JPH09224264A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain image pickup of a stereoscopic image and high definition image by the same image pickup device. SOLUTION: A lens 10 for stereoscopic image pickup and a lens 20 for high definition image pickup are prepared and either of them is mounted to an image pickup main body 100. In the case of using the lens 10 for stereoscopic image pickup, a light from optical systems 13, 14 of the right system is made incident to a lower half of an image pickup face of the image pickup section 52 and picked up and the light from optical systems 11, 12 of the left system is made incident to an upper half of an image pickup face of the image pickup section 52 and picked up. In the case of using the lens 20 for high definition image pickup, the light from the lens is made incident to the entire face of the image pickup face of the image pickup section 52 and picked up.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus for picking up at least two channel images of a left channel (L) and a right channel (R).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a technique for capturing an image of an object in order to generate a stereoscopic image, two image pickup devices for a left channel (L) and a right channel (R) are arranged on the left and right sides.
There is known a technique for simultaneously taking images of two image pickup device objects. In addition, as a technique for displaying a stereoscopic image from images of the two channels taken in this way, an image of the left channel (L) and an image of the right eye (R) channel are alternately displayed on one display screen. , A technique that allows the viewer's left and right eyes to be alternately covered with special glasses so that the viewer's left eye sees only the left channel (L) image and the right eye sees only the right channel (R) image Are known.

Further, as the two image pickup devices for the left channel (L) and the right channel (R), an image pickup device compliant with the current domestic standard television system NTSC system has been used. . In this case, the horizontal-to-vertical aspect ratio of the obtained stereoscopic image is 4: 3, the number of scanning lines is the left channel,
There will be 525 right channel channels.

As the television system, in addition to the above-mentioned NTSC system, a high-definition television system such as a high-definition system having about twice the number of scanning lines as the NTSC system or an ATV system is known. In the high-definition system, the number of scanning lines of the image is 1125 and the aspect ratio of the image is 16: 9.
It is stipulated that In addition, recently, while complying with the so-called wide broadcast, NTSC system,
The ED system and the EDII system in which the number of scanning lines of the image is 525 and the aspect ratio of the image is 16: 9 in the letterbox format have been put into practical use.

As described above, as the 1-channel television system, various systems having different numbers of scanning lines and different aspect ratios coexist. Also, regarding the two-channel television system, for example, it is desired to realize a stereoscopic image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9.

[0006]

According to the conventional technique for capturing a stereoscopic image, two image capturing devices for the left channel (L) and the right channel (R) are used to obtain one stereoscopic image. Is not economical and is inconvenient to handle.

Further, in order to obtain a one-channel image of a system other than the NTSC system, an image pickup device compliant with the system of the image to be obtained, which is separate from the two cameras compliant with the NTSC system, is required. Becomes Also, the aspect ratio is 16: 9.
In order to obtain a stereoscopic image of
Two image pickup devices for picking up an image at 6: 9 are required.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of picking up an image of two channels of a left channel (L) and a right channel (R) by one unit.

[0009] Furthermore, one unit is left channel (L)
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup device capable of picking up a two-channel image of the right channel (R) and picking up a one-channel image conforming to one or a plurality of methods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus suitable for managing, recording, and reproducing images taken by these image pickup apparatuses.

[0011]

To achieve the above object,
The present invention includes a light-receiving surface, an imaging unit that generates an image signal representing an image formed on the light-receiving surface, an image signal generated by the imaging unit that is subjected to predetermined processing, and an image represented by the image signal. And a recording signal for recording, or a signal processing unit for generating a display signal for displaying an image represented by the image signal, and an imaging unit main body, which is an area approximately half of the light receiving surface. A right channel imaging optical system that forms an optical image of an object in the channel image capturing area, and a left channel that is an area that is substantially half the light receiving surface and does not include the right channel image capturing area. And a stereoscopic image taking lens unit having a left channel taking optical system for forming an optical image of an object captured on the left side of the right channel taking optical system in the image taking area. The imaging device Subjected to.

According to the present image pickup apparatus, since the image pickup section is divided into the left channel image photographing area and the right channel image photographing area for use, a stereoscopic image for forming an image of an object in each of these areas is formed. Except for the photographing lens section, it is possible to construct an image pickup apparatus capable of picking up a 2-channel image with a single unit in a configuration substantially similar to the conventional one.

Further, in substantially the entire area of the light receiving surface,
If the stereoscopic image capturing lens unit and the single-channel image capturing lens unit that are selectively used are provided with an optical system for forming an optical image of an object, the present image pickup apparatus can be provided with:
It is also possible to take an image of a channel.

