JP2012155102A - Stereo camera unit, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic information apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a yield of a camera in an imaging test that has been conventionally performed in a manufacturing process by easily and highly accurately mounting two left/right imaging parts to a stereo camera cover in a simple configuration, to miniaturize the components without increasing the number of components, and to reduce the cost by reducing the number of manufacturing processes.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of the stereo camera unit includes: a step for inserting two left/right compact cameras 2 in recesses 31 of a stereo camera cover 3 respectively with a tolerance of zero to mount the compact cameras 2 to the stereo camera cover 3; a step for performing a 3D imaging test in the mounting step of the compact cameras; and a step for mounting the small cameras 2 and a wiring soft flexible substrate 4, with the electrodes of the small cameras 2 mounted to the stereo camera cover 3 corresponded with the wiring electrodes of the wiring soft flexible substrate 4.

Description

  The present invention is a stereo that obtains two images having parallax using two right and left imaging units (compact cameras) including a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that photoelectrically converts image light from a subject. Camera unit and manufacturing method thereof, for example, a digital video camera and a digital still camera using a 3D solid-state imaging device that obtains a stereoscopic image signal by combining left and right imaging signals from the stereo camera unit as an image input device in an imaging unit The present invention relates to an electronic information device such as a digital camera such as an image input camera such as a surveillance camera, a scanner device, a facsimile device, a television telephone device, and a camera-equipped mobile phone device.

  In recent years, a variety of products have been developed for conventional stereo cameras. In a conventional stereo camera, two images having parallax are obtained using two left and right imaging units each including a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor.

  In this conventional stereo camera, a stereoscopic image can be viewed as a 3D stereo photograph or a 3D stereo video by individually viewing two images taken from two points separated from each other on the left and right sides with the left eye and the right eye separately. can do. These 3D stereo photographs and 3D stereo videos have a long history.

  In this 3D stereo photograph, in order to obtain a stereoscopic image with the highest effect, positional consistency between the left image and the right image is important. If the positional alignment of the left and right images, that is, the distance between the two small left and right cameras and the placement angle, etc. are inappropriate, the effect of the stereoscopic image will be lost or an unbearable image will be obtained. End up.

  Here, a conventional stereo camera unit will be described.

  FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are perspective views of each member for explaining a conventional stereo camera unit and its manufacturing process.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the two left and right small cameras 101 are first attached to the flexible wiring board 102 in the manufacturing process. At this time, the connection with the electrodes on the back surface of the small camera 2 is performed by thermocompression bonding for each of the two small cameras 101 on the left and right sides, and there is a stereo camera cover 103 as shown in FIG. Put on. Thus, a conventional stereo camera unit 100 is configured.

  In the conventional image testing method for the stereo camera unit 100, when the stereo camera unit 100 is defective, the left and right small cameras 101 and the wiring flexible substrate 4 attached thereto are regarded as defective as a set. Further, the distortion of the wiring flexible substrate 102 caused by forcibly fitting the stereo camera cover 103 in order to correct the left and right positional deviation generated when the two small cameras 101 on the left and right are attached to the wiring flexible substrate 102. The wiring flexible substrate 102 has been cut or cracked in a drop test or the like due to a twist or twist.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method of performing a conventional 3D imaging test performed on the conventional stereo camera unit 100 of FIG.

  In the conventional method, as shown in FIG. 12, the left and right small cameras 101 are first attached to the wiring flexible substrate 102, respectively. It is generally known that the wiring flexible substrate 102 is made by crimping the small camera 101 with solder, and the small camera 101 can easily be displaced in this operation. After the wiring flexible board 102 is attached, when the 3D imaging test is performed and the imaging test is NG as a result of the test, the stereo camera unit 100 is discarded as indicated by NG in FIG. . Here, it is of course possible to replace only the defective small camera 101, but it can be easily imagined that detaching from the soldered flexible wiring board 102 has a great deal of labor and work time. That is, the conventional 3D imaging test execution method involves parts waste and inefficient work.

  For this reason, for example, as proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the left and right small cameras are attached to the stereo camera cover in order to align the optical axes of the left and right imaging elements, the position of the small stereo camera can be adjusted. Such a device is made.

  As disclosed in Patent Document 3, for the stereo camera structure that does not require mechanical adjustment of the left and right imaging elements, the left and right small cameras are adjusted on the bottom surface, and the 3D shooting test fails. It is difficult to replace the camera when

JP 2001-242521 A JP 2006-91177 A International Publication No. 2006/052024 Pamphlet

  However, the conventional stereo camera in recent years has been inevitably reduced in size and cost in the same way as existing mobile phone devices and digital cameras. It's getting harder to spend.

