JPH07128615A - Stereoscopic viewer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the stereoscopic viewer with which an observer is able to view transversely long stereoscopic photographs having a wide feel and which is formable to a smaller size. CONSTITUTION:A first observation image PL and second observation image PR which are arranged vertically apart and have a parallax are formed as observation objects. This stereoscopic viewer is constituted by having a first reflection optical system (composed of a mirror M1 and mirror M2) and second reflection optical system (composed of a mirror M1 and mirror M3) for introducing the first observation image PL and the second observation image PR to the observer's left and right eyes by bending these images in a perpendicular direction, by which the observation objects are widened. Since these images are respectively observed by bending the images in a vertical direction, the size of the first reflection optical system and the second reflection optical system is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereo viewer that obtains a stereoscopic image by arranging two photographs having parallax and viewing them with both eyes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a viewer for viewing two so-called stereoscopic pictures having parallax, that is, a stereo viewer, there are a magnifying glass, a mirror, and a prism.

An example of using the loupe is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-119424, and its principle will be described with reference to FIG.

[0004] In FIG 7, the P _L first photo, with respect to P _R is P _L, was taken from a relatively right, that is, the second photo having a predetermined disparity with respect to P _L.

EP _L is the eyepoint of the left eye of the stereoscopic image observer, and EP _R is the eyepoint of the right eye. W _EP is the distance between both eye points and is usually about 65 mm.

L _L is a first lens for observing the first photograph P _L with the left eye, and L _R is a second lens for observing the second photograph P _R with the right eye.

When an observer looks into the viewer having the above-mentioned structure, virtual images of the photographs P _L and P _R formed by the lenses L _L and L _R are formed so as to overlap IM, and this is recognized as a stereoscopic image.

A viewer using one mirror is described in Asahi Camera Magazine, November 1992, page 108, and FIG. 8 shows this principle.

In FIG. 8, the first photograph P _L is the mirror M2.
The light is reflected by the back surface of the second mirror 2 and the surface of the mirror M21 and is guided to the eye point EP _L of the observer's left eye.
_R is reflected by the front surface of the mirror M24 and the back surface of the mirror M23 and is guided to the eye point EP _{R of the} right eye. Then, the reflection image of each photo is the image IM in the middle of the two photos and slightly behind it.
And is recognized as a stereoscopic image.

Further, as a viewer using a prism, two photographs are arranged side by side or up and down in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 62-109135, and the light flux from each photograph is deflected through the prism to observer's eyes. It is disclosed that an example in which two photographs are combined into one to form a three-dimensional image.

[0011]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following drawbacks.

First, in the photographs taken by general users, the proportion of landscape photographs (which are referred to as landscape photographs) is higher than the proportion of portrait photographs (which are referred to as portrait photographs). Especially in the so-called panoramic print, which is becoming more and more popular recently, the ratio of lateral position photographs is overwhelmingly high. However, in the above-mentioned two conventional stereo viewers, the vertical position photo is usually used because the two images are arranged side by side, but the vertical position photo has limited scenes with a wide feeling. , Not suitable for stereo photography.

Further, in the conventional example of FIG. 7, since the lateral dimension of the photograph P _L or P _R cannot be made larger than the eye point interval W _EP , it becomes a special size print or slide original plate, and it is not a general print, so the print It is unsatisfactory in terms of delivery time and price, which imposes inconvenience and high cost on the users.

On the other hand, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, in order to view a landscape photograph, the horizontal dimension of each mirror must be increased. Then, the mirror M21 covers the mirror M22 and the mirror M22 vignets. Will end up. In order to prevent this vignetting, the mirrors M21 and M22 have to be separated from each other, but then the mirror M22 needs a larger effective area, which has the disadvantage that the viewer becomes very large.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-109135, prints are viewed side by side, so that a landscape photograph can also be viewed. However, it has the disadvantage of being limited to one location, and the image is deteriorated by chromatic aberration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and provide a miniaturized stereo viewer capable of viewing a horizontally long and wide stereo image.

[0017]

The structure for achieving the object of the present invention is as described in each of the claims, and for example, the first parallax having a parallax arranged vertically is provided. The observation image and the second observation image of
The first observation image and the second observation image are bent in the vertical direction and are guided to the left and right eyes of the observer, respectively. The first reflection optical system and the second reflection optical system are provided to widen the observation target. This is possible, and it is bent in the vertical direction and observed respectively, so that the first reflective optical system and the second reflective optical system can be downsized.

