JP2006093860A - Camera mounted with twin lens image pick-up system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera mounted with a twin lens image pickup system which can perform photographing in a state where magnification factors differ from each other, while performing AF processing at a high speed, even if two image pickup systems have different magnification factors. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic camera has a zoom lens 2 and a sub-lens 3 having a signal focus and a fixed focus. A correlation computation unit in a system controller 30 performs correlation computation on the basis of the image of a first CCD 15 acquired via the zoom lens 2 and the image of a second CCD acquired via the sub-lens 3. Prior to this correlation computation, if the magnification factor of the zoom lens 2 differs from that of the sub-lens 3, a relative magnification factor correction unit in the system controller 30 performs computation for correcting the relative correction magnification factor. The image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 are recorded in one file as a combination photograph. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that is applied to imaging of a stereo image, and more particularly to a camera that is equipped with a binocular imaging system and that can perform different imaging operations in each imaging system.

  The interchangeable lens AF (autofocus) used in single-lens reflex cameras requires high-speed performance and compatibility with various lenses. Therefore, the pupil-divided image correlation processing type using a line sensor dedicated to AF is required. Generally used.

  On the other hand, there are a variety of proposals for a method of photographing and recording an image including stereoscopic information and reproducing and observing the image. Among them, the so-called binocular stereo system that records two images with parallax corresponding to the viewpoints of the left and right eyes and presents them to the left and right eyes is the simplest and cheapest configuration. Since it is large, it has been used from the old days to today.

A stereoscopic image capturing apparatus that includes a liquid crystal shutter, a pupil division optical system, and a mirror and adjusts convergence by performing a correlation calculation of left and right parallax images is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-92770 A

  By the way, in AF that does not use an AF-dedicated sensor and that also serves as an image sensor, it is necessary to use AF that is generally referred to as a hill-climbing method, and therefore has insufficient points such as a low focusing speed. It was.

  In addition, as in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, if a camera is mounted with a binocular imaging system having a parallax so that stereoscopic shooting can be performed, distance measurement is performed by image correlation calculation using the camera. It was possible to do. More specifically, distance measurement by image correlation calculation is performed by comparing outputs from both imaging systems using two identical left and right imaging systems (an optical system and an imaging element).

  In this regard, in the case of a stereoscopic camera having the above-described two-lens imaging system, since the left and right imaging systems are usually the same (the same magnification is also used when scaling), application of image correlation calculation is applied. However, if the magnification is different between the left and right imaging systems even if they have a two-lens imaging system, the image correlation calculation cannot be applied and AF processing is performed because the imaging systems are not the same. Had the problem of not being able to.

  Prior to that, in the binocular imaging system, there has been a problem that the problem of intentionally taking pictures with intentionally different magnifications of the two imaging systems has been overlooked.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a two-lens imaging system, it is possible to intentionally perform imaging while differentiating the magnifications of the two imaging systems, and the two imaging systems have different magnifications. Even so, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system capable of performing AF processing accurately and at high speed.

  That is, the invention described in claim 1 is an electronic camera that has at least a two-lens imaging system and performs distance measurement by a correlation calculation of at least two images obtained by the at least two-lens imaging system. A shooting instruction means for instructing shooting using a two-lens imaging system, and a stillness of the one angle of view obtained in a different state of the shooting angle of view of the two-lens imaging system according to the instruction of the shooting instruction means Recording means for recording both an image and a still image of the other angle of view.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the at least two-lens imaging systems is an imaging system whose imaging magnification can be changed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the imaging system in which the photographing magnification can be changed includes a zoom lens.

  The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the at least two-lens imaging system includes an imaging system having at least a fixed focus.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the at least two-lens imaging system includes at least a single-focus imaging system.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the recording means simultaneously records the still image with the one angle of view and the still image with the other angle of view in accordance with an instruction from the photographing instruction means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the recording means records the still image of the one angle of view after recording the still image of the one angle of view in accordance with an instruction of the photographing instruction means. A still image is recorded.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the recording means records the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view as a set of image files. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the recording means records the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view as separate image files. It is characterized by.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, the recording means stores information related to the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view in the same file. It is characterized by recording.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the recording means stores information related to the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view in the same file. It is characterized by recording.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image display unit further includes an image display unit that displays the image having the one field angle and the image having the other field angle.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a changeover switch for switching an image displayed on the image display unit.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the image display unit operates the image of the one angle of view, the image of the other angle of view, every time the changeover switch is operated, It is characterized in that the image is switched to the image of the one angle of view and the image of the other angle of view.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the image display unit operates to change the image of the one angle of view and the image of the other angle of view each time the changeover switch is operated. It is characterized by switching and displaying.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging field angle of the at least two-lens imaging system is different, the other angle of view for one of the two-lens imaging system is the other. Correlation between a relative magnification correction unit that performs relative magnification correction to equalize the angle of view, an image of one angle of view of the binocular imaging system, and an image of the other angle of view corrected by the relative magnification correction unit And a correlation calculation unit that performs distance measurement by calculation.

