JP2024040583A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which can properly illuminate an imaging possible range while preventing intrusion of illumination light into a dome cover without increasing the size of the entire device.

SOLUTION: An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a dome cover, a housing and an illumination unit. The dome cover is arranged such that the zenith direction is inclined to one side in a first direction in parallel to an installation surface with respect to the direction orthogonal to the installation surface of the housing. The illumination unit comprises: a first illumination part which is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits illumination light to the one side; and a second illumination part which is arranged on the other side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits the illumination light to the opposite side to the installation surface. A distance from the center of the dome cover to the first illumination part in the first direction is equal to or less than the radius of the dome cover. A distance from the center of the dome cover to the second illumination part in the first direction is greater than the radius of the dome cover.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device with fixed illumination.

Conventionally, a dome-type surveillance camera device has a dome cover that protects a lens unit, and the imaging direction of the lens unit can be rotated horizontally and vertically. There is something to do.
Patent Document 1 discloses a dome-type surveillance camera device that can prevent light from the light projecting means from entering the dome cover by arranging the light projecting means at a position away from the dome cover. This dome-shaped surveillance camera device is equipped with a lighting device in which a plurality of light projecting means are mounted on the outer periphery of a casing in which a camera body is housed, and by lighting up the light projecting means corresponding to the imaging direction of the camera, it captures images. illuminating the direction.

Patent No. 4273498

However, in the surveillance camera device described in Patent Document 1, the illumination device is disposed at a position away from the dome cover, so the entire device becomes larger in the diameter direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can properly illuminate the imaging range while preventing illumination light from entering the dome cover without increasing the size of the entire device. .

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the imaging device according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element and is rotatable in at least one of a panning direction and a tilting direction, and an imaging unit that covers the imaging unit. A hemispherical dome cover, a housing that supports a peripheral edge of the dome cover, and is arranged inside the housing and emits illumination light toward the outside of the housing through a window provided in the housing. a lighting section, the dome cover is arranged with the zenith direction inclined to one side in a first direction parallel to the installation surface with respect to a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the housing, The illumination section is arranged on the one side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover, and includes a first illumination section that emits illumination light to the one side; a second illumination unit that is disposed on the other side in the first direction and emits illumination light to a side opposite to the installation surface, and the first illumination unit is arranged from the center of the dome cover in the first direction. The distance from the center of the dome cover in the first direction to the second illumination part is greater than the radius of the dome cover.

According to the present invention, the imaging possible range can be appropriately illuminated while preventing illumination light from entering the dome cover without increasing the size of the entire device.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an imaging device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of an imaging device according to the present embodiment. A top view and a perspective view showing the position of the center plane of the imaging device in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a light distribution diagram of the illumination of the imaging device in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a difference in size of an imaging device in the installation surface direction depending on the arrangement of lighting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment described below is an example of means for realizing the present invention, and should be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. The invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a dome-shaped surveillance camera 1, which is an example of an imaging device in this embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the dome-shaped surveillance camera 1 in this embodiment.
Here, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 is a view taken by cutting the dome-shaped surveillance camera 1 in the vertical direction along the axis in the front-rear direction. Note that the front side of the dome-shaped surveillance camera 1 refers to the side where the dome cover 11 is eccentric, as will be described later. In the following description, the front-rear direction of the dome-shaped surveillance camera 1 is also referred to as the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11. Further, the vertical direction of the dome-shaped surveillance camera 1 is a direction perpendicular to an installation surface 20b, which will be described later.

The dome-shaped surveillance camera (hereinafter also simply referred to as "camera") 1 may be, for example, a network camera that can remotely monitor captured images.
The exterior of the camera 1 is formed by a dome cover 11, an upper cover 10, illumination windows 12a, 12b, and a lower cover 20.
The dome cover 11 is a substantially hemispherical (dome-shaped) optical window made of a transparent material. The dome cover 11 covers the imaging unit 30 and is supported by the upper cover 10 by having a flange portion 11a serving as a peripheral portion attached and fixed to the upper cover 10. Further, the dome cover 11 is arranged eccentrically from the center to the front side with respect to the outer shape of the upper cover 10 projected onto the installation surface 20b. That is, when the dome cover 11 is approximated as a sphere, the center of the sphere is biased toward the front side of the upper cover 10 when viewed from above and below.
Here, the installation surface 20b is a surface on which the lower cover 20 is attached and fixed when the camera 1 is installed on a ceiling, wall, or the like. In this embodiment, the installation surface 20b is the lower surface of the lower cover 20 shown in FIG.

