JP2008233579A - Compound-eye photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a convergence angle from increasing particularly when a compound-eye photographing apparatus is near a subject. <P>SOLUTION: The compound-eye photographing apparatus includes at least a pair of photographing means 2 and 3 that obtain an image by photographing a subject. The apparatus includes a convergence angle changing means 10 in which rotation centers C1 and C2 are located opposite a subject in relation to the front principals H1 and H2, respectively, of photographic lenses of the photographing means 2 and 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a compound eye photographing apparatus for obtaining a stereoscopic image that can express a stereoscopic effect by parallax, for example.

Acquiring a stereoscopic image that can be stereoscopically viewed using parallax by capturing with a compound eye imaging device such as a stereo camera that acquires an image using at least a pair of imaging means arranged symmetrically Can do. In such a compound eye photographing apparatus, two images are acquired by giving a convergence angle to the optical axes of the right and left photographing means and photographing the same subject from different viewpoints. A visible stereoscopic image is created. Here, there has been proposed a compound eye photographing apparatus that improves operability by automatically controlling the convergence angles of two photographing means (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-22014

  However, in the compound eye photographing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the convergence angle becomes very large particularly when the subject is at a short distance and it is necessary to perform macro photography. Normally, the convergence angle that enables stereoscopic viewing by human eyes is about 1 degree. If the convergence angle exceeds 1 degree, stereoscopic viewing becomes difficult even if a stereoscopic image is viewed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an angle of convergence from becoming large even in a compound eye photographing apparatus even when a subject is nearby.

The compound eye photographing apparatus according to the present invention is a compound eye photographing apparatus including at least a pair of photographing means for obtaining an image by photographing a subject.
Convergence angle changing means for changing the convergence angle of the photographing means, comprising a convergence angle changing means whose rotation center is located on the opposite side of the subject from the front principal point of the photographing lens of each photographing means. It is characterized by that.

  In the compound eye photographing apparatus according to the present invention, the rotation center of the convergence angle changing means may be positioned between the front principal points of the photographing lenses of the photographing means.

  In the compound eye photographing apparatus according to the present invention, when the photographing lens includes a zoom mechanism, each photographing is performed so as to maintain the position of the front principal point of the photographing lens in conjunction with the zoom operation of the photographing lens. An imaging system moving means for moving the means in the optical axis direction may be further provided.

  The compound eye photographing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a base length changing means for moving each photographing means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of each photographing means.

  In this case, the baseline length changing means may be a means for moving each of the photographing means separately or a means for moving at the same time.

  According to the present invention, the rotation center of the convergence angle changing means is located on the opposite side of the subject from the front principal point of the photographing lens of each photographing means. For this reason, when the convergence angle changing unit changes the direction of increasing the convergence angle of the imaging unit, the base line length of the pair of imaging units also decreases simultaneously. For this reason, even if the subject is close to the compound eye photographing device, it is possible to photograph the subject without increasing the convergence angle so much, and it is possible to obtain a stereoscopic image that can be easily stereoscopically viewed with a simple mechanism. it can.

  In addition, by positioning the rotation center of the convergence angle changing means between the front principal points of the photographing lenses of the respective photographing means, it is possible to change the baseline length largely by changing the convergence angle slightly. Become.

  In addition, when the photographing lens includes a zoom lens, the convergence angle is obtained by moving each photographing means in the optical axis direction so as to maintain the position of the front principal point of the photographing lens in conjunction with the zoom operation of the photographing lens. Even if the zoom operation is performed in a state where the angle is set, the baseline length is not changed. Here, when creating a stereoscopic image from two images acquired by a pair of photographing means, it is necessary to perform parallax calculation using the convergence angle and the base line length. As a result, a stereoscopic image can be created by a simple calculation.

