JP6268588B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a camera that captures still images and moving images.

  Conventionally, the convex outer surface of the lens (hereinafter referred to as the front lens) that is closest to the object side that constitutes the imaging optical system has a front lens that is closer to the outer surface than the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the front lens. 2. Description of the Related Art An imaging device such as a camera that captures still images and moving images that protrude outward in the optical axis direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the optical axis direction) is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes the following imaging device (entire sky imaging system).
As the front lens of two imaging optical systems having an angle of view of 180 ° or more, the front surface has a front lens having a convex shape, and each front lens is in the longitudinal direction of a vertically long casing (housing). Is provided on the outer surface of the front and back in the vicinity of one end side. Then, the images formed on the corresponding image pickup devices (solid-state image pickup devices) are combined by the two image pickup optical systems to obtain an omnidirectional image (a omnidirectional image). Therefore, the front lens is provided so that the optical axis of each front lens is coaxial (coincidence), and the convex outer surface of each front lens is formed from the outer surface of the provided casing. Projects outward in the optical axis direction.

However, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, each outer surface has a substantially the same amount of protrusion from the other portion to the other end side away from the front lens near the longitudinal center of the casing. Also has a portion protruding outward in the optical axis direction. This portion is located on the outermost side in the optical axis direction excluding the front lens. For this reason, for example, the following can be considered for the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1.
When the user places the imaging device on an installation surface such as a desk or floor so that any of the front lens faces downward, the end on the side farther from the front lens than the portion that protrudes outward in the optical axis direction And the convex outer surface of the front lens come into contact with the installation surface.
As a result, the outer surface of the front lens in contact with the installation surface may become dirty or scratched.

The above-described problem is not limited to an imaging device that captures an omnidirectional image by providing a front lens having a convex outer surface on the two outer surfaces of the casing.
For example, a similar problem may occur even in an imaging apparatus in which a front lens that protrudes from a convex outer surface is provided only on one outer surface of a housing unit or on the outer surfaces of three or more housing units. In addition, the number of front lens elements in the imaging optical system and the width of the imaging range are not limited, and the convex outer surface of the front lens is more optically aligned than the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the front lens. This is a problem that can occur in all imaging devices that protrude outward in the direction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus as described below.
Even if the lens that is closest to the object side that constitutes the imaging optical system and whose outer surface protrudes outward in the optical axis direction from the outer surface of the housing part is placed downward on the installation surface, It is an imaging device capable of suppressing the outer surface from being dirty or the outer surface from being scratched.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the convex outer surface of the lens closest to the object side constituting the imaging optical system is more than the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens. In the imaging device protruding outward in the optical axis direction of the lens, a virtual plane located outside the outer surface of the lens is in contact with the outside, and does not straddle the lens area on the virtual plane. The center of gravity of the imaging device is located in the area of at least two portions, a portion closer to the lens than the center of gravity and a portion far from the lens, and formed on the outer surface of the casing.

  Even if the lens whose outer surface protrudes outward in the optical axis direction relative to the outer surface of the housing portion closest to the object side constituting the imaging optical system is placed on the installation surface downward, It is possible to provide an imaging device capable of suppressing the outer surface of the lens directed toward the lens from becoming dirty or from scratching the outer surface.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a side view of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the imaging unit of the imaging device which concerns on one Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional imaging device. It is side surface explanatory drawing of the conventional imaging device shown in FIG. 4, and is a figure explaining the distance to the exterior of each part of the direction perpendicular | vertical to the optical axis of the 1st lens which is a front lens. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of problems when the first lens, which is one front lens, is placed on the installation surface in the conventional imaging device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of distances to the outside of each part in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of a first lens that is a front lens in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the first lens, which is one front lens, is placed on the installation surface in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the leg member for standing up so that the longitudinal direction of a housing | casing may orthogonally cross the installation direction to the installation surface, and the imaging device which concerns on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment is placed on the installation surface so that the longitudinal direction of the housing is orthogonal to the installation surface. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which an external connection terminal is provided at the bottom of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state where an external connection cable is connected to an external connection terminal of an imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an omnidirectional camera (hereinafter, referred to as an imaging device 1) that is an imaging device capable of imaging an omnidirectional image (a omnidirectional image) will be described with reference to a plurality of examples. To do.
First, an outline of the image pickup apparatus 1 that is an image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment common to the respective examples will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an imaging apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the imaging apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the imaging unit 20 of the imaging device 1 according to the present embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the cross section perpendicular to the symmetry axis L1 shown in FIG. 2 at the position of the optical axis L0. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external shape of the housing 10 that is the housing portion of the imaging device 1 according to the present embodiment is a substantially long hexahedron, and has six outer surfaces. ing.
Here, in the following description, the six outer surfaces of the housing 10 are referred to as follows. An outer surface on the upper side in the figure that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and in detail, outer surfaces that are front lens of fish-eye lenses 30a and 30b that are two imaging optical systems to be described later are convex first lenses 31a and 31b. The outer surface on the near side is referred to as the upper surface 11. In addition, an outer surface on the lower side in the figure, which is a side away from the two first lenses 31a and 31b, is referred to as a lower surface 12. Here, the front lens is a lens closest to the object side.

Further, the outer side surface, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and provided with the first lens 31a, the shutter button (release button) 4, etc., is the front side surface 13, the back side of the front side surface 13, and the first lens 31b is provided. The outer side surface is referred to as the back side surface 14. Further, it is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and is the right side when viewed from the front side 13 side with the upper side surface 11 facing upward, and the outer side surface provided with the power button 5, the wireless button 6, etc. is the right side surface 15, this right side surface 15 The outer side surface on which operation buttons and the like are provided is referred to as the left side surface 16.
And the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing | casing 10 in which the 1st lens 31a, b was provided remove | exclude the shutter button 4 grade | etc., And the axis of symmetry is the center axis of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing | casing 10: L1 is formed substantially axisymmetrically.

As described above, the first lens 31a, which is the front lens of the fisheye lens 30a, is provided in the vicinity of the upper side surface 11, which is one longitudinal end side of the front side surface 13, and the convex outer surface 3a thereof is the first lens 31a. The optical axis of one lens 31a protrudes outward in the optical axis direction of L0. In addition, a shutter button 4 to be pressed at the time of shooting is provided in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal direction, and an LED indicating the processing state of the imaging device 1 related to the shutter button 4 is provided in the vicinity of the first button 31a of the shutter button 4. A shutter LED 7 is provided.
Further, on the front side surface 13, a central portion 18 a in the longitudinal direction is disposed in the optical axis direction in the vicinity of the flat portion provided with the first lens 31 a, the shutter button 4, and the like and the side of the shutter button 4 away from the first lens 31 a. It is formed to protrude slightly outward. Further, a lower end linear portion 19a is formed in the vicinity of the other end side away from the first lens 31a in the longitudinal direction, and a region between the lower end linear portion 19a and the longitudinal central portion 18a is a flat surface. It becomes the plane part 17a formed in the shape.

