JP2007052060A - Lens system for stereo camera, and stereo camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens system for a stereo camera where the mutual optical centers of a plurality of optical systems (lens devices) are easily moved in a state in which the lens devices are attached to a camera main body, so as to align the positions of the optical centers at least in an up-and-down direction, thereby aligning subject images reflected in height of the optical centers in the right and left lens devices and acquiring a video free from an unnatural feeling visually, and to provide a stereo camera. <P>SOLUTION: A user attaches the respective lens devices 12 to the camera main body 14 and starts imaging. Next, the user loosens a fixing screw 28 provided in the lens device 12A, for example, and rotates or moves the first lens barrel 20 of the lens device 12A relatively to the second lens barrel 22 thereof while viewing the videos picked up by the right and left lens devices 12. Then, the positions of the optical centers of the lens devices 12A and 12B at least in the up-and-down direction are aligned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic camera lens system and a stereoscopic camera, and more particularly to a technique used for a stereoscopic camera that takes a parallax image using a plurality of cameras.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a stereoscopic camera that captures a stereoscopic image by arranging two television cameras in parallel and capturing parallax images for the right eye and the left eye. The two lens devices used in the stereoscopic camera are driven simultaneously so that optical conditions that change depending on the state (position) of the controlled object, such as focus, zoom (focal length), and diaphragm, always coincide. Yes. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to set the same condition due to a manufacturing error or a processing error even when a lens device having the same specification is used for such a stereoscopic camera. It has been proposed to correct their positions with correction data so that the focus and zoom of the lens device coincide.
Japanese Patent No. 3117303

  By the way, the lens device used for the above-described stereoscopic camera is a lens device or a part of the stereoscopic camera body, a production error or a processing error at the time of assembly, or a position or an angle when the lens device is attached to the stereoscopic camera body. Therefore, a difference occurs in the optical centers of the left and right lens devices. As described above, if there is a difference between the optical centers of the left and right lens apparatuses, there is a problem in that a subject that appears at the optical center is different, resulting in a visually uncomfortable image. In particular, during zooming, the subject shown at the optical center of each lens device does not move, so there is a difference in the movement of the subject accompanying zooming within the field of view of each lens device, resulting in a visually uncomfortable image. There was a problem that.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a stereoscopic camera capable of reducing errors in optical conditions of a plurality of optical systems in a stereoscopic camera to such an extent that a visually uncomfortable feeling is not generated in a reproduced stereoscopic image. It is an object to provide a lens system and a stereoscopic camera.

  In order to achieve the above object, a stereoscopic camera lens system according to claim 1 is attached to a stereoscopic camera, and a plurality of optical systems for photographing a stereoscopic image, and the plurality of optical systems are attached to the stereoscopic camera. And adjusting means for adjusting the relative positions of the optical centers of the plurality of optical systems.

  According to the lens system for a stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, for example, in a stereoscopic camera to which two left and right optical systems (lens devices) are attached, the optical center of each other with the lens device attached to the camera body. Can be easily moved and matched. As a result, in the left and right lens devices, the subject reflected at the optical center can be matched, and an image with no visually uncomfortable feeling can be acquired.

  A stereoscopic camera lens system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the lens system according to the first aspect, wherein the adjustment unit moves the relative positions of the optical centers of the plurality of optical systems at least in the vertical direction to make them coincide. To do.

  According to the stereoscopic camera lens system according to claim 2, in the left and right lens apparatuses, the vertical position (height direction) of the subject shown at the optical center can be matched, and the image is not visually uncomfortable. Can be obtained.

  A stereoscopic camera lens system according to a third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the adjusting means moves or rotates at least one of the plurality of optical systems.

  According to the stereoscopic camera lens system of the third aspect, the number of adjusting means provided in the optical system can be reduced.

  A stereoscopic camera according to claim 4 is provided with an attaching means for attaching a plurality of optical systems for photographing a stereoscopic image, and an optical center of the plurality of optical systems in a state where the optical system is attached to the camera. And adjusting means for adjusting the relative position of each. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the adjusting means is provided on the main body side of the stereoscopic camera.

