JPH1164739A - Panoramic observation optical system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly visually confirm and discriminate an observed object by fetching luminous flux carrying the information of an infrared video displayed on a display device on a visible light observation optical path in a panoramic observation optical system capable of being utilized for a panoramic periscope and having plural systems of observation optical paths mainly by visible light and infrared rays. SOLUTION: The luminous flux from the outside is reflected by a turning mirror 303 capable of turning downward/upward and integrated with a window glass 301, and is separated to the infrared rays and the visible light by a dichroic mirror 304. The image by the infrared rays is formed on an infrared image pickup camera 322 and the video is displayed on an infrared video display device 351. The separated visible light luminous flux and the visible light luminous flux carrying the video information of the device 351 are switched to be alternatively fetched by the advancing/retreating operation of a total reflection mirror 353 which can advance in/retreat from the optical path, image rotation is corrected by a visble image rotation correction prism 313, and the optical image by the fetched luminous flux is observed through an ocular lens part 316.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical system for observing all directions or a wide range of directions in a panoramic manner by rotating a mirror, and in particular, using two or more optical systems.
The present invention relates to a panoramic observation optical system useful for a periscope or the like used in a vehicle or a ship.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a periscope, an optical system having a rotating mirror is used because it is necessary to observe a panorama in all directions or a wide range of directions. FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a panoramic periscope as a basic configuration example of this optical system. That is, in this panoramic periscope, the observer can observe all directions by rotating the prism mirror 102 around the rotation axis as shown by the arrow A. When the visible image rotation correction prism 113 disposed on the external light flux reflected by the prism mirror 102 rotates the prism mirror 102 in the horizontal direction by θ degrees, the visible image rotation correction prism 113 interlocks with the rotation of θ / θ around the optical axis. Turn 2 (degrees). The rotation of the image rotation correction prism 113 eliminates the need for the observer to change the direction according to the rotation of the prism mirror 102 and observe the image, and the observer observes the image in any direction through the eyepiece. It can be observed with the same vertical sense as the subject.

Since the use of a periscope is not always the case where the field of view is always good, it is imperative that the periscope has not only a function as a normal telescope but also a function as observation means for a dark field. Therefore, a panoramic periscope using a two-system optical system in addition to the panoramic periscope shown in FIG.

As an example of the configuration of a panoramic periscope using a two-system optical system, the entire periscope is rotated without using an image rotation correction prism, and the observer and the imaging means are also rotated together for observation. A configuration or a configuration in which an image rotation correction prism is disposed only in the optical system for visible light and the infrared camera is rotated around a rotation axis has been considered. However, the configuration in which the entire periscope is rotated poses a problem in that the entire apparatus becomes large, and the configuration in which the infrared camera is rotated can avoid the use of expensive infrared prisms. In addition, the rotation mechanism of the infrared camera becomes complicated, and its electrical wiring is difficult.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a panoramic periscope using two image rotation correcting prisms in a two-system optical system. The two-system optical system includes an infrared optical system and a visible light optical system. 1 shows an example of a panoramic periscope composed of.

In this panoramic periscope, a light beam from the outside guided by a turning mirror 203 rotating around an axis is separated by a dichroic mirror 204 into an infrared light beam and a visible light beam. The infrared light flux transmitted through the dichroic mirror 204 is converted into an infrared image rotation correction prism 224.
Thus, the rotation of the image accompanying the rotation of the rotation mirror 203 is corrected, and the optical image is formed by the infrared imaging camera 222 by the infrared imaging optical system 221. On the other hand, the visible light flux
The light is reflected and separated by the dichroic mirror 204, is deflected by the total reflection mirror 211, and is rotated by the visible image rotation correction prism 213 to correct the image rotation caused by the rotation of the rotation mirror 203. An image is formed at a predetermined position by an observer 212, and this image is viewed by
Observe through. By installing a monitor (not shown), the observer can observe an image captured by the infrared imaging camera 222.

[0007]

However, in view of the characteristics of a periscope, although quick recognition and identification of an observation target is an important requirement for quick decision-making, In the example of the panoramic periscope using the two-system optical system shown in FIG. 2, it is often difficult to quickly recognize and identify the target. The reason is that, in practical use of a panoramic periscope, the observation target is often identified by comparing and observing the image of the observation target through a plurality of observation means such as those for visible light and infrared light, as shown in FIG. In the example of a panoramic periscope using a two-system optical system, at this time, the observer observes an image formed by a visible light beam from the eyepiece lens unit 216, and observes an image formed by the infrared light beam from the eyepiece unit 216 with the monitor away from the eye. This is because it takes time to perform comparative observation of the observation target. Therefore, it is an issue of a panoramic periscope using a two-system optical system to switch a plurality of observation images without moving an observer's eyes and to obtain the plurality of images as images in a state that can be easily compared. ing.

