JP2012237915A - Imaging apparatus and lens device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus enabling vertical three-dimensional image photography with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging optical system that has a parallax creating unit for creating parallax and forms parallax images from different points of view; an imaging element that is provided on an image forming plane of the imaging optical system; and rotation means that rotates the parallax creating unit around the plane center of the imaging element so as to rotate parallax directions from different points of view.

Description

  The present invention provides an imaging device capable of capturing a vertical stereoscopic image.

  When taking a stereoscopic image, it is necessary to take images from a plurality of locations separated from each other with respect to the same subject, that is, parallax images. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method for acquiring parallax images in a time-division manner using an imaging device including one imaging element is known. However, since such an imaging apparatus is premised on reproducing a video on a television monitor, the imaging apparatus only supports shooting in which the longitudinal direction of the shooting screen is the horizontal direction, so-called horizontal shooting. If so-called vertical shooting is performed by using this imaging apparatus to rotate 90 degrees so that the longitudinal direction of the shooting screen is the vertical direction, the parallax direction becomes the vertical direction (vertical parallax) and cannot be reproduced as a stereoscopic image. .

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an imaging device that can capture a vertical stereoscopic image by rotating an imaging element by 90 degrees.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-224820 JP 2009-188931 A

  However, the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 require a flexible cable such as a flexible printed circuit board for electrical connection to the image sensor. For this reason, the surrounding structure of the image sensor becomes complicated and the cost is increased. In addition, the influence of noise tends to increase on the image sensor.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus and a lens apparatus that can capture a vertical stereoscopic image with a simple configuration.

  An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a parallax generation unit that generates parallax, an imaging optical system that forms parallax images from different viewpoints, and an imaging plane of the imaging optical system. An image sensor; and a rotation unit that rotates the parallax direction of the different viewpoints by rotating the parallax generation unit about the center of the surface of the image sensor.

  A lens apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a parallax generation unit that generates parallax, and rotates an imaging optical system that forms parallax images from different viewpoints on an imaging device, and the parallax direction of the different viewpoints Therefore, a terminal for receiving a signal for rotating the parallax generation unit and a rotation unit for rotating the parallax generation unit based on the signal are provided.

  Other objects and features of the present invention are illustrated in the following examples.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device and a lens device capable of capturing a vertical stereoscopic image with a simple configuration.

1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a divided configuration of a shutter according to Embodiment 3. Side view of the stereoscopic imaging optical system of Example 2

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the image pickup apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus 1 (stereoscopic image pickup apparatus) in the present embodiment. In the imaging apparatus 1, the imaging optical system 101 is an imaging optical system that forms two subject images (parallax images) from two different viewpoints (left eye and right eye). The distance between the two viewpoints, that is, the base line length is preferably about 65 mm, for example. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate according to the demand for stereoscopic effect when displaying a stereoscopic image.

  The imaging optical system 101 deflects the left and right shutters SL and SR (a pair of shutters) disposed on the respective optical axes corresponding to the viewpoints of the left eye and the right eye, and the left and right optical axes inward. The left and right reflecting mirrors ML and MR (a pair of reflecting members) are provided. In addition, the imaging optical system 101 includes a plurality of lenses such as a triangular prism P (combining optical element) arranged to superimpose (synthesize) the left and right optical axes, a diaphragm 101a for light amount adjustment, and a focus lens 101b. Have The light beam limited by the pair of shutters SL and SR is reflected by the pair of reflecting mirrors ML and MR and synthesized by the triangular prism P. As indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1, the shutter SL, SR, the reflection mirror ML, MR, the triangular prism P, and the stop 101a constitute a parallax generation unit 300 in this embodiment.

  The left and right shutters SL and SR are alternately switched, and the left and right parallax images are imaged on the image sensor 102 in time series. The imaging element 102 is provided on the imaging plane of the imaging optical system 101. As the shutters SL and SR, mechanical shutters can be used, and liquid crystal shutters may be used. The imaging element 102 converts an optical image formed on the surface of the imaging element 102 by the imaging optical system 101 into an electrical signal (photoelectric conversion). The A / D converter 103 converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the image processing unit 104. The image processing unit 104 performs image processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on each image data from the A / D converter 103. In the image processing unit 104, a predetermined calculation process is performed using each captured image data. The obtained calculation result is supplied to the system controller 109.

  The state detection unit 107 detects the current state of the diaphragm 101a and the focus lens 101b, and supplies the state data of the imaging optical system 101 to the system controller 109. The system controller 109 controls the imaging optical system control unit 106 based on the supplied calculation result and the state data of the imaging optical system 101. The imaging optical system control unit 106 drives the aperture 101a and the focus lens 101b of the imaging optical system 101 to execute autofocus adjustment, automatic exposure adjustment, and the like. The vertical / horizontal detection unit 110 detects the level of the imaging device 1 and supplies the result to the parallax direction control unit 111 (rotation unit control unit). The parallax direction control unit 111 controls the parallax direction to be kept horizontal by rotating the parallax generation unit 300 around the center of the surface of the image sensor 102. The parallax direction control unit 111 controls the rotation driving unit 112 (rotating unit) according to the level information from the vertical / horizontal detection unit 110. The rotation driving unit 112 rotates the parallax directions of different viewpoints by rotating the parallax generation unit 300 based on the signal from the parallax direction control unit 111.

