JP3111376B2 - Stereo camera positioning adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for adjusting a distance and a convergence angle between two cameras with a simple configuration in a three-dimensional camera for capturing an image having a three-dimensional effect using two cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, images captured by human eyes have a three-dimensional effect because images captured from different directions by the left and right eyes are captured as images synthesized by the brain. Taking advantage of this, two cameras are provided on the left and right,
By synthesizing the images shot toward the respective subjects, it is possible to obtain an image having a three-dimensional effect even if the image is projected on a plane.

[0003] Therefore, a stereoscopic camera has been proposed in which two cameras are supported by one and can perform stereoscopic photography while adjusting the relative position. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when photographing at the same magnification, in order to obtain a three-dimensional effect similar to the image captured by the human eyes, the lens positions of the left and right cameras are set to the distance between the left and right eyes of the human (about 65 mm). It is sufficient to shoot each of the subjects after separating them. In addition, if a zoom lens is used, even if the camera is located behind the distance between the human and the subject, the distance between the left and right cameras is increased, and each camera is set in the same direction as the left and right eyes of the human facing the subject. By performing zoom shooting with the camera facing, a stereoscopic image having the same sense as a video captured by a human nearby can be obtained.

As described above, in a three-dimensional camera in which two cameras are incorporated into one camera, a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the left and right cameras and a mechanism for adjusting the angle toward the subject (angle of convergence) are required. Is done.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional stereoscopic camera positioning and adjusting device, in order to improve operability, the camera interval and the convergence angle are adjusted in accordance with the distance to the subject. Because of that, it will inevitably become larger. However, for small stereo cameras,
A simple configuration is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a three-dimensional camera positioning / adjusting apparatus capable of adjusting the distance and convergence angle between two cameras with a simple configuration. And

[0007]

Therefore, an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a stereoscopic camera for stereoscopically photographing using two cameras, the stereoscopic camera for adjusting the distance between two cameras and the angle of convergence. A positioning stage, comprising: a first stage formed in a plate shape parallel to a reference axis directed toward a subject, and having a support shaft erected at a position symmetrical with respect to the reference axis; A pair of second stages, which are rotatably engaged with the respective support shafts, and have guide grooves formed symmetrically in a direction parallel to the rotation surface and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference axis, A pair of camera guides which are respectively symmetrically arranged with respect to the reference axis while holding the two cameras, and which can move along the guide groove of each second stage; and each camera guide corresponding to each second stage. To each camera along the guide groove of each second stage. Two position adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of the id, and engaging the first stage and each second stage and rotating each second stage symmetrically with respect to a reference axis so as to adjust the convergence angle And a rotating mechanism for causing the rotation.

According to this configuration, when adjusting the distance between the two cameras, each position adjusting mechanism adjusts the position of each camera guide. Further, when adjusting the convergence angle, the pair of second stages are symmetrically rotated by the rotation mechanism. As described above, since the interval and the convergence angle of the cameras are adjusted only by the two position adjustment mechanisms and the rotation mechanism without providing a complicated mechanism such as an interlocking mechanism, the configuration is simplified.

In the apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the position adjustment mechanisms is supported by each of the second stages so as to be freely rotatable around an axis, extends in the guide groove direction, and has a thread cut on the outer periphery. It comprises a member and a screw hole formed to screw each corresponding shaft member into each camera guide. According to such a configuration, by rotating each shaft member, the corresponding camera guide moves little by little, so that fine adjustment of the camera interval can be easily performed.

In the apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the rotating mechanism is supported by the first stage so as to be freely rotatable around an axis, extends in the reference axis direction, engages with each of the second stages, and It is composed of a threaded shaft member and a screw hole provided in the first stage to screw the shaft member. According to this configuration, the second stage rotates symmetrically by rotating the shaft member, so that fine adjustment of the convergence angle can be easily performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the camera guides or each of the second stages is provided with a mechanism for screwing the shaft member at a position after the completion of the adjustment. According to such a configuration, after adjusting the interval between the two cameras, the shaft member is screwed to fix the interval. Thus, it is possible to fix the interval between the cameras only with the screw having the simple configuration.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the second stages is screwed to the first stage at a position where the convergence angle is adjusted. According to this configuration, after the convergence angle is adjusted, the second stage is screwed to the first stage, so that the convergence angles of both cameras can be fixed only with a screw having a simple configuration.

[0013] In the apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the heads of the shaft members and the screws for screwing the shaft members are all shaped to engage with a driver of the same standard. According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform all adjustments with one driver. In the device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the tripod mounting screw is formed on the housing.

According to such a configuration, for example, it is possible to easily attach it to a commonly used commercially available tripod.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the positioning and adjusting device 11 of the stereoscopic camera according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are a front view and a right side view of the positioning and adjusting device 11 of the stereoscopic camera, respectively. Is a bottom view. Also,
1 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
FIG .