Further, the present invention has the following objects to attain the above objects.
A reproducing unit that is attached to the image pickup apparatus, attaches a portable storage medium on which a recording signal representing a captured image is recorded, and reproduces the recording signal and the identification signal recorded on the portable storage medium; A recording / reproducing unit for recording and reproducing the storage medium, and controlling the reproducing unit and the recording / reproducing unit to transfer the recording signal and the identification signal recorded in the portable storage medium to the second storage medium. And a transfer unit that performs the predetermined processing determined according to the identification signal reproduced from the second storage medium by the recording / reproducing unit, and the image represented by the recording signal is applied to the recording signal reproduced from the second storage medium. There is provided a storage / reproduction device having means for outputting a signal for displaying.

According to such a recording / reproducing apparatus, not only can a 1-channel image taken by the image pickup apparatus and a stereoscopic image formed by a 2-channel image be displayed, but also a second recording medium can be displayed. You can organize and record these images on top.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment.

The image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a lens interchangeable type image pickup apparatus, and one of a plurality of types of lenses is attached to the image pickup unit main body 100 for use. Figure 1 (a)
Shows that the lens 10 for photographing a stereoscopic image is attached, and FIG. 1B shows the lens 20 for photographing a high-definition image attached to the body of the photographing section.

As shown in the figure, the image pickup unit main body 100 includes a color filter 51 and an image pickup unit 52 using a two-dimensional solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD, a signal processing unit 50, and a signal processing unit 50.
And a mount section 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image pickup section 52 has a horizontal-to-vertical aspect ratio of approximately a: b = 16: 9 and a number of scanning lines (lines) of 1125, and captures a high-definition image. Is possible. In addition, the signal processing unit 50 includes the imaging unit 5
The image signal from 2 is recorded in the recording medium 60 in a predetermined format. Further, the image signal from the image pickup unit 52 is output from the output terminal 1.

The mount unit 30 is, for example, a bayonet mount, and when the mount unit 30 is mounted with the lens 10 for capturing a stereoscopic image, a stereoscopic mode signal is sent to the signal processing unit 50 via the contact point of the mount unit 30. If the lens 20 for high-definition image capturing is attached to the mount section 30, a high-definition mode signal is sent to the signal processing section 50. The signal processing unit 50 recognizes the shooting mode (stereo mode / high definition mode) according to the stereo mode signal and the high definition mode signal.

The lens 10 for photographing a stereoscopic image is composed of a first optical system for imaging the first image information (L), which is composed of a lens 11 for the left eye and a prism 12, and a lens 13 for the right eye and a prism 14. Second image information (R) Second for imaging
And an optical system.

The high-definition camera lens 20 has a third optical system for capturing the third image information (H), which is composed of the high-definition lens 21.

The three-dimensional camera lens 10 and the high-definition camera lens 20 are provided with a shutter 4 if necessary.
0 is provided.

When the lens 10 for taking a stereoscopic image is attached, the first optical system (11, 12, 40) of the lens 10
The first optical image that has passed through the
As shown in FIG. 2A, an image is formed and imaged in a region (first region) having an aspect ratio a: b / 2 of the upper half of the image capturing unit 52, and the signal processing unit as first image information (L). 52. In addition, the second optical system (13, 1
The second optical image passed through the color filter 51
Aspect ratio a: b of the lower half of the imaging unit 52
The image is formed and imaged in the / 2 area (second area), and is read out to the signal processing unit 52 as the second image information (R).

However, in each of the first and second areas of the image pickup section 52, the first and second optical images are approximately 1 in the vertical direction.
It is formed as an optical image contracted to / 2. Specifically, for example, an anamorphic lens that optically distorts the lenses 11 and 13 is used to perform optical vertical compression. The first optical system (11, 12, 40)
To the exit surfaces of the prisms 12 and 14 so that the light passing through the second area does not enter the second area and the light passing through the second optical system (13, 14, 40) does not enter the first area. Is provided with a mask that masks unwanted portions of the light beam.

The signal processing unit 50 recognizes that the current photographing mode is the stereoscopic mode based on the stereoscopic mode signal from the mount unit 30 and the stereoscopic image is picked up.
Predetermined signal processing is performed on the first image information L and the second image information R read from the imaging unit 52 to generate a recording signal, which is stored in the storage medium 60. At this time, the mode identification information indicating that the image was captured in the stereoscopic mode, the date information indicating the image capturing date, the number of captured images (or the recording medium 6).
Additional information such as (recording address to 0) and recorded voice information recorded by a voice processing unit (not shown) is also stored in the storage medium 60 in an analog or digital format.

