-5 of FIG. 23.fwdarw.step 
S20-12.fwdarw.step S20-21.fwdarw.step S20-22 of FIG. 24. 
When the photographer moves the line of sight to, for example, position D 
of FIG. 26, and then fully depresses the push-button section 45c, the 
judgment result in step S20-5 of FIG. 23 is YES, and the procedure moves 
to step S20-6, where a judgment is made as to whether the "FUNCTION MENU 
BEING REGISTERED" flag is set or not. If it is not set, the procedure 
advances to step S20-7, where a judgment is made as to whether the 
nominated function menu is valid or not. If it is not valid, an alarm 
display is given by flashing all the function menus in step S20-11, and 
then the procedure returns to step S20-1. 
When it is determined in step S20-7 that the nominated function menu is 
valid, the procedures of step S20-8.about.step 20-11, which are similar to 
those of step S15-7.about.step S15-10 in FIG. 17, are executed. 
When, in step S20-6, the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" flag is set, the 
procedure advances to step S20-23 of FIG. 24, where the position of the 
marker 56 is fixed. That the photographer has fully depressed the 
push-button section 45c means that he or she is going to newly register a 
function menu at the position of his line of sight, so, in the next step, 
S20-24, a judgment is made as to whether there is any other registered 
function menu at the position where the photographer is going to effect 
the new registration. 
As described above, the line-of-sight coordinates are provided in the form 
of areas 1 through 9 as shown in FIG. 19, and the judgment as to whether a 
function menu exists in any one of these areas can be easily made by 
providing a table as shown in FIG. 20 inside the central processing unit 
15. 
When a superimposition of function menus is detected in step S20-24 of FIG. 
24, the procedure advances to step S20-28, where the marker 56, which has 
been following the movement of the photographer's line of sight, is 
erased. Instead, in step S20-29, all the function menus stored in the 
table of FIG. 20 are flash-displayed at their positions, whereby an alarm 
display is given to the photographer, who is then required to check the 
kind and position of the function menu already registered. After this, the 
procedure advances to step S20-26. 
When no superimposition of function menus is detected in step S20-24, the 
procedure advances to step S20-25, where the marker 56, which has been 
changing its position with the movement of the line of sight, is flashed 
at the fixed position mentioned above, and, in the next step, S20-26, the 
"POSITION REGISTERED" flag, which indicates that the position of the 
function menu has been registered, is set. 
Whether a superimposition of function menus is detected in step S20-24 or 
not, the "POSITION REGISTERED" flag is set in step S20-36, and the 
position of the marker 56, fixed in step S20-23, is maintained. After 
this, the apparatus is left in standby until the photographer releases the 
push-button section 45c. When the push-button section 45c is released, 
this process is terminated. 
On the other hand, if the "POSITION REGISTERED" flag is found to be set in 
step S20-1, the procedure advances to step S20-36 of FIG. 25. In step 
S20-36, a judgment is made as to whether the value of the counter Cw is in 
excess of the predetermined value Cwlim or not. The function of the 
counter Cw will be described below. 
When the value of the counter Cw is not in excess of the predetermined 
value Cwlim, a judgment is made in step S20-37 as to whether a function 
switch, such as the zoom TELE key, has been turned on or not. By 
depressing a function switch, the photographer can register the relevant 
function as the function menu of the line-of-sight position at a desired 
position. When a function switch has been turned on, a function 
discrimination code for discriminating the function corresponding to the 
function switch is stored in a predetermined memory in step S20-38, and, 
in the next step, S20-39, the function discrimination code is stored at 
the address in the table of FIG. 20 corresponding to the position of the 
marker 56. 
Then, in step S20-40, the function menu to be registered is displayed at 
the position of the marker 56, and the photographer knows that the 
registration of the function menu has been accepted. Further, in step 
S20-41, the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag is set, and, in the next step, 
S20-41, the "POSITION REGISTERED" flag is reset. Then, in step S20-43, the 
value of the counter Cw is set to 0. After this, the procedure returns to 
step S20-1 of FIG. 23. 
If the function switch is not turned on in step S20-37 of FIG. 25, the 
procedure advances to step S20-44, where a judgment is made as to whether 
the push-button section 45c has been fully depressed again or not. By 
fully depressing the push-button section 45c again, it is possible to 
erase the function menu at the position where the marker 56 is fixed. This 
erasing operation is conducted through the procedures after the transition 
from step S20-37 to step S20-44. 
When it is determined in step S20-44 that the push-button section 45c has 
been fully depressed, the memory for the function discrimination code is 
cleared in step S20-45, and, in step S20-46, the contents of the memory 
are transferred to the address in FIG. 20 corresponding to the position of 
the marker 56. Further, after erasing the display of the function menu at 
the position in step S20-47, the procedure advances to step S20-42, where 
the "POSITION REGISTERED" flag is reset. 
Next, a process for newly registering a function menu by utilizing the 
above-mentioned memory for function discrimination codes will be described 
with reference to FIG. 27. 
