JP6118195B2 - Multi-angle image photographing system, rotating table device, photographing device, and multi-angle image photographing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-angle image photographing system, a turntable device, a photographing device, and a multi-angle image photographing method. There has been provided a still image display technique that allows a subject displayed on a screen of an electronic device to be rotated by a finger touch operation or the like and viewed from a desired angle. The present invention is a basis for such a multi-angle image. The present invention relates to a technique for capturing images quickly and easily.

  Various electronic devices that can display digital images based on digital data, such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and PCs (personal computers), have become widespread, and the screens of these devices can be displayed on the screen by tracing with a finger or operating a mouse. In recent years, there has been provided an image display technique (hereinafter, such an image is referred to as a “multi-angle image”) in which the subject can be freely rotated and viewed from an arbitrary direction.

  Such a multi-angle image is composed of a number of still images obtained by shooting the subject from various directions and angles, and these images are sequentially switched in accordance with the screen operation (finger touch, mouse operation, etc.) of the viewer. In addition to the front view, for example, it is possible to view the image from the left, right, back, diagonally upper left, diagonally lower right, etc., and the image can be displayed as if the subject is rotating in the screen.

  In order to obtain each still image constituting a multi-angle image, a subject is photographed with a digital camera from various directions and angles (hereinafter, an image obtained by actual photographing is referred to as a “captured image” or a “base image”. say). On the other hand, since images that are actually captured by the camera are displayed like frame advance when the subject is rotated on the screen, images that connect the captured images (hereinafter referred to as “ An intermediate image ”or“ intermediate frame ”is created by a computer, and these intermediate images are added to the captured image to form a group of image data representing the subject. If such image data is displayed in correspondence with the screen operation, it is possible to present on the screen a smooth natural motion that is actually rotating the subject.

  Moreover, in order to create the above intermediate images, for example, the inventions of the following Patent Documents 1 to 6 can be used.

Japanese Patent No. 2927350 Japanese Patent No. 3859989 (see specification paragraph 0035, etc.) US Patent No. 6018592 (US6018592A) US Pat. No. 6,137,910 (US 6,137,910A) US Pat. No. 6,347,152 (US Pat. No. 6,347,152B1) US Patent No. 7035480 (US7035480B2)

  By the way, in order to obtain a series of images constituting a multi-angle image, it is necessary to actually shoot the images that form the basis of these images using a camera even if the intermediate frames are created by a computer.

  Specifically, with respect to the vertical direction (vertical direction), even if a plurality of cameras are arranged vertically and images are simultaneously shot by these cameras, in order to be able to rotate the subject by 360 °, the entire circumference of the subject It is necessary to obtain an image of a subject viewed from each direction. For example, in order to obtain an image of a subject viewed from a different direction every 10 ° over the entire circumference (from 0 ° to 360 °), the image of the subject is 10 °. The work of rotating and taking pictures must be repeated 36 times.

  For this reason, it takes time to shoot, especially when the subject is not a product-like object but a human being, because it is necessary to remain in the same pose for several minutes to shoot a series of images, This places a great physical and mental burden on the subject. In addition, if the pose is lost or the subject moves during shooting, the subject moves unnaturally or the body axis is blurred when the image is played back (when the subject is rotated on the screen). A multi-angle image cannot be obtained.

  In addition to the problem on the subject side, there are the following problems on the photographer side.

  Shooting is done by attaching the camera to a frame that can hold multiple cameras, but the camera is tilted when it is installed on this frame (rotation displacement (shift) in the direction of rotating the camera around the line connecting the subject and the camera. If (error) is referred to as “tilt”), the captured image will be tilted accordingly. This tilt is used when shooting around the subject with a single camera, that is, only rotating in the horizontal direction as an image representation (the subject can be rotated in the horizontal direction in the screen but rotated in the vertical direction). However, in the case of a multi-angle image that can also be rotated in the vertical direction, inconvenience arises.

  This is because images with different angles in the vertical direction are shot simultaneously with multiple cameras installed at different heights, so that each camera is tilted and the image is shot with different tilts. This is because the inclination of the image becomes different, and the subject is shaken when the subject is rotated in the vertical direction on the screen.

