JP3894364B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera that takes a picture in response to a shooting operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cameras that take a three-dimensional photograph in accordance with a shooting operation are known. Stereophoto (stereophoto) is a photo that is devised so that a planar photo can be seen stereoscopically by taking the same subject from two positions at the same time and viewing each photo taken with the left and right eyes. For example, a technique for taking such a stereoscopic photograph under optimum conditions is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-97045. According to this publication, two lenses corresponding to the right eye and the left eye, a zoom control circuit that detects the focal length of the two lenses, a distance sensor that detects the distance to the subject, and two lenses And a zoom control circuit, distance sensor, and motor to automatically adjust the angle and interval of the two lenses according to the distance to the subject and the focal length of the lens. Thus, a stereoscopic image can be obtained under optimum conditions.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-105339 discloses two cameras having a zoom lens, distance measuring means for measuring the distance and angle from these cameras to a subject, and a convergence angle measuring means, and a stereoscopic image is formed. There has been proposed a technique capable of obtaining an appropriate stereoscopic image even when a zoom lens is operated.
[0004]
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-223606 discloses two cameras for the right eye and left eye, a camera drive circuit that moves the cameras to change the convergence angle, the focal length of these cameras, and It is equipped with a calculation unit that performs calculations according to the moving distance, and an appropriate stereoscopic image can be obtained even when the position of the image or frame moves due to a shift in the image formation position due to a change in the convergence angle Technology that can do this has been proposed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-97045, it is necessary to provide two lenses, a zoom control circuit, a distance sensor, and a motor, as described above, in order to obtain a stereoscopic image. There is a problem of up.
[0006]
Further, in the techniques proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-105339 and 8-223606, means for measuring the distance to the subject and the angle of convergence with two cameras, and a circuit for moving these cameras In addition, a tripod for fixing these two cameras is also required. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost of the entire apparatus increases.
[0007]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera in which the configuration for taking a stereoscopic photograph is simplified and the cost is reduced.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a camera that takes a picture in response to a shooting operation, a shooting preparation operation is performed prior to the shooting operation,
A joint provided on the side of the body, joining another camera of the same model upside down, and transmitting the shooting operation of one camera to the other camera in a state where the other camera is joined,
A shooting control unit that takes a picture by shooting operation to its own camera and also takes a picture when receiving a shooting operation to the other camera in a state of being joined to the joint ,
The joint transmits the shooting preparation operation of one of the cameras to the other camera and transmits the shooting operation of the one camera to the other camera,
The shooting control unit performs a shooting preparation operation in response to a shooting preparation operation for its own camera, and also performs a shooting preparation operation when receiving a shooting preparation operation to another camera joined to the joint. And taking a picture by taking a picture by the photographing operation to the own camera and receiving a photographing operation to the other camera joined to the joint part.
A timer and means for correcting an error between the timers provided in the two cameras when the same type of cameras are joined and photographing operation is performed with the two cameras are provided .
[0009]
Conventional cameras have two lenses, a function for controlling those lenses, or a tripod for fixing the camera, etc., to take a stereoscopic photograph, which increases the cost. Have In general, when taking a picture with a camera, the frequency of taking a normal picture that is not a stereoscopic picture is high. The present invention has been devised with a focus on this point of view, and avoids the extra cost for stereoscopic photography, and makes it possible to easily photograph stereoscopic photographs without using a tripod. Is.
[0010]
The camera of the present invention includes the above-described joint and the above-described photographing control unit. When photographing a stereoscopic photograph, the camera of the same model is joined to the joint and the photographing operation is performed from any one of the cameras. When the transmission is received, the photographing control unit performs photographing of the other camera in synchronism with the photographing operation of the one camera, thereby taking a three-dimensional photograph. Here, the joining section and the imaging control section may have a simple configuration as will be described in an embodiment described later. Therefore, it is only necessary to join two cameras that can perform normal photography when taking a stereoscopic photograph, and it is not necessary to use a tripod, and the cost of the camera for taking a stereoscopic photograph can be reduced. It is done.
[0012]
Note that the shooting preparation operation here typically means a half-press operation of a shutter switch. In addition, the shooting preparation operation includes an automatic focusing (AF) operation, an automatic exposure (AE) operation, and the like.
[0013]
Further, in the camera of the present invention, the focus and exposure of each photograph taken by one camera and the other camera match each other, so that the photographic properties of the stereoscopic photograph can be improved.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention as viewed from diagonally above the front.
