JP2002258359A - Image pickup system, coupling body used for the same system, and adjusting method for image pickup system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain sharp video in all directions over 360 deg., to make a system small-sized and easy to disassemble, and to facilitate its adjustments. SOLUTION: A mirror 10 of a body of revolution is provided, which is a convex mirror and so constituted that light reflected by its reflecting surface 11 is nearly converged on the axis of rotation. The light reflected by the reflecting surface 11 is converged by lenses 22 and 23 of an image pickup mechanism 20 to irradiate an image pickup element 24. The image pickup mechanism 20 is fitted with one end of a rod-shaped coupling body 30, and the mirror 10 is fitted to the other end part of the coupling body 30. The image pickup mechanism 20 and mirror 10 are optically coupled together by the coupling body 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup system capable of picking up 360-degree omnidirectional images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows an example of an image pickup system for picking up 360-degree omnidirectional images. This imaging system includes a rotating mirror 61 which is a convex mirror having a rotating body shape, and an imaging mechanism 62 arranged to face the rotating mirror 61. The rotating body mirror 61 has, for example, a conical shape whose top is formed in a hemispherical shape.
The outer peripheral surface on the convex surface side is a reflection surface 61a.

The light reflected by the reflecting surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61 is substantially converged on a rotation axis.

[0004] The image pickup mechanism 62 is disposed opposite to the top of the rotating mirror 60 with an appropriate space therebetween. The imaging mechanism 62 has a cylindrical casing 62a, and a lens center and a rotating mirror 61 in the casing 62a.
Are arranged so as to coincide with the rotation axis. A condensing lens 62b for condensing the light reflected on the reflecting surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61 is provided in an end of the casing 62a close to the rotating mirror 61.

An image pickup device (not shown) for irradiating the light condensed by the condenser lens 62b is provided inside the casing 62a, and the output of the image pickup device is supplied to a signal processing section 62c. Is converted into a video signal.

The rotating mirror 61 includes a light-transmitting coupling member 63.
Is coupled to the image pickup mechanism 62. The light-transmitting coupling member 63 is formed of a light-transmitting material in a cylindrical shape, and one end of the light-transmitting coupling member 63 has a casing 62 a of the imaging mechanism 62.
Are mounted coaxially. The reflection surface 61 a of the rotating mirror 61 is inserted into the other end of the light transmitting coupling member 63, and the reflection surface 61 a of the rotating mirror 61 is covered by the peripheral surface of the light transmitting coupling member 63. Have been done.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, light that passes through the peripheral surface of the translucent coupling member 63 and enters the reflecting surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61 is reflected by the reflecting surface 61a, and the image is taken. The light is condensed by a condensing lens 62b provided in a casing 62a of the mechanism 62, and is irradiated on the image sensor. Then, the output of the image sensor is converted into a video signal by the signal processing unit and output.

The light-transmitting coupling body 63 for coupling the rotating mirror 61 to the image pickup mechanism 62 is formed of a light-transmitting material in a cylindrical shape.
There is no possibility that an image of the translucent combination 63 will appear in the image.

[0009]

The light (indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 11) incident on the peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupler 63 is partially reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupler 63. However, as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 11, most of the light is refracted by the peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupler 63 and
To enter inside. The light that has entered the inside of the translucent coupler 63 is directly incident on the reflection surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61, and a part of the light is transmitted as shown by an arrow C in FIG. Is reflected on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating mirror 61 and is incident on the reflecting surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61. Then, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 61a is
As shown by an arrow D in FIG.

In this case, at the same time as the light passing through the peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupling body 63 and directly entering the reflecting surface 61a of the rotating mirror 61, the light enters the light-transmitting coupling body 63 and transmits light. The light reflected on the inner peripheral surface of the
When the light is incident on the first reflection surface 61a, the light is reflected by the reflection surface 61a and is simultaneously irradiated on the image pickup device.

The light required as an image is transmitted through the light-transmitting coupler 63.
Is directly incident on the reflection surface of the rotating mirror 61 through the light-transmitting coupler 6.
The reflecting surface 6 of the rotating mirror 61 is reflected by the inner peripheral surface of the rotating mirror 3.
When the light incident on the image pickup device 1a is irradiated on the image pickup device, the image obtained from the output of the image pickup device becomes a state in which two images are superimposed and becomes unclear.