  According to the present invention, the two imaging systems can intentionally capture both images in a different magnification state (and can perform AF processing accurately and at high speed if necessary). ) A camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system can be provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the two imaging systems can intentionally take both images as a combined photograph with different magnifications.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even an imaging system in which the imaging magnification can be changed can be applied.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, even a zoom lens whose photographing magnification can be continuously changed can be applied.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention can also be applied to a fixed focus imaging system.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to apply a single-focus imaging system.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since two images are recorded simultaneously, the correspondence relationship is easy to understand.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the captured images are sequentially recorded, the order of capturing is easy to understand.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the captured images are represented as a set of photographs, the correspondence relationship becomes clear.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to handle an image captured by each of the two-lens imaging systems in the same manner as an image captured by two cameras.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since information related to the captured image is recorded together with the captured image, the details of the captured image are easily understood.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, information related to the image is recorded together with the photographed image, so that details of the photographed image can be easily understood.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to confirm at a glance the image captured by the two-lens imaging system.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to display a desired image.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a desired image can be displayed by operating the changeover switch.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a desired image can be displayed by operating the changeover switch.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, accurate and high-speed AF shooting can be performed.

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

(First embodiment)
1A and 1B show an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from the front side, and FIG. 1B is a view seen from the back side.

  This electronic camera has two lens barrels on the front surface of the camera body 1 at positions separated by a degree of parallax. Of these two lens barrels, the zoom lens 2 whose imaging magnification can be changed is a main lens, which captures the left image during stereo shooting, which will be described later, and here it is composed of a 3 times retractable lens. ing. The other sub-lens 3 is a single-focus, fixed-focus (pan-focus) lens, and is a lens that captures the right image during stereo imaging. In addition, the focal length of the sub lens 3 is set to be the same as the wide end of the zoom lens 2. The zoom lens 2 and the sub lens 3 are arranged side by side with the same optical axis in the horizontal direction.

  A finder 5, a photometric window 6, and a strobe window 7 are also disposed on the front surface of the camera body 1.

  On the upper surface of the camera body 1, a release button 9 corresponding to a release switch, a zoom switch 10 for moving the zoom lens 2 to a tele (T) end or a wide (W) end, an operation display unit 11 and the like are provided. ing. The operation display unit 11 is a display unit for displaying the operation state and mode state of the camera.

  In addition, an eyepiece lens of the finder 5 and an LCD display unit 12 for displaying an image at the time of photographing are provided on the back surface of the camera body 1.

  Further, a first image sensor (first CCD) 15 and a second image sensor (second CCD) 16 for forming a subject image corresponding to the zoom lens 2 and the sub lens 3 are provided inside the camera body 1. , Each provided. The first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are, for example, an interline type having a vertical overflow drain structure, and a progressive (sequential) scanning type color imaging device is used. And although it is not an essential requirement for the present invention, as an excellent and preferred embodiment, two identical elements (first and second combined) are used here.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, a light beam from a subject (not shown) that has passed through the zoom lens 2 is imaged on the first CCD 15 and converted into an image signal. Similarly, a light beam from a subject (not shown) that has passed through the sub lens 3 is imaged on the second CCD 16 and converted into an image signal.

The zoom lens 2 can be zoomed by moving the zoom ball in the optical axis direction by the zoom lens driver 18 within the range of the magnification. The first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are driven by a first CCD driver 19 and a second CCD driver 20, respectively. (These drivers may be used together.)
The image signals converted by the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 23 and the A / D converter 24 via the first CDS / AGC circuit 21 and the second CGS / AGC circuit 22, respectively. . The converted digital signal is output to a digital process circuit 25 for performing color signal generation processing, matrix conversion processing, and other various digital processing. In the digital process circuit 25, color image data is generated by processing the digitized image signal.

