JP2003102039A - Stereoscopic image display method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic image display apparatus capable of providing an image full attendance feeling by displaying stereoscopic images with different view angles of a photographing object. SOLUTION: The stereoscopic image display apparatus of this invention includes; a plurality of cameras 1 (#1 to #20) arranged to different places in order to photograph the same photographing object; an image selection switching section 4 for selecting two cameras 1 among the cameras 1 (#1 to #20);, and an image stereoscopic display section 5 for displaying a stereoscopic image comprising a couple of the image data photographed by the two cameras 1 selected by the image selection switching section 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device for displaying a stereoscopic image based on image data picked up by a plurality of cameras arranged at different places.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, viewers have been provided with images obtained by shooting athletes from various directions in television broadcasting such as sports games.

As described above, in order to shoot an object to be shot from various directions, it is necessary to use a large number of cameras, and each camera shoots the same object to be shot from different directions. That is, taking a baseball game as an example, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) are arranged so as to surround the baseball field.

The image data of the athlete 25 photographed by the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) from different directions is shown in FIG.
As shown in, each cable 21 (# 1 to # 20)
It is output to the image recording unit 22 via and is recorded there. Further, an image switching unit 23 is connected to the image recording unit 22. Then, based on the operation input of the operator, from the video data recorded in the image recording unit 22,
By selecting the video data to be displayed and displaying the selected video data from the image display unit 24, the video data is switched.

By using the image display device configured as described above, for example, an operator can change the camera 1 (# 1) to the camera 1 (# 2) via the image switching unit 23.
By continuously switching the video data up to 0) at fixed time intervals, the viewer can view the video of the player 25 from various angles as if he or she made a round of the baseball field.

[0006]

However, such a conventional image display device has the following problems.

That is, in the conventional image display device as described above, although the player 25 can be viewed from different angles, the image provided to the viewer is only a flat image,
There is a limit to giving a sufficient sense of presence.

Therefore, in order to provide a sufficient sense of reality, it is desired to develop a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device capable of providing stereoscopic images from different angles with respect to an object to be photographed such as a player 25. There is.

Further, as described above, the conventional image display device requires a large number of cameras 1. Further, the video data captured by each camera 1 needs to be transmitted to the image recording unit 22 by the cable 21 connected to each camera 1. As a matter of course, when the image display device is applied to a large place such as a baseball field, not only the number of cables 21 required but also the length thereof becomes enormous.

Therefore, there is a problem that a huge cost is required. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) are installed in a baseball field, the cost is about 200 million yen. Furthermore, these cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) and cables 21 (# 1 to # 1)
There is a problem that the labor and time required for installing # 20) become enormous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object thereof is to display stereoscopic images from different angles with respect to an object to be photographed, thereby providing a more realistic image. An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device capable of performing the stereoscopic image display.

A second purpose is to reduce the amount of cables by transmitting video data from a plurality of cameras with one cable, and thus to reduce the cost. A method and a stereoscopic image display device are provided.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following means.

That is, the stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is arranged in different arrangement positions, and is arbitrarily selected from a plurality of image pickup means for picking up image data of the same image pickup target and each image pickup means. It is provided with a selection means for selecting two image pickup means and a stereoscopic display means for displaying a stereoscopic image composed of a pair of image data picked up by the two image pickup means selected by the selection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the stereoscopic image display apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the stereoscopic image displayed on the stereoscopic display means is selected by causing the selection means to select another arbitrary two photographing means. A switching means for switching is added.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the heights of the respective image pickup means are substantially equal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the respective image pickup means are arranged so as to surround the periphery of the image pickup target.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the adjacent image pickup means are arranged at substantially equal intervals.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the direction adjusting means for adjusting the image capturing direction of the image capturing means, and the image capturing direction by the direction adjusting means. The distance is measured by a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the image pickup unit to the image pickup target when the image pickup target is positioned substantially at the center of the image data, and is adjusted by the distance measured by the distance measuring unit and the direction adjusting unit. At least one of the image pickup units includes a position calculation unit that calculates a three-dimensional position of the image pickup target based on the image pickup direction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, any one of the image pickup means is used as a main image pickup means, and the other image pickup means is used. While all of the image pickup means are respectively used as the sub-image pickup means, a main direction adjusting means for adjusting the image pickup direction of the main image pickup means and a substantially center of image data of the main image pickup means by adjusting the image pickup direction by the main direction adjusting means And an auxiliary direction adjusting means for adjusting the imaging direction of each of the sub-imaging means so that the imaging target located at the position is located substantially at the center of the image data of each of the sub-imaging means.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, image data is acquired from an arbitrary number of image pickup means among a plurality of image pickup means, A plurality of relay means for transmitting each acquired image data, and each image data transmitted from each relay means is recorded corresponding to the image capturing means of the image capturing source,
From the recorded image data, image data recording means for providing image data captured by the two image capturing means selected by the selecting means to the stereoscopic display means is added.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the stereoscopic image display device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the image pickup means is provided for each image pickup means, is connected to the same transmission line, and is used for the corresponding image pickup. Image data captured by the means is acquired from the imaging means, a plurality of relay means for transmitting the acquired image data via the transmission path, and each image data transmitted from each relay means via the transmission path The acquired image data is recorded in correspondence with the image capturing means of the image capturing source, and the image data imaged by the two image capturing means selected by the selecting means is stereoscopically selected from the recorded image data. Image data recording means provided to the display means is added.