  The image recording medium 108 is a recording unit that stores still images and moving images of captured parallax images, and also stores a file header when an image file is configured. The display unit 200 is a display device that includes, for example, a liquid crystal display element and a lenticular lens, and can display different parallax images to the left eye and the right eye with the naked eye by a lens action.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the imaging apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the constituent elements of the parallax generation unit 300 rotate. 2A shows a state where the horizontal angle of view of the image pickup apparatus 1 is larger, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the vertical angle of view of the image pickup apparatus 1 is larger. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the shutter SL and SR, the combining prism P, the stop 101a (hereinafter, a broken line portion), and the reflection mirrors ML and MR (not shown) that constitute the parallax generation unit 300 are The main body of the imaging device 1 is configured to be rotatable in the arrow direction. Further, based on the level information of the imaging device 1 acquired by the vertical / horizontal detection unit 110, for example, it is detected whether the state is the state of FIG. 2 (a) or the state of FIG. 2 (b). Then, the parallax direction can be kept constant (horizontal direction) by rotating the parallax generation unit 300 around the center of the surface of the image sensor 102 accordingly.

  Next, the operation for maintaining the parallax direction of the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when an imaging signal is input by a photographer's operation, the system controller 109 in step S11, based on the state of the imaging optical system 101 desired by the photographer, via the imaging optical system control unit 106, the imaging optical system 101. To control. Subsequently, in step S <b> 12, the system controller 109 detects the orientation (levelness) of the imaging apparatus 1 with respect to the horizontal direction by the vertical / horizontal detection unit 110. Specifically, the vertical / horizontal detection unit 110 includes a gravity sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like that detects the position of a sphere in a circular cavity and detects its posture.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the system controller 109 detects the imaging optical based on the rotation position of the parallax generation unit 300 and the level information of the imaging apparatus 1 detected by the state detection unit 107 that detects the state of the imaging optical system 101. The parallax direction of the system 101 is detected. Subsequently, in step S14, the system controller 109 determines whether or not the parallax direction detected by the state detection unit 107 is kept horizontal. When the parallax direction is deviated from the horizontal, the process proceeds to step S15, and the parallax direction control unit 111 (rotation driving unit 112) controls the parallax generation unit 300 to rotate so that the parallax direction becomes the horizontal direction. When the parallax direction is controlled, the process returns to the step of controlling the imaging optical system 101 again, and the above steps (steps S11 to S14) are repeated.

  If the system controller 109 determines in step S14 that the parallax direction is kept horizontal, the system controller 109 proceeds to step S16, and the photographer moves the left and right parallax image data via the imaging optical system 101 controlled to a desired state. Can be obtained. At this time, the system controller 109 transfers the left and right parallax images formed via the imaging optical system 101 to the image processing unit 104 through the imaging element 102 and the A / D converter 103, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing to perform the left and right parallax images. The parallax image data is acquired. Subsequently, in step S17, the system controller 109 records the above-described left and right parallax image data in the stereoscopic image data file as stereoscopic image data on the image recording medium 108. As described above, the operation of imaging while maintaining the parallax direction of the imaging apparatus 1 is completed.

  According to the present embodiment, by rotating the parallax generation unit (viewpoint separation unit) of the imaging device according to the level of the imaging device, no vertical parallax is generated regardless of the state of the imaging device. Stereoscopic image data without pleasure can be acquired.

  Next, an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the imaging device 1a in the present embodiment. The imaging apparatus 1a of the present embodiment is the same as the imaging apparatus 1 of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the imaging optical system (parallax generation unit) is different. For this reason, the description about the same member as Example 1 is omitted.

  The imaging optical system 1001 of this embodiment includes a parallax generation unit 300a, and the parallax generation unit 300a includes a shutter 400 at the pupil position of the imaging optical system 1001. In this embodiment, the shutter 400 is a liquid crystal shutter, but is not limited to this, and a mechanical shutter may be used, for example. The shutter 400 is divided into two regions corresponding to the left and right viewpoints, with the center of the optical path of the imaging optical system 1001 as a boundary, and is configured to be alternately opened and closed by a liquid crystal driving unit (not shown). That is, the shutter 400 is configured by moving the left and right shutters SL and SR in the first embodiment to the pupil position of the imaging optical system 1001. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the left and right parallax images can be formed on the image sensor 102 in time series by alternately switching the left and right shutters. The vertical / horizontal detection unit 110 acquires the level of the imaging device 1a, and controls the parallax direction to be constantly maintained in a constant direction (horizontal direction) by rotating the parallax generation unit 300a (shutter 400) by the parallax direction control unit 111. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the image pickup apparatus 1a in the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the parallax generation unit 300a (shutter 400) rotates. FIG. 5A shows a state where the horizontal angle of view of the image pickup apparatus 1a is larger, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the vertical angle of view of the image pickup apparatus 1a is larger. As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter 400 constituting the parallax generation unit 300a is configured to be rotatable in the arrow direction with respect to the main body of the imaging device 1a. Further, based on the level information of the imaging device 1a acquired by the above-described vertical / horizontal detection unit 110, the system controller 109 is in either the state of FIG. 5A or the state of FIG. 5B, for example. Is detected. The system controller 109 can maintain the parallax direction in the horizontal direction by rotating the shutter 400 around the center of the surface of the image sensor 102 correspondingly.