Further, as described above, the back side surface 14 is formed substantially symmetrical with the front side surface 13 and the target axis L1 except for the shutter button 4 and the like.
Specifically, a first lens 31b which is a front lens of the fisheye lens 30b is provided in the vicinity of the upper side surface 11, and the convex outer surface 3b protrudes outward in the optical axis direction of the first lens 31b. However, the shutter button 4 and the shutter LED are not provided.
Further, in the vicinity of the flat portion provided with the first lens 31b and the side away from the first lens 31b, a central portion 18b in the longitudinal direction is formed slightly protruding outward in the optical axis direction. A lower end linear portion 19b is formed in the vicinity of the other end side away from the first lens 31b in the longitudinal direction, and a region between the lower end linear portion 19b and the longitudinal central portion 18b is a flat surface. It becomes the plane part 17b formed in the shape.

In addition, a power supply that is an LED that indicates a processing state of the imaging device 1 related to the power button 5 is provided at a substantially central position in the optical axis direction in the vicinity of the first lenses 31a and 31b on the side of the right side surface 15 away from the upper side surface 11 in the longitudinal direction. LED8 is provided. The power button 5 is provided in the vicinity of the power LED 8 and away from the upper side surface 11. The wireless button 6 and the LED indicating the processing state of the imaging device 1 related to the wireless button 6 are further distant from each other. A wireless LED 9 is provided.
Although not shown, the left side surface 16 is also the approximate center in the optical axis direction of the casing 10 orthogonal to the right side surface 15 and the optical axis direction, and the target axis passing through the center of gravity: G of the imaging device 1. : L1 is substantially line symmetrical. Various operation buttons and LEDs indicating the processing state of the imaging device 1 related to each operation button are provided.
The upper side surface 11 is formed in a shape obtained by bending a flat plate with a gentle curvature, and the lower side surface 12 is an end surface formed in a substantially flat shape, and the lower side surface 12 is used as a desk 200 (FIG. 8). And the bottom portion 50 when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed so as to be in contact with an installation surface such as a floor.

  Further, as described above, the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b are provided in the vicinity of the upper side surface 11 of the imaging device 1 having a vertically long external shape, and an imaging optical system such as the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b is provided in this portion. An imaging unit 20 that is an imaging unit including the imaging unit 20 is provided.

Next, the imaging unit 20 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The imaging unit 20 is an imaging system including two imaging optical systems each having a field angle of 180 ° or more and a lens barrel 21, each of which includes a plurality of lens groups for imaging a hemispherical image (fisheye image). Fisheye lenses 30a and 30b, which are lenses, are provided. In addition, imaging elements 23a, b such as two CMOS sensors provided at the imaging position of the hemispherical image formed by each fisheye lens 30a, 30b are also provided. The fish-eye lenses 30a and 30b and the image pickup devices 23a and 23b constitute two image pickup optical systems 22a and 22b that respectively obtain hemispherical images.
In the imaging optical system of the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b, the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b disposed substantially at the center of the image pickup unit 20 are used to fold the optical path by 90 ° within the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b, respectively. The thickness of one lens (in the optical axis direction) is reduced.

The omnidirectional image is obtained by converting and synthesizing two hemispherical images obtained by imaging with the imaging elements 23a and 23b through the fish-eye lenses 30a and 30b of the two imaging optical systems 22a and 22b. A celestial sphere image can be created. In general, the two hemispherical images have a small overlap area at the periphery. An omnidirectional image can be created by synthesizing two hemispherical images based on this overlap region.
Since the two fisheye lenses 30a and 30b each have an angle of view of 180 ° or more, the first lens 31a is more than the outer surface (outer shape) of the housing 10 provided with the first lenses 31a and 31b that are front lens. , B convex outer surfaces 3a, b are arranged so as to protrude outward in the optical axis direction. For this reason, the distance between each outer surface 3a, b part which cross | intersects optical axis: L0 of 1st lens 31a, b provided with optical axis: L0 substantially coaxially, ie, convex-shaped outer surface 3a, b. Is thicker than the thickness between the central portions 18a and 18b in the longitudinal direction of the casing 10.

Here, the configuration of the imaging optical system constituting the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b will be described in more detail.
The imaging optical system of the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is configured as 6 groups of 7 fisheye lenses. The fisheye lenses 30a, 30b have an angle of view of 180 ° or more obtained by equally dividing 360 °, which is an angle of view for imaging the whole celestial sphere, by 2, which is the number of fisheye lenses 30a, 30b. The angle of view of the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b is preferably 185 ° or more, and more preferably 190 ° or more. Since the image has such a wide angle of view, image processing is performed based on image information (signals) of regions of angle of view that overlap each other, and the omnidirectional image is synthesized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30a is arranged in order from the first lens 31a to the third lens 33a in order from the imaging target side (also referred to as the object side) to the imaging element side. A group, a right-angle prism 38a which is a reflecting member, and a rear group composed of the fourth lens 34a to the seventh lens 37a. The first aperture stop 41a is disposed on the imaging target side (object side) of the fourth lens 34a, and the filter 39a and the second aperture stop are provided on the imaging side (imaging element side) of the seventh lens 37a. 42a is arranged.
Similarly to the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30a, the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30b also includes a front group composed of the first lens 31b to the third lens 33b, a right-angle prism 38b as a reflecting member, and a fourth lens. And a rear group including the lens 34b to the seventh lens 37b. The first aperture stop 41b is disposed on the imaging target side of the fourth lens 34b, and the filter 39b and the second aperture stop 42b are disposed on the imaging side of the seventh lens 37b.

The first lens 31a to the third lens 33a constituting the front group of the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30a are configured as follows in order from the imaging target side (object side). The first lens 31a having a convex outer surface 3a which is a front lens is a negative meniscus lens made of an optical glass material, the second lens 32a is a negative lens made of a plastic resin material, and the third lens 33a is a negative lens made of an optical glass material. It is a meniscus lens.
On the other hand, the fourth lens 34a to the seventh lens 37a constituting the rear group are configured as follows in order from the imaging target side (object side). The fourth lens 34a is a biconvex lens made of an optical glass material, the fifth lens 35a is a biconvex lens, the sixth lens 36a is a biconcave lens, and the fifth lens 35a and the sixth lens 36a are bonded lenses made of an optical glass material. The seventh lens 37a closest to the image forming side is a biconvex lens made of a plastic resin material.