  On the other hand, it is also possible to adjust so as to eliminate the tilt of the camera when shooting. However, this adjustment work requires 7 times as much labor when using a plurality of cameras, for example, seven cameras, as compared to shooting with a single camera. It becomes. Moreover, it is known that the permissible range of the human sense with respect to the tilt of the image is narrow, and that generally it feels strange when tilted by 0.3 °. Furthermore, in the case of a multi-angle image, since the images are continuously displayed while being switched one after another, it is desirable to suppress the inclination of each image (each camera) to about 0.1 ° or less. It is difficult for a photographing engineer having skill and experience to perform in a short time while looking at the liquid crystal finder.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to allow a still image of a subject, which is a base image of a multi-angle image, to be photographed more quickly and easily and with high accuracy.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a multi-angle image capturing system according to the present invention includes a turntable device that rotates a subject and a capturing device that captures still images of the subject simultaneously from different height positions, A multi-angle image capturing system for capturing still images of a subject from a plurality of different directions and a plurality of different heights, wherein the turntable device is supported so as to be horizontally rotatable and is capable of placing a subject. A drive unit that rotationally drives the turntable; and a release instruction unit that transmits a release signal to the imaging device when the turntable rotates by a predetermined rotation angle. Multiple cameras installed at different positions in the vertical direction so that the subject on the turntable can be photographed from different heights. , A strobe that emits a flash when photographing with the plurality of cameras, and a light emission delay unit that delays a start time of light emission of the strobe, and the photographing apparatus further outputs a release signal from the release instruction unit. When received, the plurality of cameras are exposed by the flash generated by the strobe within a common shutter opening time that is delayed by the light emission delay unit and all the plurality of cameras open the shutter. Then shoot the subject at the same time.

  In the photographing system of the present invention, the subject is rotated by the turntable device, while the subject is simultaneously photographed by a plurality of cameras when the subject rotates at a preset rotation angle. The plurality of cameras are installed at different height positions, and therefore, it is possible to obtain an image of a subject taken from a plurality of different angles (elevation angle or depression angle). A release signal for instructing the camera to release is performed by a release instruction unit included in the turntable device. That is, the release instructing unit transmits a release signal to the photographing apparatus when the turntable rotates by a preset rotation angle (for example, every 10 ° rotation). Thereby, an image obtained by photographing the subject from each direction can be obtained.

  In addition, the system of the present invention is particularly characterized in that photographing is performed with strobe light emission, and the light emission start time of the strobe light is delayed by a light emission delay unit. The reason is as follows.

  Release of a plurality of cameras is performed by a release signal from a release instruction unit, but there is an individual difference in the shutter response speed of each camera (approximately 0.03 seconds depending on the type of camera). The camera cannot be released at exactly the same timing, and the shutter opening start time may vary. For this reason, when the strobe is caused to emit light simply based on the release signal, a camera whose timing is delayed may not be in time for the actual release because the shutter is not yet opened when the strobe is emitted. Therefore, strobe light emission is delayed, and the strobe light is emitted within a common shutter opening time in which all of the plurality of cameras open the shutter. This delay process will be further described with reference to the drawings in the following description of the embodiment.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the turntable device includes a rotation angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of the turntable, and the drive unit continuously rotates the turntable without stopping during photographing, and the release instruction The unit transmits a release signal when the turntable rotates a predetermined angle based on a value detected by the rotation angle sensor.

  According to such an aspect, even if the rotation may become unstable, the subject can be photographed at the accurate rotation position detected by the rotation angle sensor. In particular, in the following mode in which the turntable is driven by a battery, the rotation may become unstable due to voltage fluctuations or the like as compared with the case of using a commercial power supply, but even if such a situation occurs, it is detected. According to the above aspect in which shooting is performed based on the rotation angle, an image from an accurate direction (rotation position) can be obtained.