  In addition, the LCD 12 is connected to the digital process circuit 25, and a memory card 28 such as a CF (Compact Flash Memory Card) or smart media is connected via a card interface (IF) 27. The LCD display unit 12 displays color image data, and the memory card 28 stores color image data.

  The zoom lens driver 18, the first CCD driver 19, the first CCD driver 20, the CDS / AGC circuits 21 and 22, the A / D converters 23 and 24, and the digital process circuit 25 are sent to a CPU (system controller) 30. It is connected. The system controller 30 is for comprehensively controlling each part in the electronic camera.

  The system controller 30 further includes an exposure control driver 34 connected to the strobe 33, a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 35, a stereo changeover switch (SW) 36, an operation switch unit 38, and an operation display unit 11. , Is connected.

  The system controller 30 controls the driving of the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 by the first CCD driver 19 and the second CCD driver 20 to perform exposure (charge accumulation) and signal readout. Then, it is taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuits 21 and 22 and the A / D converters 23 and 24. Further, after various signal processing is performed by the digital process circuit 25, it is recorded on the memory card 28 via the card interface 27.

  In addition, the system controller 30 performs a correlation operation based on images captured by the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 in order to measure a distance to a subject (not shown), and the zoom lens 2 and the sub lens 3 with a magnification. And a relative magnification correction unit that performs a calculation of relative correction magnification correction in order to enable correlation calculation when the two are different.

  The EEPROM 35 is a memory for storing various setting information. The stereo changeover switch 36 is a changeover switch for switching modes when performing stereo shooting. Further, the operation switch unit 38 includes various switches such as the release switch and the shooting mode setting described above.

  The strobe 33 emits a flash to a subject (not shown), and is controlled by the system controller 30 via the exposure control driver 34.

  Next, the photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This operation is controlled by the system controller 30.

  When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, first, the zoom switch 10 is operated in step S1, and the zoom lens 2 is moved from the retracted state to a position desired by the photographer. The steps S1 and S2 are repeated until the zoom lens 2 is moved until it is determined in step S2 that the desired position has been reached.

  Next, in step S3, the state of the release switch (release button 9) in the operation switch (SW) 38 is detected. If the release switch is turned on, the process proceeds to the subsequent step S4, and the subroutine “AF process” is executed. Note that exposure control (exposure adjustment) necessary for acquiring image information by the imaging system is performed prior to AF processing, but illustration in the flowchart is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “AF processing”.

  When the subroutine “AF process” is entered, zoom magnification information currently set for the zoom lens 2 is obtained in step S11. Next, in step S12, the magnification of the image on the sub lens 3 side is corrected so as to be equal to the zoom magnification obtained in step S11. This magnification correction process is performed by a process known as electronic zoom. This electronic zoom process sets the required virtual pixel coordinates in a predetermined area of the pixel, applies the pixel information of the original image corresponding to this, and interpolates the part where the original pixel does not exist By obtaining, the image is electronically enlarged or reduced (the number of pixels constituting the image is increased or decreased).

  Thereby, the magnification of the zoom lens 2 and the magnification of the sub lens 3 by the electronic zoom process are made equal. The magnification correction may be adjusted to either one, but here, the image on the zoom lens side is reduced to match the image on the sub lens side. That is, the image of the entire pixel area of the first CCD 15 is reduced by electronic zoom processing and corrected so as to be equal to the number of pixels of the “image of the partial imaging area of the second CCD 16 corresponding to this imaging field of view” that is the comparison target image. . This relative magnification correction process is performed by a relative magnification correction unit in the system controller 30.

  Next, in step S13, the image of the first CCD 15 obtained through the zoom lens 2 and the image of the second CCD obtained through the sub-lens 3 and subjected to the electronic zoom processing are used to perform one-dimensional image correlation. Calculation (pattern matching) is performed. Thereby, the relative shift amount between the left and right images is obtained.

  Here, an example of image shift calculation by the one-dimensional image correlation calculation in step S13 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an image after magnification correction by electronic zoom of the first CCD 15 and an image of a partial area of the second CCD 16 as the comparison target image. Here, an image of the image of the first CCD 15 (left, ie, L image) The description will be made assuming that the signal is S1 (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and the image signal of the second CCD 16 (right, ie, R image) is S2 (x ₂ , y ₂ ). In this case, S1 and S2 represent signal levels of pixels at respective coordinates where the horizontal direction is x and the vertical direction is y. A vector V representing the relative displacement between these two images is related by the following equation (1).
V = (X, Y) = (x ₂ , y ₂ ) − (x ₁ , y ₁ ) (1)
Then, with respect to one image of the photographic image frames (the left and right photographic image frames of the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16), in this case, the L image, a width 2x _W × 2y _W near the center (x _CL , y _CL ) A predetermined part area (x _CL −x _W ≦ x ₁ ≦ x _CL + x _W , y _CL −y _W ≦ y ₁ ≦ y _CL + y _W ) is provided as a pattern matching detection area, that is, a focus area.