Similarly to the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30a, the first lens 31b to the third lens 33b constituting the front group of the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30b are also as follows in order from the imaging target side (object side). It is configured. The first lens 31b having a convex outer surface 3b which is a front lens is a negative meniscus lens made of an optical glass material, the second lens 32b is a negative lens made of a plastic resin material, and the third lens 33b is a negative lens made of an optical glass material. It is a meniscus lens.
On the other hand, the fourth lens 34 to the seventh lens 37a constituting the rear group are also configured in the following order from the imaging target side (object side) in the same manner as the imaging optical system of the fisheye lens 30a. The fourth lens 34b is a biconvex lens made of an optical glass material, the fifth lens 35b is a biconvex lens, the sixth lens 36b is a biconcave lens, and the fifth lens 35b and the sixth lens 36b are bonded lenses made of an optical glass material. The seventh lens 37b closest to the image forming side (image sensor side) is a biconvex lens made of a plastic resin material.

  In the imaging optical system that constitutes each fisheye lens 30a, 30b, the second lens 32a, b, which is a negative lens made of the front group plastic resin material, and the seventh lens 37a, b, which is a biconvex lens made of the rear group plastic resin material. Is an aspheric lens having both aspheric surfaces. On the other hand, each lens made of the remaining optical glass material is a spherical lens.

  The right-angle prisms 38a and 38b disposed between the front group and the rear group are preferably made of a material having a refractive index of d line (λ = 587.6 nm) larger than 1.8. The right-angle prisms 38a and 38b internally reflect the light from the front group toward the rear group. For this reason, in the imaging optical system of each fisheye lens 30a, 30b, the optical path of the imaging light beam passes through the right-angle prisms 38a, 38b. By configuring the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b with a material having a high refractive index as described above, the optical path length in the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b is increased, and the front group, the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b, and the front group in the rear group The optical path length between the rear groups can be made longer than the mechanical length. For this reason, the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b can be configured compactly.

Further, by arranging the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b in the vicinity of the aperture stop, a small-sized right-angle prism can be used, and the distance between the fish-eye lenses 30a and 30b can be reduced. Further, by disposing the right-angle prisms 38a and 38b as shown in FIG. 3, the parallax between the two optical systems can be reduced.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two imaging optical systems 22a and 22b including the imaging optical system of each fisheye lens 30a and 30b are arranged to face each other, and the imaging apparatus 1 has a more compact structure. The subject area that is not imaged can be reduced, and the subject area that can be imaged can be widened.

  In addition, each lens, prism, filter, and aperture stop, which are optical elements provided in the imaging optical system of the two fisheye lenses 30a, 30b, are located at the center of the light receiving area of the image sensor 23a, b corresponding to the optical axis. The positional relationship is determined so as to be orthogonal to each other and held by the lens barrel 21. At the same time, the positional relationship is determined with respect to the imaging elements 23a and 23b and is held by the lens barrel 21 so that the light receiving area becomes the imaging plane of the corresponding fisheye lens 30a and 30b. That is, the two imaging optical systems of the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b are positioned so as to form an image of the imaging target in the light receiving area of the imaging elements 23a and 23b to be combined.

  As described above, the image pickup devices 23a and 23b are two-dimensional solid-state image pickup devices in which a light receiving region such as a CMOS sensor forms an area area, and the light collected by the imaging optical system of each fisheye lens 30a and 30b to be combined is used. Convert to image signal. The imaging elements 23a and 23b have a structure in which very small light receiving areas are separated from each other and arranged two-dimensionally on the light receiving surface, and information that is photoelectrically converted in each minute light receiving area is an individual pixel. Configure.

As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1, the imaging optical systems of the two fisheye lenses 30a and 30b have the same specifications, and the light of the first lenses 31a and 31b (front group lenses) that are front lens elements. The axes are arranged on the same axis, and are configured to take images in opposite directions.
And in the imaging device 1, based on the image information (signal) of the hemisphere image obtained by the imaging optical systems 22a and 22b provided with the fish-eye lenses 30a and 30b and the imaging elements 23a and 23b, respectively, Image processing is performed to compose a spherical image.
Note that the synthesized omnidirectional image is output via, for example, an external storage medium such as a display device, a printing device, an SD card (registered trademark), or a communication line.

However, like the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment, the convex outer surface of the front lens included in the imaging lens is more than the outer surface of the housing that is the housing portion provided with the front lens. The conventional imaging apparatus that protrudes outward in the optical axis direction of the lens has the following problems.
When the user places the imaging device on an installation surface such as a desk or floor so that the front lens faces downward, the vicinity of the end of the housing on the side farther from the front lens and the convex shape of the front lens The outer surface of the contact with the installation surface. As a result, there is a possibility that the outer surface of the front lens in contact with the installation surface becomes dirty or scratched.

The above-described problem is caused by an imaging apparatus that captures an omnidirectional image by providing a front lens having a convex outer surface on the two outer surfaces of the housing as in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. It is not a limited problem.
For example, a similar problem may occur even in an imaging apparatus in which a front lens that protrudes from a convex outer surface is provided only on one outer surface of a housing unit or on the outer surfaces of three or more housing units. In addition, the number of front lens in the imaging optical system and the width of the imaging range are not limited, and the convex outer surface of the front lens is more in the optical axis direction than the outer surface of the housing provided with the front lens. This is a problem that may occur in the entire imaging device protruding outward.

Here, the reason why the above-described problem occurs in the conventional imaging device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking an example of the conventional imaging device 101 that can capture an omnidirectional image.
Note that the configuration of the conventional imaging apparatus 101 is described with reference to the description related to FIGS.

  The difference between the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment and the conventional imaging apparatus 101 is mainly related to the shapes of the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 which are the outer surfaces of the housing 10 provided with the front lens. It is. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of the conventional imaging device 101 similar to the configuration of the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment described above will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the terms used in the description and the reference numerals attached to the terms will be described using the same terms and reference signs unless otherwise distinguished.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the conventional imaging apparatus 101, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the conventional imaging apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 4, where the optical axes of the first lenses 31a and 31b, which are front lens elements, are L0. It is a figure explaining the distance toward the exterior of each part of the direction perpendicular | vertical to. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of problems when the first lens 31a, which is one front lens, is placed on the installation surface 201 in the conventional imaging apparatus 101 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conventional imaging apparatus 101 is a first lens in which the outer surfaces 3 a and b are convex as front lens of two fisheye lenses 30 a and 30 b having an angle of view of 180 ° or more. A lens 31 a is provided on the front side surface 13, and a first lens 31 b is provided on the back side surface 14. Then, the first lenses 31a and 31b are provided in the vicinity of the upper side surface 11 which is one end side in the longitudinal direction of the vertically long casing 110 so that the optical axes of the first lenses 31a and 31b are coaxial. . The two fisheye lenses 30a and 30b provided in this way combine images formed on the corresponding image sensors to obtain an omnidirectional image. For this reason, the convex outer surfaces 3a and 3b of the first lenses 31a and 31b protrude from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 provided to the outside in the optical axis direction, respectively.