  In order to correct the above-described imaging surface mounting with high accuracy, for example, the distance between the two small cameras on the left and right and the “displacement” of the arrangement angle of the small cameras, a large amount of arithmetic processing is required. For example, if there is a “deviation” in the arrangement angle of a small camera, it is necessary to have more light receiving parts in advance and read the light receiving parts in the direction of the “deviation” rotation angle, making calculation processing difficult. It becomes.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the position adjustment of a small stereo camera requires additional tools such as screws and springs for adjustment, and there is a concern of increased manufacturing costs and equipment size due to an increase in work processes and the number of parts. was there.

  In Patent Document 3, it is difficult to replace the camera when it fails the 3D shooting test, and the working time is significantly increased and both the left and right small cameras are discarded. Is thought to deteriorate. Further, in Patent Document 3, there is a tolerance between the top surface of the image sensor and a small stereo camera assembly, and it is easy to cause a problem that satisfactory position matching of 3D video cannot be obtained. Conceivable.

  In addition, when mounting a small stereo camera, the size of the stereo camera cover itself is increased due to the configuration of the image sensor positioning surface and the suppression of the image sensor, which is not suitable for a small stereo camera, for example, a 3D camera of a mobile phone device. It was.

  In addition, in such a conventional stereo camera manufacturing method, for example, since two small cameras on the left and right are solder-mounted on a substrate first, the tolerance in this process is large, and the left and right positional positions when attached to the substrate are large. In order to absorb the consistency, when the flexible printed circuit board, which is the above-mentioned substrate, is bent or when the tolerance including the bending is taken into consideration, the optical axes of the left and right imaging elements do not match and the 3D quality is improved. This has been one of the factors that reduce the yield and reduce the yield of cracks and cuts in the substrate during drop tests and the like because of an inadvertent load on the bonding surface.

  As described above, for the stereo camera as described above, how to accurately match the positions of the CCD imaging surfaces of the two imaging units is an important manufacturing issue, and in the manufacturing process of the stereo camera, Due to the decrease in yield and the increase in the number of parts, there are problems that the cost is increased and the case size is increased.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and by attaching the left and right imaging units to the stereo camera cover with a simple configuration with ease and accuracy, the camera yield in imaging tests performed in the conventional manufacturing process. A stereo camera unit that can reduce the number of manufacturing parts and reduce costs by reducing the number of manufacturing parts without increasing the number of components, and a method for manufacturing the stereo camera unit, and inputting images of the stereo camera unit An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic information device such as a mobile phone device with a camera used as an image pickup unit.

  The stereo camera unit of the present invention is a stereo camera unit that obtains two left and right images having parallax using two left and right solid-state image sensors that photoelectrically convert image light from a subject and image the image light from the subject. The two small cameras on the left and right, the stereo camera cover member in which the two small cameras on the left and right are respectively inserted and positioned with zero tolerance, and the plurality of electrodes on the back of each of the two small cameras on the left and right And the wiring board to be connected to the wiring, thereby achieving the above object.

  Preferably, in the stereo camera unit of the present invention, a recessed portion for inserting and fitting the small cameras so as to position the left and right small cameras on both sides of the back side of the stereo camera cover member, respectively. A connecting portion provided between the two is integrally formed.

  Further preferably, the stereo camera cover member in the stereo camera unit of the present invention is made of a heat-resistant metal material.

  Further preferably, the stereo camera unit of the present invention is provided with a hole for incident light at the center of the bottom surface of the recess, and three protrusions around the hole so as to correspond to the three vertices of the triangle, respectively. The top surface of the inserted small camera is mounted on the three protrusions, and the imaging surface of the small camera is positioned.

  Furthermore, preferably, the stereo camera unit of the present invention has a tapered shape in which the inner surface of the indented portion opens outward.

  Further, preferably, the insertion side of the small camera in the stereo camera unit of the present invention is also formed in a tapered shape having the same shape as the tapered inner surface of the concave portion, and the concave portion and the small camera are respectively provided. It is designed to be fitted with a taper.

  Further, preferably, the planar view shape of the indented portion in the stereo camera unit of the present invention is a quadrangular shape or a circular shape so as to include a corner portion of the quadrangular shape.

  Further, preferably, the positional consistency of the left and right small cameras for obtaining a stereo image is adjusted by the stereo camera cover member in the stereo camera unit of the present invention.

