Abstract:
A trinocular apparatus is provided for sighting and photographing subjects in the field. Images are captured electronically, and the trinocular apparatus includes a system for annotating captured images as well as apparatus for storing and transferring captured images. A text phrase is selected for use in annotating a non-text electronic file. Voice input such as a keyword is associated with a text version of the keyword which is matched to text words in stored text phrases, and the text phrases are then used to annotate the image.

Description:
This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/491,460, filed Jan. 26, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the fields of digital photography and optical image magnification and pertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for obtaining digital photographs of field subjects as seen through magnified binocular vision from a pair of binoculars or field glasses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of optical image magnification, there are a variety of devices used to optically magnify images for the purpose of enhanced viewing of such images. Perhaps one of the most recognizable devices provided for this purpose are the binocular, sometimes termed field glasses, and the telescope. Although these two types of ocular aids are similar in some respects such as using lenses to capture light and magnify objects, they use patently different technologies in the way lenses are arraigned and used in conjunction with other apparatus to provide magnified representations of images for viewing. 
     Of the two basic types of telescopes, a refractor telescope uses a glass lens as its objective. The glass lens is at the front of the telescope and light is bent (refracted) as it passes through the lens. A reflector telescope uses a mirror as its objective. The mirror is close to the rear of the telescope and light is bounced off (reflected) as it strikes the mirror. 
     Binoculars or field glasses are different than both reflector or refractor telescopes in that they have to optic barrels (one for each eye), and that they use objective lenses coupled with a prism system located between the objective lenses and the eyepieces in both barrels. The prism system may be one of two types Porro or Roof The prisms function as mirrors to. correct the view of an image so that it does not appear up side down and backward to the viewer. The Roof prism system is used in binoculars wherein the objective lenses and eyepieces are in-line, and the Porro prism system is used in binoculars wherein the objective lenses and the eyepieces are offset from each other. 
     In addition to the obvious technological differences that exist between telescopes and binoculars, the scope or purpose of the separately invented devices are also markedly different. Telescopes are primarily intended and used for viewing objects that are far away, most often celestial objects above our atmosphere, while binoculars-are more specifically designed for viewing objects that are closer to us and within our atmosphere. One exemplary application that is arguably the most widely practiced and used with binoculars is recreational field viewing, hence, the term field glasses. It is to this type of application, which includes such recreational pastimes as birding, viewing sporting events, scouting terrain for hunting purposes, and so on, that the present invention most particularly applies to. 
     Digital photography, which has somewhat recently been developed and refined for practical application, uses a charged-coupled-device CCD technology to capture light and convert it to a digital bitmap image that may be uploaded and displayed on a personal computer using appropriate software on the computer for opening the image file. Digital cameras are now available that produce exceptionally sharp images in a reliable and consistent manner without requiring extensive skill to operate such as with focusing, lighting requirements, or other complicated set-up procedures inherent to high quality cameras used in conventional photography. Digital cameras may be made very compact and lightweight without affecting their picture taking quality. 
     Many field applications wherein binoculars are used also lend themselves logically to the use of photographic equipment. For example, a scientist or hobbyist engaged in the field study of birds or other wildlife typically carries a good pair of binoculars, a camera for taking photographs, and a note-pad or journal for jotting down scientific or important notations or details regarding subjects of study. Hunters often scout places to hunt with a pair of binoculars and jot down notes describing the location. The hunter then returns to such locations when the season opens if, according to jotted notes and memory, they are deemed good prospects for successful hunting. Although photographic equipment is not a major priority among those scouting places to hunt, a photo of the scouted valley or ridge may prove useful when returning to re-identify such locations. 
     It is clear that the desire to both view magnified subjects, and photograph them, goes hand in hand in many applications. This is exemplified in the use of some larger telescopes that use a type of specialized digital photography that is adapted specifically for night photography. The object, of course, is to photograph the stellar bodies at the moment they are discovered through the telescope. 
     With the use of binoculars, however, one must also bring along a suitable camera with a zoom lens if it is desired to photograph a subject spotted through the binoculars. This is rather inconvenient in that if a subject is spotted through the binoculars, it must be re-sighted with the camera and focused in before a picture may be taken. In that amount of time the subject may move away or out of range or sight. Also, carrying a notepad or a recorder along with a camera for taking notes simply adds to the burden and inconvenience of the individual. 
     In some instances, a camera with a zoom lens may be used instead of binoculars to initially sight a subject for photography. However, this is also inconvenient due to the complexity of most zoom cameras regarding focusing, the inherent fragility of a good camera compared with a binocular in the field, and the added fact that not all sited subjects warrant photography. Another consideration is that the vast majority of individuals using binoculars for recreational enjoyment such as, perhaps birding, would like a picture of certain sited subjects, but do not require a highly professional shot as might be expected from more complex camera equipment. 
     What is clearly needed is a binocular adapted with an integrated digital photographic capability and voice to text recording capability for recreational and other applications. Such a device would greatly simplify and enhance an individual&#39;s experience in the field. Such a device would also simplify notation associated with photographed subjects that must often be recollected by a photographer after film development. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment of the preset invention a system for selecting a text phrase for use in annotating a non-text electronic file is provided, comprising a stored table of text phrases; a voice input apparatus; and a control system. The control system recognizes a key word input at the voice input apparatus, retrieves a text version of the keyword, compares the text keyword to text words in the stored text phrases, and finding a match, uses the matched text phrase to annotate the electronic file. 
