JPH02260891A - Stereoscopic camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate zoom fluctuation operation and adjustment of various parameters attended with the operation without causing optical axis deviation by providing plural systems of one or both of left/right eye objective optical means and providing an optical path change means corresponding to plural objective optical systems. CONSTITUTION:Two sets of TV cameras are not used, rays of light from two left/right directions are sent to a common optical path synthesis means 7 coaxially and a stereoscopic video image is picked up by picking up alternately the rays of light from the two directions. The proper combination of distances of plural objective optical means 32, 33 preset to view the observation object 1 in every direction is selected in response to the zoom. The direction from any direction is corrected by optical path polarization means 52, 53 according to a common optical axis before the incidence in the optical path synthesis means 7. Then any one of optical path is selected in response to the zoom by shutter devices 181, 182. Thus, the optical axis or various parameters attended with the fluctuation of zoom is adjusted easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a stereoscopic television device that utilizes binocular parallax,
Even when the lens system of the photographing means is zoomed, there is no deviation between the images for the left and right eyes, and the distance between the optical axes of the images for the left and right eyes is adjusted according to the zoom value and the distance to the observation target. This invention relates to a three-dimensional camera device that can be used without causing any disturbance.

(Prior Art) For example, a so-called stereoscopic television device has become a useful means for providing visual information when operating a working machine installed in a remote location.

In the above-mentioned 3D television system, the object that the operator wants to observe can be observed using two cameras with the left and right eyes, each with a slightly different shooting direction.
Displaying double images taken with a TV camera on one screen,
There is a means for separately providing left and right images to the left and right eyes of the operator using appropriate means. The TV camera generally has individual lens systems attached to individual image pickup elements.

By the way, in order to provide an appropriate stereoscopic image to the operator, it is desirable that the above-mentioned double images on the screen be separated by a suitable distance of m only in the horizontal direction (within the reference plane).
For TV cameras using method L, after matching the relative relationship between the optical axis of the lens system and the video element for each TV camera, it is necessary to precisely adjust the relative relationship between these two TV cameras. . This adjustment must be made not only during initial settings, but also as needed during use.

In particular, when the lens is moved to adjust its focus or change its zoom value, the optical axes of the lens systems of the two TV cameras mentioned above may move independently. It may not be possible to provide heavy-duty images.

In addition, in order to provide the viewer with images that are easy to observe, it is necessary to increase or decrease the distance between the two TV cameras according to the zoom value, but in this case, in the conventional technology, mechanical drive is involved.
This was a cause of the above-mentioned optical axis deviation.

In this way, with the stereoscopic camera configuration, the observer is forced to perform many operations when observing the stereoscopic image, and when using the stereoscopic camera as an observation means to remotely control a manipulator, etc., it is not an easy-to-use visual information medium. Ta.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in existing stereoscopic cameras and lens systems, adjustments of the optical axis and various parameters associated with zoom value fluctuations are often performed relatively frequently. It was not easy to use it continuously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional camera device in which a zoom value variation operation and accompanying various parameter adjustments can be easily performed without causing the above-mentioned optical axis deviation.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A stereoscopic camera device according to the present invention includes left and right objective optical means that see light in two left and right directions from the same observation target, and right and left A stereoscopic camera device for providing stereoscopic images, comprising an optical path synthesizing means for synthesizing the incident lights of the two onto the same optical axis, and a common optical means for left and right use for forming an image of the light from the optical path synthesizing means on an image sensor. A plurality of systems of one or both of the objective optical means for the left and right eyes are provided, and an optical path changing means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of objective optical systems and changes the optical path of the incident light, and the optical path changing means is provided. and shutter means for selecting one system of the plurality of incident lights changed in the above.

(Function) The three-dimensional camera device according to the present invention does not use two TV cameras, and among the means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the three-dimensional camera device according to the present invention coaxially connects light from two directions to the left and right to a common optical path combining means. By sending images from these two directions alternately, three-dimensional images are captured.

