JP2016024339A - Photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic photographing system that enables an operation of a convergence angle without need for a new operational member exclusive for the convergence angle.SOLUTION: A stereoscopic picture-taking system comprises: two lens units that have a movable optical part; movable optical part control means that controls a drive of the movable optical part; convergence angle control means that changes a convergence angle formed with respective optical axes of the lens unit; convergence angle control means that controls a drive of the convergence angle change means; and command means that outputs a movable optical part command signal commanding the drive of at least one or more movable optical parts. The stereoscopic picture-taking system has: determination means that determines a setting of the command means as convergence angle command means; and signal conversion means that converts the movable optical part command signal of the command means set as the convergence angle command means by the determination means into a convergence angle command signal commanding a drive of the convergence angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing system, and more particularly to a stereoscopic video photographing system having a convergence angle adjustment mechanism.

  In recent years, the video production industry has demanded more realistic images, and in particular, there has been a great demand for stereoscopic images that can express images with a sense of depth. As a method of adjusting the sense of depth, there is a method of controlling the base line length (distance between two imaging devices) or the convergence angle (angle formed by the optical axes of the two imaging devices) of two imaging devices. However, since a more natural three-dimensional image can be taken when it is closer to the movement of the human eye, a method of controlling the convergence angle by fixing the base length is common.

  In order to adjust the convergence angle, there are a method of converging the center of the optical axis by rotating the whole photographing apparatus, and a method of converging the optical axis by displacing an optical element such as a prism or a shift lens to bend a light beam. is there.

  As a method for controlling the convergence angle, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling the convergence angle of each lens device in conjunction with the focus adjustment operation of the lens device. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for automatically controlling the convergence angle so that the measured subject distance becomes the convergence distance (the distance to the point where the optical axes of the left and right lenses intersect).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-026635 JP 2001-016620 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents, for example, when the photographer wants to manually operate the focus and the convergence angle individually, the convergence angle and the focus operate in conjunction with each other regardless of the intention of the photographer. End up. In video production, it is desirable to be able to quickly manipulate the feeling of popping out and the feeling of depth in order to produce an arbitrary video effect according to the movement of the subject and the positional relationship around the target subject. For this purpose, it is necessary to newly provide an operation member for manipulating the convergence angle, like the conventional zoom and focus operation members. Further, since the operation member is an operation member dedicated to the convergence angle, the cost is increased in constructing the stereoscopic imaging system.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic video imaging system that enables the operation of the convergence angle without requiring a new operation member dedicated to the convergence angle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides two lens units having a movable optical unit, movable optical unit control means for controlling driving of the movable optical unit, and convergence formed by optical axes of the lens units. Convergence angle changing means for changing the angle, convergence angle control means for controlling the driving of the convergence angle changing means, and command means for outputting a movable optical part command signal for instructing driving of at least one of the movable optical parts In the stereoscopic video photographing system, the determining means for determining that the command means is set as the convergence angle command means, and the movable optics of the command means set as the convergence angle command means by the determination means And a signal conversion means for converting the part command signal into a convergence angle command signal for commanding the driving of the convergence angle.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a stereoscopic video shooting system that enables operation of a convergence angle without requiring a new operation member dedicated to the convergence angle.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the three-dimensional video imaging system of embodiment (Example 1) of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the operation member discrimination | determination part of embodiment (Example 1) of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the three-dimensional video imaging system of embodiment (Example 2) of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the operation member discrimination | determination part of embodiment (Example 2) of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the three-dimensional video imaging system of embodiment (Example 3) of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the operation member discrimination | determination part of embodiment (Example 3) of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the three-dimensional video imaging system of embodiment (Example 4) of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the operation member discrimination | determination part of embodiment (Example 4) of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the “optical axis” refers to the optical path of a light beam that is perpendicularly incident on the center of an image sensor (CCD or the like).