Further, the dome cover 11 is arranged so that the zenith direction is inclined toward the front with respect to the vertical direction. Here, the zenith direction is a direction that passes through the center of a sphere when the dome cover 11 is approximated as a sphere, and is perpendicular to a virtual plane including the flange portion 11a of the dome cover 11, and is a direction that is the axis of symmetry of the dome cover. refers to the direction of

The upper cover 10 is attached and fixed to the lower cover 20, and together with the lower cover 20 constitutes the housing of the camera 1. The upper cover 10 supports the dome cover 11 and covers each part of the camera 1 together with the dome cover 11 and the illumination windows 12a and 12b.
The imaging unit 30 is arranged inside the dome cover 11 and covered by a front lens cover 34 and a rear lens cover 35. The imaging unit 30 includes a lens unit 31, a lens holder 32, and an imaging element substrate 33.

The lens unit 31 has a plurality of lenses and a screw portion, and, as shown in FIG. 1, is attached to the lens holder 32 so that the imaging direction can be adjusted, and is included in the imaging optical system together with the lens holder 32.
The lens holder 32 is attached and fixed to the front lens cover 34, so that the lens holder 32 and the lens unit 31 are supported by the front lens cover 34. Note that the lens holder 32 may also have a built-in lens to function as a part of the imaging optical system.
The front lens cover 34 is disposed outside the front periphery of the lens holder 32 as a part of the imaging optical system, and covers the portion of the lens holder 32 other than the opening for light incidence to the lens unit 31. A part of the front lens cover 34 has a hemispherical shape, and has a rib shape 34a around the front side of the lens holder 32 to block unnecessary light.

The rear lens cover 35 is provided around the rear side of the imaging optical system, has a hemispherical shape to cover the rear side of the lens holder 32, and is attached to the front lens cover 34.
When combined, the front lens cover 34 and the rear lens cover 35 form a spherical portion having at least a portion of a spherical shape. The lens covers 34 and 35 are abutted and supported by the lower cover abutting portion 20a, which has a spherical shape with approximately the same radius as the outer spherical surface of the spherical portion.
Note that the lower cover contact portion 20a does not have to have a spherical shape, and may be composed of a plurality of discretely arranged convex portions, for example. Furthermore, the lower cover contact portion 20a and the lower cover 20 may be configured as separate parts.

The pan base 21 has a spherical shape with a radius slightly larger than the outer spherical surface of the spherical portion of the lens covers 34 and 35, and is arranged to abut and cover the spherical surface of at least one of the lens covers 34 and 35. be done. Further, the pan base 21 has a flange portion, and is pressed and fixed to the main base 22 with the unbalanced member 23 interposed therebetween.
The lens covers 34 and 35 are rotatably supported while having a predetermined frictional force by being pressed and held between the pan base 21 and the lower cover contact portion 20a. Axis Xp in FIG. 1 indicates the rotation axis of the imaging unit 30 (and lens covers 34, 35, and pan base 21) in the camera 1 in the panning direction. This pan rotation axis Xp substantially coincides with the axis of symmetry of the dome cover 11.
Note that the main base 22 is attached and fixed to the lower cover 20 by passing the pan base 21 through the hollow portion.

When the imaging unit 30 (and lens covers 34 and 35) is rotatable in the tilt direction, the rotation axis of the imaging unit 30 in the tilt direction is the tilt axis Xt in FIG. The rotational axis of the lens substantially coincides with the optical axis X.
The pan base 21 is provided with a tilt opening 21a, and by engaging with the rib shape 34a of the front lens cover 34, rotation of the lens covers 34 and 35 in the tilt direction with respect to the pan base 21 is restricted. In this way, the imaging unit 30 rotates around the tilt axis Xt with respect to the pan base 21.

The image sensor substrate 33 is provided with an image sensor such as a CMOS image sensor, and is fixed to the rear side of the lens holder 32. The imaging light beam from the subject is incident on the image sensor board 33 through the lens unit 31 (and lens holder 32), and an electrical signal is output according to the amount of light received by each pixel of the image sensor board 33, thereby generating an electrical signal. converted into an image signal.
The image signal output from the image sensor board 33 is transmitted from the image sensor board 33 to a control section (not shown) via a signal cable (not shown). Then, the control unit performs image processing such as contrast, brightness, and color adjustment to create image data that the user checks on a monitor or the like. Further, the brightness of the illumination light is also adjusted by the control section.

