JP2002112288A - Stereoscopic photographing optical unit and stereoscopic image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of a conventional stereoscopic image photographing system adopting adjustment of a camera interval of two cameras (base line length) through the movement of the cameras themselves in the case of stereoscopic photographing that has increased the size of the entire system and has simply caused optical axis deviation due to shock. SOLUTION: The stereoscopic image photographing unit of this invention has a left side optical system 100L and a right side optical system 100R and allows a single camera to photograph an image capable of stereoscopic vision through the left and right side optical systems and is provided with interval revision means (140, 141L.R or the like) that change a relative interval in the horizontal direction of the left side and right side optical systems.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic photographing optical unit used for a photographing apparatus such as a video camera and an electronic still camera, and for photographing parallax images capable of stereoscopic observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an apparatus for photographing a parallax image capable of stereoscopic observation, there is an apparatus using two cameras arranged on the right and left as proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-234461. In such a three-dimensional imaging device, the horizontal distance (base line length) between the two cameras can be adjusted so that an appropriate parallax can be created according to the focal length, the object distance, or the convergence distance.

[0003]

However, in a system in which the distance between two cameras is adjusted by moving the cameras themselves, as in the stereoscopic photographing device proposed in the above publication,
There is a problem that the entire device becomes large. In addition, since the weight of one camera is large, there is a problem that the optical axis is easily shifted due to an impact or the like.

Further, when each camera uses a zoom lens, there is a possibility that a difference in magnification occurs between the left and right zoom lenses, and a shift of the optical axis center due to zooming occurs in one camera. However, there is a problem that the optical axes of the left and right cameras are shifted.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a left optical system and a right optical system, and allows a single camera to perform stereoscopic observation through these left and right optical systems. In a stereoscopic optical unit that captures a natural image, an interval changing unit that changes a relative interval in the left-right direction of the left and right optical systems is provided.

[0006] This makes it possible to create a parallax image with a single (one) camera without displacement of the left and right optical axes, and to change the base line length of the left and right optical systems by the focal length and the object distance. Alternatively, it is possible to appropriately adjust according to the convergence distance.

In addition, the left and right optical systems (more specifically, the left and right reflecting optical elements, etc.), which are smaller and lighter than the camera, are moved to change the base line length, thereby driving the left and right optical systems. The system and the entire optical unit can be reduced in size, and it is easy to obtain strength that is less likely to cause optical axis shift due to vibration and impact.

A control means for automatically controlling the distance changing means based on various information may be provided. For example, the distance changing means may be provided based on the focal length information of the left and right optical systems and the subject distance information. Is provided, it is possible to automatically set an optimum base line length for the focal length and the subject distance in the zoom optical system.

Further, in order to keep the optical axis convergence distance (or convergence position) substantially constant even when the interval changing means is operated, a convergence change for changing the convergence state such as the optical axis convergence angle of the left and right optical systems. The means may be automatically controlled by the control means. This makes it possible to set the optimal base line length without changing the stereoscopic effect of the captured image.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 show a configuration of a stereoscopic optical unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a stereoscopic imaging system including the same.

First, the stereoscopic optical unit will be described with reference to FIGS. The stereoscopic optical unit includes a left optical system 101L and a right optical system 101R constituting a front unit, and left and right optical systems 101L and 101R.
And a rear group optical system 200 for guiding a light beam incident from the camera to the camera shown in FIG.

In the front group, 101L and 101R are mirrors (reflection optical elements), and 102L and 102R are fixed first lens groups. Reference numerals 103L and 103R denote LCDs constituting liquid crystal shutters that are controlled in synchronization with a charge accumulation time of a CCD provided on the camera side. Reference numeral 104 denotes a prism having two left and right reflection surfaces.