     In a preferred embodiment the non-text electronic file is a digital image, and the table of text phrases is stored on a removable data repository. The removable data repository is interchangeable with other data repository devices containing different tables of text phrases. The data repository containing the text phrases may be textually customized by computerized method. Also, the data repository containing the text phrases may be rendered human readable by computerized method, and may contain standalone keywords. 
     In another aspect of the invention a method for selecting a text phrase for use in annotating a non-text electronic file is provided, comprising the steps of (a) storing a table of text phrases; (b) inputting a word or phrase by a voice input apparatus; (c) recognizing a keyword in the input word or phrase; (d) retrieving a text. version of the keyword. from storage; (e) comparing the retrieved text version of the keyword with text words in the text phrases stored in the table; and (f) using a matched text phrase to annotate the electronic file. 
     In a preferred embodiment of this method, in step (a), standalone keywords are also stored. Also, in step (f), standard date and time functions may be included in annotation. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention an image-capturing device for storing annotated images is provided, comprising an optical focus system for optically focusing an image on an image-capturing element; a data repository for storing captured images and a table of text phrases; a voice input apparatus; and a control system. The control system recognizes a key word input at the voice input apparatus, retrieves a text version of the keyword, compares the text keyword to text words in the stored text phrases, and finding a match, uses the matched text phrase to annotate the electronic file. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the device the image capturing element is one of a charged-coupled device or a C-MOS imaging device. There may also be two separate data repositories, a first data repository for storing captured images and a second data repository for storing text phrases. The second data repository may also contain standalone keywords, and may also be removable and interchangeable with other data repository devices containing different phrases and keywords. 
     In another embodiment of the method the second data repository may be textually customized by computerized method, and may be rendered human readable by computerized method. Also standard date and time may be included in annotations to electronic files. 
     In embodiments of the present invention, taught in enabling detail below, for the first time a system is provided wherein annotating phrases may be added to non-text digital files by speaking a keyword. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a digital trinocular according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the digital trinocular of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is a block diagram illustrating a “flush to forward” positional mounting range for a third barrel integral to the digital trinocular of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method for correcting site orientations between binocular barrels and an elevated camera barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a site-orientation tilt feature provided to the camera barrel of FIG. 3C according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating basic circuitry of a third barrel and exemplary light path according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary integrated focus and magnification function of a trinocular according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating logical process steps for digital processing and transfer functions of the trinocular of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer user-interface containing bitmap images integrated into an editable word processing file created from the session container of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of binoculars or field glasses is adapted with a third barrel that functions as a digital photography device. The apparatus of the present invention termed a trinocular by the inventor, enables field users to photograph subjects sited through the regular binocular optics by virtue of integrated focus function. The method and apparatus of the present invention will be explained in enabling detail below. 
     FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a digital trinocular  9  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Trinocular  9  comprises three optical barrel assemblies, barrel  11 , barrel  13  and barrel  15 . Barrels  11  and  13  are provided and adapted as normal binocular barrels (known in the art) such as are associated with a pair of field glasses. Barrel  15 , located substantially centered between the two outer barrels  11  and  13 , is provided and adapted to function as a digital camera with optical focus capability that is integrated with the normal focus and magnification functions of the outer barrels. 
     In this embodiment, trinocular  9  utilizes a Porro prism system (not shown) inside each of barrels  11 ,  13 , and  15 . The Porro prism system is a well-known prism arrangement implemented inside many binocular barrels and adapted to convert an upside-down image to a righted position for viewing purposes. The use of the Porro system in this embodiment causes each barrel  11 ,  13 , and  15  to be constructed in an offset alignment between the objective end and the magnification end. 
     It is not specifically required that trinocular  9  use a Porro prism system. Trinocular  9  may, in another embodiment, be adapted with another well-known prism system known as the Roof prism system. The Roof prism system utilizes a prism arrangement in a straight-line path from the objective end to the magnification end allowing barrels to be constructed as straight tubes with no offset. The conversion effect with respect to righting an image for viewing is essentially the same between both methods however there are some slight differences in image quality between the two systems. For the purpose of the present invention, either system Porro or Roof is equally applicable and minor image-quality differences are negligible. 
     In still another embodiment, center barrel  15  may be adapted with the opposite prism arrangement from the one implemented in barrels  11  and  13 . For example, if barrels  11  and  13  use the Porro arrangement, then center barrel  15  may be adapted with the roof system. The reverse order is also applicable. Such flexibility may be utilized in part for convenience in construction and barrel arrangement. In this example, center barrel  15  is notably shorter than outer barrels  11  and  13 . The reason for the difference pertains to user comfort and will be detailed further below. 
     Each of barrels  11  and  13  have eyepiece assemblies  21  and  19  installed for magnification viewing as is known in the art of binocular vision. Eyepiece  19  has an independent diopter function  41  used to adjust the focusing of barrel  13  to compensate for a user&#39;s particular vision deficiency. This function is common and standard to most binocular products. 
