JP2009186943A

JP2009186943A - Omnidirectional imaging apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2009186943A
Application number: JP2008029831A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shun Sekiya; 俊関谷; Maiko Ohira; 麻衣子大平; Yuichi Takahashi; 祐一高橋
Original assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-11
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2009-08-20

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an omnidirectional imaging apparatus which is capable of illuminating the entire circumference by a small number of light emitting elements and obtaining sharp image data even at a dark place. <P>SOLUTION: An optical member 30 makes omnidirectional surrounding light L incident on the imaging device 43. A case body 40 supports the optical member 30, a light emitting element 41 is stored in the case body 40 and emits illumination light and a light guide member 45 irradiates the circumference with the illumination light emitted by the light emitting element 41. A light shielding member 46 prevents the illumination light emitted by the light emitting element 41 from entering the imaging device 43. A second light emitting element 42 is stored in the case body 40 and emits visible light. A solar battery 50 supplies power to the imaging device 43 and the light emitting element 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、ＣＣＤ（Charge Coupled Device）等の撮像素子を用いて全方位を撮像する全方位撮像装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an omnidirectional imaging apparatus that images an omnidirectional image using an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

従来より、全方位撮像装置が種々提案されており、例えば特許文献１に開示されている。斯かる全方位撮像装置１は、双曲面形状の反射ミラー２で周囲光Ｌを反射させ、ＣＣＤ等の撮像素子３によって周囲の様子を撮像するものである（図３参照）。撮像素子３は回路基板４上に搭載されており、撮像素子３が搭載された回路基板４はケース体５の底壁部５ａに配置されている。ケース体５の側壁部５ｂには、透光性材料からなる円筒状の筒体６が設けられており、この筒体６の内部に反射ミラー２が配置されている。筒体６の上部開口６ａには蓋体７が配設されており、この蓋体７に反射ミラー２が固定されている。反射ミラー２は、双曲面形状になっており、前記双曲面形状の頂点を下にして、蓋体７から垂下するように配置されている。 Conventionally, various omnidirectional imaging devices have been proposed, and for example, disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such an omnidirectional imaging apparatus 1 reflects ambient light L with a hyperboloidal reflecting mirror 2 and images the surroundings with an imaging element 3 such as a CCD (see FIG. 3). The image sensor 3 is mounted on the circuit board 4, and the circuit board 4 on which the image sensor 3 is mounted is disposed on the bottom wall portion 5 a of the case body 5. A cylindrical tube 6 made of a translucent material is provided on the side wall 5 b of the case body 5, and the reflection mirror 2 is disposed inside the tube 6. A lid body 7 is disposed in the upper opening 6 a of the cylindrical body 6, and the reflection mirror 2 is fixed to the lid body 7. The reflection mirror 2 has a hyperboloid shape, and is arranged so as to hang from the lid body 7 with the apex of the hyperboloid shape down.

また、本願出願人は、部品数が少なく安価に製造することが可能な全方位撮像装置１０を提案しており、斯かる全方位撮像装置１０は特許文献２に開示されている。全方位撮像装置１０は、全方位レンズ１１と、支持部材１２と、撮像素子１３と、回路基板１４と、反射層１５とから構成されるものである（図４参照）。撮像素子１３は回路基板１４に搭載され、全方位レンズ１１の中心軸と撮像素子１３の光軸が合うように配置される。周囲光Ｌは、入射面１６ａから基部１６の内部に入射し、反射層１５で反射され、導光部１７によって撮像素子１３に導かれる。反射層１５で下方に反射された周囲光Ｌは、出射面１７ｂから出て、撮像素子１３によって撮像される。
特開２０００−１２８０３１号公報特開２００７−８１９２５号公報 Further, the applicant of the present application has proposed an omnidirectional imaging device 10 that can be manufactured at a low cost with a small number of parts. Such an omnidirectional imaging device 10 is disclosed in Patent Document 2. The omnidirectional imaging device 10 includes an omnidirectional lens 11, a support member 12, an imaging element 13, a circuit board 14, and a reflective layer 15 (see FIG. 4). The image sensor 13 is mounted on the circuit board 14 and is arranged so that the central axis of the omnidirectional lens 11 and the optical axis of the image sensor 13 are aligned. The ambient light L is incident on the inside of the base portion 16 from the incident surface 16 a, is reflected by the reflective layer 15, and is guided to the image sensor 13 by the light guide portion 17. The ambient light L reflected downward by the reflective layer 15 exits from the emission surface 17b and is imaged by the imaging element 13.
JP 2000-128031 A JP 2007-81925 A