Further, when the panoramic periscope is mounted on a vehicle or a ship, the installation space is limited, so that a reduction in the size and weight of the entire apparatus is demanded. Therefore, it is strongly desired to have a function of a plurality of optical systems and to make the entire apparatus simpler. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image of an observation target by a plurality of observation optical systems can be easily obtained without moving the eyes of an observer to quickly visually recognize the observation target. It is an object of the present invention to provide a panoramic observation optical system which enables a comparative observation of the optical system and which can be made compact by using an optical system having a simple configuration.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panoramic observation optical system comprising: a rotating mirror which is rotated around an axis; a mirror rotating mechanism which rotates the rotating mirror;
Light separating means disposed in an optical path along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror to separate an external light beam guided by the rotating mirror into a plurality of light beams, and an image associated with the rotation of the rotating mirror In a panoramic observation optical system having an image rotation correction prism that corrects the rotation of the image, a prism rotation mechanism that rotates the image rotation correction prism, and an image forming unit that forms a light beam from the image rotation correction prism. An imaging unit arranged in an optical path where the image rotation prism is not arranged among a plurality of light fluxes separated by the light separation unit; and an image display unit for displaying an image related to image information output from the imaging unit. And image light flux capturing means for capturing a light beam carrying an image displayed on the image display means into an optical path on which the image rotation correction prism is arranged.

Further, in this panoramic observation optical system, the image rotation correction prism is included in one of a plurality of light beams separated by the light separating device, and is provided downstream of the image light beam capturing device. It is desirable to be arranged. Further, the panoramic observation optical system is configured such that the light beam is input into and out of the optical path as the image light beam capturing means before the image rotation correction prism in the light beam provided with the image rotation correction prism. It is possible to arrange a total reflection mirror or a half mirror or a dichroic mirror which can enter and retreat in an optical path which can change the traveling direction of the mirror.

Further, this panoramic observation optical system has
A half mirror or a dichroic mirror as the image light beam taking-in means is arranged between the light separating means and the image rotation correction prism in the light beam provided with the image rotation correcting prism, and It is also possible to dispose shutters in the optical path between the image capturing means and the light separating means and in the optical path between the image light beam capturing means and the image displaying means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panoramic observation optical system, wherein a rotating mirror is rotated around an axis, a mirror rotating mechanism for rotating the rotating mirror, and the rotating mirror is rotated. A light beam diverting means arranged in an optical path along the axis and capable of diverting a light beam from the outside guided by the rotating mirror in a plurality of directions, and correcting the rotation of the image accompanying the rotation of the rotating mirror A panoramic observation optical system having an image rotation correction prism, a prism rotating mechanism for rotating the image rotation correction prism, and an image forming unit for forming an image of a light beam from the image rotation correction prism; Imaging means arranged in an optical path in which the image rotation prism is not arranged among a plurality of optical paths that can take a light flux, and image display means for displaying an image related to image information output from the imaging means,
The luminous flux carrying the image displayed on the image display means,
Image light flux capturing means for capturing in a light path in which the image rotation correction prism is arranged.

Further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to claim 6 of the present invention, the image rotation correction prism includes a plurality of optical paths in which a light beam can travel in accordance with a turning operation of the light beam turning means. In one optical path, it is arranged at the subsequent stage of the image light beam taking-in means, and as the light beam diverting means, in an optical path in which the traveling direction of the light beam can be changed by entering / retreating operation into the optical path. It is possible to use a total reflection mirror which can be freely moved in and out, and use a mirror which is moved in and out of the optical path in conjunction with the movement of the total reflection mirror as the image light beam taking-in means. Still further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to claim 6 of the present invention, as the light beam diverting means, total reflection capable of entering and retreating such that the traveling direction of light can be changed by operation of entering and exiting the optical path. Using a mirror,
By making the back surface of this total reflection mirror a total reflection surface, it can function as the image light flux taking-in means.

