JP3186448B2 - 3D TV camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional television camera for photographing a subject with two cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional television camera shoots the same subject with two cameras installed at right and left distances, and provides an observer with a three-dimensional image of the subject by using parallax generated in right and left images. is there. The parallax between the left and right images taken by the left and right cameras depends on the distance from the camera to the subject and the installation interval of the left and right cameras, that is, the base line length.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which a subject located at a middle distance is photographed by a stereoscopic television camera and a subject image. The optical axes 5L and 5R of the left and right cameras 4L and 4R intersect on the subject, and the subject image exists substantially at the center of the left and right image frames 8L and 8R. Parallax appears in the left and right object images, and the left image 9L is observed with the left eye with the right eye 9R with the right eye, and a three-dimensional image recognition is performed by fusing with the brain. FIG. 10 shows a case in which the left and right cameras 4L and 4R are photographed at a close subject. As in FIG. 9, the subject image exists substantially at the center of the left and right image frames 8L and 8R, but the parallax between the left and right images 9L and 9R is extremely large.
In this state, it is difficult for a viewer to recognize a natural stereoscopic image.

The parallax between the left and right images increases as the angle between the left and right optical axes, that is, the convergence angle, increases. If the base line length is constant, the convergence angle becomes smaller as the subject distance becomes shorter and larger, and becomes smaller as the subject distance becomes constant. A stereoscopic television camera of this type that adjusts convergence can provide a stereoscopic image with a natural stereoscopic effect when the subject is at a relatively long distance, but can provide a left and right image when the subject is located at a close distance. Parallax becomes too large, and it becomes difficult for the observer to recognize as a natural stereoscopic image.

[0005] Even if the images are taken with the optical axes of the left and right cameras fixed without adjusting the convergence, parallax occurs in the left and right images, and a three-dimensional effect is obtained. However, in this case, the subject forms an image at different positions on the left and right image frames depending on the distance. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the left and right optical axes are fixed to be parallel, and one camera is shooting at a subject located at a middle distance, and a subject image. In the figure, the subject exists on the optical axis 5L of the left camera 4L, and the left image 9L is
Located in the center of. The right image 9R is closer to the left side than the center in the right image frame 8R. There is a parallax between the left and right images 9L and 9R, and a stereoscopic image can be obtained by observing each with the left and right eyes and fusing with the brain. However, at this time, the left and right picture frames 8L and 8R do not match as shown in FIG. The displacement of the image frame increases as the subject distance decreases. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the subject in FIG. 11 has reached a close distance. In this case, the subject is captured in the center of the left image frame 8L, but is located outside the angle of view of the right camera 4R, so that no object image exists in the right image frame 8R.

As described above, there is a problem that a subject located at a close distance cannot be photographed into a stereoscopic image which reproduces a natural stereoscopic effect by any of the methods. Attempting to stereoscopically view an unnatural image would impose a heavy burden on the eyes, which would cause a problem in the health of the observer. For this purpose, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 61-26278, a technique has been proposed in which the base line length and the convergence angle of the left and right cameras are made variable, and these are adjusted at the same time, thereby expanding the range of the photographable distance. I have.

[0007]

However, in order to adjust the base line length and the convergence angle in conjunction, a complicated mechanism is required, which complicates the manufacturing process of the stereoscopic television camera and increases the cost. Furthermore, a display device for presenting a photographed image to both eyes of the observer also requires special considerations such as synchronizing with the setting of the base line length and the convergence angle of the stereoscopic television camera.

In the method without convergence adjustment, it is conceivable to shorten the shortest distance at which the left and right cameras can capture the subject by shortening the base line length when photographing the subject at a close distance. However, in this case, the parallax generated between the left and right images is
This is different from the original parallax at the time of shooting with the base line length kept constant, and does not provide a natural stereoscopic image. Further, it is necessary to incorporate a mechanism for changing the base line length into the camera, which complicates the configuration.

The present invention can be applied to both a system for adjusting convergence and a system for fixing convergence. The photographic range can be widened by a simple structure, and a three-dimensional image which reproduces a natural three-dimensional effect of a subject even at a short distance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional television camera capable of photographing images.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, two images having left and right information of a subject are photographed by two right and left cameras, and a first video signal and a second video signal are taken.
When the distance from the camera to the subject exceeds a predetermined value, the three-dimensional television camera outputs the video signals of the left camera and the right camera as first and second video signals, respectively. When the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value, an image from one camera is output as first and second image signals.

