JP2013195952A - Imaging apparatus, control method of the same, and photographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method capable of an easy work for a convergence angle adjustment by avoiding, for the purpose of a convergence angle adjustment, a convergence angle adjustment for each of two imaging apparatuses which take a stereoscopic image.SOLUTION: A photographic system includes at least two imaging apparatuses, which are capable of taking an image in a state of being positioned with a predetermined convergence angle therebetween. An imaging apparatus 100 is capable of changing an imaging area by moving a correction lens 109 or an imaging element 110 constituting a part of a photographic optical system. The imaging apparatus 100 includes an optical axis adjustment operation unit 102 which functions as input means in a movement direction of the imaging area according to a user's operation in a convergence angle adjusting mode, and a control unit 103 which controls the correction lens 109 or the imaging element 110 so that the imaging area is moved in a direction of the user's operation. Information based on the operation is transmitted to the other imaging apparatus. Therefore, the convergence angle is changed without changing a subject position, on a screen, of a stereo image by the plural imaging apparatuses.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that adjusts a convergence angle when shooting with a plurality of imaging apparatuses, a control method therefor, and an imaging system.

  Conventionally, as a method of shooting a stereoscopic video, for example, there is a method of shooting a subject from different angles with each of two imaging devices. In this imaging method, the stereoscopic effect changes depending on the angle at which the optical axes of the two imaging devices intersect, that is, the angle of convergence.

  There has been proposed a method of simply adjusting the convergence angle by making a part of an optical system in an imaging apparatus variable and tilting an optical axis. (Patent Document 1) Thereby, the convergence angle can be easily adjusted by using the optical axis adjustment mechanism in each of the two imaging optical systems.

JP 2006-251228 A

  However, in the convergence angle adjustment by the optical axis adjustment disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, since it is necessary to separately drive the correction lenses of the two imaging optical systems, there is a problem that complicated work cannot be solved.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily adjust the convergence angle, a control method therefor, and an imaging system.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has at least two imaging apparatuses that can change the imaging region by moving a correction lens or an imaging element that forms part of the imaging optical system. Is an imaging apparatus that can be used as an imaging system capable of imaging with a predetermined convergence angle, and functions as an input unit for the moving direction of the imaging area according to the user's operation in the convergence angle adjustment mode. An operation unit; and a control unit that controls the correction lens or the image sensor so that the imaging region moves in a direction operated by the operation unit, wherein the control unit is information based on an operation by the operation unit. The convergence angle is changed without changing the subject position on the screen of the stereoscopic image by the plurality of imaging devices by communicating with the other imaging device. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging system according to the present embodiment can change the imaging region by moving a correction lens or an imaging element that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system. The imaging system is an imaging system capable of imaging in a state having a predetermined convergence angle, and in the convergence angle adjustment mode provided in at least one imaging apparatus, the moving direction of the imaging area according to the user's operation An operation unit that functions as an input unit, and a control unit that is provided in each of the imaging devices and that controls the correction lens or the imaging element so that the imaging region moves in a direction operated by the operation unit. The control unit of the imaging device that has been operated by the operation unit communicates information based on the operation by the operation unit to another imaging device, thereby And changes the convergence angle without object position on the screen of the stereoscopic image is changed by.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can adjust a convergence angle easily, its control method, and an imaging | photography system can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the imaging | photography system in Example 1 and 3 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the convergence angle adjustment operation in Example 1 of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the convergence angle change in the convergence angle adjustment mode in Example 1 and 2 of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the imaging device in Example 2 and 4 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the convergence angle adjustment operation in Example 2 of this embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a framing change mode according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the optical axis tilt state in the framing change mode in Example 3 and 4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a framing change mode according to a fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging system including a plurality of imaging devices according to the present embodiment. In this imaging system, at least two imaging devices 100 and 200 that can change the imaging region by moving the correction lens 109 or the imaging device 110 that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system have a predetermined convergence angle. It is a shooting system that can shoot in Note that the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 are digital video cameras or the like in the present embodiment, and are given the same reference numerals to distinguish between the devices, but the configuration is the same. Therefore, detailed description of the imaging device 200 is omitted.

