JP7485426B1

JP7485426B1 - Head-mounted imaging device and line-of-sight image adjustment method

Info

Publication number: JP7485426B1
Application number: JP2023113266A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 健人近藤
Original assignee: KONDO LABO., INC.
Current assignee: KONDO LABO., INC.
Priority date: 2023-07-10
Filing date: 2023-07-10
Publication date: 2024-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2043-07-10

Abstract

【課題】撮像手段で撮像された画像を見る者に、撮像手段のピント調整によって装着者と異なる印象を生じさせてしまうことを抑制し得る頭部装着型撮像装置を提案する。【解決手段】装着者の視線を前方へ通過させるプリズム３３と、プリズム３３に隣接配置されたカメラ部材３４とを備え、カメラ部材３４の光軸をプリズム３３で屈折させることによって装着者の視線と一致できるものであって、カメラ部材３４は、撮像素子を有するカメラ本体部５１と、プリズム３３に対向配置されたレンズを有する鏡筒部５２と、レンズと撮像素子との相対距離を光軸に沿って変更操作可能な操作板部５５とを備え、鏡筒部５２がプリズム３３に対して移動不能に設けられた構成である。かかる構成は、レンズとプリズム３３との距離が一定に保たれることから、画角を変化させること無くピント調整できる。【選択図】図６[Problem] A head-mounted imaging device is proposed that can prevent the viewer of an image captured by an imaging means from having an impression different from that of the wearer due to focus adjustment of the imaging means. [Solution] The device includes a prism 33 that passes the wearer's line of sight forward, and a camera member 34 arranged adjacent to the prism 33, and the optical axis of the camera member 34 is refracted by the prism 33 to coincide with the wearer's line of sight. The camera member 34 includes a camera body 51 having an imaging element, a mirror tube 52 having a lens arranged opposite the prism 33, and an operation plate 55 that can change the relative distance between the lens and the imaging element along the optical axis, and the mirror tube 52 is arranged so as not to move relative to the prism 33. With this configuration, the distance between the lens and the prism 33 is kept constant, so that the focus can be adjusted without changing the angle of view. [Selected Figure] Figure 6

Description

本発明は、装着者の視線と一致できる光軸で対象物を撮像し得る頭部装着型撮像装置、および該頭部装着型撮像装置で撮像する画像を位置合わせする視線画像調整方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a head-mounted imaging device capable of capturing an image of an object with an optical axis that can be aligned with the wearer's line of sight, and a line-of-sight image adjustment method for aligning an image captured by the head-mounted imaging device.

本発明の発明者らは、特許文献１に示すように、装着者の眼前に配置されたプリズムにより、該装着者の視線を前方へ通過すると共に該プリズムの側方に配置されたカメラの光軸を屈折させて該視線に一致させる頭部装着型カメラを提案している。かかる従来構成によれば、装着者が視ている対象物を、当該装着者の視線で撮像できることから、カメラで撮像した画像をモニターなどの画像表示装置で表示することによって、装着者と同じ目線で対象物を視ることができる。 As shown in Patent Document 1, the inventors of the present invention have proposed a head-mounted camera that uses a prism placed in front of the wearer's eyes to pass forward through the wearer's line of sight and refract the optical axis of a camera placed to the side of the prism to align with the wearer's line of sight. With this conventional configuration, an object viewed by the wearer can be captured from the wearer's line of sight, and the image captured by the camera can be displayed on an image display device such as a monitor, allowing the wearer to view the object from the same line of sight as the wearer.

また、本発明の発明者らは、特許文献２に示すように、前記プリズムの前方に拡大鏡を配設した構成を提案している。かかる従来構成は、装着者がプリズムと拡大鏡とを介して対象物を拡大視できると共に、カメラの光軸を該プリズムで屈折させて該装着者の視線と一致させることができるため、該カメラによって、装着者の目線で該対処物を撮像できる。 The inventors of the present invention have also proposed a configuration in which a magnifying glass is disposed in front of the prism, as shown in Patent Document 2. With this conventional configuration, the wearer can view a magnified view of the object through the prism and the magnifying glass, and the optical axis of the camera can be refracted by the prism to match the line of sight of the wearer, so that the object can be imaged by the camera at the line of sight of the wearer.

実用新案登録第３２３１３５６号公報Utility Model Registration No. 3231356 特許第７１７８１２６号公報Patent No. 7178126

前述の特許文献１，２では明示されていないものの、これら従来構成には、オートフォーカス（以下、ＡＦ）とマニュアルフォーカス（以下、ＭＦ）とのいずれかのタイプのカメラが適用され得る。ここで、従来構成に適用されるカメラは、一般的に、撮像素子を有するカメラ本体と、該撮像素子に対して接離移動可能に設けられた鏡筒とを備え、該鏡筒を接離移動させることによって、焦点（ピント）を被写体に合わせることができる。
ところが、こうしたカメラは、焦点を合わせる際に鏡筒が移動することによって、画角が変化してしまうことから、該カメラを備えた従来構成では、焦点合わせで画角が変化することによって、カメラで撮像した画像を見る者に、装着者と異なる印象を生じさせる場合があった。特に、前述した特許文献２の構成では、拡大鏡を介して撮像することから、前記焦点合わせによって画角が比較的大きく変わり易いため、カメラで撮像した画像を見る者が、装着者と異なる印象を生じ易い傾向にあった。 Although not explicitly stated in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, cameras of either autofocus (hereinafter, AF) or manual focus (hereinafter, MF) type may be applied to these conventional configurations. Here, a camera applied to the conventional configuration generally includes a camera body having an image sensor, and a lens barrel provided so as to be movable toward and away from the image sensor, and the lens barrel can be moved toward and away from the image sensor to adjust the focus to a subject.
However, in such a camera, the angle of view changes due to the movement of the lens barrel when focusing, so in a conventional configuration equipped with such a camera, the change in the angle of view due to focusing can cause a person viewing an image captured by the camera to have an impression different from that of the wearer. In particular, in the configuration of Patent Document 2 described above, since an image is captured through a magnifying glass, the angle of view is likely to change relatively significantly due to the focusing, so that a person viewing an image captured by the camera tends to have an impression different from that of the wearer.

一方、前述した特許文献１，２の従来構成は、前述したように、カメラの光軸を装着者の視線と一致させる構成であるものの、実際には、装着者の眼とプリズムとの位置関係や装着者の視線の向き等によって、該視線と前記光軸とにズレが生ずる場合がある。こうしたズレが生じた場合には、装着者の視点が，カメラで撮像する画像の中央からズレてしまうため、カメラで撮像した画像を見る者に、装着者の視点を正確に伝え難くなっていた。 On the other hand, as described above, the conventional configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 align the optical axis of the camera with the line of sight of the wearer, but in reality, there may be a misalignment between the line of sight and the optical axis due to the relative positions of the wearer's eyes and the prism, the direction of the wearer's line of sight, etc. When such a misalignment occurs, the wearer's viewpoint is shifted from the center of the image captured by the camera, making it difficult to accurately convey the wearer's viewpoint to the person viewing the image captured by the camera.

本発明は、撮像手段で撮像された画像を見る者が、該撮像手段のピント調整によって装着者と異なる印象を生じてしまうことを抑制し得る頭部装着型撮像装置、および装着者の視点を正確に伝え得る視線画像調整方法を提案するものである。 The present invention proposes a head-mounted imaging device that can prevent a person viewing an image captured by an imaging means from having an impression different from that of the wearer due to focus adjustment of the imaging means, and a gaze image adjustment method that can accurately convey the wearer's viewpoint.

本発明の第一発明は、装着者の頭部に装着される頭部装着部と、前記頭部装着部に取り付けられ、前記装着者の少なくとも左右一方の視線を前方へ通過させる視線通過部材と、前記視線通過部材に隣接して配設され、前記視線通過部材を介して対象物を撮像可能な撮像手段とを備え、前記視線通過部材は、前記装着者の視線を前方へ通過させると共に前記撮像手段の光軸を前方へ屈折させる一又は複数のプリズムを備えたものであり、前記撮像手段は、前記視線通過部材のプリズムに対向状に配置されたレンズを具備するレンズ部材と、前記レンズ部材のレンズを介して前記対象物の像を撮像する撮像素子と、前記レンズ部材と前記撮像素子との相対距離を前記光軸に沿って変更させる相対距離変更手段とを備え、前記レンズ部材が前記視線通過部材に対して移動不能に設けられたものであることを特徴とする頭部装着型撮像装置である。 The first invention of the present invention is a head-mounted imaging device comprising: a head-mounted section to be mounted on the head of a wearer; a line-of-sight passing member attached to the head-mounted section and allowing at least one of the wearer's left and right lines of sight to pass forward; and an imaging means arranged adjacent to the line-of-sight passing member and capable of imaging an object through the line-of-sight passing member, the line-of-sight passing member having one or more prisms that allow the wearer's line of sight to pass forward and refract the optical axis of the imaging means forward; the imaging means comprising a lens member having a lens arranged opposite the prism of the line-of-sight passing member, an imaging element that captures an image of the object through the lens of the lens member, and a relative distance changing means that changes the relative distance between the lens member and the imaging element along the optical axis, the lens member being immovably disposed relative to the line-of-sight passing member.