The electric boards 6a and 6b are electrically connected to each other and fixed to the lower cover 20. A CPU having a control section, electrical components for power supply, and the like are mounted on the electrical boards 6a and 6b.
Note that a CPU having a control unit and electrical parts for power supply are provided outside the camera 1, and electrically connected to the electrical boards 6a and 6b, and the electrical boards 6a and 6b are used as boards for relaying the electrical parts. You can also use it as Further, in this embodiment, two electrical boards 6a and 6b are arranged as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but it may be configured with one electrical board.

Furthermore, the camera 1 has at least two illumination units to illuminate the entire imageable range.
Each of the lighting units includes a light source and a lighting board on which the light source is mounted. The light source is a light emitting element such as an LED, and may be an infrared LED, for example.
The camera 1 in this embodiment has two illumination sections, a first illumination section 41 and a second illumination section 51.
The first lighting section 41 is arranged in front of the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction, that is, in front of the center of the dome cover 11 .
The second illumination section 51 is arranged at the rear of the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction, that is, at the rear side with respect to the center of the dome cover 11 .

The first illumination section 41 and the second illumination section 51 are arranged on the center plane C, as shown in FIG. 3(a). Here, the center plane C is a plane passing through the center of the dome cover 11, perpendicular to the installation surface 20b, and parallel to the front-rear direction. That is, the central plane C is a plane that includes the symmetry axis of the dome cover 11 that substantially coincides with the pan rotation axis Xp shown in FIG. 1, and is perpendicular to the installation surface 20b. FIG. 3(b) shows the position of the center plane C. The center plane C is a plane that divides the camera 1 into left and right sides in the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11. Note that FIG. 1 is a sectional view at the center plane C.

The irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section 41 includes the imaging range when the imaging unit 30 is at one end position of the movable range in the tilt direction. Here, the state in which the imaging unit 30 is at one end of the movable range in the tilt direction refers to the state in which the imaging unit 30 is tilted toward the installation surface 20b to near the end of the movable range.
Further, the irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section 51 includes the imaging range when the imaging unit 30 is at the other end position of the movable range in the tilt direction. Here, in this embodiment, the state in which the imaging unit 30 is at the other end of the movable range in the tilt direction refers to the state in which the imaging unit 30 faces in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b (upward).

The first illumination section 41 has a light source 42. The light source 42 is mounted on the lighting board 6c. Note that the lighting board 6c is electrically connected to the electric boards 6a and 6b (not shown).
The second illumination section 51 has a light source 52. The light source 52 is mounted on the electric board 6a. Note that the light source 52 may be mounted on a lighting board electrically connected to the electric boards 6a and 6b.
An illumination window 12a is arranged in a portion of the upper cover 10 facing the light source 42, and an illumination window 12b is arranged in a portion of the upper cover 10 facing the light source 52. The illumination windows 12a, 12b transmit illumination light emitted from the light sources 42, 52, respectively. Note that the illumination windows 12a and 12b may have a characteristic of absorbing or reflecting light of unnecessary wavelengths as illumination light, such as absorbing visible light when the illumination light is infrared light.

Although the illumination windows 12a and 12b may be constructed as separate parts from the upper cover 10 and attached and fixed to the upper cover 10, it is preferable to construct them as a single part by two-color molding or the like. By configuring it from one part, it is possible to reduce the number of assembly steps due to the reduction in the number of parts.
Furthermore, the illumination window 12a and the illumination window 12b may be connected, and the illumination window may be constituted by one substantially annular part.
Further, it is preferable to provide an illumination reflecting member around the light sources 42 and 52. By providing the illumination reflecting member, the light emitted from the light sources 42 and 52 can be efficiently emitted from the illumination windows 12a and 12b. In addition, by reflecting the illumination light emitted from the light sources 42 and 52 by the illumination reflecting member and condensing or collimating it in a predetermined direction, it is possible to limit the illumination passage area inside the camera 1. Stray light to the imaging unit 30 can be suppressed.