When the distance from the camera to the subject exceeds a predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively, and when the distance from the camera to the subject is less than the predetermined value. In some cases, the configuration may be such that the video from one camera is output as the first video signal and the second video signal is not output.

Further, the predetermined value is set to a different value depending on whether the distance from the camera to the subject is short or long.

[0013]

When the distance from the camera to the subject exceeds a predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively, and when the distance from the camera to the subject is less than a predetermined value. In a stereoscopic television camera configured to output the video from one camera as the first and second video signals, the video from the left and right cameras is output when the subject distance exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, if the first video signal output is input to the left display unit and the second video signal output is input to the right display unit in combination with a display device having two left and right display units, the subject image can be observed three-dimensionally. it can. When the subject distance is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the video of one camera is output as two video signals. At this time, the left and right images on the display device are the same.

When the distance from the camera to the subject exceeds a predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively, and when the distance from the camera to the subject is less than a predetermined value. In a configuration in which the video from one camera is output as the first video signal and the second video signal is not output, if the subject distance exceeds a predetermined value, the video from the left and right cameras is output and the subject is output. Images can be observed in three dimensions. When the subject distance is equal to or less than the predetermined value, only the video from one camera is output, and the video signal from the other camera is not output. Therefore, the subject image is displayed only on one of the left and right sides of the display device, and is not displayed on the other.

If the predetermined value is set to be different between when the distance from the camera to the subject is short and when it is long, the frequency of switching of one video output is reduced. Assuming that the predetermined value is one, if the distance from the camera to the subject is close to that value, the subject distance will fluctuate above and below the predetermined value even with a slight movement of the camera, and the video output will switch each time. By setting the output switching distance to a different value depending on whether the subject distance is short or long, the output switching is performed only once at the subject distance.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a first embodiment in which a stereoscopic television camera and a display device according to the present invention are combined. The stereoscopic television camera 1 is provided with a pair of left and right cameras 11L and 11R. The left camera 11L is a photographic lens 12L and a light receiving sensor 1
3L, and the light transmitted through the taking lens 12L and incident thereon forms an image on the light receiving sensor 13L. Similarly, the right camera 11R includes a photographing lens 12R and a light receiving sensor 13R. As the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, CCD sensors that convert light into electric signals are used. An optical viewfinder 19 is installed in the center of the left and right sides of the camera 1.
Aim at the subject.

A distance detecting section 16 is provided connected to the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R. The distance detector 16 compares the signals from the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R to detect the distance from the camera 1 to the subject. The detected subject distance is sent to the convergence / focus adjustment unit 17. The convergence / focus adjustment unit 17 adjusts the convergence and focus of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R based on the distance information from the distance detection unit 16. As a result, the stereoscopic television camera 1 performs appropriate convergence setting and focus setting according to the subject distance.

Left and right output circuits 14L and 14R are provided for outputting video signals. Left light receiving sensor 13L
Are the left and right output circuits 14L, 14R via the output selector 15.
The right light receiving sensor 13R is also connected to the left and right output circuits 14L and 14R via the output selection unit 15. Subject distance information is sent from the distance detection unit 16 to the output selection unit 15. Also, a selection switch 18 is provided, and the setting status is transmitted to the output selection unit 15.

The display device 3 includes left and right display units 30L and 30R formed of a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and left and right display circuits 31L and 31R for displaying them. The left output circuit 14L of the stereoscopic television camera 1 is connected to the left display circuit 31L, and the right output circuit 14R is connected to the right display circuit 31R. The observer observes the image on the left display unit 30L with the left eye and the image on the right display unit 30R with the right eye.

In the above configuration, when the camera 1 is pointed at the subject, the subject distance is detected by the distance detecting unit 16 based on signals from the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, and the convergence of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R is determined based on the distance information. The focus is adjusted. The signals from the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R are also sent to the output selection unit 15. The output selection unit 15 is usually
The signal of the left light receiving sensor 13L is transmitted to the left output circuit 14L, and the signal of the right light receiving sensor 13R is transmitted to the right output circuit 14R. The left and right output circuits 14L and 14R send video signals to the left and right display circuits 31L and 31R of the display device 3, respectively. Thereby, the subject images photographed by the left and right cameras 11L and 11R are displayed on the left and right display units 30L and 30R of the display device 3, respectively.
The observer can recognize the subject image three-dimensionally.