     Center barrel  15  also has an eye-piece assembly  17  installed therein and adapted for optical magnification of an image. Eye-piece assemblies  21 ,  19 , and  17  contain all of the components such as lens arrays and the like that are required to produce the intended effect of magnification of an image for viewing. The only difference between the eyepiece function of center barrel  15  and the outer barrels  11  and  13  is that instead of presenting an image to the human eye, the central eyepiece assembly presents the image to a CCD array (not shown): 
     Because eye-piece assembly  17  does not have to present an image to one of the user&#39;s eyes, it may be constructed differently than eye-piece assemblies  21  and  19 , which must present identical images to the user with respect to magnification. Therefore, eyepiece assembly  17  may be adapted to provide a different magnification value with respect to a sighted object than assemblies  21  and  19 . This advantage may be utilized in conjunction with the Prism option both for convenience in construction and for enhancement of image magnification. 
     Barrels  11  and  13  (viewing barrels) are held parallel to each other and in viewing alignment by virtue of a pivotal mounting method that utilizes pivotal mounting assemblies  29  (one each for barrels  11  and  13 ). This type of mounting arrangement is well known in the art. Barrels  11  and  13  are mounted according to the above-described pivotal arrangement to a mount-plate assembly  23 . Mount-plate assembly  23  comprises a centrally fixed mounting plate  27  and an adjustable focus plate  25 . 
     Mounting plate  27  may be manufactured of a durable polymer or another lightweight material. Mounting plate  27  is hollowed on it&#39;s inside such that it forms a boxed enclosure wherein circuitry and like components may be housed. The overall thickness of mounting plate  27  is approximately ⅜ to one-half of an inch with a wall thickness small enough to allow for the above-mentioned inner components and circuitry. The overall thickness may, in some embodiments, exceed or be less than the stated thickness range without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Focus plate  25  may be manufactured of a material similar to or the same as described with mounting plate  27 . Focus plate  25  is largely. rectangular accept for the presence of two symmetrical slots formed therein and adapted by design to snuggly fit over protruding-symmetrical fingers formed on the mating surface of mounting plate  27 . In this way, the two plates may be slidably and snugly fitted together. 
     Mounting plate  27  and focus plate  25  are held together as an adjustable assembly by virtue of alignment pins  37  (one on each side) and a threaded screw-pin  35 . Annular recesses (not shown) are provided in both plates  27  and  25  to facilitate pins  37  and threaded screw-pin  35 . Pins  37  may be manufactured of suitable steel such as stainless steel or dowel steel. Threaded pin  35  is manufactured of similar steel commonly used for such as fastening machine screws and the like. 
     In this embodiment, focus plate  25  is adapted to control integrated optical focussing for objective lenses installed in barrels  11 ,  13 , and  15 . This is accomplished by virtue of optical focus-arm assemblies  31  (one each for barrels  11 ,  13 , and  15 ), and a provided central focus wheel  33  that is mechanically attatched to threaded pin  35 . By rotating wheel  33  all the way to the left, focus plate  25  may be brought flush to mounting plate  27 . By rotating wheel  33  all the way to the right, focus plate  25  may be caused to separate from a flush position at mounting plate  27  to a maximum focus distance generally defined by the physical limitation or range of threaded pin  35  and the length of focus-arm slots formed in each barrel to facilitate mounting and movement of focus-arm assemblies  31 . Such a focussing arrangement is known for focussing the objective lenses of two barrels in tandem such as with a binocular focus function however, the inventor knows of no such integrated focus system adapted to focus three objective lenses, one of which is a focussing lens for a digital photography function. 
     In another embodiment, an integrated focus system for a trinocular such as trinocular  9  may be provided and adapted to move eyepiece. assemblies  21 ,  17 , and  19  instead of moving objective lenses. In still another embodiment such focus function may be mechanized and adapted to respond in an automated fashion such as by depressing a button similar to auto-focus on a camera. This embodiment reflects just one example wherein an integrated focus system is provided and facilitated by a manual focus wheel such as wheel  33 . There are many other possible arrangements and methods. 
     Three adjustable mounting screws  36  are illustrated on the upper face of mounting plate  27  and arranged in a triangular pattern. Mounting screws  36  are used to mount barrel  15  in it&#39;s central location between barrels  11  and  13 . By adjusting screws  36  (tightening or loosening), alignment and positioning of barrel  15  with respect to barrels  11 ,  13 , and plate  27  may be manually adjusted. For example, tightening all of screws  36  acts to raise barrel  15  toward the under-side of plate  27 . Tightening the rear screw  36  and loosening front screws  36  acts to lower the front of barrel  15  while raising the rear of barrel  15  causing it to be presented in an angled down position. The method for mounting barrel  15  to plate  27  will be described in more detail below. 
     An array of function buttons  43  is provided on the upper surface of plate  27 . Buttons  43  provide a convenient interface mechanism to a user operating tinocular  9 . For example, one of buttons  43  may be a shutter button allowing a user to take a digital picture. Another of buttons  43  may be an ad text button allowing a user to speak into a microphone (not shown) and add captions to pictures taken. A third button  43  may be an automated digital-focus button allowing a user to digitally adjust focusing of barrel  15 . Function buttons  43  are, in this embodiment, placed in a convenient linear arrangement on the right-hand side of plate  27 . However, in other embodiments, they may be placed in any convenient location that is accessible to a user. Moreover, there may be more or fewer function buttons such as buttons  43  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The inventor illustrates three such buttons and their described uses as an exemplary interface only. 