Further, the signal processing unit 50, if necessary,
A display signal generated by subjecting the first image information L and the second image information R read from the imaging unit 52 to predetermined signal processing is output from the output terminal 1 together with a predetermined synchronization signal. This display signal is supplied to an image display device such as a television receiver or a monitor to display a stereoscopic image.

On the other hand, when the high-definition camera lens 20 is attached, the optical image (that is, the third image information H) passing through the third optical system (21, 40) of the high-definition camera lens 20 is As shown in FIG. 2B, the image is formed and imaged through almost the entire area (third area) of the aspect ratio a: b of the image pickup unit 52 through the color filter 51, and the high-definition image information (third image). The information H) is read by the signal processing unit 50. The high-definition image pickup lens 20 does not perform optical image compression like the stereoscopic image pickup, and the third image information H is not compressed in the third area and is in a normal state. The image is formed as it is as an optical image.

The signal processing section 50 recognizes that the current photographing mode is the high definition mode based on the high definition mode signal from the mount section 30 and the high definition image is being picked up. Predetermined signal processing is performed on the read third image information to generate a recording signal, which is stored in the storage medium 60. Further, at this time, mode identification information indicating that the image was captured in the high-definition mode, date information indicating the image capturing date, the number of captured images (or a recording address on the recording medium 60), and a voice not shown in the figure. Additional information such as recorded voice information recorded by the processing unit is also stored in the storage medium 60 in an analog or digital format.

Further, the signal processing unit 50, if necessary,
A display signal generated by subjecting the third image information read from the image pickup unit 52 to predetermined signal processing is output from the output terminal 1 together with a predetermined synchronization signal. This display signal is supplied to an image display device such as a television receiver or a monitor to display a stereoscopic image.

As described above, according to the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment, the image pickup section 52 can be used in common even if the photographing modes (stereoscopic mode or high-definition mode) are different. Further, most of the signal processing in the signal processing unit 50 can be made common to both modes.

For example, the output from the signal processing unit to the output terminal 1 in the stereoscopic mode and the high-definition mode can be different only in the cycle of the vertical synchronizing signal output in synchronization with the display signal. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 3 (a) shows the display signal and sync signal output when shooting in the stereoscopic mode, and FIG. 3 (b) shows the display signal and sync signal output when shooting in the high definition mode. Show.

When shooting in the high definition mode, FIG.
The display signal shown in (d) of (b), the horizontal synchronization signal shown in (e), and the vertical synchronization signal shown in (e) are generated by the signal processing unit 50 and output from the output terminal 1.

Here, a case where a display signal having a frame frequency of 30 Hz (field frequency of 60 Hz) is generated is shown. In addition, the numbers attached to the figures indicate line numbers, and h indicates a line period.

In this case, as shown in (d), each frame including 1125 scanning lines (line numbers # 1 to # 1125) has 1125/2 scanning lines per field.
= 562.5 lines are divided into the first and second fields (the field period is 562.5).
h = 1/60 seconds), the third image information H imaged in the third region in each field is output.

On the other hand, in the signal processor 50, the horizontal synchronizing signal HD2 and the vertical synchronizing signal VD2 having the timings shown in (e) and (f) of FIG. Output terminal 1 with the display signal of
Is output to

When the signal from the output terminal 1 is supplied to a television receiver or a monitor to display an image, as shown in FIG. The phase relationship is such that 1 interlaces, and an image display of 1,000 scanning lines (1125 lines), which is the same as in high-definition, is performed.

The line number # 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used.
The lines from # 563 to # 563 are lines of the image taken by the odd-numbered lines (1, 3, 5, ... 1125) of the image pickup unit 52, and the lines from line numbers # 564 to # 1125 are the lines of the image pickup unit 52. Even numbered lines (2, 4, 6, ... 112)
It is a line of the image captured in 4).

Next, in the case of photographing in the stereoscopic mode, the display signal shown in FIG. 3A, the horizontal synchronizing signal HD1 in FIG. 3B, the vertical synchronizing signal VD1 in C.
Is generated and output to the output terminal 1.

The contents of these signals are only that the period of the vertical synchronizing signal VD1 in (c) is 1/2 of the vertical synchronizing signal VD2 (f) in the high definition mode, only in the high definition mode. It is only different from the case of.

That is, each frame including 1125 scanning lines has 1125/4 = 2 scanning lines per field.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 4 to include 81.25
It is divided into two fields (the field cycle is 2
81.25h = 1/120 seconds), line numbers # 1 to #
282 first field and line numbers # 563 to # 8
In the 44th third field (that is, the odd field), the first image information L imaged in the first region is output,
In the second field of line numbers # 282 to # 563 and the fourth field of line numbers # 844 to # 1125 (that is, even field), the second image information R imaged in the second area is output.