In the rear group, reference numeral 105 denotes a second lens group which can advance and retreat in the optical axis direction for performing focus adjustment.
Reference numeral denotes a third lens group that can advance and retreat in the optical axis direction to perform zooming adjustment.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a fourth lens group which can advance and retreat in the direction of the optical axis in order to perform zooming correction. Reference numeral 108 denotes a fixed image forming point from the telephoto range to the wide-angle range of the optical unit at a fixed subject distance. This is a fifth lens group that can be advanced and retracted in the optical axis direction in order to maintain the above condition.

111L and 111R are mirrors 1 respectively.
01L and 101R are mirror holding frames for holding by bonding, and 112L and 112R are first lens groups 102L and 1R.
It is a first lens group frame that holds 02R. 113L, 1
13R is an LCD holding frame for holding the first lens group frames 112L and 112R and LCDs 103L and 103R, respectively, and 114 is a prism holder for holding and fixing the prism 104.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a second lens group frame for holding the second lens group 105, and reference numeral 116 denotes a third lens group frame for holding the third lens group 106. 117 is the fourth lens group 1
Reference numeral 07 denotes a fourth lens group frame that holds the seventh lens group, and reference numeral 118 denotes a fifth lens group frame that holds the fifth lens group 108.

Numeral 119 denotes a front cap for preventing unnecessary light from entering the second lens group 105. Numeral 120 denotes a fixed part which includes the second lens group frame 115 to the fifth lens group frame 118 and holds the front cap 119. It is a lens barrel.

Reference numeral 121 denotes an L for pressing the LCDs 103L and 103R into the LCD holding frames 113L and 113R.
A CD holder 122 is an aperture unit that is held by the front cap 119.

Reference numeral 123 denotes an F cam ring which is formed with a focus cam groove for driving the second lens group frame 115 forward and backward in the optical axis direction and is fitted to the fixed lens barrel 120. Reference numeral 124 denotes a Z cam ring which has a zoom cam groove for driving the third lens group frame 116 and the fourth lens group frame 117 to move forward and backward in the optical axis direction, and is fitted to the fixed lens barrel 120.

Reference numeral 125 denotes a BF cam ring formed with a back focus cam groove for driving the fifth lens group frame 118 forward and backward in the optical axis direction and fitted in the fixed lens barrel 120. 126
Is a lens mount fixed to the fixed lens barrel 120 for detachably positioning and fixing the optical unit with respect to the camera.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a cam pin fixed to the second lens group frame 115. This cam pin 127 is fixed
20 is engaged with a rectilinear groove formed to extend parallel to the optical axis and a focus cam groove formed in the F cam ring 123. Therefore, when the F cam ring 123 rotates around the optical axis, the second lens group frame 115 moves in the optical axis direction by the cam action of the focus cam groove while being guided by the rectilinear groove.

Reference numerals 128 and 129 denote cam pins fixed to the third lens group frame 116 and the fourth lens group frame 117, respectively. These cam pins have a straight groove formed in the fixed barrel 120 so as to extend in parallel with the optical axis and a Z cam ring 12.
4 is engaged with a zoom cam groove formed in the zoom lens. Therefore, when the Z cam ring 124 rotates around the optical axis, the third lens group frame 116 and the fourth lens group frame 117 advance and retreat in the optical axis direction by the cam action of the zoom cam groove while being guided by the rectilinear grooves.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a cam pin fixed to the fifth lens group frame 118. The cam pin 130 is fixed to the fixed barrel 1
20 and a straight groove formed so as to extend parallel to the optical axis and B
It is engaged with a back focus cam groove formed on the F cam ring 125. Therefore, when the BF cam ring 125 rotates around the optical axis, the fifth lens group frame 118 advances and retreats in the optical axis direction due to the cam action of the back focus cam groove while being guided in the optical axis direction by the rectilinear grooves.

In the optical unit configured as described above,
The left and right optical systems 101L and 101R are provided, and the incident optical axis is changed by the prisms 104 by the mirrors 101L and 101R.
To the reflecting surface of the left and right optical system 1
Except that the incident optical axes from 01L and 101R are unified (combined) by the prism 104. It has the same configuration as a single normal lens barrel.