  Furthermore, since the flash light emission time (exposure time) is as short as about 1/1000 second, even if the subject is rotated at high speed without stopping the rotation of the turntable during shooting (for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds). A clear image with no blurring can be obtained. In addition, since continuous shooting can be performed without stopping the rotation of the subject, the time required for shooting can be significantly shortened compared to conventional methods, and the burden on the subject can be greatly reduced. Become.

  In another preferable aspect of the present invention, the drive unit includes a motor that rotates the turntable and a battery that supplies electric power to the motor.

  When a commercial power source is used for rotating the turntable, the power cord is pulled out from the turntable device and appears in the photographed image, so that it is necessary to erase it from the image. On the other hand, according to the above aspect, such correction work is not necessary, and the burden of image processing after photographing can be reduced. For the same reason, it is preferable that the release instruction unit is configured to transmit a release signal to the photographing apparatus by wireless communication (wireless). Further, if the battery is driven as described above, it is possible to perform photographing even in a place where there is no commercial power source.

  The turntable device according to the present invention is the same as the turntable device included in the photographing system of the present invention, and rotates a subject and simultaneously shoots still images of the subject from different height positions. A turntable device for use in a multi-angle image capturing system for capturing still images of a subject from different directions and a plurality of different heights, the turntable device being supported so as to be horizontally rotatable and capable of placing the subject And a drive unit that rotationally drives the turntable, and a release instruction unit that transmits a release signal when the turntable rotates by a predetermined rotation angle.

  The photographing apparatus according to the present invention is the same as the photographing apparatus included in the photographing system according to the present invention, and a plurality of different images are obtained by rotating a subject and simultaneously photographing still images of the subject from different height positions. An imaging apparatus for use in a multi-angle image capturing system that captures still images of a subject from a direction and a plurality of different heights, the positions being different in the vertical direction so that the subject on the turntable can be photographed from different heights A plurality of cameras, a strobe that emits a flash when photographing with the plurality of cameras, and a light emission delay unit that delays a start time of light emission of the strobe, and the plurality of cameras includes the photographing When the device receives a release signal that indicates release, release is performed, and the strobe includes the light emission delay unit. More delayed and the plurality of all the camera emits a flash in a common shutter opening time which opens the shutter.

  The still image capturing method according to the present invention includes a step of rotating the subject by placing the subject on a turntable that can be rotated horizontally and rotating the turntable, and the turntable has a predetermined rotation angle. When rotating, a step of transmitting a release signal to a plurality of cameras installed at different positions in the vertical direction, and when the release signal is transmitted to the camera, a strobe is emitted to generate the strobe And a step of exposing the plurality of cameras by flashing and simultaneously photographing the subject by the plurality of cameras, wherein the strobe is configured such that all of the plurality of cameras have shutters. It is the time preset by the light emission delay unit so that light emission is performed within the common shutter opening time when For emitting light in delayed time.

  In the above photographing method, as a preferred aspect, when the rotational displacement in the direction in which the camera is rotated around the line connecting the subject and the camera is referred to as tilt, the long member that hangs vertically by gravity is attached to the plurality of cameras. The method may further include a step of obtaining a correction image for detecting an inclination of an image of a subject photographed by each of the plurality of cameras by photographing each.

  This is for correcting the inclination of the image described above. As will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, if a long member that hangs down in the vertical direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “calibrator”) is photographed with each camera, a calibrator (long Member), that is, how much the calibrator in the image is tilted with respect to the screen frame or center line of the photographed image, thereby determining how much the camera is tilted with respect to the vertical direction. I can know. Then, by correcting the tilt of each captured image obtained by capturing the subject using the tilt amount related to each camera, a captured image without tilt can be obtained. This correction can be done in a batch by computer processing using image editing software, so it can be corrected in a much shorter time than when the camera is physically adjusted manually at the shooting site. Therefore, an engineer skilled in shooting is not required.

