JP2004239989A - Wide visibility angleimage photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that an image having the wide angle of visibility and high resolution is not obtained simultaneously from the same view point position in the conventional manner. <P>SOLUTION: The image photographing device is constituted of: a plurality of mirrors installed to obtain the wide field image; a plurality of photographing devices for photographing images reflected on the respective mirrors; and a plurality of photographic image acquiring devices respectively connected to the plurality of photographing devices and capable of fetching photographic data. The plurality of mirrors are installed to be arrayed in a horizontal direction so as to obtain a horizontal viewing angle, and installed to be arrayed in a vertical direction so as to obtain a vertical viewing angle. The plurality of photographing devices for photographing the images reflected on the plurality of installed mirrors are installed at positions where the positions of the view points are the same in all the photographing devices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wide-viewing-angle image capturing device that obtains an image with a wide viewing angle using a plurality of capturing devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a wide-viewing angle image capturing apparatus that obtains an image over a wide range using a mirror in order to obtain an image satisfying a single viewpoint restriction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of systems for displaying high-resolution video and the spread of VR content capable of moving the viewpoint, demand for high-resolution and wide-viewing-angle content is increasing. When creating data with CG in creating high-resolution / wide-viewing-angle content, it is easy to create high-resolution images because the output image size can be set freely, and images with a wide viewing angle can be created at once. It is also possible to get. Further, since it is possible to set the viewpoint position without worrying about the physical size of the imaging device, it is also possible to obtain an image that satisfies the single viewpoint restriction of a plurality of imaging devices.
[0003]
However, in photographing a real image, there is a limit to the resolution and angle of view of the image obtained due to physical restrictions imposed by the photographing device. Although it is possible to obtain a high-resolution image at one time, an extremely expensive imaging device is required, and film scanning for digitizing the captured data is not easy in terms of cost and time. As a method of obtaining a wide viewing angle image, there is a method of photographing a wide viewing angle at a time using a fisheye lens, and a method of photographing all directions at once using a single photographing device using a convex mirror. However, shooting with one camera has a limit in resolution, and is not suitable as a high-resolution content image.
[0004]
Therefore, as a method of obtaining a high-resolution image of a real photograph using a general photographing apparatus, there is a method of joining images photographed by a plurality of cameras. However, due to the physical size of the photographing device, it is impossible to simultaneously photograph a plurality of photographing devices from the same viewpoint position.
[0005]
The following devices can be used as devices for capturing images with high resolution and a wide viewing angle using a plurality of images.
[0006]
Patent Document 1, “Peripheral camera system, method of generating peripheral image based on image captured by peripheral camera, connection processing apparatus and method of image captured by adjacent camera, and distance measuring apparatus and method using adjacent image capturing apparatus Describes a device that obtains a 360 ° image in both the vertical and horizontal directions by mounting an image capturing device on each constituent surface of a polyhedron such as a regular dodecahedron, and the connection of each captured image is also described. It describes how to do it. However, since the viewpoint positions of the respective photographing apparatuses do not coincide with each other, there is a portion in which consistency is not obtained particularly in objects having different depths in image connection.
[0007]
In addition, there is a method of obtaining information of a wide field of view by sequentially photographing while rotating around a viewpoint position using one photographing device, but there is no problem in creating a still image, but creating a moving image is not a problem. Can not.
[0008]
Therefore, in capturing a wide viewing angle image using a plurality of image capturing devices, there is a method of capturing an image reflected on a mirror so as to match the viewpoint positions in a pseudo manner in order to match the viewpoint positions. .
[0009]
In the “stereoscopic real-life image shooting and presentation system” of Patent Literature 2, two sets of a plurality of cameras, each having a side surface of a quadrangular pyramid as a mirror and photographing each surface of the mirror surface, are prepared. Describes a method of generating an omnidirectional stereoscopic image by photographing with a parallax. This method satisfies the single viewpoint constraint for matching all viewpoint positions in omnidirectional image capturing, but widens only the horizontal viewing angle, and does not provide much about the vertical viewing angle.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-204015 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-27494
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, among the conventional wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatuses, there has been no capturing apparatus capable of acquiring a high-resolution image and obtaining an image having a sufficient visual field in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that captures a high-resolution image with a wide viewing angle in both horizontal and vertical directions from the same viewpoint position. .
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the present invention employs an apparatus having the following configuration.