[0016]
The camera 100 is a digital still camera that performs AF control for forming a subject image on a solid-state image pickup device to obtain image data, and automatically focusing on the basis of the image data. Is provided with a lens barrel 11 having a photographing lens 11a for autofocus inside. In addition, a finder objective window 12 is provided at the upper front of the camera 100. Furthermore, a shutter switch 13 for taking a picture is provided on the upper surface of the camera 100.
[0017]
Further, the camera 100 is provided with a joint portion 20 on a side surface 10a of the body 10 (a right side surface when viewed from the front of the camera). This joint portion 20 is joined to another camera of the same model, and in the state where the other camera is joined, the photographing operation of one camera (camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 or another camera) is performed on the other camera (other camera). Or it is a part for transmitting to the camera 100) shown in FIG. Specifically, the joint portion 20 transmits a half-press operation of the shutter switch 13 of the camera 100 (corresponding to a shooting preparation operation according to the present invention) to another camera and transmits a shooting operation of the other camera to the camera 100. To do.
[0018]
The joint portion 20 is provided with a concave portion 21 and a convex portion 22 as a guide for joining formed on the upper side and the lower side of the body side surface 10a. These concave portions 21 and convex portions 22 are formed at target positions with respect to a horizontal line passing through the center of the photographing lens 11a. With such a shape, it is possible to fix two cameras of the same model in a positional relationship where each camera lens is horizontally aligned by flipping one camera upside down and pressing it against the other camera. It is.
[0019]
In addition, the mechanism for joining two cameras may be a mechanism with a lock in addition to the concave portion 21 and the convex portion 22. In that case, there is no need to keep pressing the two cameras. In this embodiment, it is necessary to keep pressing two cameras, but since no special parts are required for the exterior, it is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the optical axis and the side of the body are parallel so that the optical axes of the two cameras are parallel to each other. However, by making the joint angle adjustable, for example, a position farther from the subject. By making the optical axes of the two cameras intersect, it is possible to take a three-dimensional photograph in which the subject appears to jump out of the background of the photograph.
[0021]
In addition, in the joint portion 20 described above, an input / output signal terminal 23_1, a ground terminal 24, and an input / output signal terminal 23_2 are disposed between the concave portion 21 and the convex portion 22 in order from the top. By arranging in this way, when two cameras of the same model are turned upside down and joined to the other, the ground terminal and the signal terminal can be joined so as to coincide with each other. It should be noted that the same effect is obtained even if the relationship between the ground terminal and the signal terminal is reversed (in order from the top, the ground terminal, the signal terminal, and the ground terminal).
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which two cameras shown in FIG. 1 are joined.
[0023]
At the time of shooting, one camera 100 is held in each of the left and right hands, and one camera 100 is turned upside down and pressed against the other camera 100 to fix the positional relationship with each other. At this time, a fixed base such as a tripod is not required. Therefore, when two members have the same model of the camera 100, such as when traveling with friends, it is possible to easily take a three-dimensional photograph by bringing those cameras 100 together. Generally, when taking a photograph, the frequency of taking a normal photograph that is not a stereoscopic photograph is high. Therefore, each camera 100 of the present embodiment usually performs normal photography with one camera 100, and when taking a stereoscopic photograph, the two cameras 100 are pressed against each other and fixed as described above. Configured to be used. Here, the mechanism for taking a three-dimensional photograph of the camera 100 is composed of the joint portion 20 described above and a photographing control portion described later, and these are relatively simple configurations. Therefore, the cost of the mechanism for taking a three-dimensional photograph that is less frequently used by the user of the camera 100 is kept small.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one camera 100 is turned upside down and pressed against the other camera 100 to perform stereoscopic shooting. It will be arrange | positioned by the space | interval of several cm close | similar to a space | interval, and a favorable three-dimensional photograph can be obtained.
[0025]
It should be noted that the “body side surface” at which the joint portion is provided is not limited to the lateral side surface of the camera as in the present embodiment, but may be the lateral side surface of the camera.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the camera shown in FIG.