JP-A-2000-131737 discloses that
When the light reflected on the inner peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupling body and incident on the reflecting surface of the rotating mirror is irradiated on the inner peripheral surface of the light-transmitting coupling body, the light on the rotation axis of the rotating mirror is Focusing on passing through, a rod-shaped member that blocks light emitted to the inner peripheral surface of the translucent combination is arranged along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror. With such a configuration, the light irradiated on the inner peripheral surface of the translucent coupler is cut off so as to be incident on the reflection surface of the rotating mirror, and is reflected on the inner peripheral surface of the translucent coupler. The incident light is prevented from being incident on the rotating mirror.

However, in this case, a rod-shaped member must be provided along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror inside the light-transmitting coupling body, which causes a problem that the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing is not easy. . Moreover, in such a configuration,
Because the rotating mirror and the imaging mechanism are coupled by the cylindrical translucent coupling, the overall size is large,
It is not easy to carry, and furthermore, it cannot be easily disassembled, so that there is a problem that storage is not easy.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a 360-degree clear image in all directions and to be small and easily disassembled. Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system in which the adjustment of an optical element is easy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination used in such an imaging system and a method of adjusting the imaging system.

[0015]

An image pickup system according to the present invention is a rotating mirror having a rotating body shape, wherein light reflected by a reflecting surface of the rotating mirror is substantially converged on a rotating axis. An optical member for condensing light reflected by the reflection surface of the rotating mirror, and an image pickup mechanism having an image pickup element to which the light condensed by the optical member is irradiated,
The imaging mechanism is attached to one end, and the rotating mirror is attached to the other end, and the imaging mechanism and the rotating mirror are optically coupled to each other. And a joint formed in a rod shape at a portion located therebetween.

[0016] In the imaging system according to the second aspect, the combined body has a linear portion along a rotation axis of the rotary mirror, and the rotary mirror is attached to an end of the linear portion. Have been.

In the image pickup system according to the third aspect, the combined body has a circular cross section.

In the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup mechanism has a cylindrical casing that houses the optical member and the image pickup element, and one end of the combined body is connected to the casing. In a state curved along the outer peripheral surface,
It is attached to the casing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a wiring which can be connected to an imaging device of the imaging mechanism is inserted into the combined body, and the wiring is provided with the rotating mirror. Pulled out from the end.

[0020] In the imaging system according to the sixth aspect, the rotating body mirror is detachable from an end of the combined body.

The imaging system according to claim 7, wherein the rotating body mirror is mounted by a nut screwed into a screw groove provided at an end of the combined body. .

In the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup mechanism has a cylindrical casing for accommodating the optical member and the image pickup device, and the combined body is screwed to an outer peripheral surface of the casing. It has a mounting part.

In the imaging system according to the ninth aspect, the rotating mirror is provided with a light source for illuminating the periphery of the reflecting surface.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup mechanism is provided with a light source for illuminating a portion of the image pickup mechanism on the far side of the rotating mirror.

The combined body according to the present invention is a rotationally symmetric convex mirror, and a rotating mirror in which the light reflected by the reflecting surface is substantially converged on a rotationally symmetric axis is provided at one end. An optical member that collects light reflected by the reflection surface of the rotating mirror, and an imaging mechanism that has an imaging element that irradiates the light collected by the optical member is provided on the other side. The rotating mirror and the imaging mechanism are connected to each other in an optically connected state, and a portion located between the two is formed in a rod shape.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging system according to the seventh aspect, the nut is rotated to adjust a position of the rotating mirror with respect to the imaging mechanism. .

[0027] Further, in the image pickup system adjusting method according to the present invention, in the image pickup system according to claim 8, the position of the rotary mirror with respect to the image pickup mechanism is adjusted by rotating the mounting portion. I do.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an imaging system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof. This imaging system includes a rotating body mirror 10 which is a rotating body shaped convex mirror.
And an imaging mechanism 20 arranged opposite to the rotating mirror 10. The rotating mirror 10 is, for example,
The top is in the shape of a hollow cone formed in a hemispherical shape, and on the outer peripheral surface, a substance having a mirror effect such as aluminum, silver, platinum, nickel-chromium alloy, and gold is applied by, for example, evaporation. Thus, the reflection surface 11 is formed.