In the stereoscopic image display method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, image data of the same image pickup target is picked up by a plurality of cameras arranged at different positions, and two cameras are selected from the respective cameras. , A stereoscopic image is displayed using the pair of image data captured by the selected two cameras.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this example, 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) are arranged in a baseball field.

That is, the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is the camera 1
, Repeater 2, image recording unit 3, and image selection switching unit 4
And an image stereoscopic display unit 5.

A large number of cameras 1 are arranged at different arrangement positions so as to surround the image pickup object, and image data of the same image pickup object is picked up.

In the example of the baseball stadium shown in FIG. 1, the stand is arranged so that the distance h from the camera 1 adjacent to the stand is substantially constant.
As a result, any stereoscopic image displayed by any two adjacent cameras 1 can be stereoscopically displayed with the same sense. When the shooting location is fixed, as in the sumo ring 8, as shown in FIG. 2, each camera 1 (# 1 to # 8) is placed on the circumference of the circle at an almost equal distance r from the center G of the ring. In addition, the line connecting the camera 1 and the center G of the metal ring and the line connecting the adjacent camera 1 and the center G of the metal ring are arranged at an equal angle θ. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement height z of each camera 1 is
By arranging substantially the same, it is possible to obtain a stereoscopic image as viewed from the same line of sight regardless of the combination of two cameras 1 displayed.

In order to photograph the same image data of the object to be photographed, all the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) need to simultaneously gaze at and photograph the same place (gazing point). Therefore, a large number of cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) arranged
Among them, one camera 1 (# 1) is used as a master camera to perform pan / tilt control so as to capture a gazing point as a shooting target in the center of the camera, and the other remaining cameras 1 (# 2 to # 1).
9) as a slave camera, the master camera 1 (#
Following the operation of 1), the operation is performed so that the gazing point is captured at the center of the camera. In order to enable such a thing, each camera 1 has a system configuration as shown in FIG.

That is, the cameraman adjusts the pan angle α, the tilt angle β, and the zoom by operating the master camera operating section 9 having the pan-tilt mechanism and the zoom mechanism, and as shown in FIG. The object to be photographed 20 is captured at the center of 11.

The operation information applied to the master camera operating unit 9 is output to the slave camera operating unit 10 (# 2 to # 20) which controls each slave camera 1 (# 2 to # 20). Each slave camera operation unit 10 (# 2
Up to # 20) are the installation location information of the master camera 1 (# 1) and the slave cameras 1 (# 2 to # 2) that it controls.
0) based on the installation location information and the operation information output from the master camera operation unit 9, the slave camera 1
(# 2 to # 20) operation information (pan angle α, tilt angle β,
By calculating the zoom) and controlling the slave cameras 1 (# 2 to # 20) based on the calculation result, the master camera 1 (# 1) is centered on each slave camera 1 (# 2 to # 20). ) Makes the camera gaze at the gazing point that is centered on the camera.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the master camera 1 (# 1) is provided with a distance measuring device 12. This is an existing device, for example a laser range finder is suitable. This laser distance measuring device irradiates a laser and measures the distance based on the time until the irradiated laser reflects and returns. Therefore, master camera 1 (#
If the master camera 1 captures the shooting target 20 in the center of the camera image 11 by adjusting in advance that the center of the camera image 11 of 1) is irradiated with the laser, the master camera 1 to the shooting target 20 are captured. Measure the distance. By using a visible light laser as the laser emitted from the laser distance measuring device, the cameraman can confirm, via the master camera 1, that the laser is irradiating the photographing target 20.