  The calibrator also serves as a guide for placing the rotation center of the subject at the center of the captured image. Specifically, if the calibrator is placed on the rotation axis of the turntable and each camera is installed so that the calibrator is at the center of the finder screen, the rotation axis of the subject can be aligned with the center of the captured image. . Further, similarly to the tilt correction described above, it is possible to correct the deviation from the center of the screen by computer processing. In other words, if the calibrator is placed on the rotation axis of the turntable and photographed, each camera (image photographed by each camera) is obtained from this image (distance between the calibrator in the image and the center of the photographed image). Since the amount of deviation between the rotation center of the subject (turntable) and the rotation center of the subject (turntable) is known, each captured image can be corrected so that the rotation axis of the subject (turntable) is brought to the center of the screen based on this amount of deviation. I can do it.

  The calibrator (elongate member) according to the present invention can be typically constituted by a thread or string with a weight attached to the lower end as in the embodiment described later, but is suspended in the vertical direction by gravity. Any member that can indicate the descending vertical direction (gravity direction) may be used. For example, a bar-like member whose upper end is rotatably supported or suspended by a string or the like may be used.

  According to the present invention, a still image of a subject that is a base image of a multi-angle image can be captured quickly and easily with high accuracy.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol shows the same or an equivalent part.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a multi-angle image capturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view conceptually showing the photographing system according to the embodiment (a state where the subject faces the front). FIG. 3 is a plan view conceptually showing the photographing system according to the embodiment (a state in which the subject is rotated by an angle θ). FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the photographing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a turntable device included in the imaging system of the embodiment in a transparent state. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the timing of release and strobe light emission in the photographing system of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the captured images constituting the multi-angle image arranged in a matrix. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a part of the photographed image arranged in the matrix form. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state in which a calibrator (elongated member for tilt correction) is arranged on a turntable. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the calibrator is arranged on a turntable. FIG. 11 is a view showing an image taken by a camera installed with the calibrator tilted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a multi-angle image capturing system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a turntable device 31 that rotates a subject 1 and a photographing device 21 that captures the subject 1.

  The turntable device 31 includes a disk-shaped turntable 32 that rotates on the subject 1, a drive unit 33 that rotates the turntable 32, a battery 34 that supplies power to the drive unit 33, and a drive of the turntable 32. A drive signal receiving unit 35 that receives a signal for instructing the camera, a rotation angle detecting unit 36 that detects a rotation angle of the turntable 32, and a release instruction unit 37 that instructs the photographing device 21 to release.

  The drive signal receiving unit 35 receives a signal from a wireless remote control switch (remote controller) and outputs a drive signal to the drive unit 33. Upon receiving this drive signal, the drive unit 33 drives the motor to rotate the turntable 32 at a constant rotational speed. The rotation speed of the turntable 32 is not limited to this value. For example, the rotation speed of the turntable 32 can be set to a speed of rotating once (360 ° rotation) in 30 seconds to 15 seconds.

  The rotation angle detection unit 36 includes an optical angle sensor (encoder), detects the rotation angle of the turntable 32, and releases the release instruction unit every time the rotation angle increases by a certain value (10 ° in the present embodiment). A detection signal is output to 37. Upon receiving this detection signal, the release instruction unit 37 transmits a release signal to the photographing apparatus 21 by wireless communication (radio wave).

  Referring also to FIG. 5, the turntable 32 is rotatably supported by the pedestal frame 45. The pedestal frame 45 is made of an aluminum material that is lightweight and has high strength, and includes a flange portion 45 a that is fixed to the lower surface of the turntable 32 and supports the turntable 32, and a leg portion 45 b that is placed on the floor surface 2. The part 45a and the leg part 45b are connected via a bearing (not shown). Further, the peripheral portion of the turntable 32 is rotatably supported by a plurality of (seven in this case) casters (wheels) 44 installed on the upper surface of the pedestal frame 45 and drive wheels 43 described later.