A plurality of mirrors installed adjacent to each other to obtain a wide-field image, a plurality of photographing devices for photographing images reflected on each mirror, and a plurality of photographing devices connected to the plurality of photographing devices and capable of capturing photographing data In the wide viewing angle image capturing device configured by the captured image obtaining device, the plurality of mirrors of the installation are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction to obtain a horizontal angle of view, and are vertically arranged to obtain a vertical angle of view. A plurality of imaging devices that are arranged side by side and capture images reflected by a plurality of mirrors of the installation are installed in such a position that the viewpoint positions are the same in all the imaging devices, so that they are wide in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Provided is a wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatus, which captures a high-resolution image with a viewing angle from the same viewpoint position.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the apparatus according to the present embodiment. The configuration of 3 × 2 will be described as an example.
[0016]
This apparatus is provided with a plurality of mirrors (10-a, 10-c, 10-e) for obtaining a horizontal viewing angle, and a plurality of mirrors (10-b, 10-b, 10-e) for obtaining a vertical viewing angle. 10-d, 10-f) are installed.
[0017]
In order to photograph the images reflected on the respective mirrors (10-a, 10-b, 10-c, 10-d, 10-e, 10-f), the photographing devices (11-a, 11-b, 11) -C, 11-d, 11-e, and 11-f) are installed at positions where the imaging device itself is not reflected in the mirror, and one imaging device captures an image reflected on one mirror. For example, what is photographed by the photographing device (11-a) is only the image reflected on the mirror (10-a). Further, in all photographing apparatuses, when photographing an image reflected on a mirror, the photographing apparatus is installed at a position where the photographing area of the entire mirror can be covered.
[0018]
The photographing device (11-a, 11-b, 11-c, 11-d, 11-e, 11-f) is a photographed image acquiring device (12-a, 12-b, 12-c, 12-d, 12-e, 12-f), respectively, for controlling the photographing device and taking in the photographed image.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a side view of a photographing range of one photographing device in the apparatus of the present invention.
[0020]
When an image reflected on the mirror (10-a) is photographed from the viewpoint position (21) of the photographing device (11-a), the incident angle and the reflection angle of the light on the mirror (10-a) are determined as properties of light. Since they are equal, the image taken from the viewpoint position (21) shows the region (30). In other words, it is possible to obtain exactly the same image as when shooting at the same angle of view from the virtual viewpoint position (20). At this time, a line extending from the mirror (10-a) bisects a line connecting the virtual viewpoint position (20) and the viewpoint position (21) of the imaging device (11-a).
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus of the present invention when the angle of the mirror is changed in the photographing range of one photographing apparatus.
When the angle of the mirror (10-a) is changed as an installation positional relationship between the mirror (10-a) and the imaging device (11-a) for obtaining an image of the same area (30) as the imaging area in FIG. With the change in the angle of 10-a), the installation position of the imaging device (11-a) also changes.
In the case of the installation as shown in FIG. 3, the angle between the mirror (10-a) and the photographing device (11-a) is larger than that in FIG. 2, and the distortion of the photographed image is larger. For this reason, in photographing an image reflected on the mirror (10-a), it is preferable that the photographing device (11-a) be installed so as to be in front of the mirror (10-a) as much as possible.
However, if the photographing device (11-a) comes directly in front of the mirror (10-a), the photographing device (11-a) itself is reflected on the mirror (10-a). It is good to install at a position and an angle just before a) is not reflected on the mirror (10-a).
[0022]
Furthermore, since the viewpoint position of the photographing device (11-a) varies depending on the structure of the photographing device and the position is often not clear, the photographing device (11-a) is installed so that the viewpoint position can be adjusted. The installation position may be determined in consideration of the fine adjustment of the position and the movement width.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a side view of the arrangement of a mirror and an imaging device for obtaining a vertical viewing angle in the apparatus of the present invention. A description will be given using two sets of mirrors and a photographing device.
[0024]
A device obtained by vertically reversing the entire device shown in FIG. 2 with reference to a line connecting the virtual viewpoint position (20) and the mirror (10-a) in the device shown in FIG. 2 is added. Assuming that the mirror of the inverted device is (10-b) and the imaging device is (11-b), the virtual viewpoint positions of the imaging device (11-a) and the imaging device (11-b) are the positions of (20). Matches. In addition, it is possible to capture a continuous image without loss of video information at a connection portion between video regions captured by the upper imaging device (11-b) and the lower imaging device (11-a).
[0025]
For this reason, when shooting is performed with this configuration, it is possible to shoot the shooting regions (30) of the two shooting devices at once from the virtual viewpoint position (20), and a wide field of view and high resolution can be obtained in the vertical direction. Image can be obtained.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a side view of the installation of a mirror and a photographing device for further increasing the vertical viewing angle. A description will be given using four sets of mirrors and a photographing device.