  In the imaging apparatus 100, the optical axis adjustment operation unit 102 functions as an input unit for the moving direction of the imaging region in accordance with a user operation. An operation for tilting the optical axis of the imaging apparatus 100 by the user operating the optical axis adjustment operation unit 102 and performing convergence angle adjustment (optical axis adjustment) and framing change (photographing angle of view change by optical axis movement). Part. Here, the imaging apparatus 100 can change the upper and lower shooting areas (framing change) in the imaging apparatus 100 and the imaging apparatus 200 by tilting the optical axis with respect to the pitch direction and the yaw direction of the imaging apparatus, for example. To do. Optical axis adjustment information input to the optical axis adjustment operation unit 102 is processed by a microcomputer uCOM103. The uCOM 103 includes an input control unit 104, a lens driving amount calculation unit 105, a digital signal processing unit 113, and a recorder processing unit 114.

  The input control unit 104 outputs the optical axis adjustment information to the lens driving amount calculation unit 105, and the lens driving amount calculation unit 105 causes the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving to drive the correction lens 109 from the optical axis adjustment information. Calculate the direction. The lens driving amount calculation unit 205 calculates a second lens driving amount and a second lens driving direction for driving the correction lens 209 in the imaging apparatus 200.

  The pulse width modulation unit 106 generates a pulse wave for motor control based on the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction. The motor drive unit 107 performs drive control of the motor 108 based on the pulse wave for motor control, and the motor 108 drives the correction lens 109 to a predetermined position. The correction lens 109 as a correction member can be moved non-parallel to the optical axis, and may be a correction lens used for blur correction or a dedicated lens. In the case of a mechanism used for blur correction by moving the image sensor 110 instead of the correction lens 109, an image sensor holding mechanism used for blur correction can be used for optical axis adjustment.

  The mode switch 116 is a switch for selecting an operation mode in the imaging apparatus 100. The operation mode in the present embodiment refers to a convergence angle adjustment mode (Examples 1 and 2) that is adjusted by changing the shooting area, and a shooting area (shooting angle of view) while changing the lens driving amount and keeping the convergence angle constant. This is a changeable framing change mode (Example 3).

  The lens driving amount correction unit 117 sets the lens driving amount and driving direction of the correction lens 109 and the lens driving amount and driving direction of the correction lens 209 so that the moving distances from the center positions of the correction lens 109 and the correction lens 209 are substantially the same. Correct to be even. The center position means a substantially central position (center of the castle axis) in a range where the correction lens 109 and the correction lens 209 can be driven. In addition, as a method for the lens driving amount correction unit 117 to acquire the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction of the correction lens 209, a method of receiving from the imaging device 200 via the communication processing unit 101 is used.

  The image sensor 110 outputs an image signal by photoelectrically converting a subject image formed through the correction lens 109. The analog signal processing unit 111 performs a predetermined process on the image signal obtained by the image sensor 110 to generate an analog image signal. The analog imaging signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 112, and a digital video signal subjected to predetermined signal processing such as gamma correction and white balance processing is generated by the digital signal processing unit 113. The recorder processing unit 114 includes a recording unit that records a video signal on a recording medium (not shown) and its control unit, and sends the digital video signal to the display unit 115. The display unit 115 is a liquid crystal panel or a viewfinder that displays a video signal.

  The communication processing unit 101 performs processing for the imaging device 100 to transmit data to the imaging device 200 and processing for the imaging device 100 to receive data from the imaging device 200. The communication means may be wired communication or wireless communication.

<Convergence angle adjustment mode processing procedure>
The control of the convergence angle adjustment operation for adjusting the convergence angle in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the imaging apparatus operated by the photographer is referred to as the imaging apparatus 100. Steps indicated by S100 to S104 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 100, and steps indicated by S200 to S201 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 200.

  In step S <b> 100, the input control unit 104 determines whether the photographer has performed the convergence angle adjustment operation via the optical axis adjustment operation unit 102. If there is a convergence angle adjustment operation, the process proceeds to step S101, and if there is no convergence angle adjustment operation, the process is repeated.

  In step S <b> 101, information on the convergence angle adjustment operation by the photographer output from the optical axis adjustment operation unit 102 is sent to the lens drive amount calculation unit 105 by the input control unit 104.

  In step S <b> 102, the lens driving amount calculation unit 105 calculates the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction for the imaging device 100 and the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction for the imaging device 200. Although the calculation method in step S102 will be described later, the subject position on the screen in the captured stereoscopic video (stereoscopic image) is maintained at a substantially constant position before and after the convergence angle adjustment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second lens driving direction is opposite to the first lens driving direction, and the second lens driving amount is the same as the first lens driving amount.