  The external shapes of the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 are substantially axisymmetric with respect to the central axis of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110, excluding the shutter button 4 and the like. The front side surface 13 and the rear side surface 14 have substantially the same central portion of the cross section perpendicular to the symmetry axis L1 from the vicinity of the substantially center in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 to the lower side surface 12 on the other end side. Curved portions 117a and 117b projecting in an arc shape on the outer side in the optical axis direction than the other portions in the amount of overhang. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the symmetry axis L1 of the curved surface portions 117a and 117b is such that the outer surface 3a of each first lens 31a and 31b extends from approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 to the lower surface 12 on the other end side. , B are formed with substantially the same curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the amount of protrusion of the housing 110 from the symmetry axis L1 in the optical axis direction is such that the outer surfaces 3a and b of the first lenses 31a and 31b are d0 and the curved surface portions 117a and 117b are. At d1, the protruding amount d0 of each first lens 31a, b is larger than the protruding amount d1 of the curved surface portions 117a, b. That is, the curved surface portions 117a and 117b are located on the outermost side in the optical axis direction except for the first lenses 31a and 31b.
Therefore, for example, when the imaging apparatus 101 is placed on the installation surface 201 that is the upper surface of the desk 200 so that the first lens 31a faces downward, the next portion contacts the installation surface 201 as shown in FIG. These are the center in the short direction of the lower end curved portion 119a which is the lower side 12 side end of the center in the short direction of the curved surface portion 117a, and the convex outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a.
As a result, there is a possibility that the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a in contact with the installation surface 201 is soiled or scratched.

Therefore, the inventors have protruded the outer surface of the front lens in the optical axis direction of the front lens from the outer surface of the housing part provided with the front lens. It was investigated whether the occurrence of the above problem in the imaging apparatus could be suppressed, and a method for suppressing the above problem was found.
Next, the method found by the inventors will be described with reference to a plurality of examples.

Example 1
Example 1 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of distances to the outside of each part in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis: L0 of the first lenses 31a and 31b, which are front lens elements, in the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the first lens 31a, which is one front lens, is placed on the installation surface 201 of the desk 200 with the imaging device 1 according to the present embodiment facing downward.

In the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the shapes of the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 provided with the first lenses 31a, b (front lens) of the fisheye lenses 30a, 30b from the symmetry axis L1 of the housing 10 are provided. The configuration is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 7, the thickness between the lower end linear portions 19a and 19b formed on the ends of the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10 at the end of the lower side surface 12 in the optical axis direction is the center in the longitudinal direction. It formed so that it might become smaller than the thickness between the vicinity parts 18a and 18b. Then, the center of gravity: G of the imaging device 1 is positioned on the lower side surface 12 side of the longitudinal center portion 18a, b, that is, between the longitudinal center portion 18a, b and the bottom linear portion 19a, b. did.

By configuring as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, even when the first lens 31 a is placed on the installation surface 201, which is the upper surface of the desk 200, so as to face downward, the housing 10. The front side surface 13 provided with the shutter button 4 contacts the installation surface 201 as follows. A flat surface portion 17a (see FIG. 1) formed in a region between the longitudinal center portion 18a and the lower end linear portions 19a and 19b contacts the installation surface 201, and the outer surface 3a and the installation surface 201 of the first lens 31a. A gap S is generated between the outer surface 3a and the installation surface 201.
8 shows a state in which the front side surface 13 provided with the shutter button 4 is laid sideways toward the installation surface 201, but the opposite side surface 14 may be placed toward the installation surface 201. Similarly, the back side surface 14 and the installation surface 201 are in contact with each other, and the outer surface 3b and the installation surface 201 are not in contact with each other. This is because the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 provided with the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b, respectively, except for the shutter button 4 and the like. This is because they are formed symmetrically.
Therefore, in the following description, a case will be described in which the specific effects achieved by the configuration in which the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b are provided on the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 which are a plurality of outer surfaces of the housing 10, respectively. Except for this, the front side surface 13 provided with the first lens 31a will be described.

More specifically, the front side surface 13 that is the outer side surface of the housing 10 on the side where the first lens 31a is provided will be described as an example. The front side surface 13 protrudes outward in the optical axis direction as follows. The convex outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a can be separated from the installation surface 201.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the virtual plane Pa located outside the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is in contact with the outside, and the lens area Oa is not straddled on the virtual plane Pa. At least two portions where the center of gravity G is located on the flat surface portion 17 a are formed on the front side surface 13. Then, at least two portions are at least two portions, that is, a center portion 18a in the longitudinal direction closer to the first lens 31a than the center of gravity G, and a lower end linear portion 19a far from the center.

By configuring as described above, when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 so that the first lens 31a faces downward, a virtual plane located outside the outer surface 3a: a plane portion in contact with Pa 17a is in surface contact with the installation surface 201.
Therefore, when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface, the virtual plane Pa and the installation surface 201 become the same plane, the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is separated from the installation surface, and the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a. Can reduce the chance of contact with the installation surface 201.
Therefore, even if the first lens 31a whose outer surface 3a protrudes outward in the optical axis direction from the outer surface of the housing 10 is placed on the installation surface 201 facing downward, the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a becomes dirty. The imaging device 1 which can suppress that the outer surface 3a is damaged can be provided.

In the present embodiment, when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 so that the first lens 31a faces downward, between the portion 18a near the longitudinal center of the front side surface 13 and the lower end linear portion 19a. The example in which the flat surface portion 17a which is the region is in surface contact with the installation surface 201 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
For example, the portion of the outer surface 3a with which the virtual plane Pa touches from the outside is only the central portion 18a in the longitudinal direction and the lower end linear portion 19a, and the portion between these is spaced inward from the virtual plane Pa. good.
Further, even if the lower end linear portion 19a is not a portion where a region having a predetermined width in the short direction like the flat portion 17a is formed with the central portion 18a in the longitudinal direction, the center of gravity on the virtual plane: Pa : G should just be the structure located in the area | region between at least two parts.

That is, the front side surface 13 should just be comprised as follows.
The virtual plane Pa located outside the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is in contact with the outside, and on the virtual plane Pa, the lens area Oa is not straddled, and the center of gravity G is located in the area between them. At least two portions were formed on the front side 13. Then, at least two parts are at least two parts, a part closer to the first lens 31a than the center of gravity G, and a part far from the first lens 31a.