Further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, the light beam travels by the plurality of light paths constituted by the plurality of light beams separated by the light separating means or the light beam turning means. Of the plurality of possible optical paths, an optical path where at least one of the image rotation correction prisms is not disposed is an optical path for infrared light, and at least one other optical path is an optical path for visible light, and the optical path for visible light is used. It is preferable that the image rotation correction prism is arranged in an optical path.

Further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, a light beam is formed by a plurality of light paths constituted by a plurality of light beams separated by the light separating means or the light beam diverting means. Of the plurality of optical paths that can travel, an optical path where at least one of the image rotation correction prisms is not arranged is an optical path for visible light, and at least one of the remaining optical paths is the image rotation correction prism in the optical path. An optical path for visible light may be provided.

Further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention, the image pickup means provided in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not provided is a camera, and the image rotation correction is performed. The imaging means provided in the optical path provided with the prism can be an eyepiece. Alternatively, the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention is a camera in which the imaging means disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not disposed uses a photomultiplier. The imaging means provided in the optical path in which the image rotation correction prism is provided may be a camera.

Alternatively, the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention is arranged such that the image pickup means and the image rotation correction prism disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not disposed. The imaging means arranged in the light path provided may be a camera. Alternatively, the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention is a camera in which the imaging means disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not disposed uses a photomultiplier. The image forming means provided in the optical path provided with the image rotation correcting prism may be an eyepiece.

Further, the panoramic observation optical system according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention is configured so that the size of the image obtained by the imaging means and the size of the image obtained by the imaging means substantially match. It is desirable to do. Further, in the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention, it is more preferable that the rotating mirror is configured to be able to be lowered. Still further, the panoramic observation optical system according to claims 1 and 6 of the present invention may be arranged such that a window glass that rotates integrally with the rotating mirror is arranged on the observation target side of the rotating mirror. preferable.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In this panoramic periscope, the observer moves the rotating mirror 30
By rotating 3 around the axis as shown by arrow A, it is possible to observe all directions. A light beam from the outside reflected by the rotating mirror 303 is reflected by a dichroic mirror 304 arranged on the optical path.
An infrared light beam transmitted through the dichroic mirror 304 and a visible light beam reflected by the dichroic mirror 304 are separated.

A visible image rotation correction prism 313 is arranged on the optical path of the visible light beam. The visible image rotation correction prism 313 is a prism that performs an odd number of internal reflections. When the rotating mirror 303 is rotated by θ degrees in the horizontal direction, it is rotated by θ / 2 (degrees) around the optical axis in conjunction with the rotation. A moving prism rotating mechanism (not shown) is provided. The rotation of the visible image rotation correction prism 313 eliminates the need for the observer to change the direction according to the rotation of the rotation mirror 303 and observe the image, and the observer can observe the eyepiece at a predetermined position. Through the lens unit 316, an image in any direction can be observed with the same vertical feeling as the observation target. In addition, a total reflection mirror 31 for deflecting the light beam is provided in the optical path of the visible light beam.
1. An objective lens 312 for forming an image of an observation target at a predetermined position on the near side of an eyepiece 316, and a pentaprism 314 for giving a 90 ° declination to a light beam without inverting the image vertically and horizontally. Are arranged.

On the other hand, on the optical path of the infrared light beam transmitted through the dichroic mirror 304, an infrared camera 322 is provided.
And an infrared imaging optical system 321 that forms an image of the observation target on the infrared imaging camera 322. The image captured by the infrared imaging camera 322 is transmitted through the optical path from the dichroic mirror 304 to the eyepiece 316 and from the dichroic mirror 304 to the infrared imaging camera 3.
The image is displayed on the infrared image display device 351 disposed outside the two optical paths of the optical path to 22.

Then, the visible light beam carrying the infrared image information, which is displayed on the infrared image display device 351, is taken into the optical path of the visible light beam provided with the visible image rotation correcting prism 313. A total reflection mirror 353 that can move in and out is arranged inside. That is, if the operation of inserting the total reflection mirror 353 into the visible light path is performed,
The observer can observe the image of the infrared image display device 351. On the other hand, if the total reflection mirror 353 is moved out of the visible light path, the observer can see the visible light reflected by the dichroic mirror 304. The image of the observation target can be observed by direct vision. At this time, the image of the observation target is observed with the same vertical feeling as the observation target without rotating the omnidirectional image due to the action of the visible image rotation correction prism 313.