[0018]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. First, the principle will be described with reference to FIG.

A first picture P _L having a width W _P and a height h _p
On the other hand, the second photograph P _R having the same size and a predetermined parallax is arranged below the first photograph P _{L with} a gap d.

On the other hand, first to third mirrors M1, M2 and M3 are arranged on the observer side at the following angles.

First, the observation direction axis l _L1 of the left eye of the observer is set to the first
The visual axis and the observation direction axis l _R1 of the right eye are defined as the second visual axis, and the plane including both axes is defined as the visual axis plane (here, a horizontal plane). The first mirror M1 has a total reflection surface on the front side of the paper surface in the figure, the angle formed by the normal line and the visual axis plane is 45 °, and the projection line of the normal line on the visual axis plane is the two viewing angles. The axes l _L1 and l _R1 are arranged so as to be parallel to the median line.

The second mirror M2 has a total reflection surface on the back side of the paper surface and is arranged in parallel above the first mirror M1.

The third mirror M3 also has a total reflection surface on the back side of the drawing, and is arranged above the first mirror M1 and to the right of the second mirror M2 at an angle of δ with the second mirror M2. To be done.

In the above structure, the first visual axis l _L1 emitted from the eye point EP _L of the left eye is reflected upward by the first mirror M1 to become the visual axis l _L2 , and the second mirror M2.
Is re-reflected by and becomes a visual axis l _L3 parallel to the original visual axis l _L1 ,
It reaches the center C _L of the first photograph P _L.

On the other hand, the second visual axis l _R1 emitted from the eye point EP _{R of the} right eye is reflected upward by the first mirror M1 to become the visual axis l _R2 , and is re-reflected by the third mirror M3. reaches the center C _R of the second photo P _R becomes visual axis l _R3 facing downward with respect to the visual axis l _R1.

Therefore, the photo P _L by the three mirrors
The reflection images of P _L and P _L are slightly at the intersection of the extension lines l _L4 and l _R4 of the first and second visual axes l _L1 and l _R1 , that is, in the middle of the centers C _L and C _R of the two photographs P _L and P _R. A composite image IM is formed in the back and is recognized as a stereoscopic image.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a viewer constructed based on the principle of FIG.

Reference numeral 11 is a viewer body, which is a protrusion 11a at the left end.
The print table 12 is rotatably supported by a rotary shaft 13. The print table 12 has rail-like protrusions 12 _L and 12 _R that are parallel to each other and have grooves.
Photos P _L and P _R are stored.

An eyepiece frame 14 is rotatably supported by a protrusion 11b at the right end of the main body via a rotary shaft 15. The eyepiece frame 14
An observation window 14a is provided at the center of the first mirror M1 and a first mirror M1 is provided at the back (left side in the figure) of the window 14a.
Fixed through.

On the other hand, the second mirror M2 is the second mirror stand 17
The second mirror stand 17 is rotatably supported by the eyepiece frame 14 via a turning shaft 18. Then, while the second mirror stand 17 is given a right-handed turning force by the tension coil spring 19,
Angle adjusting screw 2 inserted into the screw hole 14b of the eyepiece frame 2
Right turn is restricted at 0. Therefore, the angle of the second mirror M2 can be adjusted by feeding the screw 20.

The third mirror M3 is fixed to the eyepiece frame 14 by the third mirror base 21.

With the above construction, the first and second visual axes l _L1 and l _R1 from the observer's eye points EP _L and EP _R are reflected upward by the first mirror M1 and the first visual axis l _L2 is reflected by the second mirror M2, becomes the visual axis l _L3, and reaches the center C _L of the first photograph P _L. On the other hand, the second visual axis l _R2 is reflected by the third mirror M3 and becomes the visual axis l _R3 and reaches the center C _R of the second photograph P _R. Here, the mirror M2
When the relative angle of M3 is δ, the relative angle of the visual axes l _L3 and l _R3 is 2δ, so the length of the visual axis l _L3 is [l _L3 ], and the vertical distance between the two pictures is h _p + d. In this case, δ may be adjusted so that [l _L3 ] · sin δ = (h _p + d) / 2. In practice, the observer looks through the window 14a of the eyepiece frame 14 and turns the screw 20 until the reflected images of the first and second photographs P _L and P _R coincide with each other without vertical deviation. The angle of the mirror M2 may be adjusted. Then the first, second photo P _L, P _R
The reflected image of appears on the IM portion and is recognized as a stereoscopic image.