     A digital storage-bay  39  is provided in plate  27  and adapted to accept removable memory cards as is known in the art of digital photography. Digital photographs are stored on such devices before transferring them to a computer by way of marrying the device with a floppy disk provided and modified for the purpose. A second digital storage-bay  40  is provided in plate  27  and adapted to accept such as a removable smart card adapted with vocabulary terms to aid voice to text annotation of photographs. More detail about a unique smart-card enhancement to trinocular  9  will be provided later in this specification. 
     It will be apparent to one with skill in the art of mechanical design that the method for mounting barrel  15  between barrels  11  and  13  as presented in this example is accomplished by means known in the art and available to the inventor. The inventor stresses that the present example is intended to exemplify but one of several alternative mounting and architectural designs that may be pursued in integrating a third “camera barrel” into existing binocular architecture. In some embodiments alterations and modifications may be made to all three barrels in order to effect a working relationship between the three components. There are many possibilities. The inventor knows of no such device that has three barrels wherein one supports a digital camera with the camera focus function integrated with the binocular focus function. 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal view of trinocular  9  of FIG.  1 . In this front view of trinocular  9 , it can be seen that there is ample room for mounting a third barrel such as barrel  15  in between barrels  11  and  13 . Design modification techniques may be used to provide ample room as described in FIG.  1 . For example, the rear portion of barrel  15  (including assembly  17 ) is formed up and out of the way from where a user&#39;s nose would be. In other embodiments, the center barrel may be shorter, or mounted further to the front. There are many variant possibilities, some of which will be described later in this specification. 
     Screws  36  are use to adjust the positioning of barrel  15  as described in FIG.  1 . Barrel  15  has a retaining form  51  formed on it&#39;s upper side. Form  51  has a substantial solid portion with a flat upper-surface, and is adapted to act as a retaining medium for three threaded ball-screws  53 . Ball screws  53  each have their ball ends embedded and retained snugly into annular sockets strategically provided in the solid portion of form  51 . The ball ends of ball screws  53  assume a tight fit within their respective sockets such that friction impedes but does not prevent rotation of balls in sockets. 
     Three elongated relief slots (not visible) are provided in the surface of form  51  at the surface junction of form  51  and each retained ball-end with the slots breaking into each socket. The relief slots run parallel to the longitudinal center of barrel  15 . The relief slots are provided of a dimensional width slightly larger than the dimensional width of the shank portion of ball screws  53  to provide directed rotation for each ball screw along the direction of each slot. Although it is not shown in this example, the ball ends of ball screws  53  may be axially pined or other wise axially retained in their sockets to prevent circular rotation along the direction of machined threads provided on the shank portions of each screw. 
     Machine screws  36  comprise hollow tubes threaded on the inside diameter such that they mate with the threaded shank portions of ball screws  53 . Once each machine screw  36  is engaged (by threading) over each ball screw  53 , barrel  15  may be raised, lowered, or caused to angle downwardly or upwardly according to user tightening or, loosening of screws  36 . A focus arm  31  for barrel  15  is removed in this example for facilitating a view of a rear machine screw  36  and ball screw  53 , which take up the centered position. 
     Each barrel of trinocular  9  has an objective lens for focusing light through each barrel. Barrel  13  has a lens  45 , barrel  11  has a lens  47 , and barrel  15  (camera barrel) has a lens  49 . Lenses  45  and  47  must be the same diameter and thickness as well as being mounted in the same plane because they aid focusing for the eye of the user. In a standard pair of binoculars, focus arms  31  move each objective lens the same amount of distance in the same direction. Focusing is a function of adjusting the length from the objective lens to the eyepiece. 
     By adding barrel  15  and an extra focus arm, objective lens  49  may be manipulated in sync with lenses  45  and  47 . However, because the focus point of lens  49  in barrel  15  is not a human eye, but rather a CCD array, the planer position of lens  49  may be considerably offset (if desired) from the planer positions of lenses  45  and  47  allowing barrel  15  to be mounted ahead of barrels  11  and  13 . Modifications to correct the focus function of barrel  15  can be made such that the offset dimension between lenses  45 ,  47  and  49  is acceptable. Moreover, lens  49  may be of a different diameter and thickness than lenses  45  and  47  as long as appropriate modifications exist in barrel  15  to correct it&#39;s focus such that it is sharp when the user sees a sharp image. More detail about focus adjustments will be discussed further below. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a schematic diagram illustrating a “flush to forward” positional mounting range for third barrel  15  of trinocular  9  of FIG.  1 . As described in both FIGS. 1 and 2, various architectures and mounting positions may be utilized in integrating a third barrel such as barrel  15  into common binocular architecture. The schematic presented herein illustrates a flush to forward range limit that may be utilized without binocular vision picking up the forward edge of a third barrel such as barrel  15 . 