かかる構成にあっては、レンズ部材が視線通過部材に対して移動不能に設けられていることから、撮像手段の焦点（ピント）を合わせる際に、撮像素子が該視線通過部材に対して接離移動する。このように本構成では、視線通過部材のプリズムとレンズ部材との距離が常に一定に保持されることから、焦点合わせの際における画角の変化を抑制できる。このため、撮像手段により撮像した画像が、装着者の目線と一致できる効果が向上し、該画像を見る者に該装着者と同じ印象を安定して生じさせ得る。したがって、本発明の構成によれば、撮像手段で撮像する画像によって、装着者の見ている印象を正確に伝えることができる。 In this configuration, the lens member is immovable relative to the line-of-sight member, and therefore the imaging element moves toward and away from the line-of-sight member when adjusting the focus of the imaging means. In this manner, with this configuration, the distance between the prism of the line-of-sight member and the lens member is always kept constant, so that changes in the angle of view when adjusting the focus can be suppressed. This improves the effect of the image captured by the imaging means being aligned with the wearer's line of sight, and can stably create the same impression as the wearer in the person viewing the image. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the image captured by the imaging means can accurately convey the impression the wearer is seeing.

本発明の第二発明は、前記第一発明の頭部装着型撮像装置における、装着者の視点と撮像手段で撮像される画像とを位置合わせする視線画像調整方法であって、所定位置に設置した画像表示装置に、前記撮像手段で撮像された画像を表示する表示ステップと、前記視線通過部材を介した前記装着者の視点と、前記画像表示装置で表示された画像との位置を合わせるように、該装着者の眼に対する該視線通過部材の位置を調整する調整ステップと、相対距離変更手段により撮像手段のレンズ部材と撮像素子との相対距離を調整して、前記画像表示装置で表示される画像の焦点を合わせる焦点調整ステップとを含むことを特徴とする視線画像調整方法である。 The second invention of the present invention is a line-of-sight image adjustment method for aligning the wearer's viewpoint with an image captured by an imaging means in the head-mounted imaging device of the first invention, characterized in that it includes a display step of displaying the image captured by the imaging means on an image display device installed at a predetermined position, an adjustment step of adjusting the position of the line-of-sight member with respect to the wearer's eye so as to align the position of the wearer's viewpoint via the line-of-sight member with the image displayed on the image display device, and a focus adjustment step of adjusting the relative distance between the lens member of the imaging means and the imaging element by a relative distance change means to focus the image displayed on the image display device.

かかる方法にあっては、画像表示装置で表示された画像と装着者の視点との位置を合わせるように、視線通過部材の位置を調整することにより、装着者の視線と撮像手段の光軸とのズレを補正し、該撮像手段によって装着者の目線で正確に撮像できる。さらに、本方法では、焦点調整ステップにより焦点を合わせる際に画角の変化が抑制されることから、装着者の見ている対象を一層正確に撮像できる。こうしたことから、本発明の方法によれば、撮像手段により撮像された画像が、装着者の目線で正確かつ安定して表現されたものとなるため、該画像を見る者に、装着者の視点を正確に伝えることができる。 In this method, the position of the line-of-sight member is adjusted so as to align the position of the image displayed on the image display device with the wearer's viewpoint, thereby correcting the misalignment between the wearer's line of sight and the optical axis of the imaging means, and the imaging means can accurately capture an image from the wearer's line of sight. Furthermore, in this method, the focus adjustment step suppresses changes in the angle of view when focusing, so that the object being viewed by the wearer can be captured more accurately. Thus, according to the method of the present invention, the image captured by the imaging means is accurately and stably represented from the wearer's line of sight, so that the wearer's viewpoint can be accurately conveyed to the person viewing the image.

尚、調整ステップでは、装着者が対象物を実際に視ている状態で実施することが好ましく、これによって、装着者の視点と画像とを一層正確に位置合わせし易い。 The adjustment step is preferably performed while the wearer is actually looking at the object, which makes it easier to more accurately align the wearer's viewpoint with the image.

本発明の頭部装着型撮像装置によれば、撮像手段の焦点合わせの際に画角が変化することを抑制できるため、該撮像手段で撮像する画像を見る者に、装着者が見ている印象を正確に伝えることができる。 The head-mounted imaging device of the present invention can suppress changes in the angle of view when focusing the imaging means, so that the impression of what the wearer sees can be accurately conveyed to the viewer of the image captured by the imaging means.

本発明の視線画像調整方法によれば、画像表示装置で表示された画像と装着者の視点とを位置合わせできるため、該画像を見る者に、装着者の視点を正確に伝えることができる。 The gaze image adjustment method of the present invention allows the image displayed on the image display device to be aligned with the wearer's gaze point, so that the wearer's gaze point can be accurately conveyed to the person viewing the image.

実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１を示す斜視図である。1 is a perspective view showing a head-mounted imaging device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 頭部装着型撮像装置１の、（Ａ）平面図と、（Ｂ）正面図である。1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a front view of a head-mounted imaging device 1. 頭部装着型撮像装置１を装着した状態を示す側面図である。FIG. 2 is a side view showing the head-mounted imaging device 1 when worn. 視線撮像ユニット６を構成するプリズム３３とカメラ部材３４とを説明する、（Ａ）平面図と、（Ｂ）正面図である。1A and 1B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, illustrating a prism 33 and a camera member 34 that constitute the line-of-sight imaging unit 6. FIG. プリズム３３，３３を示す、（Ａ）斜視図と、（Ｂ）分解斜視図である。1A is a perspective view showing prisms 33, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing prisms 33, 33. カメラ部材３４の焦点を合わせる作動を示す説明図である。11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of adjusting the focus of the camera member 34. FIG. 頭部装着型撮像装置１における、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２とカメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐとを示す説明図である。2 is an explanatory diagram showing the lines of sight S1, S2 of the wearer and the optical axis P of the camera member 34 in the head-mounted imaging device 1. FIG. 実施例の視線画像調整方法による、装着者１０１の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２とカメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐとを調整する態様を示す説明図である。1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams showing a manner in which the lines of sight S1, S2 of the wearer 101 and the optical axis P of the camera member 34 are adjusted by the line of sight image adjustment method of the embodiment. 別例１の頭部装着型撮像装置７１を示す、（Ａ）側面図と、（Ｂ）作動態様を示す説明図である。1A is a side view showing a head-mounted imaging device 71 of Modified Example 1, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation mode. 別例２の、（Ａ）頭部装着型撮像装置８１の斜視図と、（Ｂ）視線撮像ユニット８６の平面図である。13A is a perspective view of a head-mounted imaging device 81 according to a second modified example, and FIG. 13B is a plan view of a line-of-sight imaging unit 86 according to the second modified example.

本発明を具体化した実施例を、添付図面を用いて説明する。尚、実施例にあって、前後方向は、実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１を装着した装着者における前後方向を示し、左右は、同様に該装着者における左右を示す。そして、前後方向と上下方向（縦方向）とに直交する左右方向を左右横方向という。また、左右方向にあって、左右の外側から装着者の中心に向かう方向を、内方とする。さらに、実施例にあって、前面と正面とは、同じ意味で用いている。 Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the examples, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of a wearer wearing the head-mounted imaging device 1 of the example, and left-right similarly refers to the left-right direction of the wearer. The left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction (vertical direction) is called the left-right lateral direction. In the left-right direction, the direction from the outside of the left and right toward the center of the wearer is called the inward direction. Furthermore, in the examples, the front and front are used interchangeably.

実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１は、図１～３に示すように、装着者１０１の両眼前方に配設されて両眼を覆う透明なシールド部４と、該装着者の両耳に掛けられることによって該装着者の頭部に装着されるフレーム部３とが一体的に設けられた保護メガネ２を備える。そして、前記フレーム部３の中央部に連結部材５を介して取り付けられた視線撮像ユニット６および照明装置７を備え、該視線撮像ユニット６と照明装置７とが一体的に設けられている。 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the head-mounted imaging device 1 of the embodiment includes protective glasses 2 that are integrally formed with a transparent shield portion 4 that is disposed in front of and covers the eyes of the wearer 101, and a frame portion 3 that is attached to the wearer's head by hanging it over the wearer's ears. The head-mounted imaging device 1 includes a line-of-sight imaging unit 6 and a lighting device 7 that are attached to the center of the frame portion 3 via a connecting member 5, and the line-of-sight imaging unit 6 and the lighting device 7 are integrally formed.