For a plurality of objective optical means, which are set in advance so as to view the object to be observed from various directions, an appropriate combination of intervals is selected according to the zoom value. Simply put, the closer the zoom value is set to the telephoto side, the wider the interval needs to be.

Before the light from either direction enters the optical path combining means, its direction is corrected by the optical path polarizing means so that it follows a common optical axis. Then, the shutter device selects one of the optical paths depending on the zoom value as described above.

(Example) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first example of a three-dimensional camera device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example.

Observation object 1 (drawn close for convenience in the figure) is photographed by a stereoscopic camera 2. This stereoscopic camera 2 is housed in a housing 19.

The image of the observation object 1 is captured by objective lenses 31 and 31, which are objective optical means respectively attached to the entrance holes of the stereoscopic camera 2.
32.33 at different angles. Although only three entrance holes are depicted in this embodiment, the number can be set arbitrarily depending on the usage situation. The optical axis followed by these incident lights is 41.42
．． 43 (two systems of incident optical axes). Of these, optical axis 4
1 is for left-eye images, and optical axes 42 and 43 are for right-eye images. When the lens zoom value described later is on the telephoto side, the optical axis 43 is used, and when it is on the wide-angle side, the optical axis 42 is used.
is used. After the optical axis 43 is reflected by a reflecting prism 53 which is an optical path changing means, it reaches a shutter device 182, and the optical axis 42 reaches another shutter device 181.

This figure shows a case where the lens zoom value is on the wide-angle side. At this time, the shutter device 181 is in an open state,
The shutter device 182 is in a closed state. Therefore, in this figure, the optical axis 43 cannot pass through the shutter device 182, and only the optical axis 42 passes through the shutter device 181. The optical axis 42 that has passed through the ivy 181 is reflected by a beam splitter 52 as an optical path changing means, passes through a polarizing plate 62, and then reaches another beam splitter 7 as an optical path combining means. In this way, the shutter devices 181 and 182 constitute a shutter device that selects one system of incident optical axes.

The left eye image optical axis 41 passes through the polarizing plate 61 and reaches the beam splitter. This polarizing plate 61 is in a relationship with the aforementioned polarizing plate 62 so that their polarization directions are perpendicular to each other. The two optical axes 41 and 42 leading to the beam splitter 7 follow the same optical axis 8 (drawn side by side in this figure for convenience) within the beam splitter 71, and reach the polarization switching means 9. This polarization switching means 9 has a characteristic that the direction of the polarized light to be passed can be matched to the polarization direction of the polarizing plates 61 and 62 described above, and either one can be selected by a signal from the switching control device 10. .

This polarization switching means 9 can be made of, for example, a liquid crystal material. In this figure, a signal is applied so that the left-eye image optical axis 41 passes through and the right-eye image optical axis 42 is blocked.

The optical axis that has passed through the polarization switching means 9 passes through a lens system 11 that constitutes a common optical means, and reaches a TV camera 12 that is an imaging means. The image on the image carrier element of the TV camera 12 is provided to the viewer 17 as a stereoscopic image using a known image processing method. In this example, the field frequency of the image obtained by the TV camera 12 is doubled by the image control device 13, and left and right eye images are alternately projected onto a double-speed monitor 14 whose scanning frequency is twice as high. An optical shutter 15 is attached to the front surface of the double-speed monitor 14 to apply different optical modulation to the left and right eye images on the double-speed monitor 14. An observer 17 puts on the image selection glasses 16 and senses a stereoscopic image by viewing the corresponding images with the left and right eyes.

FIG. 2 shows the selection of the incident optical axis when the lens system 11 is set in a telescope. In order to make it easier to understand, the object of observation and image processing means are omitted.

In this figure, in the shutter devices 181 and 182 described above, the shutter device 181 is in a closed state, and the shutter device 1
82 is in an open state. Therefore, the right eye image optical axis 42, 4
3, the optical axis 43 reaches the optical path combining beam splitter 7, and the optical axis 42 is blocked by the shutter device 181.

