JP2003298919A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera provided with a plurality of photographing optical systems and imaging elements for realizing high magnification zooming without interruption and upsizing. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera has two kinds of modes comprising: a telescope zoom mode for processing an image obtained by composing high quality image information with a small field angle and possible for optical zooming obtained by a combination of a first CCD 30 with a small size and high pixel density, a zoom lens 12, a second CCD 32 with a large size and low pixel density, and a lens 14, and low quality image information with a large field angle by an image interpolation means; and a wide angle zoom mode for processing an image obtained by composing high quality image information with a small field angle obtained by a combination of the first CCD 30 and the lens 14 and the zoom lens 12 and the second CCD 32 and low quality image information with a large field angle and possible for optical zooming by the image interpolation means 38. Each mode can be selected by selecting an optical path from each lens to each CCD to change the combination of the lenses and the CCDs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a so-called fixed lens type camera in which the photographing lens cannot be exchanged, it was necessary to mount a high-power zoom lens in order to enlarge the photographing area. The overall length and weight of the
There are problems that the open F value is dark and the optical performance is deteriorated.

For this reason, there has been devised a system in which a plurality of optical systems having a zoom function are provided instead of a single zoom lens, and switching is performed to enlarge a photographing area.

Further, there has been devised a device which has a single optical system and a plurality of image pickup devices of different sizes, and which switches the image pickup device to enlarge the photographing area. The shooting area cannot be changed continuously and continuously.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention is a digital camera equipped with a plurality of photographing optical systems and image pickup devices, and has a high-magnification zoom that is continuous and continuous without increasing the size of the apparatus. The challenge is to achieve.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera including a first image pickup device, a second image pickup device which is larger in size than the first image pickup device and has a lower pixel density, and a zoom lens. A certain first photographing lens, a second photographing lens which is a single focus lens, and light passing through the first photographing lens to the first image pickup element or the second image pickup element, or the second image pickup element. Optical path switching means for guiding the light passing through the photographing lens to the first image sensor or the second image sensor, and the optical path switch means to operate the first image sensor and the second image sensor. Image complementing means for selectively using the obtained image information according to the required image quality, the focal length of the second photographing lens is within the focal length range of the first zoom lens, and the first zoom lens Short focus side edge of And the ratio of the focal length of the long focal length side end to the focal length of the second lens is smaller than the diagonal length ratio of the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device. An image obtained by combining a first image pickup element which is a zoom lens with a small size and a high pixel density and a second image pickup element which is a single focus lens with a second image pickup element which is a large size and has a low pixel density. It is possible to realize a telephoto zoom mode using an image obtained by synthesizing high-quality image information having a small angle and capable of optical zoom and low-quality image information having a large angle of view by the image complementing means. In addition, a first imaging element having a small size and a high pixel density and a second imaging lens which is a single focus lens, and a second imaging element having a large size and a low pixel density and a first zoom lens
A wide-angle zoom mode can be realized by an image obtained by synthesizing high-quality image information with a small angle of view obtained by a combination of photographing lenses and low-quality image information with a large angle of view that can be optically zoomed by the image complementing means. That is, in the above structure, two types of modes can be selected: a telephoto zoom mode in which the telescopic region is covered by the optical zoom and a wide-angle zoom mode in which the wide-angle region is covered by the optical zoom.

The two types of modes can be selected by switching the optical path from each photographing lens to each image pickup element and changing the combination of the photographing lens and the image pickup element.

Further, in both modes, the angle of view of the image obtained by the monofocal lens is not included in the range of the angle of view of the image obtained by the zoom lens, so the image complementing means can be used to efficiently expand the zoom region. Can be done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, both the first and second photographing lenses are zoom lenses, and the focal length range of the second photographing lens is the first photographing. Within the focal length range of the lens, and the focal length ratio between the short focus side end of the first shooting lens and the long focus side end of the second shooting lens is the first image sensor and the second image sensor. Is smaller than the diagonal length ratio of.

In the invention of the above construction, since two zoom lenses are combined with two image pickup devices to obtain an image, a change in the angle of view by optical zoom with little image quality deterioration and a high magnification zoom can be performed by using the image complementing means. Becomes

Further, since the view angle change ranges of the two zoom lenses do not overlap, the zoom area can be efficiently expanded.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera, the optical path switching means and the zoom operation section are united, the photographed images obtained by the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device are combined, and the continuous images are obtained. It is characterized by changing without breaks.