The distance information is sent from the distance detecting section 16 to the output selecting section 15. When the subject distance becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the output selecting section 15 outputs the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13L.
One of the signals 13R is output to left and right output circuits 14L and 14R.
Send to both. The left or right signal is output to the output circuit 14L, 1
Whether to send to 4R is determined by the setting state of the selection switch 18. At this time, the left and right display units 30 of the display device 3
The same image is displayed on L and 30R.

Hereinafter, a mode in which the images of the left and right cameras 11L, 11R are displayed on the left and right display units 30L, 30R is called a standard mode, and a mode in which only one image is displayed is called a single mode. The single mode is used when the subject is located at a close distance so that it is difficult for the observer to stereoscopically view the image even when displayed in the standard mode, and the standard mode is used in other cases. The subject distance at which the mode is switched will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which a subject located at infinity is photographed by the three-dimensional television camera 1, the subject images formed on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R at that time, and the left and right display of the display device 3. The images displayed on the units 30L and 30R are schematically shown. Optical axis 5 of left and right camera 11L, 11R
L and 5R are parallel, and the subject forms an image at the center of each of the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R. At this time, no parallax occurs between the left and right subject images 6L and 6R. The left display unit 30L of the display device 3 has the same image 7L as the left light receiving sensor 13L, and the right display unit 30R has the right light receiving sensor 13R.
7R is displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a subject at a short distance is being photographed, a subject image on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, and a display image on the left and right display units 30L and 30R. Left and right cameras 11
L and 11R are set so that the subject is located at the intersection of the optical axes 5L and 5R. Although the subject images 6L and 6R in FIG. 3 are located at the center of each of the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, a parallax occurs between the left and right images 6L and 6R unlike the case of infinity shown in FIG. At this time, the same images 7L and 7R as the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R are displayed on the left and right display units 30L and 30R of the display device 3, respectively, and the display device 3 is in the standard mode.

The left and right cameras 11L and 11R and the light receiving sensor 13 when the subject is closer and located at a close distance.
FIG. 4 shows images of L and 13R and images of the left and right display units 30L and 30R. The subject is on the optical axes 5L, 5R of the left and right cameras 11L, 11R, and forms an image at the center of the light receiving sensors 13L, 13R. Since the distance between the camera 1 and the subject is short, an extremely large parallax occurs between the left and right images 6L and 6R. In this case, a single mode is used, and the left and right light receiving sensors 13L, 1L,
One of the 3R video signals is applied to both display units 30L, 30L.
Send to R and display. In the example of FIG. 3, the left light receiving sensor 13L
Is displayed on the left and right display units 30L and 30R. For this reason, the observer observes the same image with the left and right eyes, and the stereoscopic effect is impaired.

By the way, when focusing on a subject located at a certain distance from the camera, there is a range of focus from a fixed position closer to the camera than the subject to a fixed position farther from the subject. This range is called the depth of field, and is deep when focusing on a long distance, that is, the focusing range is wide and shallow when focusing on a short distance. Objects within the depth of field are sharply photographed, and those outside the depth of field are blurred.

With the stereoscopic television camera of the present invention, when the subject is at a close distance, the same image is displayed on the left and right, so that the stereoscopic effect is impaired, but the observer can recognize the perspective based on the depth of field. it can. When a moving subject is photographed and dynamically displayed, a certain degree of perspective can be obtained by the movement of the subject. Further, the sense of perspective is supplemented by the size of the subject image. Therefore, even when the close-range subject is displayed in the single mode, the observer can obtain a certain stereoscopic effect.