In this embodiment, in FIG. 2, a horizontally long photograph can be obtained by simply increasing the horizontal dimension of the first mirror M1, the left dimension of the second mirror M2, and the right dimension of the third mirror M3. Fig. 6
It is not necessary to increase the size as described in the conventional example.

The embodiment shown in FIG.
By rotating the shaft clockwise about the shaft 13 and rotating the eyepiece frame 14 counterclockwise around the shaft 15, compact storage is possible.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a principle diagram thereof. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the two photographs P _L and P _R are arranged in the same manner but the mirror configurations are different.

Similar to the first embodiment, the left eye observation visual axis l _L11
Is the first visual axis, the observation visual axis l _R11 of the right eye is the second visual axis, and the plane formed by both axes is the visual axis plane. And the first mirror M
In the figure, 11 has a total reflection surface on the front side of the paper surface, the angle formed by the normal line and the visual axis plane is 45 °, and the projection line of the normal line on the visual axis plane has two visual axes l _L11 and l _R11. It is placed so that it is parallel to the median line.

The second mirror M12 has a total reflection surface on the back side of the paper surface, that is, in the direction facing the mirror M11, and is arranged in parallel above the first mirror M11.

The third mirror M13 is the first mirror M11.
Is arranged on the right side of the above with an angle of 90 °, and the surface facing the eye point EP _R is the total reflection surface.

The fourth mirror M14 is the third mirror M13.
Is placed in parallel with the mirror M13 below and the surface facing the mirror M13 is a total reflection surface.

In the above structure, the first visual axis l _L11 emitted from the left eye point EP _L is the first mirror M1.
1 is reflected upward to become the visual axis l _L12 , and is reflected again by the second mirror M12 to be parallel to the original visual axis l _L11.
It becomes _L13 and reaches the center C _L of the first photograph P _L.

On the other hand, the second visual axis l _R11 emitted from the eye point EP _{R of the} right eye is reflected downward by the third mirror M13 to become the visual axis l _R12 , and re-reflected by the fourth mirror M14. It becomes a visual axis l _R13 parallel to the original visual axis l _R11 ,
_Reach the center C _R of the second photo P _R.

Therefore, the reflection images of the photographs P _L and P _R by the four mirrors are the intersections of the extension lines l _L14 and l _R14 of the first and second visual axes l _L11 and l _R11 , that is, the centers C of the two photographs.
_A composite image IM is formed slightly in the middle between _L and C _R and is recognized as a stereoscopic image.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a viewer constructed based on the principle of FIG. 31 is a printed board, has a rail-like projection 31 _L, 31 _R with grooves, first and second photo P _L, is P _R are housed here.

The print table 31 and the foot 32 are rotatably connected by a rotary shaft 33, so that the print table 31 can be erected on a desk or the like at an arbitrary angle close to vertical.

Reference numeral 41 is an eyepiece frame, and an observation window 41a is provided in the center thereof, and the first mirror M11 is provided on the back side (left side in the drawing) of the window at the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface via the first mirror base 42. It is attached to the eyepiece frame 41. Above it is the second mirror M
12 is also attached to the eyepiece frame 41 via the second mirror base 43.

On the other hand, the third mirror M13 is attached to the eyepiece frame via the third mirror base 44 on the other side of the first mirror M11 from the paper surface, and the fourth mirror M14 is attached below the third mirror M14 to the fourth mirror base 45. Fixed to. 47 is a lid and has two openings 47a and 47b. Here, the fourth mirror base 45 is fitted with a rail-shaped projection 41b provided on the eyepiece frame 41 and slidable in the vertical direction, and a rack gear 45b is provided at the left end of the base 45, which is It meshes with the pinion gear 46a of the gear shaft 46. The gear shaft 46 is attached to the outside of the wall on the other side of the eyepiece frame 41 so that the knob 46b protrudes. When the observer rotates the knob 46b, the pinion gear 46a drives the rack gear 45b and gradually increases to four mirrors. M14 moves up and down.