  Further, by further providing a base length changing means that moves each photographing means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, it is possible to change only the base length alone, so even when photographing a closer subject. Can respond.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front external perspective view of a compound eye photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear external perspective view of the compound eye photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the compound eye photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a digital camera that obtains an image by photographing a subject using an image sensor, and a pair of left and right photographing on the front portion of the housing 1. Parts 2 and 3. In addition, a power button 1a, a shutter button 1b, and a mode dial 1c for switching between a shooting mode and a reproduction mode are provided on the top of the housing 1. Further, on the rear surface of the housing 1, a cross key 1d for performing various operations and a monitor 1e such as a liquid crystal for performing various displays are provided. Further, the side surface of the housing 1 is provided with an external terminal 1f for connecting to a personal computer or the like. In addition, a convergence angle changing mechanism for changing the convergence angle of the imaging units 2 and 3 is provided inside the housing 1.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the convergence angle changing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the convergence angle changing mechanism 10 includes L-shaped convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 arranged symmetrically. The imaging units 2 and 3 have imaging elements 2 a and 3 a such as a CCD and imaging lenses 2 b and 3 b inside, and are fixed to one end of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12. The photographing lenses 2b and 3b are composed of a plurality of lenses, but only one lens is shown here for simplicity. Further, the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 are rotatably mounted in the housing 1 at the rotation centers C1 and C2.

  The rotation centers C1 and C2 of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 are subject to the front principal points H1 and H2 of the imaging units 2 and 3 in a state where the imaging units 2 and 3 are arranged on the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12, respectively. And located between the front principal points H1, H2.

  Fan-shaped gear portions 11a and 12a are formed at end portions of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 different from the end portions to which the imaging portions 2 and 3 are fixed. The gear portions 11 a and 12 a mesh with a worm gear 14 fixed on the rotation shaft of the motor 13. Thereby, when the motor 13 rotates, the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 are interlocked and rotated in opposite directions around the rotation centers C1 and C2. The convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12, the motor 13 and the worm gear 14 constitute the convergence angle changing means of the present invention. Here, FIG. 4 shows an initial state in which the optical axes L1 and L2 of the photographing units 2 and 3 are parallel. The base line length in this state (that is, the distance between the front principal points H1 and H2) is indicated by D0.

  Then, when the worm gear 14 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 by rotating the motor 13 from the initial state shown in FIG. 4 (that is, the state where the optical axes L1 and L2 of the photographing units 2 and 3 are parallel), the convergence angle. The adjustment plate 11 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation center C1, and the convergence angle adjustment plate 12 rotates clockwise about the rotation center C2.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 are rotated. As shown in FIG. 5, when the convergence angle adjusting plate 11 is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation center C1, and the convergence angle adjusting plate 12 is rotated clockwise about the rotation center C2, the photographing unit 2 is rotated. , 3 intersect with an angle of convergence α. On the other hand, the baseline length D1 of the imaging units 2 and 3 is smaller than D0 in the initial state.

  Here, the case where only the convergence angle of the imaging units 2 and 3 is changed is compared with the case where the base line length is also changed as in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a comparison result between the case where only the convergence angle is changed and the case where the baseline length is also changed as in the first embodiment. In the case where only the convergence angle of the imaging units 2 and 3 is changed as shown in FIG. 6 and in the case where the baseline length is also changed as in the first embodiment, even if the convergence angle α is the same, more A nearby subject can be captured.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the rotation centers C1 and C2 of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12 are placed on the subject with respect to the front principal points H1 and H2 of the photographing lenses 2a and 3a of the photographing units 2 and 3, respectively. Is positioned on the opposite side, so that if the angle of convergence of the imaging units 2 and 3 is changed to increase, the base line length of the pair of imaging units 2 and 3 also decreases. For this reason, even when the subject is near the compound eye photographing device 1, the subject can be photographed without increasing the convergence angle so much, and a stereoscopic image that can be easily stereoscopically viewed by a simple mechanism can be obtained. Can do.