前記連結部材５は、前記保護メガネ２のフレーム部３に固定される基部１１と、該基部１１に上下方向へ傾動可能に設けられた支持杆部１２と、該支持杆部１２を挿通させた上下方向の長孔が設けられた摺動部１３とを備える。支持杆部１２の先端部には位置決め部１５が回転可能に螺着されており、該位置決め部１５を締結することによって、該支持杆部１２に対する摺動部１３の上下位置を固定できる一方、該位置決め部１５の締結解除によって、摺動部１３を支持杆部１２に対して上下方向へ移動できる。摺動部１３には、前記照明装置７が上下方向へ傾動可能に取り付けられており、該照明装置７に前記視線撮像ユニット６が一体的に取り付けられている。こうした連結部材５は、支持杆部１２を基部１１に対して傾動させることによって、該支持杆部１２と摺動部１３と照明装置７および視線撮像ユニット６とを一体的に前後方向へ傾動できる。この視線撮像ユニット６の傾動により、装着者１０１の両眼との距離を変更できる。また、摺動部１３を支持杆部１２に対して上下方向へ摺動させることによって、該摺動部１３と照明装置７および視線撮像ユニット６とを一体的に上下方向へ摺動できる。さらにまた、照明装置７を摺動部１３に対して上下方向へ傾動させることによって、該照明装置７と視線撮像ユニット６とを一体的に上下方向へ傾動でき、これらを装着者に対して所望の角度で傾斜できる。 The connecting member 5 comprises a base 11 fixed to the frame 3 of the protective glasses 2, a support rod 12 provided on the base 11 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, and a sliding part 13 provided with a vertical long hole through which the support rod 12 is inserted. A positioning part 15 is rotatably screwed to the tip of the support rod 12, and by fastening the positioning part 15, the vertical position of the sliding part 13 relative to the support rod 12 can be fixed, while by releasing the fastening of the positioning part 15, the sliding part 13 can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the support rod 12. The lighting device 7 is attached to the sliding part 13 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, and the line of sight imaging unit 6 is attached integrally to the lighting device 7. By tilting the support rod portion 12 relative to the base portion 11, the connecting member 5 can tilt the support rod portion 12, the sliding portion 13, the lighting device 7, and the line of sight imaging unit 6 in the forward and backward directions. This tilting of the line of sight imaging unit 6 can change the distance to the eyes of the wearer 101. In addition, by sliding the sliding portion 13 in the vertical direction relative to the support rod portion 12, the sliding portion 13, the lighting device 7, and the line of sight imaging unit 6 can be slid in the vertical direction together. Furthermore, by tilting the lighting device 7 in the vertical direction relative to the sliding portion 13, the lighting device 7 and the line of sight imaging unit 6 can be tilted in the vertical direction together, and they can be inclined at a desired angle relative to the wearer.

照明装置７は、前記摺動部１３に傾動可能に取り付けられた照明支持部１７と、該照明支持部１７に支持されたライト１８とを備える。このライト１８により、前記視線撮像ユニット６のプリズム３３，３３を介して見る対象物を照らすことができ、該対象物の視認性を向上できる。尚、ライト１８には、図示しないＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチや電源などがケーブルを介して接続されている。 The lighting device 7 includes a lighting support part 17 tiltably attached to the sliding part 13, and a light 18 supported by the lighting support part 17. The light 18 can illuminate an object viewed through the prisms 33, 33 of the line-of-sight imaging unit 6, improving the visibility of the object. An ON/OFF switch and a power source (not shown) are connected to the light 18 via a cable.

次に、本発明の要部にかかる視線撮像ユニット６について説明する。
視線撮像ユニット６は、図１～３に示すように、前記照明装置７の照明支持部１７に取り付けられた案内支持部材２１と、該案内支持部材２１に夫々支持された左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂとを備える。 Next, the line of sight imaging unit 6 which is a main part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the visual axis imaging unit 6 comprises a guide support member 21 attached to the illumination support portion 17 of the illumination device 7, and left and right visual axis imaging bodies 22a, 22b supported by the guide support member 21, respectively.

案内支持部材２１は、左右方向に長尺状に形成され、左右方向の中央部が前記照明支持部１７に固結されている。この案内支持部材２１は、中央部に対して左右対称に形成されており、左右両側に第一案内長孔部２５と第二案内長孔部２６とが夫々設けられている。第一案内長孔部２５は、左右横方向へ直線状に開口された長孔であり、案内支持部材２１を上下方向に貫通している。左右の第一案内長孔部２５は、装着者に装着された状態で、該装着者の左右両眼に対応する各両眼の前方位置に夫々設けられている。また、第二案内長孔部２６は、前記第一案内長孔部２５の外側に、該第一案内長孔部２５に対して前方へ直線状に傾斜された長孔であり、案内支持部材２１を上下方向に貫通している。 The guide support member 21 is formed in an elongated shape in the left-right direction, and the central part in the left-right direction is fixed to the lighting support part 17. The guide support member 21 is formed symmetrically with respect to the central part, and a first guide long hole part 25 and a second guide long hole part 26 are provided on both the left and right sides. The first guide long hole part 25 is a long hole that opens linearly in the left-right lateral direction and penetrates the guide support member 21 in the up-down direction. The left and right first guide long hole parts 25 are respectively provided in front of the left and right eyes of the wearer when the guide support member 21 is worn by the wearer. In addition, the second guide long hole part 26 is a long hole that is inclined linearly forward with respect to the first guide long hole part 25 on the outside of the first guide long hole part 25 and penetrates the guide support member 21 in the up-down direction.

視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂは、前記案内支持部材２１に左右方向へ摺動可能に支持された筐体３１と、該筐体３１の前部に取り付けられたルーペ部３２と、該筐体３１の内部に配設されたプリズム３３とを夫々備える。さらに、本実施例にあっては、右側の視線撮像本体２２ａが、その筐体３１の内部に配設されたカメラ部材３４を備えたものである。 Each of the visual line imaging main bodies 22a and 22b includes a housing 31 supported on the guide support member 21 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, a magnifying glass part 32 attached to the front part of the housing 31, and a prism 33 disposed inside the housing 31. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the right visual line imaging main body 22a includes a camera part 34 disposed inside the housing 31.

前記視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂの各筐体３１，３１は、左右一対に設けられたものであり、内側に配置された第一筐体部４１と、該第一筐体部４１の外方に連結筒部４３を介して連結された第二筐体部４２とを夫々備える。そして、第一筐体部４１と第二筐体部４２とは、連結筒部４３を介して連通されている。 The housings 31, 31 of the line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a, 22b are provided in pairs on the left and right, and each includes a first housing part 41 arranged on the inside and a second housing part 42 connected to the outside of the first housing part 41 via a connecting tube part 43. The first housing part 41 and the second housing part 42 are connected to each other via the connecting tube part 43.

第一筐体部４１には、その上面から上方へ突出されて、前記案内支持部材２１の第一案内長孔部２５に挿通される杆部と、該第一案内長孔部２５上で該杆部の上部に螺着されて、該第一案内長孔部２５に挿通不能な固定部とを有する支持杆部４５が設けられている。この支持杆部４５の固定部を締め付けることによって、第一筐体部４１を案内支持部材２１に位置決め固定できる一方、該固定部の締め付けを解除することによって、該第一筐体部４１を第一案内長孔部２５に沿って相対移動できる。同様に、第二筐体部４２には、その上面から上方へ突出されて、前記案内支持部材２１の第二案内長孔部２６に挿通される杆部と、該第二案内長孔部２６上で該杆部の上部に螺着されて、該第二案内長孔部２６に挿通不能な固定部とを有する支持杆部４６が設けられている。この支持杆部４６の固定部を締め付けることによって、第二筐体部４２を案内支持部材２１に位置決め固定できる一方、該固定部の締め付けを解除することによって、該第二筐体部４２を第二案内長孔部２６に沿って相対移動できる The first housing part 41 is provided with a support rod part 45 that protrudes upward from its upper surface and has a rod part that is inserted into the first guide long hole part 25 of the guide support member 21 and a fixing part that is screwed to the upper part of the rod part on the first guide long hole part 25 and cannot be inserted into the first guide long hole part 25. By tightening the fixing part of the support rod part 45, the first housing part 41 can be positioned and fixed to the guide support member 21, while by releasing the tightening of the fixing part, the first housing part 41 can be moved relatively along the first guide long hole part 25. Similarly, the second housing part 42 is provided with a support rod part 46 that protrudes upward from its upper surface and has a rod part that is inserted into the second guide long hole part 26 of the guide support member 21 and a fixing part that is screwed to the upper part of the rod part on the second guide long hole part 26 and cannot be inserted into the second guide long hole part 26. By tightening the fixing portion of the support rod portion 46, the second housing portion 42 can be positioned and fixed to the guide support member 21, while by releasing the tightening of the fixing portion, the second housing portion 42 can be moved relatively along the second guide long hole portion 26.