That is, the observer views the window 41a of the eyepiece frame 41.
Looking at the front from the first photo P _L and the second photo P
The position of the mirror M14 may be adjusted by turning the knob 46b of the gear shaft 46 until the respective reflected images of _R coincide with each other without shifting in the vertical direction. Then the first, second photo P _L,
The reflected image of P _R appears on the IM portion in an overlapping manner and is recognized as a stereoscopic image. The reflection angle of the fourth mirror M14 may be adjusted.

In this embodiment, the four mirror stands 42, 4
The mirror attachment surfaces of 3, 44 and 45 are all 45 °, and the two reflection visual axes l _L17 and l _R13 are parallel to each other in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Therefore, the print stand 31 and the eyepiece frame 41
The distance may be set arbitrarily.

Further, the second embodiment has the following advantages over the first embodiment. Mirrors M11, M13 and M12, M
When comparing the effective areas of M14 and M14, M12 and M14 farther from the eye point require a larger area than M11 and M13. Therefore, regarding how large a viewing angle can be obtained, the key is how large the lateral dimensions of the mirrors M12 and M14 can be. However, in the second embodiment, there are no members on both sides of both the mirrors M12 and M14. Therefore, it is easy to increase the area of both mirrors.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the mirrors M2 and M3 far from the eye point are adjacent to each other, the size cannot be increased in this joining direction. Therefore, the viewer having a wider viewing angle can be created in the second embodiment.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a principle diagram of the third embodiment, and while the two embodiments use mirrors, this embodiment uses first and second prisms PM _L and PM _R having apex angle α. There is.

Two visual axes l_L21, L_R21Formed by
The first prism PM with respect to the axial surface_LIs thick in the vertical direction
Second prism PM_RSo that it becomes thicker vertically downward
It is configured. Therefore, the first visual axis l_L21Is the first pre
Zum PM_LRefracted upwards at the visual axis l_L22Becoming the first
Photo P_LCenter C_LReach The second visual axis l_R21
Is the second prism PM_RIs refracted downward at_R22
Became the second photo P_RCenter C_RReach There 2
The images by the two prisms are the first and second visual axes l_L21, L_R21
Extension line l_L23, L_R23Intersection of two pictures P
_L, P_RCenter C _L, C_RFormed as a composite image IM in the middle of
Is formed, and this is recognized as a stereoscopic image. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the viewer comprised based on the principle. 51 is a book
The protrusion 51a at the left end of the body is printed via the rotating shaft 53.
The base 52 is rotatably supported. The print table 52 has a groove
Rail-shaped projection 52 having_L, 52_RHave here and first
And the second photo P_L, P_RIs stored. Protrusion on the right edge of the main unit
The eyepiece frame 54 can be rotated around the portion 51b via a rotation shaft 55.
Supported by. An observation window 54a is provided in the center of the eyepiece frame 54.
Is provided, and is indicated by reference numeral 56 at the back of the window (left side in the figure).
First prism PM_LIs fixed via the first prism base 56.
Is determined. On the other hand, the second prism PM_RSecond prism
The second prism P is fixed to the eyepiece frame 54 via the table.
M_RAre omitted in this figure.

Next, the structure of the prism PM _L , that is, the prism 56 will be described.

The prism 56 is composed of first, second and third transparent plates 56a, 56b and 56c, and bellows and connecting liquids 56d and 56e for connecting them. First, the first and third transparent plates 56 a and 56 c are the first prism base 57.
The second transparent plate 56b in the middle is fixed to the transparent plates 56a and 56c by bellows, and the upper end of the second transparent plate 56b is fitted to the thread of the angle adjusting screw 58. Therefore, by turning the right end knob portion of the screw 58, the transparent plate 56b
The angle of is adjusted.

On the other hand, the first liquid 56d has a high refractive index and low dispersibility, and the second liquid 56e has a low refractive index and high dispersibility. Therefore, the prism 56 is
_It acts as a liquid achromatic prism that deflects _L22 upward with respect to the visual axis l _L21 . Then, the second prism PM _R is arranged in the back of the prism 56 in the drawing.
Are arranged upside down, the visual axis l _R22 is deflected downward without the occurrence of chromatic aberration.

In the above arrangement, the first and second photographs P
Images of the prisms PM _L and PM _R of _L and P _R appear to overlap with each other on the IM portion and are recognized as a stereoscopic image. When the two images are vertically displaced from each other, the knob portion of the angle adjusting screw 58 is turned to rotate the first prism P.
The refractive power of M _L changes and two images can be superimposed.

