JPH09215012A - Stereoscopic video photographing device and stereoscopic video photographing recording and reproducing device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic video photographing recording and reproducing device with which a three-dimensional (3D) stereocopic image can be easily photographed, etc., as well by arranging two video cameras separated only for the width between eyes. SOLUTION: A stereoscopic video photographing device to be used for a stereoscopic video photographing recording and reproducing device 1 is composed of two video cameras 2R and 2L. Concerning these two video cameras, a zoom lens is used for an image pickup lens 2a of one video camera 2R, and a fixed magnification lens is used for an image pickup lens 2a' of the other video camera 2L. When photographing an ordinary two-dimensional (2D) image, wide and telescopic extended images are simultaneously photographed and can be arbitrarily switched. As a result, not only at the time of photographing a 3D image but also at the time of photographing a 2D image, photographing is enabled while fully effectively utilizing two video cameras 2R and 2L. Besides, since so-called electronic zooming is performed for zooming at the time of 3D photographing, any complicated mechanism is no required.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D)
You can take a stereoscopic image of
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image capturing device capable of capturing images of D) and further recording / reproducing those image signals, and a stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing device using the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, so-called stereoscopic televisions have recently been released for home use, and interest in 3D stereoscopic images is increasing. However, there is very little software for 3D stereoscopic images, and the stereoscopic TVs described above are not able to display normal 2D images.
The circuit is simply attached to the D stereoscopic image.

Further, a stereoscopic video camera device as a stereoscopic image capturing device for capturing the above-mentioned 3D stereoscopic image includes a type in which two video cameras are arranged side by side with an interpupillary distance or an optical system with one camera. There are some types that capture images while switching the left and right images.

[0004]

However, since the conventional stereoscopic video camera device described above is dedicated to stereoscopic image capturing in any case, for example, in a type in which two video cameras are arranged side by side, 2D can be captured, but the other one. Was wasted at that time without being used at all. Also, when trying to zoom the two video cameras by moving the image pickup lenses at the same time, the sizes of the images were not uniform, and it was necessary to perform quite difficult controls. Furthermore, 2D imaging is difficult with the optical processing type. In addition, for general household use, there is not much opportunity to use it exclusively for stereoscopic image shooting, and the development of a stereoscopic image shooting device capable of taking full advantage of its functions for both 3D stereoscopic shooting and ordinary 2D shooting Is desired.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily shoot a three-dimensional stereoscopic image or a normal two-dimensional image.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image capturing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing those image signals and an apparatus capable of performing a stereoscopic image capturing recording / reproducing apparatus using the apparatus.

[0006]

In a stereoscopic image capturing apparatus including two video cameras, the optical axes of the two video cameras are approximately parallel to a plane and the pupil distance (distance between both eyes: approximately 65 mm). A zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens of the one video camera, and a fixed magnification lens having a magnification within the range of the zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens of the other video camera. When shooting a two-dimensional image, the zoom lens and the fixed magnification lens are used to shoot with different magnifications, and when shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, the zoom lens is used to have the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens. , And the two video cameras capture images corresponding to what the left and right eyes see.

With this configuration, even when a two-dimensional image is taken, one taking lens of the two video cameras zooms, the other taking lens takes a wide image, and the two screens are switched to be taken. For example, the entire scene is photographed in a wide range, and then zoomed to switch to a telescopic enlarged image, and two video cameras are fully used when capturing a two-dimensional image. Further, zooming at the time of shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is performed by a so-called electronic zoom, so that it can be easily performed without a complicated mechanism as compared with a means for moving a lens optically (mechanically).

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 9 show a stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes a video camera unit 2 having two video cameras 2R and 2L which serve as a stereoscopic image capturing apparatus.
VTR as video signal recording means for simultaneously recording two video signals photographed by two video cameras 2R and 2L
A VTR main body 3 of a casing type containing a (video tape recorder) 6, a grip portion 4 attached to the right side surface of the VTR main body 3, and a hinge 7 (see FIG. (Only shown in D) and (E)), and is roughly composed of a liquid crystal monitor unit 5 which is swingably provided above and which displays a photographed image. It is possible to freely shoot images with different magnifications (telephoto shooting and wide-angle shooting).
While recording on the magnetic tape 9 of the tape cassette 8 by TR6, two images recorded on the magnetic tape 9 at the time of reproduction are selected and output to the liquid crystal monitor unit 5.