However, in consideration of disposing the LCDs 102L and 102R in the left and right optical systems 101L and 101R,
First lens group 102L, 102R and second lens group 105
The distance between L and 105R is set appropriately, and correction of each aberration is taken into consideration in the optical system as a whole.

Next, a description will be given mainly of a variable base length mechanism (interval changing means) and a convergence adjusting mechanism (convergence changing means) in the optical unit. First, the variable base length mechanism will be described.

Reference numerals 131L and 103R denote mirror holding frames 111.
This is a mirror stage that holds L and 111R. 132
L and 132R are mirror rotation axes that are adhesively fixed to the mirror holding frames 111L and 111R and are held by conical bearings of the mirror stages 131L and 131R. 133L,
133R is a MIN stopper provided to prevent interference between the mirror stages 131L and 131R, which are required to be accurate, when the mirror stages 131L and 131R are driven inward in the left-right direction.

Reference numerals 134L and 134R denote MAX stoppers provided to prevent interference with other members when the mirror stages 131L and 131R are driven outward in the left-right direction.

Reference numeral 140 denotes a BL (B
ASELINE) motor, 141L, 141R
Is B held at the tip of the output shaft of the BL motor 140
It is an L screw shaft.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower ends of the mirror stages 131L and 131R are provided on the left and right sides of the base 150B of the front group station 150 which finally holds all the components of the front group. Guide portion 131G that can be engaged with rail portion 150A formed so as to extend
Are formed. Thereby, the mirror stage 131
L and 131R are movable in the left-right direction with respect to the front group station 150 along the rail section 150A.

The mirror stages 131L, 131R
Are passed through the BL screw shafts 141L and 141R and the BL screw shafts 141L and 141R.
A female screw portion 131M that meshes with 1R is formed. Therefore, when the BL motor 140 operates and the BL screw shafts 141L and 141R rotate, the mirror stage 1 is rotated.
31L and 131R are driven in the left-right direction,
The relative distance between the left and right directions of 1L and 101R (that is, the base line length) changes. In addition, both mirror stages 131L, 1
The driving directions of 31R are opposite to each other.

Each of the BL screw shafts 141L, 14L
1R can be adjusted in phase with respect to the output shaft of the BL motor 140, whereby the mirror stage 131 can be adjusted.
A position adjusting mechanism (position adjusting means) capable of independently adjusting the initial position of each of the L and 131R in the left-right direction is configured.

142 is a mirror stage 131L, 131
A BL photo interrupter 143 for detecting whether or not R is located at a predetermined initial position. Reference numeral 143 denotes a BL photo presser holding the BL photo interrupter 142.

152L and 152R are protective glasses,
Reference numeral 151 denotes a protective glass frame that holds the protective glasses 152L and 152R and is held at the left and right front ends of the front group station 150.

A prism holder 153 holds the prism 104 and is held above the front group station 150.

Here, the mirror stages 131L, 131
The configuration around the R will be described. 160L, 160R
Is an axis adjustment base fixed to the mirror stages 131L and 131R by screws, and the mirror rotation axes 132L and 1
It receives one end of 32R.

161L and 161R are shaft holding springs,
The base end is screwed to the shaft adjustment bases 160L and 160R. The ends of the mirror rotating shafts 132L and 132R are formed in a hemispherical shape, and the shaft pressing springs 161L and 161 are formed.
By contacting the tip of the R with the ends of the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 132R from a direction substantially at 45 degrees to the axial direction, the play in both the axial direction and the axis orthogonal direction of the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 132R is performed. Can be removed.

162L and 162R are mirror stages 13
Mirror rotation shafts 132L, 132 for 1L, 131R
163L, 163 are adjustment knobs for adjusting the inclination of R to mainly adjust the optical axes (incident optical axes) 300L, 300R of the mirrors 101L, 101R mainly in the vertical direction.
R is a spring for removing the play of adjusting the tilt of the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 132R.