Example 1
A stereoscopic video shooting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the convergence angle can be operated by connecting two focus operation members for focus adjustment to the stereoscopic imaging apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stereoscopic video shooting system of the present embodiment. The stereoscopic imaging system includes a twin-lens stereoscopic imaging device 100 that captures a left-eye video and a right-eye video, and focus operation members 200 and 300 that output focus adjustment command values.

  The three-dimensional imaging device 100 includes a left-eye optical system 110 and a right-eye optical system 120, and the optical systems 110 and 120 each have a mechanism for changing the respective optical axes.

  The focus operation member 200 has an operation unit operated by the user, and outputs a focus position command signal based on the operation amount of the operation unit. The focus operation member 300 is an operation member similar to the focus operation member 200.

  In the optical system 110 for the left eye of the stereoscopic apparatus 100, the focus lens 111 is an optical element for displacing the image forming position of the optical system 110 by moving in the optical axis direction. The position detector 112 detects the position of the focus lens 111, and the output from the position detector 112 is taken into the CPU 150 via an AD converter (not shown). The CPU 150 inputs a focus lens drive signal generated based on a command signal and a position signal, which will be described later, to the drive circuit 113 via a DA converter (not shown), and the drive circuit 113 drives the focus lens 111 by the motor 114. .

  The zoom lens 115 is an optical element for displacing the focal length of the optical system 110 by moving in the optical axis direction. The zoom lens 115 is driven and controlled by a driving unit similar to a focusing unit (not shown).

  The shift lens 116 is an optical element for changing the optical axis direction of the optical system 110 by a predetermined angle by moving in a horizontal direction within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The position detector 117 detects the position of the shift lens 116, and the output from the position detector 116 is taken into the CPU 150 via an AD converter (not shown). The CPU 150 inputs a shift lens driving signal generated based on a command signal and a position signal, which will be described later, to the driving circuit 118 via a DA converter (not shown), and the driving circuit 118 drives the shift lens 116 by the motor 119. .

  The image sensor 130 is an element that forms an image of light that has passed through the optical system 110 and converts it into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is converted into video data by a video processing unit (not shown).

  The right-eye optical system 120 and the image sensor 140 of the stereoscopic imaging device 100 have the same configurations as the left-eye optical system 110 and the image sensor 130, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The stereoscopic imaging device 100 can capture a stereoscopic image by changing and converging the optical axes of the optical system 110 for the left eye and the optical system 120 for the right eye.

  In the CPU 150, the communication unit 151 is connected to the focus operation members 200 and 300 and acquires a focus adjustment command signal. The operation member determination unit 152 determines and sets an operation member to be used as the convergence angle operation member. The determination method will be described later.

  The command value conversion unit 153 converts the command signal acquired by the communication unit 151 into a command signal for the convergence angle when it is a signal from the operation member for the convergence angle set by the operation member determination unit 152, The data is output to each of the L output generation unit 154 and the R output generation unit 155. When the signal is not a signal from the convergence angle operation member, it is output to each of the L output generation unit 154 and the R output generation unit 155 with the same command signal acquired by the communication unit 151.

  The L output generation unit 154 generates drive signals for the focus lens 111, the zoom lens 115, and the shift lens 116 based on the input command signal and the position signal detected by the position detector, and the respective drive circuits. Output to. The R output generation unit 155 generates a driving signal for each lens in the same manner as the L output generation unit 154. The R output generation unit 155 drives the shift lens 126 in the direction opposite to the shift lens 116. As a result, the optical axes of the optical system 110 and the optical system 120 can be converged, and a stereoscopic image can be generated.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation member determination process of the operation member determination unit 152 in the present embodiment. In step S101, it is detected whether or not the operating member is connected. If connection of the operation member is detected, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the type of connected operation member (zoom operation member or focus operation member) is detected, and it is determined whether the same type of operation member has already been connected. If the same type of operation member is not connected, the process proceeds to step S103, where the operation member is determined as the normal type of operation member as usual and set. If the same type of operation member is already connected, the process proceeds to step S104, where the operation member is determined not as the original type of operation member but as an operation member for the convergence angle and set.