The rotating mirror 10 is not limited to a conical shape.
Any shape such as a hemispherical shape, a hyperboloidal shape, or the like may be used as long as the light applied to the reflecting surface 11 and reflected is substantially converged on the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 10. The reflection surface 11 is not limited to the formation method by vapor deposition, and may be formed by applying a material having a mirror effect by a method such as sputtering or plating. Furthermore, the reflection surface 11
The present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the substance having the mirror effect is applied, and the rotating mirror 10 having a predetermined rotating body shape may be formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel and the surface thereof may be formed into a mirror surface.

The imaging mechanism 20 provided opposite to the top of the rotating mirror 10 has a cylindrical casing 21. The casing 21 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 10 and at an appropriate distance from the rotating mirror 10. A pair of lenses 22 and 23 are held coaxially with the casing 21 in an end of the casing 21 close to the rotating mirror 10.

In a casing 21 adjacent to the pair of lenses 22 and 23, an image pickup device 24 such as a CCD or a CMOS image sensor faces the rotating mirror 10 with the pair of lenses 22 and 23 interposed therebetween. It is arranged.

The rotating mirror 10 in the casing 21
A signal processing unit 25 for converting the output of the image sensor 24 into a video signal is provided inside the remote side of the camera. A lead wire 26 is connected to the signal processing unit 25, and the lead wire 26 is led out of the casing 21.

The rotating mirror 10 and the cylindrical casing 21 of the image pickup mechanism 20 are mutually connected in a state where they are optically connected by a rod-shaped connecting body 30 having a circular cross section. One end of the combined body 30 is a fixed portion 30a that is curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20, and the fixed portion 30a is a screw. By casing 2
1 is attached to the casing 21 by a plurality of fasteners 31 attached to the outer peripheral surface.

The fixed portion 30a of the coupling body 30 is provided with a continuous linear coupling portion 30b extending linearly toward the rotating mirror 10 along the axial direction of the casing 21. The straight connecting portion 30 b protrudes from the end face of the casing 21 toward the rotating mirror 10. The linear connecting portion 30b is provided with an inclined portion 30c that is inclined toward the axis of the casing 21 as it approaches the rotating mirror 10, and the inclined portion 30c is
A linear support portion 30d extending linearly along the axis of is provided continuously. And this linear support part 30d
Are arranged along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 10, and the tip is attached to the top of the rotating mirror 10.

As described above, the rotating body mirror 10 and the casing 21 of the image pickup mechanism 20 are aligned with the rotation axis of the rotating body mirror 10 and the axis of the casing 21 by the coupling body 30 bent into a predetermined shape. Thus, the lenses 22 and 23 held concentrically on the casing 21 and the optical axis of the rotating mirror 10 are aligned and optically coupled.

The coupling body 30 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, a synthetic resin, or the like having mechanical strength capable of connecting the rotating body mirror 10 and the imaging mechanism 20 to each other in an optically coupled state. The composite body 30 made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like has excellent water resistance,
It can be used stably for a long time under high humidity environment. When the coupling body 30 is made of a synthetic resin, a translucent material such as acrylic or polycarbonate is preferably used.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, the rotating body mirror 10 is supported in a state of being optically coupled to the casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20 by the rod-shaped coupling body 30 having a circular cross section. The reflecting surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 is open, and the reflecting surface 11
, Light is directly incident without refraction from all directions of 360 degrees.

The light incident on the reflecting surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 is reflected by the reflecting surface 11 to form a pair of lenses 22 and 23 provided in a casing 21 of the image pickup mechanism 20.
The light is collected at. In this case, each lens 22 and 23
Are arranged concentrically with the rotating mirror 10 and their optical axes coincide with each other, so that all the light reflected by the reflecting surface 11 by the lenses 22 and 23 can be reliably ensured. Light can be collected.

The light condensed by the lenses 22 and 23 is applied to the image pickup device 24. And the image sensor 24
Is converted into an electric signal, and the signal processing unit 25 converts the light into a video signal. Signal processing unit 25
Is output to the outside through the lead-out line 26.

As described above, the light applied to the image pickup device 24 is directly incident on the reflecting surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 from all directions without being refracted. The image obtained by the light applied to the element 24 does not become an image in which a plurality of images are overlapped, and is a clear image.