Here, the reason why it is necessary to adjust the tilt of the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 132R by operating the adjustment knobs 162L and 162R will be described. Even if the optical axes separated to the left and right are shifted from the design value in the left-right direction, there is almost no effect on the photographing and the real-life viewing after the photographing. However, with respect to the lens basic optical axis 300, the left and right mirror optical axes 300
Since the positions of convergence of L and 300R are shifted, a problem in congestion control remains.

On the other hand, left and right mirror optical axes 300L, 300
It has been reported that if R is shifted beyond the allowable limit in the vertical direction, the viewer may easily feel tired when viewing the stereoscopic video. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 13L described above are used as means for removing or reducing the vertical displacement of the left and right mirror optical axes 300L and 300R.
Mirror optical axis 300L, 300R through 2R tilt adjustment
Axis Adjusting Mechanism (Optical Axis Adjusting Means) for Vertical Adjustment
Is provided.

Specifically, the shaft adjustment bases 160L, 16L
The guide 160G formed in the OR stage is the mirror stage 1
Rail portion 131A provided above 31L, 131R
When the adjustment knobs 162L, 162R are rotated, respectively, the shaft adjustment bases 160L, 160R
Moves along the rail portion 131A, thereby adjusting the tilt of the mirror rotation shafts 132L and 132R. In addition,
After the adjustment, the axis adjustment bases 160L and 160R are moved to the mirror stages 131L and 131L by the screws B shown in FIG.
1R, the mirror rotation shaft 132L, 1
The tilted state of 32R is maintained.

As described above, the mirror rotation shafts 132L, 132
By allowing the inclination of R to be adjusted, mirrors 101L and 101L can be adjusted.
01R is prevented from tilting, and as a result, the occurrence of vertical displacement of the left and right optical axes caused by the change in the base line length is prevented.

Although not shown, an elastic member (for example, a spring washer) is arranged between the screw B and the shaft adjustment bases 160L and 160R to prevent the shaft adjustment bases 160L and 160R from floating during adjustment. Thus, it is desirable to be able to adjust with high precision.

Next, the congestion adjusting mechanism will be described. Here, the convergence angle refers to the separated left and right mirror optical axes 300.
The angle at which L and R intersect each other, and the convergence position (distance) is the intersection position (distance).

Here, it has been known from experience that it is preferable to match the subject distance with the convergence distance or set the convergence distance to be slightly longer than the subject distance during photographing. In order to set this ideal convergence distance, in the present embodiment, the mirrors 101L and 101R are rotatable in left and right (horizontal) directions.

In FIG. 4, the mirror rotation shaft 132L, 1
Both ends of the mirror 32R are formed in a spherical shape, and the lower ends of the bearings formed on the mirror stages 131L and 131R to receive the lower ends of the mirror rotating shafts 132L and 132R are formed in a downward conical shape. For this reason, the mirror rotating shafts 132L, 132R are pressed by the conical portions of the bearing portions by the above-described shaft pressing springs 161L, 161R, so that the mirror rotating shafts 132L, 13L are pressed.
2R is rotatably held without play.

The mirror holding frames 111L and 111R are provided with arms 111A extending toward the center. Pins 171P provided on the FK sleeve 171 are provided in grooves formed at the ends of the arms 111A. Is engaged.

In FIG. 3, an FK motor (stepping motor) for generating a driving force for changing the convergence angle is connected to an FK sleeve 171;
The FK rack meshes with a screw shaft provided on the output shaft of the FK motor 180.

Reference numeral 172 denotes an FK guide bar for guiding the FK sleeve 171 in the front-rear direction. Reference numeral 173 denotes an FK detent bar for preventing the FK sleeve 171 from rotating around the FK guide bar 172.

The FK guide bar 172 and the FK detent bar 173 hold the subject side with the FK bar holding member 1.
70, and the imaging side is set to the front group station 150.
Is held at The FK motor 180 and the FK bar presser are held at the front group station 150.