The above-mentioned boundary between the first field and the second field, the boundary between the second field and the third field,
The boundary between the third and fourth fields, or the fourth
The boundary between the field and the first field of the next frame is
When displaying images in both cases, depending on the blanking period,
Since the image is invalidated, a so-called blanking in which a signal is not output by temporarily suspending the image capturing in the image capturing unit over a period of one line or a plurality of lines before and after these boundaries. You may make it form a period.

By the output of FIG. 3A, the output of FIG.
As shown in (1), the first field and the third field in which the first image information L (of the first channel) is displayed have a phase relationship such that they are interlaced 2: 1 with each other, and Even in the second field and the fourth field in which the second image information R of the channel is displayed, a phase relationship is obtained such that they are interlaced with each other 2: 1.

Therefore, the signal of each channel of the image information L of the left-eye channel and the image information R of the right-eye channel is 500 scanning lines (281.25 × 2 = 562.5).
The number of scanning lines is 500 lines × 2 channels = thousands (562.5 × 2 = 1125 lines).

This display image appears as a double image of the left-eye image L and the right-eye image R. This double image is, for example,
Using optical shutter glasses that use liquid crystals,
It can be visualized as a stereoscopic image.

That is, in synchronism with the field cycle of the display signal, the left and right shutter glasses are opened and closed so that the left and right shutter glasses are switched alternately (every 1/120 second) so that only the left eye image information L appears in the left eye and the right eye in the right eye. Is the right-eye image information R
If only the image is shown, the viewer can see it as a stereoscopic image.

If the left and right sides of the shutter glasses are simultaneously opened and closed with only one of the odd field and the even field of the display signal, the stereoscopic image is monaural with 500 scanning lines (562.5 lines). You can also make it visible.

Also, in this stereoscopic mode, the subject image is optically compressed by about 1/2 in the vertical direction and is captured.
In a television receiver or a monitor device, if the following display is performed, this is not displayed as a distortion, and a normal stereoscopic image without distortion can be displayed.

That is, FIG. 2 in the high definition mode.
In contrast to the vertical synchronization information VD2 of (f), the vertical synchronization information VD1 of FIG.
Therefore, the stereoscopic mode with a vertical cycle of 1/2 (1/120 seconds) is identified on the television receiver or monitor side based on the identification information or by identifying the difference in the vertical cycle. In this case, if the vertical scanning is switched so that the vertical deflection speed (vertical change distance per line) is doubled as compared with the case of the normal high definition mode in which the vertical cycle is 1 (1/60 second). The image displayed in this stereoscopic mode is magnified almost twice in the vertical direction (in the example of FIG. 4, the interval between the scanning lines is doubled), and it is possible to display without distortion.

As described above, it has been shown that the contents of the signal processing performed by the signal processing unit 50 regarding the output to the output terminal 1 are almost the same.

Although detailed description is omitted, the signal processing for storing a signal in the storage medium 60 of the signal processing unit 50 is also performed by the reproducing apparatus at the time of image reproduction in the shooting mode stored in the storage medium. According to the information (mode identification information), if the reproduction processing suitable for the reproduction processing of the image captured in each mode is performed, the signal processing unit 5
The signal processing at 0 can be made common.

In the above description, the image pickup by the image pickup section 52 having the aspect ratio a: b in the stereoscopic mode is as follows.
An image of the first image information L was captured in the area of the aspect ratio a: b / 2 in the upper half portion, and an image of the second image information R was captured in the area of the aspect ratio a: b / 2 in the lower half portion. However, the correspondence between the area of the imaging unit 52 and the image of the first image information L and the image of the second image information R is not necessarily limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first and second optical systems of the lens 10 for stereoscopic images are used for the first image in the area of the aspect ratio a / 2: b in the right half of the image pickup section 52. Information L
Of the second image in the area with the aspect ratio a / 2: b in the left half.
You may comprise so that the image of the image information R may be imaged. With this configuration, when a stereoscopic image is displayed by the display signal shown in FIG. 2A, the signal processing unit 50 (or 5
0 '), the first image information L of the right half is first added to the first image information L in each frame composed of the first, second, third, and fourth fields.
The second image information R of the left half is output to the second and fourth even fields in the third and odd fields, and in each of the fields, line-by-line expansion in the horizontal direction is almost doubled. A conversion process may be performed.