As shown in these figures, the positioning and adjusting device 11 of the stereoscopic camera has a removable housing 12.
The housing 12 is provided with a tripod screw hole 13 so that it can be attached to, for example, a commonly used commercially available tripod, and has four feet for use as a desktop.
14 are installed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stage 1 as a first stage is housed in the housing 12, and the stage 1 is symmetrical with respect to a reference axis XX 'directed toward the subject. The support shafts 1a and 1a 'are erected at symmetrical positions.

The stages 2 and 2 ′ are a pair of second stages symmetrically arranged with respect to a reference axis XX ′, and the stage 2 is rotatably engaged with a support shaft 1 a of the stage 1. , Stage 2 'is rotatably engaged with support shaft 1a'. In addition, the stages 2 and 2 ′ are respectively provided in a direction parallel to the rotation surface and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference axis XX ′.
Guide grooves 2a and 2a 'are formed. Also, the stages 2 and 2 ′ overlap on the reference axis XX ′, and the notch 2b
Are formed in this overlapping portion.

A pair of camera guides 3 and 3 'respectively hold the left and right cameras, and
It is arranged to move along the guide grooves 2a, 2a 'on 2'. The camera grips of the camera guides 3, 3 'are provided with cushioning rubbers 4, 4' made of, for example, neoprene rubber or the like so as not to damage the camera.

The shafts 5, 5 'are shaft members for adjusting the positions of the camera guides 3, 3', respectively.
A thread is engraved on the outer periphery. On the other hand, the camera guides 3, 3 'are provided with screw holes that pass through the camera guides 3, 3' in parallel with the guide grooves 2a, 2a '. The shaft 5 is gripped by the stage 2 and screwed into a screw hole of the camera guide 3, and the shaft 5 ′ is gripped by the stage 2 ′ and screwed into a screw hole of the camera guide 3 ′.

The screw holes and the shafts 5 and 5 'correspond to a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the positions of the camera guides 3 and 3'. A screw hole is formed in the camera guide 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 5, and a lock screw 7 is screwed into the screw hole. Similarly, a screw hole is formed in the stage 2 ', and a lock screw 7' is screwed into the screw hole.

The stages 2 and 2 'are provided with screw holes for supporting the shafts 5 and 5' around the axis, respectively, and the camera guides 3 and 3 'grip the ends of the shafts 5 and 5'. You may just do it. The shaft 6 is a shaft member for adjusting a convergence angle for rotating the pair of stages 2 and 2 ′ symmetrically with respect to the reference axis XX ′. As shown in FIG. A screw thread is formed and screwed into a screw hole of the stage 1 and is supported by the stage 1 so as to be freely rotatable around an axis. The tip of the screw thread is engaged with the notch 2b of the stage 2, 2 '.

The shaft 6 and the screw holes provided in the stage 1 correspond to a rotating mechanism. At the ends of the stages 2 and 2 ′, stoppers 8 and 8 ′ having elongated holes 8 a and 8 a ′ are provided, respectively.
A screw hole (not shown) is formed at a position corresponding to 8a '. Lock screws 9, 9 'are screwed into the screw holes via the long holes 8a, 8a'.

The heads of the shafts 5, 5 ', 6, and the lock screws 7, 7', 9, 9 'are all shaped to mesh with a driver of the same standard, for example, a (-) shape. Next, the operation will be described. The housing 12 is opened when the two cameras 15, 15 'are mounted, and the interval and the convergence angle are adjusted.

Since the buffer rubber 4 is attached to the camera guides 3 and 3 ', the buffer rubber 4 becomes a buffer material by tightening the camera guides 3 and 3' with screws or the like.
The cameras 15, 15 'are firmly fixed to the camera guides 3, 3'. When adjusting the distance between the cameras 15, 15 ', the positions of the left or right camera guides 3, 3' are individually adjusted.

When adjusting from the position of the camera 15 on the left side, the lock screw 7 for fixing the shaft 5 is loosened with a (-) driver and the shaft 5 is rotated with a (-) driver. Thereby, the camera guide 3 moves along the guide groove 2a. When the position of the left camera 15 is determined, the lock screw 7 is tightened with a (-) screwdriver to fix the shaft 5 with the screw, and the position of the camera guide 3 is fixed.

Similarly, the position of the right camera 15 'is adjusted in the same manner. That is, the shaft 5 'is rotated by loosening the lock screw 7', and the position of the right camera guide 3 is adjusted. At this time, the left and right cameras 15, 15 'are aligned with the reference axis XX'.
Adjust so that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to. And
When the position of the camera 15 'is determined, the lock screw 7' is tightened and the shaft 5 'is screwed to fix the position of the camera guide 3'.

Next, when adjusting the convergence angle, the lock screws 9, 9 'are loosened and the shaft 6 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 7, since the tip of the shaft 6 is engaged with the notch 2b at the end of the stage 2, 2 ', when the shaft 6 is rotated, the stage 2, 2' Shafts 1a, 1a '
, And the convergence angle of both cameras 15 and 15 ′ changes.