The video camera unit 2 has two video cameras 2R and 2L. Each of these video cameras 2R,
2L is composed of a lens barrel 2b having an imaging lens 2a (2a 'on the 2L side) and a solid-state image sensor (CCD) 2c attached to the rear portion of the lens barrel 2b.
The optical axes of the image pickup lenses 2a and 2a 'are arranged substantially parallel to each other on a plane by an eye width D (a distance between the left and right eyes, which is about 65 mm). A zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens 2a of one video camera 2R, and a fixed magnification lens having a magnification within the range of the magnification of the zoom lens 2a is used as the image pickup lens 2a 'of the other video camera 2L. . A zoom motor 2d is connected to a lens barrel 2b containing the zoom lens 2a, and the zoom motor 2d is connected to a camera control circuit 10 connected to each solid-state image pickup element 2c. It should be noted that the CCD 2c, which serves as an imaging unit of the two video cameras 2R and 2L,
It is desirable that the positions of 2c are the same position, but in actuality, a difference of several centimeters with respect to the imaged subject is a length that can be sufficiently ignored, so there may be some deviation.
Further, at least one of the two video cameras 2R and 2L may be allowed to rotate in the lateral direction around the image pickup unit so that the convergence angle that changes depending on the distance from the lens of the subject can be automatically corrected. Actually, stereoscopic photography is possible only by placing the two video cameras 2R and 2L substantially parallel to each other, but if the angle of convergence can be corrected, a more natural stereoscopic image is obtained.

The magnification at the wide end of the zoom lens 2a and the magnification of the fixed magnification lens 2a 'are set to be the same. Further, the fixed magnification lens 2a 'has a three-dimensional (3
When the stereoscopic image of D) is taken, the zoom lens 2a is used.
Is composed of a lens having optical distortion that is similar to the optical distortion such as barrel distortion and pincushion distortion caused by the lens when the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens 2a 'is set. When shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, the zoom lens 2a is set at the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens 2a ', so that the two video cameras 2R and 2L are used to form an image of the same magnification. In addition, the zoom motor 2d, which is an electrical means of so-called electronic zoom by image processing, simultaneously enlarges two images at the same magnification so that it can zoom freely even when capturing a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. There is. As described above, the two video cameras 2R,
At least one of 2L is configured to be rotatable in the lateral direction.

Further, the video signal photographed by each solid-state image pickup device 2c is passed through each amplifier 11, each video signal processing circuit 12, a video signal synthesizing processing circuit 13 and a video recording / reproducing circuit 14 as shown in FIG. V built in the VTR body 3
Recording / playback is performed by TR6. The liquid crystal monitor unit 5 is connected to the video signal synthesis processing circuit 13 via a control circuit 15 and a liquid crystal drive circuit 16, and the backlight of the viewfinder 20 is connected via the control circuit 15 and another liquid crystal drive circuit 17. A liquid crystal display panel 18 having 18a is connected.
When shooting a normal two-dimensional image, the zoom lens 2a and the fixed magnification lens 2a 'are used to shoot different magnifications, and when shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, the zoom lens 2a is used. The fixed magnification lens 2a 'is set to the same magnification, and the two video cameras 2R and 2L are used to capture an image corresponding to what the left and right eyes see.