     Assuming that all three barrels,  11 ,  13 , and  15  are of the same length, then a line  0  (horizontally placed dotted line) represents all barrels mounted in a flush position in relation to each other. That is to say that the forward edges of barrels  11 ,  13 , and  15  lie in the same horizontal plane  0 . However, one with skill in the art will recognize that there is a considerable length in front and center of a binocular optical field that is a blind field wherein objects placed therein cannot be seen by a user looking through the binocular barrels. This fact allows for a certain amount of flexibility for mounting a third barrel in a forward position considerably ahead of binocular barrels  11  and  13 . 
     To further illustrate, a horizontal plane A represents a forward range defined as the distance from plane  0  to plane A, or “range A”. Range A is the acceptable distance wherein the forward edge of barrel  15  may be extended without being visible through barrels  11  and  13 . For example, binocular barrels  11 , and  13  exude associated fields of vision C and D respectively. Fields C and D represent the angles of view for each barrel. A viewing subject, represented herein by an ellipse labeled S represents an object being sighted through binocular barrels  11  and  13 . As can be seen, subject S is visible through barrel  11  and barrel  13  by virtue of overlapped vision fields C and D. 
     Barrel  15  may be mounted to a forward limit of plane A before vision fields C and D include the forward edge of barrel  15  as can be seen at the junction of each field and the front corners of barrel  15  positioned at plane A. A camera angle represented by field E captures subject S at a substantially centered position. The example assumes that an illustrated range B, representing distance between a user&#39;s eyes is adjusted at the correct distance to enable viewing for the user, and that barrel  15  is substantially centered between barrels  11  and  13  and in a parallel arrangement. 
     The example presented herein illustrates possible mounting locations for barrel  15  that exist starting from plane  0  (flush) to plane A (forward limit). It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that Range A may vary depending on actual design of barrels  11 ,  13 , and  15 . However in most circumstances, barrel  15  may be conveniently mounted ahead of barrels  11  and  13  such that ample relief is afforded for viewing comfort even if barrel  15  is of the same length as barrels  11  and  13 . 
     In one embodiment, barrel  15  may be slidably adjustable within Range A. An integrated focus function may be calibrated to account for adjusting barrel  15  forward or backward within range A. Such a function would include a digital means for tracking linear increments of movement of barrel  15  in relationship to the position of barrels  11 , and  13  such as by a digital track common to some types of machines wherein linear movement of a component or components of the machine must be known. Linear data describing movement may be used to digitally adjust focussing for camera barrel  15  such that processed pictures appear as sharp as what a user sees through barrels  11  and  13 . 
     Barrel  15  is not limited to the positional arrangement illustrated in this example. As described in FIG. 2, barrel  15  may be elevated above the plane occupied by barrels  11 , and  13 . One such example is illustrated below wherein a method for correcting the center of a subject for photography is also described. 
     FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method for correcting site orientations between binocular barrels  11 ,  13  and an elevated camera-barrel  15  of trinocular  9  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this example, binocular barrels  11  and  13  share the same plane and camera barrel  15  assumes an elevated but parallel plane as illustrated herein by a distance F taken from the centerline of barrels  11 , and  13  to the centerline of barrel  15 . This example also includes range A of the example of FIG.  3 A. For example, binocular barrels  11  and  13  capture subject S at a substantially centered position as would be the normal case of binocular viewing represented herein by vision fields C and D, which were described in FIG. 3A above. 
     If barrel  15  is adjusted at a flush position with barrels  11  and  13 , but elevated to distance F in parallel; and subject S is at a given range R from a user; then a field of vision E 1  would include subject S somewhat near the lower boundary of E 1  and not vertically centered. If camera barrel  15  is then adjusted to forward position A and subject S remains at range R, a field of vision E 2  would capture subject S at an even lower position assuming, of course, that a user&#39;s binocular view of subject S remains centered. A digital photo of subject S taken at this instant would not be centered. 
     A digital means for correcting the photo position of subject S is provided and adapted to correct the “camera view” by incorporating the values of range R, distance F and field angle (C, D) into a means for indicating where to place subject S in the binocular viewing window shared by barrels  11  and  13 . The indication means may be of the form of a dim array of light emitting diodes (LED) visible to a user looking through barrels  11  and  13  at the extreme periphery of the viewing window. 
     Depending upon the collected data described above, opposite marks may illuminate showing a user where to center subject S in the binocular view as shown in the lower left illustration labeled “corrected binocular view”. After centering subject S between the indicated marks, a resulting photographic view will be substantially centered as shown in the lower right illustration labeled “resulting camera view”. The digital circuitry required to accomplish the above-described feature is known in the art and available to the inventor. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, barrel  15  may be elevated as in FIG. 3B, but caused to tilt down at a specific angle to effect a centered subject in a photograph. Such an embodiment is detailed below. 
     FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a site-orientation tilt feature provided to the camera barrel  15  of FIG. 3C according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, barrel  15  is mounted in such a way as to enable measured tilting along a vertical plane running parallel to barrels  11  and  13  and perpendicular to the horizontal plane occupied by barrels  11  and  13 . Such tilting of barrel  15  may be effected through manual adjustment of screws  36  of FIG.  1 . In another embodiment, barrel  15  may be mounted according to pneumatic method wherein hydraulic mounting components are used to change tilt angle of barrel  15 . 