Various control switches (not shown) are connected inside the central 
processing unit 15 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 26 shows typical examples of 
these control switches, which include: a TW (tele/wide) switch 46, a TITLE 
ON/OFF switch 47, an AF ON/OFF switch 48, a DATE ON/OFF switch 49, a REC 
START switch 50, a FADE ON/OFF switch 51, a BACK LITE CONTROL switch 52, a 
DIGITAL EFFECT switch 53, an IMAGE STABILIZE ON/OFF switch 54, and REC 
PAUSE switch 55. 
The TW switch 46 is a scaling switch for zooming. The TITLE ON/OFF switch 
47 is a switch for turning ON/OFF the title recording operation. The AF 
ON/OFF switch 48 is a switch for turning ON/OFF the autofocusing 
operation. The DATE ON/OFF switch 49 is a switch for turning ON/OFF the 
data recording operation. The REC START switch 50 is a switch for starting 
the recording operation. The FADE ON/OFF switch 51 is a switch for turning 
ON/OFF the fading operation. The BACK LITE CONTROL switch 52 is a switch 
for back light correction. The DIGITAL EFFECT switch 53 is a switch for 
performing an operation utilizing a digital effect. The IMAGE STABILIZE 
ON/OFF switch 54 is a switch for turning ON/OFF a vibration isolating 
operation. The REC PAUSE switch 55 is a switch for setting the recording 
operation in a standby state. 
A depression of any of the above switches 46 through 55 is signalled 
through a signal line 57 to a function code conversion block 57 which is 
provided inside the central processing unit 15. The function corresponding 
to the switch depressed is converted into a discriminable code in the 
central processing unit 15, and stored in a function discriminating code 
storage memory 59. A memory clear instruction signal for cancelling a 
registered function menu can be input to the function code conversion 
block 58. When supplied with this instruction signal, the function code 
conversion block 58 clears the function discriminating code storage memory 
59. 
The function discriminating code stored in the function discriminating code 
storage memory 59 or the cleared information is copied at the 
corresponding address in the table of FIG. 20 through a signal line 60. 
If it cannot be determined in step S20-44 whether the push-button section 
45c has been fully depressed or not, it means that neither a function 
switch nor the function menu selecting switch (the switch unit 45) has 
been fully depressed, so that it cannot be determined whether the 
photographer has the intention of newly registering a menu or cancelling 
the new function menu registration or not. In such a case, the counter Cw 
is incremented in step S20-48 of FIG. 25, and then the procedure returns 
to step S20-1 of FIG. 23. 
When neither a function switch nor the function menu selecting switch has 
been depressed, the procedure circulates through the loop: step S20-1 of 
FIG. 23.fwdarw.step S20-36.fwdarw.step S20-37.fwdarw.step 
S20-44.fwdarw.step S20-48 of FIG. 25.fwdarw.step S20-1 of FIG. 23. Thus, 
the value of the counter Cw increments at each circulation to presently 
exceed the predetermined value Cwlim. When the condition: Cw&gt;Cwlim is 
attained, the procedure returns from step S20-1 of FIG. 25 to step S20-1 
of FIG. 23 through the route: step S20-42.fwdarw.step S20-43. Then, the 
procedure advances from step S20-2 to step S20-30. 
In step S20-30, a judgment is made as to whether the execution of the 
instruction has been completed or not. If not, the procedure advances to 
step S20-8. If it has been completed, the "FUNCTION MENU BEING REGISTERED" 
flag and the "FUNCTION MENU REGISTERED" flag are reset in steps S20-32 and 
S20-33, respectively. Then, in the next step, S20-34, the function menu 
storage memory is cleared, and, in step S20-35, the function menu is 
cancelled. After this, the procedure returns to step S20-1. In this way, 
the function menu registering operations are all cancelled. That is, when 
the photographer wishes to suspend the registration of a function menu, he 
or she may leave it as it is, whereby the registering operation can be 
cancelled in a predetermined length of time. 
Similarly, when the push-button section 45c of the switch unit 45 has not 
been turned on in step S20-3, the procedures of step S20-31.about.step 
S20-35 are carried out, thereby entirely cancelling the function menu 
registering operation. 
In the selection apparatus of this embodiment, it is not only possible to 
move a function menu, whose position has been fixed, to a position 
convenient for the operator as he selects the function menu with his or 
her line of sight, but also any additional function menu which the 
operator desires can be provided at a desired position. Further, a 
function menu which the operator does not require can be cancelled, 
whereby malfunction of the function apparatus due to an error in gazing at 
menus can be prevented, and, at the same time, the display on the screen 
can be further tidied up and the function menu selection with the line of 
sight can be more effectively utilized. 
As described in detail, not only can the operator reliably select a 
function without a visual check, but the kind of function can be displayed 
on a display means like a finder only when the operator desires it, and it 
is possible for the function corresponding to the function menu being 
gazed at by the operator to be executed. 
Further, the operational complexity in the prior art can be substantially 
mitigated. 
In addition, malfunction of the function apparatus due to erroneous menu 
gazing can be prevented, and the function of menu selection with the line 
of sight can be utilized more effectively. 
The individual components shown in outline or designated by blocks in the 
Drawings are all well known and the line-of-sight selection arts, and 
their specific construction and operation are not critical to the 
operation or best mode for carrying out the invention. 
While the present invention has been described with respect to what is 
presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be 
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. 
To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications 
and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the 
appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the 
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and 
equivalent structures and functions.