  Further, by positioning the rotation centers C1 and C2 between the front principal points H1 and H2 of the photographing lenses 2a and 3a of the photographing units 2 and 2, the base line length can be increased by changing the convergence angle slightly. Can be changed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the photographing units 2 and 3 include a zoom mechanism, and the positions of the front principal points H1 and H2 of the photographing lenses 2a and 3a are maintained in conjunction with the zoom operation. For this reason, in the second embodiment, in addition to the convergence angle changing mechanism 10 in the first embodiment, the positions of the front principal points H1, H2 of the photographing lenses 2a, 3a are maintained in conjunction with the zoom operation. An imaging system moving mechanism is provided.

  Here, the imaging system moving mechanism performs the above operation by attaching the imaging units 2 and 3 to the end portions of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 and 12, and the configuration thereof is the same in the imaging units 2 and 3. Here, only the configuration of the photographing system moving mechanism on the photographing unit 2 side will be described.

  First, the fluctuation of the front principal point position due to the zoom operation will be described. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the change in the position of the front principal point due to the zoom operation. FIG. 7A shows the position of the photographic lens at the time of wide and FIG. 7B shows the position of the photographing lens at the time of tele. The photographing lens 2a is assumed to have three lenses 16a to 16c in the lens barrel. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the zoom operation is performed from the wide side to the tele side, the photographing lenses 16a to 16c move forward and the front principal point H1 moves backward. In the second embodiment, the position of the front principal point H1 is not changed even when the zoom operation is performed by the photographing system moving mechanism.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the zoom mechanism. As shown in FIG. 8, the zoom mechanism 21 includes a front lens barrel 22, a lens barrel body 23, and a zoom ring 24. The front lens barrel 22 is held by the lens barrel body 23 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction, and a zoom interlocking pin 22 a formed on a side surface of the front lens barrel 22 is engaged with a zoom cam groove 24 a of the zoom ring 24.

  An imaging element 2b is fixed to the rear end of the lens barrel body 23. The lens barrel main body 23 has a lens barrel moving pin 23 a formed on a side surface thereof engaged with a lens moving cam groove 24 b of the zoom ring 24.

  Here, in the second embodiment, the photographing unit 2 is fixed to the convergence angle adjusting plate 11 by a fixing unit 25 that holds the photographing unit 2 movably in the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG. Yes. A base cam groove 25a is formed inside the fixed portion 25, and the lens barrel moving pin 23a is engaged with the base cam groove 25a.

  The lens barrel moving pin 23a, the lens moving cam groove 24b, the fixed portion 25, and the base cam groove 25a constitute the photographing system moving mechanism 20.

  Next, the operation of the imaging system moving mechanism 20 according to the second embodiment will be described. When the zoom ring 24 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8 by a rotation mechanism (not shown) and the zoom operation is performed, as shown in FIG. To the side). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the front principal point H1 moves backward. However, in the second embodiment, since the lens barrel moving pin 23a is engaged with the lens moving cam groove 24b and the base cam groove 25a, the lens barrel main body 23 is forward (subject side) with respect to the fixed portion 25. Move to. Thereby, since the front principal point H1 moves forward, it is possible to prevent the position of the front principal point H1 from fluctuating even when the zoom operation is performed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The convergence angle changing mechanism according to the third embodiment includes a baseline length changing mechanism that moves the imaging units 2 and 3 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a convergence angle changing mechanism according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof. Note that in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. In the convergence angle changing mechanism 30 according to the third embodiment, portions of the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 ′ and 12 ′ are bent in the vertical direction to form vertical portions 11c and 12c.

  The base line length changing mechanism includes moving plates 31 and 32 having L-shaped cross sections on which the photographing units 2 and 3 are placed. The moving plates 31 and 32 are guides extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2 of the imaging units 2 and 3 and engaged with the pins 11d and 12d formed on the convergence angle adjusting plates 11 'and 12'. Holes 31a and 32a are formed.