On the other hand, in the R image, for each detection vector V = (x, y), which is assumed as a candidate for V = (X, Y) with respect to the detection area, a corresponding region having the same vertical and horizontal width ( x _CL + x−x _W ≦ x ₂ ≦ x _CL + x + x _W , y _CL + y−y _W ≦ y ₂ ≦ y _CL + y + y _W ) are provided as variable areas for comparison, and correlation evaluation of images of these two areas A value is calculated.

  The correlation evaluation values obtained each time the assumption of the deviation vector V = (x, y) is changed are compared. That is, the correlation evaluation value is regarded as a function having x and y as variables. Let V giving the minimum value of the correlation evaluation value be a deviation vector to be obtained. This correlation evaluation value is 0 in the case of an ideal perfect match.

  The above description is a general (two-dimensional) image correlation calculation. However, in the case of AF application as in the present embodiment, the positional deviation may be assumed only in the horizontal (x) direction. Can be V = (x, 0). That is, it can be a one-dimensional correlation calculation with only one variable. Therefore, for example, the following equation can be used as an example of the correlation evaluation value.

C (x) = Σ | S1 (i, j) −S2 (i + x, j) | (2)
However, sigma is i, is the sum symbols for j, the target area is _{x CL -x W ≦ i ≦ x} CL + x W, y CL -y W ≦ j ≦ y CL + y W. || is an absolute value symbol.

  In this way, the deviation vector V = (X, 0) is obtained as the minimum value of the correlation evaluation value C (x). The shift value X between the left and right images thus obtained by the image correlation calculation is referred to herein as an inter-image distance.

  This inter-image distance is proportional to the reciprocal of the object distance when the optical axes of the two imaging systems are ideally parallel (the proportionality constant depends on the focal length of the sub lens). If the distance is obtained, the subject distance can be calculated. However, because the optical axes are crossed by a finite distance in the design, or there is a manufacturing error, in order to calculate the subject distance correctly, including these, the system calibration data should be acquired in advance during factory adjustment. Used for every arithmetic operation. As the calibration data, for example, an inter-image distance X = d1 for a subject with a distance of 1 m and an inter-image distance X = d2 for a subject with a distance of 2 m are used. By storing these inter-image distances in the EEPROM 35, the subject distance L (m) when any inter-image distance X is detected can be obtained from the relationship of the following equation.

1 / L = (X + d1-2 · d2) / 2 (d1-d2) (3)
Since the above equation (3) itself takes the reciprocal form (1 / L) of the distance (L), the unit is an optical unit diopter having a dimension of the reciprocal of m (meter).

  In step S14, the subject distance is obtained in this way, and focusing driving (focusing) is performed by a known focusing control technique. Thereafter, the routine is exited.

  The correlation calculation process described above is performed by a correlation calculation unit in the system controller 30.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, after the AF process of step S4 is executed, an AE process for actual photographing is executed in step S5. Since the detailed operation of the AE process in step S5 is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, in step S6, a subroutine “imaging process” is executed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “imaging processing”.

  When the subroutine “imaging process” is entered, only the image formed on the first CCD 15 via the zoom lens 2 is acquired as a subject image in step S21. That is, the first CCD driver 19 is driven, and exposure (charge accumulation) and signal reading are performed by the first CCD 15. Then, the obtained image signal is taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuit 21 and the A / D converter 23.

  Further, after various signal processing is performed by the digital process circuit 25, an image is recorded on the memory card 28 via the card interface 27. As a result, when the image capturing is completed, the process exits from this routine and returns to the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the photographing operation of the electronic camera ends.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the relative magnification correction is performed to enable correlation calculation when the photographing magnifications of the two eyes are different, and the correlation between the images obtained by the two photographing lenses at the same magnification is performed. Since AF processing is performed by calculation, high-speed and high-performance AF operation can be performed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example in which shooting with a zoom lens is performed after AF by correlation calculation is performed has been described.