  The drive unit 33 is configured to connect a motor 41 that receives power supplied from the battery 34 and generates power, a drive wheel 43 that rotates the turntable 32 using the power of the motor 41, and the motor 41 and the drive wheel 43. A power transmission unit 42 that transmits the power of the motor 41 to the drive wheels 43 is included. The power transmission unit 42 includes a sprocket attached to the drive shaft of the motor 41, a sprocket fixed to the rotation shaft of the drive wheel 43, and a chain connecting these sprockets. The driving wheel 43 is a rubber tire having sponge rubber around the wheel, and transmits driving force to the turntable 32 by sponge rubber friction. Therefore, the drive wheel 43 is installed so as to be urged upward by a spring and pressed against the lower surface of the turntable 32.

  In this way, the driving force of the motor 41 is transmitted through the chain, and the driving force is transmitted to the turntable 32 by the driving wheel 43 biased by the spring. Therefore, even if the turntable 32 moves somewhat in the vertical direction, It is possible to absorb vertical movement. Furthermore, since the power is transmitted to the turntable 32 through the rubber tire 43 in contact with the lower surface of the turntable 32 as described above, the subject 1 moves carelessly and the back torque (the rotational drive direction of the turntable 32). (Torque in the opposite direction) can be absorbed or released, and the motor 41 and the power transmission unit 42 (sprocket, chain, etc.) can be prevented from being damaged. Further, the wheels of the drive wheels 43 are made of inexpensive plastic, and even when an excessive force is applied to the drive wheels 43, the wheels are broken to cause other relatively expensive parts (such as the motor 41 and the power transmission unit 42). Etc.) can be prevented from being damaged.

  As the battery 34, a 12V battery is used in this embodiment. Further, as described above, since the drive of the turntable 32 and the communication (transmission of the release signal) between the turntable device 31 and the photographing device 21 are performed wirelessly, a power cord and a communication cable are not necessary as described above. As a post-processing of the captured image, correction work for erasing these power cord and communication cable from the image becomes unnecessary, and the image creation cost can be reduced.

  On the other hand, when the battery is driven, the power supply voltage becomes unstable compared to the commercial power supply, which may cause the rotation of the turntable 32 to be unstable or lowered. On the other hand, according to the system 11 of the present embodiment, the rotation angle detection unit 36 detects the rotation angle of the turntable 32 and transmits a release signal every time it rotates by a predetermined angle to perform photographing. Therefore, even if the rotation of the turntable 32 by the drive unit 33 becomes unstable or the speed decreases, the shutter is opened at a preset accurate angle (in this embodiment, every 10 °). To obtain an image. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to absorb an unstable element called battery drive. Note that the rotation angle at which the image is taken (the angle at which the detection signal is output from the rotation angle detector 36) may be changed (so that an arbitrary angle can be set).

  In the turntable device 31 of this embodiment, the drive unit 33 is configured as a single removable unit part, and the drive unit is attached to the pedestal frame 45. Similarly, the drive signal receiving unit 35 and the release instruction unit 37 are collectively housed in a single casing as another unit component (control unit) and attached to the pedestal frame 45. . This is due to the following reason.

  If the driving component (driving unit) 33 and the control unit are structured independently from the device main body (turntable 32 and pedestal frame 45), the unit can be removed and replaced even when the part fails. For example, it is possible to minimize interruption of photographing due to a failure, and repair and maintenance can be easily performed. Further, even when photographing is performed at a remote place, it is possible to perform remote maintenance in which only the drive unit 33 or the control unit is sent and replaced in the event of a failure. Furthermore, if a spare unit is prepared in advance, the failure can be dealt with more quickly.

  In the present embodiment, only one drive unit 33 is shown in the figure, but two or three or more similar drive units 33 may be attached to the base frame 45 and provided on the lower surface of the turntable 32. The driving force of the turntable 32 can be increased according to the weight of the subject 1.

  Furthermore, in the turntable device 31 of the present embodiment, the pedestal frame 45, the drive unit 33, and the control unit are all disposed below the turntable 32 so that each component does not protrude outside the turntable 32 when seen from the plane. Configure. Further, a resin such as vinyl chloride is used so as to cover the lower side surface of the turntable 32 (between the outer edge of the turntable 32 and the floor surface 2) so that the mechanical parts such as the pedestal frame 45 and the drive unit 33 are not visible. A paper panel is provided, and the entire turntable device 31 has an appearance like a complete columnar table (see FIG. 1). Further, the turntable 32 is a solid color (for example, white, green, blue, etc.), and a screen having the same color as that of the turntable is placed behind the turntable device 31 during photographing.