In the congestion adjusting mechanism configured as described above,
When the FK motor 180 operates and the screw shaft rotates, the FK rack 181 meshing with the screw shaft moves forward and backward with the FK sleeve 171. Thus, the mirror holding frames 111L and 111R together with the arm 111A engaged with the pin 171P of the FK sleeve 171.
Is swung in the front-rear direction about the mirror rotation axes 132L and 132R, and the arrangement angle in the rotation direction of the mirrors 101L and 101R, that is, the convergence angle and the convergence position (distance) of the mirror optical axes 300L and 300R are changed.

The FK rack 181 is connected to the FK sleeve 171 in order to prevent a so-called twisting force from being generated when the degree of parallelism between the screw shaft provided on the FK motor 180 and the FK guide bar 172 is not sufficient. The FK rack 181 is rotatably connected in the vertical direction, and the FK rack 181 is biased to one side in the front-rear direction by an elastic member provided on the FK sleeve 171.
The play in the front-rear direction at the connection between the FK sleeve 171 and the FK sleeve 171 is eliminated.

Reference numeral 182 denotes a stepping motor in which the position of the FK sleeve 171 in the front-rear direction (that is, the angle in the rotational direction of the mirrors 101L and 101R) is determined from the initial position of the FK sleeve 171 detected by the FK photointerrupter 182. It is detected by counting the number of drive pulses applied to the FK motor 180.

The FK motor 180 may be a DC motor or a linear actuator. Instead of the FK photointerrupter 182, a tension meter or a combination of an MR element and a photointerrupter may be used.

FIG. 5 shows an electric circuit configuration of the optical unit and the camera described above.

In this figure, 501 on the optical unit side
Is a lens microcomputer (control means) for controlling the operation of the optical unit. This lens microcomputer 501 includes:
An EEPROM 502 in which various data necessary for controlling the operation of the optical unit are stored is connected.

A diaphragm actuator 507 for driving the diaphragm unit 122 includes a diaphragm ATC driver 511.
The aperture ATC driver 511 drives an aperture actuator 507 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

Second lens group (focus lens group) 10
The focus actuator 508 for rotating and driving the F cam ring 123 for driving the cam 5 has a focus AT
C driver 512 is connected, and the focus A
The TC driver 512 drives the focus actuator 508 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

Z cam ring 12 for driving the third and fourth lens groups (zoom lens groups) 106 and 107 by cam
A zoom ATC driver 513 is connected to a zoom actuator 509 that rotationally drives the zoom actuator 4, and the zoom ATC driver 513 drives the zoom actuator 509 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

BF for rotationally driving a BF cam ring 124 for driving the fifth lens group (BF lens group) 108
The actuator 510 includes a BFATC driver 514
The BFATC driver 514 drives the BF actuator 510 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

There are provided sensors 503 to 506 for detecting whether the aperture unit, the second lens group, the third and fourth lens groups, and the fifth lens group are located at predetermined initial positions. The lens microcomputer 501 controls the driving amounts of the actuators 507 to 510 based on the signals from the sensors 503 to 506.

The LCD drivers 521 and 522 respond to the control signal from the lens microcomputer 501 to the left and right LCD 1s.
13L and 113R are driven.

The base line ATC driver 515 drives the BL motor (base line length actuator) 140 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

Here, the optical unit is provided with a base length operation dial 517 which is operated when the user sets the base length arbitrarily. When the base length operation dial 517 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation amount is input to the lens microcomputer 501, and the lens microcomputer 501 sends a control signal corresponding to the input signal to the base length ATC driver 515.

The convergence ATC driver 516 drives an FK motor (convergence actuator) 180 according to a control signal from the lens microcomputer 501.

Here, the optical unit is provided with a convergence operation dial 518 which is operated when the user arbitrarily sets the convergence angle (that is, the convergence position or distance) of the mirror optical axes 300L and 300R. . Congestion operation dial 5
When the button 18 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation amount is input to the lens microcomputer 501, and the lens microcomputer 501 sends a control signal corresponding to the input signal to the congestion ATC driver 516.