  Note that the operation of keeping the parallax direction of the imaging apparatus 1a in the present embodiment in the horizontal direction is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the rotation control is performed using a mechanism that mechanically rotates the shutter 400, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shutter 400 may be configured by a liquid crystal shutter (electronic shutter), and the opening pattern of the shutter 400 may be controlled to be changed electrically. In this case, the opening pattern is deformed in the rotation direction according to the level information so that the same effect as the mechanical rotation control can be obtained by electrical control.

  According to the present embodiment, by rotating the parallax generation unit (viewpoint separation unit) of the imaging device according to the level of the imaging device, no vertical parallax is generated regardless of the state of the imaging device. Stereoscopic image data without pleasure can be acquired.

  Next, an image pickup apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the divided configuration of the shutter 400 is different from that in the second embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment. For this reason, descriptions other than the divided configuration of the shutter 400 are omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the shutter 400 in this embodiment. The shutter 400 according to the second embodiment is divided into two regions corresponding to the left and right viewpoints with the center of the optical path of the imaging optical system 1001 as a boundary, and is configured to be alternately opened and closed by a liquid crystal driving unit (not shown). It was. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the shutter 400 a in this embodiment is divided into four regions of upper, lower, left, and right ABCD with the center of the optical path of the imaging optical system 1001 as a boundary.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling the opening pattern of the shutter 400. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the imaging apparatus 1a is in a horizontal state, FIG. 7B shows a state in which the imaging apparatus 1a is in a vertical photographing state, and FIG. When the image pickup apparatus 1a is in a horizontal state with a larger horizontal angle of view, the shutter 400 alternates between A and C (white areas) and B and D (dot areas) as shown in FIG. It becomes an opening pattern to be opened and closed. When the imaging apparatus 1a is in a vertical shooting state in which the vertical angle of view is larger, the shutter 400 has A, B (white area), C, D (dot area), as shown in FIG. 7B. It becomes an opening pattern which opens and closes alternately. When the imaging device is tilted in the 45 degree direction, the shutter 400 has an opening pattern for alternately opening and closing A (white area) and D (dot area), as shown in FIG. 7C. Become.

  As described above, according to each of the embodiments described above, the parallax generation unit of the imaging device is rotated according to the level of the imaging device, so that no vertical parallax is generated regardless of the state of the imaging device. Stereoscopic image data without pleasure can be acquired. That is, by using an image sensor having a normal landscape aspect, landscape and portrait photography can be performed even during stereoscopic image photography, and the image aspect can be made as desired by the photographer. In addition, if a square imaging device is used, the parallax direction is always maintained by the above-described configuration, so that stereoscopic image data having a desired aspect ratio can be acquired by cutting out an image. Therefore, according to each of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of capturing a vertical stereoscopic image with a simple configuration.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  For example, each of the above embodiments can be applied even when a lens apparatus including an imaging optical system is configured to be detachable from the imaging apparatus body. In this case, the lens apparatus includes a terminal (contact point) that receives a signal for rotating the parallax generation unit in order to rotate the parallax directions of different viewpoints, and a rotation unit that rotates the parallax generation unit based on the signal. The

  In each of the above embodiments, the rotation unit is controlled by the rotation unit control unit according to the level information from the vertical / horizontal detection unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rotation unit control unit may be configured such that the photographer manually determines the rotation position of the rotation unit to a predetermined position by manually operating the operation unit.

1, 1a Imaging device 101, 1001 Imaging optical system 102 Imaging element 300, 300a Parallax generation unit

Claims (7)

An imaging optical system that includes a parallax generation unit that generates parallax and forms parallax images from different viewpoints;
An imaging device provided on an imaging surface of the imaging optical system;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a rotation unit configured to rotate the parallax direction of the different viewpoints by rotating the parallax generation unit about the center of the surface of the imaging element. The parallax generation unit
A pair of shutters for limiting luminous flux;
A pair of reflecting members that reflect the light flux from the pair of shutters;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a combining optical element that combines light beams from the pair of reflecting members.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parallax generation unit includes an electronic shutter.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotating unit electrically changes an opening pattern of the electronic shutter. A vertical and horizontal detector for detecting the level of the imaging device;
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotation unit control unit that controls the rotation unit according to the level information from the vertical and horizontal detection unit. An operating unit that is manually operated to determine the rotational position of the rotating means;
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotation unit control unit that controls the rotation unit in accordance with information from the operation unit. An imaging optical system that includes a parallax generation unit that generates parallax, and that forms parallax images from different viewpoints on an imaging device;
A terminal for receiving a signal for rotating the parallax generation unit in order to rotate the parallax direction of the different viewpoints;
And a rotation unit that rotates the parallax generation unit based on the signal.