しかしながら、全方位撮像装置１，１０の周囲が暗いときは、照度が充分ではないため、鮮明な画像データを得ることができないという問題を有していた。この問題を解決するため、発光素子にて周囲を照明することが考えられるが、全方位撮像装置１，１０の全周囲を照明しなければならないため、多数の発光素子を配設しなければならなく、全方位撮像装置１，１０が高価になる虞があった。
本発明は、この問題に鑑みなされたものであり、少数の発光素子にて全周囲を照明することができ、暗所においても鮮明な画像データを得ることができる全方位撮像装置を提供するものである。 However, when the surroundings of the omnidirectional imaging devices 1 and 10 are dark, there is a problem that the illuminance is not sufficient, so that clear image data cannot be obtained. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to illuminate the surroundings with light emitting elements. However, since the entire periphery of the omnidirectional imaging devices 1 and 10 must be illuminated, a large number of light emitting elements must be provided. The omnidirectional imaging devices 1 and 10 may be expensive.
The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and provides an omnidirectional imaging apparatus capable of illuminating the entire periphery with a small number of light emitting elements and obtaining clear image data even in a dark place. It is.

本発明は、請求項１に記載したように、撮像素子４３と、全方位の周囲光Ｌを前記撮像素子４３に入射させる光学部材３０と、前記光学部材３０を支持するケース体４０と、前記ケース体４０に収容され照明光を発する発光素子４１と、前記発光素子４１が発した前記照明光を周囲に照射する導光部材４５と、を有するものである。 As described in claim 1, the present invention provides an image sensor 43, an optical member 30 that causes ambient light L in all directions to enter the image sensor 43, a case body 40 that supports the optical member 30, The light emitting element 41 accommodated in the case body 40 emits illumination light, and the light guide member 45 that irradiates the illumination light emitted by the light emitting element 41 to the surroundings.

また、本発明は、請求項２に記載したように、前記発光素子４１が発した前記照明光が前記撮像素子４３に入射することを防ぐ遮光部材４６を有するものである。 In addition, the present invention includes a light shielding member 46 that prevents the illumination light emitted from the light emitting element 41 from entering the imaging element 43 as described in claim 2.

また、本発明は、請求項３に記載したように、前記発光素子４１が発する前記照明光は赤外線であるものである。 According to the present invention, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting element 41 is infrared.

また、本発明は、請求項４に記載したように、前記ケース体４０に収容され可視光を発する第二の発光素子４２を有するものである。 Moreover, this invention has the 2nd light emitting element 42 which is accommodated in the said case body 40 and emits visible light, as described in Claim 4.

また、本発明は、請求項５に記載したように、前記撮像素子４３及び前記発光素子４１に電力を供給する太陽電池５０を有するものである。 Moreover, this invention has the solar cell 50 which supplies electric power to the said image pick-up element 43 and the said light emitting element 41, as described in Claim 5. FIG.

導光部材を介して発光素子が発した照明光を全方位撮像装置の周囲に照射し、少数の発光素子にて全周囲を照明することができ、暗所においても鮮明な画像データを得ることができる。 Illumination light emitted from the light-emitting element through the light guide member is irradiated around the omnidirectional imaging device, and the entire periphery can be illuminated with a small number of light-emitting elements, and clear image data can be obtained even in a dark place. Can do.

以下、添付の図面に基づいて、本発明の一実施形態について説明する。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

３０は光学部材であり、この光学部材３０は、全方位レンズ３１と、反射層３２とを備えている。全方位レンズ３１は、中実な透光性樹脂（例えばポリカーボネート）からなるものであり、周囲光Ｌが入射する入射面３１ａと、双曲面形状の凹部３１ｂとを有している。全方位レンズ３１の凹部３１ｂには、アルミニウム（Ａｌ）からなる反射層３２が形成されている。反射層３２は、蒸着等の方法によって凹部３１ｂにコーティングされてなるものである。 Reference numeral 30 denotes an optical member, and the optical member 30 includes an omnidirectional lens 31 and a reflective layer 32. The omnidirectional lens 31 is made of a solid translucent resin (for example, polycarbonate), and has an incident surface 31a on which the ambient light L is incident and a hyperboloid-shaped concave portion 31b. A reflective layer 32 made of aluminum (Al) is formed in the recess 31 b of the omnidirectional lens 31. The reflective layer 32 is formed by coating the recess 31b by a method such as vapor deposition.