[0027]
The camera 100 takes a picture by taking a picture with the camera 100 and also takes a picture when receiving a photography operation to another camera 100 joined to the joint 20 described above. A control unit 30 is provided. Specifically, the photographing control unit 30 receives exposure such as shutter speed, aperture, automatic focus adjustment, etc. in response to a half-pressing operation of the shutter switch 13 to the own camera 100 (corresponding to the photographing preparation operation in the present invention). Adjustment of the exposure conditions is also performed when adjustment of conditions (corresponding to the shooting preparation operation in the present invention) is performed and when a half-press operation of the shutter switch 13 is transmitted to another camera 100 joined to the joint 20. And taking a picture by fully pressing the shutter switch 13 to the own camera 100 (corresponding to the photographing operation in the present invention) and the shutter switch 13 to another camera 100 joined to the joint 20. A photo is also taken when a full press operation is received.
[0028]
The photographing control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a drive unit 32, and a timer 33.
[0029]
The CPU 31 controls the entire camera 100.
[0030]
The drive unit 32 drives a motor for driving the photographing lens 11a and the diaphragm, and outputs a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal of a CCD sensor provided in the imaging unit 70. Drive.
[0031]
Although the timer 33 will be described later, the timer 33 is used to synchronize its own camera 100 with another camera 100.
[0032]
The camera 100 includes an optical unit 40, a shutter mechanism unit 50, an imaging unit 60, a recording unit 70, and a communication unit 80.
[0033]
The optical unit 40 includes the above-described photographic lens 11a, a diaphragm, and the like. The photographic lens 11a, the diaphragm, and the like are set at predetermined positions (values) in response to exposure conditions from the photographing control unit 30. .
[0034]
The shutter mechanism unit 50 is a mechanism unit for receiving a shutter opening / closing signal from the imaging control unit 30 and opening / closing the shutter.
[0035]
The imaging unit 60 includes a CCD sensor. When the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed, the subject brightness is detected by the CPU 31 of the imaging control unit 30 based on the image data obtained by the CCD sensor, and AF control is performed. When the shutter switch 13 is fully pressed, image data obtained by the CCD sensor is captured by the CPU 31.
[0036]
The recording unit 70 records image data captured by the CPU 31.
[0037]
The communication unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit of the CPU and communication unit shown in FIG.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which two cameras 100 of the same model are joined to each other at the joint 20 in order to take a three-dimensional photograph. On the left side of FIG. A circuit diagram of the CPU 31 and the communication unit 80 are shown, and a circuit diagram of the CPU 31 and the communication unit 80 constituting another camera 100 of the same model as the camera 100 is shown on the right side of FIG. Yes.
[0040]
The communication unit 80 includes a resistance element 81 and a transistor 82 connected in series between the power supply Vcc and the ground GND. A connection point between the resistance element 81 and the transistor 82 is commonly connected to the signal terminals 23_1 and 23_2 constituting the junction portion 20. The ground terminal 24 is connected to the ground GND. Further, the base of the transistor 82 is connected to the SH_OUT terminal of the CPU 31. The communication unit 80 includes an inverter 83 whose input side is connected to a connection point between the resistance element 81 and the transistor 82 and whose output side is connected to the SH_IN terminal of the CPU 31.
[0041]
The CPU 31 activates the signal SH_OUT when detecting that the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed. The signal SH_OUT is output to the signal terminals 23_1, 23_2, and the inverter 83 via the SH_OUT terminal and the transistor 82. Here, since the transistor 82 provided in each of the two cameras 100 is wired or connected via the signal terminals 23_1 and 23_2, the shutter switch 13 that has been half-pressed first of the two cameras 100 is switched. A signal SH_OUT from the provided camera 100 is input to the SH_IN terminal of the CPU 31 as a signal IN via the inverter 83.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing routine until a master-slave relationship between two cameras joined to each other is determined.
[0043]
When the camera 100 is turned on, this routine starts. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed. If it is determined that the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S2, and the signal SH_OUT is activated to operate as the main machine thereafter.
[0044]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the shutter switch 13 is not half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the signal SH_IN is active. If it is determined that the signal SH_IN is active, since the other camera 100 is operating as the master unit, it will operate as a slave unit thereafter. When the shutter switch 13 is not half-pressed and the signal SH_IN is not active (when the shutter switch 13 of any camera 100 is not operated), Steps S1 and S3 are repeatedly executed (idling state). ).
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a processing routine executed after the master-slave relationship between the two cameras is determined.