  In the present embodiment in which two focus operation members are connected, the case where the focus operation member 200 is connected first and then the focus operation member 300 is connected will be described as an example. By the operation member determination process described above, the focus operation member 200 is set as a focus operation member as it is, and the focus operation member 300 is set as an operation member for convergence angle.

  Therefore, the focus position command signal output from the focus operation member 200 is directly input to the L output generation unit 154 and the R output generation unit 155, and the focus adjustment operation is performed. The focus position command signal output from the focus operation member 300 is converted into a convergence angle command signal by the command value conversion unit 153 and input to the L output generation unit 154 and the R output generation unit 155, and the convergence angle Is performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the focus operation member to be connected first can be used for the focus adjustment operation as before, and the convergence angle can be also operated by connecting the second focus operation member. . Therefore, since the operation members used in the conventional two-dimensional imaging can be used as they are, and the angle of convergence can be operated, it is easy to construct a stereoscopic video imaging system and there is no need for new equipment. is there.

  In this embodiment, an example using two focus operation members has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any device that commands the drive of the same movable part may be used. For example, the same effect can be obtained by using two zoom operation members.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a shift lens is used as means for changing the convergence angle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A mechanism using an optical element such as a prism may be used, or a mechanism for converging by rotating the entire optical system may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the operation member is connected via the communication unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, a configuration in which an analog operation member that outputs a voltage value based on an operation amount by a user is connected and input to the photographing apparatus via an AD converter may be used.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the operation member connected later is set for the convergence angle operation is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation member connected earlier may be set for the convergence angle operation, and the operation member connected later may be set as the original operation member as it is, or the operation member for the convergence angle operation may be arbitrarily selected by the user It may be possible.

(Example 2)
A stereoscopic imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which an operation unit for operating a zoom provided in advance in an imaging apparatus is used to enable an operation of a convergence angle.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stereoscopic video shooting system of the present embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example in which an integrated twin-lens stereoscopic imaging device is used has been described. However, in order to use the equipment for general purposes, two existing two-dimensional imaging devices are installed in parallel, and a left-eye image and a right-eye image are captured by each imaging device to generate a stereoscopic image. There is a configuration of a stereoscopic imaging system that enables it.

  In this embodiment, a stereoscopic imaging system using two such existing two-dimensional imaging apparatuses will be described as an example. The stereoscopic imaging system of FIG. 3 includes a single-lens imaging device 400 that captures a left-eye image, a single-lens imaging device 500 that captures a right-eye image, and a zoom operation member 600 that outputs a focal length command value. It consists of.

  Components similar to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The photographing apparatus 400 includes a built-in zoom operation unit 160, and the zoom operation unit 160 is operated by a user and outputs a command signal based on the operation amount. The command signal is taken into the CPU 150 via an AD converter (not shown).

  The command signal fetched by the CPU 150 is input to the command value conversion unit 153, and if the command signal is not set for the convergence angle by the operation member determination unit 152, the command signal and the position signal detected by the position detector 412 Based on the above, a zoom lens driving signal is generated. An operation member determination method by the operation member determination unit 152 will be described later. The drive signal is input to the drive circuit 413 via a DA converter (not shown), and the drive circuit 413 drives the zoom lens 115 by the motor 414.

  When the operation member discriminating unit 152 is set for the convergence angle, the position command conversion unit 153 converts the focal length command signal into the convergence angle command signal, and the output generation unit 154, as in the first embodiment. And the shift lens 116 is driven.

  Since the photographing apparatus 500 is the same photographing apparatus as the photographing apparatus 400, description thereof is omitted. The imaging device 400 and the imaging device 500 are connected by a communication unit 151 and a communication unit 551. The photographing apparatus 400 outputs position signals of the focus lens 111, the zoom lens 115, and the shift lens 116 to the photographing apparatus 500 as command signals. At this time, the position signal of the shift lens 116 outputs a position in the reverse direction with respect to the center position as a command signal.