  With this configuration, the shape of the turntable device 31 does not change even when the turntable 32 is rotated. Therefore, when the subject 1 is rotated horizontally, it can be seen that only the subject 1 is rotating. At the same time, the turntable device 31 can be made inconspicuous with the background. Further, it is not necessary to perform an image correction operation for erasing the pedestal frame 45, the drive unit 33, and the like after shooting, and the image creation cost can be reduced. It should be noted that the background (the turntable device or the screen) may be deleted by leaving only the subject from the captured image by image processing. In such a case, the turntable device 31 has a simple appearance shape (single color as described above). If it has a (cylindrical shape), the process can be facilitated.

  On the other hand, the photographing device 21 supports seven digital cameras C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7 arranged to photograph the subject 1 from different heights, and supports these cameras C1 to C7. The release signal receiving unit 22 that receives a signal from the frame 26 and the release instruction unit 37 and sends a release signal to the cameras C1 to C7, the flash 23 that generates flash, and the light emission start time of the flash 23 are delayed. And a delay time setting unit 25 for setting a delay time by the light emission delay unit 24.

  The seven cameras C1 to C7 are arranged at the same position in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) (see FIG. 2), but photograph the subject 1 from different angles (an obtuse angle or an elevation angle) in the vertical direction (vertical direction). It is arranged at different height positions so that it can be done (see FIG. 1). The cameras C1 to C7 need not be arranged concentrically at the same distance from the subject 1, and the cameras C1 to C7 are arranged at a distance that is considered to be sensibly optimal with respect to the subject 1. The types of lenses (focal lengths) attached to the cameras C1 to C7 may be different. This is to realize image continuity so that the size of the subject 1 does not change sensuously when the subject 1 is rotated in the vertical direction as a multi-angle image. Specifically, it is as follows.

  When grasping an object through vision, it is affected psychologically by the relative positional relationship with itself, and the psychology of grasping the object changes depending on the angle. For example, if you look down at the stones you pick up in your hand, it will be recognized as an object smaller than yourself, or if you look down on a flat house lined up from the top of a tall building, the sense of distance will be crazy and it will appear as if small models are lined up Thus, when the subject is viewed from a high angle (when the subject is looked down from a high position), the subject is generally recognized as being small. On the other hand, when the subject is viewed from a low angle (when the subject is looked up from a low position), recognition as an object larger than that of the subject works as in the case of looking up at a large tree, and the subject is largely recognized. In addition, when looking up from a low angle, a subject with a larger perspective (perspective) looks more natural.

  Therefore, in order to make the subject appear continuously when the subject is rotated on the screen, the subject 1 is photographed from a high angle (for example, the focal lengths of the lenses of the cameras C3 to C1 are sequentially increased). On the other hand, from a low angle, a wide lens is used to photograph the subject 1 small (for example, the focal lengths of the lenses of the cameras C5 to C7 are sequentially shortened). Thus, if shooting is performed by changing the focal length of the cameras C1 to C7 according to the angle in the vertical direction, the size of the subject 1 changes sensuously even when the subject 1 is rotated in the vertical direction on the screen. Can be prevented, and continuity as a multi-angle image can be secured.

  Of the seven cameras C1 to C7, one of them is a master camera C4, and the other six cameras C1 to C3 and C5 to C7 are connected to the master camera C4 in parallel by cables (transmission lines). It was a camera. The release signal is transmitted from the release signal receiving unit 22 to the master camera C4 and simultaneously to the six slave cameras C1 to C3 and C5 to C7 through the cable, and the shutters of the seven cameras C1 to C7 are transmitted. Is cut off.

