JPH0775134A - Stereoscopic image pickup device and camera apparatus used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the low-priced stereoscopic image pickup device which can observe a stereoscopic image with high picture quality. CONSTITUTION:A stereoscopic image pickup device 1 is composed of left and right micro video cameras 20L and 20R, pan tilter 10 for vertically and horizontally moving these left and right cameras 20L and 20R, left and right micro video monitors 40L and 40R for respectively projecting the images photographed by the left and right cameras 20L and 20R, and left and right eye cups 50L and 50R respectively fitted to these left and right monitors 40L and 40R and provided with lenses 52 inside. Thus, the images respectively projected on the left and right monitors 40L and 40R are stereoscopically observed while being enlarged by the respective lenses 52 of the left and right eye cups 50L and 50R.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image pickup device used in virtual reality (virtual realization), 3D (three-dimensional), or the like, which makes it possible to see a clear and high-quality stereoscopic image, and to the device. The present invention relates to a camera device used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a stereoscopic image pickup device capable of observing a stereoscopic image is known. The present applicant has disclosed this stereoscopic image pickup device in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-30390. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16. Reference numeral 101 is a television camera, and the first prism means 1 is provided in front of the television camera 101.
02 is arranged. These television cameras 10
The first prism unit 102 and the first prism unit 102 constitute a photographing unit 103 that photographs the same subject as two pairs of independent optical images having parallax between the left and right sides in the same screen.

The video signal composed of the left and right optical images obtained by the photographing means 103 is once recorded in, for example, the VTR 104, or directly introduced into the reproducing means 105 having one color television picture tube. Then, in this one reproducing means 105, the one common screen 10
6. Optical images 107L and 107R having parallax corresponding to the left and right of the subject independent on the left and right, respectively.
Trying to play as.

A second prism means 108 is provided in front of the screen of the reproducing means 105, and the left and right reproduction optical images on the screen 106 of the picture tube of the reproducing means 5 are provided through the prism means 108. 107L, 107R
At the same time so as to be independently separated and observed by the corresponding left and right unaided eyes, thus allowing the left and right eyes to observe an optical image having a required left and right parallax with respect to the subject, and The brain is seeing these images as a composite stereoscopic image.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional stereoscopic image pickup apparatus 100, the television camera 101 and the color television picture tube 105 are large and expensive, so that the entire apparatus becomes expensive and large-scaled. There was an advantage.

Further, the color television picture tube 10 described above.
The left and right optical images 107L,
There is a drawback that a stereoscopic image cannot be clearly viewed without the shielding plate 109 or the like that divides into 107R.

Therefore, the present invention provides an inexpensive stereoscopic image pickup apparatus capable of viewing a high quality stereoscopic image and a camera apparatus used for the apparatus.

[0008]

A stereoscopic image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes left and right small cameras, a pan tilter for moving the left and right small cameras vertically and horizontally, and images taken by the left and right small cameras. Each of the left and right eyecups has an image that is displayed on the left and right small cups. It is configured to be enlarged and stereoscopically viewed.

The camera device used in the stereoscopic image pickup device includes left and right small cameras and a pan filter for moving the left and right small cameras vertically and horizontally, and is a core of an optical system of the left and right small cameras. The left and right small cameras are attached to the pan tilter so that the distance is matched with the distance between the left and right eyeballs. In other camera devices, small cameras are detachably attached to the left and right eyepieces of the binoculars.

[0010]

