JP2000175087A - Image pickup device with wide visual field angle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive an image at a wide visual field angle without distortion in well-focused state. SOLUTION: The image pickup device with a wide visual field angle is provided with a solid-state image pickup element 1 that is an image pickup means where a plurality of photo sensors 10 are arranged in a matrix receiving a light made incident via a prescribed lens L and an optical fiber array 2 consisting of a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers 20 where each one-end of a plurality of the optical fibers 20 is connected corresponding to each photo sensor 10 of the solid-state image pickup element 1 and each other-end is arranged at a position corresponding to an image forming face S of the lens L.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus capable of capturing a wide-viewing-angle image as well as human eyes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital still cameras and digital video cameras capable of capturing high-quality images have rapidly become widespread due to the increase in density and cost reduction of solid-state imaging devices. In order to obtain an image with a wide viewing angle in such a camera, it is common practice to form an image on a flat solid-state imaging device using a fisheye lens or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional image pickup apparatus. In this imaging device, incident light is condensed through a lens L, formed into an image on a flat solid-state imaging device 1, and photoelectrically converted by a plurality of photosensors 10.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-103238, an optical image of a subject guided by two
There is disclosed a wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatus that receives a wide-viewing-angle image by receiving the images with two imaging units.

[0005]

However, in an image captured using such a lens, there is a problem in that the image is distorted around the screen or the image is out of focus and blurred. In other words, in an image with a wide viewing angle, an image is formed on a surface whose image formation position is curved due to spherical aberration.
A planar solid-state imaging device cannot focus on the whole, and an image is blurred in most regions.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus designed to solve such a problem.
That is, the wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging unit in which a plurality of photosensors that receive light incident through a predetermined lens are arranged in a matrix, and a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers. And one end of each of the optical fibers is connected to each photosensor of the image pickup means, and the other end of each of the optical fibers is aligned with a corresponding position on the imaging surface of the lens.

According to the present invention, an optical fiber array comprising a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers is connected to the imaging means.
Since each other end of the optical fiber is aligned at a position corresponding to the imaging plane of the lens, light incident through the lens and imaged on the imaging plane is transmitted to each photosensor by each optical fiber. Can be propagated. That is, the image formed on the image forming plane can be directly sent to the image pickup means by the optical fiber array, and all the photo sensors can capture the image focused on the image forming plane of the lens.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.
1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wide-viewing-angle imaging device according to an embodiment. That is, the wide-viewing angle imaging device of the present embodiment
A plurality of photosensors 10 that receive light incident through a predetermined lens L are arranged in a matrix; a solid-state imaging device 1 serving as an imaging unit; and a plurality of optical fibers 20 connected to the solid-state imaging device 1. And an optical fiber array 2 composed of a bundle.

In particular, in the wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, one end of each optical fiber 20 in the optical fiber array 2 is connected to each photosensor 10 of the solid-state imaging device 1, and Each other end is aligned with a corresponding position on the image plane S of the lens L.

That is, the end surface of the optical fiber array 2 on the lens L side is curved in accordance with the shape of the image forming surface S of the lens L.

The optical fiber array 2 is connected to the surface of the solid-state imaging device 1 by using, for example, an ultraviolet irradiation-curable adhesive. Note that the optical fiber array 2 may be formed on the surface of the solid-state imaging device 1 by using a wafer process by using CVD (chemical vapor deposition) or the like. The curved portion of the optical fiber array 2 can be formed into a predetermined curved shape by polishing.

In such a wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus, light incident from a wide-viewing angle is formed on the image-forming surface S by the lens L. Since one curved end surface of the optical fiber array 2 is disposed on the image forming surface S, the image formed on the image forming surface S propagates through each optical fiber 20 of the optical fiber array 2 and forms an image. The light is incident on the corresponding photo sensor 10 of the solid-state imaging device 1 in an imaged state.

That is, since the optical fiber 20 propagates the incident light as it is, a plurality of photosensors 10 arranged on the surface of the flat solid-state imaging device 1 are arranged on the curved imaging surface S. Thus, an image focused on the imaging plane S of the lens L can be obtained in all the photosensors 10.

In particular, when the lens L is a fish-eye lens having a wide viewing angle, the curvature of the image plane S becomes large.
Even if such a lens L is used, in the present embodiment, even if the solid-state imaging device 1 has a flat plate shape, the end surface of the optical fiber array 2 on the lens L side is curved in accordance with the shape of the imaging surface S. It is possible to obtain an in-focus image with all the photosensors 10.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example. The wide viewing angle imaging device in this example shows a case where the area of the imaging surface S of the lens (not shown) and the area of the imaging region of the solid-state imaging device 1 are different.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, one end surface of the optical fiber array 2 is curved in accordance with the image plane S, as in the example shown in FIG. The area is larger than the area of the imaging region of the element 1. in this case,
The area of the curved surface of the optical fiber array 2 is made to correspond to the area of the imaging surface S, and the bundle of the optical fibers 20 is narrowed from the curved surface to the connection end of the solid-state imaging device 1.
0 is associated with each photosensor 10.

As a result, the difference between the area of the imaging plane S and the area of the imaging area of the solid-state imaging device 1 by the plurality of photosensors 10 can be absorbed by the optical fiber array 2, and all the photosensors 10 can focus. Can be obtained. Further, by using such an optical fiber array 2, the size of the lens L and the size of the solid-state imaging device 1 can be freely selected, and the construction of an imaging system can be facilitated.

In the other example, the case where the area of the imaging surface S is larger than the area of the imaging region of the solid-state imaging device 1 has been described. On the contrary, when the area of the imaging surface S is smaller. Is applicable. In this case, the optical fiber array 2
May be extended from the imaging surface S side to the solid-state imaging device 1 side so that each optical fiber 20 corresponds to each photo sensor 10.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the solid-state image pickup device 1 is used as the image pickup means has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an image pickup tube type device.

[0020]

As described above, the wide viewing angle imaging apparatus according to the present invention has the following effects. In other words, when capturing images with a wide viewing angle using a lens with a flat imaging device, all the photosensors can receive an image formed by the lens, and the entire image is not distorted and focused on the entire surface. Images can be obtained. Further, it is possible to correspond to lenses and image pickup devices of various sizes, and it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing an optical system and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wide-viewing angle imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Solid-state image sensor, 2 ... Optical fiber array, 10 ... Photosensor, 20 ... Optical fiber, S ... Image formation surface

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means in which a plurality of photosensors for receiving light incident through a predetermined lens are arranged in a matrix, and a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers, and one end of each of the plurality of optical fibers is provided. A wide viewing angle, comprising: an optical fiber array connected to each photosensor of the imaging unit, the other ends of which are respectively aligned with corresponding positions on the imaging surface of the lens. Imaging device. 2. The area of the end surface of the optical fiber array on the lens side corresponding to the area of the imaging surface of the lens, and the area of the end surface of the optical fiber array on the imaging unit side is a plurality of the imaging units. 2. The wide-viewing-angle imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging area corresponds to an area of an imaging area of the photosensor.