To provide a side view mirror which can be connected to a conventional light source device which only radiates illumination light into a single light guide and which enables a user to simultaneously observe a straight view image and a side view image and changing the brightness of the picked-up images of a straight view direction and a side view direction.

The side view mirror is provided with: a first shutter which is arranged between the first image pickup area of a CCD and a first objective optical system and capable of passing through/interrupting a luminous flux made incident on the first objective optical system; a second shutter arranged between a second image pickup area and a second objective optical system and capable of passing through/interrupting the luminous flux made incident on the second objective optical system; and a control means for controlling the operation of passing through/interrupting the luminous flux by using the first shutter and the second shutter and controlling the time of incidence of the luminous flux on the first image pickup area and the second image pickup area.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI