JP2011071712A - Stereoscopically imaging device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopically imaging device that can capture a stereographic image in which a difference other than parallax of a subject image is eliminated even in performing blurring correction by connecting two shift target units with each other in fixed manner by one correction stage. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera (1) having two correction lenses (6a, 6b) for capturing a stereoscopic image from a subject image includes a blurring detection part (24) for detecting an amount of blurring caused in the digital camera (1), a lens correction stage (5) connecting the two correction lenses (6a, 6b) with each other in fixed manner, and a lens blurring correction processing part (25) that integrally moves the two correction lenses (6a, 6b) connected with each other in fixed manner by the lens correction stage (5) in a predetermined direction in accordance with the amount of blurring detected by the blurring detection part (24), to correct the blurring of the subject image captured by the two correction lenses (6a, 6b). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic imaging apparatus and a stereoscopic imaging method capable of preventing a difference other than parallax between two obtained images in a stereoscopic imaging apparatus including two optical systems capable of capturing a stereoscopic image.

  In recent years, with the spread of 3D displays, a stereoscopic image is provided with an optical system composed of two lenses and the like, and two imaging elements that respectively capture a subject image formed by the optical system and output it as an image signal. There is an increasing demand for photographing devices capable of photographing.

  Also in such a stereoscopic imaging device, various stereoscopic imaging devices that detect camera shake and correct camera shake are disclosed in order to prevent the captured image from blurring due to the effect of camera shake when capturing a stereoscopic image. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  A lens that shifts (moves) a correction lens provided in an optical system according to a detected camera shake as a camera shake correction mechanism of an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup system constituted by one optical system and one image pickup device. There are two general systems: a shift type correction mechanism and an image sensor shift type correction mechanism that shifts the image sensor.

  FIG. 11 shows a stereoscopic imaging device 102A in which the correction lens shift method in which the correction lens shift method is applied to the stereoscopic imaging device is applied to the stereoscopic imaging device. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus 102A in FIG. 11 includes two lenses 103a and 103b, two imaging elements 107a and 107b that respectively capture subject images formed by the two lenses 103a and 103b, and output image signals. The correction lenses 106a and 106b are provided, and when the shift of the optical axes 141a and 141b due to camera shake is detected, the correction lenses 106a and 106b are shifted to perform camera shake correction.

  FIG. 12 shows a stereoscopic imaging device 102B in which an imaging element shift method in which the imaging device shift method is applied to a stereoscopic imaging device is applied to the stereoscopic imaging device. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus 102B in FIG. 12 includes two lenses 103a and 103b, two imaging elements 107a and 107b that respectively capture subject images formed by the two lenses 103a and 103b, and output image signals. Drive units 108a and 108b for driving the image sensors 107a and 107b, respectively, and when the deviation of the optical axes 141a and 141b due to camera shake is detected, the drive units 108a and 108b shift the image sensors 107a and 107b to correct camera shake. Is supposed to do.

JP 2008-252254 A JP 2003-52058 A

  However, in the case of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus 102A, as shown in FIG. 11, since the two correction lenses 106a and 106b can move independently, the correction lenses 106a and 106b are different from each other in the camera shake correction. A case of shifting is also conceivable. Similarly, in the case of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus 102B, since the drive units 108a and 108b can independently drive the imaging elements 107a and 107b, the imaging elements 107a and 107b are shifted in different directions during camera shake correction. Cases are also possible.

  As described above, when the conventional lens shift type or imaging element shift type correction mechanism is applied to the stereoscopic imaging apparatus, the correction lenses 106a and 106b or the imaging elements 107a and 107b are different from each other in blur correction. There is a possibility of shifting. When there is a difference between the movements of the two correction lenses 106a and 106b or the image sensors 107a and 107b in this way, a deviation occurs between the left and right optical axes 141a and 141b, and each correction lens 106a and 106b or each image sensor 107a, Differences other than parallax occur in the image obtained by passing through 107b, and there is a possibility that a problem occurs in the stereoscopic image obtained by combining the obtained left and right images.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and even when blur correction is performed, a stereoscopic imaging apparatus and a stereoscopic that can prevent differences other than parallax between two obtained images in advance. An object is to provide an imaging method.

  Each of the stereoscopic imaging devices according to the first aspect of the present invention includes at least one of a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image and an imaging device that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal. Two shift target units, a blur detection unit that detects a blur amount generated in the apparatus, a correction stage that fixes and connects the two shift target units to each other, and a blur amount detected by the blur detection unit Accordingly, the two shift target units that are fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage are moved together in a predetermined direction, and a blur that corrects a blur of a subject image captured by the two shift target units is corrected. And a correcting means.

  In the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, each of the two shift target units includes a correction lens that corrects an imaging position of a subject image, and the correction stage includes the two shift target units. The respective correction lenses are fixedly connected to each other, and the blur correction unit is connected to each other by the correction stage in accordance with the amount of blur detected by the blur detection unit. Is moved in a predetermined direction to correct blurring of the subject image.

  In the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention, each of the two shift target units includes an image sensor that captures a subject image and outputs an image signal, and the correction stage includes the two shift target units. The image pickup devices of the unit are fixedly connected to each other, and the shake correction unit is fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage according to the shake amount detected by the shake detection unit. The image pickup device is moved integrally in a predetermined direction to correct blur of the subject image.

  In the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, each of the two shift target units is an imaging that corrects the imaging position of the subject image, and images the subject image and outputs an image signal. The correction stage, the correction lenses of the two shift target units are fixedly connected to each other, the imaging elements of the two shift target units are fixed to each other, and the correction stages are connected to each other. The blur correction unit selectively integrates the respective correction lenses or image sensors connected to each other by the correction stage according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit in a predetermined direction. It is moved and the blur of the said subject image is correct | amended.

  A stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an imaging condition setting unit that sets an imaging condition, and each of the two shift target units includes a correction lens that corrects an imaging position of a subject image; An image pickup device that picks up a subject image and outputs an image signal, and the correction stage includes a first correction stage that fixes and connects the correction lenses of the two shift target units to each other; A second correction stage that fixes and connects the image sensors of the two shift target units to each other, and the blur correction unit fixes the respective correction lenses that are fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage. The first blur correction means for moving in a predetermined direction and the respective image sensors fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage are moved in the predetermined direction. And a selection control means for selectively controlling the first shake correction means and the second shake correction means. The selection control means is controlled by the imaging condition setting means. Based on the set imaging condition, either one of the blur correction by the first blur correction unit or the blur correction by the second blur correction unit according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit. Alternatively, both blur corrections are executed.

  The stereoscopic imaging method according to the invention described in claim 6 includes at least one of a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image and an imaging device that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal. A stereoscopic imaging method for imaging with a stereoscopic imaging device having two shift target units and a correction stage for fixing and connecting the two shift target units to each other, wherein the stereoscopic imaging method is applied to the stereoscopic imaging device. A blur detection step for detecting a blur amount generated, and the two shift target units fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection step in a predetermined direction. And a blur correction step of correcting the blur of the subject image picked up by the two shift target units. .

  According to the present invention, even when blur correction is performed on a stereoscopic image capturing apparatus that captures a stereoscopic image, differences other than the parallax between the two obtained images can be prevented in advance.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the camera shake control process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the digital camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the camera shake control process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the digital camera which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the camera shake control process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging system of a prior art. It is a figure which shows the imaging system of a prior art.

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

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control circuit of a digital camera 1 which is a first embodiment of a stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. Although not shown, the front side of the housing of the digital camera 1 has an imaging system 2 including a strobe light emitting unit and two photographing lenses (lens group). Further, a mode dial for determining shooting conditions, a liquid crystal monitor screen, a cursor key, a SET key, a zoom key (W button, T button), a camera shake correction function key, and the like are provided on the back of the casing of the digital camera 1. ing. Also, a shutter key and a power button are provided on the top surface of the casing of the digital camera, and a USB used for connecting a USB cable to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a modem on the side of the casing. A terminal connection is provided.

  The digital camera 1 includes an imaging system 2, a blur detection unit 24, a lens blur correction processing unit 25, a lens system driving unit 26, a timing generation unit 29, a signal processing unit 30, an image processing unit 31, a display processing unit 32, a display monitor 33, A recording unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a camera control unit 36 are provided.

  The imaging system 2 is disposed between the two focus lenses 4a and 4b and the zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the focus lenses 4a and 4b corresponding to the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b, respectively. It has a lens correction stage 5, two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5, and two image sensors 7a and 7b. The two zoom lenses 3a and 3b are arranged at a predetermined interval, and are driven forward and backward in the directions of the optical axes 41a and 41b (see FIG. 2) by a zoom control mechanism (not shown), respectively. As the zoom lenses 3a and 3b are driven back and forth, the shooting angle of view changes. Note that the two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 constitute a shift target unit according to the present embodiment. The focus lenses 4a and 4b are driven back and forth in the direction of the optical axes 41a and 41b by the focus control mechanism. Focus adjustment of the imaging system 2 is performed by driving the focus lenses 4a and 4b forward and backward. The lens correction stage 5 is integrally driven by an actuator provided in the lens system driving unit 26 so that the two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 cancel out camera shake in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. (Moved). The lens correction stage 5 is formed in a transparent flat plate that transmits light, and when the lens correction stage 5 is driven and the two correction lenses 6a and 6b move as a unit, on the imaging surfaces of the imaging elements 7a and 7b. The subject image formed on the screen shifts. By driving the lens correction stage 5, it is possible to perform camera shake correction by a lens shift method in which a pair of correction lenses 6a and 6b fixedly connected to the lens correction stage 5 is shifted.

  The two image sensors 7a and 7b are constituted by a CCD or the like. The image sensors 7a and 7b capture a subject image formed on the imaging surface and output an image signal. The signal processing unit 30 performs predetermined signal processing (for example, color interpolation processing, γ correction processing, white balance processing, shading correction processing, etc.) after converting the analog imaging signal into a digital signal. The timing generator 29 generates a readout timing signal of an imaging signal that is read out from the imaging elements 7a and 7b.

  The zoom lens 3a, the correction lens 6a, the focus lens 4a, and the image sensor 7a are arranged so that the optical axes 41a of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other. Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the correction lens 6b, the focus lens 4b, and the imaging device 7b are arranged so that the optical axes 41b of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other.

  The blur detection unit 24 physically and directly detects the motion of the digital camera 1 and outputs a motion detection signal indicating the angular velocity to the camera control unit 36. The blur detection unit 24 functions as blur detection means such as a gyroscope or an angular velocity sensor, and detects the blur amount generated in the digital camera 1.

  The lens shake correction processing unit 25 is provided in the camera control unit 36 and has a conversion table that outputs a shake amount corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal from the shake detection unit 24 as a correction amount. The blur detection unit 24 is activated upon receiving a correction start command from the camera control unit 36, and the camera control unit 36 calculates a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and the calculated correction amount. Based on the above, a signal for driving the lens correction stage 5 is output to the lens system driving unit 26.

  The lens system driving unit 26 uses the correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 according to the correction amount from the camera control unit 36, and the optical axes 41a and 41b of the zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the focus lenses 4a and 4b. Functions as blur correction means for moving the lens correction stage 5 in a direction perpendicular to the lens. The movement amount of each of the correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 is determined by the lens blur correction processing unit 25.

  The image processing unit 31 converts the format of the image data input from the signal processing unit 30 into a predetermined data format, or gives the image data to the display processing unit 32. The display processing unit 32 generates a video signal using the image data and sends it to the display monitor 33.

  The display monitor 33 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays an image or the like based on a video signal input from the display processing unit 32. The display image includes a through image that is sequentially captured by the image sensors 7a and 7b before the still image shooting instruction, a still image that is captured by the image sensors 7a and 7b after the still image shooting instruction, a moving image at the time of moving image shooting, and a recording unit 34. There are playback images based on recorded image data. These images can be displayed on the display monitor 33 by electrically changing the display angle of view (electronic zoom) by operating the operation unit 35.

  The recording unit 34 is configured by a removable memory card or the like. In the shooting mode, the recording unit 34 records the image data whose format has been converted by the image processing unit 31. In the reproduction mode, the image data recorded in the recording unit 34 is read and sent to the image processing unit 31. The image processing unit 31 generates a video signal for displaying a reproduced image. Note that the digital camera 1 is configured to be able to select each of a still image shooting mode and a moving image shooting mode, and audio data may be recorded at the time of moving image shooting.

  The operation unit 35 includes a power switch (main switch), a zoom switch, a mode setting dial, a release (half-press switch, full-press switch) switch, and the like, and an imaging condition for setting the imaging condition of the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. It functions as a setting means, generates an operation signal based on an operation condition corresponding to each operation, and sends it to the camera control unit 36. Thereby, for example, when the zoom switch is operated by the operator, a predetermined magnification (for example, 1 to 12 times) is set as the imaging condition.

  The camera control unit 36 includes a CPU and a ROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU and a work RAM (not shown), and outputs commands to each block in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 35. And control the camera operation.

<Description of imaging system>
With reference to FIG. 2, the lens shift type camera shake correction operation by driving the lens correction stage 5 to which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixedly connected in the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a zoom lens 3a, a correction lens 6a, a focus lens 4a, and an image sensor 7a are arranged in a line along an optical axis 41a that faces an imaging target (not shown). Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the correction lens 6b, the focus lens 4b, and the image sensor 7b are arranged in a line along the optical axis 41b. The two correction lenses 6 a and 6 b that are the shift target units of the present embodiment are fixedly connected to the lens correction stage 5.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the optical axes 41a and 41b of the digital camera 1 are directed to the object to be imaged. When the shutter key is pressed in this state, the shutter is opened and the subject image is an abbreviation on the optical axis 41a of the image sensor 7a. The image is formed at the center position. However, when the digital camera 1 moves due to camera shake while the shutter is open, the lens optical axis is inclined with respect to the optical axis 41a and the optical axis 41b from the imaging target, and the subject image is captured by the imaging device 7a and the imaging. An image is to be formed at a position shifted from the center position of the element 7b.

  At this time, when the blur detection unit 24 detects that the digital camera 1 has moved, the camera control unit 36 moves the lens correction stage 5 to which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixedly connected to the blur detection unit 24. By moving (shifting) in the direction opposite to the motion of the blur detected by the correction, the subject image is corrected so as to be formed at the center position of the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b.

  As described above, even if camera shake occurs in the digital camera 1, the two correction lenses 6a and 6b are shifted together, so that the three-dimensional subject image is shifted from the center position on the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b. Without forming an image at the position, the image formation position is always corrected to be the center position of the image pickup element 7a and the image pickup element 7b, so that it is possible to avoid a blurred three-dimensional image.

  Therefore, the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment fixes and connects the two correction lenses 6a and 6b constituting the shift target unit on the single lens correction stage 5, thereby connecting the two correction lenses 6a and 6b. The camera shake correction can be performed in a state where the relative position of the camera does not shift. Thereby, even when camera shake correction is performed, it is possible to capture a three-dimensional image with no difference other than the parallax of the subject image.

  Further, the two correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixedly connected to each other on the lens correction stage 5, and the blur correction is performed by the lens shift method in which the two correction lenses 6a and 6b are shifted together. Since the power required to shift the correction lenses 6a and 6b when performing is smaller than the power required to shift the heavier image sensors 7a and 7b, it is consumed in comparison with the blur correction by the image sensor shift method. It is possible to perform blur correction of the subject image while suppressing the power applied and eliminating the difference other than the parallax of the subject image.

<Overview of digital camera operation>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the digital camera of the present invention. The processing shown below may be basically executed by the camera control unit 36 in accordance with a program stored in advance in a program memory such as a flash memory. Hereinafter, description will be made based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the digital camera will be described as having a zoom function and an autofocus function, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In FIG. 3, when the user operates the power button to turn on the main power source of the digital camera and the user operates the operation unit 35, the process proceeds to step S10, and the camera control unit 36 determines the initial value and the initial shooting. The conditions are read from the ROM and set in the work RAM.

  Next, in step S11, the camera control unit 36 starts displaying a through image (finder image). That is, the camera control unit 36 outputs a start signal related to the through image display process to the timing generation unit 29. In response to this, the timing generator 29 outputs timing signals to the image sensors 7 a and 7 b and the signal processor 30. The imaging elements 7a and 7b output the captured image signals to the signal processing unit 30, the signal processing unit 30 generates image data from the image signals and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 31, and the image processing unit 31 outputs the image data. Is converted and output to the display processing unit 32. The display processing unit 32 outputs the display data to the display monitor 33 to display a through image.

  Next, in step S12, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not there has been a zoom instruction based on a signal from the operation unit 35 shown in FIG. In this process, it is determined whether or not a zoom operation has been performed by a user operation on the operation unit 35. If there is a zoom instruction, the process proceeds to step S13, and if there is no zoom instruction, the process proceeds to step S14.

  Next, in step S13, when there is a zoom instruction, the camera control unit 36 controls the imaging system 2 to perform zoom processing. That is, a control signal is sent to a zoom (ZOOM) driver (not shown), the zoom motor 3 is driven to move the zoom lenses 3a and 3b to the zoom position corresponding to the designated zoom stage, and the process proceeds to step S14. The camera control unit 36 stores the current zoom position (number of zoom steps) in a work RAM (not shown).

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the camera control unit 36 checks whether a half-press operation of the shutter key is started based on a signal from the operation unit 35. When the half-press operation of the shutter key is started, the process proceeds to step S15, and when the half-press operation of the shutter key is not started, the process returns to step S11.

  Next, when the halfway pressing operation of the shutter key is started, in step S15, the camera control unit 36 performs autofocus (AF) processing at a focal length corresponding to the zoom position (number of zoom steps) selected at that time. , Auto iris (AE) processing and white balance processing (AWB) are executed. Then, the camera control unit 36 reflects the results of the various processes in step S15 on each unit, and displays again from the image processing unit 31 based on the image data acquired through the imaging elements 7a and 7b and the signal processing unit 30. The through image is displayed on the display monitor 33 connected to the processing unit 32.

  Next, in step S16, the camera control unit 36 checks whether or not the shutter key is fully pressed. If the shutter key is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S18. If the shutter key is not fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S17.

  Next, in step S <b> 17, the camera control unit 36 checks whether the half-press operation of the shutter key is released based on the signal from the operation unit 35. When the half-press operation of the shutter key is released, the process returns to step S12, and when the half-press operation of the shutter key is not released, the process returns to step S16.

  Next, when the shutter key is fully pressed, in step S18, the camera control unit 36 newly acquires an image signal used for a still image from the image sensors 7a and 7b. That is, the camera control unit 36 outputs a start signal related to the still image acquisition process to the timing generation unit 29. In response to this, the timing generator 29 outputs timing signals to the image sensors 7 a and 7 b and the signal processor 30. The imaging elements 7a and 7b output the captured high-definition image signal to the signal processing unit 30, and the signal processing unit 30 generates image data from the image signal and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 31. The image data (still image data) for one frame is subjected to JPEG compression processing, the compressed still image data is recorded on the SD card of the recording unit 34, the still image for one frame is photographed, and the process returns to step S11. .

<Handshake control processing>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining camera shake control processing of the digital camera 1 which is the first embodiment of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is assumed that the camera shake control process shown in FIG. 4 is executed in parallel with the outline operation process of the digital camera shown in FIG.

  First, when the user operates the camera shake correction function key, an ON / OFF operation signal corresponding to the user operation is input to the operation unit 35. At this time, since the operation unit 35 generates an interrupt signal and outputs it to the camera control unit 36, the camera control unit 36 sets a flag indicating the operation content in an ON / OFF setting flag area of a memory (not shown).

  4, in step S21, the camera control unit 36 checks the ON / OFF setting flag area set by the operation unit 35, and determines whether or not the camera shake correction function is set to ON.

  When it is determined in step S21 that the camera shake correction function is set to ON, the camera control unit 36 gives a start signal to the shake detection unit 24 and starts detecting the amount of shake generated in the digital camera 1. (Step S22).

  The blur amount information (detection signal) generated in the digital camera 1 detected by the blur detection unit 24 is input to the camera control unit 36 or the lens blur correction processing unit 25 provided in the camera control unit 36.

  Next, in step S23, the camera control unit 36 checks the ON / OFF setting flag area set by the operation unit 35, and determines whether or not the camera shake correction function is set to OFF.

  When it is determined that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF, the process proceeds to step S24, and the camera control unit 36 provides a stop signal to the shake detection unit 24 to detect the amount of shake generated in the digital camera 1. Is stopped, and the process returns to step S21. Note that when it is determined that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF and the lens correction stage 5 is driven, the camera control unit 36 stops driving the lens correction stage 5.

  On the other hand, if the camera shake correction function is not set to OFF in step S23, that is, if the camera shake correction function is continuously set to ON, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not the shutter key is half-pressed based on a signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the shutter key is half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S26. If it is determined that there is no half-press operation of the shutter key, the process returns to step S23.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the shutter key has been half-pressed, the camera control unit 36 sends a correction command to the lens shake correction processing unit 25. The lens blur correction processing unit 25 is activated upon receiving a correction command from the camera control unit 36, calculates a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and sends the calculated value to the lens system driving unit 26. (Step S26), the process proceeds to Step S27. At this time, the lens system driving unit 26 drives the lens correction stage 5 according to the correction amount from the lens blur correction processing unit 25. As a result, the two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 can be integrally driven by an actuator provided in the lens system driving unit 26 so as to cancel out camera shake.

  In step S <b> 27, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not the half-press operation of the shutter key is released based on the signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is released, the process proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is not released, step S27 is performed until the half-press operation of the shutter key is released. Repeat the process.

  If the half-press operation of the shutter key is released in step S27, the process proceeds to step S28, where the camera control unit 36 stops driving the lens system driving unit 26 via the lens blur correction processing unit 25, and the process proceeds to step S23. Return.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment performs blur correction by the lens shift method, whereas the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that blur correction is performed by an image sensor shift method to be described later. The structure, control circuit, etc. of the digital camera of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. However, when performing blur correction by the imaging device shift method instead of the blur correction by the lens shift method, control is performed by the control circuit of the digital camera 1a of FIG. 5 instead of the control circuit of the digital camera 1 of FIG. Further, accompanying the blur correction by the imaging element shift method, the blur correction by the imaging system of FIG. 5 is performed instead of the blur correction by the imaging system of FIG. In addition, the camera shake control process of FIG. 7 is performed instead of the camera shake control process of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control circuit of a digital camera 1a which is the second embodiment of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the control circuit of the first embodiment, but includes an image sensor correction stage 8 instead of the lens correction stage 5 of the first embodiment. Instead of the correction lenses 6a and 6b of the embodiment, image pickup devices 7a and 7b fixed to the image pickup device correction stage 8 are arranged so as to be movable (shiftable). In addition, instead of the lens correction stage 5 of the first embodiment, the image sensor correction stage 8 is provided, and instead of the lens shake correction processing unit 25 and the lens system driving unit 26 of the first embodiment. An image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 and an image sensor driving unit 28 are arranged.

  The digital camera 1a according to the second embodiment includes an image pickup system 2a, a shake detection unit 24, an image pickup device shake correction processing unit 27, an image pickup device system drive unit 28, a timing generation unit 29, a signal processing unit 30, and an image processing unit 31. A display processing unit 32, a display monitor 33, a recording unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a camera control unit 36. Since the configuration other than the imaging system 2a, the imaging element blur correction processing unit 27, and the imaging element system driving unit 28 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The imaging system 2a of the second embodiment includes two focus lenses 4a and 4b, an imaging element correction stage 8 and an imaging element correction stage corresponding to the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b, respectively. 8 includes two image pickup devices 7a and 7b. The two zoom lenses 3a and 3b are arranged at a predetermined interval, and are driven forward and backward in the directions of the optical axes 41a and 41b (see FIG. 6) by a zoom control mechanism (not shown), respectively. The angle of view changes as the zoom lenses 3a and 3b are driven forward and backward. Note that the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b arranged on the image pickup device correction stage 8 constitute a shift target unit according to the present embodiment. The focus lenses 4a and 4b are driven back and forth in the optical axis direction by a focus control mechanism. The focus adjustment of the imaging system 2a is performed by driving the focus lenses 4a and 4b forward and backward. The image sensor correction stage 8 is configured so that the two image sensors 7a and 7b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8 cancel camera shakes in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by an actuator provided in the image sensor system drive unit 28. Driven (moved) as a unit. The image pickup device correction stage 8 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the image pickup device correction stage 8 is driven to move the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b together, thereby forming an image on the image pickup surfaces of the image pickup devices 7a and 7b. Subject image shifts. By driving the image sensor correction stage 8, camera shake correction by an image sensor shift method for shifting the pair of image sensors 7a and 7b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8 can be performed.

  The zoom lens 3a, the focus lens 4a, and the image sensor 7a are arranged so that the optical axes 41a of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other. Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the focus lens 4b, and the image sensor 7b are arranged so that the optical axes 41b of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other.

  The image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 is provided in the camera control unit 36 and includes a conversion table that outputs a blur amount corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal from the blur detection unit 24 as a correction amount. A correction start command is received from the control unit 36 and activated to calculate a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and the imaging element system drive unit 28 is imaged based on the calculated correction amount. A signal for driving the element correction stage 8 is output.

  The image pickup device system drive unit 28 uses the image pickup devices 7a and 7b arranged on the image pickup device correction stage 8 according to the correction amount from the camera control unit 36 as the optical axes 41a of the zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the focus lenses 4a and 4b. , 41b functions as blur correction means for moving the image sensor correction stage 8 in a direction orthogonal to the direction. The movement amount of each of the image sensors 7a and 7b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8 is determined by the image sensor blur correction processor 27.

<Description of imaging system>
Referring to FIG. 6, the image sensor shift type camera shake correction operation by driving the image sensor correction stage 8 to which the image sensors 7a and 7b are fixedly connected in the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a zoom lens 3a, a focus lens 4a, and an image sensor 7a are arranged in a line along an optical axis 41a that is directed to an object to be imaged (not shown). Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the focus lens 4b, and the image sensor 7b are arranged in a line along the optical axis 41b. The two image sensors 7a and 7b that are the shift target units of the second embodiment are fixedly connected to the image sensor correction stage 8.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the optical axes 41a and 41b of the digital camera 1a are directed to the object to be imaged. When the shutter key is pressed in this state, the shutter is opened, and the subject image is an abbreviation on the optical axis 41a of the image sensor 7a. The image is formed at the center position. However, when the digital camera 1a moves due to camera shake while the shutter is open, the lens optical axis is inclined with respect to the optical axis 41a and the optical axis 41b from the imaging target, and the subject image is captured by the imaging element 7a and the imaging element. An image is to be formed at a position shifted from the center position of the element 7b.

  At this time, it is detected by the shake detection unit 24 that the digital camera 1 a has moved, and the image pickup device correction stage 8 to which the image pickup devices 7 a and 7 b are fixedly connected is detected by the shake detection unit 24. The image is corrected so that the subject image is formed at the center position of the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b.

  As a result, even if camera shake occurs in the digital camera 1a, the two image sensors 7a and 7b shift as a whole, so that the three-dimensional subject image is shifted from the center position on the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b. The image formation position is always corrected to be the center position of the image pickup device 7a and the image pickup device 7b, so that the stereoscopic image can be prevented from being blurred.

  Therefore, the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment fixes the two imaging elements 7a, 7b, which constitute the shift target unit, to the two imaging elements 7a, 7b by fixing them on the imaging element correction stage 8. The camera shake correction can be performed in a state where the relative position of 7b does not shift. Thereby, even when camera shake correction is performed, it is possible to capture a three-dimensional image with no difference other than the parallax of the subject image.

  Further, two image sensors 7a and 7b are fixedly connected to each other on the image sensor correction stage 8 and the two image sensors 7a and 7b fixed to the image sensor correction stage 8 are shifted together. By performing blur correction by the image sensor shift method, it is not necessary to move an optical system such as a lens when performing blur correction. Therefore, the influence of lens aberration can be reduced compared to blur correction by the lens shift method. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of optical aberration that degrades the image quality compared to the blur correction by the lens shift method, and to perform the blur correction of the subject image without any difference other than the parallax of the subject image.

<Handshake control processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining camera shake control processing of the digital camera 1a which is the second embodiment of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is assumed that the camera shake control process shown in FIG. 7 is executed in parallel with the process of the schematic operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. Steps S121, S122, S123, S124, S125, and S127 are substantially the same as steps S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, and S27 of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description about steps S121 to S123 is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S123 that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF, the process proceeds to step S124, and the camera control unit 36 provides a stop signal to the shake detection unit 24 to generate the shake generated in the digital camera 1a. The amount detection is stopped, and the process returns to step S121. Note that when it is determined that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF and the image sensor correction stage 8 is driven, the camera control unit 36 stops driving the image sensor correction stage 8.

  On the other hand, if the camera shake correction function is not set to OFF in step S123, that is, if the camera shake correction function is continuously set to ON, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not the shutter key is half-pressed based on a signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the shutter key is half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S126. If it is determined that there is no half-press operation of the shutter key, the process returns to step S123.

  If it is determined in step S125 that the shutter key is half-pressed, the camera control unit 36 sends a correction command to the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27. The image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 is activated upon receiving a correction command from the camera control unit 36, calculates a correction amount according to a detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and sends the correction amount to the image sensor system driving unit 28 ( The process proceeds to step S126) and step S127. At this time, the image sensor driving unit 28 drives the image sensor correction stage 8 according to the correction amount from the image sensor blur correction processor 27. As a result, the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b arranged on the image pickup device correction stage 8 can be integrally driven by an actuator provided in the image pickup device system drive unit 28 so as to cancel out camera shake.

  In step S127, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not the half-press operation of the shutter key is released based on the signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is released, the process proceeds to step S128. On the other hand, if it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is not released, step S127 is performed until the half-press operation of the shutter key is released. Repeat the process.

  If the half-press operation of the shutter key is released in step S127, the process proceeds to step S128, where the camera control unit 36 stops driving the image sensor driving unit 28 via the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27, and The process returns to step S123.

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, only blur correction by the lens shift method is performed, and in the second embodiment, only blur correction by the image sensor shift method is performed. In the third embodiment, zoom magnification and the like are set. It differs from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that a blur correction method is selected depending on the shooting conditions. The structure and control circuit of the digital camera of the third embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. However, when selecting a blur correction method according to the shooting conditions, control is performed by the control circuit of the digital camera 1b of FIG. 8 instead of the control circuit of the digital camera 1 of FIG. Further, in accordance with the selection of the blur correction method according to the shooting conditions, the blur correction by the imaging system 2b in FIG. 9 is performed instead of the blur correction by the imaging system 2 in FIG. In addition, the camera shake control process of FIG. 10 is performed instead of the camera shake control process of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a control circuit of a digital camera 1b which is the third embodiment of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The third embodiment is substantially the same as the control circuit of the first embodiment, but in addition to the lens correction stage 5 of the first embodiment, the image sensor correction stage of the second embodiment. In addition to the correction lenses 6a and 6b of the first embodiment, the image pickup devices 7a and 7b fixed to the image pickup device correction stage 8 of the second embodiment are arranged to be movable (shiftable). ing. In addition to the lens correction stage 5 of the first embodiment, the image blur correction processing unit 25 and the lens of the first embodiment are provided in addition to the imaging device correction stage 8 of the second embodiment. In addition to the system drive unit 26, the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 and the image sensor system drive unit 28 of the second embodiment are arranged.

  The digital camera 1b according to the third embodiment includes an image pickup system 2b, a shake detection unit 24, a lens shake correction processing unit 25, a lens system drive unit 26, an image sensor shake correction processing unit 27, an image sensor drive unit 28, and timing generation. A unit 29, a signal processing unit 30, an image processing unit 31, a display processing unit 32, a display monitor 33, a recording unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a camera control unit 36. Blur detection unit 24, lens blur correction processing unit 25, lens system driving unit 26, timing generation unit 29, signal processing unit 30, image processing unit 31, display processing unit 32, display monitor 33, recording unit 34, operation unit 35, and camera The control unit 36 is the same as in the first embodiment, and the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 and the image sensor system driving unit 28 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The imaging system 2b of the third embodiment includes two focus lenses 4a and 4b, zoom lenses 3a and 3b, and focus lenses 4a and 4b respectively corresponding to the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the two zoom lenses 3a and 3b. The lens correction stage 5 constituting the first correction stage according to the present embodiment disposed between 4b and 2 constituting the first shift target unit according to the present embodiment disposed at the lens correction stage 5 The two correction lenses 6a and 6b, the image sensor correction stage 8 constituting the second correction stage according to the present embodiment, and the second shift target unit according to the present embodiment disposed on the image sensor correction stage 8 It has two image sensors 7a and 7b to be configured.

  The two zoom lenses 3a and 3b are arranged at a predetermined interval, and are driven forward and backward in the directions of the optical axes 41a and 41b by a zoom control mechanism (not shown), respectively. The angle of view changes as the zoom lenses 3a and 3b are driven forward and backward. The focus lenses 4a and 4b are driven back and forth in the optical axis direction by a focus control mechanism. The focus lens 4a and 4b are driven forward and backward to adjust the focus of the imaging system 2b.

  The lens correction stage 5 is integrally driven by an actuator provided in the lens system driving unit 26 so that the two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 cancel out camera shake in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. (Moved). The lens correction stage 5 is formed in a transparent flat plate that transmits light, and when the lens correction stage 5 is driven and the two correction lenses 6a and 6b move as a unit, on the imaging surfaces of the imaging elements 7a and 7b. The subject image formed on the screen shifts. By driving the lens correction stage 5, camera shake correction by the lens shift method can be performed by the pair of correction lenses 6 a and 6 b arranged on the lens correction stage 5.

  The image sensor correction stage 8 cancels camera shake in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis between the two image sensors 7 a and 7 b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8 by an actuator provided in the image sensor system drive unit 28. Are driven (moved) as a unit. The image pickup device correction stage 8 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the image pickup device correction stage 8 is driven to move the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b together, thereby forming an image on the image pickup surfaces of the image pickup devices 7a and 7b. Subject image shifts. By driving the image sensor correction stage 8, camera shake correction by the image sensor shift method can be performed by the pair of image sensors 7a and 7b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8.

  The zoom lens 3a, the correction lens 6a, the focus lens 4a, and the image sensor 7a are arranged so that the optical axes 41a of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other. Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the correction lens 6b, the focus lens 4b, and the imaging device 7b are arranged so that the optical axes 41b of the incident light are substantially coincident with each other.

  The lens shake correction processing unit 25 is provided in the camera control unit 36 and includes a conversion table that outputs a shake amount corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal from the shake detection unit 24 as a correction amount. The correction start command is received from 36 and activated, the correction amount is calculated according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and the lens correction stage 5 is set to the lens system driving unit 26 based on the calculated correction amount. The signal to drive is output.

  The lens system driving unit 26 uses the correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 according to the correction amount from the camera control unit 36, and the optical axes 41a and 41b of the zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the focus lenses 4a and 4b. It functions as a first blur correction unit that moves the lens correction stage 5 in a direction orthogonal to. The movement amount of each of the correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 is determined by the lens blur correction processing unit 25.

  The image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 is provided in the camera control unit 36 and includes a conversion table that outputs a blur amount corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal from the blur detection unit 24 as a correction amount. A correction start command is received from the control unit 36 and activated to calculate a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and the imaging element system drive unit 28 is imaged based on the calculated correction amount. A signal for driving the element correction stage 8 is output.

  The image pickup device system drive unit 28 uses the image pickup devices 7a and 7b arranged on the image pickup device correction stage 8 according to the correction amount from the camera control unit 36 as the optical axes 41a of the zoom lenses 3a and 3b and the focus lenses 4a and 4b. , 41b functions as second blur correction means for moving the image sensor correction stage 8 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The movement amount of each of the image sensors 7a and 7b arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8 is determined by the image sensor blur correction processor 27.

  The camera control unit 36 includes a CPU and a ROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU and a work RAM (not shown), and outputs commands to each block in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 35. And control the camera operation. Note that the ROM of the camera control unit 36 includes a zoom table in which zoom magnifications corresponding to zoom position (zoom step number) information are stored. When the zoom magnification that is the imaging condition set according to the operation is smaller than a preset reference value based on the set zoom magnification that is the imaging condition, the camera control unit 36 On the other hand, when the zoom magnification which is the imaging condition set according to the operation is larger than the reference value, the correction start command is output to the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27. It functions as a selection control means for selectively controlling either one or both of the blur correction by the lens system driving unit 26 and the blur correction by the image sensor driving unit 28, and performs the blur correction based on the selected blur correction. Let it run.

<Description of imaging system>
Referring to FIG. 9, the lens shift method by driving the lens correction stage 5 to which the correction lenses 6 a and 6 b are fixedly connected by the imaging system 2 b of the third embodiment or the imaging elements 7 a and 7 b are fixed. An operation of camera shake correction performed by selecting one camera shake correction method from any one of image sensor shift methods by driving the image sensor correction stage 8 connected in this manner will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a zoom lens 3a, a correction lens 6a, a focus lens 4a, and an image sensor 7a are arranged in a line along an optical axis 41a that is directed to an imaging target (not shown). Similarly, the zoom lens 3b, the correction lens 6b, the focus lens 4b, and the image sensor 7b are arranged in a line along the optical axis 41b. Then, the two correction lenses 6a and 6b, which are the first shift target units of the present embodiment, are integrally arranged on the lens correction stage 5, and two image pickup devices which are the second shift target units of the present embodiment. 7a and 7b are integrally arranged on the image sensor correction stage 8.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the optical axes 41a and 41b of the digital camera 1b are directed to the object to be imaged. When the shutter key is pressed in this state, the shutter is opened, and the subject image is an abbreviation on the optical axis 41a of the image sensor 7a. The image is formed at the center position. However, when the digital camera 1b is shaken due to camera shake while the shutter is open, the lens optical axis is inclined with respect to the optical axis 41a and the optical axis 41b from the imaging target, and the subject image is captured by the image sensor. An image is to be formed at a position shifted from the center position of the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b.

  At this time, when the zoom magnification is set to be smaller than the reference value, the blur detection unit 24 detects that the digital camera 1b has moved, and the camera control unit 36 starts correcting the lens blur correction processing unit 25. When the command is output, the camera shake correction method by the lens shift method is selected. Specifically, the camera control unit 36 moves (shifts) the lens correction stage 5 to which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixedly connected in the direction opposite to the movement of the blur detected by the blur detection unit 24. The object image is corrected so as to be formed at the center position of the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b.

  In addition, when the zoom magnification is set to be larger than the reference value, the blur detection unit 24 detects that the digital camera 1b has moved, and the camera control unit 36 corrects the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27. When a start command is output, a camera shake correction method based on an image sensor shift method is selected. Specifically, the camera control unit 36 moves (shifts) the image pickup device correction stage 8 to which the image pickup devices 7a and 7b are fixedly connected in the direction opposite to the movement of the shake detected by the shake detection unit 24. The object image is corrected so as to be formed at the center position of the image sensor 7a and the image sensor 7b.

  Thereby, even if camera shake occurs in the digital camera 1b, the subject image is not formed at a position shifted from the center position on the image pickup device 7a and the image pickup device 7b, and the image formation position is always the image pickup device 7a and the image pickup device 7b. It can correct | amend so that it may become the center position of the image pick-up element 7b, and it can avoid that a picked-up image becomes blurred.

  Therefore, by fixing and connecting the two correction lenses 6a and 6b constituting the shift target unit on one lens correction stage 5, the relative positions of the two correction lenses 6a and 6b do not shift. The camera shake correction can be performed in the state. Furthermore, by fixing and connecting the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b constituting the shift target unit on the other image pickup device correction stage 8, the relative positions of the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b are shifted. Camera shake correction can be performed in a state where there is no image. Thereby, even when camera shake correction is performed, it is possible to capture a three-dimensional image with no difference other than the parallax of the subject image.

  Further, when the zoom magnification is a low magnification as an imaging condition, camera shake correction is performed by a lens shift method in which the imaging elements 7a and 7b are fixed and the lens correction stage 5 in which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are integrally arranged is shifted. Thus, it is possible to perform blur correction of the subject image with reduced power consumption. On the other hand, when the zoom magnification is high as an imaging condition, camera shake correction by an imaging element shift method in which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixed and the imaging element correction stage 8 in which the imaging elements 7a and 7b are arranged is shifted. By performing the above, it is possible to perform blur correction of the subject image with a reduced amount of optical aberration.

<Handshake control processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining camera shake control processing of the digital camera 1b which is the third embodiment of the stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. Note that the camera shake control process shown in FIG. 10 is executed in parallel with the outline operation process of the digital camera shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. Steps S221, S222, S223, S224, S225, and S229 are substantially the same as steps S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, and S27 of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description about steps S221 to S223 is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S223 that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF, the process proceeds to step S224, and the camera control unit 36 gives a stop signal to the shake detection unit 24 to generate the shake generated in the digital camera 1b. The amount detection is stopped, and the process returns to step S221. When it is determined that the camera shake correction function is set to OFF and the lens correction stage 5 or the image sensor correction stage 8 is driven, the camera control unit 36 uses the lens correction stage 5 and the image sensor. The drive of the correction stage 8 is stopped.

  On the other hand, if the camera shake correction function is not set to OFF in step S223, that is, if the camera shake correction function is continuously set to ON, the process proceeds to step S225.

  In step S225, the camera control unit 36 determines whether or not the shutter key is half-pressed based on a signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the shutter key is half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S226. If it is determined that there is no half-press operation of the shutter key, the process returns to step S223.

  In step S226, the camera control unit 36 acquires the zoom position (zoom step number) information at that time, and the zoom magnification corresponding to the acquired zoom position (zoom step number) information is stored in a ROM (not shown). The optimum camera shake correction method is determined based on the zoom magnification obtained from the table. If the zoom magnification is lower than the reference magnification set in advance for this determination, the process proceeds to step S227. If the zoom magnification is higher than the reference magnification for this determination, the process proceeds to step S228.

  In step S227, the camera control unit 36 sends a correction command to the lens shake correction processing unit 25. The lens blur correction processing unit 25 is activated upon receiving a correction command from the camera control unit 36, calculates a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and sends the calculated value to the lens system driving unit 26. The process proceeds to step S229. At this time, the lens system driving unit 26 drives the lens correction stage 5 according to the correction amount from the lens blur correction processing unit 25. As a result, the two correction lenses 6a and 6b arranged on the lens correction stage 5 can be integrally driven by an actuator provided in the lens system driving unit 26 so as to cancel out camera shake.