視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂは、案内支持部材２１の第一，第二案内長孔部２５，２６に挿通された支持杆部４５，４６により吊持される。そして、視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂは、両支持杆部４５，４６の固定部が締め付けられていない状態で、左右横方向へ移動可能であり、少なくとも一方の支持杆部４５，４６の固定部を締め付けることによって、位置決めされる。この締め付けられていない状態で視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを左右へ移動させると、該視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂが左右横方向へ移動しつつ、第一案内長孔部２５に挿通された支持杆部４５を中心として前後方向へ傾動する。 The line of sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b are suspended by support rods 45, 46 inserted into the first and second guide long holes 25, 26 of the guide support member 21. The line of sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b can move laterally to the left and right when the fixing parts of the support rods 45, 46 are not fastened, and are positioned by fastening the fixing part of at least one of the support rods 45, 46. When the line of sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b are moved to the left and right in this untightened state, the line of sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b move laterally to the left and right while tilting in the front-rear direction around the support rod 45 inserted into the first guide long hole 25.

ここで、視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂの支持杆部４５，４６と案内支持部材２１の第一，第二案内長孔部２５，２６との夫々の位置や寸法形状等は、該視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂの移動によって、左右の第一，第二筐体部４１，４２に設けられたプリズム３３，３３を通過する視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２の交わる位置Ｔ（以下、視点という）が略変わらないように、設定されている。 The positions, dimensions, shapes, etc. of the support rods 45, 46 of the line-of-sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b and the first and second guide long holes 25, 26 of the guide support member 21 are set so that the position T (hereinafter referred to as the viewpoint) at which the lines of sight S1, S2 passing through the prisms 33, 33 provided on the first and second housing parts 41, 42 on the left and right sides intersect remains substantially unchanged by the movement of the line-of-sight imaging main bodies 22a, 22b.

左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂには、前述したように、夫々の第一筐体部４１にプリズム３３が夫々配設されている。プリズム３３は、図５に示すように、二個の直角プリズム３８，３８が互いの斜面３８ａ，３８ａ同士を重ね合わせて接合された立方体であり、いわゆるキューブ型のビームスプリッターである。このプリズム３３の斜面３８ａには、透過率（透明度）を０～５０％とするミラーコーティングが施されている。右側の第一筐体部４１には、図４に示すように、プリズム３３が装着者の眼前で斜面３８ａを内側前方へ傾斜させるように配設され、該プリズム３３の前面が前記ルーペ部３２に対向配置される。そして、右側のプリズム３３には、前面、後面、および右側面に反射防止コーティングが施されると共に、その他の三面に、光の入出力を抑制する黒色コーティングが施される。左側の第一筐体部４１は、右側の第一筐体部４１と左右対称とするように、プリズム３３が配設される（図示せず）。この左側のプリズム３３には、前面、後面、および左側面に反射防止コーティングが施され、その他の三面に前記黒色コーティングが施される。 As described above, the left and right line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b each have a prism 33 disposed in the first housing section 41. As shown in FIG. 5, the prism 33 is a cube in which two right-angle prisms 38, 38 are joined by overlapping their inclined faces 38a, 38a, and is a so-called cube-type beam splitter. The inclined face 38a of the prism 33 is mirror-coated to have a transmittance (transparency) of 0 to 50%. As shown in FIG. 4, the first housing section 41 on the right side has a prism 33 disposed so that the inclined face 38a is inclined inward and forward in front of the wearer's eyes, and the front face of the prism 33 is disposed opposite the magnifying glass section 32. The front, rear, and right faces of the right prism 33 are coated with an anti-reflection coating, and the other three faces are coated with a black coating to suppress the input and output of light. The left first housing part 41 has a prism 33 (not shown) arranged so as to be symmetrical to the right first housing part 41. The left prism 33 has an anti-reflective coating on the front, back and left side, and the other three sides have the black coating.

本実施例にあって、右側の第二筐体部４２および連結筒部４３には、図４に示すように、カメラ部材３４が配設されている。カメラ部材３４は、撮像素子が設けられたカメラ本体部５１と、レンズが設けられた鏡筒部５２とを備え、該鏡筒部５２が撮像素子に対して接離移動可能とするように該カメラ本体部５１に取り付けられている。本実施例のカメラ部材３４は、鏡筒部５２にレンズが一体的に設けられており、該鏡筒部５２を前記接離移動させることによって、該レンズと前記撮像素子との相対距離を変更でき、該変更によってピント調整（焦点を合わせる調整）ができるようになっている。また、鏡筒部５２は、カメラ本体部５１に設けられた円筒形の取付部（図示せず）に回転可能に螺着されており、該鏡筒部５２に設けられた大径の操作板部５５が回転操作されることにより螺進して、前記した接離移動するように構成されている。 In this embodiment, the camera member 34 is disposed in the second housing part 42 and the connecting tube part 43 on the right side as shown in FIG. 4. The camera member 34 includes a camera body part 51 provided with an image sensor and a lens-equipped mirror part 52, and is attached to the camera body part 51 so that the lens-equipped mirror part 52 can move toward and away from the image sensor. In this embodiment, the camera member 34 is integrally provided with a lens in the mirror part 52, and the relative distance between the lens and the image sensor can be changed by moving the mirror part 52 toward and away from the image sensor, and this change allows focus adjustment (adjustment to focus). The mirror part 52 is rotatably screwed to a cylindrical mounting part (not shown) provided on the camera body part 51, and is configured to be screwed forward by rotating a large-diameter operation plate part 55 provided on the mirror part 52, and to move toward and away as described above.

こうしたカメラ部材３４は、カメラ本体部５１が第二筐体部４２の内部に左右方向へ移動可能に配置されると共に鏡筒部５２が連結筒部４３の内部に移動不能に配置されて、右側の視線撮像本体２２ａに配設される。ここで、鏡筒部５２は、その前端部が第一筐体部４１のプリズム３３の右側面に近接されて、レンズが該プリズム３３の右側面に対向するように、連結筒部４３に配設されている。また、鏡筒部５２の操作板部５５は、少なくとも外周縁の一部が前記連結筒部４３から露出されており、装着者等が操作できるようになっている。このように配設されたカメラ部材３４は、操作板部５５が回転操作されることにより、カメラ本体部５１が鏡筒部５２に対して左右方向へ移動し、該移動に従ってピント調整を行うことができる。このピント調整の際に、鏡筒部５２のレンズとプリズム３３との距離が常に一定に保たれることから、本構成では、画角を変化させること無く、ピント調整（焦点を合わせる調整）できる。 Such a camera member 34 is disposed in the right line of sight imaging body 22a, with the camera body 51 disposed inside the second housing 42 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and the lens barrel 52 disposed inside the connecting tube 43 so as not to be movable. Here, the lens barrel 52 is disposed in the connecting tube 43 so that its front end is close to the right side of the prism 33 of the first housing 41, and the lens faces the right side of the prism 33. In addition, at least a part of the outer periphery of the operation plate 55 of the lens barrel 52 is exposed from the connecting tube 43 so that it can be operated by the wearer, etc. In the camera member 34 disposed in this manner, the camera body 51 moves left-right relative to the lens barrel 52 by rotating the operation plate 55, and the focus can be adjusted according to the movement. During this focus adjustment, the distance between the lens of the lens barrel 52 and the prism 33 is always kept constant, so that in this configuration, the focus can be adjusted (adjusted to focus) without changing the angle of view.

