JP2010081046A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device securing smooth rotating operation of a camera part during imaging, and preventing light reflected on a case of light emitted from an auxiliary light emitting means from easily entering in a lens barrel. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging device includes: the camera part 100 arranged rotatable; an auxiliary light emitting device 505 emitting auxiliary light toward an object to be imaged by the lens barrel 105 of the camera part 100; and a spherical case 107 for housing the camera part 101 and the auxiliary light emitting device 505. The optical axis B of an optical system of the auxiliary light emitting device 505 is arranged at a position substantially aligned with a line passing through the center 108 of curvature of the case 107. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device used for, for example, a surveillance camera.

  As this type of conventional imaging apparatus, for example, there is the following (Patent Document 1). In this imaging apparatus, a camera case is mounted on a main body case so that the angle can be adjusted, and a camera unit is accommodated in the camera case.

  A light emitting element is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the camera case. The camera case and the light emitting element are covered with a spherical cover member attached to the main body case. An opening is formed at the front end of the camera case, and a shield extending along the cover member with a predetermined gap is formed on the outer peripheral side of the opening. By blocking the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element by this shielding part, the infrared light is prevented from entering the camera part from the opening of the camera case and taking a virtual image of the light emitting element.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing another conventional imaging apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this imaging apparatus, a camera unit 201 is supported by a spherical case 107 via a support member 104 so that the angle can be adjusted, and an auxiliary light irradiation device is disposed on the outer periphery of the camera unit 201. 106 is arranged.

  The camera unit 201 is supported by the support member 104 via a rotating shaft 108 disposed at a position substantially coinciding with the center of curvature of the spherical case 107, and the photographing optical axis A of the camera unit 201 is the rotating shaft 108. It is arranged on a straight line passing through the center. Further, the optical axis B of the auxiliary light irradiation device 106 is disposed at a position away from the photographing optical axis A.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the camera unit 201 is rotated by 45 ° from the state of FIG. 8 with the rotation shaft 108 as a fulcrum. 8 and 9, the auxiliary light emitted from the auxiliary light irradiation device 106 is split into transmitted light L1 and reflected light L2 on the inner surface of the case 107.
JP 2001-145004 A

  However, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the problem that the shielding portion and the cover member are fixed due to changes over time, and the friction between the cover member and the shielding portion adversely affects the rotation operation of the camera portion during photographing. May affect.

  8 and 9, the optical axis B of the auxiliary light irradiation device 106 does not coincide with a straight line passing through the center of curvature of the case 107 (the center of the rotation axis 108 of the camera unit 201). The reflection angle of the reflected light L <b> 2 varies depending on the rotation position of the camera unit 201.

  Accordingly, since the reflection angle of the reflected light L2 on the inner surface of the case 107 is not constant, there is a problem that the reflected light L2 enters the lens barrel of the camera unit 201 and adversely affects the captured image depending on the rotation angle of the camera unit 201. Arise.

  Therefore, the present invention can ensure a smooth rotation operation of the camera unit during photographing, and can make it difficult for light reflected from the case of the auxiliary light irradiation means to enter the lens barrel. An object is to provide an imaging device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured to radiate auxiliary light toward a subject that is photographed by a camera unit that can be rotated and a lens barrel of the camera unit. And a spherical case that houses the camera unit and the auxiliary light irradiation means, wherein the optical axis of the optical system of the auxiliary light irradiation means is a straight line that passes through the center of curvature of the case It is arrange | positioned in the position substantially corresponding to.

  According to the present invention, a smooth rotation operation of the camera unit during photographing can be ensured, and the reflected light from the case of the light emitted from the auxiliary light irradiating means is difficult to enter the lens barrel and is taken. Can reduce the negative impact on

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an imaging apparatus which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a state before a spherical case is mounted.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a camera unit 101 is supported by a tilt support arm 104 projecting from a turntable 106 of a gantry 102 via a rotation shaft 108, and a spherical surface described later. It is used in the state accommodated in the case 107 (refer FIG. 6).

  A movable mechanism such as a reduction gear (not shown) and a pan motor 508 (see FIG. 5) is incorporated in the turntable 103. By driving the movable mechanism, the turntable 103 rotates around the vertical axis, and the camera unit 101 performs a pan operation.

  Also, a movable mechanism such as a reduction gear (not shown) and a tilt motor 507 (see FIG. 5) is incorporated in the tilt support arm 104. By driving the movable mechanism, the tilt support arm 104 rotates in the vertical direction with the center of the rotation shaft 108 as a fulcrum, and the camera unit 101 tilts. The center of the rotation shaft 108 of the tilt support arm 104 is disposed at a position substantially coincident with the center of curvature of the spherical case 107. Accordingly, the camera unit 101 can be rotated about the rotation axis that faces at least two different directions.