In the first embodiment, the position of the total reflection mirror 353, which is the image light beam taking-in means, is before the visible image rotation correcting prism 313, and is after the dichroic mirror 304, which is the light separating means. Is required. If a dichroic mirror such as a dichroic mirror 304 that transmits infrared rays and reflects visible light, or a half mirror is used instead of the total reflection mirror 353 for the image light flux capturing means, the position of the visible light rotation correction prism is changed. A necessary condition is that it is before the 313, but it is also possible to arrange it before the dichroic mirror 304 and take in the visible light beam from the infrared image display device 351. Regarding the position of the total reflection mirror, which is the image light beam taking-in means, and the possibility of changing to another mirror, the same applies to the second embodiment described below.

Further, the dichroic mirror 304 is
As a dichroic mirror that reflects the infrared light beam and transmits the visible light beam, an infrared imaging camera or the like is arranged on the optical path of the reflected light beam, and a visible image rotation correction prism, eyepiece, etc. are placed on the transmitted light beam. It is also possible to arrange. Infrared image display device 351 to total reflection mirror 3
In the optical path reaching 53, in addition to the above, a total reflection mirror 354 for deflecting the light beam, and a light beam carrying image information of the infrared image display device 351 are supplied to the eyepiece 316.
Is provided with an infrared image projection optical system 355 for forming an image at a predetermined position on the near side. Further, the panoramic periscope is provided with a window glass 301 which rotates integrally with the rotating mirror 303 for dust protection on the observation target side of the rotating mirror 303, and the rotating mirror 303 is indicated by an arrow B. It is configured to be able to ascend.

The operational effects obtained by the panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment will be described below. An image of an observation target can be observed by two systems of an infrared light beam and a visible light beam, and has a telescope function using visible light and a dark field observation function using infrared light. In addition, the image formed by the two light beams can be observed through the eyepiece 316 by performing the operation of moving the total reflection mirror 353 in and out. As a result, the image of the observation target can be switched without moving the line of sight of the observer as compared with the conventional example shown in FIG. 2, and the comparison of the images by both systems and the visual recognition and identification of the observation target can be performed quickly. .

Further, although not shown, the size of the image formed by the infrared image projection optical system 355 of the image of the infrared image display device 351 and the image of the visible light beam formed by the objective lens 312 are determined. By making them substantially coincide with each other, it is easier to compare the images of the two systems. The configuration for making the size of the observation target substantially the same is the same in the following embodiments 2 to 4. The visible image rotation correction prism 313 and its prism rotating mechanism are provided only in the visible light path, and a light beam carrying image information to be observed by infrared rays is taken into the optical path in which the visible image rotation correction prism 313 is arranged. Accordingly, the image rotation of two or more optical systems can be corrected by one visible image rotation correction prism 313, so that the configuration of the entire apparatus can be simplified, and the size and cost can be reduced.

The rotation mirror 303 is provided on the observation target side.
Window glass 301 that rotates integrally with rotating mirror 303
Has a dustproof effect, and the size of the window glass 301 can be kept to a necessary minimum by rotating integrally with the rotating mirror 303. The rotating mirror 303 has a function of raising and lowering, so to speak, it is possible to observe in all directions.
The operation of the rotating mirror having the function of raising and lowering is described in Embodiment 2 below.
The same applies to ４4.

The panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment can be modified in various modes as described below. For example, first, a total reflection mirror 3 which can be freely moved in and out as an image light beam capturing means.
A configuration in which a half mirror or a dichroic mirror is arranged at the same position instead of 53 is possible. In this case, although there is a loss of light amount, two systems of images can be observed from the eyepiece 316 at the same time, making it easier to visually recognize and identify the observation target. At the time of simultaneous observation, if the sizes of the images of the two systems are made substantially the same, it is possible to superimpose the images of the two systems for observation.

In this configuration, in addition to simultaneous observation, in the optical path between the half mirror or dichroic mirror and the dichroic mirror 304 as the light separating means, and the infrared image display device 351 as the half mirror or dichroic mirror and the image display means. It is also possible to arrange a shutter capable of blocking each optical path in and between the optical paths, and to open and close this shutter as needed to select an image to be observed. According to such a configuration, the image to be observed is switched by the shutter instead of the total reflection mirror 353 which can freely move in and out. Therefore, in the case of the total reflection mirror 353 which moves in and out, the optical axis due to a position error at the time of insertion. It is possible to solve the problem that fluctuation easily occurs and the problem that space for leaving is required.