カメラ部材３４には、カメラ本体部５１にケーブル４０が接続されており、該ケーブル４０を介して通信制御装置３９に接続されている。このケーブル４０は、図１に示すように、第二筐体部４２から差し出されて、前記保護メガネ２のフレーム部３に連結され、装着者に保持された通信制御装置３９に接続される。カメラ部材３４と通信制御装置３９との間では、ケーブル４０を介して、該カメラ部材３４に撮像を指示する信号と該カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像データとが送受信されると共に、該通信制御装置３９からカメラ部材３４に電力が供給される。通信制御装置３９は、カメラ部材３４に撮像させるスイッチ、電源、および無線通信機能などを備えており、該無線通信機能によって、カメラ部材３４から入力した画像データをネットワークを介して通信することができる。 The camera member 34 is connected to the camera body 51 via a cable 40, and is connected to the communication control device 39 via the cable 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 40 is extended from the second housing 42, connected to the frame 3 of the protective glasses 2, and connected to the communication control device 39 held by the wearer. Between the camera member 34 and the communication control device 39, a signal instructing the camera member 34 to capture an image and image data captured by the camera member 34 are transmitted and received via the cable 40, and power is supplied from the communication control device 39 to the camera member 34. The communication control device 39 is equipped with a switch for causing the camera member 34 to capture an image, a power source, and a wireless communication function, and the wireless communication function allows the image data input from the camera member 34 to be communicated via a network.

左右の第一筐体部４１には、図４に示すように、前面部と後面部とに、内部のプリズム３３を臨む開口部（図示せず）が夫々形成されており、該前面部に前記ルーペ部３２が配設されている。ルーペ部３２は、略截頭円錐状の鏡筒と該鏡筒の前後端部に並設された二枚のレンズとを備えた構成であり、後端部のレンズが前記第一筐体部４１の前面部の開口部に対向するように、該第一筐体部４１に一体的に取り付けられている。 As shown in FIG. 4, the left and right first housing parts 41 each have an opening (not shown) on the front and rear parts that faces the internal prism 33, and the magnifying glass part 32 is disposed on the front part. The magnifying glass part 32 is configured with a generally truncated cone-shaped lens barrel and two lenses arranged side by side at the front and rear ends of the lens barrel, and is attached integrally to the first housing part 41 so that the lens at the rear end faces the opening on the front part of the first housing part 41.

本実施例の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂは、夫々のルーペ部３２，３２の正面から入射した入射光がプリズム３３，３３により、該プリズム３３，３３の斜面３８ａを透過する透過光と、該斜面３８ａで反射して外側方（右側のプリズム３３では右側方、左側のプリズム３３では左側方）へ透過する反射光とに分けられる。これにより、図７に示すように、カメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐが、右側のプリズム３３を通過する右側の視線Ｓ１と一致できる。ここで、本実施例にあっては、カメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐがプリズム３３とルーペ部３２との中心または中心近傍を通過するように、該カメラ部材３４と該プリズム３３と該ルーペ部３２とが夫々配置されている。そして、この光軸Ｐが、プリズム３３とルーペ部３２との中心または中心近傍を通過する右側の視線Ｓ１と一致する。また、本実施例では、左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂがプリズム３３，３３を夫々備え、装着者の左右の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２が左右のプリズム３３，３３を通過することから、該装着者の左右の眼に映る像に対する違和感を抑制できる。 In the line-of-sight imaging body 22a, 22b of this embodiment, incident light incident from the front of each loupe part 32, 32 is divided by the prism 33, 33 into transmitted light that passes through the inclined surface 38a of the prism 33, 33, and reflected light that is reflected by the inclined surface 38a and passes outward (to the right in the right prism 33, and to the left in the left prism 33). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis P of the camera member 34 can coincide with the right line of sight S1 passing through the right prism 33. Here, in this embodiment, the camera member 34, the prism 33, and the loupe part 32 are each arranged so that the optical axis P of the camera member 34 passes through the center or near the center of the prism 33 and the loupe part 32. And this optical axis P coincides with the right line of sight S1 passing through the center or near the center of the prism 33 and the loupe part 32. In addition, in this embodiment, the left and right line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b are each equipped with a prism 33, 33, and the left and right lines of sight S1 and S2 of the wearer pass through the left and right prisms 33, 33, so that discomfort caused by the images reflected in the left and right eyes of the wearer can be suppressed.

さらに、左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂは、装着者の両眼間隔に応じて左右位置を適宜変更することが可能である。例えば、比較的眼幅の狭い装着者にあっては、左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを夫々内側寄りに配置して位置決めする。この状態で、当該装着者が、プリズム３３とルーペ部３２とを通過した視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２の交わる視点Ｔで対象物を拡大視できる。一方、比較的眼幅の広い他の装着者にあっては、左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを夫々外側寄りに配置して位置決めする。この状態では、前記した視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを内側寄りに配置した場合に比して、プリズム３３，３３とルーペ部３２とが、装着者の眼との間隔を略一定に保ちつつ外側に位置すると共に、外側に向かって前方傾斜している。これにより、プリズム３３，３３とルーペ部３２とを通過した視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２が、内側寄りに配置した場合と略同じ視点Ｔで交わるため、該視点Ｔで対象物を拡大視できる。 Furthermore, the left and right line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b can be appropriately changed in their left and right positions according to the distance between the wearer's eyes. For example, in the case of a wearer with a relatively narrow interpupillary distance, the left and right line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b are positioned on the inner side, respectively. In this state, the wearer can view the object in an enlarged view at the viewpoint T where the lines of sight S1 and S2 passing through the prism 33 and the magnifying glass part 32 intersect. On the other hand, in the case of another wearer with a relatively wide interpupillary distance, the left and right line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b are positioned on the outer side, respectively. In this state, compared to the case where the line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a and 22b are positioned on the inner side, the prisms 33 and the magnifying glass part 32 are positioned on the outer side while maintaining a substantially constant distance from the wearer's eyes, and are inclined forward toward the outer side. As a result, the lines of sight S1 and S2 passing through the prisms 33 and the magnifying glass part 32 intersect at substantially the same viewpoint T as when they are positioned on the inner side, so that the object can be viewed in an enlarged view at the viewpoint T.

前述した本実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１は、前記通信制御装置３９がインターネット等のネットワークを介して画像データや信号を送受信するコンピュータ（図示せず）に接続されている。そして、コンピュータには、前記通信制御装置３９から受信した画像データを記憶する記憶装置（図示せず）や、動画や静止画を表示する画像表示装置６１（図８参照）等が接続されており、画像データを読み込んで該画像表示装置６１で動画や静止画を表示させる機能を備えている。こうした構成により、画像表示装置６１で、頭部装着型撮像装置１のカメラ部材３４で撮像した画像データをリアルタイムで表示したり、前記記憶装置に記憶した画像データを選択して読み込んで表示したりすることができる。 In the head-mounted imaging device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the communication control device 39 is connected to a computer (not shown) that transmits and receives image data and signals via a network such as the Internet. The computer is connected to a storage device (not shown) that stores image data received from the communication control device 39, an image display device 61 (see FIG. 8) that displays moving images and still images, and the like, and has a function of reading image data and displaying moving images and still images on the image display device 61. With this configuration, the image display device 61 can display image data captured by the camera member 34 of the head-mounted imaging device 1 in real time, or select and read image data stored in the storage device to display it.

次に、本実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１の使用態様について説明する。
頭部装着型撮像装置１は、保護メガネ２が装着者の頭部に装着されて、視線撮像ユニット６が該装着者の眼前に配置されることにより、該装着者に使用される（図３参照）。そして、装着者が、連結部材５を操作して、視線撮像ユニット６を昇降動させたり前後方向へ傾動させたりすることにより、該視線撮像ユニット６と照明装置７とを所望位置とする。さらに、左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを操作して、各視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂのプリズム３３，３３（およびルーペ部３２，３２）を、左右夫々の眼前に配置する。このように左右の視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを、装着者の両眼に合わせて位置決めすることにより、図７に示すように、視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３とルーペ部３２，３２とを通過して、視点Ｔの対象物を拡大視できる。 Next, a usage mode of the head mounted imaging device 1 of this embodiment will be described.
The head-mounted imaging device 1 is used by a wearer by putting the protective glasses 2 on the wearer's head and positioning the line-of-sight imaging unit 6 in front of the wearer's eyes (see FIG. 3). The wearer operates the connecting member 5 to raise and lower the line-of-sight imaging unit 6 or tilt it forward and backward to set the line-of-sight imaging unit 6 and the lighting device 7 to a desired position. Furthermore, the left and right line-of-sight imaging main bodies 22a and 22b are operated to position the prisms 33 (and the loupe parts 32) of each line-of-sight imaging main body 22a and 22b in front of the left and right eyes, respectively. By positioning the left and right line-of-sight imaging main bodies 22a and 22b in accordance with the wearer's eyes in this way, the lines of sight S1 and S2 pass through the prisms 33 and the loupe parts 32, as shown in FIG. 7, and the object at the viewpoint T can be viewed in a magnified view.