When the angle of convergence of both cameras 15, 15 'is determined,
The stages 2, 2 'are fixed by tightening the lock screws 9, 9'. Thereby, the interval and the convergence angle between the left and right cameras 15, 15 'are fixed. When these adjustments are completed, the housing 12 is closed. FIG. 8 shows the positioning adjustment device 11 of the stereoscopic camera in a shooting state with the housing 12 closed.

When using the three-dimensional camera mounted on a tripod, a tripod screw is screwed into a screw hole 13 provided on the bottom surface of the housing 12. Also, when used as a desktop,
Place it on the table. In this way, the stereoscopic camera is easily mounted on a tripod or used on a table. According to this configuration, the shafts 5, 5 'for adjusting the positions of the camera guides 3, 3' and the shaft 6 for rotating the stages 2, 2 'are rotated without providing a complicated mechanism such as an interlocking mechanism. Since the distance and the angle of convergence between the left and right cameras 15 and 15 'are adjusted, the configuration of the adjusting mechanism is simplified, which is particularly suitable for a small stereoscopic camera.

Further, since the shafts 5, 5 ', 6 are fixed by the simple lock screws 7, 7', 9, 9 ', the camera interval and the convergence angle can be easily fixed. Also, shafts 5, 5 ', 6, and lock screws 7, 7', 9, 9 '
Since the head has a shape corresponding to the (-) driver, the distance and the convergence angle between the cameras 15 and 15 'can be easily adjusted with one driver.

Further, since the housing 12 is provided with the screw holes 13 and the feet 14, it can be easily mounted on a commonly used tripod or placed on a table for easy use. In the present embodiment, the distance between the cameras 15 and 15 'and the angle of convergence are adjusted by rotating the shafts 5, 5' and 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be adjusted by pushing or pulling the 5 ', 6's. However,
The configuration as in the present embodiment allows more fine adjustment.

The shafts 5 and 5 'are directly fixed by the lock screws 7 and 7', respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a resin tip 21 is attached to the tip of the lock screw 7, for example. Alternatively, the shafts 5 and 5 'may be pressed indirectly. In this way, there is no need to worry about crushing the threads.

[0033]

As described above, according to the apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the distance and the angle of convergence between a pair of cameras can be adjusted with a simple configuration. According to the apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance between the two cameras can be finely adjusted with a simple configuration.

According to the device of the third aspect of the present invention, the convergence angle of both cameras can be finely adjusted with a simple configuration. According to the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the distance between the two cameras can be fixed with a simple configuration. According to the apparatus of the fifth aspect, the convergence angle of both cameras can be fixed with a simple configuration.

According to the apparatus of claim 6, 1
All adjustments can be made with a book driver. According to the device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it can be easily attached to a tripod.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a use state of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view showing another embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a positioning adjustment method of the stereoscopic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Stage 2 Stage 3, 3 'Camera Guide 5, 5' Shaft 6 Shaft 7, 7 'Lock Screw 8, 8' Stopper 9, 9 'Lock Screw 15, 15' Camera

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A stereoscopic camera positioning adjustment device for adjusting the distance between two cameras and the angle of convergence in a stereoscopic camera that performs stereoscopic photography using two cameras, the stereoscopic camera positioning adjustment device being parallel to a reference axis directed toward a subject. A first stage formed in a plate shape and having a support shaft erected at a position symmetrical with respect to the reference axis, and rotatably engaged with each support shaft of the first stage; A pair of second stages in which guide grooves are formed symmetrically in a direction parallel to the reference axis and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference axis; and symmetrically with respect to the reference axis by holding two cameras respectively. A pair of camera guides arranged and movable along a guide groove of each second stage, and engaged with each camera guide corresponding to each second stage;
Two position adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of each camera guide along the guide groove of each second stage; and each second adjusting mechanism for engaging the first stage and each second stage and adjusting the convergence angle. A positioning mechanism for a three-dimensional camera, comprising: a rotation mechanism for rotating the stage symmetrically with respect to a reference axis. 2. Each of the position adjustment mechanisms includes a shaft member rotatably supported by the second stage around an axis, extending in the guide groove direction, and having an outer periphery threaded, and a camera guide, The positioning adjustment device for a stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, wherein the positioning adjustment device comprises a screw hole formed so as to screw each corresponding shaft member. 3. A shaft member, which is rotatably supported by the first stage around an axis, extends in a reference axis direction, engages with each of the second stages, and has a threaded outer periphery. The positioning adjustment device for a stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a screw hole provided in the first stage so as to screw the shaft member. 4. The three-dimensional camera according to claim 2, wherein each of the camera guides or each of the second stages is provided with a mechanism for screwing the shaft member at a position after the adjustment is completed. Positioning adjustment device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second stage is screwed to the first stage at a position where the convergence angle is adjusted. 6. The three-dimensional camera according to claim 4, wherein all the shaft members and the heads of the screws for screwing the shaft members are shaped to mesh with a driver of the same standard. Positioning adjustment device. 7. A positioning adjustment device for a stereoscopic camera according to claim 1, wherein a screw for attaching a tripod is formed on the housing.