     Enabling barrel  15  to be tilted allows the field of view of barrel  15  to come into alignment with the field of view of barrels  11  and  13 . In this way, a subject (S) at a given range (R) can be photographed in a centered manner without affecting the binocular view. A photograph taken from barrel  15  will not appear exactly the same as the subject appears through barrels  11 , and  13  because of the elevated and angled position of barrel  15 . However, given the range (R) of the subject (S) and the small angle of tilt, any differences are negligible. 
     To further illustrate, note that field angle (C,D) captures subject (S) at range (R) in a substantially centered view as was described in FIG.  3 B. In order to “bring in” the camera view of barrel  15  to align with field angle (C,D) of subject (S) at range (R), a certain tilt amount is required. An angle measurement of Fn represents the required angle of tilt needed to align field angle (C,D) with camera views E 1  (flush position, range A) and E 2  (forward position, range A). It is noted here that advancing barrel  15  to a forward position along the angle of tilt does not affect the centered state of subject (S). This embodiment solves the same problem, as does FIG. 3B without affecting binocular vision. Therefore, this example can be considered a preferred embodiment albeit both embodiments may be presented as options. 
     The exact angle required for tilting barrel  15  such that subject (S) remains centered in all views may be derived by trigonometric function with known values for R and distance F of FIG.  3 B. The angle of tilt will be relatively small in most instances of viewing objects at considerable range, which is a normal state for binocular viewing. 
     In a more advanced version of the trinocular of the present invention, a camera barrel  15  may be mounted in a position above barrels  11  and  13  such that it is freely rotable and pneumatically controlled. In such an advanced embodiment, barrel  15  occupies an elevated position but does not need to be centered between barrels  11  and  13  in order to find a subject (S). For example, barrel  15  may be mounted directly above and parallel to either barrel  11  or barrel  13 . When an R (range) value is registered and an F value (distance of parallel barrel elevation as measured from centerline to centerline) is known, then trigonometric function may still be used to find subject (S). The only other value required is the distance between centerlines of barrels  11 , and  13 . This distance may vary from one user to another because of inherent differences between their eyes. Therefore, such distance may be measured digitally or entered into a view-finding system provided and integrated with the trinocular of the present invention. 
     It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the trinocular of the present invention may be adapted for automatic view finding by the methods explained in FIG.&#39;s  3 B and  3 C without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The exact method used will depend on the mounting adaptation provided to camera barrel  15 . Moreover, manual adjustment of barrel  15  may also be provided as described in FIGS. 3A and 3B. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating basic circuitry of barrel  15  and exemplary light path according to an embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, barrel  15  may be constructed with a Porro prism arrangement or with a Roof prism arrangement regardless of the system used by binocular barrels  11  and  13 . In this example, barrel  15  is a straight barrel with a Roof prism arrangement. The basic purpose of a prism is known in the art. However, in some embodiments altering the size of a prism may aid in focus capability. For example, if barrel  15  is constructed shorter than barrels  11  and  13  to provide relief for a user&#39;s bridge (nose) area, and the focus system utilizes objective lens  49  in the same plane as objective lenses of barrels  11  and  13 , then the prism in barrel  15  may be provided to be larger in size than those in barrels  11  and  13  to compensate for a shorter barrel  15 . This case would assume manual focus. 
     Objective lens  49  focuses light through the prism system as illustrated by the arrow emanating from lens  49 , traveling through the illustrated prism system, and entering Ocular lens  58  (magnification lens). Ocular lens  58  magnifies an image righted through the prism onto a CCD array  57 . An analog to digital converter is provided to convert analog values registered by CCD  57  into digital values that may be used to construct a bitmap image. Digital cable  55  connects barrel  15  and circuitry therein to the rest of the circuitry housed in the case inside mounting plate  27 , which is hollowed for the purpose as previously described. Alternatively, a CMOS imaging process may take the place of a CCD technology. CMOS imaging is well known in the art and is, at the time of the writing of this application, being improved for practical use. 
     Voice recognition technology (VRT) chip  61  is provided and adapted to allow a user to use voice input for the purpose adding voice-to-text annotation to photographs of subjects. A digital signal processor (DSP) chip  63  is provided and adapted to process (perform calculations) regarding received digital signals as is known in the art of digital photography. An input/output module (I/O)  65  is provided and adapted to facilitate user initiated function and user feedback function. I/O  65  controls functions such as initiating a shutter event, digital view-finding, automated focus function, voice-input function, and other functions or features that may be provided. 
     A communication bus structure is provided and adapted to facilitate communication between connected modules illustrated in this example. A micro-controller (MC)  68  is provided and adapted to control booting of the system and loading of various functions and features. A power supply (PS)  69  is provided and adapted to supply power to the system. A smart voice card  72  represents such as a removable smart-memory card that contains vocabulary words commonly used with certain session applications which will be described later. A removable memory-card  71  represents such as a floppy adaptable card for storing digital images. 
     Many of the components illustrated herein are known in the art and common to digital cameras. Therefore, detailed description of such common components will not be provided. However, integration of certain components as taught herein provide function that is not used in normal digital photography and is novel above prior art practice. For example, by using VRT 61 in conjunction with voice card  72 , certain common vocabulary words may be entered as text labels or captions to individual photographs taken of subjects. 