  Inside the camera unit 101, there is provided a lens barrel 105 incorporating a zoom mechanism that can change the shooting angle of view. Further, on the side of the camera unit 101, an auxiliary light irradiation device 505 (see FIG. 3) that appropriately radiates auxiliary light such as infrared illumination through the irradiation opening 106 toward a subject photographed by the camera unit 101. ) Is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the photographing optical system 501 of the lens barrel 105.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing optical system 501 includes a first lens group 201 having a positive refractive power fixed to the tip and a first lens group 201 having a negative refractive power and accompanying zooming. And a second lens group 202 driven along the optical axis on the image forming side. Further, the photographing optical system 501 is provided with a third lens group 203 having positive refractive power and driven along the optical axis on the image forming side of the second lens group 202 due to zooming. .

  On the image forming side of the third lens group 203, a stop 204 for controlling the aperture area in accordance with the luminance of the object field to obtain an appropriate exposure is disposed. A fourth lens group 205 having a refractive power is fixedly disposed. On the image forming side of the fourth lens group 205, a CCD sensor 206 for converting a subject image formed by the photographing optical system into an electric signal is disposed.

  The second lens group 202 moves forward and backward along the optical axis direction by a feed screw 208 that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 207. Similarly, the third lens group 203 moves forward and backward along the optical axis direction by a feed screw 210 that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 209. By moving the second lens group 202 and the third lens group 203 in the optical axis direction, it is possible to perform zooming shooting by appropriately changing the shooting angle of view. The aperture of the diaphragm 204 is controlled by the motor 211, and photographing with appropriate exposure is enabled.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the auxiliary light irradiation device 505.

  In the auxiliary light irradiation device 505, a plurality of infrared light emitting LEDs 301 are attached to an element holding frame 303 fixed to the mounting substrate 302. On the subject side of the element holding frame 303, a zoom fixing panel 304 as a first optical element is incorporated.

  The zoom fixing panel 304 is in pressure contact with the seating surface 303 a of the element holding frame 303 by a pressing spring 305 fixed to the element holding frame 303. The compression spring 312 biases the zoom fixing panel 304 in the downward direction in FIG. 3, which is orthogonal to the optical axis, against the frictional force caused by the pressing force of the pressing spring 305.

  The optical axis adjustment screw 306 is screwed into the element holding frame 303, and moves forward and backward in the vertical direction in FIG. 3 orthogonal to the optical axis by turning the adjustment knob portion 306a protruding from the housing 307. Accordingly, the zoom fixing panel 304 has its lower end 304 a pressed against the downward biasing force of the compression spring 312 in FIG. 3 by the optical axis adjustment screw 306, so that the rotation amount of the optical axis adjustment screw 306 Accordingly, it is possible to move in the vertical direction of FIG. 3 orthogonal to the optical axis.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the optical axis adjustment mechanism for moving the zoom fixing panel 304 in the vertical direction in FIG. 3, the optical axis adjustment for moving the zoom fixing panel 304 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A mechanism is also arranged.

  On the front side of the zoom fixing panel 304, a zoom movement panel 308 is disposed. The zoom movement panel 308 has a fitting portion 308 a that is fitted to a guide shaft 309 supported by the housing 307 so as to be movable along the optical axis direction.

  Then, the zoom movement panel 308 is moved back and forth along the optical axis by a feed screw 311 that is rotationally driven by a motor 310, whereby the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting LED 301 according to the angle of view of the photographing lens. The irradiation range changes.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a change in the irradiation range of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 when the zoom movement panel 308 is moved in the optical axis direction by the feed screw 311 rotated by the motor 310.

  In the TELE state of FIG. 4A, since the distance between the zoom moving panel 308 and the zoom fixing panel 304 is narrow, the flat glass is almost the same as that disposed on the front surface of the infrared light emitting LED 301, and the infrared light emitting LED 301. Is almost equal to the light distribution.

  In this embodiment, the infrared light emitting LED 301 is of a reflective type, and is irradiated with substantially parallel light by the action of a substantially parabolic reflector formed on the back surface of the element, as indicated by a broken line in the figure. Light is emitted toward the object scene. By using such an irradiation optical system, light can be used more effectively, so that it is possible to collect light more in the TELE state and reach far.

  In the WIDE state of FIG. 4B, the zoom moving panel 308 is extended to the left in the drawing by the action of the feed screw 311 and the distance between the zoom moving panel 308 and the zoom fixing panel 304 is widened.

  In this state, the light emitted from the infrared light emitting LED 301 as substantially parallel light is refracted by the convex lens portion 304b of the zoom fixing panel 304 and the concave lens portion 308a of the zoom moving panel 308, and becomes diffused light as indicated by a broken line in FIG. It is possible to irradiate the state scene.

  FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the photographing optical system 501 of the camera unit 101 is connected to a central processing unit 504 via a motor drive circuit 502 and a video signal processing unit 503, and the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 includes a drive circuit 506. To the central processing unit 504.

  In this state, when a zoom operation is performed via a control signal line in the drawing by a manual operation by a monitor administrator or the like, as described above, the zoom mechanism of the photographing optical system 501 is driven, and the photographing angle of view changes. .

  Along with this, the zoom movement panel 308 of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is driven to change the irradiation angle of the infrared light. Further, by driving the tilt motor 507 and the pan motor 508 by the operation of the monitor manager, the camera unit 101 can perform the pan / tilt operation to track the subject.