こうした視線撮像本体２２ａ，２２ｂを位置合わせすることによって、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３の中心または略中心を通過すると、右の視線Ｓ１とカメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐとが一致する。これにより、カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像データを画像表示装置６１で表示することで、装着者と同じ目線で対象物を見せることができる。 By aligning the line-of-sight imaging bodies 22a, 22b in this way, when the wearer's lines of sight S1, S2 pass through the center or approximate center of the prisms 33, 33, the right line of sight S1 coincides with the optical axis P of the camera member 34. As a result, by displaying the image data captured by the camera member 34 on the image display device 61, the target object can be viewed at the same line of sight as the wearer.

ここで、前述した位置合わせした状態であっても、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３の中心から外れてしまう場合があり得る。これは、装着者が、頭部装着型撮像装置１を装着した頭部を動かすこと無く、眼球のみの動きによって、プリズム３３，３３を通過する範囲内で視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２の方向を変化できることに因る。このように視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３の中心から外れた場合には、カメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐが該視線Ｓ１とズレることから、画像表示装置６１で表示した際に、視点Ｔが該カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像の中央から外れた位置に表示されてしまう。これでは、前記画像を見る者に、装着者の注視する視点Ｔを正確に伝えることが難しい。特に、本実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１は、ルーペ部３２，３２によって対象物を拡大視する構成であることから、視線Ｓ１とカメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐとの僅かなズレが、該カメラ部材３４により撮像した画像内で比較的大きくなる傾向にある。こうしたことから、視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３の中心（又は略中心）を通過するように、視線撮像ユニット６を調整する。この調整方法を以下で説明する。具体例として、図８（Ａ）に、視線撮像ユニット６を前述した位置合わせした状態で、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がプリズム３３，３３の中心よりも下方へズレている場合を示す。 Here, even in the above-mentioned aligned state, the wearer's line of sight S1, S2 may deviate from the center of the prism 33, 33. This is because the wearer can change the direction of the line of sight S1, S2 within the range passing through the prism 33, 33 by moving only the eyeball without moving the head on which the head-mounted imaging device 1 is mounted. When the line of sight S1, S2 deviates from the center of the prism 33, 33 in this way, the optical axis P of the camera member 34 deviates from the line of sight S1, so that when displayed on the image display device 61, the viewpoint T is displayed at a position deviated from the center of the image captured by the camera member 34. This makes it difficult to accurately convey the viewpoint T that the wearer is gazing at to the person viewing the image. In particular, since the head-mounted imaging device 1 of this embodiment is configured to magnify the object by the magnifying glass parts 32, 32, a slight deviation between the line of sight S1 and the optical axis P of the camera member 34 tends to be relatively large in the image captured by the camera member 34. For this reason, the gaze imaging unit 6 is adjusted so that the gazes S1 and S2 pass through the center (or approximately the center) of the prisms 33 and 33. This adjustment method is described below. As a specific example, FIG. 8(A) shows a case where the gaze imaging unit 6 is aligned as described above and the wearer's gazes S1 and S2 are shifted downward from the center of the prisms 33 and 33.

先ず、頭部装着型撮像装置１を装着した装着者が視線撮像ユニット６との間から視認できる場所に、カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像データを表示する画像表示装置６１を設置する。ここで、画像表示装置６１の設置場所は、頭部装着型撮像装置１を使用する状態で装着者が該画像表示装置６１の画面を視認できる場所とすることが好適である。 First, an image display device 61 that displays image data captured by the camera member 34 is installed in a location where the wearer wearing the head-mounted imaging device 1 can see it from between the line-of-sight imaging unit 6. Here, it is preferable to install the image display device 61 in a location where the wearer can see the screen of the image display device 61 when using the head-mounted imaging device 1.

装着者が頭部装着型撮像装置１を装着して前述の位置合わせした後に、通信制御装置３９（および前記コンピュータ）を操作して、画像表示装置６１の画面に、カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像をリアルタイムで表示させる。これが、本発明にかかる表示ステップに相当する。尚、この画像表示装置６１での表示は、前記位置合わせ前や位置合わせの途中などで行うことも可能である。さらには、頭部装着型撮像装置１を頭部に装着する前に、カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像を画像表示装置６１で表示開始しても良い。 After the wearer wears the head-mounted imaging device 1 and performs the above-mentioned alignment, the wearer operates the communication control device 39 (and the computer) to display the image captured by the camera member 34 in real time on the screen of the image display device 61. This corresponds to the display step of the present invention. Note that this display on the image display device 61 can also be performed before or during the alignment. Furthermore, the image captured by the camera member 34 may start to be displayed on the image display device 61 before the head-mounted imaging device 1 is worn on the head.

装着者が頭部装着型撮像装置１のプリズム３３，３３を介して対象物６２を視認し、この状態で頭部を動かさないようにして、視線撮像ユニット６との間から画像表示装置６１の画面を見る。ここで、図８（Ａ）に示すように、前記対象物６２を視認した視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２が、プリズム３３，３３の中心よりも下方にズレていると、画像表示装置６１で対象物６２が画面下部に表示される。これにより、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２がカメラ部材３２の光軸Ｐとズレていることが分かる。 The wearer views the object 62 through the prisms 33, 33 of the head-mounted imaging device 1, and in this state, without moving his/her head, looks at the screen of the image display device 61 from between the line-of-sight imaging unit 6. Here, as shown in FIG. 8(A), if the lines of sight S1, S2 through which the object 62 is viewed are shifted downward from the center of the prisms 33, 33, the object 62 is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the image display device 61. This makes it clear that the wearer's lines of sight S1, S2 are shifted from the optical axis P of the camera member 32.

こうした視線Ｓ１とカメラ部材３２の光軸Ｐとのズレを修正するために、装着者の視点Ｔ（対象物６２）が画像表示装置６１の画面中央で表示されるように、連結部材５を操作して視線撮像ユニット６を位置変換させる。そして、図８（Ｂ）に示すように、装着者の視点Ｔが画像表示装置６１の画面中央で表示された状態で視線撮像ユニット６を位置決めする。これにより、装着者の視線Ｓ１，Ｓ２が、プリズム３３，３３の中心を通過して、カメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐと一致する。これが、本発明にかかる調整ステップに相当する。 To correct this misalignment between the line of sight S1 and the optical axis P of the camera member 32, the connecting member 5 is operated to change the position of the line of sight imaging unit 6 so that the wearer's viewpoint T (object 62) is displayed at the center of the screen of the image display device 61. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the line of sight imaging unit 6 is positioned with the wearer's viewpoint T displayed at the center of the screen of the image display device 61. As a result, the wearer's lines of sight S1, S2 pass through the centers of the prisms 33, 33 and coincide with the optical axis P of the camera member 34. This corresponds to the adjustment step according to the present invention.

さらに、右側の視線撮像本体２２ａに配設されたカメラ部材３４の操作板部５５を回転操作することにより、該カメラ部材３４のピント調整（焦点を合わせる調整）を行って、画像表示装置６１で表示される画像のピントを合わせる。ここで、本実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１は、前記ピント調整の際に、鏡筒部５２のレンズとプリズム３３との間隔が一定に保たれることから、カメラ部材３４の画角が変化しない。このピント調整が、本発明にかかる焦点調整ステップに相当する。尚、こうしたピント調整は、前記した調整ステップの前に行っても良い。 Furthermore, by rotating the operation plate portion 55 of the camera member 34 arranged on the right line of sight imaging main body 22a, the focus of the camera member 34 is adjusted (adjusted to focus) to adjust the focus of the image displayed on the image display device 61. Here, in the head-mounted imaging device 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the lens of the mirror tube portion 52 and the prism 33 is kept constant during the focus adjustment, so the angle of view of the camera member 34 does not change. This focus adjustment corresponds to the focus adjustment step according to the present invention. Note that such focus adjustment may be performed before the adjustment step described above.

このように装着者の視点Ｔと画像表示装置６１の画像とを位置合わせすることにより、該装着者の視線Ｓ１とカメラ部材３４の光軸Ｐとを正確に一致させることができるから、該カメラ部材３４で撮像した画像を見る者に、装着者と同じ目線で対象物６２を見せることができる。 By aligning the wearer's viewpoint T with the image on the image display device 61 in this way, the wearer's line of sight S1 can be accurately aligned with the optical axis P of the camera member 34, so that the person viewing the image captured by the camera member 34 can see the object 62 at the same line of sight as the wearer.