４０はケース体であり、このケース体４０は、光学部材３０を支持する略円錐形状の支持部４０ａと、第一の発光素子４１，第二の発光素子４２，撮像素子４３，回路基板４４，導光部材４５等を収容する略円柱形状の基部４０ｂと、を有している。第一の発光素子４１は、赤外線を発する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）からなるものであり、回路基板４４に搭載されている。第二の発光素子４２は、可視光を発する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）からなるものであり、第一の発光素子４１に隣接して回路基板４４に搭載されている。 Reference numeral 40 denotes a case body. The case body 40 includes a substantially conical support portion 40a that supports the optical member 30, a first light emitting element 41, a second light emitting element 42, an imaging element 43, a circuit board 44, And a substantially columnar base 40b for accommodating the light guide member 45 and the like. The first light emitting element 41 is composed of a light emitting diode (LED) that emits infrared light, and is mounted on the circuit board 44. The second light emitting element 42 is composed of a light emitting diode (LED) that emits visible light, and is mounted on the circuit board 44 adjacent to the first light emitting element 41.

撮像素子４３は、赤外線領域に感度を有するＣＣＤ若しくはＣＭＯＳからなるものであり、光学部材３０の反射層３２にて反射された周囲光Ｌを撮像し、画像データを出力する。導光部材４５は、アクリルまたはポリカーボネート等の透光性樹脂からなるものであり、円板部４５ａとリブ部４５ｂとフランジ部４５ｃとが一体に形成されている。フランジ部４５ｃの外縁は、ケース体４０の基部４０ｂから環状に露出している。遮光部材４６は、不透明な樹脂からなるものであり、第一の発光素子４１が発した赤外線及び第二の発光素子４２が発した可視光が撮像素子４３に入射することを防止する。５０は太陽電池であり、この太陽電池５０はケース体４０の支持部４０ａの全周に配設されている。太陽電池５０は、第一の発光素子４１，第二の発光素子４２，撮像素子４３に電力を供給する。 The image sensor 43 is composed of a CCD or a CMOS having sensitivity in the infrared region, images the ambient light L reflected by the reflective layer 32 of the optical member 30, and outputs image data. The light guide member 45 is made of a translucent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and a disk portion 45a, a rib portion 45b, and a flange portion 45c are integrally formed. The outer edge of the flange portion 45 c is exposed in an annular shape from the base portion 40 b of the case body 40. The light shielding member 46 is made of an opaque resin, and prevents the infrared light emitted from the first light emitting element 41 and the visible light emitted from the second light emitting element 42 from entering the imaging element 43. Reference numeral 50 denotes a solar cell, and the solar cell 50 is disposed on the entire circumference of the support portion 40 a of the case body 40. The solar cell 50 supplies power to the first light emitting element 41, the second light emitting element 42, and the imaging element 43.

第一の発光素子４１が発した赤外線及び第二の発光素子４２が発した可視光は、導光部材４５の円板部４５ａから入射し、リブ部４５ｂを介して、フランジ部４５ｃの外縁から出射する。全方位撮像装置の周囲は、導光部材４５のフランジ部４５ｃから出射した赤外線によって照明され、撮像素子４３は鮮明な画像データを出力することができる。且つ、導光部材４５のフランジ部４５ｃが光輝するため、使用者が全方位撮像装置の作動状態を視認することができる。 The infrared light emitted from the first light emitting element 41 and the visible light emitted from the second light emitting element 42 are incident from the disc part 45a of the light guide member 45, and from the outer edge of the flange part 45c via the rib part 45b. Exit. The periphery of the omnidirectional imaging device is illuminated with infrared rays emitted from the flange portion 45c of the light guide member 45, and the imaging device 43 can output clear image data. And since the flange part 45c of the light guide member 45 shines, the user can visually recognize the operating state of the omnidirectional imaging device.

本発明の実施形態を示す側面図。The side view which shows embodiment of this invention. 同上実施形態を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows embodiment same as the above. 従来例を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows a prior art example. 他の従来例を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows another prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

３０光学部材
４０ケース体
４１第一の発光素子（発光素子）
４２第二の発光素子
４３撮像素子
４５導光部材４５
４６遮光部材
５０太陽電池
Ｌ周囲光 30 Optical member 40 Case body 41 First light emitting element (light emitting element)
42 2nd light emitting element 43 Image pick-up element 45 Light guide member 45
46 Light shielding member 50 Solar cell L Ambient light

Claims

An imaging element, an optical member that causes ambient light in all directions to enter the imaging element, a case body that supports the optical member, a light emitting element that is housed in the case body and emits illumination light, and the light emitting element emits An omnidirectional imaging device comprising: a light guide member that irradiates the illumination light to the surroundings.

The omnidirectional imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light shielding member that prevents the illumination light emitted from the light emitting element from entering the imaging element.

The omnidirectional imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light emitted from the light emitting element is an infrared ray.

The omnidirectional imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second light emitting element that is housed in the case body and emits visible light.

The omnidirectional imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a solar cell that supplies power to the imaging element and the light emitting element.