     To further illustrate the above function, assume that a user plans to utilize the trinocular of the present invention for a bird-watching session in the west. In this case, card  72  would contain such as field names of birds found in the western region the user plans to visit. The words male, female, juvenile, and adult may be included as common descriptors that would be included in a caption. A smart card such as card  72  may be studied by a user for the purpose of learning vocabulary contained on the card. 
     In one embodiment, cards come with printed text manuals illustrating the vocabulary contained therein. In another embodiment, a smart card such as card  72  is adaptable to a floppy disk and thus may be read by a word program on a PC. In still another embodiment, contents of a smart card may be viewed and scrolled on a special miniature display provided in a convenient location on a trinocular. Such a miniature display may be of the form of an LED or other type known display. 
     When the user speaks a registered vocabulary word into a provided microphone (not shown), VRT 61 pulls the word data from card  72  and causes it to be included in picture data as a caption or label. One card such as card  72  may hold many words or short phrases associated with a particular past time such as bird watching, a sporting event such as football, or any other popular event such as ballet, opera, and so on. 
     In addition to labeling a subject, a smart card such as card  72  may associate action with a photograph. For example, an action such as “touchdown return” may be captioned under a photograph of a running back that just made one. An action such as “goal” may be captioned under a soccer player who just shot a goal. A simple photo of such individuals may not reveal, for example, that he or she just scored, fouled out, or the like. Smart cards such as card  72  may be provided as accessories to the trinocular of the present invention and be purchased separately-. 
     The circuitry and lens arrangement illustrated in this example is intended to represent one possible example of implemented components and arrangements according to an embodiment of the present invention. There are many alternate possibilities such as different configurations of barrel  15 , different prism components, added circuitry allowing additional features and so on. One such additional feature that allows a user to upload an entire photo session into an editable PC document will be explained further below. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary integrated focus and magnification function of a trinocular constructed with a Roof prism arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, barrels  11 ,  13 , and camera barrel  15  have a Roof prism arrangement and are constructed of straight tubes. Although it is not required that a trinocular be constructed with Roof prisms for the practice of the present invention, as was previously described above, the inventor chooses this arrangement to further illustrate the concept of providing a shorter camera barrel with a substantially larger prism as used in a manual focus embodiment. 
     Objective lenses  47  and  45  of barrels  11  and  13  respectively are and must be mounted in the same plane relational to each other. Objective lens  49  may be offset to a different plane as is illustrated herein by a dotted rectangle, which exemplifies the space existing between the center-lines of lenses  47  and  45 , and the center-line of lens  49 . A range G illustrates the range of travel or focus length that all three lenses may be adjusted to with the lenses remaining in a fixed positional relationship with each other as shown. In this example, the fixed positional relationship just described is illustrated by the diagonal arrows adjoining the centerlines of all three lenses. Therefore, all three lenses,  47 ,  49 , and  45  may be caused to move in sync a total focal distance of G. 
     Barrels  11  and  13  are adapted with Roof prisms labeled A, which are identical in size to each other. Camera barrel  15  is adapted with a Roof prism B, which is substantially larger than prisms A. This allows for a longer light path to be utilized in camera barrel  15  for the purpose of enabling barrel  15  to be constructed of a shorter physical focal length than are barrels  11  and  13 . The increased length of light path attributed to prism B is directly proportional to the difference in focal length of camera barrel  15  as compared to barrels  11  and  13 . 
     In a manual focus embodiment illustrated in this example, magnification lenses  28 ,  57 , and  30  may be positionally fixed in their respective mountings while objective lenses  47 ,  49 , and  45  may be adjusted forward and rearward in unison according to a limit of G as illustrated herein. According to an alternate arrangement, objective lenses  47 ,  49 , and  45  may assume the “fixed state” while lenses  28 ,  32 , and  30  may be adjustable in unison while in a fixed relationship with each other. In still another arrangement, lens  32  of barrel  15  may be adjustable in a forward to rear manner as illustrated by range limit H. 
     The distance between objective lens  47  and ocular lens  28  in barrel  11  will always remain equal to the distance between lens  45  and lens  30  in barrel  13 . The physical distance between lens  49  and lens  32  in barrel  15  is smaller in comparison only by the amount of distance added to prism B by virtue of its larger size. Lens H is adjustable in this example, to provide a fine tuning feature to insure that an image focused on CCD 57 will be of the same focus as the image focused on a user&#39;s eyes. The function of H may be digitally controlled. 
     It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that there are several methods of integrating the focus function of binocular barrels  11  and  13  to a focus function of camera barrel  15  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Whether a manual focus method, a digital focus method, or a combination thereof is implemented may depend in part on the construction design of trinocular  9 . 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an editable word and image document adapted for containing and enabling display of images and text sourced from the trinocular  9  of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Document  61  is adapted as an editable word and graphics document or “session file” residing on a PC and opened with a parent application (parent not shown) as is illustrated herein. 
     Document  61  represents a “session container” that originally resides on memory card  71  detailed in FIG. 4 above. More simply, a “session container” is described as a software container for storing bitmap images and annotated text wherein it becomes document  61  after it is uploaded to a PC from trinocular  9  “after session” and opened with a compatible parent application to provide full functionality and editing options. 