[Function] Since the stereoscopic image pickup device is constituted by the left and right small cameras, the left and right small monitors, the left and right eyecups, etc., the stereoscopic image can be clearly seen by the inexpensive device by viewing the enlarged images with both eyes. . Moreover, since the distance between the left and right small cameras of the camera device is adjusted to the positions of both eyes, a natural image can be obtained. Furthermore, in other camera devices, a stereoscopic image at a telephoto can be obtained by attaching the left and right small cameras to the left and right eyepieces of the binoculars, respectively.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a stereoscopic image pickup device. This stereoscopic image pickup device 1 includes a camera device 2, a monitor device 3 for displaying an image of the camera device 2, a controller 4 for controlling the position of the camera device 2, and the like, and each of these devices 2, 3 and controller 4. And a power source 5 for supplying electric power to the.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the camera device 2 includes
Pantilta 10 and rotating part 1 of this pantilta 10
1 has a U-shaped bracket 13 supported by a support shaft 12 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, a stay 14 fixed on the bracket 13, and holders 15 on both sides of the stay 14. It is composed of fixed left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pan tilter 10 is shown.
The rotating part 11 of the joystick 4 of the controller 4
The panning motor 6 driven by the operation of a can rotate the stay 14 leftward or rightward by rotating in the left-right direction around the central shaft 11a as shown by the arrow A. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the pinion gear 6 b fixed to the rotating shaft 6 a of the panning motor 6 meshes with the bevel gear 11 b provided on the rotating portion 11.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the bracket 13 of the pan tilter 10 is supported by the tilt motor 7 driven by the operation of the joystick 4a of the controller 4 to support the spindle 12
The center of the stay 1
4 can be moved upward or downward. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the tilt motor 7
A pinion gear 7b fixed to the rotating shaft 7a of the bracket 13 meshes with a tooth portion 13a formed on one side of the bracket 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R include a tubular camera body 21 and
A CCD 22 as an image pickup device attached to the front side of the camera body 21, and a lens barrel 23 detachably attached to the front side of the camera body 21 by a screwing method.
And an objective lens 24 mounted in the lens barrel 23 and having a focal length of f = 12 mm, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the axis C of the optical axis of each lens optical system of the left and right ultra-small video cameras 20L and 20R
The left and right small video cameras 20L and 20R are fixed in parallel on the stay 14 of the pan tilter 10 via the holders 15 so that the distance W of the right eyeball matches the distance W of the left and right eyes (W≈65 mm).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating portion 1 of the pan tilter 10 is located on the center line C ₀ of the axis C of the optical axis of each lens optical system of the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R.
The central axis 11a of No. 1 is located. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
The front surface of each of the CCDs 22 of L and 20R (the surface including the image forming surface of the objective lens) has a tilt center (tilt center) of the support shaft 12 of the bracket 13 when the optical axis C of the optical system of each lens is horizontal. ).

The monitor device 3 includes a mounting holder 32, which is provided on a support column 30 of a stand (not shown) so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction via a rod 31, and left and right openings 33, 33 of the mounting holder 32. It is composed of a left side miniature video monitor 40L and a left side eyecup 50L, and a right side miniature video monitor 40R and a right side eyecup 50R, which are slidably mounted via a slide plate 34, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the mounting holder 32
Is bent in a plane-inverted shape from the center and has an angle (for example, α = 3 °), and the rectangular left and right openings 33, 33 are formed from the central bent portion to both end portions. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the left and right microminiature video monitors 40L and 40R are square tube-shaped monitor bodies 41.
A rectangular display display window plate 42 fixed to the surface of the monitor body 41 on the mounting holder 32 side, and a color liquid crystal display mounted in a rectangular opening 42a formed in the center of the display display window plate 42. The panel 43, a backlight 44 arranged in front of the color liquid crystal display panel 43, a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the color liquid crystal display panel 43 and the backlight 44, and the like are roughly configured.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left and right eye cups 50L and 50R are square tube-shaped cup bodies 51.
And an eyepiece lens 52 built into this cup body 51
And a diopter adjusting knob 53 that allows the eyepiece lens 52 to move in the front-rear direction, and a mounting plate 5 that is mounted on the front surface of the cup body 51 and that has concave groove portions 54a and 54a in the upper and lower portions.
It is composed of 4 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, the left eyecup 50
The upper and lower groove portions 54a, 54a of the L mounting plate 54 are loosely fitted in the rectangular opening 33 on the left side of the mounting holder 32, and the microminiature video monitor 50L on the left side is connected by the screw 55 via the slide plate 34. There is also an eyecup 5 on the right side
The upper and lower grooves 54a, 54a of the 0R mounting plate 54 are loosely fitted in the rectangular opening 33 on the right side of the mounting holder 32, and the microminiature video monitor 50R on the right side is connected by screws 55 via the slide plate 34. . As a result, the left side micro video monitor 40L and the eye cup 50L and the right side micro video monitor 40R and the eye cup 50R are at least centered in the eye width direction via the left and right openings 33, 33 of the mounting holder 32. The distance between them can be approached and separated freely within the range of 60 mm to 70 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical axes of the lens optical systems of the left and right eyecups 50L and 50R are on a plane, and the left and right small video monitors 4 are located from the positions of the left and right eyecups 50L and 50R.
It is arranged so as to connect the intersections at the position of L (L = 30 cm to 5 m) toward 0L and 40R.