  A method of manufacturing a stereo camera unit according to the present invention includes a method of manufacturing a stereo camera unit that obtains two left and right images having a parallax using two left and right solid-state imaging elements that photoelectrically convert image light from a subject. A first mounting step in which each of the left and right small cameras is inserted into the recess of the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance and the small camera is attached to the stereo camera cover member; and the small camera is mounted on the stereo camera cover member A test step for performing a 3D imaging test at the stage of attaching the small camera and the wiring board by associating the electrode of the small camera attached to the stereo camera cover member with the wiring electrode of the wiring board. Two attachment steps, whereby the above object is achieved.

  Preferably, in the test step in the manufacturing method of the stereo camera unit of the present invention, an input signal for driving the two left and right small cameras is prepared for testing from the outside, and an output signal from the small camera is As received externally, a 3D imaging test is performed using a connection means capable of detaching the member having the small camera attached to the stereo camera cover member.

  Furthermore, preferably, in the test step in the method for manufacturing a stereo camera unit of the present invention, when the small camera is defective, only the defective small camera is replaced with the stereo without discarding the two left and right small cameras. A replacement step of replacing from the indentation of the camera cover member.

  The electronic information device of the present invention uses the stereo camera unit of the present invention as an image input device in an imaging unit, thereby achieving the above object.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the present invention will be described below.

  In the stereo camera unit of the present invention, the left and right small cameras provided with the solid-state image sensor, the left and right small cameras are respectively inserted and positioned with zero tolerance inside, and the left and right two small cameras are positioned. And a wiring board that is electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes on each back surface of the small camera. The manufacturing method includes a first mounting step in which each of the left and right small cameras is inserted into the recess of the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance and the small camera is attached to the stereo camera cover member, and the small camera is mounted on the stereo camera cover member. A test step of performing a 3D imaging test at the stage of attaching the second camera, and a second attachment step of attaching the small camera and the wiring board in correspondence with the electrodes of the small camera attached to the stereo camera cover member and the wiring electrodes of the wiring board; have.

  Thus, in order to perform a 3D imaging test after inserting each of the left and right small cameras into the recesses of the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance and attaching the small camera to the stereo camera cover member, the left and right imaging units Since the small camera can be easily and accurately attached to the stereo camera cover member with a simple configuration in which the camera is inserted into the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance, it is possible to increase the yield of the small camera in the imaging test performed in the conventional manufacturing process. Therefore, the number of components does not increase, and it is possible to reduce the size of the components, reduce the number of manufacturing steps, and realize cost reduction.

  Further, since the electrodes of the small camera and the wiring electrodes of the wiring board are not solder-connected as in the prior art, it is possible to easily remove the defective small camera and reuse the non-defective part.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the small camera can be easily and accurately attached to the stereo camera cover member with a simple configuration in which the left and right imaging units are inserted into the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance. In addition to increasing the yield of small cameras in the imaging tests that have been performed, the number of components is not increased, enabling the miniaturization of components, reducing the number of manufacturing steps, and realizing cost reduction.

  In addition, since each of the two small cameras on the left and right is inserted into the recess of the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance and the small camera is attached to the stereo camera cover member, a 3D imaging test is performed. Since the camera electrode and the wiring electrode of the wiring board are not solder-connected, it is possible to easily remove the defective small camera and reuse the non-defective part.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the example of a principal part structure of the stereo camera unit in Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A)-(d) is a perspective view of each member for demonstrating the stereo camera unit of FIG. 1, and its manufacturing process. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the AA 'line cross-section structure of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the small camera of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled each member of the small camera of FIG. (A) And (b) is the top view which looked at the stereo camera unit of FIG. 1 which attached the soft flexible substrate for wiring from the upper direction. (A) And (b) is the top view which looked at the conventional stereo camera unit which attached the soft flexible board | substrate for wiring from upper direction. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a 3D image test of the stereo camera unit of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows typically the socket for attaching the stereo camera unit before resin fixation, and performing a 3D image test from the outside, (a) shows the state which attached the stereo camera unit to the socket and pinched | interposed the socket FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state where the socket is opened and the stereo camera unit is taken out. It is a block diagram which shows the example of schematic structure of the electronic information device which used the solid-state imaging device containing the stereo camera unit 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention as Embodiment 2 of this invention for an imaging part. (A) And (b) is a perspective view of each member for demonstrating the conventional stereo camera unit and its manufacturing process. It is a flowchart which shows the implementation method of the conventional 3D imaging test performed with respect to the conventional stereo camera unit of FIG.