前述した本実施例の頭部装着型撮像装置１は、装着者の頭部にされた視線撮像ユニット６が該装着者の眼前に位置合わせされることにより、該装着者が左右のプリズム３３，３３とルーペ部３２，３２とを介して視点Ｔの対象物を拡大視できる。そして、右側の視線撮像本体２２ａに配設されたカメラ部材３２の光軸Ｐが、右側のプリズム３３で屈折されて右側の視線Ｓ１と一致することから、該カメラ部材３２によって装着者と同じ目線で前記対象物を撮像することができる。さらに、本実施例の構成にあっては、カメラ部材３２の操作板部５５が回転操作されることにより、画角を変化させずにピント調整（焦点を合わせる調整）を行うことができる。これにより、カメラ部材３２で撮像した画像を見る者に、そのピント調整による印象変化が生じ難く、装着者の見ている対象を正確に伝えることができる。 In the head-mounted imaging device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the line-of-sight imaging unit 6 on the wearer's head is positioned in front of the wearer's eyes, allowing the wearer to view an object at the viewpoint T in a magnified view through the left and right prisms 33, 33 and the magnifying glass parts 32, 32. The optical axis P of the camera member 32 arranged on the right line-of-sight imaging main body 22a is refracted by the right prism 33 and coincides with the right line of sight S1, so that the object can be imaged by the camera member 32 at the same line of sight as the wearer. Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the operation plate part 55 of the camera member 32 can be rotated to perform focus adjustment (adjustment to focus) without changing the angle of view. As a result, the impression of the person viewing the image captured by the camera member 32 is unlikely to change due to the focus adjustment, and the object viewed by the wearer can be accurately conveyed.

また、プリズム３３，３３を介した装着者の視点Ｔとカメラ部材３２で撮像されて画像表示装置６１で表示される画像とがズレている場合には、該装着者の視点Ｔが画像表示装置６１の画面の略中央に表示されるように、前記連結部材５の操作により視線撮像ユニット６を調整する。これにより、装着者の視線Ｓ１とカメラ部材３２の光軸Ｐとを一層正確に一致させることができ、装着者の目線で正確に撮像できる。これにより、画像表示装置６１を見る者に装着者の見ている対象を正確に伝えるという、前述した本実施例の作用効果を一層安定して奏し得る。 Furthermore, if there is a misalignment between the wearer's viewpoint T via the prisms 33, 33 and the image captured by the camera member 32 and displayed on the image display device 61, the line of sight imaging unit 6 is adjusted by operating the connecting member 5 so that the wearer's viewpoint T is displayed approximately in the center of the screen of the image display device 61. This allows the wearer's line of sight S1 to be more accurately aligned with the optical axis P of the camera member 32, allowing accurate imaging at the wearer's line of sight. This allows the aforementioned effect of this embodiment, that is, the object being viewed by the wearer can be more accurately conveyed to the viewer of the image display device 61, to be more stably achieved.

こうした本実施例にあって、保護メガネ２が、本発明にかかる頭部装着部に相当し、プリズム３３が、本発明にかかる視線通過部材に相当する。カメラ部材３２が、本発明にかかる撮像手段に相当し、鏡筒部５２が、本発明にかかるレンズ部材に相当する。そして、操作板部５５が、本発明にかかる相対距離変更手段に相当する。 In this embodiment, the protective glasses 2 correspond to the head-mounted portion of the present invention, and the prism 33 corresponds to the line-of-sight member of the present invention. The camera member 32 corresponds to the imaging means of the present invention, and the lens barrel portion 52 corresponds to the lens member of the present invention. And the operation plate portion 55 corresponds to the relative distance changing means of the present invention.

本発明は、前述した実施例に限定されず、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲内で適宜変更することが可能である。例えば、前述の実施例における各部の寸法形状は、適宜変更することができる。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the dimensions and shapes of each part in the above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate.

前述した実施例では、カメラ部材を右側の視線撮像本体にのみ配設した構成であるが、これに限らず、カメラ部材を左側の視線撮像本体にのみ配設した構成としても良いし、左右の緯線撮像本体に夫々カメラ部材を配設した構成としても良い。 In the above-described embodiment, the camera member is arranged only on the right line-of-sight imaging body, but this is not limited thereto. The camera member may be arranged only on the left line-of-sight imaging body, or a camera member may be arranged on each of the left and right latitude imaging bodies.

前述した実施例では、カメラ部材が、操作板部の操作によってピント調整するマニュアルフォーカスを有するものとしたが、これに限らず、オートフォーカスを有するカメラ部材が配設された構成とすることもできる。オートフォーカスのカメラ部材であっても、実施例と同様に、鏡筒部を移動不能（プリズムとの間隔を一定に保つ）且つカメラ本体を移動可能に設けることにより、実施例と同様の作用効果を奏し得る。 In the above-mentioned embodiment, the camera member has a manual focus that adjusts the focus by operating the operation plate, but this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a camera member with autofocus is provided may also be used. Even with an autofocus camera member, similar to the embodiment, the same effect as the embodiment can be achieved by making the lens barrel immovable (keeping the distance from the prism constant) and making the camera body movable.

前述した実施例では、カメラ部材の鏡筒部にレンズが一体的に設けられた構成であるが、これに限らず、レンズが鏡筒部と別体に設けられた構成であっても良い。 In the above-described embodiment, the lens is integrally provided in the lens barrel of the camera member, but this is not limiting, and the lens may be provided separately from the lens barrel.

前述した実施例では、視線撮像ユニットと照明装置とを一体化してなる構成であるが、これに限らず、視線撮像ユニットと照明装置とを個別に傾動可能とする構成とすることもできる。例えば、図９に別例１の構成を示す。別例１の頭部装着型撮像装置７１は、視線撮像ユニット７６と照明装置７とが、連結部材５の摺動部１３に夫々独立して傾動可能とするように連結されている。すなわち、照明装置７は、照明支持部１７が、連結部材５の摺動部１３に左右方向の第一支軸７７を介して枢支されており、該第一支軸７７を中心として摺動部１３に対して傾動可能である。視線撮像ユニット７６は、案内支持部材２１がユニット連結部７２を介して前記摺動部１３に傾動可能に連結されている。ここで、ユニット連結部７２は、摺動部１３に前記第一支軸７７を介して枢支された第一連結部７３と、該第一連結部７３に左右方向の第二支軸７８を介して枢支された第二連結部７４とを備え、該第二連結部７４に前記案内支持部材２１が固定されている。さらに、視線撮像ユニット７６は、案内支持部材２１がユニット連結部７２の傾動によって前記照明支持部１７の上縁に載置可能となっており、該照明支持部１７に載置された状態で、第一支軸７７を中心として照明装置７と一体的に傾動可能である。この別例１の構成は、図９（Ａ）に示すように、視線撮像ユニット７６と照明装置７とを一体的に傾動させることができるため、照明装置７で照らされた対象物を、装着者が視線撮像ユニット７６を介して拡大視できる。一方、図９（Ｂ）に示すように、視線撮像ユニット７６と照明装置７とを別々に傾動させることができるため、視線撮像ユニット７６のみを上方へ傾動させれば、照明装置７で照らされた対象物を肉眼で視認することができる。また、別例１の構成にあっても、前述した実施例と同様の作用効果を奏し得る。尚、かかる別例１の構成は、視線撮像ユニット７６と照明装置７とを個別に傾動可能とした構成以外を、前述した実施例と同じとするものであるから、同じ構成要素には同じ符号を記し、その説明を省略した。 In the above-mentioned embodiment, the line-of-sight imaging unit and the lighting device are integrated, but the invention is not limited to this, and the line-of-sight imaging unit and the lighting device can be tilted separately. For example, FIG. 9 shows the configuration of Alternative Example 1. In the head-mounted imaging device 71 of Alternative Example 1, the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 and the lighting device 7 are connected to the sliding portion 13 of the connecting member 5 so that they can be tilted independently. That is, the lighting device 7 has the lighting support portion 17 pivoted to the sliding portion 13 of the connecting member 5 via a first support shaft 77 in the left-right direction, and can be tilted relative to the sliding portion 13 around the first support shaft 77. In the line-of-sight imaging unit 76, the guide support member 21 is connected to the sliding portion 13 via the unit connecting portion 72 so that it can be tilted. Here, the unit connecting portion 72 includes a first connecting portion 73 pivotally supported on the sliding portion 13 via the first support shaft 77, and a second connecting portion 74 pivotally supported on the first connecting portion 73 via a second support shaft 78 in the left-right direction, and the guide support member 21 is fixed to the second connecting portion 74. Furthermore, the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 can be placed on the upper edge of the illumination support portion 17 by tilting the unit connecting portion 72, and can be tilted integrally with the illumination device 7 around the first support shaft 77 in a state where the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 is placed on the illumination support portion 17. In the configuration of this modified example 1, as shown in Fig. 9(A), the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 and the illumination device 7 can be tilted integrally, so that the wearer can view the object illuminated by the illumination device 7 in a magnified view via the line-of-sight imaging unit 76. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 and the lighting device 7 can be tilted separately, so that if only the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 is tilted upward, the object illuminated by the lighting device 7 can be viewed with the naked eye. Also, the configuration of Alternative Example 1 can achieve the same effects as the previously described embodiment. Note that the configuration of Alternative Example 1 is the same as the previously described embodiment except for the configuration in which the line-of-sight imaging unit 76 and the lighting device 7 can be tilted separately, so the same components are denoted with the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