Further, in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion in the optical axis direction of at least two portions of the front side surface 13 that is in contact with the virtual plane Pa from the outside, that is, at least the portion 18a near the center in the longitudinal direction and the lower end linear portion 19a is It is formed like this.
As shown in FIG. 7, the amount of protrusion in the optical axis direction from the symmetry axis: L1 of the housing 10 is such that the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is d0, the central portion 18a in the longitudinal direction is d1, and the lower end is curved. The portion 119a is d2. The first lens 31a decreases in the following order: the amount of protrusion: d0, the amount of protrusion of the central portion 18a in the longitudinal direction: d1, and the amount of protrusion of the lower curved portions 119a, b: d2.

That is, the amount of protrusion in the optical axis direction of at least two portions of the front side surface 13 with which the virtual plane Pa contacts from the outside decreases as the distance from the first lens 31a increases.
By configuring in this way, the following effects can be achieved.
When the imaging device 1 is placed with the first lens 31a facing downward, the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is separated from the installation surface 201 of the desk 200, and the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is installed on the installation surface 201. It is possible to reduce the chances of contact with the battery.

Further, a front lens 13 and a first lens 31b, which are front lens elements, are provided on the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 which are a plurality of outer surfaces of the housing 10, respectively.
By configuring in this way, the following effects can be achieved.
In the imaging device 1 in which front lens is provided on each of a plurality of outer surfaces of the housing 10, any of the front lens is placed so as to face downward. It is possible to prevent the outer surface 3 from becoming dirty or scratching the outer surface 3.

Moreover, the fisheye lens 30a and the fisheye lens 30b which have the front lens of the 1st lens 31a or the 1st lens 31b are provided as an imaging lens.
With this configuration, even in the imaging apparatus 1 including a fisheye lens having a wide angle of view, the front lens is dirty or the outer surface is scratched even if the front lens is placed downward. Can be suppressed.
Further, a fish-eye lens such as a fish-eye lens 30a or a fish-eye lens 30b may be provided as an imaging lens having the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b provided on a plurality of outer surfaces such as the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10. it can. By providing in this way, it is possible to easily provide the imaging device 1 that captures an omnidirectional image.

In addition, two fisheye lenses 30a and 30b are provided so that one first lens 31a and first lens 31b are provided on the two outer surfaces of the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10, respectively. Each fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 ° or more.
With this configuration, the configuration of the imaging lens of the imaging device 1 that captures an omnidirectional image can be simplified, and this can contribute to cost reduction and downsizing of the imaging device 1 that captures an omnidirectional image.

  The casing 10 has a vertically long external shape, and the first lens 31 a is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the casing 10 in the vicinity of one end side on the upper surface 11 side. In addition, at least one portion of each outer surface such as the longitudinal central portion 18a and the lower end linear portion 19a that is in contact with the virtual plane Pa from the outside is disposed in the vicinity of the center and the vicinity of the other end.

By configuring as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
The first lens 31a is lower than the configuration in which each outer surface portion provided with the first lens 31a is in contact with the installation surface 201 at a position farther from the longitudinal center of the housing 10 than the first lens 31a. The posture of the imaging device 1 when placed toward the camera is stabilized. For this reason, the image pickup apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 at the position apart from the center as described above, and the first lens 31a is placed on the installation surface 201 rather than the configuration in which the installation surface 201 is brought into contact with each other. It can suppress that the outer surface 3a of this rocks | fluctuates in the direction which contacts the installation surface 201. FIG. Therefore, when the first lens 31a is placed on the installation surface 201 with the first lens 31a facing downward, the chance that the imaging device 1 swings and the outer surface 3a contacts the installation surface 201 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, an example of the imaging apparatus 1 in which the member of the lens barrel 21 that holds the first lenses 31a and 31b, which are front lens elements, does not protrude outward in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13 or the back side surface 14 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
For example, the member of the lens barrel 21 or the lens hood that holds the first lens 31a protrudes outward in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13, and the outer surface 3a of the first lens 31a is the member of the lens barrel 21, the lens hood, or the like. The present invention is also applicable to an imaging device that protrudes outward from the front side surface 13 in the optical axis direction. Even in such an imaging apparatus, the virtual plane: Pa is configured so that the outer surface of the first lens 31a is positioned on the outside of the outer surface of the lens barrel 21, the member of the lens barrel 21, the lens hood, and the like. The same effect as the example can be achieved.

(Example 2)
Example 2 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 illustrates a foot member 51 for placing the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment on the installation surface 201 such that the longitudinal direction (symmetric axis: L1) of the housing 10 is orthogonal to the installation surface 201. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the foot member 51 is rotated to a position in which the foot member 51 is housed on the inner side in the optical axis direction than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 provided with the first lenses 31a and 31b of the housing 10. It is explanatory drawing of. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 of the foot member 51 are rotated to positions that protrude outward in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14. . FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is placed on the installation surface 201 so that the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 is orthogonal to the installation surface 201.

  The imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment described above and a foot member 51 for placing the imaging apparatus 1 on the installation surface 201 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to the installation surface 201. The only difference is that it relates to Therefore, the configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment and the operations and effects thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the same constituent members or constituent members performing the same function will be described with the same reference numerals unless particularly distinguished.

In the first embodiment described above, when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 so that one of the first lenses 31a and 31b that are front lens of the fisheye lenses 30a and 30b faces downward, The outer surface 3 of the facing first lens 31 is configured to be separated from the installation surface 201.
However, depending on the user, imaging is performed so that the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and the installation surface 201 are substantially orthogonal so that all of the first lenses 31 a and 31 b of the fisheye lenses 30 a and 30 b are separated from the installation surface 201. In some cases, the apparatus 1 may be erected and placed on the installation surface 201. In this way, when the imaging apparatus 1 is erected and placed on the installation surface 201, the imaging of the present embodiment has a small thickness (width) in the optical axis direction of the lower side surface 12 (hereinafter referred to as the bottom portion 50) serving as the bottom portion 50. In the apparatus 1, the state when placed upright becomes unstable and easily falls down. And if it falls down, the outer surface 3 of any of the first lenses 31a and 31b that are located downward when it falls will come into contact with the installation surface 201, and the outer surface 3 will become dirty or scratched on the outer surface. I will follow.

Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the state when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed with the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 placed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the installation surface 201 is stabilized. Therefore, the following foot member 51 is provided on the bottom 50 of the imaging apparatus 1.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the bottom 50 is provided with a tripod screw hole 55 for attaching the imaging device 1 to a tripod. Then, a shaft support portion 52 that is rotatably fitted with a member constituting the tripod screw hole 55 as a rotation shaft, and a right tip portion 53 that extends symmetrically from the shaft support portion 52 with the tripod screw hole 55 substantially at the center. And a foot member 51 in which two portions of the left tip portion 54 are formed.
9A, when viewed from the front side surface 13 in a state where the foot member 51 is rotated to a position where it is housed inside the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 in the optical axis direction. What extends to the right is the right tip 53, and what extends to the left is the left tip 54.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the foot member 51 is rotated about 90 ° counterclockwise in the figure, so that the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 are more than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14. Can also be rotated to a position protruding outward in the optical axis direction.
That is, in the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment, the following foot member 51 is provided on the bottom 50 of the housing 10. The position where the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 protrude greatly outward in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 provided with the first lenses 31a and 31b, and the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 It is the leg member 51 which can take selectively the position accommodated inside rather than.

By providing the foot member 51 as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
The foot member 51 is positioned so that the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 protrude greatly outward in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10 provided with the first lenses 31a and 31b. The foot member 51 can be brought into contact with the installation surface 201. By making contact in this way, the imaging device 1 can be placed in a stable state.
Therefore, the chance that any of the first lenses 31a and 31b of the imaging device 1 contacts the installation surface 201 is further reduced, and the first lens 31 is further stained and the outer surface 3 is damaged. Can be suppressed. Even when a tripod or the like is not prepared, it is possible to simply install and take an image.
In addition, in an imaging device that captures an omnidirectional image, the thickness of the end surface on the other end side in the optical axis direction can be shortened to reduce the angle of view blocked by the casing.

Further, the leg member 51 has a position where the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 protrude more outward in the optical axis direction than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10 provided with the first lenses 31a and 31b. And a position accommodated inside in the optical axis direction can be selectively taken.
With this configuration, the foot member 51 can be selectively moved between the position where the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 protrude more greatly than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 and the stored position. The configuration of the part can be simplified.
Therefore, the cost of providing the foot member 51 can be reduced, and failure of the movable part can be suppressed.

Further, the foot member 51 is provided to be rotatable about the tripod screw hole 55 as a substantial center.
By configuring in this way, the position where the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 which are part of the housing 10 protrude more than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 and the position where the housing 10 is stored are selected. The structure of the movable part of the leg member 51 that can be taken as an example can also be used as the member constituting the tripod screw hole 55.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of providing the foot member 51, to suppress the failure of the movable part, and to perform imaging under stable conditions using a tripod or the like.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the imaging device 1 in which the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b are provided on the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14, which are the two outer surfaces of the housing 10, respectively. Although described, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
For example, the present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus that includes a front lens that is provided only on the outer surface of one housing portion and has a housing portion that has a small thickness in the optical axis direction of the front lens.

(Example 3)
Example 3 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which an external connection terminal 56 is provided on the bottom 50 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates an external connection cable 60 connected to the external connection terminal 56 of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the state which connected.

  The imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with an external connection terminal 56 on the bottom portion 50 provided with the foot member 51, and the external connection terminal 56 is closed with the foot member 51 or exposed. The only difference is that it can be performed. Therefore, the configuration similar to that of the second embodiment described above, and the operation and effect thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the same constituent members or constituent members performing the same function will be described with the same reference numerals unless particularly distinguished.

  In Example 2 described above, the state when the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 so that the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and the installation surface 201 are substantially orthogonal is stabilized, and the installation surface is installed. The foot member 51 is provided so that the imaging device placed on 201 does not fall down. By providing in this way, when the user stands the image pickup device and places it on the installation surface 201 and the image pickup device 1 falls down, the outer surface 3 of any one of the first lenses 31a, 31b located below is installed. It is possible to prevent the surface 201 from getting dirty and being scratched on the outer surface.

However, once the imaging apparatus 1 is placed on the installation surface 201, the outer surface 3 of any one of the first lenses 31a and 31b is in contact with the installation surface 201. The imaging apparatus having the following configuration Even one can happen.
The imaging apparatus 1 is such that an external connection terminal 56 for connecting an external connection plug 61 that is an external terminal of an external connection cable 60 such as a USB cable is exposed on any outer surface of the imaging apparatus 1 (see FIG. 12). . In such an imaging apparatus 1, when an external connection terminal 56 that supplies power to the imaging apparatus 1 or performs data communication with the outside is connected, the external connection terminal 56 is connected to the connected housing 10 via the external connection terminal 56. A force due to the weight of the cable 60 or the like is applied, and the apparent center of gravity: G ′ moves. When moving in this way, the outer surface 3 of any one of the first lenses 31 a and 31 b placed away from the installation surface 201 may come into contact with the installation surface 201.

In order to suppress the occurrence of the contact as described above, an external connection terminal 56 is provided on the bottom 50 of the housing 10, and the first lens 31 facing the lower side of the first lenses 31 a and 31 b on the installation surface 201. It is advantageous to configure the apparent center of gravity: G ′ so as not to move.
However, in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment, the foot member 51 is provided on the bottom 50 of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 9B, the foot member 51 of the second embodiment has a right tip portion 53 and a left tip portion 54 that are largely in the optical axis direction from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 9A, the protruding position and the storage position can be selectively taken. For these reasons, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the external connection terminal 56 is provided on the bottom portion 50, and the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 extend from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing 10. Even if it is attempted to connect the external connection plug 61 in a state where it protrudes greatly, the following problem occurs.

As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the left front end portion 54 protruded downward from the foot member 51 rotated so as to largely protrude from the back side surface 14, and the outer surface 3b (first surface 31b) directed downward. 2) comes into contact with the installation surface 201.
As a result, the outer surface 3 of the first lens 31b in contact with the installation surface 201 becomes dirty or the outer surface 3b is damaged.

  Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the foot member 51 is configured to selectively take the next position in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11 (c), it is a position that is housed inside the back side surface 14 provided with the first lens 31b without covering the external connection terminal 56 provided on the bottom 50 on the lower side surface 12 side. .

That is, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the position where the foot member 51 covers the external connection terminal 56 provided on the bottom 50 on the lower surface 12 side and the first lens 31b without covering the external connection terminal 56 are provided. The position accommodated inside the rear side surface 14 is configured to be able to be taken selectively. With this configuration, the following three positions (rotational positions) can be taken. 11A, a position that completely covers the external connection terminal 56, a position where the right tip portion 53 and the left tip portion 54 of FIG. 11B largely protrude from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14, and FIG. It is a position to be accommodated in the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 without covering the external connection terminal 56 of (c).
In each of the three positions (states), the foot member 51 is held at each position by a general click mechanism.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, the external connection plug 61 of the external connection cable 60 composed of the external connection plug 61 and the cord 62 is connected to the external connection terminal 56 where the foot member 51 is positioned and exposed. Connections are made as shown in FIG.
More specifically, the foot member 51 is slightly rotated from the state shown in FIG. 11A, and the right tip 53 and the left side of the foot member 51 are placed on the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 shown in FIG. The external connection plug 61 is connected to the external connection terminal 56 exposed in a state where the tip end portion 54 is stored.