  Through holes 11e and 12e are formed in the vertical portions 11c and 12c, and screw holes 31b and 32b having a smaller diameter than the through holes 11e and 12e are located at positions corresponding to the through holes 11e and 12e of the moving plates 31 and 32. Is formed. Screw portions 35 and 36 rotated by motors 33 and 34 are locked in the screw holes 31b and 32b. When the motors 33 and 34 are rotated, the movable plates 31 and 32 are guided by the guide holes 31a and 32a. Thus, the imaging units 2 and 3 move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2.

  Accordingly, the convergence angle and the baseline length of the imaging units 2 and 3 can be changed, and only the baseline length of the imaging units 2 and 3 can be changed separately from the convergence angle. For this reason, the compound eye photographing apparatus 1 can be adapted to photographing subjects at various distances.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The convergence angle changing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment includes a baseline length changing mechanism that moves the imaging units 2 and 3 in the vertical direction simultaneously with the optical axes L1 and L2 of the imaging units 2 and 3.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of the convergence angle changing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the convergence angle changing mechanism 40 according to the fourth embodiment includes convergence angle adjusting plates 41 and 42. The convergence angle adjusting plates 41 and 42 include mounting portions 41A and 42A on which the imaging units 2 and 3 are mounted. The mounting portions 41A and 42A are formed with two pins 41a and 42a that respectively engage with two guide holes 43a and 44a formed in the moving plates 43 and 44 to which the photographing units 2 and 3 are fixed. .

  The guide holes 43a and 44a of the moving plates 43 and 44 extend in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2 of the photographing units 2 and 3, and the moving plates 43 and 44 engage with the pins 41a and 42a. It can move in the direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2 of the photographing units 2 and 3. Further, the convergence angle adjusting plates 41 and 42 are fixed in the housing 1 so as to be rotatable at the rotation centers C1 and C2.

  The rotation centers C1 and C2 of the convergence angle adjustment plates 41 and 42 are the front sides of the imaging lenses (not shown here) of the imaging units 2 and 3 in a state where the imaging units 2 and 3 are arranged on the convergence angle adjustment plates 41 and 42. It is located on the opposite side to the subject side with respect to the principal points H1, H2, and is located between the front principal points H1, H2.

  Fan-shaped gear portions 41c and 42c are formed at the end portions of the convergence angle adjusting plates 41 and 42 different from the end portions where the photographing portions 2 and 3 are disposed. The gear portions 41 c and 42 c mesh with a worm gear 46 fixed on the rotation shaft of the motor 45.

  In addition, photographing unit moving plates 51 and 52 for moving the photographing units 2 and 3 coaxially with the rotation centers C1 and C2 are provided. The photographing unit moving plates 51 and 52 have guide holes 51 a and 52 a formed at one end, and are engaged with pins 43 b and 44 b formed on the moving plates 43 and 44. Gear portions 51 b and 52 b that engage with each other are formed at the other ends of the imaging unit moving plates 51 and 52. A gear portion 52c is formed in the vicinity of the rotation center C2 of the imaging unit moving plate 52 on the left side as viewed in the drawing. The gear portion 52 c is always meshed with a worm gear 54 fixed on the rotation shaft of the motor 53 fixed on the convergence angle adjusting plate 42.

  Next, the operation of the convergence angle changing mechanism 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the worm gear 46 is rotated by rotating the motor 45 from the initial state shown in FIG. 13 (that is, the optical axes L1 and L2 of the photographing units 2 and 3 are parallel), the convergence angle adjusting plate 41 is centered on the rotation center C1. In the counterclockwise direction, the convergence angle adjusting plate 42 rotates in the clockwise direction around the rotation center C2.

  FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the convergence angle adjusting plates 41 and 42 are rotated. As shown in FIG. 14, when the convergence angle adjustment plate 41 is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation center C1, and the convergence angle adjustment plate 42 is rotated clockwise about the rotation center C2, the photographing unit 2 is rotated. , 3 intersect with an angle of convergence α. On the other hand, the baseline length D1 of the imaging units 2 and 3 is smaller than D0 in the initial state.