When the distance between the subject and the stereoscopic television camera 1 is switched between the standard mode and the single mode, the size of the left and right parallax depending on the installation interval of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R is taken into consideration. To decide. Further, in the present invention, the distance (first switching distance) at which the subject switches from the standard mode to the single mode when the subject approaches the close distance from a distance, and the distance at which the subject located at the close distance moves away from the single mode to the standard mode. (Second switching distance) are set separately. These switching distances are specific to the camera 1 and are stored in the output selection unit 15 in advance.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the left and right cameras 11
The distance between L and 11R, that is, the base line length is set to 60 mm, the first switching distance is set to 40 cm, and the second switching distance is set to 50 cm. Therefore, if the subject is far away from camera 1
When the distance approaching becomes less than 40 cm, the left and right display unit 30
The images displayed on L and 30R are the same. When the object is separated from the camera 1 and the distance becomes 50 cm or more, the left and right display unit 30
Different images are displayed on L and 30R, and the stereoscopic effect is restored. By setting the mode switching distance to two steps in this manner, frequent mode switching is prevented when the shooting distance slightly changes due to camera shake or the like near the mode switching distance.

A human observes an object with both the left and right eyes. Generally, one of the eyes becomes the eye, and the object is visually recognized mainly using the eye. The other eye plays a role of assisting the eye to recognize perspective and stereoscopic effect.
In the stereoscopic television camera 1 having the above configuration, when the subject approaches and reaches the first switching distance, one image on the display device 3 is replaced with the other image. When the subject moves away from the close distance to the second switching distance, one of the left and right same images is replaced by a different image. Although this mode switching gives the observer an instantaneous discomfort, the discomfort is reduced by continuously displaying the image for the scrutinized eye and switching the image for the non-striated eye.

Therefore, the stereoscopic television camera 1 of the present invention is provided with a selection switch 18 for selecting which of the video signals sent from the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R to the display device 3 is to be switched. If the selection switch 18 is set according to the observer, the image of one camera is continuously displayed to the observer's eye and the sense of discomfort associated with the mode switching can be reduced.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the stereoscopic television camera and the display device of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, a monitor display unit 20 is provided in place of the finder 19 of the first embodiment, and the photographer turns the camera 1 toward a subject while monitoring this display. In addition, a plurality of display devices 3 are connected to the stereoscopic television camera 1 so that a plurality of viewers can simultaneously observe images shot by one camera 1. The left and right cameras 11L and 11R are provided with photographic lenses 12L and 12R and light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, as in the first embodiment.
Consisting of The left and right light receiving sensors 13L, 13R are directly connected to the left and right output circuits 14L, 14R, respectively.
The left and right video signals are always sent to the display device 3.

The monitor display section 20 is a monitor display circuit 2
1 driven. Video signals from the left and right output circuits 14L and 14R are input to the monitor display circuit 21, and subject distance information is sent from the distance detection unit 16. Further, the monitor display circuit 21 detects the setting status of the selection switch 18.

The display device 3 has left and right display sections 30L and 30R made up of LCDs, respective display circuits 31L and 31R, an input selection section 32, and a selection switch 33. The left and right output circuits 14L and 14R of the stereoscopic television camera 1 are connected to an input selection unit 32, and the input selection unit 32
1L and 31R. Subject distance information is sent from the distance detection unit 16 to the input selection unit 32, and the setting state of the selection switch 33 is reported.

In the above configuration, the photographer operates the selection switch 18 to display the left and right cameras 11 on the monitor display section 20.
One of the images L and 11R is displayed, and the stereoscopic television camera 1 is turned toward the subject while watching the image. The distance detecting unit 16 detects the subject distance based on the signals from the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, and transmits this to the convergence / focus adjustment unit 17. The convergence / focus adjustment unit 17 sets the convergence and focus of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R according to the subject distance.

The signals from the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R are sent to left and right output circuits 14L and 14R, respectively, and the left output circuit 14L outputs the video signal of the left camera 11L, and the right output circuit 14R outputs the video signal of the right camera 11R. The signal is always output. These video signals are sent to the monitor display circuit 21, selected based on the setting of the selection switch 18, and one of them is displayed on the monitor display unit 20.