The second embodiment to be described below has two shooting modes, “normal mode” and “rapid shooting mode”, which can be switched. In the normal mode, it is the same as the first embodiment. This is an example in which shooting is performed using a single-focus, fixed-focus sub lens without performing the above.

  In general, an electronic camera takes a long time for a photographing operation, for example, immediately after a power switch is turned on, for example, initialization of a flag or register of a microcomputer or initialization of a drive mechanism. In many cases, resetting a lens having a mechanism, an AF mechanism, or the like, that is, securing an initial position requires a very significant time. For this reason, in the rapid shooting mode of the second embodiment, immediately after the power switch is turned on, shooting using the sub lens is performed. That is, the sub-lens 3 is a single focus lens and a fixed focus (pan focus) lens, and does not require zooming or focusing during imaging (other fixed lens that does not require any driving including lens reset operation). Therefore, shooting can be performed immediately.

  Since the configuration of the electronic camera in the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustration and description thereof will be made with reference to these drawings. Omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This operation is controlled by the system controller 30.

  When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, first, in step S31, the state of the release switch (release button 9) in the operation switch (SW) 38 is detected. Here, if the release switch is turned on, the AE process is executed in the subsequent step S32. At this time, AF processing is executed in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, since the sub lens 3 that is a pan focus lens is used for imaging, it is not necessary to perform focusing. Note that the detailed operation of the AE process in step S33 is well known, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, in step S34, a subroutine “imaging process” is executed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “imaging processing”.

  When the subroutine “imaging process” is entered, only the image formed on the second CCD 16 via the sub-lens 3 is acquired as a subject image in step S51. That is, the second CCD driver 20 is driven, and exposure (charge accumulation) and signal reading are performed by the second CCD 16. Then, the obtained image signal is taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuit 22 and the A / D converter 24.

  Further, after various signal processing is performed by the digital process circuit 25, an image is recorded on the memory card 28 via the card interface 27. As a result, when the image capturing is completed, the process exits from this routine and returns to the flowchart of FIG. 7 to complete the photographing operation of the electronic camera.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, at least immediately after the power switch is turned on, shooting is performed using a single-focus, fixed-focus sub lens, so that a higher-speed and higher-performance AF operation is performed. And a photographing operation can be performed.

  As a modification, the zoom lens 2 that is the main lens is reset in parallel with the power switch being turned on, and imaging is performed using the main lens after the reset is completed. Since AF processing cannot be omitted when the main lens is used, the time lag of each shooting cannot be shortened, but the period during which shooting cannot be performed immediately after the power switch is turned on is eliminated for emergency evacuation. And after that, original photographing using a zoom lens can be performed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, monocular imaging using one imaging lens is used at the time of shooting. However, the third embodiment uses a twin-lens imaging system to generate a stereo image. Shooting is possible.

  The configuration of the electronic camera in the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the illustration and Description is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This operation is controlled by the system controller 30.

  When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, first, in step S61, the state of the stereo changeover switch (SW) 36 is detected. Here, when the shooting is not performed using a stereo image, the process proceeds to step S67, and normal shooting processing is executed. On the other hand, if photographing of a stereo image is selected, the process proceeds to step S62, and the zoom lens 2 is moved to the wide end position.

  Next, in step S63, the state of the release switch (release button 9) in the operation switch 38 is detected. If the release switch is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step S64, and the subroutine “AF process” is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “AF processing”.

  The subroutine “AF process” in FIG. 10 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment described above, and steps S71 to S72 are the same as steps S13 to S14, respectively. The description here is omitted as a reference. Unlike the first embodiment, since the zoom lens 2 is set at the wide end at this stage, the processing in steps S11 and S12 is omitted to increase the speed. On the other hand, these steps are performed. This has the advantage that the processing can be made common.

  After the AF process in step S64 is executed, the AE process is executed in step S65. Since the detailed operation of the AE process in step S65 is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Furthermore, in step S66, a subroutine “imaging process” is executed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “imaging processing”.

  When the subroutine “imaging process” is entered, an image formed on the first CCD 15 via the zoom lens 2 positioned at the wide end is acquired as a subject image (left image L) in step S81. Next, in step S82, an image formed on the second CCD 16 via the sub lens 3 is acquired as a subject image (right image R).

  In subsequent step S83, the left image L and the right image R acquired in steps S81 and S82 are combined to obtain a stereo image. Since the creation of this stereo image is well known, the description is omitted here.