  In step S <b> 103, the lens driving amount calculation unit 105 transmits the second lens driving amount to the imaging apparatus 200 via the communication processing unit 101. In step S <b> 200, the lens driving amount calculation unit 205 acquires the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction transmitted in step S <b> 103 via the communication processing unit 201.

  In step S104, the motor 108 drives the correction lens 109 based on the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction, and the process ends. Similarly, in step S201, the correction lens 209 is driven based on the second lens drive amount and the second lens drive direction acquired by the motor 208 in the process of step S200, and the process ends.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, in S102, the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction and the second driving amount and the second lens driving direction in the imaging apparatus 200 are calculated. However, in S102, it is not necessary to calculate the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction and calculate the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction.

  In this case, in step S <b> 103, the lens driving amount calculation unit 105 transmits the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction to the imaging apparatus 200 via the communication processing unit 101. In step S200, the lens driving amount calculation unit 205 acquires the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction via the communication processing unit 201. In step S202 between S200 and S201, the lens driving amount calculation unit 205 calculates the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction based on the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction. May be.

<Calculation Method in Lens Drive Amount Calculation Unit 105>
Here, an example of a calculation method of the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction and the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction in the lens driving amount calculation unit 105 in the process of step S102. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows the convergence of the two imaging devices by tilting the optical axis of the imaging optical system in the imaging device 100 from A1 to A2 and simultaneously tilting the optical axis of the imaging optical system in the imaging device 200 from B1 to B2. The angle is changed from θ1 to θ2. In FIG. 3, the optical axis A1 is the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging apparatus 100 in a state where the correction lens 109 is positioned at the approximate center of the driving range, and the optical axis B1 is the correction lens 209 positioned at the approximate center of the driving range. The optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging device 200 in a state where

  For example, the first lens driving direction and the second lens driving direction are represented by positive and negative signs. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the optical axis of the imaging apparatus 100 is tilted to the right in FIG. 3 if it is positive, and the optical axis of the imaging apparatus 100 is tilted to the left if negative. The second lens driving direction has a polarity opposite to that of the first lens driving direction, and the second lens driving amount uses a value that substantially matches the first lens driving amount.

  In this way, when a shooting system for shooting a stereoscopic image is configured using two imaging devices, the shooting area of the imaging device 100 and the shooting area of the imaging device 200 may move in the opposite direction by the same amount. it can. At this time, the convergence angle can be adjusted while the subject position on the screen in the captured stereoscopic video (stereoscopic image) is maintained at a substantially constant position.

  Thus, even if the photographer operates one of the optical axes, a straight line extending from the subject so as to pass through the intersection of the optical axes A1 and B1 and the intersection of the optical axes A2 and B2 as shown in FIG. θ1 and θ2 are substantially equally divided. In other words, the subject position on the screen in the captured stereoscopic video can be kept at a substantially constant position before and after the convergence angle adjustment. Further, if one lens driving amount and lens driving direction are determined, the other lens driving amount and lens driving direction are determined, and therefore, it can be calculated by a simple calculation.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the imaging system for stereoscopic video imaging is configured using two imaging devices, one adjustment of the convergence angle that requires an operation on each of the conventional imaging devices is required. This can be easily performed by operating the image pickup apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment relates to an imaging apparatus for stereoscopic video photography that includes two imaging optical systems including a lens and an imaging element. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the imaging apparatus is a digital video camera or a digital video camera having two optical systems. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to blocks that perform the same processing as in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the imaging apparatus 300, the photographer operates the optical axis adjustment operation unit 302 to perform adjustment operations in the first imaging optical system configured by the correction lens 109 and the second imaging optical system configured by the correction lens 209. Do. The lens driving amount calculation unit 305 simultaneously uses the first lens driving amount for driving the correction lens 109 and the first lens driving direction from the optical axis adjustment information, and the second lens driving amount for driving the correction lens 209 and the second lens driving amount. The lens driving direction is calculated. Here, the calculation method of the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction and the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The digital signal processing unit 313 performs predetermined signal processing on the two image data output from the A / D conversion unit 112 and the A / D conversion unit 212. The contents of the signal processing are the same as those in the first embodiment. The digital video signal subjected to the predetermined signal processing is recorded on a recording medium (not shown) by the recorder processing unit 314. The display unit 315 is a liquid crystal panel or a viewfinder that displays two video signals sent from the recorder processing unit 314.