[0046]
Here, in order to increase the synchronization accuracy between the two cameras 100 and to shoot even a moving subject in taking a stereoscopic photograph, the main unit itself is set when the shutter switch 13 of the main unit is half-pressed. Before the exposure condition adjustment is performed, an imaging preparation command is issued to the slave unit, and the master unit and the slave unit perform adjustments according to their own exposure conditions (step S11, step S12, and step S21). The imaging preparation command here is made by activating the signal SH_OUT. Therefore, the shooting preparation command is issued when the master-slave is determined. The exposure condition adjustment includes shutter speed, aperture, focus adjustment, and the like, and there may be a difference in processing time depending on the state before the operation is started. By performing such processing in advance, it is possible to shoot a moving subject without missing a photo opportunity.
[0047]
Next, when the shutter switch 13 of the main machine is fully pressed (step S13), the main machine resets the value of the timer 33 (see FIG. 3) for reference of synchronization (step S14).
[0048]
Furthermore, a shooting command is issued to the slave. The imaging command here is made by making the signal SH_OUT inactive (step S15, step S22). The slave device also resets the value of its own timer 33 for use as a reference for synchronization (step S23). The time difference between the reset time of the timer 33 of the main machine and the reset time of the timer 33 of the slave machine described above is a stable and constant amount because the merit of the mechanism is not involved.
[0049]
Therefore, this time difference (amount) is measured in advance, and the deviation between the timers 33 between the main unit and the slave unit can be accurately corrected using this amount. The main machine opens and closes the shutter when the timer 33 reaches the value T1 (step S16) (step S17), and the slave machine opens and closes the shutter when the timer 33 reaches the value T1-T2 (step S24). (Step S25). Here, T1 is set to a value that is longer than the response time of the slave device with respect to the shooting command from the master device and as small as possible. T2 is an amount for correcting a deviation between the value of the timer 33 of the main machine and the value of the timer 33 of the slave machine. Normally, a fixed value may be used, but the amount of deviation of the timer 33 between the main unit and the sub unit may fluctuate due to individual differences or changes in the charge time of the CCD sensor over time. It is desirable to be.
[0050]
As a communication method between the two cameras 100, a method using any one of optical, magnetism, electricity, and electromagnetic waves can be adopted. Further, in the case of an optical or electromagnetic system, it may also serve as a remote photographing transmission / reception function.
[0051]
In addition, it is possible to control two or more other cameras of the same model from one camera, and includes means (file name, tag information, etc.) for associating an image file captured by the transmission side with an image file captured by the reception side. May be.
[0052]
In this embodiment, the digital still camera has been described as an example. However, a silver salt camera may be used, and the silver salt camera may perform a process of printing information (for example, a print number) to be associated. In addition to such association information, information about which camera is the left or right eye, distance information between cameras, marks for aligning two printed materials, etc. are stored and printed. You may perform the process to do.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the configuration for taking a stereoscopic photograph is simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of an embodiment of a camera of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which two cameras shown in FIG. 1 are joined.
3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a CPU and a communication unit illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing routine until a master-slave relationship between two cameras joined to each other is determined.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a processing routine that is executed after a master-slave relationship between two cameras is determined.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Body 10a Side 11 of lens body Lens barrel 11a Shooting lens 12 Finder objective window 13 Shutter switch 20 Joint part 21 Concave part 22 Convex part 23_1, 23_2 Signal terminal 24 Ground terminal 30 Shooting control part 31 CPU
32 driving unit 33 timer 40 optical unit 50 shutter mechanism unit 60 imaging unit 70 recording unit 80 communication unit 81 resistance element 82 transistor 83 inverter 100 camera

Claims (2)

A camera that takes a picture in response to a shooting operation , and that performs a shooting preparation operation prior to the shooting operation,
A joint provided on the side of the body and joined to another camera of the same model upside down, and the other camera joined to transmit the shooting operation of one camera to the other camera;
A shooting control unit that takes a picture by shooting operation to its own camera and also takes a picture when receiving a shooting operation to the other camera joined to the joint ,
The joint transmits the shooting preparation operation of one of the cameras to the other camera and transmits the shooting operation of the one camera to the other camera,
The shooting control unit performs a shooting preparation operation in response to a shooting preparation operation for its own camera, and also performs a shooting preparation operation when receiving a shooting preparation operation to another camera joined to the joint. And taking a picture when receiving a photography operation to another camera in a state of being joined to the joint, and taking a picture by a photographing operation to the own camera,
A camera comprising a timer and means for correcting an error between the timers provided in the two cameras when a camera of the same model is joined to perform a photographing operation with the two cameras. . 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for associating images obtained by the two cameras when the cameras of the same model are joined and photographing operation is performed by the two cameras.

Images