Video signals are sent from the left and right output circuits 14L and 14R to the input selection section 32 of the display device 3. The input selection unit 32 normally performs display in the standard mode by sending a video signal from the left output circuit 14L to the left display circuit 31L and sending a video signal from the right output circuit 14R to the right display circuit 31R. When it is determined based on the distance information from the distance detection unit 16 that the subject is located at a close distance, the input selection unit 3
2 sends one of the video signals to the left and right display circuits 31L and 31R, and displays them in a single mode. FIG. 5 shows a plurality of display devices 3.
Are shown, all have the same configuration, and the mode is switched at the same time.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment,
When the subject is located at a close distance, one of the left and right images is replaced with the other and displayed. Therefore, the positional relationship between the left and right cameras 11L and 11R and the subject, the subject images on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, and the left and right images of the display device 3 when photographing a close-range subject are the same as those in FIG. However, when a plurality of observers observe the same image as in the present embodiment, the eyes to be seen are different depending on the observers. It is desirable to make a selection suitable for the observer. This selection is made by the viewer operating the selection switch 33 of the display device 3. Therefore, FIG.
The image displayed on the display device 3 differs depending on the observer,
The image 6L of the left light receiving sensor 13L is displayed on the left and right display units 30L,
In some cases, it is displayed on 30R, and the right light receiving sensor 1
An image 6R of 3R may be displayed on both display units 30L and 30R.

When the subject is at infinity and a short distance, the positional relationship between the left and right cameras 11L and 11R and the subject, the subject images on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, the display device 3
Are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

The photographer operates the selection switch 18 to determine which of the left and right images is to be displayed on the monitor display section 20. This monitor display section 20 has left and right cameras 11L,
Either image of 11R is displayed. The distance information is sent from the distance detection unit 16 to the monitor display circuit 21, but this is not for switching the display mode of the monitor display unit 20. Based on the distance information, the monitor display unit 20 displays the mode used at that time. Thereby, the photographer can know which of the standard mode and the single mode is being displayed on each display device 3. Note that, instead of the single monitor display unit 20, a monitor display unit having left and right display units such as the display device 3 may be used to switch the display mode.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, the mode is switched according to the distance between the subject and the camera 1, but the first switching distance at which the mode is switched from the standard mode to the single mode, and the mode is switched from the single mode to the standard mode. 2nd to switch
The switching distance is set separately. The second switching distance is set to a value larger than the first switching distance, and frequent mode switching due to a small change in the shooting distance near the mode switching distance is avoided.

FIG. 6 shows a combination of a stereoscopic television camera and a display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The description of the components and functions common to the first embodiment will be omitted to avoid duplication. 3D TV camera 1 of the present embodiment
The optical axes 5L and 5R of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R are fixedly set in parallel, and no convergence adjustment is performed. However, the focus adjustment is performed according to the subject distance detected by the distance detection unit 16. This is performed by the focus adjustment unit 22.

The left and right cameras 11L and 11R are provided with sockets 23L and 23R for attaching a finder, and the optical finder 19 is mounted on one of the cameras.
Is attached. The sockets 23L and 23R are provided with switches 24L and 24R that close when the finder 19 is attached, and the switches 24L and 24R detect which camera the finder 19 is attached to.
By capturing the subject through the viewfinder 19, the photographer can point the camera on which the viewfinder 19 is attached to the subject. In FIG. 6, the viewfinder 1
9 shows a state in which 9 is mounted on the left socket 23L.

The light receiving sensors 13L and 13R of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R are connected to left and right output circuits 14L and 14R, respectively. The left and right video signal outputs from the left and right output circuits 14L, 14R are output to the left and right display circuits 31L, 3L of the display device 3.
1R, and an image is displayed on the left and right display units 30L, 30R. The left and right output circuits 14L and 14R normally output video signals, respectively, and the output is controlled by the output selection unit 15. The subject distance information is sent from the distance detecting unit 16 to the output selecting unit 15, and when the subject distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the output of one of the output circuits 14L and 14R is prohibited. In this case, which output should be prohibited is determined by mounting the viewfinder 19. The switch 24
The signal from the camera determined to have the viewfinder 19 attached by L or 24R is output, and the output of the other video signal is prohibited. In the example of FIG. 6, the finder 19 is mounted on the left camera 11L, and the output of the right output circuit 14R is stopped.

Therefore, the present embodiment also has a standard mode and a single mode. In the single mode, no image is displayed on one of the display units 30L and 30R of the display device 3, and only one of them is displayed. .