  In the present embodiment, for convenience, the left image L using the zoom lens 2 is acquired and then the right image R using the sub lens 3 is acquired. However, these exposure timings are the same. It is desirable that the image is exposed (electrically stored in the image pickup device) simultaneously on the left and right by turning on the release switch during stereo shooting.

  Finally, in step S84, data (metadata) regarding the stereo image is added, and then the image is recorded.

  That is, the left and right image signals obtained by exposure (charge accumulation) and signal readout by the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuit 22 and the A / D converter 24. It is. Then, after the stereo image is synthesized by the digital process circuit 25 and subjected to various signal processing, the image is recorded on the memory card 28 via the card interface 27. At that time, the information about the stereo image is also recorded on the memory card 28 as an image file with an added aspect.

  As a result, when the image capturing is completed, the process exits from this routine and returns to the flowchart of FIG. 9 to complete the photographing operation of the electronic camera.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, although the zoom lens is fixed to the wide end, it is possible to easily capture a stereo image by the two-lens imaging system only by switching the switch. Moreover, it is convenient because information relating to the shooting of a stereo image can be recorded together with the image in one file.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The fourth embodiment is an example when the zoom lens and the sub lens are photographed at different photographing magnifications.

  12A and 12B show a fourth embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention. FIG. 12A is a front view of the electronic camera, and FIG. 12B is a rear view of the electronic camera.

  Since the configuration of the electronic camera in the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference is made to the same part. A number is attached and the illustration and description are omitted.

  In FIG. 12, a zoom lens 2 and a sub-lens 3 are disposed on the front surface of the camera body 1 at a position separated by about a parallax. Above these lenses, there are provided finders 5a and 5b corresponding to the zoom lens 2 and the sub lens 3, a photometric window 6, and a strobe window 7, respectively.

  Furthermore, an eyepiece lens of the finder 5, an LCD display unit 12 for displaying an image at the time of shooting, and a finder changeover switch 41 are provided on the back surface of the camera body 1. The finder changeover switch 41 is a switch for switching the optical paths of the finders 5a and 5b. According to the changeover of the finder changeover switch 41, one of the finders 5a and 5b is selected, and the eyepiece of the finder 5 Visible with a lens.

  Next, the photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This operation is controlled by the system controller 30.

  When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, first, the zoom switch 10 is operated in step S91, and the zoom lens 2 is moved from the retracted state to a position desired by the photographer. At this time, the photographer can view the subject (not shown) through the finder 5a corresponding to the zoom lens 2 by operating the viewfinder changeover switch 41.

  Then, the steps S91 and S92 are repeated until the zoom lens 2 is moved until it is determined in step S92 that the zoom lens 2 has reached a desired position.

  Next, in step S93, the state of the release switch (release button 9) in the operation switch 38 is detected. If the release switch is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step S94, and the subroutine “AF process” is executed. Since this AF process is the same as step S4 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  After the AF process in step S94 is executed, the AE process is executed in step S95. Since the detailed operation of the AE process in step S95 is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, in step S96, a subroutine “imaging process” is executed.

  FIG. 14A is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this subroutine “imaging processing”.

  When the subroutine “imaging process” is entered, first, in step S111, a subject image is acquired for the image formed on the first CCD 15 via the zoom lens 2. Next, in step S112, a subject image is acquired for the image formed on the second CCD 16 via the sub lens 3. The image acquired in step S112 is an image that has not been subjected to electronic zoom processing.

  In step S113, the image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 acquired in steps S111 and S112 are recorded in one file as a set of images. For example, if the zoom lens 2 is shot with a shooting magnification different from that of the sub lens, photographs (images) with different shooting magnifications are recorded in one file.

  At this time, it is generally desirable that the exposure timings of these two images be the same, and it is assumed that the images are exposed (electrically accumulated in the image sensor) at the same time on the left and right sides when the release switch is turned on once. However, the exposure may be intentionally shifted at a predetermined timing, or the sequentially exposed images may be recorded by turning on the release switch twice. Have.

  Further, in step S114, the data related to the image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 acquired in steps S111 and S112 are recorded in the same file as related data (metadata) together with the image recorded in step S113. The

  That is, the left and right image signals obtained by exposure (charge accumulation) and signal readout by the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuit 22 and the A / D converter 24. It is. Then, after various signal processing is performed in the digital process circuit 25, it is recorded on the memory card 28 through the card interface 27 as a set of photographic images. Further, it is recorded in the memory card 28 as an image file in a form to which information relating to a set of photographic images is also added.