  In addition, the camera unit 101 includes a memory 509 that temporarily stores an imaging frame signal and the like, a video recording unit 510 that includes a magnetic tape, a solid-state memory, or a hard disk, and a video display unit 511 that includes a liquid crystal monitor. Have.

  The camera unit 101 also includes a power supply circuit 512 that supplies power to the central processing unit 504 via an external power supply source, a signal cable for exchanging control signals and video signals, an interlock release switch 513, have.

  By the action of the switch of the interlock release switch 513, the interlocking between the photographing optical system 501 and the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is canceled, and the photographing optical system 501 is controlled to the WIDE state and the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is controlled to the TELE state.

  6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a spherical case 107 is attached to the gantry 102 and the camera unit 101 is covered with the case 107, and FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state rotated 45 degrees.

  The case 107 is translucent, and the auxiliary light irradiated from the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 through the opening 106 is transmitted light L1 that passes through the case 107 and reflected light L2 that is reflected by the inner surface of the case 107. And is spectroscopically separated.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the optical axis B of the optical system of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is disposed at a position that substantially coincides with the center of curvature of the case 107, that is, the straight line passing through the center of the rotation axis 108 of the camera unit 101. ing. For this reason, regardless of the rotation angle of the camera unit 101, the reflected light L2 is always regular reflected light.

  Therefore, if the reflection angle of the reflected light L2 is known, the photographing optical axis B of the camera unit 101 can be arranged at a position where the reflected light L2 does not enter the lens barrel 105 of the camera unit 101. In the present embodiment, the photographic optical axis A is spaced substantially parallel to the optical axis B, and an inverted conical cover (regulating member) is provided around the opening 106 of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505, for example. 109 is provided so that the irradiation angle of the auxiliary light is constant.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the optical axis B of the optical system of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is disposed at a position that substantially coincides with a straight line passing through the center of curvature of the case 107. As a result, the reflected light from the case 107 of the light irradiated from the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 can be made difficult to enter the lens barrel 105 to reduce adverse effects on the photographed image, and the camera unit 101 during photographing can be reduced. Smooth rotation can be ensured.

  In addition, since the cover 109 is provided around the opening 106 of the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 in order to make the irradiation angle of the auxiliary light constant, the reflection angle of the regular reflection light L2 at the case 107 can be kept substantially constant. it can. Therefore, the lens barrel 105 and the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 are disposed at a position where the regular reflection light L2 does not enter the lens barrel 105, thereby reliably preventing the regular reflection light L2 from entering the lens barrel 105. be able to.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to what was illustrated to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 is integrally provided in the camera unit 101 is illustrated, but it is not always necessary to do this, and the camera unit 101 and the auxiliary light irradiation device 505 are separated. You may arrange.

It is a figure for demonstrating the imaging device which is an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which shows the state before mounting | wearing with a spherical case. It is sectional drawing which shows the imaging optical system of a lens barrel. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating an auxiliary light irradiation apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the irradiation range of an auxiliary illuminating device, (a) is a TELE state, (b) is a WIDE state. It is a control block diagram of an imaging device. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the spherical case to the mount and covered the camera part with this case. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which the camera part rotated 45 degrees by using the rotating shaft as a fulcrum from the state of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the conventional imaging device. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which the camera part rotated 45 degrees by using the rotating shaft as a fulcrum from the state of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Camera part 102 Base 103 Turntable 104 Tilt support arm 105 Lens barrel 106 Irradiation opening part 107 Case 108 Rotating shaft 109 Cover 201 1st lens group 202 2nd lens group 203 3rd lens group 204 Diaphragm 205 4th lens group 206 CCD sensor 207 Stepping motor 208 Feed screw 209 Stepping motor 210 Feed screw 211 Motor 301 Infrared light emitting LED
302 Mounting board 303 Element holding frame 304 Zoom fixing panel 305 Holding spring 312 Compression spring 306 Optical axis adjustment screw 307 Case 308 Zoom moving panel 309 Guide shaft 310 Motor 311 Feed screw 501 Imaging optical system 502 Drive circuit 503 Video signal processing unit 505 Auxiliary light irradiation device 506 drive circuit 504 central processing unit 507 tilt motor 508 pan motor 509 memory 510 video recording unit 511 video display unit 512 power supply circuit 513 interlock release switch

Claims (6)

A camera unit arranged to be capable of rotating, and
Auxiliary light irradiation means for irradiating auxiliary light toward a subject photographed by the lens barrel of the camera unit;
A spherical case that houses the camera unit and the auxiliary light irradiation means, and an imaging device comprising:
The optical axis of the optical system of the auxiliary light irradiation means is arranged at a position substantially coinciding with a straight line passing through the center of curvature of the case.
An imaging apparatus characterized by that. The photographing optical axis of the lens barrel is spaced apart substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optical system of the auxiliary light irradiation means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The camera unit is supported so as to be capable of rotating around a position that substantially matches the center of curvature of the case as a fulcrum.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary light irradiation unit includes a regulating member that regulates an irradiation angle of the auxiliary light. The auxiliary light emitted from the auxiliary light irradiation means is infrared light;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The camera unit is arranged to be capable of rotating around a rotation axis that faces at least two different directions.
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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