  Embodiment 1 of a stereo camera unit and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention, and implementation of an electronic information device such as a camera-equipped mobile phone device using Embodiment 1 of the stereo camera unit as an image input device in an imaging unit will be described below. Form 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, each thickness, length, etc. of the structural member in each figure are not limited to the structure to illustrate from a viewpoint on drawing preparation.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a main part of a stereo camera unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a stereo camera unit 1 according to the first embodiment includes two left and right small cameras 2 each provided with a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that photoelectrically converts image light from a subject and images them. A stereo camera cover 3 (stereo camera cover member) having a housing configuration (for example, a metal housing such as an aluminum material) in which the small cameras 2 are inserted and positioned with zero tolerance inside, and the rear surfaces of the left and right small cameras 2 And a flexible flexible substrate 4 for wiring that is electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes (not shown) on the side, respectively, and image signals from the two small cameras 2 on the left and right are predetermined by a signal processing unit (not shown). The stereoscopic image synthesis process is performed to obtain a stereoscopic image. The stereo camera unit 1 and a signal processing unit (not shown) constitute a solid-state imaging device. Although the small camera 2 will be described in detail later, each small camera 2 is accommodated in the left and right round holes 33 of the stereo camera cover 3.

  2A to 2D are perspective views of the stereo camera unit 1 of FIG. 1 and each member for explaining the manufacturing process thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), at both ends on the back side of the stereo camera cover 3, a recessed portion 31 (recessed portion) for fitting and attaching the small camera 2 and a connecting portion 32 provided between them are provided. Are integrally formed, and the left and right small cameras 2 are positioned by the stereo camera cover 3, and are integrally formed as a metal casing (or a casing made of other materials). The positional relationship between the two left and right recessed portions 31 is formed with high accuracy. A hole 33 for incident light is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the recess 31 (concave), and protrusions 34 are provided around the hole 33 so as to correspond to the three apexes of the equilateral triangle. The top surface of the inserted small camera 2 is mounted on the three protrusions 34 so that the distance between the lens of the small camera 2 and the hole 33 is accurately positioned.

  The two small cameras 2 on the left and right shown in FIG. 2B have zero tolerance in the recessed portions 31 (concave portions) provided at both ends on the back side of the stereo camera cover 3 so that the electrode 21 side on the back surface is on the top. As shown in FIG. 2C, the left and right small cameras 2 are accurately positioned and attached to the stereo camera cover 3. In this case, in the process of generating a stereoscopic image by synthesizing with the video signals (imaging signals) obtained from the two small cameras 2 on the left and right, the left and right consistency (positioning accuracy) is obtained in order to obtain the most effective stereoscopic image. : Tolerance between the small camera 2 and the recessed portion 31 (recessed portion) so that the positional relationship between the left and right is sufficient with sufficient distance accuracy between the left and right small cameras 2 and the rotational placement accuracy of the small camera 2. It has a small camera mounting structure.

  The small camera 2 is inserted into the recess 31 of the stereo camera cover 3 as shown in FIG. 3. The recess 31 has a quadrangular shape in plan view, but the closer to the bottom of the recess 31 the closer to the recess 31. The inner surface of the indented portion 31 is tapered so as to become narrower. On the other hand, the insertion side of the small camera 2 is also formed in a tapered shape that is the same shape as the tapered inner surface of the recessed portion 31, and the tolerance of the fitting relationship between the recessed portion 31 and the small camera 2 is set to “0”. Thus, the taper and the taper are fitted with high accuracy. This positioning accuracy is the distance accuracy between the left and right small cameras 2 and the rotation accuracy of the small cameras 2. In addition, although such a taper shape was provided in both the hollow part 31 and the small camera 2 here, you may provide in at least any one of the hollow part 31 and the small camera 2. FIG. In addition, such a tapered shape is provided up to the bottom surface, but is provided up to the central portion in the depth direction of the inner surface of the indented portion 31, and the bottom side is further provided with the same opening as the small camera 2 without providing a taper. Alternatively, the frontage size may be slightly larger than the insertion frontage of the small camera 2. In this case, the center of the inner surface of the indented portion 31 swells in the depth direction and the opening size is narrowed. The fitting tolerance between the narrowed opening size (including the case where the bottom surface is tapered) and the outer peripheral size of the small camera 2 is set to zero. A ring-shaped groove portion may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the small camera 2 so that a ring-shaped top portion of the bulged central portion of the inner surface of the indented portion 31 fits into the groove portion of the small camera 2. When the swelled portion of the inner surface of the indented portion 31 fits into each other, it is confirmed that the insertion is completed as a notch sensation. The groove portion of the small camera 2 and the swollen portion of the inner surface of the indented portion 31 may be provided on members opposite to each other. Further, the shape of the indented portion 31 in a plan view is a quadrangular shape. However, if the corner portion of the quadrangular shape is removed in a circular shape, the small camera 2 can be more easily inserted into the indented portion 31.