Since the combined body 30 supporting the rotating mirror 10 is formed in a rod shape having a circular cross section, the combined body 30 is provided between the rotating mirror 10 and the image pickup mechanism 20.
There is almost no possibility that the light reflected on the outer peripheral surface of the mirror will enter the reflecting surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10. This also makes the image obtained by the light applied to the image sensor 24 clear.

Combined body 30 supporting rotating mirror 10
Since the light-emitting device is rod-shaped and lightweight, the entire imaging system can be reduced in size and weight. As a result, the imaging system can be easily transported.

The combined body 30 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21 by a plurality of fasteners 31 screwed to the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20. The casing 21 and the rotating body mirror 10 are easily separated. Therefore, the imaging system includes the casing 21 and the rotating mirror 1
0 can be separated and transported or stored, which makes handling very easy.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another example of the imaging system of the present invention. In this imaging system, the coupling body 30 that couples the rotating body mirror 10 and the casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20 is formed in a hollow rod shape except for a fixed portion 30a arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21. In the hollow portion, a wiring 32 that can be connected by a connection member 33 is inserted through a lead wire 26 connected to the signal processing unit 25. The wiring 32 is drawn out of the coupling body 30 from the distal end surface of the coupling body 30 located inside the rotating body mirror 10.

The wiring 32 is drawn out of the coupling body 30 from the distal end face of the coupling body 30 located inside the rotating body mirror 10, and is connected to the linear coupling portion 30 b and the fixed portion 30 a through the coupling portion of the coupling body 30. It is drawn out and connected to the lead wire 26 by the connecting member 33.
Other configurations are the same as those of the imaging system shown in FIGS.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, the lead wire 26 connected to the signal processing unit 25 and the wiring 32 are easily connected to each other by the connecting member 33 and are easily separated. Moreover, as described above, the combination 30
Is detachable from the casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20. For this purpose, by removing the combined body 30 from the casing 21 and separating the wiring 32 from the lead wire 26, the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached can be replaced with a video camera,
It can be attached to digital cameras, silver halide cameras, etc. Thus, the video camera or the like to which the coupling body 30 is attached can capture images of the surroundings of the reflection surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 in all directions.

In this case, the wiring 33 is formed by
Since the light passes through the hollow portion, there is no possibility that the light incident on the reflection surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 will be blocked by the wiring 33, and the image of the wiring 33 will not be displayed.

The lead wire 26 of the image pickup mechanism 20 is
Since the connection member 33 is easily separated from the wiring 32 penetrating the hollow portion of the combined body 30, the imaging mechanism 20
And the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached can be easily separated. Moreover, the imaging mechanism 20 separated from the coupling body 30 is easy to handle because the lead wire 26 extending from the casing 21 is not connected to another member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another example of the imaging system of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof. In this imaging system, the rotating body mirror 10 in the combined body 30
A thread groove 30e is formed in the linear support portion 30d to which the is attached over an appropriate length from the tip end. The distal end of the linear support portion 30d in which the thread groove 30e is formed is inserted into the top of the rotating mirror 10 along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 10, and the thread groove 30e sandwiches the top. A pair of nuts 34 are screwed. Then, the rotating body mirror 10 is controlled by each nut 34.
Are attached to the linear support portion 30d of the combined body 30.

Other configurations are the same as those of the imaging system shown in FIGS.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, the nut 34 can be easily removed from the screw groove 30 e of the combined body 30, so that the rotating body mirror 10 can be easily removed from the combined body 30. . Further, since the mounting position of the rotating body mirror 10 with respect to the combined body 30 can be easily adjusted by rotating each nut 34, the rotating body mirror 10 and the lenses 22 and 23 mounted on the casing 21 can be adjusted. Can easily be adjusted, and the lenses 22 and 23 can be
The position can be easily adjusted to the optimum position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing still another example of the imaging system of the present invention. In this imaging system, FIG.
In the same manner as in the imaging system shown in FIG. 1, the combined body 30 is formed in a hollow rod shape except for a fixed part 30 a arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21, and the hollow part is connected to the signal processing unit 25. The wiring 32 that can be connected by the connection member 33 is inserted through the connected lead wire 26.

The wiring 32 is drawn out of the coupling body 30 from the distal end face of the coupling body 30 located inside the rotating mirror 10, and the wiring 32 is connected to the linear coupling portion 30b and the fixed portion 30a. It is drawn out and connected to the lead wire 26 by the connecting member 33.