There are cases where the visible light laser cannot be used because it affects the object 20 to be photographed. For example,
Irradiating a pitcher or batter with a visible light laser during a baseball game is a hindrance to the game.
Therefore, in such a case, the configuration as shown in FIG. 6 is used to measure the distance to the imaging target 20 using the invisible light laser that does not interfere with the game.

That is, the invisible light laser oscillator 14 that oscillates the invisible light laser is provided on the side portion of the master camera 1 (# 1). Further, a mirror 15 is provided inside the master camera 1, and an invisible light laser oscillated from the invisible light laser oscillator 14 is introduced into the master camera 1 through a laser introduction window (not shown). Then, this invisible light laser is reflected by the mirror 15, and the master camera 1
It is reflected from the center of the camera toward the shooting direction F.

With such a configuration, when the master camera 1 captures the subject 20 in the center of the camera image 11, the subject 20 is irradiated with the invisible light laser. Therefore, it is possible to measure the distance from the master camera 1 to the imaging target 20 based on the time until the irradiated invisible light laser reflects and returns.

The position calculation unit 13 calculates the distance to the object to be photographed 20 measured by the distance measuring device 12 and the operation information (pan angle α, tilt angle β, zoom) from the master camera operation unit 9. The three-dimensional position of the imaging target 20 is calculated.

The repeater 2 acquires image data from an arbitrary number of cameras 1 of the plurality of cameras 1 in correspondence with the camera 1 of the photographing source, and acquires each of the acquired image data from the camera 1 of the photographing source. Send in response to. In the example shown in FIG. 1, 5
The repeaters 2 (# 1 to # 5) are arranged, and each repeater 2 acquires the image data captured by the four cameras 1 via the cables 6 connected to the cameras 1, respectively. Then, the respective image data acquired in this way are made to correspond to the camera 1 of the photographing source, and the cable 7 (#
1 to # 5) to the image recording unit 3.

The image recording unit 3 includes the relays 2 (# 1 to #).
5) each image data transmitted from
And the image data captured by the two image pickup means selected by the image selection switching unit 4 from the recorded image data is provided to the image stereoscopic display unit 5.

The image selection switching unit 4 selects one of the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) from among the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) based on the operation input by the operator.
Two cameras 1 for picking up images forming a stereoscopic image are selected. As a result, the stereoscopic image displayed from the image stereoscopic display unit 5 is switched to the stereoscopic image as viewed from the location where the other two cameras 1 are arranged.

The image stereoscopic display section 5 acquires from the image recording section 3 a pair of image data captured by the two cameras 1 selected by the image selection switching section 4. Then, the stereoscopic image is displayed by simultaneously displaying the acquired pair of image data on the screen. It uses the same method as the principle of the human eye. That is, humans obtain a stereoscopic effect by seeing the same target object with both the right eye and the left eye. Therefore, even in the image stereoscopic display unit 5, the two cameras 1 selected by the image selection switching unit 4 are viewed from the right eye and the left eye, and the image data captured by these two cameras 1 are displayed simultaneously on the screen. Displays a stereoscopic image as if it were viewed by human eyes.

Next, regarding the operation of the stereoscopic image display apparatus to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is applied, a case where a stereoscopic image of a baseball game is broadcast is shown as an example. A description will be given according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when a stereoscopic image of a baseball game is broadcast using a stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, as shown in FIG. A large number of cameras 1 (here, 20 units) are installed in the camera (S1). The 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) illustrated in FIG. 1 are arranged at equal intervals h so as to surround the periphery of the ground, which is a shooting target. As a result, a stereoscopic image displayed by any combination of two adjacent cameras 1 is stereoscopically displayed with a similar sense. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement heights z of the cameras 1 are arranged substantially equal to each other. As a result, it is possible to obtain a stereoscopic image as viewed from the same line of sight, regardless of the stereoscopic image displayed by any combination of two adjacent cameras 1.

The 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 2 shown in FIG.
0), the camera 1 (# 1) is the master camera 1 (# 1) controlled by the cameraman via the master camera operation unit 9, and the other cameras 1 (# 2 to # 19)
Are slave cameras 1 (# 2 to # 20) that follow the gazing point captured by the master camera 1 (# 1).