  Further, by inserting the two small cameras 2 into the bottom surfaces of the left and right indentations 31 of the stereo cover 3 up to the three protrusions 34 with zero tolerance, the top surface of the small camera 2, that is, the imaging lens surface is inserted. Consistency of right and left and rotational position is ensured. Here, after inserting the small camera 2 into the recess 31, it is preferable to fix the resin (adhesive) at each of the four positions of the left and right small cameras 2, but before the fixing, the small camera 2 is attached to the stereo camera cover 3. At the stage where 2 is attached, a 3D imaging test is performed.

  In this 3D imaging test, an input signal for driving the two left and right small cameras 2 and an output signal of the video signal are tested using an easily detachable connection prepared for testing from the outside. It is possible to easily replace at least one small camera 2 having a defect in the success or failure of the test result. That is, the small camera 2 can be easily taken out from the stereo camera cover 3 by protruding the small camera 2 through the round hole 33 on the front side of the stereo camera cover 3.

  After completion of this test, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), wiring is performed on the rear surfaces of the two small cameras 2 attached to the stereo camera cover 3, that is, the electrodes 21 for input / output signals of the small camera 2 described above. The electrode portions of the flexible flexible substrate 4 (wiring substrate) are attached in correspondence. In this case, when attaching each electrode 21 on the back surface of the small camera 2 and each electrode portion of the wiring flexible flexible substrate 4, an attachment method such as thermocompression bonding is preferable. After that, the stereo camera unit 1 to which the wiring flexible flexible substrate 4 is attached is attached to the housing as a 3D camera module such as a mobile phone device, and is appropriately connected to the camera control component.

  In short, in the manufacturing method of the stereo camera unit 1 of the first embodiment, the left and right small cameras 2 are inserted into the recess 31 of the stereo camera cover 3 with zero tolerance, and the small camera 2 is inserted into the stereo camera cover 3. , A step of performing a 3D imaging test in stages, and an electrode of the small camera 2 attached to the stereo camera cover 3 and a wiring electrode of the flexible flexible substrate 4 for wiring to correspond to the small camera 2 and the wiring Attaching the soft flexible substrate 4 for use.

  As described so far, the stereo camera unit 1 of the first embodiment can easily and reliably ensure the alignment of the positions of the two left and right small cameras 2 as compared with the conventional stereo camera, and the stereo camera cover 3 itself can be secured. In addition to reducing the size, it is possible to eliminate the waste of parts when the test result becomes defective.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the small camera 2 of FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view in which each member of the small camera 2 of FIG. 1 is disassembled.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the small camera 2 captures the subject by taking incident light from the subject from the lens unit 22 and receiving it by the image sensor 231. For this reason, the small camera 2 includes a lens unit 22 and an imaging member 23 in which an imaging element 231 is formed at the center of the surface of the substrate 232. The imaging element 231 is an imaging element that receives incident light that has passed through the lens unit 22 and converts the light into an electrical signal. A specific example is a charge-coupled device (CCD). The converted electrical signal (imaging signal) is output to an image processing apparatus (not shown) provided with an image signal processing unit via a terminal 21 in FIG. The substrate 232 has the image sensor 231 at the center of one surface. The substrate 232 is connected to a holder member 222 in which a lens barrel 221 is combined. As a connection method, the lens barrel 221 is connected to the holder member 222 combined. As a connection method, the structure which adhere | attaches using the member for connection which has the positioning part of a holder and the positioning part of the board | substrate 232 on the upper and lower surfaces may be sufficient respectively, Moreover, without providing the member for connection The bottom surface of the holder and the top surface of the substrate 232 may be bonded together. That is, the imaging surface of the above-described small camera 2 becomes the top surface of the lens unit 22, and the imaging is performed by fitting the recess 31 of the stereo camera cover 3 created without the tolerance shown in FIG. 3 with zero tolerance. Surface accuracy (distance accuracy between the left and right small cameras 2 and rotation accuracy of the small cameras 2) is ensured.