The other structure is the same as that of the imaging system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The linear support 30 d of the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached is extended from the tip to an appropriate length. A screw groove 30e is formed. Straight support portion 3 having screw groove 30e formed
0d is inserted into the top of the rotating mirror 10 along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 10, and is rotated by a pair of nuts 34 screwed to the screw grooves 30e with the top interposed therebetween. A body mirror 10 is attached to the combination 30.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, even when the wiring 32 is provided inside the combination 30, the nut 34 can be easily removed from the screw groove 30 e of the combination 30. In addition, the rotating body mirror 10 can be easily removed from the combined body 30.

Also in this case, since the mounting position of the rotating mirror 10 with respect to the combined body 30 can be easily adjusted by the pair of nuts 34, the rotating mirror 1
0 and the distance between the lenses 22 and 23 attached to the casing 21 can be easily adjusted.
2 and 23 can be easily adjusted to an optimum position with respect to the rotating mirror 10.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another example of the imaging system of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view thereof. In this imaging system, a screw groove 21 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21 in the imaging mechanism 20. This screw groove 2
1a is formed at a position close to the rotating mirror 10 over an appropriate length. Further, the rod-shaped coupling body 30
A cylindrical mounting portion 30f is provided continuously to the linear connecting portion 30b instead of the fixing portion 30a provided along the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21. This mounting part 30f
Is provided with a screw portion 30g which is screwed to a screw groove 21a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21 on its inner peripheral surface.

The coupling body 30 has a cylindrical mounting portion 30f fitted to the casing 21 and a screw groove 21a provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a screw portion 30g provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion 30f. By being screw-coupled, the coupling body 30
Is integrally attached to the casing 21. The casing 21 is provided with a stopper 27 for fixing the mounting portion 30f screwed to the screw groove 21a. The stopper 27 has a cylindrical shape, and is provided on its inner peripheral surface with a screw portion 27a that is screw-coupled to a screw groove 21a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21.

The stopper 27 is attached to the mounting portion 3 of the combined body 30.
In a state where 0f is screw-coupled to the casing 21, the casing 21 is fitted to the casing 21 from an end of the casing 21 close to the rotating mirror 10, and screw-coupled to a thread groove 21a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21. . The stopper 27 is attached to the mounting portion 3 of the combined body 30 at a predetermined position.
0f. Thereby, the attachment portion 3 of the combined body 30
0f is positioned and fixed by the stopper 27.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached is attached to the attaching section 3.
0f with respect to the casing 21 in a state where the stopper 27 is not pressed against the mounting portion 30f.
Of the casing 21 with respect to the casing 21 can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the distance between the lenses 22 and 23 attached to the casing 21 and the rotating mirror 10 attached to the combination 30 can be easily adjusted. Moreover, the mounting portion 30f for the casing 21
Is when the stopper 27 comes into pressure contact with the
Since the rotating mirror 10 is fixed to the casing 21 while being positioned, the rotating mirror 10 can be reliably fixed to the casing 21.

The joint 30 can be easily removed from the casing 21 by rotating the attachment portion 30f. Therefore, the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached can be easily replaced with a camera such as a video camera, a digital camera, a silver halide camera, etc., instead of the imaging mechanism 20. As a result, an omnidirectional image around the rotating mirror 10 can be captured by a camera such as a video camera.

When the joint 30 is attached to the casing 21 by the cylindrical attachment portion 30f provided at the end of the joint 30 as shown in FIG. Support part 30d, inclined part 30
c, The linear connecting portion 30b may be formed in a hollow shape, and the wiring 32 may pass through the hollow. The wiring 32 is drawn out of the coupling body 30 from the distal end surface located inside the rotating body mirror 10, and
The connection member 30 is connected to the lead wire 26 by a connection member 33 which is drawn out of the coupling body 30 from a connection portion between the straight connection portion 30b and the attachment portion 30f.

Also in this case, the combined body 30 to which the rotating mirror 10 is attached can be easily attached to a video camera or the like instead of the image pickup mechanism 20. Surrounding images can be captured.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another example of the imaging system of the present invention. This imaging system is shown in FIG.
In the imaging system illustrated in FIG. 2, a first portion that illuminates the periphery of the reflection surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 on a side of the rotating mirror 10 farther from the imaging mechanism 20.
A light source 41 is provided. Note that an optical shielding member (not shown) is provided so that light emitted from the first light source 41 does not enter the casing 21 of the imaging mechanism 20.