  According to the present invention, for example, in a stereoscopic camera to which two left and right optical systems (lens devices) are attached, the optical center can be easily moved while the lens device is attached to the camera body. At least the vertical position of the target center can be matched. As a result, in the left and right lens devices, it is possible to match the subject appearing at the height of the optical center, and it is possible to obtain an image that is visually uncomfortable.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a stereoscopic camera lens system and a stereoscopic camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing a stereoscopic camera to which a stereoscopic camera lens system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 1A is a side view, and FIG. 1B is a top plan view. As shown in the figure, the stereoscopic camera lens system 10 of the present embodiment includes two lens devices 12A and 12B having the same specifications. These lens devices 12A and 12B are mounted in parallel on a camera body 14 of a stereoscopic camera (stereoscopic TV camera) for capturing a stereoscopic video (parallax image). The camera body 14 is placed on a plate 18 attached to a pan head 16. The lens devices 12A and 12B are used, for example, for photographing right-eye and left-eye images, respectively. Since the left and right lens devices 12A and 12B have the same configuration, the left and right lens devices 12A and 12B are referred to as the lens device 12 in the following description.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lens device 12 includes a first lens barrel 20 and a second lens barrel 22. The first lens barrel 20 includes a lens group that constitutes the optical system of the lens device 12. On the other hand, the second lens barrel 22 is a portion that is fixed to the lens mount 24 of the camera body 14 by fixing means (not shown). A ring-shaped member 26 is provided at the right end of the first lens barrel 20.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the second lens barrel 22 is inserted into the ring-shaped member 26 of the first lens barrel 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a convex line 26 </ b> A is formed on the inner surface of the ring-shaped member 26, and a concave groove 22 </ b> A is formed on the side surface of the second lens barrel 22. The lens barrels 20 and 22 are relatively rotatable by fitting the convex stripes 26A and the concave grooves 22A. As shown in FIG. 4, when the fixing screw 28 attached to the screw hole of the ring-shaped member 26 is tightened, the pin 32 is pressed against the concave groove 22A by the spring 30, and the lens barrels 20 and 22 are fixed. In FIG. 2, the spring 30 and the pin 32 are omitted.

  Next, a procedure for adjusting the optical center in the lens device 12 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the user fixes the second lens barrel 22 of each lens device 12 to the camera body 14, attaches the lens device 12 to the camera body 14, and starts imaging. Next, for example, the user loosens the fixing screw 28 provided in the lens device 12A, and views the image captured by the left and right lens devices 12, while the second lens barrel 12A of the lens device 12A is in the second position. The lens barrel 22 is rotated relative to the lens barrel 22. At this time, the optical center moves due to the eccentricity of the lens device 12A. Note that when the first lens barrel 20 is rotated while viewing the images obtained from the lens devices 12, a zooming operation may be performed in order to accurately detect the optical center. When zooming is performed, for example, the optical center may be aligned at the tele end or the wide end.

  Then, the first lens barrel 20 of the lens device 12A is rotated, and in a state where the optical centers of the lens device 12A and the lens device 12B are aligned, the fixing screw 28 is tightened to tighten the first lens barrel of the lens device 12A. 20 is fixed. Here, in general, the position of the optical center of each lens device 12 is shifted in the vertical direction (height direction) compared to the case where it is shifted in the horizontal direction (lateral direction). It has the property that the visual discomfort is more emphasized. For this reason, when adjusting the optical center of each lens device 12, at least the position (height) in the vertical direction should be matched.

  According to this embodiment, with the left and right lens devices 12 attached to the camera body 14, the optical centers of each other can be easily moved and matched. Therefore, according to the three-dimensional camera lens system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a visually uncomfortable image.

  In the present embodiment, the means for relatively rotating the lens barrels 20 and 22 is provided in both the lens devices 12A and 12B, but may be provided in only one of them.

  In this embodiment, each lens barrel 20 and 22 is fixed by one fixing screw 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. 5 and 6 are views showing another mode of means for fixing the lens barrels 20 and 22. As shown in FIG. 5, around the ring-shaped member 26, three fixing screws 28 for fixing the lens barrels 20 and 22 are attached at substantially equal intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the optical center of the lens device 12 can be adjusted by adjusting the degree to which each fixing screw 28 is tightened. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, each lens barrel 20 and 22 is fixed by one fixing screw 28 and two springs 34 and pins 36 disposed at substantially equal intervals with the fixing screw 28. You may do it. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of attachment points of the fixing screw 28, the spring 34, and the pin 36 is not limited to three, and may be any number.