As a next modified example, a configuration is possible in which a dichroic mirror 304 which is a light separating means of the panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment is replaced with a total reflection mirror which can enter and retreat as a light beam diverting means at the same position. It is. According to this configuration, in the panoramic periscope of the first embodiment, the operation of inserting the total reflection mirror of the light beam diverting means and the operation of moving out the total reflection mirror 353 of the image light beam capturing means in conjunction with the operation are performed. For example, an image based on a visible light beam can be observed. If the two mirrors are operated in the opposite direction to each other, an image based on a light beam from the infrared image display device 351 can be observed. If a total reflection mirror that can move in and out can be used as the light beam diverting means, the use efficiency of each of infrared light and visible light can be improved more than using the dichroic mirror 304 as the light separating means, and the characteristics of the dichroic mirror This also solves the problem of coloring of the image, which makes it easier to visually recognize and identify the target.

Further, in the first embodiment, the infrared light beam and the visible light beam are separated by the dichroic mirror 304. However, when the optical path without the visible image rotation correction prism 313 is also used for visible light, the light Of course, the image pickup means on the road must be an image pickup means suitable for the wavelength characteristic of the light beam. As the imaging means for visible light,
Not only a video camera including a television camera (hereinafter referred to as a TV camera) but also an electronic camera that electrically processes a video as a still image can be used. Further, it is also useful to incorporate a camera having a photomultiplier such as a photomultiplier. Observation means for dark field according to this method is that observation using infrared rays senses the heat of the surface of the observation object and observes the object with a surface temperature difference, whereas the observation object with a feeling closer to the naked eye even at night. Enables visual recognition of the shape. The configuration in which the two light beams separated by the light separating unit are both converted into visible light beams can be applied to the above-described configuration in which the light separating unit is used instead of the light separating unit.

As another modification, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the imaging means provided in the optical path in which the visible image rotation correction prism 313 is provided is not a direct view through the eyepiece 316 but a TV camera. . In this case, the eyepiece unit 3
An imaging optical system is required instead of 16. According to such a configuration, the images of the plurality of optical systems of the observation target can be observed on the monitor provided separately from the periscope, and the information can be shared and the video can be recorded by the plurality of observers. Become. In the configuration in which the image forming means in the optical path on which the visible image rotation correction prism 313 is arranged is a TV camera, the above-described configuration in which the image light beam capturing means is a half mirror or a dichroic mirror is used instead of the light separating means. In the configuration using the light beam changing means, further, the visible image rotation correcting prism 31
The optical path without the 3 is also applicable to a configuration for visible light.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the panoramic periscope according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment, and a description of overlapping parts will be omitted. In addition, if the names and functions of each member and each optical system constituting the panoramic periscope are the same, the first embodiment
The reference numerals of the members 4 to 4 and the optical system are the same in the last two digits.

The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that an additional optical path without the visible image rotation correction prism 413 is added, and the panoramic periscope has three systems as a whole. is there. One additional system uses a TV imaging camera 432 as its imaging means.
A camera imaging lens 431 is provided. Rotating mirror 4
The external light beam reflected by the light source 03 is an infrared light beam by the dichroic mirror 404 and the half mirror 405 as light separating means, a visible light beam incident on the TV imaging camera 432, and a visible light observed directly from the eyepiece lens unit 416. The light is separated into light beams. The image display means includes a TV camera image and an infrared image display device 45.
2 is arranged, and an image projection optical system 456 is arranged to form a light beam carrying this image information. In addition, a total reflection mirror 42 for turning in the optical path for infrared rays
3 has been added.

In the panoramic periscope according to the second embodiment, when observing an image of an object to be observed with visible light as a telescope, the total reflection mirror 453 is retracted from the optical path, and
When observing the V-camera image and the image of the infrared image display device 452, the total reflection mirror 453 is inserted in the optical path. In order to select and observe either the image of the TV imaging camera 432 or the image of the infrared imaging camera 422 that can be displayed on the TV camera image and the infrared image display device 452, the TV is operated together with the operation of the total reflection mirror 453. An operation to select a camera image and an image to be displayed on the infrared image display device 452 is required.

The operational effects obtained by the panoramic periscope according to the second embodiment will be described below. First, as an effect similar to that of the first embodiment, the image of the observation target can be switched without moving the line of sight of the observer, and the comparison of the images by both systems and the visual recognition and identification of the observation target can be performed quickly. . Next, since the image rotation of two or more optical systems can be corrected by one visible image rotation correction prism 413, the configuration of the entire apparatus is simplified, and the size and cost can be reduced. The same is true. Further, the window glass 401 has a dustproof effect, and the size of the window glass 401 can be kept to a necessary minimum by rotating integrally with the rotating mirror 403.