A light source 42 included in the first lighting section 41 is arranged between the dome cover 11 and the lower cover 20. The position of the light source 42 on the installation surface 20b is approximately on the projection surface of the dome cover 11 onto the installation surface 20b or approximately on the boundary of the projection surface. Here, the approximate projection plane refers to a circle defined on the installation surface 20b having the same radius as the dome cover 11 and centered on the projection point of the dome cover 11 onto the installation surface 20b at the approximately spherical center. That is, if the radius of the dome cover 11 is R, and the distance in the front-rear direction from the center of the dome cover 11 to the light source 42 is L1, then the relationship L1≦R holds true.

The illumination board 6c included in the first illumination section 41 is arranged such that the optical axis X of the imaging unit 30 is included in the central plane C and the optical axis can be placed perpendicular to the direction of In this embodiment, the lighting board 6c is arranged to be inclined with respect to the installation surface 20b, and the first lighting section 41 is designed to mainly illuminate the direction inclined upward with respect to the installation surface 20b. It is configured.
At this time, the light distribution angle (illumination irradiation angle) of the illumination light emitted from the first illumination section 41 is set to an angle at which the illumination light does not enter the dome cover 11.

The light source 52 included in the second illumination section 51 is arranged between the upper cover 10 and the lower cover 20 including the illumination window 12b. The light source 52 is arranged outside the dome cover 11. That is, if the distance in the front-rear direction from the center of the dome cover 11 to the light source 52 is L2, then the relationship R<L2 holds true.
The electric board 6a of the second illumination unit 52 is configured to operate when the imaging unit 30 is at the other end of the movable range in the tilt direction with the optical axis X of the imaging unit 30 included on the center plane C. It can be arranged perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis X. In this embodiment, the electric board 6a is arranged parallel to the installation surface 20b, and the second lighting section 51 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b (upward direction) which is outside the illumination range of the first lighting section 41. ) is configured to primarily illuminate the area.
At this time, the light distribution angle (illumination irradiation angle) of the illumination light emitted from the second illumination section 51 is set to an angle at which the illumination light does not enter the dome cover 11 .

Note that the light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted from the illumination units 41 and 51 may be controlled by lenses (not shown) provided in the illumination units 41 and 51, respectively, or the illumination windows 12a and 12b may have lens shapes. It may also be controlled by

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of light distribution of illumination in the camera 1. FIG. Here, FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view, and FIG. 4(b) is a sectional view at the center plane C. By distributing light as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is possible to illuminate the entire imaging range at a distance farther than the shortest imaging distance of the imaging unit 30.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the pan axis Xp and the axis of symmetry of the dome cover 11 are tilted forward by 16 degrees with respect to the direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b. Further, assuming that the movable range of the imaging unit 30 is ±30° in the pan direction, 0° to 70° in the tilt direction, and ±180° in the rotation direction, the angle of view of the imaging unit 30 is 60° in the vertical direction and 105° in the horizontal direction. Assuming that. Here, a tilt direction of 0° indicates a state in which the imaging unit 30 faces upward and the optical axis X is perpendicular to the installation surface 20b, and a panning direction of 0° indicates that the optical axis X is included in the center plane C. This shows a state in which the imaging unit 30 faces forward in the eccentric direction.

In this case, the first illumination section 41 is set so that the illumination range includes the imaging range when the imaging unit 30 is tilted at 60 to 70 degrees in the tilt direction and rotated by ±30 degrees in the panning direction. Further, the second illumination unit 51 is configured such that the illumination range includes the imaging range when the imaging unit 30 is oriented in the tilt direction of 0° and the horizontal angle of view direction is parallel to the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11. Set.
In the present embodiment, the light distribution angle of the first illumination unit 41 can be approximately 24° to 105° in the tilt direction and ±90° in the pan direction with the light source 42 as the center. The light distribution angle of the second lighting section 51 is approximately -56° to 36° in the tilt direction with the light source 52 as the center, and 0° in the upward direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b, and in the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11. The angle can be ±80° to the left and right.