Further, the viewfinder 20 provided at the center of the rear part of the video camera unit 2 is provided with the liquid crystal display plate 18 described above.
And a lens barrel 21 and an eyepiece lens 22. A microphone 23 is attached to the center of the front part of the video camera unit 2. Further, the video camera unit 2 having a stereoscopic image capturing device composed of two video cameras 2R and 2L is configured to be integrated with the VTR main unit 3 having the VTR 6 (video signal recording means). And when shooting a normal 2D image,
The video from the zoom lens 2a and the fixed magnification lens 2a 'is selected and recorded on the magnetic tape 9 of the tape cassette 8 by the VTR 6, and when recording and photographing a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, two video cameras 2R are used. , 2L, images corresponding to what the left and right eyes have seen are recorded alternately for each field. In addition, this VTR 6 stores at least two video signals in the memory 1
9 and the like can be simultaneously recorded, and when recording and shooting the three-dimensional stereoscopic video, a video equivalent to what the left eye and the right eye viewed by the two video cameras 2R and 2L. Are recorded as two video signals on the VTR 6 capable of simultaneously recording the two video signals. In addition to the VTR 6, the VTR body 3 has a signal processing circuit board, a power source (neither shown), and the like built therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the grip portion 4 has a recording start / stop button 24a as an operation button.
On the rear, a left and right image (monitor screen) switching button 24b, a zoom button 24c, and a lock standby lever 24d,
Each of them is provided (these buttons are collectively referred to as operation buttons, and are indicated by reference numeral 24 in FIG. 6). A grip belt 25 is attached to one side of the grip portion 4. Further, a battery (not shown) can be mounted inside the grip portion 4.

The liquid crystal monitor unit 5 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like in a casing, and a color liquid crystal display (video signal reproducing means) 5a as a display for monitoring a video image is attached inside the back side. The screen size of the color liquid crystal display 5a is a 16: 9 wide screen type, and a drive circuit (not shown) and the like are included therein. And this color liquid crystal display 5
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the image viewed by the left eye and the image viewed by the right eye are displayed side by side at the left and right positions on the same screen of a.

The left and right screens of the color liquid crystal display 5a can be viewed with both eyes by a stereoscopic viewer (optical means) 30 detachably attached to the liquid crystal monitor unit 5. This stereoscopic viewer 30
Is a case 31 made of synthetic resin or the like that is detachably attached to the display portion, a pair of flat lenses 32 and 32 arranged in a substantially V shape in the case 31, and a substantially V shape in the case 31. A pair of flat lenses 33 arranged in
33, a pair of eyecups 34, 34 attached to a pair of eyepieces of the case 31, and a magnifying lens 35 attached to each eyecup 34.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the case where a normal two-dimensional (2D) image is photographed by using the stereoscopic image photographing recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the embodiment. In this example, a 2D image is taken at a wedding hall, and the video camera 2R uses the zoom to magnify the groom and the bride at a telephoto position, and takes the facial expression. The video camera 2L is wide and takes the whole picture including the matchmaker. The contents of this shooting are displayed on the color liquid crystal display 5a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 5 by two video cameras 2R and 2R, like a so-called TV double screen.
The content photographed with L is displayed, and the selected screen is recorded in the VTR 6 by selecting the left / right image switching button 24b of the operation button 24 as a control button, and which is selected on the color liquid crystal display 5a. It is displayed as a mark M indicating whether or not it is being used.

The basics of video shooting are first to explain the situation by showing the whole and then to magnify and copy the points to be noticed, but in the present embodiment, it is possible to switch with one touch. Also, for example, if you take a long shot of the matchmaker at the time of greeting the matchmaker, you will get tired of playing it back later, but you can switch to the image of the bride and groom appropriately and follow the facial expression, and the screen changes. Can be turned on. In this case, the selected screen is displayed on the viewfinder 20.

FIG. 7 shows an example of photographing a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image. Since the magnification of the fixed magnification lens 2a ′ of the video camera 2L is within the magnification range of the zoom lens 2a of the video camera 2R, when the 3D stereoscopic shooting is selected, the magnification of the zoom lens 2a is automatically set to that of the fixed magnification lens 2a ′. It is set to be the same as the magnification. Then, it is also displayed on the color liquid crystal display 5a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 5 in the form of a double screen, and the image captured by the video camera 2R is projected on the right side and the image captured by the video camera 2L is projected on the left side.

In this way, the left and right images are displayed side by side on the color image display 5a, so that a so-called stereoscopic view can be viewed with the naked eye in a parallel manner. This means that you can see the different parts at the same time with your eyes). However,
Since the naked-eye stereoscopic method based on the parallel method requires some training, stereoscopic viewing can be easily performed by mounting the stereoscopic viewer 30 on the liquid crystal monitor unit 5 as shown in FIGS.