By configuring the foot member 51 as described above, the following effects can be achieved.
In addition to the position where the foot member 51 protrudes larger than the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 on which the first lenses 31a and 31b are provided, the foot member 51 is accommodated inside the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14, The external connection terminal 56 can be selectively positioned at a position where the external connection terminal 56 is covered and a position where the external connection terminal 56 is not covered.
For this reason, when the external connection terminal 56 is not used, the external connection terminal 56 is covered with the foot member 51 to function as a protective cover for protecting the external connection terminal 56 or dust enters the external connection terminal 56. Can be suppressed.
On the other hand, when the external connection terminal 56 is used, the foot member 51 is not projected from the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14, and the first lens 31 b facing downward is separated from the installation surface 201, and the external connection terminal 56 is used. The connection plug 61 can be connected. Therefore, the external connection terminal 56 can be used even when the imaging device 1 is placed on the installation surface 201 with one of the first lenses 31a and 31b facing downward, and without sacrificing the convenience of the user. It is possible to prevent the outer surface 3 from becoming dirty or scratching the outer surface 3.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A convex outer surface such as the outer surface 3a of the lens such as the first lens 31a (front lens) that is closest to the object side (imaging target side) constituting the imaging optical system such as the imaging optical system 22a (fisheye lens 30a). An imaging device such as the imaging device 1 that protrudes outward in the optical axis direction of the lens, such as an optical axis: L0, from an outer surface such as a front side surface 13 of a housing portion such as the housing 10 provided with the lens. , A virtual plane located outside the outer surface of the lens: a virtual plane such as Pa touches from the outside and does not straddle the lens area such as the lens area Oa on the virtual plane, and the plane portion 17a The center of gravity of the imaging device such as G is located in the region between them, such as G, and at least two of the portion such as the central portion 18a near the lens closer to the lens than the center of gravity and the portion such as the lower linear portion 19a far from the center. The parts, is characterized in that formed on the outer surface of the casing.

According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the following effects can be obtained.
When the imaging device is placed on the installation surface so that the lens closest to the object side faces downward, the center of gravity of the outer surface of the housing unit touches from the outside the virtual plane located outside the outer surface of this lens At least two parts, that is, a part closer to the lens and a part farther from the lens, are in contact with the installation surface.
Therefore, when the imaging device is placed on the installation surface, the virtual plane and the installation surface become the same plane, the outer surface of the lens closest to the object side and facing downward is separated from the installation surface, and the outer surface of this lens is Reduce the chance of touching the installation surface.
Therefore, even if the lens closest to the object side that constitutes the imaging optical system and whose outer surface protrudes outward in the optical axis direction from the outer surface of the housing part is directed downward, it is directed downward. It is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of suppressing the outer surface of the lens from being dirty or from scratching the outer surface.

(Aspect B)
In (Aspect A), the optical axis of the portion such as the portion 18a near the center in the longitudinal direction of the outer side surface such as the front side surface 13 where the virtual plane such as the virtual plane Pa contacts from the outside, the lower end linear portion 19a, etc .: L0, etc. The amount of protrusion in the optical axis direction decreases as the distance from the lens such as the first lens 31a decreases.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the following effects can be obtained.
When an imaging device such as the imaging device 1 is placed with the lens closest to the object side facing downward, the outer surface such as the outer surface 3a of the lens facing downward is placed from the installation surface such as the installation surface 201 of the desk 200. It is possible to reduce the chance that the outer surface of the lens facing downward comes into contact with the installation surface.

(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), the lenses such as the first lens 31 a and the first lens 31 b are provided on a plurality of outer surfaces such as the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the casing unit such as the casing 10. It is characterized by that.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the following effects can be obtained.
An imaging device in which the lens closest to the object side is provided on each of the plurality of outer surfaces of the housing unit, and the lens closest to any object side is placed so that it faces downward. It is possible to suppress the outer surface of the lens from becoming dirty or from being scratched.

(Aspect D)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect C), the imaging optical system such as the imaging optical systems 22a and 22b includes a fish-eye lens 30a and a fish-eye lens 30b having the lenses such as the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b. The fisheye lens is provided.

According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the following effects can be obtained.
Even in an imaging device such as the imaging device 1 having a fisheye lens having a wide angle of view, the outer surface of the lens placed so as to face downward is soiled even if the lens closest to the object side faces downward. Or scratches on the outer surface.
In addition, imaging optics each having a lens closest to the object side, such as the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b, provided on a plurality of outer surfaces such as the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the housing unit such as the housing 10 A fisheye lens such as a fisheye lens 30a or a fisheye lens 30b can also be provided as a system. By providing in this way, an imaging apparatus such as the imaging apparatus 1 that captures an omnidirectional image can be easily provided.

(Aspect E)
In (Aspect D), one lens such as the first lens 31a and the first lens 31b is provided on each of the two outer surfaces such as the front side surface 13 and the back side surface 14 of the casing unit such as the casing 10. Two fisheye lenses such as a fisheye lens 30a and a fisheye lens 30b are provided, and each fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 ° or more.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the configuration of the imaging optical system of the imaging apparatus such as the imaging apparatus 1 that captures the omnidirectional image can be simplified, and the omnidirectional image is captured. This can contribute to cost reduction and downsizing of the imaging device.

(Aspect F)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect E), the casing part such as the casing 10 has a vertically long outer shape, and is one end side such as the upper side surface 11 side in the longitudinal direction of the casing part. The lens such as the first lens 31a is arranged in the vicinity, and the outer surface portions such as the longitudinal central portion 18a and the lower end linear portion 19a where the virtual plane such as the virtual plane Pa contacts from the outside are defined as the vicinity of the center. At least one is arranged in the vicinity of the other end side such as the lower surface 12 side.

According to this, as described in the first embodiment (to 3), the following effects can be obtained.
Rather than the lens closest to the object side, at a position farther from the center in the longitudinal direction of the casing, either the outer surface portion provided with the lens closest to the object side is in contact with the installation surface. The posture of the imaging device is stabilized when the lens closest to the object side is placed downward. For this reason, the imaging device is located outside the lens closest to the object side when placed on the installation surface, rather than the configuration in which the outer surface portion of the housing unit is in contact with the installation surface at a position away from the center as described above. It is possible to suppress the surface from swinging in a direction in contact with the installation surface. Therefore, when the lens closest to the object side is placed on the installation surface facing downward, it is possible to reduce the chance that the outer surface comes into contact with the installation surface by swinging.