In the embodiment, the case where the image pickup aspect ratio of the image pickup unit 52 is set to a: b = 16: 9 is shown as an example, but this aspect ratio can be set arbitrarily, for example, You may comprise so that it may image with a: b = 4: 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, by using an image pickup device in which the aspect ratio of the light receiving portion effective for image pickup is defined as a: b = 16: 9, a ': b' = You may comprise so that it may image in the area | region narrowed to 4: 3. Or,
On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 6B, the light receiving unit has a: b = 4:
A ': b' = 1 using the image sensor defined in No. 3
The image may be captured in an area narrowed to 6: 9, or the image of 16: 9 may be optically horizontally contracted to approximately 3/4 and the entire area of a: b = 4: 3. You may comprise so that it may image.

Particularly, according to the former (a) imaging method,
It is possible to capture stereoscopic and high-definition images having the same aspect ratio (4: 3) as the current television system (NTSC, PAL, SECAM system, etc.).

According to the latter (b) imaging method, it is possible to capture a stereoscopic image and a high-definition image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 using the existing imaging element with an aspect ratio of 4: 3.

When the image is taken with the aspect ratio changed, the signal processing section 50 adds the information for identifying the aspect ratio of the imaging to the identification information for identifying the photographing mode and records it in the storage medium. To By doing so, the reproducing apparatus directly identifies the shooting mode and aspect ratio of the information signal recorded on the recording medium 60 or 70 in the reproducing apparatus during reproduction, based on the added identification information, and a display signal suitable for the identification. Will be able to generate and display the correct image.

In the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment, there are a total of nH in the horizontal direction and nV in the vertical direction (nH × nV).
In order to image a two-dimensional space including a number of spatial sampling points, for example, in an effective part, nH pixels in the horizontal direction and nV pixels in the vertical direction (nH × nV) in total are arranged.
A three-dimensional solid-state image sensor is used for the image pickup unit 52. For example, in order to secure the same number of effective scanning lines N (for example, N = 1036) as in high-definition mode in high definition mode, nV
Is used as the solid-state image pickup device.

Then, the image pickup section 52 is constructed by using such a solid-state image pickup element as three plates for picking up three primary color images of red, blue and green.

However, the image pickup section 52 can also be constituted by using a single solid-state image pickup element together with the color filter 51 in which RGB filters are arranged in order.

Further, the image pickup section 52 is formed by using three two-dimensional solid-state image pickup devices having a pixel array of nH / 2 in the horizontal direction and nV / 2 in the vertical direction (nH × nV) / 4. It can also be configured.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the prism 5
The imaging unit 52 is composed of 3, 54, 55, solid-state imaging devices 56, 57, 58, and color filter 59.

In such a configuration, the optical image from the lens is imaged and imaged on the solid-state image pickup devices 58, 57 and 56 via the prisms 55, 54 and 53, respectively.

Each of the light-receiving portions of these solid-state image pickup devices 56, 57, and 58 effective for image pickup has a horizontal-to-vertical aspect ratio set to a: b, and any of them is effective as the number of pixels for image pickup. , NH / 2 in horizontal direction, nV in vertical direction
An image sensor having a total of two (nH xnV) / 4 pixel arrays is used.

Among these, in the solid-state image pickup devices 56 and 57, the luminance information Y or the color information of the stereoscopic or high definition image information is used.
Imaging regarding G is performed. These two solid-state imaging devices 5
6 and 57 are prisms 53 and 54, respectively, in a state of being spatially displaced from each other by a pixel pitch interval of ½ pitch of the pixel interval in the horizontal direction and by ½ pitch of each pixel in the vertical direction.
Attached to. However, in the case of picking up one color information G, a color filter for taking out this color information G is provided on the optical path (reflection surface of prisms 53, 54, 55 or light receiving surface of solid-state image pickup elements 56, 57). To do so.

In this case, the solid-state image pickup devices 56 and 57 pick up the luminance information Y or the first color information G including a total of (nH × nV) / 2 pixels per frame, but the pixel position is Since the pitch is shifted by ½ pitch, two solid-state image pickup elements 56 are provided for two-dimensional space (with respect to luminance) imaging including nH in the horizontal direction and nV in the vertical direction (nH × nV). 57 makes it possible.

On the other hand, the solid-state image pickup device 58 picks up the image of the color information B and the color information R. Therefore, the light receiving portion thereof is provided with a color filter 59 for separating the color information. In this embodiment, a blue filter for extracting the second color information B and a red filter for extracting the third color information R are color filters 59 formed in a checkered pattern alternately in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, for example. Used.