When a subject at infinity is photographed by the stereoscopic television camera 1, the subject images on the left and right cameras 11L and 11R, the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, and the display image on the display device 3 are the same as those in FIG. The positional relationship between the subject and the left and right cameras 11L and 11R when the subject is located at a short distance, the subject images on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R, the display unit 30
FIG. 7 shows images displayed on L and 30R. Left and right camera 1
Since the optical axes of 1L and 11R are parallel and the subject is on the optical axis 5L of the left camera 11L, the left light receiving sensor 1
The subject image 6L on the 3L is formed at the center, and the subject image 6R on the right light receiving sensor 13R is formed from the center to the left.
The left display section 30L of the display device 3 displays the same subject image 7L as the left light receiving sensor 13L, and the right display section 30R displays the same subject image 7R as the right light receiving sensor 13R.

A state in which a subject at a close distance is being photographed;
FIG. 8 shows the images captured by the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R and the display of the display device 3 at that time. The subject is very close to the camera 1, and when captured by one of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R, it exists outside the angle of view of the other and forms an image only on the light receiving sensor of one camera. In the example of FIG. 8, the subject is captured by the left camera 11L, and the right light receiving sensor 1
There is no subject image in 3R. At this time, the image 6L of the left light receiving sensor 13L is displayed on the left display unit 30L of the display device 3, and nothing is displayed on the right display unit 30R. In this case, the stereoscopic effect is naturally impaired, but the observer can obtain a certain sense of distance from the depth of field, the size, and the movement of the displayed image.

As described above, also in this embodiment, the display mode is switched according to the subject distance. When the subject is located at a position other than the close distance, the left and right cameras 11L, 11R,
The image of 11R is displayed. When the subject is at a close distance, display is performed on only one display unit in the single mode.
In the single mode, which of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R is displayed is determined by the viewfinder 1 as described above.
9 is to be attached to which.

The switching distance between the standard mode and the single mode is set in consideration of the degree of overlapping of the images of the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R.
Depends on the angle of view and the base line length. Further, also in the present embodiment, a first switching distance at which the mode is switched from the standard mode to the single mode and a second switching distance at which the mode is switched from the single mode to the standard mode are separately set. Specifically, the subject distance at which the overlap of the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R is 20% is defined as the first switching distance, and the subject distance at which the overlap is 30% is defined as the second switching distance. These switching distances are specific to the camera 1 and are stored in the output selection unit 15 in advance.

When the subject is at infinity, the image overlap on the left and right light receiving sensors 13L and 13R is almost 100%.
It is. At this time, the display is performed in the standard mode.
As the subject approaches, the proportion of the subject increases and the position of the subject on the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R shifts, and the degree of overlap decreases. Further, when the subject approaches the camera 1 and the degree of overlap becomes 20% or less, the mode is switched to the single mode, and only the image captured by the camera equipped with the viewfinder 19 is displayed. When the subject is far from this state and the overlap of the images of the light receiving sensors 13L and 13R becomes 30% or more, the standard mode is set again, and the images of the left and right cameras 11L and 11R are displayed on the display units 30L and 3L.
It is displayed in each of 0R.

According to the stereoscopic television camera 1 having the above configuration,
When the subject is located at a distance other than the close distance,
The images shot at 1L and 11R are displayed, and the observer can recognize the subject three-dimensionally. At close range, only one image is visible, but as described above, depending on the depth of field, the movement of the subject, or the size of the subject image,
The observer can obtain a certain degree of perspective.

The three-dimensional television camera of the present invention has been described with reference to the above three examples. However, variable or fixed setting of the convergence of the camera, display method in a single mode, connection to a plurality of display devices, viewfinder and monitor display section Combinations such as selective installation can be arbitrarily performed.

In the above embodiment, the display device is an LC
Although a device having D on the left and right was used, the display device is not limited to this. For example, a device that outputs images for the left and right eyes in a time-division manner to one display unit, synchronizes the left and right liquid crystal shutters in front of the eyes, gives each image to both eyes, and performs stereoscopic viewing. It is also possible to use a device that imparts different polarized light or color to the image of the display device and performs stereoscopic viewing with the corresponding polarized glasses or colored glasses. Further, the stereoscopic television camera of the present invention can be used by connecting the display device to a head mounted display in a form of being placed on the head of an observer.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, a stereoscopic television camera which shoots two images having left and right information of a subject with two left and right cameras and outputs a first video signal and a second video signal. In the case, when the distance from the camera to the subject exceeds a predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively, and when the distance from the camera to the subject is equal to or less than the predetermined value, By outputting the video from one camera as the first and second video signals, the video output is switched according to the subject distance. Normally, a video signal of each of the left and right cameras is output to provide a stereoscopic image having an appropriate parallax.