In the invention having the above-mentioned structure, the zoom operation and the optical path switching are continuously performed by operating the single operating member, and the zooming operation is automatically switched to the telephoto zoom mode by continuing the zoom-in operation in the wide-angle zoom mode. Continued zoom-out operation in telephoto zoom mode automatically switches to wide-angle zoom mode. Therefore, continuous zooming can be performed from the wide-angle end of the wide-angle zoom mode to the telephoto end of the telephoto zoom mode.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a digital camera according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the digital camera 1
Reference numeral 0 is a box shape, and is provided with a release button 16, a zoom button 18, a strobe 20, and the like. A first taking lens 12 and a second taking lens 14 are provided on the front surface of the digital camera 10, and a first CCD 30 and a second C which will be described later are provided.
Connect the images on the CD32.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the digital camera 1
An LCD monitor 22 for the finder is provided on the back side of the LCD. Further, an optical finder 24 is separately provided. Switches such as a power switch 26 and a mode switching button 28 are also provided, and information such as mode switching and zooming is displayed on the LCD monitor 20.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the internal structure of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

The light passing through the first taking lens 12 is the first CC
The light imaged on D30 and passed through the second taking lens 14 is imaged on the second CCD 32, and the optical data is converted into electrical image data. This image data is stored in the image processing unit 34,
It is sent to 35 for image processing. The image data processed by the image processing units 34 and 35 is sent to the image complementing unit 38 in the control unit 36 and is combined into one image.

As for the discontinuous portion in the angle of view of the image obtained by the two taking lenses and the two CCDs, the two images at the both ends of the discontinuous portion are combined by the image complementing portion 38 in the control portion 36 to form one image. Complement as one image. Alternatively, if it is desirable to trim and use the image on the wide-angle side end of the discontinuous portion rather than combining the two images due to the number of pixels, trim the image on the wide-angle side end of the discontinuous portion using the electronic zoom to display the image. Adjust the corners and fill in the discontinuities.

FIG. 3 shows an image synthesizing method performed by the image complementing unit 38.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the image of the first CCD 30 having a high pixel density is displayed in the center of the image, and the peripheral portion is complemented by using the image of the second CCD 32 having a low pixel density. In order to make the boundary between the image of the first CCD 30 and the image of the second CCD 32 inconspicuous, as shown in FIG.
A process for smoothly joining the image of the second CCD 32 is performed in the peripheral portion of the image of the CCD 30. For example, the first CC
When there is a difference in brightness between the image of D30 and the image of the second CCD 32, the vertical axis Y in FIG.
The brightness y is gradually changed from the image outer edge portion a2 of the CD 30 to the inner portion a3 provided at a certain distance to make the joints inconspicuous. Specifically, the second CCD 32 in a2
From the y value (ya2) of the first CCD30 in a3
Up to the y numerical value (ya3) of FIG.
(B) The numerical value y may be changed so that y1: y2 in the above is always x1: x2. Naturally, similar processing is performed for numerical values other than luminance.

FIG. 4 shows a first CCD 30 and a second CCD 32.
The images obtained in 1) are shown for each combination of the taking lens and the CCD.

Here, the first CCD 30 having a small size and a high pixel density and the second CC 30 having a large size and a low pixel density are used.
The diagonal length ratio of D32 is 1: 3, the zoom ratio of the first taking lens 12 is n to 4n (mm), and the focal length of the second taking lens 14 is 2n (mm).

In the telephoto zoom mode, the angle of view obtained by the combination of the first taking lens 12 and the first CCD 30 is 35.
It corresponds to a telephoto 96 mm to 288 mm lens equivalent to a millimeter camera, and a field angle obtained by combining the second taking lens 14 and the second CCD 32 is equivalent to a standard 48 mm lens equivalent to a 35 mm camera. In the wide-angle zoom mode, the first taking lens 12 and the second CCD 32. The angle of view obtained by combining
m-72 mm lens equivalent, second taking lens 14 and first C
The angle of view obtained with the combination of CD30 is the same as telephoto 192m
m equivalent.

First, in the telephoto zoom mode, the first taking lens 12 and the first CCD 3 having a small size and a high pixel density are used.
The image information is obtained by a combination of 0, the second taking lens 14 and the second CCD 32 having a large size and a low pixel density. The obtained image information is equivalent to a 96 mm to 288 mm lens in the first taking lens 12 / first CCD 30, and the second taking lens 14
/ Since the second CCD 32 is equivalent to a 48 mm lens, the portion between 96 mm and 48 mm, which is the discontinuous portion of the angle of view, is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), the first CCD 3 with high image quality is displayed in the center of the screen.
0mm 96mm lens equivalent image is placed and the periphery is the 2nd CCD
By combining images with 32 48 mm lens equivalent images by image complement, it is possible to change from the standard 48 mm lens equivalent to the telephoto 9
Images can be obtained seamlessly up to a screen equivalent to a 6 mm lens.