  Next, details of the downsizing of the camera cover 3 will be described.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are plan views of the stereo camera unit 1 of FIG. 1 with the wiring flexible flexible substrate 4 attached as viewed from above.

  A small camera 2 is inserted and attached to the stereo camera cover 3 with zero tolerance. For this reason, FIG. 6A shows an ideal case where the flexible wiring board 4 is attached to the small camera 2 (when there is no deviation), and there is a deviation in the attachment of the flexible wiring board 4 to the small camera 2. The case where it occurs is shown in FIG. Even if the “displacement” as shown in FIG. 6B occurs, the consistency of the two small cameras 2 on the left and right (distance accuracy between the left and right small cameras 2 and the rotation accuracy of the small camera 2). As a result, the captured image is good without problems.

  In contrast, a conventional stereo camera unit to which a wiring flexible flexible substrate is attached will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

  7 (a) and 7 (b) are plan views of a conventional stereo camera unit to which a flexible flexible substrate for wiring is attached as viewed from above.

  In the conventional stereo camera unit, the camera cover is attached to the two left and right small cameras after the two left and right small cameras and the flexible wiring board are attached first. For this reason, a size including a certain degree of tolerance is required for the dimensional relationship between the recessed portion (recessed portion) on the back surface side of the stereo camera cover and the small camera fitted thereto. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the case where the two small cameras on the left and right and the flexible printed circuit board are displaced will be described as an example. There is a possibility that it may be attached “off”. Therefore, in order to cover the two “left and right” small cameras that have been displaced, the stereo camera cover has a recess (recessed portion) on the back side of the stereo camera cover by the amount of the “shifted” position in the X or Y direction. It is necessary to increase the dimensions. Also, if the “shift” is larger than the size of the recess (recess) of the stereo camera cover that was created in advance, taking into account tolerances, forcibly attach the left and right small cameras to the stereo camera cover. Therefore, it can be easily imagined that the wiring flexible substrate is distorted or twisted.

  Next, in the implementation of the 3D imaging test, it is possible to eliminate the waste of parts such as the small camera 2 and the stereo camera cover 3 even when the test result of the stereo camera unit 1 of the first embodiment becomes defective. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a 3D image test in the stereo camera unit 1 of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the two small cameras 2 on the left and right have been subjected to unit characteristic tests, and each of the small cameras 2 is inserted into the stereo camera cover 3 with zero tolerance and attached.

  Next, the left and right small cameras 2 attached to the stereo camera cover 3 perform a 3D imaging test, but the input / output control signals required for imaging are easily prepared from the outside for the stereo camera unit 1 for testing. Use a removable socket. The socket is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a socket for attaching the stereo camera unit 1 before resin fixing and performing a 3D image test from the outside. FIG. 9A shows the stereo camera unit 1 attached to the socket and sandwiched. FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a state in which the stereo camera unit 1 is taken out by opening the socket.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, input signals for driving the left and right small cameras 2 are prepared for testing from the outside, and output signals from the small cameras 2 are received externally. As described above, the 3D imaging test is performed using the socket 5 as a connection means capable of attaching and detaching the member having the small camera 2 attached to the stereo camera cover 3. In the lid portion 52 of the socket 5, a hole 521 of an appropriate size is provided so that the lens surfaces 24 of the two left and right small cameras 2 exposed from the stereo camera cover 3 can capture an image of the outside. In addition, the indented portion 511 formed on the bottom surface portion 51 of the socket 5 has a sufficient size to accommodate the stereo camera cover 3. The electrode 21 on the back surface of the imaging device 231 of the two left and right small cameras 2 is inserted into the recessed portion 511 of the bottom surface portion 51 of the stereo camera unit 1 so as to come to the bottom surface, and the electrode 512 on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 511 and the small camera. When the two electrodes 21 are in electrical contact with each other, they are energized, and an image signal from each image sensor 231 is output from the external output terminal 513 to enable a 3D imaging test.