前述した実施例では、視線撮像ユニットが左右の視線撮像本体を左右に独立して位置変換可能な構成としたが、これに限らず、視線撮像ユニットの構成は適宜変更可能である。例えば、図１０に別例２の頭部装着型撮像装置８１を示す。別例２の構成は、装着者の頭部に装着されるヘッドベルト部８２と、該ヘッドベルト部８２に連結部材８４を介して取り付けられた視線撮像ユニット８６とを備える。連結部材８４は、複数の可動部８５が相互に傾動可能に連結されたものであり、先端側の可動部８５に照明装置８７が連結されており、該照明装置８７に前記視線撮像ユニット８６が傾動可能に連結されている。視線撮像ユニット８６は、左右の視線を夫々内方へ屈折させる左右一対の第一屈折部材９１，９１と、該第一屈折部材９１，９１で屈折された左右の視線を夫々前方へ屈折させる左右一対の第二屈折部材９２，９２と、該第二屈折部材９２，９２で屈折された左右の視線を夫々前方へ通過させる左右一対のプリズム３３，３３とを備え、第一屈折部材９１，９１と第二屈折部材９２，９２とが第一筐体部８８の内部に配設され、第一筐体部８８の前方に配設された第二筐体部８９の内部にプリズム３３，３３が配設されている。そして、第二筐体部８９の前面部に、平板状の拡大鏡９０が配設されている。ここで、左右のプリズム３３，３３は、前述の実施例と同様のものであり、左右対称に配置される。さらに、第二筐体部８９の右側には、カメラ筐体部９４が連結筒部９５を介して設けられており、カメラ筐体部９４の内部にカメラ部材３４のカメラ本体部５１が左右方向へ移動可能に配設されると共に、連結筒部９５の内部に該カメラ部材３４の鏡筒部５２が移動不能に配設されている。そして、カメラ本体部５１と鏡筒部５２とを左右方向へ相対移動させる操作板部５５が設けられている。このカメラ部材３４を配設されたカメラ筐体部９４と連結筒部９５とは、前述した実施例と同様の構成であり、操作板部５５の操作によって、鏡筒部５２に対してカメラ本体部５１が左右方向へ移動してピント調整できる。こうした別例２の構成は、第一屈折部材９１，９１と第二屈折部材９２，９２とにより左右の視線の輻輳角を縮小して、対象物を拡大視できる。かかる構成にあっても、前述した実施例と同様に、右側の視線にカメラ部材３４の光軸を一致できると共に、画角を変化させずに該カメラ部材３４のピント調整を行うことができる。 In the above-described embodiment, the gaze imaging unit is configured so that the left and right gaze imaging bodies can be independently changed in position to the left and right, but the configuration of the gaze imaging unit can be changed as appropriate. For example, FIG. 10 shows a head-mounted imaging device 81 of Alternative Example 2. The configuration of Alternative Example 2 includes a head belt portion 82 that is worn on the wearer's head, and a gaze imaging unit 86 attached to the head belt portion 82 via a connecting member 84. The connecting member 84 is made up of a plurality of movable portions 85 connected to each other so that they can tilt, and a lighting device 87 is connected to the movable portion 85 on the tip side, and the gaze imaging unit 86 is connected to the lighting device 87 so that it can tilt. The line-of-sight imaging unit 86 includes a pair of first refracting members 91, 91 that refract the left and right lines of sight inward, a pair of second refracting members 92, 92 that refract the left and right lines of sight refracted by the first refracting members 91, 91 forward, and a pair of prisms 33, 33 that pass the left and right lines of sight refracted by the second refracting members 92, 92 forward, and the first refracting members 91, 91 and the second refracting members 92, 92 are disposed inside a first housing section 88, and the prisms 33, 33 are disposed inside a second housing section 89 disposed in front of the first housing section 88. A flat magnifying mirror 90 is disposed on the front portion of the second housing section 89. Here, the left and right prisms 33, 33 are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment and are disposed symmetrically. Furthermore, a camera housing 94 is provided on the right side of the second housing 89 via a connecting tube 95, and the camera body 51 of the camera member 34 is arranged inside the camera housing 94 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and the lens barrel 52 of the camera member 34 is arranged inside the connecting tube 95 so as not to be movable. An operation plate 55 is provided to relatively move the camera body 51 and the lens barrel 52 in the left-right direction. The camera housing 94 and the connecting tube 95 on which the camera member 34 is arranged have the same configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment, and the camera body 51 can be moved in the left-right direction relative to the lens barrel 52 by operating the operation plate 55 to adjust the focus. In the configuration of the modified example 2, the first refracting members 91, 91 and the second refracting members 92, 92 reduce the convergence angle of the left and right lines of sight, allowing the object to be viewed in a magnified view. Even with this configuration, as in the previous embodiment, the optical axis of the camera member 34 can be aligned with the right line of sight, and the focus of the camera member 34 can be adjusted without changing the angle of view.

１，７１，８１頭部装着型撮像装置
２保護メガネ（頭部装着部）
３３プリズム（視線通過部材）
３４カメラ部材（撮像手段）
５２鏡筒部（レンズ部材）
５５操作板部（相対距離変更手段）
６１画像表示装置
８２ヘッドベルト部（頭部装着部）
Ｐ光軸
Ｓ１，Ｓ２視線 1, 71, 81 Head-mounted imaging device 2 Protective glasses (head-mounted part)
33 Prism (line of sight member)
34 Camera member (imaging means)
52 barrel portion (lens member)
55 Operation plate portion (relative distance changing means)
61 Image display device 82 Head belt part (head mounted part)
P Optical axis S1, S2 Line of sight

Claims

A head-mounted part to be mounted on the head of a wearer;
A line of sight passing member attached to the head mounting part and allowing at least one of the wearer's left and right lines of sight to pass forward;
an imaging means arranged adjacent to the line-of-sight passage member and capable of imaging an object through the line-of-sight passage member;
The line of sight passage member is
The optical system includes one or more prisms that pass the wearer's line of sight forward and refract the optical axis of the imaging means forward,
The imaging means is
a lens member including a lens arranged opposite to the prism of the line-of-sight passing member;
an image pickup element that captures an image of the object through a lens of the lens member;
a relative distance change unit that changes a relative distance between the lens member and the image sensor along the optical axis,
The lens member is provided immovably relative to the line-of-sight member,
The imaging means is
a camera body provided with the imaging element;
a lens barrel portion constituting the lens member, the lens being integrally provided therewith and rotatably screwed to the camera body portion so as to be movable toward and away from the image sensor;
A camera member comprising:
The relative distance change means
an operation plate portion that is provided on the lens barrel portion and is rotated;
a lens barrel portion that is threadedly advanced toward or away from the camera body portion by rotating the operation plate portion, and the lens barrel portion is configured to change a relative distance between the lens and the image sensor by the movement toward or away from the camera body portion, thereby enabling focus adjustment;
The head mounted part includes:
a first housing portion having the prism disposed therein;
a connecting tube portion provided outside the first housing portion and communicating with the first housing portion;
A housing having
The camera member includes:
the lens barrel is disposed in the connecting tube portion so that the lens is opposed to and close to a side surface of the prism and is immovable relative to the prism;
the camera body is movably disposed outside the connecting tube;
A head-mounted imaging device characterized in that, when the operating plate portion is rotated, the camera body portion moves relative to the mirror barrel portion while the distance between the lens and the prism of the mirror barrel portion is kept constant.

2. A method for adjusting a line-of-sight image in a head-mounted imaging device according to claim 1, for aligning a viewpoint of a wearer with an image captured by an imaging means, comprising:
a display step of displaying an image captured by the imaging means on an image display device installed at a predetermined position;
an adjustment step of adjusting a position of the line-of-sight passage member with respect to the wearer's eye so as to align a position of a viewpoint of the wearer through the line-of-sight passage member with a position of an image displayed on the image display device;
A line of sight image adjustment method comprising a focus adjustment step of adjusting the relative distance between a lens member of an imaging means and an imaging element by a relative distance change means to focus an image displayed on the image display device.