Furthermore, this figure depicts a case in which the state of the polarization switching means 9 described above is also different from that in FIG. 1. That is, in this figure, in response to a signal from the switching control device 10 (not shown), only the optical axis 43 for the right eye image among the optical axes 41 and 43 for the left and right eye images is allowed to pass, and the optical axis 41 for the left eye image is passed through. Blocked.

Portions not shown in this figure are the same as in FIG. 1.

Note that if the distance to the observation object 1 is relatively short, it may be easier to observe the three-dimensional increase if the incident optical axis is slightly tilted inward to give a convergence angle. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to give the reflecting prism 53 an oscillating rotation as shown by an arrow, the convergence angle is made up of a half-moon-shaped gear 203 to which the reflecting prism 53 is fixed, and a motor 223 that drives the gear 213 that meshes with the semi-moon-shaped gear 203. A setting mechanism is provided. Further, the beam splitter 52 may also be provided with a similar mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment according to the present invention. In this figure, some parts common to the previous embodiment are omitted to make the explanation easier to understand.

In this figure, only one system of objective lens 31 is installed for the left eye image, and three objective lenses 32, 33, 3 are installed for the right eye image.
4 are available. The closer the zoom value of the lens system 11 is to the telephoto side, the more outer the objective lens system for the right eye image is used.

This figure depicts the case where the zoom value is set to a medium level. At this time, since the incident optical axis 43 passing through the lens system 33 should reach the optical path combining beam splitter 7,
The optical axis 34 on the right outer side is reflected by the reflection prism 54 and then blocked by the shutter device 184 in the closed state.
2 is blocked by another shutter device 181 in the open state. Since the other shutter devices 182, 183 are in the open state, only the optical axis 43 reaches the beam splitter 7.

The contents other than the above are the same as those explained in FIG. 1 or 2. However, in this figure, the state of the modified head means 9 is depicted in the same manner as in FIG. 2, and the optical axis for the right eye image passes through the lens system 11.

In this embodiment as well, the reflection prism 54 is provided with a convergence angle setting mechanism consisting of a semicircular gear 204 to which it is fixed, and a motor 224 that drives a gear 214 that meshes with the semicircular gear 204. Further, a similar mechanism may be provided in the beam splitter 52 or 531 depending on the zoom value of the lens system 11.

The lens system 1 has a large number of entrance holes as shown in this figure.
This is a case where the zoom ratio of 1 is large, and an appropriate number is set depending on the degree of this zoom ratio.

In Figures 1 to 3, there is one optical axis for the left eye image (41
), and the optical axis for the right eye image is set to multiple systems (42, 43
, 44>, however, the numbers of optical axes for left and right eye images may be reversed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, some parts that are common to the previous embodiments are omitted to make the explanation easier to understand.

In this embodiment, a plurality of optical axes for left and right eye images are installed, and the outer optical axis (4
1, 44) or the inner optical axis (42°43) is selected. This figure shows a case where the lens zoom value is set to the wide-angle side. At this time, the telephoto side optical axis 41 for the left eye image and the telephoto side optical axis 44 for the right eye image are each connected to a reflecting prism 51.5.
4, the shutter device 181 is in a closed state,
184 is blocked. Further, the wide-angle side optical axis 42 for the left-eye image and the wide-angle side optical axis 43 for the right-eye image pass through the shutter devices 182 and 183 in the open state, and the optical axis 42 is reflected by the beam splitter 52 and the reflecting prism 20. After being reflected by the beam splitter 53, the optical axis 43 reaches the beam splitter 7 for optical path combining, and the same optical axis 8
(In this figure, they are drawn 1 point apart for convenience.) The structure and operation from this point on are the same as those described with respect to FIG.

In this embodiment, the optical path lengths of the optical axes for the left and right images can be set to be the same on the telephoto side and the wide-angle side, so even if the distance between the observation target and the TV camera is very short, the size of the left and right images can be adjusted. Good stereoscopic images can be observed without any difference.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another state of the third embodiment.

In this figure, some parts that are common to the previous embodiments are omitted to make the explanation easier to understand.