As a result, it is possible to perform image complementation from 48 mm to 96 mm and continuous optical zoom from 96 mm to 288 mm without interruption.

Next, in the wide-angle zoom mode, the second taking lens 14 and the first CCD 3 having a small size and a high pixel density are used.
Image information is obtained by a combination of 0, the first taking lens 12 and the second CCD 32 having a large size and a low pixel density. The obtained image information is equivalent to a 192 mm lens in the second taking lens 14 / first CCD 30, first taking lens 12 / second CC
Since D32 corresponds to a lens of 24 mm to 72 mm, the distance between 72 mm and 192 mm, which is a discontinuous portion of the angle of view, is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the first CCD 3 with high image quality is displayed at the center of the screen.
Place an image equivalent to a 192 mm lens of 0, and the periphery is the second CC
By combining the images corresponding to the 24 mm lens of D32 by image complement, it is possible to obtain an image seamlessly from the screen corresponding to the wide-angle 24 mm lens to the screen corresponding to the telephoto 192 mm lens.

As a result, the optical zoom can be performed from 24 mm to 72 mm, and the image can be continuously zoomed from 72 mm to 196 mm without interruption by image complementation.

Next, the mode switching will be specifically described.

When the digital camera 10 is set to the telephoto zoom mode, the light incident from the first taking lens 12 is guided to the first CCD 30 as shown in FIG. Are guided to the second CCD 32. As a result, the first taking lens 1 which is a zoom lens
2. Place the image of the telephoto area obtained by the first CCD 30 having a small size in the center of the screen, and arrange the image of the standard area obtained by the second taking lens 14 which is a single focus lens and the second CCD 32 having a large size in the periphery. Then, the image is complemented from the standard to the quasi-telephoto, and the optical zoom is applied from the quasi-telephoto to the telephoto, and continuous zooming is possible. In this case, a wide range of the telephoto area can be covered by the optical zoom without deterioration of image quality, which is suitable for sports photographs and news photographs.

When the photographer switches to the wide-angle zoom mode with the mode switching button 28, four movable mirrors 42 are inserted in the optical path as shown in FIG.
The light incident from 2 is reflected by the movable mirror 42 and the fixed mirror 44 and guided to the second CCD 32, and the second taking lens 14
The light incident from the first CCD is reflected by the movable mirror 42.
Guided to 30. As a result, the second single-focus lens
The image of the telephoto area obtained by the taking lens 14 and the first CCD 30 having a small size is placed at the center of the screen, and the first taking lens 12 as a zoom lens and the second CCD having a large size are arranged.
By arranging the image in the wide-angle region obtained at 32 around, the wide-angle to standard can be covered by optical zoom, and the standard to telephoto can be covered by image complement, and continuous zooming can be performed. In this case, since the wide-angle region can be widely covered by the optical zoom without deterioration of image quality, it is suitable for landscape photography and snapshot photography.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of a digital camera according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6A, the digital camera 10 has a shape in which two boxes are connected, and the two boxes are rotatably connected by a rotary shaft 46 located at the center of the joint surface.

A box on the front side of the photographer, that is, a CCD
A power switch 26, a zoom button 18, and a release button 16 are provided in the portion 48, and the first CCD 30 is provided on the joint surface.
And a second CCD 32 are provided. The lens unit 50, which is rotatably supported on the CCD unit 48 by the rotary shaft 46, has
It can be freely rotated 360 degrees around the
The taking lens 12 and the second taking lens 14 are housed. The light passing through the first and second photographing lenses is the first light, respectively.
The first CC of the CCD unit 48 passes through the window 52 and the second window 54.
An image is formed on D30 and the second CCD 32. Information is exchanged between the CCD unit 48 and the lens unit 50, power supply for AF, and the like are performed through the electric contacts 56.

When the photographer switches modes, the CCD unit 48 and the lens unit 50 are held 180 degrees about the rotary shaft 46.
Rotate it once. As a result, the first taking lens 12 and the second taking lens 14 of the lens unit 50, and the first CCD 3 of the CCD unit
The combination of 0 and the second CCD 32 is reversed. Since the optical axes of the taking lens and the CCD are symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 46, the optical axes do not change even if the CCD section 48 and the lens section 50 are rotated 180 degrees. Since the electric contact 56 is also symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis, it does not hinder the transmission of information and electric power.
In addition, the lock mechanism 58 prevents the camera from rotating carelessly during shooting.
Needless to say, to provide.