  Here, as a display method of the two video signals, for example, in the case of a liquid crystal panel, a method of separately displaying on two screens, a video shot with the first imaging optical system and a video shot with the second imaging optical system are used. Any of the methods of displaying alternately may be used. In the case of a viewfinder, a method of providing two viewfinders and separately viewing a subject image formed by the first imaging optical system and a subject image formed by the second imaging optical system is used. Also good.

<Convergence angle adjustment processing procedure>
Control of the convergence angle adjustment in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 300, the input control unit 104 determines whether the photographer has performed the convergence angle adjustment operation via the optical axis adjustment operation unit 302. If there is an operation for adjusting the convergence angle, the process proceeds to step S301. If there is no operation for adjusting the convergence angle, the process is repeated.

  In step S <b> 301, operation information for convergence angle adjustment by the photographer output from the optical axis adjustment operation unit 302 is sent to the lens drive amount calculation unit 305 by the input control unit 104. In step S302, the lens driving amount calculation unit 305 calculates the first lens driving amount, the first lens driving direction, the second lens driving amount, and the second lens driving direction.

  In step S303, the correction lens 109 is driven based on the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction. Similarly, in step S304, the correction lens 209 is driven based on the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the imaging apparatus having two imaging optical systems, the convergence angle can be adjusted by simultaneously driving the two imaging optical systems without requiring a complicated operation. As a result, the photographer does not need to adjust each of the two imaging optical systems, and can easily shoot a desired stereoscopic image.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a control operation including communication between imaging devices in the framing change mode in which the subject position on the screen of a stereoscopic image by the plurality of imaging devices is changed without changing the convergence angle. Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. Note that the steps indicated by S400 to S405 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 100, and the steps indicated by S500 to S503 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 200.

<Framing change mode processing procedure>
Control in the framing change mode according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the steps indicated by S400 to S405 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 100, and the steps indicated by S500 to S503 are processes relating to the imaging apparatus 200.

  In the first and second embodiments, after determining the convergence angle, the framing may be changed by adjusting the inclination of the optical axis, or the lens may be moved to perform panning. At this time, if the photographer performs an optical axis tilting operation on each of the imaging apparatuses 100 and 200, the operation must be performed with the correction lenses 109 and 209, and the lens driving amount may become uneven. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the framing change mode, the first lens drive amount and the second lens drive amount are changed so that the two imaging devices can perform the optical axis tilting operation in conjunction with each other.

  In step S400, the input control unit 104 determines whether the photographer has selected the imaging apparatus 100 to shift to the framing change mode. If the transition to the framing change mode is selected, the process proceeds to S401. If the framing change mode is not selected, the process is repeated.

  In step S <b> 401, the communication processing unit 101 requests the imaging apparatus 200 to transmit the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction to the imaging apparatus 100. In step S <b> 500, the imaging apparatus 200 receives “a transmission request for the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction” from the imaging apparatus 100. In step S501, in response to the request in step S500, the lens driving amount correction unit 217 sends the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction calculated by the lens driving amount calculation unit 205 via the communication processing unit 201. To the imaging device 100.

  In step S402, the communication processing unit 101 receives the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction sent from the imaging device 200, and the lens driving amount correction unit 117 receives the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving amount. Get the lens drive direction.

  Note that the above-described processes of S401, 402, S501, and 502 are not necessarily required when simply performing framing adjustment. However, when the correction lens is positioned on the end side of the driveable range, there is a high possibility that the peripheral light amount is reduced and distortion due to tilting occurs compared to the center side. Therefore, when the angle of view is changed in order to eliminate the state in which only one of the plurality of imaging devices has the correction lens in a biased position (for example, adjustment from the state shown in FIG. 7B to the state shown in FIG. 7A), the above-described S401, 402 are performed. , S501 and 502 are required.

  In step S403, the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction calculated by the lens driving amount calculating unit 105 and the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction acquired by the processing in S402 are lens driven. Correction is performed by the amount correction unit 117. Note that, before S403, the photographer's operation information such as the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction is acquired via the operation unit. A specific calculation method will be described later.

  In step S404, the lens driving amount correction unit 117 transmits the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction calculated in step S403 to the imaging device 200 via the communication processing unit 101. In step S502, the communication processing unit 201 receives the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction sent from the imaging apparatus 100 by the processing in step S404, and the lens driving amount correction unit 117 acquires the lens driving amount.