  That is, the external output terminal 513 is electrically connected to the electrode 512 on the bottom surface of the recess 511 and the socket 5. In this way, when the appropriate 3D imaging test is performed on the stereo camera unit 1 before resin fixing, and the imaging test is NG as a result of the test, the defective small size as shown by “NG” in FIG. The camera 2 can be easily taken out from the left and right round holes 33 of the stereo camera cover 3 without being damaged. The small camera 2 can be exchanged for the stereo camera cover 3. If the defective small camera 2 is one of the left and right, if only one defective small camera 2 is replaced, the non-defective small camera 2 and the stereo camera cover 3 are reused again. Is possible. When the 3D imaging test is passed as a non-defective product, the wiring flexible flexible substrate 4 is attached as it is, and is incorporated into an appropriate stereo camera unit 1 housing, for example, a cellular phone device equipped with a 3D camera to be described later.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the stereo camera unit 1 can obtain images from the two small cameras 2 on the left and right, and includes the flexible substrate 4 for wiring the two small cameras 2 on the left and right. In the manufacturing process of the stereo camera unit 1 having the stereo camera cover 3 for fixing the left and right small cameras 2 in order to obtain an image with high accuracy, first, the two left and right small cameras 2 installed at predetermined intervals. Is inserted into the recess 31 of the stereo camera cover 3 and attached. The stereo camera cover 3 adjusts the left and right positional alignment to obtain a stereoscopic image, and the respective imaging surfaces of the left and right small cameras 2 are Fix it on the surface.

  Next, the flexible printed circuit board 4 is attached after the left and right small cameras 2 are fixed to the stereo camera cover 3, whereby the tolerance between the left and right small cameras 2 generated during the attachment can be further reduced.

  Thus, by suppressing variations in manufacturing tolerances, it is possible to align the optical axes of the left and right imaging elements with higher accuracy and obtain a good stereoscopic image. In addition, the 3D imaging test is performed after the small camera 2 is inserted into the recess 31 of the stereo camera cover 3, and if either of the left and right small cameras 2 is defective, the left and right small cameras 2 are all discarded. In addition, the yield can be reduced by replacing only the defective small camera 2. Furthermore, the stereo camera cover 3 is preferably a heat-resistant metal material that can be attached to the flexible substrate 4 (or a rigid flexible substrate) with the small camera 2 attached to the stereo camera cover 3.

  Accordingly, the imaging surface of the small camera 2 is aligned with the top surface of the stereo camera cover 3 that protects the two left and right stereo camera cameras 2 installed at a predetermined interval. Since the small camera 2 is attached after being inserted into the indented portion 31, the optical axes of the two right and left small cameras 2 can be aligned with higher accuracy. Due to a decrease in yield and an increase in the number of parts, there is an increase in cost and a housing. An increase in size can be suppressed.

  In this way, the stereo camera unit 1 to which the wiring flexible flexible substrate 4 is attached is then attached to the housing as, for example, a 3D camera module of a mobile phone device, and is appropriately connected to camera control components. .

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an electronic information device using, as an imaging unit, a solid-state imaging device including the stereo camera unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, the electronic information device 90 according to the second embodiment performs predetermined image signal processing (noise removal, white balance, γ correction, color interpolation, matrix processing, etc.) on the imaging signal from the stereo camera unit 1 according to the first embodiment. In addition to the above signal processing, the solid composition processing may be performed here) to obtain a color image signal, and the color image signal from the solid-state imaging device 91 is subjected to predetermined signal processing for recording A memory unit 92 such as a recording medium that can record data later, and a liquid crystal display that can display a color image signal from the solid-state imaging device 91 on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display screen after performing predetermined signal processing for display A display unit 93 such as a device, and a transmission / reception device capable of performing communication processing after performing predetermined signal processing on the color image signal from the solid-state imaging device 91 for communication. A predetermined print signal processing for printing the color image signal from the communication unit 94 and the solid-state imaging device 91 (for example, either one of the left and right image signals is extracted from the combined stereoscopic image signal or the left and right images are And an image output unit 95 such as a printer that can perform print processing after the signal may be used. The electronic information device 90 is not limited to this, but in addition to the solid-state imaging device 91, at least one of a memory unit 92, a display unit 93, a communication unit 94, and an image output unit 95 such as a printer. You may have.

  As described above, the electronic information device 90 includes, for example, a digital camera such as a digital video camera and a digital still camera, an in-vehicle camera such as a surveillance camera, a door phone camera, and an in-vehicle rear surveillance camera, and a video phone camera. An electronic device having an image input device such as an image input camera, a scanner device, a facsimile device, a camera-equipped mobile phone device, and a portable terminal device (PDA) is conceivable.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, based on the color image signal from the solid-state imaging device 91, it can be displayed on the display screen, or can be printed out on the paper by the image output unit 95. (Printing), communicating this as communication data in a wired or wireless manner, performing a predetermined data compression process in the memory unit 92 and storing it in a good manner, or performing various data processings satisfactorily Can do.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was illustrated using preferable Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention, this invention should not be limited and limited to this Embodiment 1,2. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range based on the description of the present invention and the common general technical knowledge, from the description of specific preferred embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. Patents, patent applications, and documents cited herein should be incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if the contents themselves were specifically described herein. Understood.