That is, the master camera operating unit 9 having the pan-tilt mechanism and the zoom mechanism is operated by the cameraman, so that the master camera 1 (#
The pan angle α, tilt angle β, and zoom of 1) are adjusted (S2).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the photographing target 20 as the gazing point is captured in the center of the camera image 11 of the master camera 1 (# 1) (S3).

The master camera 1 (# 1) is provided with a distance measuring device 12 as shown in FIG. 5 or 6. From the distance measuring device 12, the master camera 1 (#
The visible light laser or the invisible light laser is applied to the imaging target 20 captured in the center of the camera image 11 by 1). Then, the distance from the master camera 1 (# 1) to the object to be photographed 20 is measured based on the time until the laser light is reflected and returned (S4).

Further, the distance measured in step S4,
Based on the operation information (pan angle α, tilt angle β, zoom) from the master camera operation unit 9, the position calculation unit 13 calculates the three-dimensional position of the shooting target 20 (S).
5).

On the other hand, the operation information of the operation performed by the master camera operation unit 9 in step S2 is output to the slave camera operation unit 10 (# 2 to # 20) which controls each slave camera 1 (# 2 to # 20). (S6).

Then, each slave camera operation unit 10 (#
2 to # 20), the installation location information of the master camera 1 (# 1) and the slave camera 1 (# 2 to #) controlled by itself.
20) based on the installation location information and the operation information output from the master camera operation unit 9,
(# 2 to # 20) operation information (pan angle α, tilt angle β,
Zoom) is calculated (S7). Then, step S7
The slave cameras 1 (#
The pan-tilt mechanism and the zoom mechanism of 2 to # 20) are operated, and the photographing target 20 is captured in the center of the camera image 11 of each slave camera 1 (# 2 to # 20) (S8).
As a result, the shooting target 20 captured at the center of the camera image 11 of the master camera 1 (# 1) is also captured at the center of the camera image 11 of the slave camera 1 (# 2 to # 20) almost at the same time.

In this way, each camera 1 (# 1 to # 2
0) image data captured by each camera 1 (#
1 to # 20) connected to each of the cables 6 (# 1
To # 20) to the repeater 2 (# 1 to # 5) (S9). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the repeater 2 (# 1 to #
In 5), image data is output from each of the four cameras 1. That is, the repeater 2 (# 1) is connected to the camera 1 (# 1).
~ # 4), the repeater 2 (# 2) is connected to the camera 1 (# 5 to # 4).
8), the repeater 2 (# 3) is connected to the camera 1 (# 9 to # 1).
2), the repeater 2 (# 4) is connected to the camera 1 (# 13 to # 1).
6), the repeater 2 (# 5) is connected to the camera 1 (# 17 to # 2).
0) outputs image data respectively.

The repeater 2 is arranged close to the camera 1 which outputs image data in order to reduce the length of the cable 6. That is, the repeater 2 (# 1) is connected to the camera 1 (# 1).
To # 4), the relay 2 (# 2) is connected to the camera 1 (# 5 to # 4).
8), the repeater 2 (# 3) is the camera 1 (# 9 to # 12)
In addition, the repeater 2 (# 4) is the camera 1 (# 13 to # 16)
Further, the repeater 2 (# 5) is arranged close to the cameras 1 (# 17 to # 20), respectively.

Each of the repeaters 2 (# 1 to # 5) has
The image data is acquired corresponding to the output source camera 1. Then, each of the acquired image data is image-recorded via the cable 7 (# 1 to # 5) connected to each of the relays 2 (# 1 to # 5) in correspondence with the output source camera 1. It is transmitted to the section 3 (S10). That is, in this case, since the image data captured by the 20 cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) is transmitted to the image recording unit 3 by the five cables 7 (# 1 to # 5), each camera 1 (#
1 to # 20), the amount of cable required to transmit the image data to the image recording unit 3 is reduced.

As described above, each cable 7 (# 1 to # 1
The image data transmitted from the repeater 2 (# 1 to # 5) via # 5) is recorded in the image recording unit 3 in correspondence with the camera 1 (# 1 to # 20) that is the imaging source ( S11).

On the other hand, in the image selection switching section 4, two cameras 1 for picking up an image forming a stereoscopic image are selected from the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) based on the operation input by the operator. (S12). When this selection input is input to the image selection switching unit 4, the image data recorded by the image recording unit 3 is searched for the image data captured by the two selected cameras 1, and the image stereoscopic display unit is searched. 5 is output (S13).