  A signal (light emission signal) for causing the strobe 23 to emit light is sent from the master camera C4 to the strobe 23. The strobe 23 may be attached to the master camera C4 or may be installed on the support frame 26 separately from the camera. When receiving the release signal from the release signal receiving unit 22, the master camera C 4 sends a light emission signal to the strobe 23 via the light emission delay unit 24. The light emission delay unit 24 delays the light emission timing of the strobe 23 as described above, and is configured by a delay circuit using a semiconductor relay, for example. The delay time is set in advance by the delay time setting unit 25.

  Since this delay time varies depending on individual differences among the cameras C1 to C7 as shown in FIG. 6, taking into account the maximum delay time, a common shutter opening time in which all seven cameras C1 to C7 open the shutter. The delay time is set so that the strobe light is emitted.

  The subject 1 is photographed 36 times over one round (360 °) for every rotation angle of 10 ° with seven cameras C1 to C7. Since seven shots are taken in one shot, the total number of shots is 252 (= 7 × 36). The captured image is transferred from each of the cameras C1 to C7 to a PC (personal computer) by wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi). A series of shootings is completed when the turntable 32 rotates once (about 30 to 15 seconds), and the turntable 32 rotates at a constant speed without repeating start and stop for each shooting. Thus, it is possible to reduce the burden of shooting, and it is also possible to shoot a subject 1 that is difficult to stand still for a long time, such as a person.

  FIG. 7 shows the images photographed as described above arranged in a matrix. In the figure, 01A to 01G indicate images taken by seven cameras C1 to C7, respectively (the same applies to 02A to 02G, 03A to 03G,...). In addition, 01A to 01G are taken images when the rotation angle of the turntable 32 is 0 °, 02A to 02G are taken images when the turntable 32 is rotated by 10 °, and 03A to 03G are 10 shot images from the turntable 32. The photographed images when the rotation angle is 20 ° and the rotation angle is 20 ° are respectively shown. Similarly, images taken every 10 ° are shown, and 36A to 36G are obtained when the turntable is rotated by 350 °. A photographed image is shown. FIG. 8 schematically shows an image of the subject 1 (when the rotation angles are 0 °, 10 °, 40 °, and 90 °) that are actually captured, with the captured image enlarged.

  In the PC, an intermediate image that complements between the 252 photographed images is created from the transmitted 252 photographed image data by using dedicated software based on the invention described in the patent document. The number of intermediate images to be created is not limited to these, but in the present embodiment, one intermediate image is created between captured images adjacent in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 7 in the horizontal direction. For example, taking the captured image 01D and the captured image 02D as an example, an image obtained by rotating the subject in the horizontal direction by 5 ° is created as an intermediate image between them. In the vertical direction, three intermediate images are created between the captured images adjacent in the vertical direction shown in FIG. For example, taking the photographed image 01D and the photographed image 01E as an example, as an intermediate image between them, three images that are sequentially generated when the subject is rotated in the vertical direction from the state of the image 01D to the state of the image 01E. Create

  In this way, the total number of images created by combining the created intermediate image and captured image is 1800 (72 frames in the horizontal direction and 25 frames in the vertical direction). Load it into dedicated application software that displays angle images. Thereby, a multi-angle image can be displayed.

  In the above photographing, a calibrator (calibrator) may be photographed and the tilt of the photographed image may be corrected using this image. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the calibrator 51 includes a thread 52 having a weight 53 at the lower end, a stand 55 for hanging the thread 52 vertically, and a background board 54 that makes the thread 52 easily visible. The thread 52 hangs down so as to overlap the background board 54 when viewed from the front.

  In photographing, the calibrator 51 is arranged on the turntable 32 so that the thread 52 is positioned exactly on the rotation shaft 3 of the turntable 32 (so that the weight 53 is on the rotation center of the turntable 32). The calibrator 51 is photographed by the seven cameras C1 to C7. When the camera attached to the support frame 26 is tilted, the calibrator 51 in the image P1 photographed by the camera is tilted by the tilt amount as shown in FIG. If the angle α formed with the frame P1 or the center line Q1 of the image P1 is obtained, the inclination amount of the camera, and hence the image P1 photographed by the camera, can be known. By assigning this tilt amount to each of the 252 captured images obtained by capturing the subject 1, the tilt of each captured image can be corrected.