The BL photo interrupter (base line length sensor) 142 and the FK photo interrupter (convergence sensor) 182 are connected to the lens microcomputer 501.
A detection signal is input to the lens microcomputer 501 when the mirror stages 131L and 131R are located at the initial position in the left-right direction and when the FK sleeve 171 is located at the initial position in the front-rear direction. The lens microcomputer 501 drives the BL motor 140 and the FK motor 180 in accordance with the input signals from the operation dials 517 and 518 (that is, the base line length and the convergence angle or the convergence angle) based on the time when the detection signal is input. (Convergence distance) control.

On the other hand, a camera microcomputer 530 controls the operation of the camera. The camera microcomputer 530 also controls the operation of the CCD 540 that captures an image formed through the optical unit by photoelectric conversion.
Note that the camera microcomputer 530 and the lens microcomputer 501 are communicably connected to each other, and transmit to the lens microcomputer 501 focal length information of the optical unit detected by the camera side, distance information and luminance information of the subject, and the like. The lens microcomputer 501 controls the actuators 507 to 510 based on the transmitted information, and causes the camera to perform appropriate photographing.

In this embodiment, the mirror stages 131 are provided by mechanical stoppers 133 and 134.
Although the case where the left and right movement ranges of L and 131R are limited has been described, the movement range may be electrically limited.

For example, when a stepping motor is used as the BL motor 140, the BL photo interrupter 142 detects the initial positions of the mirror stages 131L and 131R, and controls the drive within the maximum allowable number of drive pulses therefrom. When a DC motor is used as the BL motor 140, the mirror stages 131L and 131L are used instead of the BL photointerrupter 142.
Provide a potentiometer that can detect the absolute position of R,
The allowable movement amount is written into the EEPROM 502 in accordance with the mirror stages 131L and 131R, and the drive is controlled within the allowable movement amount range.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
2 illustrates a configuration around a mirror stage in the stereoscopic optical unit according to the embodiment. Since the configuration around the left and right mirror stages is the same, FIG. 6 shows only the configuration around the left mirror stage.

In this figure, 231L is a mirror stage, 232L is a mirror rotating shaft, and 241L is driven by a BL motor (not shown) similar to the first embodiment.
L screw axis, 250 is front group station, 260L
Is a shaft adjustment base, 261L is a shaft pressing spring, 290 is a BL guide bar for guiding the mirror stage 231L in the left-right direction (base line variable direction), and 291 is the mirror stage 23
This is a BL detent bar for preventing rotation about the 1 L BL guide bar 290.

292L and 293L are BL guide bars 29
0 is the BL guide bar presser holding 294L, 2
Reference numeral 95L denotes a BL detent bar presser that holds the BL detent bar 291.

Reference numeral 296 denotes a mirror stage connected to the mirror stage 231L in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
It is a BL rack that meshes with 1L.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the guide of the mirror stage 131L is constituted by one rail, but is replaced by two guide bars (BL guide bar 290 and BL detent bar 291). It is.

As a result, the vertical displacement of the mirror optical axis can be prevented from being prevented between two points having a certain distance, which is advantageous in terms of accuracy as compared with the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
1 illustrates an optical configuration of a stereoscopic optical unit according to an embodiment. Note that the optical configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows only the optical element.

In the first embodiment, the mirrors 101L and 101L
The case where the base line length is changed by moving the 1R in the left-right direction (H direction) has been described.
01L and 101R are moved diagonally forward in the left-right direction (F direction) to change the base line length.

According to the present embodiment, the mirrors 101L, 1
By moving 01R in the F direction, the mirrors 101L, 101L,
The area of 101R can be reduced. When moving in the F direction, actuators for changing the base line length need to be provided independently on the left and right sides, but the dead-base, such as the back of the mirror, can be used effectively.

