JP2001016493A - Multi-viewing angle camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera apparatus by which image signals of a plurality of viewing angles can be outputted through the use of one apparatus. SOLUTION: The apparatus is provided with a branching means for branching an optical path into a plurality of optical paths and a plurality of imaging devices 13 and 14 which are arranged at the image forming position of each branched optical path. The image pickup sizes of the imaging devices 13 and 14 are made to be different so that the video signal of an image with a different viewing angle is outputted from each imaging device. Thus, the video signals of a plurality of viewing angles are outputted from one camera apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device provided with an image sensor, and more particularly to a camera device capable of obtaining video signals having a plurality of angles of view with one device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a camera device provided with a semiconductor device such as a CCD for performing photoelectric conversion as an image pickup device.

[0003] As shown in FIG.
In the case of a single-chip camera, the camera body 150 includes an image sensor (CCD) 152 for converting an optical image into a video signal and a video circuit 153 for processing the video signal. A lens 151 for forming an optical image is arranged on the upper side.

In this device, an optical image formed on the CCD 152 by the optical system is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 152, the converted video signal is processed by the video circuit 153, and then output to the monitor.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a three-panel camera that divides an optical image into three primary colors of RGB and photoelectrically converts each of the three primary colors. This device includes a prism 16 that separates an optical image passing through a lens 161 into three primary colors of RGB in a camera body 160.
4, three CCDs 162 for photoelectrically converting the image of each primary color, and a video circuit 153 for processing the video signal converted by each CCD 162
And The CCDs 162 of the same size are used, and the outputs of the CCDs 162 are combined by a video circuit 163 to generate a video signal of one screen.

[0006]

However, these conventional camera devices have a drawback that only one screen image signal having a fixed angle of view can be obtained. In order to obtain images with different angles of view using conventional camera devices, it is necessary to perform operations such as changing lenses or performing zooming by attaching a zoom lens, and instantly switch the angle of view,
It was not possible to simultaneously create video signals with different angles of view.

There is also a method of enlarging an image by electronic zoom. However, in this case, there is a problem that the resolution is reduced because the image on one CCD is enlarged.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera device capable of obtaining video signals having a plurality of angles of view with one device.

[0009]

Therefore, in the camera device of the present invention, an optical path is branched into a plurality of optical paths, and an image sensor is arranged at an image forming position of each of the branched optical paths, and an image is formed from each of the image sensors. It is configured such that video signals of images having different corner sizes are output.

[0010] By changing the imaging size of each of the imaging devices, a video signal of an image having a different angle of view is output from each of the imaging devices.

An optical system having a different magnification is arranged in each of the branched optical paths, and an optical image having a different magnification is formed on each of the image pickup devices. A signal is output.

Thus, it is possible to output video signals of a plurality of angles of view from one camera device.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a branching means for branching an optical path into a plurality of optical paths, and a plurality of image sensors arranged at image forming positions of the respective branched optical paths. A camera device configured to output video signals of images having different angles of view from each of the imaging elements, and output video signals of a plurality of angles of view from one camera device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup devices have different image pickup sizes, whereby video signals of images having different angle of view sizes are output from each of the image pickup devices.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image pickup device is provided with an optical system for forming optical images having different magnifications on each of the image pickup devices. A video signal is output.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the focus of the optical system can be adjusted, and high-precision photographing can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a half mirror is provided as a branching means, and one optical path includes:
The light is branched into an optical path that transmits through the half mirror and an optical path that is reflected by the half mirror.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an optical prism is provided as a branching means, and one optical path includes:
The light is branched into an optical path that transmits through the prism surface and an optical path that is reflected by the prism surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a video signal output from each of the imaging elements is processed by a video circuit and then output in parallel. Are simultaneously output.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a movable mirror is provided as a branching unit, an optical path is switched according to the position of the movable mirror, and an image pickup device is arranged at an image forming position of each optical path. The optical path is switched between the case where the optical path is reflected by the optical path and the case where the movable mirror is placed at the retracted position so as not to block the optical path, and an optical image is formed on the imaging device on the switched optical path.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an optical path is selected according to the position of a movable mirror, and a video signal output from an image pickup device arranged in the selected optical path is processed by a video circuit and then output. The selected signals of the video signals having a plurality of angles of view are sequentially output from one camera device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a total reflection mirror is disposed on an optical path reflected and branched by the branching means to correct the upside down of the optical image formed on the image pickup device. Due to the degree of reflection, the upside down of the optical image is corrected.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a camera device according to a first embodiment includes a lens 11 in front of a camera body 10 and a half mirror for dividing an optical path into two in the camera body 10. 12, a first image sensor 13 for capturing an optical image transmitted through the half mirror 12, a second image sensor 14 for capturing an optical image reflected by the half mirror 12, and a first image sensor 13
And a video circuit 15 that processes video signals generated by each of the second imaging elements 14 and outputs video signals 21 and 22
And

The first image sensor 13 and the second image sensor 14
Have different diagonal dimensions, and therefore different imaging sizes.