According to the stereoscopic image pickup apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the interval between the axis centers C of the optical axes of the lens optical systems of the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R is adjusted to the interval W between the left and right eyes. And left and right ultra-compact video cameras 20L, 20R
Since the center of rotation 11a of the rotating portion 11 of the pan tilter 10 is located between the left and right CCDs 22, 22 on the center line C ₀ of the axis C of the optical axis of each lens optical system, the pan tilter 10 is operated. At times, the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R can be moved with the same feeling as when a person shakes his / her head, and a natural image without any discomfort can be taken. Then, the video signal of the micro video camera 20L on the left side becomes an image of the micro video monitor 40L on the left side, and the video signal of the micro video camera 20R on the right side becomes an image of the micro video monitor 40R on the right side. Therefore, as shown in the electric circuit of FIG. 1, although the connection is extremely easy to understand, an image having the same quality as a normal television signal can be seen by each eye as a clear stereoscopic image.

As described above, the pan tilter 10, the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R, and the left and right miniature video monitors 40L, 40 and R are combined, and a simple mounting holder 32 and left and right eyecups 50L, 50R
By attaching the, the stereoscopic image pickup device 1 can have a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost. Further, the stereoscopic image can be viewed by the monitor device 3 even at a place away from the camera device 2.

FIG. 9 is a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus 1 of the above embodiment.
2A shows another embodiment of the camera device 2A. The camera device 2A is fixed to the pantilt 10, an U-shaped bracket 13 supported by a rotating portion 11 of the pantilt 10 via a support shaft 12 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. A casing-type base 16, a movable base 17 that moves in the left-right direction along a slot 16a formed in the upper surface of the base 16, a stay 14 fixed on the movable base 17, and a stay 14 of the stay 14. 1 holder on each side
Left and right ultra-small video cameras 20 fixed via 5
It is composed of L and 20R.

The structure of the pan tilter 10 is the same as that of the camera device 2 used in the stereoscopic image pickup device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and its rotating portion 11 is moved in the left-right direction by operating the joystick 4a of the controller 4. The stay 14 on the base 16 can be rotated to the left or to the right. The bracket 13 of the pan tilter 10 can be rotated in the vertical direction by operating the joystick 4a of the controller 4 to move the stay 14 on the base 16 upward or downward. Further, a motor 18 is attached to one side surface of the base 16, and a lower portion of the moving base 17 is screwed and fitted into a screw screw 19 fixed to a rotation shaft 18a thereof. The screw screw 19 is rotated by the operation of the seesaw-shaped switch button 4b of the controller 4 to rotate the movable table 1
The stay 14 fixed on the 7 can be moved in the left-right direction.

From the state shown in FIG. 10A, if the seesaw-shaped switch button 4b of the controller 4 is operated to move each of the video cameras 20L and 20R to the right, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B. become. Here, flowers in the foreground and trees in the middle move much closer, but clouds in the distant mountains hardly move. This allows the observer to know the perspective with higher accuracy. In this way, since the left and right video cameras 20L and 20R can be rotated in the vertical and horizontal directions and can be reciprocated in the horizontal directions, a more natural stereoscopic image with a high perspective can be viewed with an inexpensive device. it can.

FIG. 11 shows a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment. This stereoscopic image pickup device 1'includes a camera device 2 '.
And a monitor device 3 for displaying an image of this camera device 2 '.
The camera device 2'depending on the orientation of the person's head
And a rotary chair 60 for controlling the direction of the.

As shown in FIG. 11, the camera device 2'is
A pantilta 10 ', a base 16 fixed on the rotating portion 11 of the pantilt 10', and a reciprocating movement on the base 16 in the left-right direction via a pair of guide shafts 25, 25, a belt 26, and the like. A stand 17, an U-shaped bracket 13 which is swingably supported in the front-rear direction on the upper portion 17a of the moving stand 17 via a support shaft 12, a stay 14 fixed on the bracket 13, and a stay 14. It is composed of left and right ultra-small video cameras 20L and 20R fixed to both sides of 14 via respective holders 15.

The rotating portion 11 of the pantilt 10 'has an angle sensor 62 mounted on a support shaft 61 of a rotating chair 60.
The panning motor 6 which is driven by the measurement signal rotates in the left-right direction via the gear 11b and the like. The angle sensor 62 measures how much the chair 60 has turned, and the left and right microminiature video cameras 20 on the base 16 are the same angle θ as the angle θ at which the chair 60 rotates.
The L and 20R can be rotated leftward or rightward around the rotating portion 11.