  As a result, when the image capturing is completed, the process exits from this routine and returns to the flowchart of FIG. 13 to complete the photographing operation of the electronic camera.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is convenient to use an imaging system having different photographing magnifications for two eyes and obtain images taken at the respective photographing magnifications as a set of photographic images. .

  An example of this is when, for example, you want to zoom in on a specific subject (person) and want to shoot the surrounding situation (overall picture) at that time (as a typical example, a goal scene at an athletic meet) This is useful for taking pictures of people in front of a distant view or a building. For example, simply zooming in on a specific main subject with a zoom lens, and an entire image using a sub lens is also captured at the same time. While either one of them could only be photographed selectively, they can be photographed very easily at the same time.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the optical paths of the finders 5a and 5b are switched by the finder switch 41, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  As a practical aspect that is extremely simple in structure and easy to understand, the image of the first CCD 15 corresponding to the zoom lens 2 is displayed as the EVF on the LCD display unit 12, and the optical finder is displayed on the second CCD 16 corresponding to the sub lens 3. It is only necessary to provide a corresponding one (corresponding to 5b described above). Various other modes can also be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the LCD display unit 12a and the image of the first CCD 15 that is an image using the zoom lens 2 and the image of the second CCD 16 that is an image using the sub lens 3 are used. Each image may be displayed on 12b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, an image of the first CCD 15 that is an image using the zoom lens 2 is displayed on the main screen (entire LCD display unit) 12c, and an image of the second CCD 16 that is an image using the sub lens 3 is displayed. The image may be displayed as a sub-screen (part of the LCD display unit) 12d.

  Alternatively, by providing the screen changeover switch 48 of the LCD display unit 12 in the operation switch 38 and operating this screen changeover switch 48, for example, the image of the first CCD 15 → the image of the second CCD 16 → the both images → the image of the first CCD 15. The display may be switched and displayed such as an image →... Of course, the main screen and the sub-screen may be switched and displayed by operating the screen changeover switch 48.

  Furthermore, the data of the combined photograph may be displayed on the LCD display unit together with the display image.

  In the fourth embodiment, the image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 are recorded as one set in one file. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 14B is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the subroutine “imaging processing” in step S96 in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the subroutine “imaging processing” is entered, first, in step S121, a subject image is acquired for an image formed on the first CCD 15 via the zoom lens 2. Next, in step S122, a subject image is acquired for the image formed on the second CCD 16 via the sub lens 3. The image acquired in step S122 is an image that has not been subjected to electronic zoom processing.

  In step S123, the image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 acquired in steps S121 and S122 are sequentially recorded in a file. This is because, for example, when a shooting magnification of the zoom lens 2 is taken in a state different from that of the sub-lens, a photograph (image) having a different shooting magnification is recorded in a file in the same manner as a continuous shooting mode photograph. Become.

  Further, in step S114, the data related to the image of the first CCD 15 and the image of the second CCD 16 acquired in steps S121 and S122 are recorded in the same file as related data together with the image recorded in step S123.

  That is, the left and right image signals obtained by exposure (charge accumulation) and signal readout by the first CCD 15 and the second CCD 16 are taken into the digital process circuit 25 via the CDS / AGC circuit 22 and the A / D converter 24. It is. Then, after various signal processing is performed in the digital process circuit 25, it is recorded on the memory card 28 via the card interface 27 as a continuous photographic image. At that time, information regarding the continuous photographic images is also recorded.

  As a result, when the image capturing is completed, the process exits from this routine and returns to the flowchart of FIG. 13 to complete the photographing operation of the electronic camera.

  In the above-described example, an example in which images with different shooting magnifications are filed as a combined photograph in one file and recorded as a separate file as in the continuous shooting mode has been described. In the latter case, a plurality of memory cards are stored. It may be used and recorded on a separate memory card for each imaging system. In this case, for example, the image is taken using two cameras.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, one of the two-lens imaging systems is a zoom lens capable of changing the photographing magnification, and the other is a single focus fixed focus lens (sub lens). This is defined for ease of explanation, and it goes without saying that both of the two-lens imaging systems may use a zoom lens. (In the second embodiment, in the case of a lens having a short focal length and a large F value, there is a zoom but a fixed focus lens.) In this case, magnification correction is performed in accordance with the magnification of one zoom lens. Alternatively, the magnification of each zoom lens is corrected to a predetermined value.