[0027]
In addition to the configuration of FIG. 4, one set (10-a ′) and (11-a ′) is added below the mirror and the photographing device, and one set (10-b ′) and (11-b ′) is added above. All the imaging devices (11-a, 11-a ', 11-b, 11-b') are reflected on any of the mirrors (11-a, 11-a ', 11-b, 11-b'). Adjust the angle of the mirror and the installation position of the photographing device so that it does not occur. Both mirrors are installed so as to be completely in contact with each other at the connection portion, and the installation of the imaging device is adjusted in consideration of the physical size.
[0028]
In the configuration of FIG. 5, since the virtual viewpoint position (20) in all the photographing devices (11-a, 11-a ', 11-b, 11-b') coincides with one point, the virtual viewpoint position (20) It is possible to photograph the photographing areas (30) of the four photographing apparatuses at a time, and it is possible to obtain images with a wider field of view and higher resolution in the vertical direction.
[0029]
FIG. 6 is a top view of the arrangement of a mirror and an imaging device for obtaining a horizontal viewing angle in the wide-viewing-angle imaging device of the present invention. A description will be given using the lower three sets of mirrors and the photographing device of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing device shown in FIG.
[0030]
In order for the connecting portions of adjacent mirrors to be completely in contact with each other in both the vertical and horizontal directions, the shape of the mirror is desirably trapezoidal. In addition, if the shape of the mirror is set so as to be a side portion of an object obtained by cutting off a part of a pyramid in consideration of expansion so as to obtain an image of the entire circumference, design is easy. At this time, the angle formed by the right end of the mirror, the center of the pyramid, and the left end of the mirror is smaller than the horizontal angle of view of the imaging device so that the imaging device can image the entire mirror.
[0031]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which three adjacent sides of the 12-pyramid are mirrors (10-a, 10-c, 10-e). At this time, it is assumed that the outer regular dodecagon is above the inner regular dodecagon.
[0032]
Since the imaging devices (11-a, 11-c, 11-e) are installed below the mirrors (10-a, 10-c, 10-e), they can be installed at any position in the horizontal direction. There is no reflection on the mirrors (10-a, 10-c, 10-e). For this reason, the photographing devices are respectively installed so as to be in front of each mirror. The position of the photographing device is adjusted so that the photographing device can photograph the entire mirror.
[0033]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus of the present invention when all photographing apparatuses simultaneously photograph.
[0034]
The timing control device (13) is connected to the photographed image acquisition devices (12-a, 12-b, 12-c, 12-d, 12-e, 12-f), and all the photographing devices are transmitted through the photographed image acquisition devices. Is performed collectively. For example, an instruction for the start of shooting, an instruction for a shooting time, or an end for shooting is issued. Further, by performing the synchronization control, images at exactly the same timing are acquired in all the photographing apparatuses. Accordingly, it is possible to capture an image of a region where a moving object exists.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus that captures a high-resolution image with a wide viewing angle in both the horizontal and vertical directions from the same viewpoint position.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a device configuration diagram of a wide-viewing-angle image capturing device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a part of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a part of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a part of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a side view when the wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatus of the first embodiment is extended.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a part of the wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a device configuration diagram of a wide-viewing-angle image capturing device according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 mirror, 11 photographing device, 12 photographed image acquiring device, 13 timing control device, 20 virtual viewpoint position, 31 viewpoint position of photographing device, 30 ..Shooting range

Claims (5)

Multiple mirrors installed to obtain images with a wide field of view, multiple imaging devices that capture images reflected on each mirror, and multiple captured images that are connected to the multiple imaging devices and can capture captured data In a wide viewing angle image capturing device configured by an acquisition device,
The plurality of mirrors of the installation are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction to obtain a horizontal angle of view, and are arranged side by side in a vertical direction to obtain a vertical angle of view,
The wide-viewing-angle image photographing apparatus, wherein the plurality of photographing apparatuses for photographing images reflected on the plurality of mirrors are installed at positions where the viewpoint positions are the same among all the photographing apparatuses. The wide-viewing angle image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is a plane mirror, and adjacent mirrors are completely in contact on one side. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, which photographs an image reflected on one mirror per one photographing apparatus, and is installed at a position where image information of an adjacent portion of an image obtained from an adjacent photographing apparatus is not lost. A wide viewing angle image capturing device characterized by the following. 4. The wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an omnidirectional image is captured by arranging horizontal mirrors 360 ° in a cylindrical shape. 4. The wide-viewing-angle image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing control is connected to a plurality of captured image acquiring apparatuses, and performs a timing control of a capturing operation for simultaneously starting and ending capturing of an image with a wide viewing angle. A wide-viewing-angle image capturing device comprising the device.

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