  In step S405, the motor 108 drives the correction lens 109 based on the first lens drive amount and the first lens drive direction calculated in the process of step S403, and the process ends. In step S503, the motor 108 drives the correction lens 209 based on the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction acquired in step S502, and the process ends.

  As in the processing in S202 of the first embodiment, only the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction are calculated in step S403, and the communication processing is performed by the lens driving amount correction unit 117 in step S404. You may transmit to the imaging device 200 via the part 101. FIG. In that case, between S502 and S503, the lens drive amount correction unit 217 calculates the second lens drive amount and the second lens drive direction based on the first lens drive amount and the first lens drive direction. become.

<Correction Method by Lens Drive Amount Correction Unit 117>
Next, an example of a correction method in the lens driving amount correction unit 117 in the process of step S403 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of tilting of the optical axis before and after the correction of the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction. 7A shows before correction of the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction, and FIG. 7B shows after correction of the lens driving amount and the lens driving direction. Here, a case will be described as an example where, after setting the clothing angle, it is desired to move the imaging range to the left with the convergence angle kept constant in the framing change mode.

  θ1 and θ3 are tilt angles of the optical axis after movement of the correction lens 109 from the optical axis center of the imaging apparatus 100, and θ2 and θ4 are tilts of the optical axis after movement of the correction lens 209 from the optical axis center of the imaging apparatus 200. Is an angle. The distance from the subject (not shown) to the imaging device, d is the distance between the imaging devices. The distance from the optical axis center of the imaging device 100 to the optical axis after the correction lens 109 is moved is d1, and similarly, the distance from the optical axis center of the imaging device 200 to the optical axis after the correction lens 209 is moved is d2. To do. In FIG. 7B, the distance defined as d1 is d3, and the distance defined as d2 is d4. At this time, d = d1 + d2 = d3 + d4 always holds. The convergence angle in FIG. 7A is α, and the convergence angle in FIG. 7B is β. First, when the photographer performs an optical axis tilting operation, the convergence angle α is determined.

Here, a method of moving the framing from a state where the first lens driving amount and the second lens driving amount are substantially equal will be described using the following equations.
θ1 = (θ3 + θ4) / 2 (Expression 1)
θ2 = −θ1 (Formula 2)
Expression 1 calculates the average value of the inclinations of the optical axes of the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 after the framing change. Equation 2 is set so that the inclinations of the optical axes of the imaging devices 100 and 200 substantially match after the framing change. Here, in Expressions 1 and 2, the right side on the drawing is the positive direction, and the left side on the drawing is the negative direction.

Here, from α = θ1 + θ2,
tan α = tan (θ1 + θ2) (Formula 3)
Further, Expression 4 is established with respect to tan (θ1 + θ2).
tan (θ1 + θ2) = (tan θ1 + tan θ2) / (1−tan θ1 × tan θ2) (Expression 4)
From tan θ1 = d1 / L and tan θ2 = d2 / L,
tan (θ1 + θ2) = (d1 + d2) / (L−d1 × d2) (Formula 5)

Here, since d = d1 + d2, and d is sufficiently smaller than L, L >> d1 × d2 holds.
∴ tan (θ1 + θ2) ≈d / L (Expression 6)
Therefore, since α = θ1 + θ2, from Equation 6,
tan α≈d / L (Expression 7)
Is established.

  Further, the change ΔL in L due to the change of the optical axis crossing position in the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 can be considered to be sufficiently small with respect to L, and L in FIG. 2A and FIG. ) In L) are equal.

Here, also in the convergence angle (beta), Formula 8 is formed by the calculation method similar to the calculation of Formulas 1-7.
tan β≈d / L (Expression 8)
Therefore, when L >> d1 × d2, Expression 9 is established.
α ≒ β (Equation 9)

  As described above, when the optical axis tilt angle of the imaging apparatus 100 is changed from θ1 to θ3 and the optical axis tilt angle of the imaging apparatus 200 is changed from θ2 to θ4, the convergence angles before and after the change can be substantially matched. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a shooting system for stereoscopic video shooting is configured using two imaging devices, the shooting area of the imaging device 100 and the shooting area of the imaging device 200 are in the same direction and are congested. The framing can be changed while keeping the corner constant.