Then, the image stereoscopic display section 5 displays the stereoscopic image by simultaneously displaying the output pair of image data on the screen (S14). This uses the same method as the principle of the human eye, and one of the selected two image data is viewed from the right eye, and the other is viewed from the left eye. By displaying the image data on the screen at the same time, a stereoscopic image as if it was viewed by human eyes is displayed.

The image selection switching unit 4 always accepts the selection inputs of the two cameras 1 for capturing images forming a stereoscopic image (S15). When the selection input is input to the image selection switching unit 4, Returning to step S13, the image data captured by the two selected cameras 1 is searched from the image data recorded in the image recording unit 3 and is output to the image stereoscopic display unit 5 (S15: Yes). . As a result, the stereoscopic image displayed from the image stereoscopic display unit 5 is switched to the stereoscopic image as viewed from the position where the other two cameras 1 are arranged.

As described above, in the three-dimensional image display device to which the three-dimensional image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, the arbitrary two cameras 1 are operated by the above-mentioned operation.
By displaying the image data captured by the images as viewed from the right and left eyes of the human respectively and simultaneously displaying them on the screen, it is possible to display a stereoscopic image as if the human eyes saw it.

By arbitrarily selecting the two cameras 1, not only can stereoscopic images viewed from various places be displayed, but also stereoscopic images having different stereoscopic levels can be displayed. You can also That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, as shown in FIG. 8B, rather than the stereoscopic image realized by the two cameras 1 arranged at the arrangement positions close to each other, the three-dimensional images are arranged at the arrangement positions distant from each other. The stereoscopic image realized by the two cameras 1 can further increase the stereoscopic degree.

Further, in the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied, one master camera 1 (# 1) is used as the slave cameras 1 (# 2 to # 2). # 20) can be followed. That is, the gazing point captured by the master camera 1 (# 1) at the center of the camera image 11 can be captured almost simultaneously by all the other slave cameras 1 (# 2 to # 20).

Further, in the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied, the master camera 1 captures the photographing target 20 at the center of the camera image 11 so that the three-dimensional image of the photographing target 20 is obtained. The position can be calculated.

Furthermore, in the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied, a cable for transmitting the image data captured by each camera 1 (# 1 to # 20) to the repeater 2. 6 (# 1 to # 20) is
From each camera 1 (# 1 to # 20) to the repeater 2 arranged closest to each other, one cable 7 is provided from each repeater 2 (# 1 to # 5) to the image recording unit 3. (#
The image data is output according to 1 to # 5). In this way, it is not necessary to lay cables from the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 20) to the image recording unit 3, so that the amount of cables required for the entire apparatus can be reduced.

That is, since the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied can display stereoscopic images from different angles with respect to the object to be photographed 20, an image with a higher sense of realism can be obtained. Can be provided. Moreover, since the amount of cables can be reduced, the cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in the same manner as described below.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied. The same parts as those in FIG. Description is omitted, and only different parts will be described here.

That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 9, the Ethernet (registered trademark) 18 (# 1 to # 20) is applied instead of the cables 6 (# 1 to # 20) in FIG. Ethernet switch 1 instead of (# 1 to # 5)
6 (# 1 to # 5) is applied. Furthermore, the Ethernet switch 16 (# 1 to # 5) and each camera 1 (# 1 to # 2)
0) and A / D converter 17 is added between each cable 7
Instead of (# 1 to # 5), each Ethernet 19 (# 1 to # 1
# 5) is applied.

Further, FIG. 10 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing another modification of the stereoscopic image display apparatus to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied, and the same parts as those in FIG. The description thereof will be omitted and only different parts will be described here.

That is, in another modification shown in FIG. 10, each A / D converter 17 (# 1 to # 20) is provided with an Ethernet switch 16 (# 1 to # 20), and each Ethernet switch 16 is further provided. (# 1 to # 20) are connected in series to the Ethernet 19 connected to the image recording unit 3.

With the above structure, the same operational effect can be obtained.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such configurations. Within the scope of the technical idea of the invention as claimed in the claims, those skilled in the art can come up with various modifications and modifications, and the modifications and modifications are also within the technical scope of the present invention. Be understood to belong to.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
First, it is possible to display stereoscopic images from different angles with respect to the shooting target. As described above, it is possible to realize a stereoscopic image display method and a stereoscopic image display device that can provide a more realistic image.