  In this state, when the worm gear 54 is rotated by rotating the motor 53, the photographing unit moving plates 51 and 52 rotate about the rotation centers C1 and C2. As a result, a force according to the rotational direction acts on the pins 43b and 44b engaged with the guide holes 51a and 52a, and the moving plates 43 and 44, and thus the photographing units 2 and 3 are guided by the guide holes 43a and 44a. It moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2 of the parts 2 and 3. For example, if the photographing unit moving plate 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction (the photographing unit moving plate 51 is counterclockwise), the base line length is shortened, and the counter unit is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (the photographing unit moving plate 51 is clockwise). When rotated, the base line length becomes longer.

  As a result, the convergence angle and the baseline length of the imaging units 2 and 3 can be changed, and only the baseline length of the imaging units 2 and 3 can be changed separately from the convergence angle. For this reason, the compound eye photographing apparatus 1 can be adapted to photographing subjects at various distances.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the rotation centers C1 and C2 of the convergence angle adjusting plate are the front mains of the imaging units 2 and 3 when the imaging units 2 and 3 are arranged on the convergence angle adjusting plate. The points H1 and H2 are located on the opposite side of the subject and between the front principal points H1 and H2, but the rotation centers C1 and C2 are located between the front principal points H1 and H2. It may not be allowed to.

  Further, the convergence angle adjusting plates 11, 12, 41 and 42 are shaped so that the rotation centers C1 and C2 are front principal points of the imaging units 2 and 3 in a state where the imaging units 2 and 3 are arranged on the convergence angle adjusting plate. As long as it can be located on the opposite side to the subject side with respect to H1 and H2, it is not limited to those shown in the first to fourth embodiments.

  In addition, the shape of the photographing unit moving plates 51 and 52 in the fourth embodiment is also limited to the illustrated shape as long as the photographing units 2 and 3 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes L1 and L2. Is not to be done.

  Further, the photographing system moving mechanism 20 in the second embodiment may be provided in the third and fourth embodiments.

1 is a front perspective view of a compound eye photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view of a compound eye photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the convergence angle change mechanism by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of the convergence angle change mechanism by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the state which the convergence angle adjustment board rotated in 1st Embodiment. Figure showing comparison results when only the convergence angle is changed and when the baseline length is also changed The figure for explaining the change of the front principal point position by zoom operation Diagram showing detailed configuration of zoom mechanism (when wide) The figure which shows the fixed state of the imaging | photography part in 2nd Embodiment. Diagram showing the detailed configuration of the zoom mechanism (telephoto) The perspective view which shows the structure of the convergence angle change mechanism and base line length change mechanism by 3rd Embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the convergence angle change mechanism and base line length change mechanism by 3rd Embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the convergence angle change mechanism by 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the state which the convergence angle adjustment board rotated in 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2, 3 Image pick-up part 10, 30, 40 Convergence angle change mechanism 11, 12, 41, 42 Convergence angle adjustment board 20 Imaging system moving mechanism 21 Zoom mechanism 51, 52 Imaging part moving plate

Claims (6)

In a compound eye photographing apparatus including at least a pair of photographing means for obtaining an image by photographing a subject,
Convergence angle changing means for changing the convergence angle of the photographing means, comprising a convergence angle changing means whose rotation center is located on the opposite side of the subject from the front principal point of the photographing lens of each photographing means. A compound eye photographing device characterized by the above.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation center of the convergence angle changing unit is located between front principal points of the photographing lenses of the photographing units.   In the case where the photographing lens includes a zoom mechanism, a photographing system that moves the photographing means in the direction of the optical axis so as to maintain the position of the front principal point of the photographing lens in conjunction with the zoom operation of the photographing lens. 3. The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising base length changing means for moving each photographing means in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of each photographing means.   5. The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the baseline length changing means is means for individually moving the photographing means.   5. The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the baseline length changing means is means for simultaneously moving the photographing means.

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