  In the present embodiment, the optical center of the lens device 12 is adjusted by adjusting the relative positions of the lens barrels 20 and 22, but means for adjusting the optical center is provided on the camera body 14 side. Alternatively, both the lens device 12 and the camera body 14 may be provided. FIG. 7 is an external view (side view) showing the camera body 14 provided with means for adjusting the optical center.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lens device 12 includes a single lens barrel 38 and is attached to the lens mount 40 of the camera body 14. The lens mount 40 has a cylindrical shape, and a convex line is formed on the inner surface thereof. On the other hand, a concave groove is formed at the right end of the lens barrel 38 in the drawing. The lens barrel 38 is rotatably attached to the camera body 14 by fitting a convex line formed on the lens mount 40 into the concave groove. Then, by tightening the fixing screw 42, the relative position of the camera body 14 and the lens barrel 38 is fixed. The ridges, grooves and fixing screws 42 are substantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and will not be described.

  According to the example shown in FIG. 7, the optical centers of the left and right lens devices 12 can be easily moved and matched with each other with the left and right lens devices 12 attached to the camera body 14 as in the above example.

  Even when a means for adjusting the optical center is provided on the camera body 14 side, a plurality of fixing screws, springs 34 and pins 36 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an external view (side view) showing a stereoscopic camera to which a stereoscopic camera lens system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the lens device 12 of the present embodiment includes a first lens barrel 44 and a second lens barrel 46. Each lens barrel 44 and 46 is connected by a connecting pin 48. The first lens barrel 44 includes a lens group that constitutes the optical system of the lens device 12. On the other hand, the second lens barrel 46 is a portion that is fixed to the lens mount 49 of the camera body 14 by fixing means (not shown).

  FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lens device 12 as viewed from the second lens barrel 46 side. As shown in FIG. 9, the lens barrels 44 and 46 are rotatable with respect to each other with a connecting pin 48 as a fulcrum. A guide rail 50 </ b> A is formed on the first lens barrel 44, and a fixing screw attaching portion 50 </ b> B is attached to the second lens barrel 46. Each lens barrel 44 and 46 is fixed by tightening the guide rail 50A and the fixing screw mounting portion 50B with the fixing screw 52 or the like. In FIG. 8, the guide rail 50A, the fixing screw mounting portion 50B, and the fixing screw 52 are omitted.

  Next, a procedure for adjusting the optical center in the lens device 12 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the user fixes the second lens barrel 46 of each lens device 12 to the camera body 14, attaches the lens device 12 to the camera body 14, and starts imaging. Next, for example, the user loosens the fixing screw 52 provided in the lens device 12A, and views the image captured by the left and right lens devices 12, while the second lens barrel 12A of the lens device 12A is moved to the second position. The optical center is shifted with respect to the lens barrel 46. Note that when the first lens barrel 44 is rotated while viewing the images obtained from the lens devices 12, a zooming operation may be performed in order to accurately detect the optical center.

  Then, the position of the first lens barrel 44 of the lens device 12A is adjusted, and at least the vertical positions of the optical centers of the lens device 12A and the lens device 12B coincide with each other, the fixing screw 52 is tightened to tighten the lens device. The first lens barrel 44 of 12A is fixed.

  According to this embodiment, with the left and right lens devices 12 attached to the camera body 14, the optical centers of each other can be easily moved and matched. Therefore, according to the three-dimensional camera lens system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a visually uncomfortable image.

  In this embodiment, the means for relatively shifting the lens barrels 44 and 46 is provided in both of the lens devices 12A and 12B, but may be provided in only one of them.

  In this embodiment, the optical center of the lens device 12 is adjusted by adjusting the relative positions of the lens barrels 44 and 46. However, means for adjusting the optical center is provided on the camera body 14 side. Alternatively, both the lens device 12 and the camera body 14 may be provided. FIG. 10 is an external view (side view) showing the camera body 14 provided with means for adjusting the optical center.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the lens device 12 includes a single lens barrel 54. The right end of the lens barrel 54 in the figure is inserted into the lens mount 56 of the camera body 14 and fixed by a fixing means (not shown). The lens mount 56 is divided into a front member 56 </ b> A and a rear member 56 </ b> B, and both members 56 </ b> A and 56 </ b> B are connected by a connecting pin 58. Both members 56A and 56B are rotatable with respect to each other about the connecting pin 58 as a fulcrum. Further, both members 56A and 56B are fixed by a guide rail 50A, a fixing screw 50B and a fixing screw 52 similar to those shown in FIG.