Further, the amount of cables can be reduced by transmitting video data from a plurality of cameras with one cable. As described above, it is possible to realize the stereoscopic image display method and the stereoscopic image display device that can reduce the cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing an example of a stereoscopic image display device to which a stereoscopic image display method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied (when a camera is arranged in a baseball field).

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of cameras arranged at equal intervals around a sumo ring.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing an arrangement example of cameras arranged at the same height.

FIG. 4 is a control system configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration of each camera.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a master camera.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a master camera including an invisible light laser oscillator.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship among a right-eye image, a left-eye image, and a stereoscopic image.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing a modified example of a stereoscopic image display device to which a stereoscopic image display method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing another modified example of the stereoscopic image display device to which the stereoscopic image display method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing an example of an image display device according to a conventional technique (when a camera is arranged in a baseball field).

[Explanation of symbols]

G ... Center of the ring α: Pan angle β: Tilt angle F ... Shooting direction 1 ... Camera 2 ... Repeater 3, 22 ... Image recording unit 4 ... Image selection switching section 5 ... Image stereoscopic display section 6, 7, 21 ... Cable 8 ... ring 9 ... Master camera operation unit 10 ... Slave camera operation unit 11 ... Camera image 12 ... Distance measuring device 13 ... Position calculation unit 14 ... Invisible light laser oscillator 15 ... Mirror 16 ... Ethernet switch 17 ... A / D converter 18, 19 ... Ethernet 20 ... Object to be photographed 23 ... Image switching unit 24 ... Image display section 25 ... Player

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Range Hiroyuki             2-1-1 Niihama, Arai-cho, Takasago, Hyogo Prefecture             Takasago Laboratory, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C061 AB04 AB06 AB18

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image pickup means arranged in different arrangement places and picking up image data of the same image pickup target, and a selection means for selecting any two image pickup means from the respective image pickup means. A stereoscopic image display device comprising: a stereoscopic display unit that displays a stereoscopic image composed of a pair of image data captured by the two image capturing units selected by the selecting unit. 2. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects another arbitrary two photographing units to switch the stereoscopic image displayed on the stereoscopic display unit. A stereoscopic image display device characterized by being added with. 3. The stereoscopic image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement heights of the respective image pickup means are substantially equal to each other. 4. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the respective image pickup means are arranged so as to surround the periphery of the image pickup target. 5. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent image pickup means are arranged at substantially equal intervals. 6. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein a direction adjusting unit that adjusts an image capturing direction of the image capturing unit, and the image capturing direction is adjusted by the direction adjusting unit. A distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the image capturing unit to the image capturing target when the image capturing target is positioned substantially at the center of the image data; a distance measured by the distance measuring unit; and the direction adjustment. Based on the imaging direction adjusted by the means,
A stereoscopic image display device, characterized in that at least one of the image pickup means is provided with a position calculation means for calculating a three-dimensional position of the image pickup object. 7. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein any one of the image pickup units serves as a main image pickup unit and all the other image pickup units. On the other hand, the main image pickup means adjusts the image pickup direction of the main image pickup means, and the image pickup direction is adjusted by the main direction adjustment means. A sub-direction adjusting unit for adjusting the imaging direction of each of the sub-imaging units is added so that the imaging target located in the center is located substantially at the center of the image data of each of the sub-imaging units. A stereoscopic image display device. 8. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image data is acquired from an arbitrary number of image pickup units of the plurality of image pickup units, and each of the acquired image data is obtained. A plurality of relay means for transmitting image data, and each image data transmitted from each of the relay means is recorded in correspondence with the image capturing means of the image capturing source, and from the recorded image data, by the selecting means. A stereoscopic image display device, further comprising image data recording means for providing the stereoscopic display means with image data captured by the two selected imaging means. 9. The stereoscopic image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup means is provided for each of the image pickup means, is connected to the same transmission line, and is imaged by the corresponding image pickup means. A plurality of relay means for acquiring the obtained image data from the image pickup means and transmitting the acquired image data via the transmission path, and each image data transmitted from each of the relay means via the transmission path. The acquired image data is recorded in association with the image capturing means of the image capturing source, and the image data captured by the two image capturing means selected by the selecting means is selected from the recorded image data. A stereoscopic image display device, characterized in that image data recording means provided to the stereoscopic display means is added. 10. Image data of the same image pickup target is picked up by a plurality of cameras arranged at different places, and two cameras are selected from the respective cameras, and the selected two cameras select the two cameras. A stereoscopic image display method, wherein a stereoscopic image is displayed using a pair of captured image data.