Therefore, in this case, in the solid-state image pickup device 58, a total of (nH × nV) / 8 per frame is obtained.
The color information B including a number of pixels and the color information R including a total of (nH × nV) / 8 pixels are also imaged per frame, but the checkered pixel array provides at least nH / n in the horizontal direction. 2 pieces, nV / 2 pieces vertically (nH x nV)
) / 4, it becomes possible to image (in terms of color) a two-dimensional space including spatial sampling points.

Here, the luminance signal or G
The reason why only the (green) signal is photographed at a high resolution is that the human vision for these is more sensitive than that for other signals.

Outputs imaged and read by the solid-state image pickup devices 56, 57 and 58 of the image pickup unit are as follows.
It is supplied to the signal processing unit 50 ′. In this case, the signal processing unit 50 ′ appropriately interpolates the spatial pixels that have not been imaged based on the spatial pixels that have been imaged, and outputs nH in the horizontal direction.
3 pieces of primary color signals G, B, R (or luminance signal Y and two color difference signals PB, PR) containing pixel information of nV in total in the vertical direction (nH × nV) are generated and shown in FIG. As shown, the output signal is output to the output terminal 1 '.

Further, as described above, the signal processing section 50 '.
At, an information signal of analog or digital format suitable for recording on the recording medium 60 is generated and appropriately recorded on the recording medium 60 together with identification information and additional information.

By using a medium such as a magnetic tape as the recording medium 60, a display signal output from the signal processing unit 50 (or 50 ') through the output terminal 1 is used as a display signal for a normal high-definition VTR, for example. It is supplied to a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a UNIHI type VTR or a W-VHS type VTR, converted into a recording signal suitable for recording by the recording / reproducing apparatus, recorded on the magnetic tape, and reproduced. It may be configured as follows.

As the recording medium 60 for recording the image picked up by the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory having a relatively small recording capacity can be used. Further, in this case, the image pickup device can be used as a still camera mainly for shooting still images. Alternatively, if a large-capacity memory such as a magnetic tape or an optical disk is used as the recording medium 60, the image pickup device can be used as a video camera mainly for moving image shooting. When used as a still camera, the signal processing unit 50
Stores only one frame of the image in the storage medium 60 when the photographer gives a photographing instruction.

In the following, when a semiconductor memory type memory card having a relatively small recording capacity such as a flash memory is used as the recording medium 60, the function of separately recording the image stored in the recording medium 60 on another recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus having the above will be described.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200.

As shown in the figure, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, the memory card 6 mounted in the image pickup apparatus and storing the image
When 0 is inserted into the card insertion slot 210, the memory card 60 is electrically coupled to the card reading section 230. The card reading unit 230 reads the information recorded in the memory card 60. The information read by the card reading unit 230 is supplied to the disc writing / reading unit 240.

On the other hand, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, the optical disc 70 inserted into the disc insertion opening 220 of the disc recorder 200 is optically coupled to the disc writing / reading unit 240. Then, the read information from the card reading unit 230 is sequentially written on the optical disc 70 by the disc writing / reading unit 240.

The optical disc 70 is a CD (compact disc), MD (mini disc) or DVD.
(Digital video disk) or the like is used.

With such a structure, the recording medium (memory card) 60 can be used for a conventional optical film magazine, and the recording medium (optical disk) 70 can be used for a conventional photo album. The configuration is

The disc writing / reading unit 240 can sequentially read the information written on the optical disc 70, and the information read from the optical disc 70 or the reading information from the card reading unit 230 can be read by the disc writing unit. In the reading section 240, it is converted into a display signal for displaying an image on a television receiver, a monitor or the like and output to the output terminal 2. As this display signal, for example,
The same type of signal as shown in FIG. 3 above can be used.

By the way, as described above, the memory card 60 is provided with the date of photographing, the number of photographed images, the recording address, the recorded voice, etc. together with the stereoscopic or high-definition image information and its identification information at the time of photographing. Information can be recorded. Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, the disc writing / reading unit 240 reads the image actually shot from the memory card 60 based on the address information on the memory indicating the number of shots and the position where the image is recorded. It is also possible to read only the effective portion or the required portion that has been recorded, and sequentially align and densely record so as not to create an unrecorded useless gap at a predetermined address of the optical disc 70. Alternatively, based on the additional information indicating the date of the shooting date, for example, the oldest shooting date may be sorted and recorded on the optical disc 70 as an album while sequentially sorting.

The identification information and the additional information read from the memory card 60 are preferably recorded on the optical disc 70 together with the image information, if necessary. Also, erase the contents of the memory card as necessary,
The same memory card can be used repeatedly for the next shot.