Here, the approximate tilt direction is defined as 0° for the upward direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b, +90° for the direction parallel to the installation surface 20b on the central plane C and forward in the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11, and -90° for the rearward direction. The approximate pan direction is defined as 0° for the direction parallel to the installation surface 20b on the central plane C and forward in the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11, with the direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b as the axis.
With the above configuration, the image capturing range when the imaging unit 30 rotates 60° to 70° in the tilt direction and ±30° in the pan direction can be illuminated by the first illumination unit 41. Note that, since the ceiling and walls are included in the image capturing range, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the imaging unit 30 is not rotated in the rotation direction when it is tilted significantly in the tilt direction. When the imaging unit 30 is rotated in the rotation direction for use, it is necessary to widen the light distribution angle of the first illumination unit 41 to approximately 125° in the tilt direction.

Further, when the imaging unit 30 faces upward perpendicular to the installation surface 20b and the imaging unit 30 rotates ±180° in the rotation (or panning) direction, the imaging possible range is mainly illuminated by the second illumination unit 51. can do.
When the imaging unit 30 is tilted in the tilt direction, the imaging possible range up to 60 degrees in the tilt direction can be illuminated by both the first illumination section 41 and the second illumination section 51.
Note that the movable range of the imaging unit 30, the light distribution angles of the first illumination section 41 and the second illumination section 51, and the inclinations of the pan axis Xp and the axis of symmetry of the dome cover 11 are merely examples, and are not limited to the above. It is not something that will be done.

As described above, the imaging device (camera) 1 in this embodiment includes the imaging unit 30, which includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element, and is rotatable in at least one of the panning direction and the tilting direction. The camera 1 also includes a substantially hemispherical dome cover 11 that covers the imaging unit 30, and an upper cover 10 and a lower cover 20 as housings that support the peripheral edge of the dome cover 11. Furthermore, the camera 1 includes illumination sections 41 and 51 that are arranged inside the housing and emit illumination light toward the outside of the housing through windows 12a and 12b provided in the housing.

Here, the dome cover 11 is arranged so that its zenith direction is inclined toward one side (front side) in a direction parallel to the installation surface 20b with respect to a direction perpendicular to the installation surface 20b of the housing. Further, the first illumination unit 41 is arranged in front of the center of the dome cover 11 and emits illumination light to the front side of the camera 1. The second illumination unit 51 is arranged behind the center of the dome cover 11 and emits illumination light to the upper side of the camera 1.
In the front-back direction, the distance L1 from the center of the dome cover 11 to the first lighting section 41 is less than or equal to the radius R of the dome cover, and the distance from the center of the dome cover 11 to the second lighting section 51 is: It is larger than the radius R of the dome cover 11. In other words, L1≦R<L2 holds true.

As described above, in the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the first illumination section 41 disposed in front of the dome cover 11 is located approximately on the projection surface of the dome cover 11 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the installation surface 20b. Place inside. With such a configuration, compared to a conventional imaging device in which a plurality of illumination units are arranged on the outer periphery of the dome cover, the entire device can be made smaller in the diametrical direction.

FIG. 5(a) is a side view of the camera 1 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5(a), if the inclination angle of the axis of symmetry of the dome cover 11 is θ, and the width of the substrate of the illumination parts 41 and 51 is L, then the dome cover 11 The width La occupied by the illumination parts 41 and 51 is 2R·cos θ+L.
On the other hand, a camera 1A shown in FIG. 5(b) is a camera in which illumination parts 41A and 51A are arranged symmetrically on the outside of the dome cover 11 with the center plane C in between. In order to illuminate the entire imaging range without making illumination light enter the dome cover 11, it is necessary to arrange illumination units outside the dome and on both sides in the diametrical direction. In this case, the width Lb occupied by the dome cover 11 and the illumination parts 41A and 51A in the installation surface direction (front-back direction) is 2R+2L·cos α. Here, α is the inclination angle with respect to the installation surface of the lighting board that the lighting units 41 and 51 have.

For example, when L=9 mm, R=25.9 mm, θ=21°, and α=45°, La=57.4 mm and Lb=64.5 mm. Therefore, in the camera 1 according to this embodiment, the width occupied by the installation surface can be reduced by 7.2 mm.
In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to realize downsizing in the direction of the installation surface.