Also, due to the configuration of the optical unit, the mirror 10
The base length may be changed by moving the 1L and 101R diagonally rearward in the left-right direction (R direction).

The mirror 101 for changing the base line length
The moving directions of L and 101R are not limited to the directions of the first embodiment and the present embodiment, but may be any as long as they can move substantially parallel to a plane including two axes of the optical axis separation direction.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the contents of control of a stereoscopic optical unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the case has been described where the user can arbitrarily set the base line length and the convergence distance. However, the lens microcomputer 501 automatically controls the base line length and the convergence distance according to a predetermined program. You may.

FIG. 8 shows a map in the case where the convergence distance is automatically controlled according to the change in the base line length. 8, the vertical axis indicates the number of steps (FK amount) of a stepping motor (for example, FK motor 180) for driving convergence, and the horizontal axis indicates the convergence distance. The map line shows the relationship between the FK amount and the convergence distance at a representative base line length.

For example, BL = 60 (base line interval 60 m
In the case of m), when the FK amount corresponding to the convergence distance at infinity is set to 0 step, the FK amount is 200 steps at a close distance. If the optical unit has a fixed base length of 60 mm, the control may be performed on one map line of BL = 60.

However, if the base line length can be changed between 40 and 100 mm, it is necessary to control along the graph line of BL = 40 to BL = 100.

As a specific control, it is conceivable to change the convergence angle so as to maintain a constant convergence distance even when the base line length is changed. For example, a convergence distance of 1.5 m and a base line length of 40
mm, FK amount = P1.5m1 (base line length 40 mm
The number of drive pulses of the FK motor 180 when the convergence distance is 1.5 m in the setting, and the last one indicates that it is the first example), and when the base line length is changed to 100 mm, FK amount = P1.5m2 (base line length 100mm
The number of drive pulses of the FK motor 180 when the convergence distance is 1.5 m in the setting, and the last 2 indicates the second example).

Further, in the zoom optical unit, there may be a case where the base line length is automatically controlled to an optimum base line length depending on the focal length. This case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step (abbreviated as S in the figure) 01, when it is confirmed that the automatic control switch is turned on, the focal length information of the optical unit communicated from the camera microcomputer 530 to the lens microcomputer 501 is read in S02.

Next, in S03, the camera microcomputer 53
The subject distance information communicated to the lens microcomputer 501 from 0 is read in S04 at the current base line length (for example, calculated based on the amount of rotation of the BL motor from the initial position). Then, in S05, an optimum base line length is calculated from the focal length information and the subject distance information. If it is necessary to change the current base line length in S06, driving for changing the base line length is performed, and at the same time, Since the convergence distance fluctuates, the convergence distance correction drive (drive to change the convergence angle) is performed along the map line shown in FIG. Thereafter, the change in the focal length is monitored in S07, and S01 to S08 are repeated until the automatic control switch is turned off in S08.

In reality, if the auto control switch is kept ON, sudden zooming or a change in the subject distance will cause the base line length to change arbitrarily, resulting in a change in shooting conditions during shooting. This may cause inconvenience to the user. Therefore, it is turned on by one push as an automatic control switch, and
Consider a type that is turned on only for a short time, such as a type that performs FF or a type that turns off after a certain period of time after being turned on, and is used as a guide for initial condition setting.

The control described in the present embodiment is merely an example, and another control of changing the base line length and the congestion state may be performed.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A single (single) camera can create a parallax image without any deviation of the left and right optical axes, and the base length of the left and right optical systems can be changed to the focal length, the object distance or the convergence distance by the interval changing means. It can be adjusted accordingly.

Further, since the left and right optical systems (more specifically, the left and right reflecting optical elements, etc.), which are smaller and lighter than the camera, are moved to change the base line length, the left and right optical systems are changed. The driving system to be driven and the optical unit as a whole can be reduced in size, and it is possible to easily obtain a strength that does not easily cause an optical axis shift due to vibration or impact.