  The image capturing apparatus 500 can synchronize the optical positions of the image capturing apparatus 400 and the image capturing apparatus 500 by driving each lens based on the acquired command position, and can converge the optical axis. At this time, the photographing apparatus 400 is called a master side photographing apparatus, and the photographing apparatus 500 is called a slave side photographing apparatus. Since the photographing apparatus 500 functioning as the slave-side photographing apparatus drives each optical element only with a command signal from the photographing apparatus 400, the photographing apparatus 500 receives a command signal from an operation unit built in itself or an external operation member connected thereto. Does not drive. Further, the operation member determination unit and the command value conversion unit of the photographing apparatus 500 are not processed.

  The zoom operation member 600 has an operation unit operated by a user, and outputs a focal length command signal based on an operation amount of the operation unit. When the zoom operation unit is built in the photographing apparatus as in this embodiment, the focal length can be operated by the zoom operation unit. However, for example, in the case of a photographing form using a tripod, a zoom operation member may be separately connected to the photographing apparatus, and the focal length may be manipulated by the zoom operation member.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the zoom operation member 600 which is an external device is connected and photographed will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation member determination process of the operation member determination unit 152 in the present embodiment.

  In step S201, it is detected whether or not the zoom operation member is connected. If the connection of the zoom operation member is not detected, the process proceeds to step S202, and the zoom operation unit 160 is determined and set as the operation member for the focal length operation as it is as usual. If the zoom operation member is connected, the process proceeds to step S203, and the zoom operation unit 160 is determined and set as the operation member for the convergence angle operation, not for the original focal length operation.

  In a photographing apparatus incorporating a zoom operation unit, the focal length operation is performed by the zoom operation unit, but when an external zoom operation member is connected, the focal length operation is performed by the zoom operation member. The built-in zoom operation unit is not used. Therefore, by using this unused zoom operation unit for the convergence angle operation, the operation unit can be used effectively, and it is not necessary to newly construct an operation member.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a photographing apparatus incorporating a zoom operation unit has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary to connect an external operation member of the same type to the imaging device incorporating the operation unit. For example, the same applies to the case where an external focus operation member is connected to the imaging device incorporating the focus operation unit. The effect is obtained.

(Example 3)
A stereoscopic imaging system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which when a zoom lens is manually operated, an operation of a convergence angle can be performed using a zoom operation unit provided in advance in an imaging apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stereoscopic video shooting system of the present embodiment. Components similar to those described in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The manual switch 415 configured in the photographing apparatus 400 is a switch for switching the zoom lens 115 between electric driving by the motor 414 and manual driving by the user. When the manual switch 415 is turned ON, the connection between the motor 414 and the zoom lens 115 is disconnected, and a user can directly perform a manual operation by an operation ring (not shown) connected to the zoom lens 115 by a mechanism.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the zoom lens is driven by a user's manual operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation member determination process of the operation member determination unit 152 in the present embodiment.

  In step S301, it is determined whether or not the manual switch 415 is ON. If the manual switch 415 is not ON, the process proceeds to step S302, and the zoom operation unit 160 is determined and set as an operation member for operating the focal length as it is as usual. When the manual switch 415 is ON, the process proceeds to step S303, and the zoom operation unit 160 is determined and set as an operation member for the convergence angle operation, not for the original focal length operation.

  In a photographing apparatus having a mechanism that can be manually operated by a user, when the manual operation is performed, the zoom operation unit that instructs an electric operation is not used. Therefore, by using this unused zoom operation unit for the convergence angle operation, the operation unit can be used effectively, and it is not necessary to newly construct an operation member.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the built-in zoom operation unit is used for the convergence angle operation when the manual operation is set is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when an external zoom operation member is connected, the zoom operation member may be used for the convergence angle operation.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which it is determined whether or not the operation unit is used for the convergence angle operation depending on whether or not it is manual. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of an imaging apparatus equipped with an autofocus function (hereinafter referred to as AF) that detects an in-focus position and automatically operates focus adjustment, it may be determined based on whether or not AF is in progress. That is, since the focus operation member is not used during AF, the same effect can be obtained if the focus operation member is determined for the convergence angle operation.