If a series of such operations are performed by a control element such as a microcomputer provided in the disk writing / reading unit 240 according to a program prepared in advance, the user can , The album rearrangement button is pressed, and after that, based on the command signal and additional information obtained by pressing the button, a series of these processing controls are automatically performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 (in the auto mode. ) Can be done.

Further, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, the user can perform work such as editing while monitoring the display signal from the output terminal 2 on a television receiver or the like, so that the user, for example, manually (in the manual mode) takes a picture. It is also possible to sequentially record and organize on the optical disc 70 in any order while monitoring each frame of the image, and to edit and record while newly adding additional information such as a character title if necessary. , Or CG (computer graphic)
This disc recorder 2 displays other image information such as images.
It may be supplied to the disc writing / reading unit 240 from the input terminal 3 of 00 to be inserted into the captured image.

Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 can record and copy the information, which has been organized and recorded on the optical disk 70, onto another recording medium, for example, the same unrecorded medium as the optical disk 70, in the required amount or in its entirety. May be configured.

That is, for example, the information read from the copy source optical disk 70 in the disk write / read section 240 based on a command signal or the like obtained by the user's pressing of the copy processing button is read by the disk write / read section 240.
It is configured so that it is temporarily stored in a buffer memory or the like provided inside the disk, a new optical disk of the copy destination is inserted after that, and the information read from the buffer memory is recorded again on the copy destination optical disk. Then, anyone can easily perform the film development of the conventional optical camera and the DPE process corresponding to the printing at the same time. It is preferable that the user can easily perform this copy process with a single button operation. In addition, since the memory card can be repeatedly used for photographing, the running cost can be significantly reduced.

In the above-mentioned copy recording, the identification information and the additional information previously recorded on the memory card 60 are also recorded on the new optical disk of the copy destination together with the stereoscopic or high-definition image information, if necessary. Make a record. Therefore, if this new copied optical disc is reproduced by the disc writing / reading unit 240, all the information necessary for the display can be obtained, and a stereoscopic or high-definition image can be automatically identified and, for example, the above-mentioned imaging The display signal as shown in FIG. 3 can be generated by the same processing as the signal processing unit of the device. In addition, in the disc writing / reading unit 240, additional information such as an image pickup date accompanying this image information is added to this display signal and displayed on the screen, or voice information recorded at the time of shooting is recorded as character information. It is also possible to display it on the screen or output audio from a speaker.

[0091]

As described above, it is possible to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of picking up an image of two channels of the left eye channel (L) and the right eye channel (R) by one unit. Further, it is possible to capture an image of two channels of the left-eye channel (L) and the right-eye channel (R) with one unit, and to capture an image of one channel conforming to one or a plurality of methods. An imaging device can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a recording / reproducing device suitable for management, recording, and reproduction of images captured by these imaging devices.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how an image capturing section captures images in a stereoscopic mode and a high definition mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing display signals in a stereoscopic mode and a high definition mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a display signal and a display in a stereoscopic mode and a high definition mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image pickup state of an image pickup unit in a stereoscopic mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image pickup state of an image pickup section in a stereoscopic mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Lens for 3D camera 20 Lens for high-definition camera 30 Mount part 11, 13, 21 Lens 12, 14, 53, 54, 55 Prism 40 Shutter 100 Imaging unit main body 50, 50 'Signal processing part 51, 59 Color filter 52, 56, 57, 58 Solid-state imaging device 60, 70 Recording medium 200 Recording / reproducing device 210, 220 Insertion slot 230 Card reading section 240 Disk writing / reading section