Further, the lens portion may be painted in two-tone colors or the shape may be asymmetric so that the current lens / CCD combination can be seen at a glance of either the telephoto zoom or the wide-angle zoom.

FIG. 7 shows the external appearance of the digital camera according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the digital camera 10 has a shape in which two boxes are connected in the same manner as in the second embodiment, but in the third embodiment, there is no rotation axis, and the joint surface on the side of the CCD unit 48. U
The support portion 60 has a V shape, and the locking portion 62 that forms the joint surface on the lens portion 50 side is fitted and fixed from above.

At the time of mode switching, the lens unit 50 is once removed, rotated 180 degrees about the lens optical axis direction, and then fitted into the CCD unit 48. As a result, the combination of the photographing lens / CCD is changed, and the photographing mode can be changed.

At this time, it is necessary to provide the lock mechanism 64 to prevent the CCD unit 48 and the lens unit 50 from being unintentionally disconnected.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the optical system according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the light incident from one opening is split into two by the half prism 66, and one of them is reflected by the mirror 68, and the first taking lens 12 and the second taking lens 14 respectively. After leading to the 1st and 2nd CC
Image on D. After this, as shown in FIG. 8B, the combination of the taking lens and the CCD is switched by a method based on any of the first to third embodiments.

At this time, since the first taking lens 12 and the second taking lens 14 are optically coaxially arranged, even if the distance to the subject becomes short, two lenses are provided between the images from the two CCDs. There is an advantage that parallax (parallax) due to the position shift of does not occur.

A half mirror may be used instead of the half prism 66, and the difference in brightness between the two taking lenses is corrected by adjusting the reflection / transmission ratio of the half prism / half mirror. You may do it.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the angle of view and the CCD of the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment.

When the second taking lens 14 is a zoom lens in the digital cameras of the first to fourth forms, FIG.
As shown in, the telephoto end T1 of the image obtained by the first CCD 30 and the wide-angle end W2 of the image obtained by the second CCD 32.
There may be a discontinuity of the angle of view between.

At this time, the discontinuous portion of T1 to W2 is complemented by the image complementing section 38, and continuous zooming from W1 to T2 is possible without interruption. If the two lenses are both zoom lenses, a wide area can be covered with two lenses having a relatively small zoom ratio, and as a result, the size reduction of the main body of the digital camera 10 and the expansion of the zoom area can both be achieved. be able to.

[0047]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure, it is possible to realize continuous high-power zoom without interruption without increasing the size of the apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of screen composition of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of screen composition of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an internal structure diagram of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a digital camera according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an internal structural diagram of a digital camera according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view angle and C of the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment.
It is a relationship diagram of CD.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 digital camera 12 First photography lens 14 Second photography lens 16 Release button 18 Zoom button 26 Power switch 30 First CCD 32 Second CCD 42 Movable mirror 44 fixed mirror 46 rotation axis 48 CCD section 50 lens part 52 First window 54 second window 56 electrical contacts 60 Support 62 Locking part 66 half prism

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 F term (reference) 2H054 AA01 BB02 BB05 BB07 2H101 DD16 EE08 5C022 AA13 AB36 AB66 AC42 AC54 AC69

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first image pickup device, a second image pickup device which is larger in size and has a lower pixel density than the first image pickup device, a first taking lens which is a zoom lens, and a single focus lens. No. 2 photographing lens and light passing through the first photographing lens to the first image pickup device or the second image pickup device, or light passing through the second photographing lens is the first image pickup device Or the second
Optical path switching means for guiding to the image pickup device, and image complementing means for operating the optical path switch means and selectively using image information obtained from the first image pickup element and the second image pickup element according to the required image quality. The focal length of the second taking lens is within the focal length range of the first zoom lens, and the focal lengths of the short focal length side end and the long focal length side end of the first zoom lens are equal to the second focal length. A digital camera characterized in that a ratio with a focal length of a lens is smaller than a diagonal length ratio of the first image sensor and the second image sensor. 2. The first photographing lens and the second photographing lens are both zoom lenses, and the focal length range of the second photographing lens is within the focal length range of the first photographing lens. And the focal length ratio between the short focus side end of the first taking lens and the long focus side end of the second taking lens is the first
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the diagonal lengths of the image pickup device and the second image pickup device is smaller than the diagonal length ratio. 3. An optical path switching unit and a zoom operation unit are integrated into one unit, and captured images obtained by the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device are combined and continuously changed seamlessly. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.