By the way, when stereoscopic viewing is possible, stereoscopic viewing is possible even if there is a difference other than the difference in viewpoint between the left and right images, but that makes viewing easier. Therefore, the zoom lens 2a of the one video camera 2R and the fixed magnification lens 2 of the other video camera 2L at the time of stereoscopic shooting.
The optical distortion (such as barrel distortion and pincushion distortion) due to the lens constituted by a'is designed to be the same.

Here, the magnification at the wide end of the zoom lens 2a and the magnification at the fixed magnification lens 2a 'may be matched. In this case, since the zoom lens 2a may be moved in the wide direction to the full when performing stereoscopic photography, the lens operation is simple and stable. However, the zoom lens 2a
Correct magnification lens 2 including distortion at the wide end of
It must be made together with a '. In this embodiment example,
As shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B), a so-called electronic zoom method of electrically enlarging a part of a photographed screen is used.
I tried to zoom when shooting 3D. Therefore, in this method, one of the two video cameras 2R and 2L has a fixed-magnification zoom, but it is possible to zoom during stereoscopic shooting. Further, it is said that it is quite difficult to interlock two video cameras with the same zoom lens attached to each other during stereoscopic photography, but in this embodiment, the zoom is performed by the electronic system described above. So it's easy to do.

It should be noted that according to the above-described embodiment, a normal 2D
It is possible to shoot the image of as a so-called double camera of telephoto and wide, but if the convergence angle is automatically corrected by adjusting the distance to the subject, both cameras will catch the subject at the center of the screen. This means that it can be conveniently used even in normal 2D shooting. Also,
Regarding the VTR as a video signal recording means, the so-called W
A method of simultaneously recording two video signals, such as -VHS, may be used, and two video signals of the video images captured by the left and right video cameras may be independently recorded as they are and simultaneously recorded in the VTR. In this case, when reproducing and outputting, two video signals may be selected as they are, or only one of them, or one video signal including left and right video for each field may be selectable. Further, as described above, if the two video signals of the video images captured by the left and right video cameras can be independently recorded as they are, it is possible to switch between wide and telescopic video during playback, so when editing, etc. The possibility and enjoyment can be increased, and a VTR that can record two video signals at the same time can be conveniently used even in normal 2D video shooting.

Further, a measuring means for measuring the distance from the lens to the subject may be built in the main body of the apparatus, and the video cameras may be rotated so that the convergence angle is adjusted so that the two video cameras and the subject draw a triangle. . Of course, the means for measuring the distance from this lens to the subject may also be used as a distance measuring mechanism for autofocusing the lens, but in order to obtain the distance accurately, for example, infrared rays are emitted and triangulation is used. A method of obtaining the distance or a so-called active distance measuring mechanism is desirable. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the VTR using the magnetic tape is used as the video signal recording means, but the video signal recording means is not limited to the VTR, but a disk-shaped recording medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor is used. Needless to say, the one using may be used.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the stereoscopic image capturing apparatus including two video cameras, the optical axes of the two video cameras are separated from each other substantially parallel to the plane by the distance between the eyes. And a zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens of the one video camera, and a fixed magnification lens having a magnification within the range of the zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens of the other video camera. When shooting the image of, the zoom lens and the fixed magnification lens shoot different magnifications, and when shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, the zoom lens is set to the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens. However, since the two video cameras are configured to capture the images corresponding to what the left eye and the right eye see, it is possible to use the telephoto and wide-angle images when shooting normal 2D images. Shot can be used without waste two video cameras as a double camera that can be selected at the same time, when the three-dimensional stereoscopic image shooting of course, can be used in very useful even when the two-dimensional image of the shooting. Also,
Since two video cameras use one of the taking lenses as a zoom lens and the other taking lens as a fixed-magnification lens, the stereoscopic image taking apparatus can be manufactured at a lower cost than the case of using both zoom lenses. . Further, since zooming at the time of shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image is performed by a so-called electronic zoom, it is possible to easily and reliably perform shooting without a complicated mechanism.

Further, in a stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus using a video signal recording means capable of simultaneously recording two image signals, it is very convenient because the left and right images can be separately recorded and reproduced at the same time during stereoscopic image capturing. When shooting normal 2D images, telephoto and wide are recorded at the same time, and are selected and output during playback, so they can be used very conveniently for editing, etc. It will be very expensive.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus.