  Further, although an example using a zoom lens as a lens capable of changing the photographing magnification has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in addition to a zoom lens whose magnification can be changed continuously, for example, it is also possible to apply a lens whose shooting magnification is changed by switching a plurality of fixed focus lenses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The electronic camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is the perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is the figure seen from the back side. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electronic camera in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography operation | movement of the electronic camera by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a subroutine “AF process” in step S4 in the flowchart of FIG. 3. It is the figure which showed the example of the image area of 1st CCD15, and the image area of 2nd CCD16. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a subroutine “imaging process” in step S <b> 6 in the flowchart of FIG. 3. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography operation | movement of the electronic camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the subroutine "imaging process" of step S34 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining imaging | photography operation | movement of the electronic camera which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a subroutine “AF process” in step S64 in the flowchart of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a subroutine “imaging process” in step S66 in the flowchart of FIG. 9; 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a front view of the electronic camera, and FIG. 5B is a rear view of the electronic camera. It is a flowchart explaining imaging | photography operation | movement of the electronic camera which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the subroutine “imaging process” in step S66 in the flowchart of FIG. 13, and (b) is another example of the operation of the subroutine “imaging process” in step S66 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining these. It is the figure which showed the other structural example in the electronic camera in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera body, 2 ... Zoom lens, 3 ... Sub lens, 5 ... Finder, 9 ... Release button, 10 ... Zoom switch, 12 ... LCD display part, 15 ... 1st image sensor (1st CCD), 16 ... 2nd Image sensor (second CCD), 18 ... zoom lens driver, 19 ... first CCD driver, 20 ... second CCD driver, 21 ... first CDS / AGC circuit, 22 ... second CGS / AGC circuit, 23, 24 ... A / D converter, 25 ... Digital process circuit, 27 ... Card interface (IF), 28 ... Memory card, 33 strobe, 34 ... Exposure control driver, 35 Non-volatile memory (EEPROM), 36 ... Stereo switch (SW), 38 ... Operation switch section 43, 44 ... screen, 43a ... image frame, 45 ... subject.

Claims (16)

In an electronic camera having an imaging system of at least two eyes and performing distance measurement by a correlation calculation of at least two images obtained by the imaging system of at least two eyes
Photographing instruction means for instructing photographing using the two-lens imaging system;
Recording means for recording both the still image of the one angle of view and the still image of the other angle of view obtained in different states of the shooting angle of view of the two-lens imaging system according to the instruction of the imaging instruction means;
A camera equipped with a twin-lens imaging system.   The camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two-lens imaging systems is an imaging system in which a photographing magnification can be changed.   The camera equipped with the binocular imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the imaging system in which the photographing magnification can be changed includes a zoom lens.   The camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two-lens imaging system includes at least a fixed-focus imaging system.   The camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two-lens imaging system includes at least a single-focus imaging system.   2. The camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view at the same time in accordance with an instruction from the imaging instruction unit. .   2. The binocular imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the still image with the other angle of view after recording the still image with the one angle of view in accordance with an instruction of the imaging instruction unit. With a camera.   2. The camera equipped with a two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the still image with the one angle of view and the still image with the other angle of view as one image file.   The camera equipped with the two-lens imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view as separate image files.   9. The binocular imaging system according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit records information related to the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view in the same file. camera.   10. The binocular imaging system according to claim 9, wherein the recording unit records information related to the still image having the one angle of view and the still image having the other angle of view in the same file. Camera.   The camera equipped with the binocular imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising an image display unit that displays the image with the one angle of view and the image with the other angle of view.   The camera equipped with the binocular imaging system according to claim 12, further comprising a changeover switch for switching an image displayed on the image display unit.   Each time the switch is operated, the image display unit switches between the one field angle image, the other field angle image, the one field angle image, and the other field angle image. A camera equipped with the binocular imaging system according to claim 13.   The binocular imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the image display unit switches and displays the image of the one field angle and the image of the other field angle each time the changeover switch is operated. With a camera. A relative magnification correction unit configured to perform relative magnification correction so that one field angle of the two-lens imaging system is equal to the other field angle when the imaging field angle of the at least two-lens imaging system is different; A correlation calculation unit that performs distance measurement by correlation calculation from an image of one angle of view of the eye imaging system and an image of the other angle of view corrected by the relative magnification correction unit;
A camera equipped with the two-lens imaging system according to claim 1.

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