     Before session, such data containers as described above are, of course, empty of data. As a user begins a session using trinocular  9 , photographs with their associated annotations or captions are entered into a session container in order of entry until the container is full or memory has been exhausted. In the first case, a session container becomes full when a specific amount of data is entered therein requiring a new container to initiate a next session or a continuation of a previous session. In the second case, a container may not have a memory limit that is less than the total memory capacity of memory card  71 . Therefore, there may be more than one session container provided to reside on memory  71  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As previously described, a session container becomes an editable document when uploaded and opened as illustrated in this example. After uploading a session container or containers into a PC, memory card  71  is empty again and may be re-used. A blank copy or template of each “full” session container remains on memory card  71  after PC uploading allowing for later sessions. In this way, a user may have all of his or her photographs organized serially and annotated before uploading; and further benefits from having the data automatically displayed in a readily editable format on a PC or other GUI (Graphical User Interface). Document  61  represents this editable format. 
     As can be seen in this example, document  61  displays a digital photograph  63  of a Mallard Duck. An annotation text block  65  displays just under photograph  63 . Text block  65  is voice-entered by a user during photography and automatically associates with the photograph as shown. In this case, text  65  describes the type of duck, date photographed, location photographed, and order of photograph. An added text annotation describes the duck as being in breeding plumage. Annotation block  65  may be any text description supported by “smart voice” card  72  of FIG. 4. A text block  67  represents text that may be added after uploading to a PC. In this case additional detail is added concerning the “state” of the duck (breeding pair) and the specific location of the duck on Dillard&#39;s Pond. Also more detail is added concerning description and location of Dillard&#39;s Pond. 
     It may be that the term Dillard&#39;s Pond is not available on smart card  72  of FIG. 4 at the time of the session. In this case, it may be added after. upload. In one embodiment, it may be added to card  72  by computer-entry means provided and adapted for the purpose before a user travels to Dillard&#39;s Pond. If a location is well known such as a specific State Wildlife Preserve, then a smart voice card may be available at the preserve and may contain the names of certain locations within the preserve as well as other specialized information, which may be automatically included in a photo caption during a session. There are many possibilities. 
     A toolbar  69  is provided and made available to a user interacting with document  61  by virtue of a parent application. Toolbar  69  contains all of the normal options presented with well-known word and graphics applications including photo editing capabilities, Web-integration capability, and so on as are generally known in the art. The fact that each photography session may be uploaded in entirety in organized form with caption into an editable document is novel above prior art implementations in use with standard digital cameras. Session containers may be implemented as software templates on a memory card. Parameters may be included as to how much memory (number of photos) may be contained in a “session”. Photographs and captions organize themselves according to template rules on the trinocular before uploading to a PC. This same concept may be expanded to include any digital camera. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating logical process steps for digital processing and transfer functions of the trinocular of FIG.  1 . At step  71 , a user initiates a shutter event by depressing an appropriate button such as one of input buttons  43  of FIG.  1 . At step  73 , the CCD array captures the focused subject and begins an analog to digital process of forming a bitmap image of the focused subject. At step  75 , a user inputs voice annotation through a provided microphone mounted in a convenient location on trinocular  9 . The voice annotation becomes captions associated with each photograph. 
     At step  77  a DSP chip processes the photograph and annotation parameters within a session container described in FIG. 6 above. At step  79  photograph and annotation (caption) are associated and paired. At step  81 , bitmap images are created and stored in appropriate session containers. At step  83  a user, having completed a session, or number of sessions, inputs removable memory containing the photographs into a PC as is known in the art through marrying the card with a floppy or uploading through a USB or serial cable. 
     At step  85 , a PC uploads one or more session containers from the trinocular of FIG. 1 into a parent application for editing. The parent application opens a session as an editable document containing all of the photographs stored therein including the appropriate annotations organized serially (first to last photograph) or by other user created rule. At step  87 , a user may edit photographs, add text and perform a wide variety of other known functions. 
     It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that storing photographs and associated annotations in a template or session container may follow a variety of rules without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, photographs may be stored serially as they were taken. A user may, if desired, change the order of storage before uploading the photographs by reviewing the session on an LED provided for the purpose and changing the order through software capability and input function. Such a feature may be implemented with known technologies. 
     The method and apparatus of the present invention may assume a variety of differing architectures without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Many of which have already been detailed. Other features not mentioned in this specification, but known to be available to digital photography equipment may be integrated into trinocular  9  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, short movies of subjects may be recorded and transferred to a PC if enough memory is provided. Similarly, a battery powered “session viewer” dedicated for the purpose of viewing photography sessions may be provided for viewing in the field. Such a device would comprise a processor and a display means, and may be connected to trinocular  9  by a cable or a wireless link. A device such as this may be made small enough to fit in a pocket or other stow and may be used to store more photographs in case of an extended period of photography in the field wherein no computer is available. 
     The method and apparatus of the present invention presents itself in a variety of practical embodiments using alternate barrel construction and prism implementations, alternate methods for integrating focus, as well as alternate methods aligning subjects for photography. Many of these embodiments have been mentioned. The methods and apparatus of the present invention should be afforded the broadest possible scope under examination. The spirit and scope of the present invention should be limited only by the claims that follow.