  In step S <b> 228, the camera control unit 36 sends a correction command to the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27. The image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 is activated upon receiving a correction command from the camera control unit 36, calculates a correction amount according to the detection signal detected by the blur detection unit 24, and sends the correction amount to the image sensor system driving unit 28. Proceed to step S229. At this time, the image sensor driving unit 28 drives the image sensor correction stage 8 according to the correction amount from the image sensor blur correction processor 27. As a result, the two image pickup devices 7a and 7b arranged on the image pickup device correction stage 8 can be integrally driven by an actuator provided in the image pickup device system drive unit 28 so as to cancel out camera shake.

  In step S229, the camera control unit 36 determines whether the half-press operation of the shutter key has been released based on the signal from the operation unit 35. If it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is released, the process proceeds to step S230. On the other hand, if it is determined that the half-press operation of the shutter key is not released, step S229 is performed until the half-press operation of the shutter key is released. Repeat the process.

  If the half-press operation of the shutter key is released in step S229, the process proceeds to step S230, where the camera control unit 36 drives the lens system driving unit 26 via the lens blur correction processing unit 25 and the image sensor blur correction processing unit. The driving of the image sensor driving unit 28 via 27 is stopped, and the process returns to step S223.

  Heretofore, the stereoscopic imaging devices according to various embodiments have been described. Although the stereoscopic imaging apparatus of the present invention has been described as one component of the digital camera 1 including a CPU and a RAM, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the third embodiment, when the set zoom magnification is smaller than a preset reference value, the camera control unit 36 outputs a correction start command to the lens shake correction processing unit 25 and is set. When the zoom magnification is larger than the reference value, the lens system driving unit 26 and the image sensor driving unit 28 are selectively controlled by outputting a correction start command to the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27. The present invention is not limited to this. When performing blur correction, for example, the camera control unit 36 selectively outputs a correction start command to either one or both of the lens blur correction processing unit 25 and the image sensor blur correction processing unit 27 according to mounting. It may be. Thereby, the lens shift method by driving the lens correction stage 5 to which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are fixedly connected, or the image pickup element shift by driving the image pickup device correction stage 8 to which the image pickup elements 7a and 7b are fixedly connected. It is also conceivable to selectively use one or both of the blur correction methods.

  Further, camera shake correction by a lens shift method is performed by moving the lens correction stage 5 on which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are arranged according to whether the zoom magnification is lower or higher than the reference value as an imaging condition. In addition, although it has been selected and controlled whether to perform camera shake correction by the image sensor shift method by moving the image sensor correction stage 8 in which the image sensors 7a and 7b are arranged, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shooting conditions, whether the brightness around the digital camera 1 is equal to or greater than the brightness of the reference value, whether the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit 24 is equal to or greater than a predetermined blur amount, etc. Accordingly, camera shake correction is performed by moving the lens correction stage 5 on which the correction lenses 6a and 6b are arranged, or the image sensor correction stage 8 on which the image sensors 7a and 7b are arranged is moved. It is also possible to select and execute whether to perform camera shake correction by the imaging element shift method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Imaging system 3a Zoom lens 3b Zoom lens 4a Focus lens 4b Focus lens 5 Lens correction stage 6a Correction lens 6b Correction lens 7a Image sensor 7b Image sensor 8 Image sensor correction stage 24 Blur detection part 25 Lens blur correction process part 26 Lens System drive unit 27 Image sensor blur correction processing unit 28 Image sensor system drive unit 29 Timing generation unit 30 Signal processing unit 31 Image processing unit 32 Display processing unit 33 Display monitor 34 Recording unit 35 Operation unit 36 Camera control unit

Claims (6)

Two shift target units each including at least one of a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image and an image sensor that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal;
Blur detecting means for detecting the amount of blur generated in the device;
A correction stage for fixing and connecting the two shift target units to each other;
According to the amount of blur detected by the blur detection means, the two shift target units fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage are moved together in a predetermined direction, and the two shift target units A stereoscopic imaging apparatus comprising: a blur correction unit that corrects blur of a captured subject image. Each of the two shift target units includes a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image,
The correction stage fixes and connects the correction lenses of the two shift target units to each other,
The blur correction unit moves the respective correction lenses fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage in a predetermined direction according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit, and moves the subject. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein blurring of an image is corrected. Each of the two shift target units includes an image sensor that captures a subject image and outputs an image signal,
The correction stage fixes and connects the respective image sensors of the two shift target units,
The blur correction unit moves the respective imaging elements fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage in a predetermined direction according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit, and moves the subject. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein blurring of an image is corrected. Each of the two shift target units includes a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image, and an imaging device that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal.
The correction stage fixes and connects the correction lenses of the two shift target units to each other, and fixes and connects the image sensors of the two shift target units to each other.
The blur correction unit selectively integrates the respective correction lenses or image sensors connected to each other by the correction stage according to the blur amount detected by the blur detection unit in a predetermined direction. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic imaging apparatus is moved to correct blurring of the subject image. An imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions is provided,
Each of the two shift target units includes a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image, and an imaging device that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal.
The correction stage connects the correction lenses of the two shift target units fixedly to each other and the image sensor of the two shift target units fixedly connected to each other. A second correction stage,
The blur correction unit is fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage and the first blur correction unit that moves the correction lenses fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage in a predetermined direction. A second blur correction unit that moves each of the image sensors in a predetermined direction; a selection control unit that selectively controls the first blur correction unit and the second blur correction unit;
The selection control unit is configured to perform blur correction by the first blur correction unit or the second blur according to a blur amount detected by the blur detection unit based on the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the blur corrections by the blur correction unit are executed. Two shift target units each including at least one of a correction lens that corrects the imaging position of the subject image, and an image sensor that captures the subject image and outputs an image signal, and the two shift target units A stereoscopic imaging method for imaging with a stereoscopic imaging device having correction stages fixedly connected to each other,
The stereoscopic imaging method includes a blur detection step for detecting a blur amount generated in the stereoscopic imaging device;
In accordance with the amount of blur detected by the blur detection step, the two shift target units fixedly connected to each other by the correction stage are moved together in a predetermined direction, and the two shift target units And a blur correction step for correcting blur of a captured subject image.

Images