When the subject is at a close distance, the image of one camera is output to both, so that the same image is displayed. However, a natural image is displayed rather than an unnatural left and right image having excessive parallax. Images can be provided. This allows
Eye strain of the observer is reduced. The perspective is compensated by the depth of field, the movement of the subject, and the like.

When the distance from the camera to the subject is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the image from one camera is displayed as the first image.
If the configuration is such that the subject at the close distance can display only one of the left and right images, the observer can display the left and right images having excessive parallax. There is no need to see, and a natural subject image can be observed. For a subject other than the close distance, an image having an appropriate parallax by the left and right cameras can be observed, and the subject can be recognized three-dimensionally.

As described above, according to the present invention, the video signal of one camera is always output, and the other video output is switched according to the subject distance. If the switching distance is set to be the same when the subject distance is short and when the subject distance is long, when the subject is located near the switching distance, the subject distance fluctuates due to slight movement of the camera due to camera shake or the like, and the video output Switching occurs frequently. This means that one of the left and right display images frequently changes, and the image becomes unstable. In a configuration in which the switching distance of the video output is set to a different value depending on whether the distance from the camera to the subject is shorter or longer, the frequency of switching the video output is reduced, and a natural image is provided stably. Is done.

As described above, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration, the distance range of a subject from which a natural image can be captured as a stereoscopic television camera can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stereoscopic television camera and a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an object at infinity is photographed by the stereoscopic television camera according to the first embodiment and an image thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a three-dimensional television camera according to the first embodiment is shooting a subject at a short distance and an image thereof.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a three-dimensional television camera according to the first embodiment is shooting a subject at a close range and an image thereof.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stereoscopic television camera and a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stereoscopic television camera and a display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a three-dimensional television camera according to a third embodiment is shooting an object at a short distance and an image thereof.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a three-dimensional television camera according to a third embodiment is shooting an object at a close range and an image thereof.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a three-dimensional camera according to a conventional example adjusts convergence and shoots a medium-range subject and an image thereof.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which a three-dimensional camera according to a conventional example adjusts convergence and shoots an object at a short distance and an image thereof.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a stereoscopic camera according to a conventional example fixes a convergence and shoots a medium-range subject, and an image thereof.

FIG. 12 is a diagram in which the images in FIG. 11 are superimposed so that a subject is fused.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a stereoscopic camera according to the related art is used to fix a convergence and photograph an object at a close range, and an image thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 3D TV camera 3 Display device 4L Left camera 4R Right camera 5L Left optical axis 5R Right optical axis 6L Left subject image 6R Right subject image 7L Left displayed subject image 7R Right displayed subject image 8L Left image frame 8R Right image frame 9L Left object Image 9R Right subject image 11L Left camera 11R Right camera 12L Left photographing lens 12R Right photographing lens 13L Left light receiving sensor 13R Right light receiving sensor 14L Left output circuit 14R Right output circuit 15 Output selecting unit 16 Distance detecting unit 17 Congestion / focus adjusting unit 18 Selection switch 19 Viewfinder 20 Monitor display section 21 Monitor display circuit 22 Focus adjustment section 23L Left socket 23R Right socket 24L Left switch 24R Right switch 30L Left display section 30R Right display section 31L Left display circuit 31R Right display circuit 32 Input selection section 33 Selection switch

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A stereoscopic television camera that shoots two images having left and right information of a subject by two left and right cameras and outputs a first video signal and a second video signal. When the distance exceeds the predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively. When the distance from the camera to the subject is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the image from one camera is output as the first and second images. A stereoscopic television camera, which outputs as a second video signal. 2. A three-dimensional television camera that shoots two images having left and right information of a subject by two left and right cameras and outputs a first video signal and a second video signal. When the distance exceeds the predetermined value, the images from the left camera and the right camera are output as first and second video signals, respectively. When the distance from the camera to the subject is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the image from one camera is converted to the first image signal. A three-dimensional television camera which outputs as a video signal and does not output a second video signal. 3. The stereoscopic television camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is different when the distance from the camera to the subject is short and when the distance is long.