4A is a plan view of the stereoscopic image recording / reproducing apparatus, FIG. 4B is a front view of the apparatus, FIG. 4C is a rear view of the apparatus, and FIG. 4D is a left side view of the apparatus. (E) is a right side view of the device.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a state of use of the stereoscopic image recording / reproducing apparatus (2)
FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a state of use (3
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a stereoscopic viewer is attached to a monitor portion of the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a stereoscopic viewer is attached to a monitor portion of the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of left and right screens captured by the stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a part of the left and right screens is electrically enlarged.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 1 ... Stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus, 2R, 2L ... Two video cameras, 2a ... Zoom lens (imaging lens), 2
a '... Fixed magnification lens (imaging lens), 5a ... Display, 6 ... VTR (video signal recording means), 30 ... Stereoscopic viewer (optical means).

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A stereoscopic image capturing apparatus including two video cameras, wherein the optical axes of the two video cameras are arranged substantially parallel to each other on a plane with a pupil distance therebetween, and the one video camera A zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens, and a fixed magnification lens having a magnification within the range of the magnification of the zoom lens is used as the image pickup lens of the other video camera. When taking a normal two-dimensional image, the zoom lens and the fixed lens are fixed. When shooting three-dimensional stereoscopic images while shooting with different magnifications with the magnification lens, set the zoom lens to the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens, and use the two video cameras for the left eye and right eye. A stereoscopic image capturing device characterized by capturing an image corresponding to what an eye sees. 2. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic image capturing apparatus includes the two video cameras.
A stereoscopic image capturing device characterized by being configured so as to be integrated with a video signal recording means. 3. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when capturing the normal two-dimensional image, the image of the zoom lens and the fixed magnification lens is selected and recorded in the image signal recording means. When recording and shooting the three-dimensional stereoscopic image,
A stereoscopic image capturing apparatus characterized in that images corresponding to what the left eye and the right eye have captured by two video cameras are alternately recorded for each field. 4. The three-dimensional image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image signal recording means is a device capable of simultaneously recording at least two image signals, and when recording and photographing the three-dimensional three-dimensional image, the two
The video images captured by the left and right eyes of two video cameras are recorded as two video signals in a video signal recording means capable of simultaneously recording the two video signals. 3D image capturing device. 5. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnification at the wide end of the zoom lens and the magnification of the fixed magnification lens are the same. 6. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical distortion caused by the lens when the zoom lens is set to the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens when capturing the three-dimensional stereoscopic image. A stereoscopic image capturing device characterized in that a fixed-magnification lens is configured by a lens having an optical distortion that is similar to the above. 7. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the three-dimensional stereoscopic image is captured, the zoom lens is set to the same magnification as the fixed magnification lens, so that A video camera can be used to capture images of the same magnification, and two electronic images can be simultaneously enlarged at the same magnification by electronic means of electronic zoom by image processing, even when capturing three-dimensional stereoscopic images. A stereoscopic image capturing device characterized by being able to freely zoom. 8. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two video cameras is configured to be horizontally rotatable. 9. The three-dimensional image capturing device according to claim 8, wherein the device main body has means for measuring a distance to a subject, and the two video cameras are arranged so as to match the measured distance to the subject. A stereoscopic image capturing apparatus characterized in that at least one video camera is automatically rotated so that the centers of images to be captured are substantially the same. 10. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display for monitoring a stereoscopic image, wherein a left eye image and a right eye image are provided at left and right positions on the same screen of the display, respectively. The stereoscopic image capturing device is characterized in that the images are displayed side by side. 11. The stereoscopic image capturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the left and right screens on the display are detachably attached to the display side so that the left and right screens can be viewed by the optical means. A stereoscopic image capturing device characterized by that. 12. A stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus having two video cameras and a video signal recording means for simultaneously recording two video signals captured by the respective video cameras, wherein the two video cameras are provided. Video images with different magnifications can be taken freely, and the two video images taken at telephoto and wide are simultaneously recorded separately by the video signal recording means, and at the time of reproduction, the two video images recorded are selected and output. A stereoscopic image capturing / recording / reproducing apparatus having the above structure.