In the third embodiment, the eyepiece frame 54 may be separated from the main body 51 to be independent, and the eyeglass frame may be formed. In this case, even if the print and the viewing distance of the observer change, the two images can be overlapped and stereoscopically viewed by adjusting the screw 58. Further, in the third embodiment, the prism is an achromatic prism using two kinds of liquid, but it is of course possible to replace the prism with two kinds of solid prisms. In this case, the refraction power adjusting action of the prism becomes long, but the achromatic action is the same.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

Since the stereo image in the horizontal position can be observed, it is possible to enjoy a stereoscopic view with a wide feeling.

Since prints of normal size, for example, prints called E size and L size can be viewed,
There is no dissatisfaction with the delivery date and cost of prints, and it is possible to easily enjoy many stereo photos at a low cost.

For prints having the same vertical dimension and different aspect ratios, for example, L prints, high-definition (H) prints, and panorama (P) prints, each print can be viewed without changing the viewer specifications. Becomes

Since only a mirror or a prism is used without using a lens, the image quality is natural, the stereoscopic effect does not feel uncomfortable, and the eyestrain does not occur.

The effect is as follows.

Further, as a peculiar effect of the invention of claim 4, since there is no restriction on the observation distance and the print holder and the viewer can be separately provided, stereo software is displayed on the CRT or the like and viewed by the viewer. It is also possible to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the principle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the principle of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the principle of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the principle of a conventional stereo viewer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the principle of another conventional stereo viewer.

[Explanation of symbols]

M1 to M3, M11 to M14 ... Mirrors 12, 31,
52 ... print table PM _L, PM _R ... prism

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first observation image and a second observation image having a parallax, which are vertically spaced apart from each other, are set as an observation target, and the first observation image and the second observation image are observed.
The stereo viewer having a first reflection optical system and a second reflection optical system which bend the observation image and the second observation image in the vertical direction and guide them to the left and right eyes of the observer, respectively. 2. The first reflection optical system and the second reflection optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first reflection optical system and the second reflection optical system each have an observation side reflection member whose reflection surface faces an observation image, and an eyepiece side reflection whose reflection surface faces the observer side. A stereo viewer having a member, wherein the observation image is bent in the vertical direction by the observation side reflection member and the eyepiece side reflection member. 3. The eyepiece side reflecting member of the first reflecting optical system and the second reflecting optical system according to claim 2, wherein a common reflecting member is used, and the first reflecting optical system or the second reflecting optical system is used. A stereo viewer characterized in that it is possible to adjust the reflection angle of one of the observation side reflection members. 4. The observation-side reflecting member and the eyepiece-side reflecting member of the first reflecting optical system and the second reflecting-optical system are independent of each other, and each of the eyepiece-side reflecting members has a reflecting surface above and below, respectively. A stereo viewer characterized in that the viewer-side reflecting members are arranged in opposite directions and are spaced apart in the vertical direction. 5. The observing-side reflecting member of at least one of the first reflecting optical system and the second reflecting optical system according to claim 4,
A stereo viewer characterized in that a distance to a corresponding eyepiece reflection member or a reflection angle can be adjusted. 6. A first observation image and a second observation image having a parallax, which are vertically separated from each other, are set as an observation target, and the first observation image and the second observation image are observed.
The first refraction optical system and the second refraction optical system which refract the observation image and the second observation image in the upside-down direction with respect to the vertical direction and guide them to the left and right eyes of the observer, respectively. Optical system and second
A stereo viewer in which at least one of the refracting optical systems has a variable refracting power. 7. The variable refracting system according to claim 6, wherein the first refracting optical system and the second refracting optical system are composed of at least two transparent plates whose relative angles are adjustable and a transparent liquid enclosed between the transparent plates. A stereo viewer characterized by being an apex angle prism. 8. A first observation image and a second observation image having a parallax, which are vertically separated from each other, are observed, and the first observation image and the second observation image are observed.
The first refraction optical system and the second refraction optical system which refract the observation image and the second observation image in the upside-down direction with respect to the vertical direction and guide them to the left and right eyes of the observer, respectively. Optical system and second
A stereo viewer characterized in that at least one of the refracting optical systems is an achromatic prism in which two optical members having optically different properties are joined.