(Modification)
In the third embodiment, the mode for changing the framing while keeping the convergence angle constant has been described. An application example of this mode will be described.

When the user adjusts the convergence angle by adjusting the convergence angle using the optical axis adjustment function of the two imaging devices, if the convergence angle adjustment is performed by operating one unit at a time, as shown in FIG. The tilt angle of the optical axis after the correction lens is moved from the axis center may be different. (Θ3 ≠ θ4 in FIG. 7)
Taking FIG. 7B as an example, the tilt angle θ3 of the optical axis after movement of the correction lens 109 from the optical axis center of the imaging device 100 is larger than that after the correction lens 209 is moved from the optical axis center of the imaging device 200. The tilt angle θ4 of the optical axis is larger. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the correction lens 209 is located at the end of the range in which the correction lens can be driven.

  However, when the correction lens is positioned on the end side of the driveable range, there is a high possibility that the peripheral light amount is reduced and distortion due to tilting occurs compared to the center side. When the peripheral light amount is reduced or distortion due to tilting occurs, it may be inconvenient to use images acquired from the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 for stereoscopic viewing.

  Therefore, as a modification of the present embodiment, control of the lens position correction mode for adjusting from the state of FIG. 7B to the state of FIG. 7A will be described. The contents of the control are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and only the calculated driving amount and the communication correction amount are changed.

  In step S403, the lens drive amount correction unit 117 calculates the first lens correction drive amount and the first lens correction drive direction so that the tilt angle of the optical axis in the imaging apparatus 100 changes from θ3 to θ1. Further, the second lens correction driving amount and the second lens correction driving direction are calculated so that the tilt angle of the optical axis in the imaging apparatus 200 changes from θ4 to θ2.

  In step S404, the lens driving amount correction unit 117 transmits the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction calculated in step S403 to the imaging device 200 via the communication processing unit 101. In step S502, the communication processing unit 201 receives the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction sent from the imaging apparatus 100 by the processing in step S404, and the lens driving amount correction unit 117 acquires the lens driving amount.

  In step S405, the motor 108 drives the correction lens 109 based on the first lens drive amount and the first lens drive direction calculated in the process of step S403, and the process ends. In step S503, the motor 108 drives the correction lens 209 based on the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction acquired in step S502, and the process ends.

  Here, as in the process in S202 of the first embodiment, only the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction (the driving amount and the driving direction moved from θ3 to θ1) are calculated in step S403. good. Then, the calculated first lens driving amount and first lens driving direction may be transmitted to the imaging apparatus 200 via the communication processing unit 101 by the lens driving amount correction unit 117 in step S404. In this case, between S502 and S503, the lens driving amount correction unit 217 determines the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction (from θ4 to θ2) based on the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction. Driving amount and driving direction) are calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the framing can be changed while keeping the convergence angle constant even in the compound-eye imaging apparatus as in the second embodiment. As a result, it is possible to reflect the framing change instruction set with the stereoscopic effect desired by the photographer.

  Control of framing change in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 600, the input control unit 104 determines whether the photographer has performed an operation by changing the framing via the optical axis adjustment operation unit 302. If there is a framing change operation, the process proceeds to step S601. If there is no framing change operation, the process is repeated.

  In step S <b> 601, framing change operation information output from the optical axis adjustment operation unit 302 by the photographer is sent to the lens drive amount calculation unit 305 by the input control unit 104.

  In step S602, the lens driving amount calculation unit 305 calculates the first lens driving amount, the first lens driving direction, the second lens driving amount, and the second lens driving direction. Then, the lens driving amount correction unit 317 corrects the first lens driving amount, the first lens driving direction, the second lens driving amount, and the second lens driving direction calculated by the lens driving amount calculation unit 305.