In this figure, the shutter assembly W182.183 is in the closed state,
This figure depicts a situation in which the shutter devices 181 and 184 are in an open state and the lens system 1 is set to the telephoto side.

In this embodiment as well, the reflecting prisms 51 and 54 are installed on gears 201 and 204 cut into half-moon shapes, and are swung as shown by the arrows via the gears 211 and 214 of the motor 221 and 224 attached to the housing 19. Dynamic torque is given. By aligning this rotational force with the midpoints 231, 234 of the reflecting prisms 51.54, the image optical axis 41.44 from the outside world can be moved from the outside without changing the optical axis from both reflecting prisms 51.54 to the beam splitter 7. It is possible to set the radiation by changing the angle of incidence of the beam.

In each embodiment, the gears 201 and 204 are cut into a half-moon shape, but other shapes may be used.

In addition, means for measuring the zoom value of the lens system 11 and the distance between the TV camera 2 and the observation object 1 are provided, and
It is also possible to automate the matters explained in the figure.

Note that the lens system 11 of the present invention may not be a zoom lens as described above, but may be a lens system having a plurality of intermittently focal points. In addition, the objective optical means includes a lens system 31.32.3.
In addition to 4, an optical fiber may be used. Reflection prism 51
, 53 and 54 may be flat reflecting mirrors or optical fibers.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to TV cameras (it goes without saying that it is also applicable to still cameras and aerial photography cameras).

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in a stereoscopic camera device that photographs the same observation target from two directions and provides a stereoscopic image to an observer, the optical means for adjusting the focus and zoom value are Since it is made common, the image sensor is divided into two parts on the left and right sides, unlike before.
It has fewer components and fewer mechanically moving parts than a system-based device. Therefore, maintainability, reliability, and durability are significantly improved, and in principle, the relative positions of the captured images for the left and right eyes do not shift during focus adjustment or zoom adjustment, and a good stereoscopic image can always be provided to the viewer.

Furthermore, when adjusting the distance between the optical axes for left and right eye images according to the zoom value, the distance is adjusted electrically as there are no mechanically movable parts, so the three-dimensional effect is impaired due to the shift of the optical axes due to this adjustment. This will further improve maintainability, reliability, and durability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment of the stereoscopic camera device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram of the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the second embodiment. Embodiment 3 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing another state of this embodiment. 1...observation object 2...stereoscopic camera 7...beam splitter (optical path combining means) 11...common lens system (
Common optical means) 13...Video control! l device 15...
- Optical shutter 16... Image selection glasses 17... Observer 19... Housing 31.32.33.34... Target lens system (objective optical means) 51... Reflecting prism (optical path changing means) ) 52...Beam splitter (optical path changing means) 53.54...Reflecting prism (optical path changing means) 181.182, 183.1
84...Shutter means 531...Beam splitter (optical path changing means) 1...
・II detector 12 ・Stereoscopic camera 7... Beam splitter (light path combining means) 11...
Common lens system (common optical means) 13...image-mmsi
Position 15...Optical shutter 16...Video selection ml
17...I! Sensor 119... Housing 31.32.33.34... Target lens system (objective optical means) 51... Reflection prism (optical path changing means) 52... Beam splitter (optical path changing means) 53.54...・Reflection prism (optical path changing means) 181.182.183.18
4.--Shutter means

Claims (1)

[Claims] Left and right objective optical means that see light in two directions, left and right, from the same object to be observed, an optical path combining means that combines the left and right incident lights from these objective optical means onto the same optical axis, and an image of the light from this optical path combining means. A stereoscopic camera device that is provided with a common optical means for both left and right eyes to form an image on an element, and provides a stereoscopic image, wherein a plurality of systems are provided with one or both of the objective optical means for the left and right eyes, and a plurality of objective optical means for the left and right eyes are provided. It is characterized by comprising an optical path changing means provided corresponding to each of the optical systems and changing the optical path of the incident light, and a shutter means selecting one system of the plurality of incident lights changed by the optical path changing means. 3D camera device.