The movable table 17 on the base 16 is the chair 6
It is configured to move in the left-right direction via a motor 27 that is driven by a measurement signal of a position sensor 65 that is reciprocally slidable on a pair of guide shafts 64, 64 above the stand 63 of 0, and a pair of pulleys 28, 29. . The position sensor 65 measures the left and right movements of the user's body (monitor device 3), and the movement table 17 is interlocked with the left and right movements of the monitor device 3.
The left and right ultra-small video cameras 20L and 20R can be moved in the left-right direction by the same distance L as the moving distance L of the monitor device 3.

Further, the bracket 13 on the moving table 17
Is the rotating unit 6 provided on the position sensor 65 of the chair 60.
A tilting motor 7 driven by a measurement signal from an angle sensor (not shown) in 6 rotates the support shaft 12 in the vertical direction to move the stay 14 upward or downward. The angle sensor in the rotating unit 66 measures whether the monitor device 3 is facing upward or downward, and is interlocked with the vertical movement of the monitor device 3 so that the left and right microminiatures on the stay 14 are miniaturized. Video cameras 20L, 2
0R in the vertical direction and the vertical movement angle α of the monitor device 3
It can be moved by the same angle α as. That is, since the pinion gear 7b fixed to the rotating shaft 7a of the tilt motor 7 is meshed with the fan-shaped gear 12a fixed to the support shaft 12, the pinion gear 7b is interlocked with the vertical movement of the monitor device 3 to move to the left and right. Ultra-small video camera 2
It is possible to move 0L and 20R up and down.

Left and right miniature video cameras 20L, 20R
Also, since the structure of the monitor device 3 is the same as that used in the stereoscopic image pickup device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same mode parts and the description thereof will be omitted. The monitor device 3 is configured to rotate via an attachment holder 32 that is provided on the upper end portion 31a of the rod 31 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the like. It can be freely attached to.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L, 2 are moved by the movement of the user's head or body.
The direction of 0R can be controlled by rotating vertically, rotating horizontally, or reciprocating horizontally. As a result, when the user shakes his / her body to the left or right or shakes his / her head, it is possible to obtain a perspective from the amount of displacement between the near view, the middle view, and the distant view, and it is possible to obtain a highly accurate and more natural stereoscopic view. Images can be viewed on inexpensive devices.

FIG. 13 shows a camera device 2B of another mode used in the stereoscopic image pickup devices 1 and 1'of the above-mentioned respective embodiments. In the camera devices 2 and 2'used in each of the above-described embodiments, the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R are provided on the stay 14 of the pan tilter 10, but this camera device 2B is used in place of the stay 14. The binoculars 25 are mounted on the bracket 13 of the pantilta 10 via the tripod adapter 14 ', and the left and right eyepieces 2 of the binoculars 25 are attached.
6 and 26 are combined with left and right ultra-small video cameras 20L and 20R. In this case, the left and right eyepieces 2
The left and right eyepiece lens barrels 27 and 27 for binoculars, which are screwed to 6 and 26, are removed, and the left and right microminiature video cameras 20L and 20R are mounted via the relay lens barrels 23 '.

As a result, a super-telephoto image can be taken, and a telephoto stereoscopic image can be viewed when used in the stereoscopic image pickup devices 1 and 1 '. By using commercially available binoculars 25, a very inexpensive super-telescopic stereoscopic image pickup device can be manufactured.

FIG. 14 shows a camera device 2C which is a modified example of the camera device 2B. This camera device 2C has the same configuration as the camera device 2B except that the lower base of the pan tilter 10 is removed and attached to the pantograph 71. The pantograph 71 is moved left and right by rotating in the left-right direction by a stepping motor (not shown) built in the base 70. Accordingly, it is possible to take a super telescopic image having a perspective, and when used in the stereoscopic image capturing apparatus 1 ', a telescopic stereo image having a perspective can be viewed.

According to the stereoscopic image pickup device 1'of the other embodiment, the orientation of the camera device 2'is controlled by utilizing the sensors 62, 65 and the like in association with the movement of the user's body. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the ultrasonic tracker 8 provided on the headphones 9 of the viewer 8 is used.
0 and the ultrasonic oscillator 90 disposed above the head may be linked to the movement of the body to control the orientation of the camera device.