The camera 1A shown in FIG. 5(b) has illumination units 41A and 51A disposed on the left and right sides of the front of the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction, so that the imaging range that is likely to be used by the user can be efficiently illuminated. I can do it.
However, there is a concern that the imaging range may not be sufficiently illuminated when the imaging unit assumes a specific posture. The above specific posture means that the imaging unit is oriented perpendicular to the installation surface and rotated (or panned) so that the horizontal angle of view, which is wider than the vertical angle of view, is parallel to the eccentric direction of the dome cover 11. ) direction. In this attitude, there is a concern that the imaging range behind the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction may not be sufficiently illuminated.
In addition, in order to illuminate the imaging range behind the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction by the illumination parts 41A and 51A arranged in the front of the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction, the light distribution angle of the illumination light of the illumination parts 41A and 51A is widened. There is a need. In that case, there is a concern that the illumination light will be incident on the dome cover 11 and an image of dust or scratches on the dome cover called a ghost will be generated.

In contrast, in the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the second illumination section 51 is arranged behind the dome cover 11. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately illuminate the imaging range behind the dome cover 11 in the eccentric direction while preventing illumination light from entering the dome cover 11.
As described above, in the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, a wide area can be illuminated by the first illumination section 41 disposed in front of the dome cover 11 and the second illumination section 51 disposed behind the dome cover 11. I can do it. Here, the first illumination section 41 and the second illumination section 51 can be arranged on the central plane C. Therefore, a wide area can be efficiently illuminated. In other words, a wide area can be appropriately illuminated while preventing illumination light from entering the dome cover 11 without increasing the size of the device in the direction of the installation surface.

Furthermore, the dome cover 11 can be arranged eccentrically forward with respect to the housing. Thereby, the imaging unit 30 can be placed eccentrically forward in the housing, and the electric boards 6a and 6b can be placed in the remaining space. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the device from increasing in size in the height direction.

Here, the irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section 41 is the imaging range of the imaging unit 30 when the imaging unit 30 is at one end position of the movable range in the tilt direction (70 degrees in the tilt direction in this embodiment). Contains a range. Further, the irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination unit 51 is the imaging range of the imaging unit 30 when the imaging unit 30 is at the other end position of the movable range in the tilt direction (0° in the tilt direction). Contains a range.
The substrate included in the first illumination section 41 is arranged in the direction of the optical axis X of the imaging unit 30 when the imaging unit 30 is tilted at 70° with the optical axis It can be placed perpendicular to the In addition, the substrate included in the second illumination section 51 is arranged so that the optical axis X of the imaging unit 30 is aligned with the optical axis It can be placed perpendicular to the direction. At this time, the substrate included in the first lighting section 41 is arranged obliquely with respect to the installation surface 20b, and the substrate included in the second lighting section 51 is arranged parallel to the installation surface 20b.
Thereby, the illumination sections 41 and 51 can appropriately illuminate the entire imaging range of the imaging unit 30.

Furthermore, the light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section 41 and the light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section 51 may be set to an angle at which the illumination light does not enter the dome cover 11. I can do it. Therefore, the occurrence of ghosts can be appropriately suppressed.

As described above, the imaging device in this embodiment is a dome-shaped imaging device that can illuminate the entire imaging range while preventing illumination light from entering the dome cover without increasing the size of the entire device. can do.

In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the illumination parts 41 and 51 were arrange|positioned on the center plane C, it is not limited to the above. The illumination parts 41 and 51 may be arranged near the center plane C.
Further, the inclination of the substrates included in the illumination units 41 and 51 is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 1, but can be determined according to the movable range of the imaging unit 30. For example, the board (lighting board 6c) included in the first lighting section 41 may be perpendicular to the installation surface 20b, and the board included in the second lighting section 51 may be inclined with respect to the installation surface 20. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the camera 1 is a network camera such as a surveillance camera has been described, but the present invention can be applied to various imaging devices and optical devices that capture an image by irradiating a subject with illumination.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention provides a system or device with a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. This can also be achieved by processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration and method.
(Configuration 1)
an imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element and is rotatable in at least one of a panning direction and a tilting direction;
a substantially hemispherical dome cover that covers the imaging unit;
a housing that supports a peripheral portion of the dome cover;
an illumination unit that is disposed inside the housing and emits illumination light toward the outside of the housing through a window provided in the housing,
The dome cover is arranged such that the zenith direction is inclined to one side in a first direction parallel to the installation surface with respect to a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the housing,
The lighting section includes:
a first illumination unit that is disposed on the one side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits illumination light to the one side;
a second illumination part that is disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits illumination light to a side opposite to the installation surface;
A distance from the center of the dome cover to the first illumination part in the first direction is equal to or less than a radius of the dome cover,
An imaging device characterized in that a distance from the center of the dome cover to the second illumination section in the first direction is larger than a radius of the dome cover.