In this camera device, since the half mirror 12 is arranged on the optical path formed by the lens 11, the optical path is divided into two, and the light transmitted through the half mirror 12 is optically transferred onto the first image pickup device 13. An image is formed, and the light reflected by the half mirror 12 forms an optical image on the second image sensor 14.

The image sensor 13 having a large diagonal dimension is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the image sensor 14 captures a wide range, and the image sensor 14 having a small diagonal dimension captures a narrow range. For example, if the diagonal dimension of the image sensor 13 is 1/2 inch and the diagonal dimension of the image sensor 14 is 1/4 inch, the imaging range of the image sensor 13 is
Fourteen times the imaging range of 14.

The video circuit 15 includes an image pickup device 13 and an image pickup device 14.
Upon receiving the video signals having different imaging sizes, the video signals 21 and 22 having different imaging sizes are output. The image of the image sensor 14 having a diagonal dimension of 1/4 inch is shown in FIG.
(B) As shown in FIG.
Is an image obtained by enlarging the range of 映像 of the image of FIG.

As described above, this camera device can simultaneously output video signals of a plurality of images having different angles of view.

As shown in FIG. 3, an optical prism 32 can be used in place of the half mirror 12 as a means for splitting light.

(Second Embodiment) In the camera device of the second embodiment, a lens is placed on a branched optical path, and optical images having different magnifications are formed on the respective image pickup devices.

As shown in FIG. 4, this device is a wide converter lens for condensing light transmitted through the half mirror 42.
46, and a teleconverter lens 47 for condensing the light reflected by the half mirror 42. An optical image formed by the wide converter lens 46 is formed on the first image sensor 43, The optical image formed by the lens 47 is formed on the second image sensor 44. This first
The image sensor 43 and the second image sensor 44 may have different or different diagonal dimensions. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

In this camera device, one of the lights split by the half mirror 42 is converted into a wide converter lens 46.
Passes through to form an optical image on the first image sensor 43, and the other split light forms an optical image on the second image sensor 44 through the teleconverter lens 47. At this time, since the magnifications of the wide converter lens 46 and the teleconverter lens 47 are different, optical images having different sizes are provided on the first image sensor 43 and the second image sensor 44 as shown in FIG. It is formed. First image sensor 43 and second image sensor
The optical circuit 44 captures these optical images, and the video circuit 45 outputs video signals 51 and 52 of two different sizes.

As described above, in this camera device, by forming optical images having different magnifications on a plurality of image pickup devices, it is possible to simultaneously output video signals of a plurality of images having different angles of view. I have.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the configuration of FIG. 4 is partially modified and the light reflected by the half mirror 42 is reflected by disposing a total reflection mirror 53. The light reflected by the total reflection mirror 53 passes through a tele-converter lens 47 to a second imaging device.
Make an optical image on 44. In this device, by placing the total reflection mirror 53, the upside down of the image can be corrected.

FIG. 7 shows the half mirror shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 shows a structure in which 42 is replaced by an optical prism 62.
7 shows a structure in which the half mirror in FIG. 6 is replaced by an optical prism 62. As described above, an optical prism may be used instead of the half mirror.

As shown in FIG. 9, the positions of the wide converter lens 116 and the teleconverter lens 117 arranged on the optical path are finely adjusted so that the focal positions of the wide converter lens 116 and the teleconverter lens 117 can be adjusted. By doing so, the imaging accuracy can be improved.

(Third Embodiment) The camera device of the third embodiment can select and output video signals having different angles of view.

This device has a lens as shown in FIG.
Move to the reflection position of the light path formed by 71,
A movable mirror 72 that retracts to a position that does not block the optical path; a mirror driving device 77 that drives the movable mirror 72; a mirror driving circuit 78 that activates the mirror driving device 77; A first image sensor 73 on which an image is formed, a second image sensor 74 on which an optical image is formed by light reflected by the movable mirror 72, and a first image sensor 73 or a second image sensor 74. A video circuit 75 for processing and outputting video signals.

The first image sensor 73 and the second image sensor 74
As in the first embodiment, the diagonal dimensions are different, and thus the imaging sizes are different.