It is also possible to provide a control means for automatically controlling the distance changing means based on various information. For example, the distance changing means may be provided based on the focal length information of the left and right optical systems and the subject distance information. Is provided, the optimal base line length can be automatically set for the focal length and the subject distance in the zoom optical system.

Further, in order to keep the optical axis convergence distance substantially constant even when the interval changing means operates, the control means automatically controls the convergence changing means for changing the optical axis convergence state of the left and right optical systems. It may be. This makes it possible to set the optimum base line length without changing the stereoscopic effect of the captured image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the stereoscopic optical unit.

FIG. 3 is a partial configuration view of the stereoscopic optical unit.

FIG. 4 is a partial configuration diagram of the stereoscopic optical unit.

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit block diagram of a stereoscopic imaging system including the stereoscopic optical unit and a camera.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a stereoscopic optical unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a control map of a stereoscopic optical unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart of the stereoscopic optical unit according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100L Left optical system 100R Right optical system 101L, 101R Mirror 102L, 102R First lens group 103L, 103R LCD (liquid crystal shutter) 104 Prism 105 Second lens group 106 Third lens group 107 Fourth lens group 108 Fifth lens group 111L , 111R Mirror holding frame 112L, 112R First lens group frame 113L, 113R LCD holding frame 114 Prism holder 115 Second lens group frame 116 Third lens group frame 117 Fourth lens group frame 118 Fifth lens group frame 119 Front cap 120 Fixed lens barrel 121 LCD holder 122 Aperture unit 123 F cam ring 124 Z cam ring 125 BF cam ring 126 Lens mount 127, 128, 129, 130 Cam pin 131 L, 131 R, 231 L Mirror stage 132 , 132R, 232L Mirror rotation shaft 133, 134 Stopper 140 BL motor 141, 241 BL screw shaft 142 BL photo interrupter 150, 250 Front group station 151 Protective glass frame 152 Protective glass 153 Prism holder 160L, 160R, 260L Axis adjustment base 161L, 161R, 260L Shaft holding spring 162 Adjusting knob 163 Spring 170 FK bar holding 171 FK sleeve 172 FK guide bar 173 FK rotation stop bar 180 FK motor 181 FK rack 182 FK photo interrupter 290L BL guide bar 291L BL rotation stop bar

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A stereoscopic optical unit having a left optical system and a right optical system and allowing a single camera to photograph an image capable of stereoscopic observation through the left optical system and the right optical system. A stereoscopic optical unit having an interval changing means for changing a relative interval of the system in the left-right direction. 2. The stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the interval changing unit drives the left and right optical systems in conjunction with each other. 3. A stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, wherein said interval changing means is provided with a position adjusting mechanism capable of independently adjusting the positions of said left and right optical systems. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving range limiting unit that mechanically or electrically limits a driving range of the left and right optical systems by the interval changing unit. Stereoscopic optical unit. 5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the left and right optical systems each include a reflecting optical element, and wherein the interval changing unit changes a relative interval between the respective reflecting optical elements in the left-right direction. The stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to claim 1. 6. A stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising an optical axis adjusting means for adjusting the optical axes of said left and right optical systems in a vertical direction. 7. A stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, wherein said interval changing means operates in response to a user operation. 8. The stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising control means for automatically controlling said interval changing means based on various information. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit automatically controls the interval changing unit based on focal length information of the left and right optical systems and subject distance information.
The stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to 1. 10. A convergence changing means for changing an optical axis convergence state of the left and right optical systems, wherein the optical axis convergence distance of the left and right optical systems is substantially constant with the operation of the interval changing means. 10. The stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit that operates the convergence changing unit so as to maintain the convergence. 11. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein each of the left and right optical systems includes a reflective optical element, and wherein the convergence changing means changes an arrangement angle of each of the reflective optical elements. The stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to 1. 12. A stereoscopic imaging optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a camera for photographing an image which can be stereoscopically observed through the stereoscopic optical unit. 3D image capturing system.