  Note that this correction processing can be quickly processed collectively by computer software as described above. Also, assuming such tilt correction, the field work of installing and adjusting the cameras C1 to C7 on the support frame 26 is reduced, and even a non-skilled engineer can perform shooting quickly and easily. . Further, after correcting the inclination α of the image obtained by photographing the calibrator, the distance between the calibrator thread 52 and the center line Q1 of the image is stored as a horizontal shift amount of the camera, and the shift amount is stored by the camera. It is also possible to correct a horizontal shift by applying to a photographed image of a photographed subject.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, It is clear to those skilled in the art that a various change can be made within the range as described in a claim. . For example, the number of cameras is 7 in the above embodiment, but 6 or less or 8 or more may be used. Similarly, the rotation angle at which shooting is performed, that is, the rotation angle at which the release signal is transmitted is 10 ° in the above embodiment, but it may be smaller or larger. The turntable is preferably driven by a battery, but the present invention does not exclude the use of a commercial power source.

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 Digital camera 1 Subject 2 Floor (floor surface)
3 Turntable rotation axis (rotation center)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Multi-angle imaging | photography system 21 Imaging device 22 Release signal receiving part 23 Strobe 24 Light emission delay part 25 Delay time setting part 26 Support frame 31 Turntable apparatus 32 Turntable 33 Drive part 34 Battery 35 Drive signal receiving part 36 Rotation angle detection part 37 Release Instructing Unit 41 Motor 42 Power Transmission Unit 43 Drive Wheel 44 Caster (Wheel)
45 Base frame 45a Flange 45b Leg 51 Calibrator
52 Yarn 53 Weight 54 Background board 55 Stand

Claims (5)

A turntable device for rotating the subject;
A photographing device for simultaneously photographing still images of the subject from different height positions;
A multi-angle image capturing system for capturing still images of the subject from a plurality of different directions and a plurality of different heights,
The turntable device is
A turntable that can be horizontally rotated and on which the subject can be placed;
A drive unit for continuously rotating the turntable without stopping during shooting ;
A rotation angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the turntable;
A release instruction unit that transmits a release signal to the imaging device when the turntable rotates by a predetermined rotation angle based on a value detected by the rotation angle sensor ;
The imaging device
A plurality of cameras installed at different positions in the vertical direction so that the subject on the turntable can be photographed from different heights;
A strobe that emits a flash when shooting with the multiple cameras;
A light emission delay unit for delaying the start time of light emission of the strobe;
Including
When the photographing device receives a release signal from the release instruction unit, the photographing device is delayed by the light emission delay unit and within a common shutter opening time during which all the plurality of cameras open the shutter, The multi-angle image photographing system characterized in that the plurality of cameras are exposed by a flash generated by the strobe and the subject is photographed simultaneously. The drive unit is
A motor for rotating the turntable;
The multi-angle image photographing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery that supplies electric power to the motor. The release instruction section, multi-angle image capturing system according to claim 1 or 2 transmits the release signal to the imaging device by wireless communication. Rotating the subject by placing the subject on a turntable that can be rotated horizontally and continuously rotating the turntable without stopping during shooting ;
A step of transmitting a release signal to a plurality of cameras installed at different positions in the vertical direction when the turntable rotates by a predetermined rotation angle;
A step of causing the strobe to emit light when the release signal is transmitted to the camera, exposing the plurality of cameras with the flash generated by the strobe, and simultaneously photographing the subject with the plurality of cameras. A method of taking an image,
The strobe emits light at a time delayed by a time set in advance by a light emission delay unit so that light emission is performed within a common shutter opening time in which the plurality of cameras open the shutter. Still image capturing method characterized by the above. When the rotation displacement in the direction of rotating the camera around the line connecting the subject and the camera is called tilt,
It further includes the step of obtaining a correction image for detecting the inclination of the image of the subject photographed by each of the plurality of cameras by photographing the long member hanging vertically by gravity by each of the plurality of cameras. The still image capturing method according to claim 4 .

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