In this apparatus, the optical path formed by the lens 71 is selected by the movable mirror 72 disposed on this optical path, and the optical image is transferred to either the first image sensor 73 or the second image sensor 74. Is imaged.

The imaging devices 73 and 74 on which the optical images are formed transmit the imaging output to a video circuit 75, which processes the output and outputs a video signal.

Since the imaging elements 73 and 74 have different imaging sizes, the video circuit 75 outputs a video signal 81 or 82 of the imaging size of the imaging elements 73 and 74 selected by the movable mirror 72.

In order to control the movement of the movable mirror 72, a video size selection signal or a video circuit 75 input from outside is used.
The video size selection signal programmed therein is input to the mirror drive circuit 78. The mirror driving circuit 78 activates the mirror driving device 77, and the movable mirror 72 is driven by the mirror driving device 77.

As described above, in this apparatus, by controlling the movement of the movable mirror, it is possible to select and output video signals having different angles of view.

FIG. 11 shows a case in which the configuration of FIG. 4 is combined with the configuration of FIG. 10. A lens is placed on the optical path selected by the movable mirror, and optical images having different magnifications are formed on the respective image pickup devices. An image is formed. In this case, the diagonal dimension of each image sensor does not need to be changed.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of FIG.
Fine-tune the position of the lenses 136 and 137 placed on the optical path,
This shows a case where the focus position can be adjusted, and it is possible to improve the imaging accuracy.

4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 in which a lens is arranged on each of the branched optical paths.
In the case of, not only a wide converter lens on one optical path and a teleconverter lens on the other optical path, but also two types of wide converter lenses with different magnifications are arranged on each optical path, and two types of Various combinations are possible, such as disposing a teleconverter lens on each optical path, disposing a wide converter lens or a teleconverter lens on one optical path, and disposing nothing on the other optical path. It is also possible to combine such an arrangement of lenses with image pickup devices having different image pickup sizes.

In the embodiment, the case where two image sensors are used has been described. However, it is also possible to further increase the number of image sensors and output video signals of various types of angle of view.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, the camera device of the present invention can output two or more video signals having different angles of view.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a camera device according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image obtained from the camera device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a camera device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image obtained from a camera device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a first modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a second modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a third modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a fourth modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a camera device according to a third embodiment,

FIG. 11 is a first modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a second modified configuration diagram of the camera device according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional single-chip camera,

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional three-chip camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 30, 40, 60, 70, 90, 130, 150, 160 Camera body 11, 31, 41, 61, 71, 91, 151, 161 Lens 12, 42, 112 Half mirror 13, 33, 43, 63, 73, 93, 113, 133 First image sensor 14, 34, 44, 64, 77, 94, 114, 134 Second image sensor 15, 35, 75, 95, 115, 135, 153, 163 Video circuit 21 , 22, 51, 52, 81, 82, 121, 122, 141, 142 Video signal 32, 62, 154, 164 Prism 46, 96, 116, 136 Wide converter lens 47, 97, 117, 137 Teleconverter lens 53 Total reflection Mirror 72, 92, 132 Movable mirror 77, 98, 138 Mirror drive device 78, 99, 139 Mirror drive circuit 131 Master lens 152, 162 Image sensor

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a branching unit configured to branch an optical path into a plurality of optical paths; and a plurality of image sensors arranged at an image forming position of each of the branched optical paths. A multi-angle camera device, wherein a video signal is output. 2. The multi-angle camera device according to claim 1, wherein each of the imaging elements has a different imaging size. 3. The multi-angle camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical system that forms an optical image having a different magnification on each of the imaging elements. 4. The multi-view camera device according to claim 3, wherein a focus of the optical system can be adjusted. 5. The multi-angle camera device according to claim 1, wherein a half mirror is provided as the branching unit. 6. The multi-angle camera device according to claim 1, wherein the branching unit includes an optical prism. 7. The video signal output from each of the imaging elements is processed by a video circuit and then output in parallel. Multi-angle camera device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movable mirror is provided as the branching unit, and the optical path is switched according to the position of the movable mirror, and the image pickup device is arranged at an image forming position of each optical path. 5. The multi-angle camera device according to 1, 2, 3, or 4. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the optical path is selected according to the position of the movable mirror, and a video signal output from the image sensor arranged in the selected optical path is processed by a video circuit and then output. Item 9. A multi-view camera device according to item 8. 10. The optical system according to claim 5, wherein a total reflection mirror is arranged on an optical path reflected and branched by said branching means to correct the upside down of an optical image formed on said image pickup device. Or the multi-view camera device according to 8.