[0038]

As described above, according to the stereoscopic image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the left and right small cameras, the pan filters for moving the left and right small cameras vertically and horizontally, and the left and right small cameras are used for photographing. The left and right small monitors that project the projected images and the left and right small monitors that are attached to the left and right small monitors, respectively, are configured with eye cups. It is possible to manufacture at low cost a stereoscopic image pickup device that is magnified by each lens of the eyecup and stereoscopically viewed, and it is possible to obtain a clear stereoscopic image.

In the stereoscopic image pickup device, the left and right small monitors and the left and right eyecups are sandwiched on the left and right sides of the mounting holder, so that the left small monitor is attached to the right small monitor. While installing the right eyecup, the left small monitor and eyecup and the right small monitor and eyecup are close to each other in the width direction of the eye via the above-mentioned mounting holder.
By providing them so that they can be separated from each other, the left and right eye cups can be reliably fitted to the left and right eyeballs of the user, and a clear and high-quality stereoscopic image can be obtained.

Further, in the above-mentioned stereoscopic image pickup apparatus, the left and right small cameras are provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions and are reciprocally movable in the left and right directions. It is possible to obtain a stereoscopic image.

Further, in the stereoscopic image pickup device,
Since each lens in the left and right eye cups is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, diopter adjustment can be easily performed, and a clear stereoscopic image can be viewed.

In the camera device used for the stereoscopic image pickup device, the left and right small cameras and the pan filters for moving the left and right small cameras vertically and horizontally are provided, and the axes of the optical systems of the left and right small cameras are provided. By installing the above-mentioned left and right small cameras on the pan tilter so that the distance between the cores matches the distance between the left and right eyeballs, you can shoot the same natural and comfortable image as when moving the human neck when operating the pan tilter. be able to.

Further, in the camera device used for the stereoscopic image pickup device, by attaching detachable small cameras to the left and right eyepieces of the binoculars respectively, a telephoto image can be taken. It becomes possible to see a telescopic 3D image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera device used in the stereoscopic image pickup device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the camera device seen from a plane side.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram seen from a side surface side of the camera device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a monitor device used in the stereoscopic image pickup device.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the monitor device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the monitor device seen from a plane side.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram seen from a side surface side of the monitor device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a camera device of another aspect used in the stereoscopic image pickup device.

10A and 10B are explanatory views showing a shooting state of a camera device of another aspect.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment.

12 (a), (b), (c) are side views, front views, showing a usage state of a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment.
Plan view.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a camera device according to another aspect.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the camera device of the another aspect.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional stereoscopic image pickup apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 '... Stereoscopic image pickup device 2, 2', 2A, 2B, 2C ... Camera device 10, 10 '... Pantilta 20L, 20R ... Left and right ultra-compact video cameras (small left and right cameras) 25 ... Binoculars 32 ... Mounting Holders 40L, 40R ... Left and right micro video monitors (small left and right monitors) 50L, 50R ... Left and right eyecups 52 ... Lens C ... Optical system axis W ... Left / right eyeball spacing

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Mamiya 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Left and right small cameras, pantilters for moving the left and right small cameras up and down, left and right, left and right small monitors that respectively display images taken by the left and right small cameras, and the left and right small Each monitor is equipped with an eyecup having a lens inside, and the images displayed on the left and right small monitors are magnified and stereoscopically viewed by the lenses of the left and right eyecups. A stereoscopic image pickup device characterized by the above. 2. The stereoscopic image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the left and right small monitors and the left and right eyecups are respectively sandwiched between the left and right sides of a mounting holder, and the left eyecup is attached to the left small monitor and the right side is attached. While the right eyecup is attached to the small monitor, the left small monitor and eyecup and the right small monitor and eyecup are provided so as to be close to and away from each other in the eye width direction via the mounting holder. And a stereoscopic image pickup device. 3. The stereoscopic image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the left and right small cameras are provided so as to be rotatable vertically and horizontally, and reciprocally movable horizontally. apparatus. 4. The stereoscopic image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein each lens in the left and right eyecups is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. 5. A camera device for use in a stereoscopic image pickup device, comprising left and right small cameras, and a pan tilter for moving the left and right small cameras vertically and horizontally, and an axis of an optical system of the left and right small cameras. A camera device in which the left and right small cameras are attached to the pantilt according to the distance between the left and right eyeballs. 6. A camera device for use in a stereoscopic image pickup device, wherein small cameras are detachably attached to the left and right eyepieces of the binoculars. 7. The camera device according to claim 6, wherein the binoculars are attached to a pan tilter.