  According to the example shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the above example, the optical centers of the left and right lens devices 12 can be easily moved and matched with each other with the camera body 14 attached.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an external view (side view) showing a stereoscopic camera to which a lens system for a stereoscopic camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention is attached. In the following description, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lens device 12 of the present embodiment includes a first lens barrel 60 and a second lens barrel 62. The first lens barrel 60 includes a lens group that constitutes the optical system of the lens device 12. On the other hand, the second lens barrel 62 is provided with a stage mechanism portion 64 to be described later, and is fixed to the lens mount 66 of the camera body 14 by fixing means (not shown).

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the stage mechanism unit 64. As shown in FIG. 12, the stage mechanism unit 64 includes a first member 68 in which a dovetail 68A is formed and a second member 70 in which a dovetail groove 70A is formed. The first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12 is attached to the first member 68. On the other hand, the second member 70 is fixed to the second lens barrel 62, and is fixed to the lens mount 66 of the camera body 14 via the second lens barrel 62. The lens device 12 is attached to the camera body 14 such that the direction of the dovetail groove 70 </ b> A substantially matches the vertical direction of the camera body 14.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the stage mechanism portion 64 seen through from the arrow A1 side in FIG. The rack 72 shown in FIG. 13 is attached to the surface of the dovetail 68A on the dovetail groove 70A side. On the other hand, the pinion 74 is built in the second member 70. The user can move the first member 68 to which the lens barrel 60 is attached along the dovetail groove 70 </ b> A by rotating the knob 76.

  Next, a procedure for adjusting the optical center in the lens device 12 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the user fixes the second lens barrel 62 of each lens device 12 to the camera body 14, attaches the lens device 12 to the camera body 14, and starts imaging. Next, for example, the user rotates the knob 76 provided on the lens device 12A to watch the video imaged by the left and right lens devices 12, while moving the first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12A to the second. The optical center is moved by moving the lens barrel 62 in the vertical direction. Note that when the first lens barrel 60 is moved while viewing the image obtained from each lens device 12, a zooming operation may be performed in order to accurately detect the optical center.

  Then, the position of the first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12A is adjusted so that at least the vertical positions of the optical centers of the lens device 12A and the lens device 12B coincide with each other. Here, means for fixing the pinion 74 or the knob 76 may be provided in order to maintain a state in which the positions of the optical centers coincide with each other.

  According to this embodiment, with the left and right lens devices 12 attached to the camera body 14, the optical centers of each other can be easily moved and matched. Therefore, according to the three-dimensional camera lens system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a visually uncomfortable image.

  In the third embodiment, the stage mechanism unit 64 is disposed in the second lens barrel 62, and prevents light from entering from the gap between the ant 68A and the ant groove 70A. The stage mechanism 64 may be shielded from light by providing a means for covering the periphery of the stage mechanism 64 without arranging the stage mechanism 64 in the lens barrel.

  Next, another configuration example of the stage mechanism 64 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing another configuration example of the stage mechanism unit 64. FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view, and FIG. 15 is a side view. 14 and 15 includes a movable stage 78, a guide bar 80, a support member 82, and a fixing screw 84.

  A first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12 is attached to the movable stage 78. Two guide holes 78A are formed in the movable stage 78, and are attached by two guide rods 80 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Note that the number of guide bars 80 may be any number. The guide bar 80 is fixed to a support member 82 shown in FIG. The support member 82 is fixed to the second lens barrel 62, and is fixed to the lens mount 66 of the camera body 14 via the second lens barrel 62. The lens device 12 is attached to the camera body 14 so that the direction of the guide rod 80 substantially coincides with the vertical direction of the camera body 14. The movable stage 78 is fixed at a desired position of the guide rod 80 by tightening a fixing screw 84 (for example, a potato screw).