  Stereo camera unit that obtains a stereoscopic image using two left and right imaging units equipped with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that photoelectrically converts image light from a subject, and a manufacturing method thereof. Electronic cameras such as digital video cameras and digital still cameras used as image input devices, such as digital video cameras and digital still cameras, image input cameras such as surveillance cameras, scanner devices, facsimile devices, television telephone devices, camera-equipped mobile phone devices, etc. In the field of information equipment, in order to easily and accurately attach a small camera to a stereo camera cover member with a simple configuration in which the left and right imaging units are inserted into the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance, the conventional manufacturing process was used. Small camera yield in imaging tests With increased, without also increasing the number of component parts, allowing the miniaturization of components, it is possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps to realize a cost reduction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stereo camera unit 2 Small camera 21 Electrode 22 Lens unit 221 Lens barrel 222 Holder member 23 Imaging member 231 Imaging element 232 Board | substrate 24 Lens surface 3 Stereo camera cover 31 Recessed part (recessed part)
32 Connecting part 33 Round hole 34 Protruding part 4 Flexible flexible board for wiring (wiring board)
5 Socket (connection method)
51 Bottom surface portion 511 Recessed portion 512 Electrode 52 Lid portion 521 Hole 90 Electronic information device 91 Solid-state imaging device 92 Memory unit 93 Display unit 94 Communication unit 95 Image output unit

Claims (12)

In a stereo camera unit that obtains two left and right images having parallax using two left and right solid-state imaging elements that photoelectrically convert image light from a subject to image,
Two left and right small cameras provided with the solid-state imaging device, a stereo camera cover member in which the two left and right small cameras are respectively inserted and positioned with zero tolerance, and a back surface of each of the two left and right small cameras A stereo camera unit having a wiring board electrically connected to each of a plurality of electrodes.   On both sides of the back side of the stereo camera cover member, there are a recess for inserting and fitting the small camera so as to position the left and right small cameras, and a connecting portion provided between them. The stereo camera unit according to claim 1, which is integrally formed.   The stereo camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the stereo camera cover member is made of a heat-resistant metal material.   A hole for incident light is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the recess, and three protrusions are provided around the hole so as to correspond to the three vertices of the triangle, respectively, on the three protrusions, The stereo camera unit according to claim 2, wherein a top surface of the inserted small camera is mounted, and an imaging surface of the small camera is positioned.   The stereo camera unit according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the indented portion has a tapered shape that opens outward.   The insertion side of the small camera is also formed in a taper shape that is the same shape as the tapered inner surface of the hollow portion, and the hollow portion and the small camera are fitted with respective tapers. Item 3. The stereo camera unit according to Item 2.   3. The stereo camera unit according to claim 2, wherein a shape of the hollow portion in plan view is a quadrangular shape or a circular shape so as to include a corner portion of the quadrangular shape.   The stereo camera unit according to claim 1, wherein positional consistency of the left and right small cameras that obtain a stereo image is adjusted by the stereo camera cover member. In a method for manufacturing a stereo camera unit that obtains two left and right images having parallax using two left and right solid-state image sensors that photoelectrically convert image light from a subject to image,
A first attachment step of inserting each of the left and right small cameras into the recess of the stereo camera cover member with zero tolerance and attaching the small camera to the stereo camera cover member;
A test step of performing a 3D imaging test when the small camera is attached to the stereo camera cover member;
A method of manufacturing a stereo camera unit, comprising: a second attachment step of attaching the small camera and the wiring board in correspondence with the electrode of the small camera attached to the stereo camera cover member and the wiring electrode of the wiring board.   In the test step, the stereo camera cover member is provided with an input signal for driving the two small cameras on the left and right for testing, and the stereo camera cover member receives the output signal from the small camera. The method for manufacturing a stereo camera unit according to claim 9, wherein the 3D imaging test is performed using a connection means that can attach and detach a member to which the camera is attached.   The testing step includes a replacement step of replacing only the defective small camera from the hollow portion of the stereo camera cover member without discarding the two small cameras on the left and right sides when the small camera is defective. A method for manufacturing the stereo camera unit according to 9 or 10.   The electronic information apparatus which used the stereo camera unit in any one of Claims 1-8 as an image input device for the imaging part.

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