Claims (13)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An image pickup unit having a light-receiving surface, which generates an image signal representing an image formed on the light-receiving surface; An image pickup section main body section including a recording signal for recording an image or a signal processing section for generating a display signal for displaying an image represented by the image signal, and an area that is substantially a half of the light receiving surface. A right channel image capturing optical system that forms an optical image of an object in the right channel image capturing region, and a region that is substantially half the light receiving surface and does not include the right channel image capturing region. A stereoscopic image taking lens unit having a left channel taking optical system for forming an optical image of an object captured on the left side of the right channel taking optical system in a channel image taking area, and a schematic representation of the light receiving surface. Target all areas Of an optical system for forming an optical image, an imaging apparatus characterized by having said three-dimensional image taking lens unit and selectively single channel image taking lens unit to be used. 2. An image pickup unit having a light-receiving surface, which generates an image signal representing an image formed on the light-receiving surface, and an image signal generated by the image-pickup unit is subjected to predetermined processing to represent the image signal. An image pickup section main body section including a recording signal for recording an image or a signal processing section for generating a display signal for displaying an image represented by the image signal, and an area that is substantially a half of the light receiving surface. A right channel image capturing optical system that forms an optical image of an object in the right channel image capturing region, and a region that is substantially half the light receiving surface and does not include the right channel image capturing region. And a stereoscopic image taking lens unit having a left channel taking optical system for forming an optical image of an object captured on the left side of the right channel taking optical system in the channel image taking area. Imaging device . 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the stereoscopic image taking lens section is detachably attached to the imaging section main body, and the stereoscopic image taking lens is attached to the imaging section main body. A single-channel image-taking lens unit having an optical system for forming an optical image of an object can be detachably attached to substantially the entire region of the light-receiving surface instead of the image pickup unit. . 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a storage medium for recording the recording signal is attached to the imaging unit main body, and the signal processing unit includes: An image pickup apparatus, characterized in that the image signal generated by the image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined processing, and a recording signal for recording an image represented by the image signal is recorded in the attached storage medium. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage medium for recording the recording signal is attached to the image pickup unit main body, and the signal processing unit includes the storage medium. The image signal generated by the imaging unit is subjected to predetermined processing, and a recording signal for recording an image represented by the image signal is recorded in the mounted storage medium, and the recording signal is used as the stereoscopic image capturing lens. An image pickup apparatus, wherein an identification signal indicating which of the single-channel image pickup lenses is a recording signal representing an image formed is recorded in the mounted storage medium. 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage medium is a portable storage medium that is detachably attached to the image pickup unit main body. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup section complementarily has a horizontal resolution H and a vertical resolution V,
An image signal representing an image of an object formed only from luminance or an image of an object formed only from a first color is generated, which are offset from each other by ½ of the sampling pitch in the horizontal and vertical directions. Two solid-state imaging elements arranged so as to sample sampling points on the image of the object, an image of the object formed from only the second color, and a third
An image pickup apparatus including one solid-state image pickup element for generating an image signal representing an image of an object formed by only the colors of. 8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit causes an image signal generated by the image pickup unit to form an image formed on the light receiving surface by the stereoscopic image pickup lens unit. Display signal or recording signal representing the image formed in the left channel image capturing area and display signal or recording signal representing the image formed in the right channel image capturing area An imaging device characterized by alternately generating and. 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the signal processing unit includes the recording signal and the identification signal, and the storage medium on which the management information for managing an image represented by the recording signal is mounted. An image pickup device characterized by being recorded in. 10. A portable storage medium according to claim 6 is mounted, and a reproducing section for reproducing a recording signal and an identification signal recorded on the portable storage medium, and recording and reproducing on a second storage medium. A recording / reproducing unit; a transfer unit for controlling the reproducing unit and the recording / reproducing unit to transfer the recording signal and the identification signal recorded in the portable storage medium to the second storage medium; The recording signal reproduced from the second storage medium is subjected to a predetermined process determined by the identification signal reproduced from the second storage medium, and a signal for displaying an image represented by the recording signal is output. A storage / reproduction device having means. 11. The storage / reproduction device according to claim 10, wherein said transfer means, in response to a predetermined instruction, stores a plurality of recording signals representing a plurality of images stored in said portable storage medium. A plurality of identification signals recorded together with the recording signal,
A recording / reproducing apparatus, which sequentially transfers to the second storage medium. 12. A reproducing section which mounts the portable storage medium according to claim 9 and reproduces a recording signal, an identification signal and management information recorded in the portable storage medium, and recording in the second storage medium. And a recording / reproducing unit for performing reproduction, controlling the reproducing unit and the recording / reproducing unit, and transferring the recording signal, the identification signal, and the management information recorded in the portable storage medium to the second storage medium. A transfer unit, and a recording signal reproduced from the second storage medium is subjected to a predetermined process determined by the identification signal reproduced from the second storage medium by the recording / reproducing unit, and an image represented by the recording signal is displayed. A storage / reproduction device having means for outputting a signal for displaying information represented by the management information reproduced from the second storage medium. 13. A reproducing section which mounts the portable storage medium according to claim 9 and reproduces a recording signal, an identification signal and management information recorded in the portable storage medium, and recording in a second storage medium. And a recording / reproducing unit for performing reproduction, controlling the reproducing unit and the recording / reproducing unit, and managing the recording signal, the identification signal, and the management information recorded in the portable storage medium in the second storage medium. Transfer means for transferring to a position determined according to the information, and a predetermined process determined according to the identification signal reproduced from the second storage medium by the recording / reproducing unit, for the recording signal reproduced from the second storage medium. A storage / reproduction device having means for outputting a signal for displaying an image represented by the recording signal.