(Configuration 2)
The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein the dome cover is eccentrically arranged on the one side in the first direction with respect to the housing.

(Configuration 3)
The imaging unit is configured to be tiltable and rotatable about a tilt axis that is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the installation surface,
The irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section includes an imaging range of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at one end position of a movable range in a tilt direction,
Configuration 1 or 2 characterized in that the irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section includes the imaging range of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at the other end position of the movable range in the tilt direction. The imaging device described in .

(Configuration 4)
The first lighting section and the second lighting section are arranged on a center plane that passes through the center of the dome cover, is perpendicular to the installation surface, and parallel to the first direction. 4. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 3.

(Configuration 5)
The first lighting section and the second lighting section each include a light source and a substrate on which the light source is mounted,
The substrate included in the first illumination section is configured to adjust the optical axis of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at one end of the movable range in the tilt direction with the optical axis of the imaging unit on the center plane. is placed perpendicular to the direction of
The substrate included in the second illumination section controls the light of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at the other end of the movable range in the tilt direction with the optical axis of the imaging unit on the center plane. The imaging device according to configuration 4, wherein the imaging device is arranged perpendicularly to the direction of the axis.

(Configuration 6)
The substrate included in the first lighting section is arranged at an angle with respect to the installation surface,
6. The imaging device according to configuration 5, wherein the substrate included in the second lighting section is arranged parallel to the installation surface.

(Configuration 7)
The light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section and the light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section are set at angles at which the illumination light does not enter the dome cover. 7. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that:

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Imaging device, 6a, 6b... Electric board, 6c... Lighting board, 10... Upper cover, 11... Dome cover, 12a, 12b... Lighting window, 20... Lower cover, 21... Pan base, 21a... Tilt opening, 30...Imaging unit, 31...Lens unit, 32...Lens holder, 33...Imaging element board, 34...Front lens cover, 34a...Rib shape, 35...Rear lens cover, 41, 51...Illumination section, 42, 52...Light source

Claims (7)

an imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element and is rotatable in at least one of a panning direction and a tilting direction;
a substantially hemispherical dome cover that covers the imaging unit;
a housing that supports a peripheral portion of the dome cover;
an illumination unit that is disposed inside the housing and emits illumination light toward the outside of the housing through a window provided in the housing,
The dome cover is arranged such that the zenith direction is inclined to one side in a first direction parallel to the installation surface with respect to a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the housing,
The lighting section includes:
a first illumination unit that is disposed on the one side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits illumination light to the one side;
a second illumination part that is disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to the center of the dome cover and emits illumination light to a side opposite to the installation surface;
A distance from the center of the dome cover to the first illumination part in the first direction is equal to or less than a radius of the dome cover,
An imaging device characterized in that a distance from the center of the dome cover to the second illumination section in the first direction is larger than a radius of the dome cover. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the dome cover is eccentrically arranged on the one side in the first direction with respect to the housing. The imaging unit is configured to be tiltable and rotatable about a tilt axis that is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the installation surface,
The irradiation range of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section includes an imaging range of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at one end position of a movable range in a tilt direction,
2. The illumination range of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section includes the imaging range of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at the other end position of the movable range in the tilt direction. The imaging device described. The first lighting section and the second lighting section are arranged on a center plane passing through the center of the dome cover, perpendicular to the installation surface, and parallel to the first direction. Item 1. The imaging device according to item 1. The first lighting section and the second lighting section each include a light source and a substrate on which the light source is mounted,
The substrate included in the first illumination section is configured to adjust the optical axis of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at one end of the movable range in the tilt direction with the optical axis of the imaging unit on the center plane. is placed perpendicular to the direction of
The substrate included in the second illumination section controls the light of the imaging unit when the imaging unit is at the other end of the movable range in the tilt direction with the optical axis of the imaging unit on the center plane. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging device is arranged perpendicularly to the direction of the axis. The substrate included in the first lighting section is arranged at an angle with respect to the installation surface,
The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the substrate included in the second lighting section is arranged parallel to the installation surface. The light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the first illumination section and the light distribution angle of the illumination light emitted by the second illumination section are set at angles at which the illumination light does not enter the dome cover. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

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