A second light source 4 is provided on a side of the casing 21 of the image pickup mechanism 20 on the far side of the rotary mirror 10.
The second light source 42 illuminates a portion of the imaging mechanism 20 on the far side of the rotating mirror 10 and its peripheral portion.

The other structure is the same as the structure of the imaging system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the imaging system having such a configuration, the first
Since the periphery of the rotating mirror 10 is illuminated by the light source 41, the amount of light incident on the reflecting surface 11 of the rotating mirror 10 increases, and the image around the rotating mirror 10 becomes clear. Similarly, since the far side portion of the rotating mirror 10 in the imaging mechanism 20 is illuminated by the second light source 42,
The image of that part becomes clear.

Instead of the first light source 41, a mirror, a light scattering plate or the like for reflecting light emitted from another light source around the rotating mirror 10 may be arranged. Instead of the two light sources 42, a mirror, a light scattering plate, or the like that reflects light emitted from another light source to the far side of the rotating mirror 10 in the imaging mechanism 20 may be arranged.

[0070]

As described above, the imaging system of the present invention provides
Because the rotating mirror and the imaging mechanism are connected to each other in a state of being optically coupled by a rod-shaped coupling body,
The combination does not obscure the image around the rotating mirror. Because the union is rod-shaped,
The whole is small, lightweight and easy to carry. Moreover, since it can be easily disassembled, it is excellent in storage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of an imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image sensor.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image sensor.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing still another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the image sensor.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing still another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another example of the embodiment of the imaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional imaging system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Rotating body mirror 11 Reflection surface 20 Imaging mechanism 21 Casing 21a Screw groove 22 Lens 23 Lens 24 Image sensor 25 Signal processing unit 26 Leader 27 Stopper 30 Combined body 30a Fixed part 30b Linear connection part 30c Inclined part 30d Linear support part 30e Screw Groove 30f Mounting part 30g Screw part 31 Stopper 32 Wiring 33 Connection member 34 Nut 41 First light source 42 Second light source

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 D

Claims (13)

[Claims] A rotating mirror in which light reflected by a reflecting surface of the rotating mirror is substantially converged on a rotation axis; and a reflecting mirror of the rotating mirror. An optical member for condensing the reflected light, and an image pickup mechanism having an image pickup device for irradiating the light condensed by the optical member; and an image pickup mechanism attached to one end and the other end A rotating body mirror is attached to the portion, the imaging mechanism and the rotating body mirror are optically coupled to each other in a coupled state, and a portion located between the two is formed in a rod shape; An imaging system, comprising: 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the coupling body has a linear portion along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror, and the rotating mirror is attached to an end of the linear portion. Imaging system. 3. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the combined body has a circular cross section. 4. The imaging mechanism has a cylindrical casing that houses the optical member and the imaging element, and one end of the combined body is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the casing. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging system is attached to the casing. 5. A wiring which is connectable to an image pickup device of the image pickup mechanism is inserted into the inside of the combined body, and the wiring is drawn out from an end to which the rotating mirror is attached. The imaging system according to claim 1. 6. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mirror is detachable from an end of the combined body. 7. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the rotating body mirror is attached by a nut screwed into a screw groove provided at an end of the combined body. 8. The imaging mechanism has a cylindrical casing that houses the optical member and the imaging element, and the combined body has a mounting portion that is screwed to an outer peripheral surface of the casing. 2. The imaging system according to 1. 9. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body mirror is provided with a light source for illuminating a periphery of a reflection surface. 10. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging mechanism is provided with a light source that illuminates a far-side portion of the rotating mirror in the imaging mechanism. 11. A rotating mirror, which is a rotationally symmetric convex mirror, in which light reflected by the reflecting surface is substantially converged on an axis of rotational symmetry, is attached to one end. An optical member for condensing the light reflected by the reflection surface of the rotating body mirror, and an image pickup mechanism having an image pickup device for irradiating the light condensed by the optical member are attached to the other end. Wherein the rotating body mirror and the image pickup mechanism are connected in an optically connected state, and a portion located between the two is formed in a rod shape. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the nut is rotated to adjust a position of the rotating mirror with respect to the imaging mechanism. 13. The imaging system according to claim 8, wherein the mounting portion is rotated to adjust a position of the rotating mirror with respect to the imaging mechanism.