  Next, a procedure for adjusting the optical center in the lens device 12 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the user fixes the second lens barrel 62 of each lens device 12 to the camera body 14, attaches the lens device 12 to the camera body 14, and starts imaging. Next, for example, the user loosens the fixing screw 84 provided in the lens device 12A. The optical center is moved by sliding the first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12 </ b> A vertically with respect to the second lens barrel 62 while viewing the images captured by the left and right lens devices 12. Note that when the first lens barrel 60 is rotated while viewing the images obtained from the lens devices 12, a zooming operation may be performed to accurately detect the optical center.

  Then, the position of the first lens barrel 60 of the lens device 12A is adjusted, and at least the vertical positions of the optical centers of the lens device 12A and the lens device 12B coincide with each other, the fixing screw 84 is tightened to tighten the lens device. The first lens barrel 60 of 12A is fixed.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the first lens barrel 60 is moved in the vertical direction by the stage mechanism 64. However, the stage mechanism 64 for moving in the horizontal direction is further provided. It is good. As a result, the optical center of each lens device 12 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions so as to be almost completely matched.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the stage mechanism unit 64 is provided in the lens device 12, but may be provided on the camera body 14 side (for example, the camera mount 66), or the lens device 12 and the camera body 14. You may provide in both. Moreover, the stage mechanism part 64 may be provided in both the left and right lens devices 12, or may be provided in only one of them.

  In each of the above embodiments, the position of the optical center of each lens device 12 is made to coincide by moving or rotating the relative position of the lens device 12. The optical center may be aligned by relatively moving the position of an image sensor (for example, CCD) on which incident light from each lens device 12 is imaged. Further, both the image sensor and the lens device 12 may be movable.

1 is an external view showing a stereoscopic camera to which a lens system for a stereoscopic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached. Sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. Sectional view along line 3-3 in FIG. Sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. The figure which shows another aspect of the means to fix each lens barrel 20 and 22 The figure which shows another aspect of the means to fix each lens barrel 20 and 22 External view (side view) showing the camera body 14 provided with means for adjusting the optical center External view (side view) showing a stereoscopic camera to which a stereoscopic camera lens system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached. The top view which looked at the lens apparatus 12 from the 2nd lens barrel 46 side External view (side view) showing the camera body 14 provided with means for adjusting the optical center External view (side view) showing a stereoscopic camera to which a stereoscopic camera lens system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is attached. The perspective view which shows the stage mechanism part 64 A perspective view of the stage mechanism portion 64 seen through from the arrow A1 side in FIG. The perspective view which shows another structural example of the stage mechanism part 64. Side view showing another configuration example of stage mechanism unit 64

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Stereoscopic lens system, 12 (12A, 12B) ... Lens apparatus, 14 ... Camera body, 16 ... Head, 18 ... Plate, 20 ... First lens barrel, 22 ... Second lens barrel, 24 ... Lens mount, 26 ... Ring-shaped member, 28 ... Fixing screw, 30 ... Spring, 32 ... Pin, 34 ... Spring, 36 ... Pin, 38 ... Lens barrel, 40 ... Lens mount, 42 ... Fixing screw, 44 ... First Lens barrel 46 ... second lens barrel 48 ... connecting pin 50A ... guide rail 50B ... fixing screw mounting portion 52 ... fixing screw 54 ... lens barrel 56 ... lens mount 58 ... connecting pin 60 ... 1st lens barrel, 62 ... 2nd lens barrel, 64 ... Stage mechanism part, 66 ... Lens mount

Claims (4)

A plurality of optical systems attached to a stereoscopic camera for shooting stereoscopic images;
An adjusting means for adjusting a relative position of an optical center of the plurality of optical systems in a state where the plurality of optical systems are attached to a stereoscopic camera;
A stereoscopic camera lens system comprising:   The stereoscopic camera lens system according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting unit moves the relative positions of the optical centers of the plurality of optical systems so as to coincide with each other at least in the vertical direction.   The stereoscopic camera lens system according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting unit moves or rotates at least one of the plurality of optical systems. Mounting means for mounting a plurality of optical systems for shooting a stereoscopic image;
An adjusting means for adjusting a relative position of an optical center of the plurality of optical systems in a state where the optical system is attached to the camera;
A stereoscopic camera comprising:

Images