(Aspect G)
In (Aspect F), the front side surface 13 in which the lens such as the first lens 31a is provided on the end surface such as the bottom 50 on the other end side such as the lower side surface 12 side of the housing unit such as the housing 10 A position where a part of the right tip 53 protrudes more outwardly in the optical axis direction than the outer surface of the casing, such as the optical axis: L0, and the outside of the casing provided with the lens. A foot member such as a foot member 51 that can selectively take a position stored inside the side surface is provided.

According to this, as described in the second embodiment (or 3), the following effects can be obtained.
The foot member is positioned so that a part of the foot member protrudes greatly outside the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens closest to the object side in the optical axis direction, and the foot member is placed on the installation surface such as the installation surface 201. By bringing them into contact with each other, an imaging apparatus such as the imaging apparatus 1 can be placed in a stable state.
Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the chance that the lens closest to the object side of the imaging device contacts the installation surface, and further suppress the lens closest to the object side from being dirty or scratching the outer surface. Even when a tripod or the like is not prepared, it is possible to simply install and take an image.
In addition, in an imaging device that captures an omnidirectional image, the thickness of the end surface on the other end side in the optical axis direction can be shortened to reduce the angle of view blocked by the casing.

(Aspect H)
In (Aspect G), the foot member such as the foot member 51 can be selectively taken by rotating the projecting position and the housed position.
According to this, as described in the second embodiment (or 3), a position where a part of the right tip portion 53 protrudes larger than the outer side surface of the housing portion such as the front side surface 13 and the storage. The structure of the movable part of the foot member that can selectively take the position to be performed can be simplified.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of providing the foot member and to suppress the failure of the movable part.

(Aspect I)
In (Aspect G) or (Aspect H), the foot member such as the foot member 51 is provided so as to be rotatable about a tripod screw hole such as a tripod screw hole 55.
According to this, as described in the second embodiment (or 3), the following effects can be obtained.
The structure of the movable portion of the foot member that can selectively take a position where a part of the right tip portion 53 or the like projects larger than the outer side surface of the housing portion such as the front side surface 13 and a position where it is stored, It can also be used as a member constituting a tripod screw hole.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of providing the foot member, to suppress the failure of the movable part, and to perform imaging under stable conditions using a tripod or the like.

(Aspect J)
In any one of (Aspect G) to (Aspect I), the foot member such as the foot member 51 is an external connection terminal 56 provided on an end surface such as the bottom 50 on the other end side such as the lower surface 12 side. A position that covers the external connection terminal and a position that is housed inside the outer side surface of the housing portion such as the back side surface 14 provided with the lens such as the first lens 31b without covering the external connection terminal. , Which can be selectively used.

According to this, as described in the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The foot member is housed inside the outer surface on the side where the lens closest to the object side is provided, in addition to the position where the foot member protrudes larger than the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens closest to the object side. Thus, it can be selectively positioned at a position covering the external connection terminal and a position not covering the external connection terminal.
For this reason, when the external connection terminal is not used, the external connection terminal can be covered with the foot member to function as a protective cover for protecting the external connection terminal, and dust can be prevented from entering the external connection terminal.
On the other hand, when the external connection terminal is used, the lens closest to the object side facing downward is not removed from the installation surface without protruding the foot member from the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens closest to the object side. External terminals can be connected in a separated state. Therefore, the external connection terminal can be used even with the lens closest to the object side facing down and the imaging device is on the installation surface, and the outer surface of the lens closest to the object side is contaminated without impairing user convenience. Or scratches on the outer surface.

1 imaging device 3 (a, b) outer surface (first lens, front lens)
4 Shutter button 5 Power button 6 Wireless button 7 Shutter LED
8 Power LED
9 Wireless LED
10 Housing 11 Upper side 12 Lower side (bottom)
13 Front side 14 Back side 15 Right side 16 Left side 17 (a, b) Plane portion 18 (a, b) Longitudinal center portion 19 (a, b) Lower end linear portion 20 Imaging unit 21 Lens barrel 22 (a B) Imaging optical system 23 (a, b) Imaging element 30 (a, b) Fisheye lens (imaging optical system)
31 (a, b) 1st lens (front lens)
32 (a, b) Second lens 33 (a, b) Third lens 34 (a, b) Fourth lens 35 (a, b) Fifth lens 36 (a, b) Sixth lens 37 (a, b) ) Seventh lens 38 (a, b) Right angle prism 39 (a, b) Filter 41 (a, b) First aperture stop 42 (a, b) Second aperture stop 50 Bottom (lower side)
51 Foot member 52 Shaft support portion 53 Right tip portion 54 Left tip portion 55 Tripod screw hole 56 External connection terminal 60 External connection cable 61 External connection plug 62 Code 101 Imaging device (conventional example)
110 Case (conventional example)
117 (a, b) Curved surface portion 119 (a, b) Lower end curved portion 200 Desk 201 Installation surface G Center of gravity L0 Optical axis L1 Target axis O (a, b) Lens region P (a, b) Virtual plane S Gap

JP 2013-218278 A

Claims (10)

In the imaging apparatus in which the convex outer surface of the lens closest to the object side constituting the imaging optical system protrudes outward in the optical axis direction of the lens from the outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens,
A virtual plane located outside the outer surface of the lens touches from the outside,
On the virtual plane, do not straddle the area of the lens, and the center of gravity of the imaging device is located in the area between them, and at least two parts of the part closer to the lens than the center of gravity and the part far from the lens, An image pickup apparatus formed on the outer surface of the part. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a protruding amount in the optical axis direction of the portion of the outer surface that is in contact with the virtual plane from the outside decreases as the distance from the lens increases. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the lens is provided on each of a plurality of outer surfaces of the casing. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image pickup optical system includes a fisheye lens having the lens. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4,
An imaging apparatus comprising two fisheye lenses so that one lens is provided on each of two outer surfaces of the casing, and each fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 ° or more. . In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The casing has a vertically long outer shape,
The lens is arranged in the vicinity of one end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and at least one portion of the outer surface where the virtual plane contacts from the outside is arranged in the vicinity of the center and the vicinity of the other end. An imaging device that is characterized. The imaging device according to claim 6,
On the end face on the other end side of the housing part, a position in which a part of the housing part protrudes greatly on the outer side in the optical axis direction than the outer surface of the housing part provided with the lens, and the lens provided with the lens An imaging apparatus comprising a foot member that can selectively take a position stored inside the outer surface of the housing. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the foot member can be selectively taken by rotating the projecting position and the housed position. In the imaging device according to claim 7 or 8,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the foot member is provided so as to be rotatable about a tripod screw hole. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The foot member is housed inside a position covering the external connection terminal provided on the end surface on the other end side and an outer surface of the housing portion provided with the lens without covering the external connection terminal. An image pickup apparatus capable of selectively taking a position.

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