Example 4
Hereinafter, a stereoscopic video shooting system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which, when an operation member is connected to the slave side photographing apparatus, the command signal of the operation member is used for the convergence angle, thereby enabling the convergence angle operation.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stereoscopic video shooting system of the present embodiment. Components similar to those described in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The imaging device 400 is a master side imaging device, and the zoom lens 115 is operated by the zoom operation member 600. The photographing apparatus 500 is a slave-side photographing apparatus, and the zoom lens 515 is driven in synchronization with the zoom lens 115.

  The photographing apparatus 500 is connected to a zoom operation member 700. The zoom operation member 700 has an operation unit operated by a user, and outputs a focal length command signal based on an operation amount of the operation unit.

  As described above, the zoom lens 515 of the slave side photographing apparatus 500 is driven in synchronization with the zoom lens 115 of the master side photographing apparatus 400. Therefore, the command signal of the zoom operation member 700 is not used on the slave side, but is transmitted as it is to the master side photographing apparatus 400 via the communication unit 551.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the operation member is connected to the slave side photographing apparatus will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation member determination process of the operation member determination unit 152 in the present embodiment.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not a command signal is input from the slave side photographing apparatus 500. If not input, nothing is processed as it is and step S401 is repeated. If it is input, the process proceeds to step S402, where the zoom operation member connected to the slave side photographing apparatus 500 is determined and set as the operation member for the focal length operation. That is, the input focal length command signal is used as the command signal for the convergence angle.

  In the slave-side imaging device 500, each lens is driven according to the master-side imaging device 400, so that an operation member connected to the slave-side imaging device 500 is unused. Therefore, by using this unused operation member for the convergence angle operation, the operation unit can be used effectively, and it is not necessary to newly configure the operation member.

  In this embodiment, the zoom operation member connected to the slave side photographing apparatus is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a focus operation member or a built-in operation unit may be used.

  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.

116, 126, 516 shift lens, 152 operation member discrimination unit,
153 Command value conversion unit, 160 Zoom operation unit,
200,300 Focus operation member, 600,700 Zoom operation member

Claims (6)

Two lens units having movable optical parts;
Movable optical unit control means for controlling driving of the movable optical unit;
A convergence angle changing means for changing a convergence angle formed by each optical axis of the lens unit;
A convergence angle control means for controlling the driving of the convergence angle changing means;
Command means for outputting a movable optical section command signal for commanding driving of at least one of the movable optical sections;
In a stereoscopic video shooting system having
Discriminating means for discriminating that the command means is set as a command means for convergence angle;
Signal converting means for converting the movable optical unit command signal of the command means set as the convergence angle command means into a convergence angle command signal for commanding the convergence angle by the determining means;
A stereoscopic video shooting system comprising:   The stereoscopic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit can arbitrarily select the convergence angle command unit by a user.   The said instruction | indication means can be attached or detached with the said lens unit, The said discrimination means discriminate | determines the said convergence angle command means by the order in which the said instruction | indication means was connected with the said lens unit. The described stereoscopic video shooting system.   In the case where the command unit includes the command unit that is detachable from the lens unit and is built in the lens unit, the determination unit is configured so that when the detachable command unit is connected to the lens unit, the built-in The stereoscopic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the command means is discriminated from the convergence angle command means.   The movable optical unit can be driven manually, and has manual selection means for selecting the manual drive, and the determination means sets the command means to the congestion when manual drive is selected by the manual selection means. The stereoscopic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic image capturing system is determined as a corner command means.   The lens unit for driving the movable optical unit based on the movable optical unit command signal of the command means is a master lens unit, the other lens unit is a slave lens unit, and the master lens unit and the slave lens unit are connected, In the stereoscopic video system that drives the movable optical unit of the slave lens unit based on the position of the movable optical unit of the master lens unit, the determination unit includes the command unit that is connected to or built in the slave lens unit. The stereoscopic video imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic video imaging system is determined as the convergence angle command means.