  In step S603, the correction lens 109 is driven based on the first lens driving amount and the first lens driving direction corrected by the lens driving amount correction unit 317. Similarly, in step 604, the correction lens 209 is driven based on the second lens driving amount and the second lens driving direction corrected by the lens driving amount correction unit 317, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in an imaging apparatus having two imaging optical systems, it is possible to reflect the framing change instruction by simultaneously driving the two imaging optical systems without requiring a complicated operation. . This eliminates the need for the photographer to make changes to each of the two imaging optical systems, so that the framing can be changed while maintaining the desired convergence angle, and a stereoscopic image can be easily captured.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. A part of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 101 Communication processing part 102 Optical axis adjustment operation part 105 Lens drive amount calculation part 109 Correction lens 110 Imaging element 209 Correction lens

Claims (11)

At least two imaging devices that can change the imaging region by moving a correction lens or an imaging device that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system are used as an imaging system capable of imaging with a predetermined convergence angle A possible imaging device,
An operation unit that functions as an input unit of a moving direction of the imaging region in accordance with a user operation;
Control means for controlling the correction lens or the image sensor so that the imaging region moves in the direction operated by the operation unit;
Communication means for communicating information based on an operation by the operation unit to another imaging device;
The control unit communicates information based on an operation performed by the operation unit to another imaging device via the communication unit, so that a subject position on a screen of a stereoscopic image by the plurality of imaging devices does not change. An imaging apparatus, wherein the convergence angle is changed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit communicates with the other imaging apparatus so as to drive in a direction opposite to a direction operated by the operation unit.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit communicates the same drive amount as the drive amount operated by the operation unit to the other image pickup apparatus. The imaging device communicates information based on an operation performed by the operation unit to another imaging device, thereby changing the convergence angle without changing a subject position on a screen of a stereoscopic image by the plurality of imaging devices. In addition to the convergence angle adjustment mode, it further has a framing change mode,
In the framing change mode, the control means controls the correction lens or the imaging element without changing the convergence angle by communicating information based on an operation by the operation unit to another imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein At least two imaging devices that can change the imaging region by moving a correction lens or an imaging device that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system are imaging systems capable of imaging with a predetermined convergence angle. And
An operation unit that is provided in at least one imaging device and functions as an input unit of a moving direction of the imaging region in accordance with a user operation;
A control means for controlling the correction lens or the image sensor so that a photographing region moves in a direction operated by the operation unit, provided in each of the imaging devices;
Communication means for communicating information based on an operation by the operation unit to another imaging device;
The control unit of the imaging device that has been operated by the operation unit communicates information based on the operation by the operation unit to another imaging device via the communication unit, so that a screen of a stereoscopic image by the imaging device is obtained. An imaging system, wherein the convergence angle is changed without changing the subject position on the top.   The control unit of the imaging apparatus that has been operated by the operation unit communicates with the other imaging apparatus to drive in a direction opposite to the direction operated by the operation unit. Shooting system.   The imaging unit according to claim 6, wherein the control unit of the imaging apparatus operated by the operation unit communicates the same driving amount as the driving amount operated by the operation unit to the other imaging apparatus. system.   The control unit of the imaging device operated by the operation unit communicates the direction and the driving amount operated by the operation unit to the other imaging device, and the control unit of the other imaging device includes the operation unit. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein the correction lens or the imaging device is controlled in a direction opposite to the direction operated by the control unit and with the same driving amount. An imaging device capable of photographing at least two photographing optical systems having a predetermined convergence angle, in which at least two photographing optical systems capable of changing a photographing region by moving a correction lens or an image pickup device constituting a part of the photographing optical system There,
An operation unit that is provided for at least one photographing optical system and functions as an input unit for a moving direction of the photographing region in accordance with a user operation;
The correction is performed so that the imaging region of the operated optical system moves in the direction operated by the operation unit, and the imaging regions of other imaging optical systems move based on information based on the operation by the operation unit. Control means for controlling the lens or the imaging device,
The control means moves the correction lens or the imaging element of each imaging optical system in different directions based on information based on an operation by the operation unit, thereby causing a subject on the screen of a stereoscopic image by the imaging device. An imaging apparatus, wherein the convergence angle is changed without changing a position.   The control unit of the image pickup apparatus operated by the operation unit controls the correction lens or the image pickup element of each image pickup optical system with the same driving amount by operating the operation unit. Item 10. The imaging device according to Item 9. Imaging that can be used as an imaging system that is used in a state in which at least two imaging devices that can change the imaging region by moving a correction lens or an imaging device that constitutes a part of the imaging optical system have a predetermined convergence angle An apparatus control method comprising:
In the convergence angle adjustment mode, a step of inputting a moving direction of the imaging region in accordance with a user operation;
Communicating information based on an operation by the operation unit to another imaging device;
The step of communicating information based on the operation to another imaging device causes the correction lens or the imaging element to change the convergence angle without changing the subject position on the screen of the stereoscopic image by the imaging device. And a control step for controlling the imaging apparatus.

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