The panoramic periscope according to the second embodiment can be modified in various modes as described below. For example, a configuration is possible in which one or both of the dichroic mirror 404 and the half mirror 405 of the light separating means is changed to a total reflection mirror that can enter and exit the optical path.
In the case of such a configuration, the observation target can be viewed directly by the visible light beam by linking the entering / retreating operation of the retractable mirror and the retractable total reflection mirror 453 of the image light beam capturing means with the image light beam capturing means. Do you observe, infrared imaging camera 42
It is possible to switch between observing the image captured by the camera 2 or observing the image captured by the TV imaging camera 432. If a total reflection mirror is used instead of one or both of the dichroic mirror 404 and the half mirror 405, the efficiency of use of the separated or deflected light can be increased, and the characteristics of the dichroic mirror and the half mirror can be improved. Arise,
Since the problem of coloring of the image is also solved, the target can be easily recognized and identified.

In addition, a total reflection mirror 453 which can be freely moved in and out.
Alternatively, a configuration in which a half mirror or a dichroic mirror is disposed at the same position is also possible. Thus, images by a plurality of systems of observation means can be simultaneously observed through the eyepiece 416, and if the sizes of the images are substantially the same, images of both systems can be superimposed and observed. It is. In this configuration, in addition to simultaneous observation, a shutter at the same position as in the first embodiment can be provided, and this shutter can be opened and closed as necessary to select an image to be observed. According to the configuration in which the shutter is arranged, the switching of the image to be observed is performed by the shutter instead of the total reflection mirror 453 that can freely move in and out. It is possible to solve the problem that the shaft is likely to fluctuate and the problem that a space for leaving is required.

Further, in the panoramic periscope constructed in the second embodiment or as modified as described above, the infrared light path is a near-infrared light path, various TV cameras are used as visible light imaging means, It is also possible to incorporate a camera having photomultiplier means. Further, instead of direct observation of the observer through the eyepiece 416, the image forming means on the optical path on which the visible image rotation correcting prism 413 is disposed is set to T.
It is also possible to use a V camera.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The configuration of the panoramic periscope according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment, and a description of overlapping parts will be omitted.

The main difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the third embodiment is arranged in an optical path along the rotation axis of the rotating mirror 503 and the external light beam guided by the rotating mirror 503 is transmitted in a plurality of directions. A double-sided total reflection mirror 506 that can move in and out is arranged in an optical path along the rotation axis of the rotation mirror 503 as a light beam deflection means that can change the direction. When the double-sided total reflection mirror 506 is moved out of the optical path, the image of the observation target by the visible light beam can be observed directly. When the double-sided total reflection mirror 506 is inserted in the optical path, a light beam from the outside is reflected by the double-sided total reflection mirror 506, and an image of the light beam related to infrared rays is converted into a total light for deflection. Reflection mirror 523
An image is formed on the image forming plane of the infrared imaging camera 522 through an optical path including the image forming optical system 521 for infrared rays. An image captured by the infrared imaging camera 522 is displayed on the infrared image display device 551.
In order to take in the visible light beam carrying this infrared image information into the optical path of the visible light beam provided with the visible image rotation correction prism 513, the visible light beam is the back surface of the above-described surface of the double-sided total reflection mirror 506. The total reflection mirror functions as an image light beam capturing means.

In the panoramic periscope having such a configuration, the optical path can be changed by operating the one-sided total reflection mirror 506 in and out, so that the image forming means of each optical path can be compared with the case where a half mirror is used. , The loss of the amount of light incident on the substrate can be reduced, and the light use efficiency can be increased. In addition, it is possible to avoid the problem of coloring of an observed image which occurs when a light beam is separated by a dichroic mirror.

Various changes can be made to the third embodiment. For example, a double-sided total reflection mirror 506
May be an optical path having a visible image rotation correction prism, and an optical path when the double-sided total reflection mirror 506 is retracted may be an optical path for forming an image with an infrared imaging camera. Further, as in the first embodiment, a camera in which a photomultiplier is incorporated as an imaging unit in the optical path of visible light where the visible image rotation correction prism 513 is not arranged is disposed as an optical system for dark field. Is also possible.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The configuration of the panoramic periscope according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the panoramic periscope according to the third embodiment. The main difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that the observing means of the optical path for visible light provided with the visible image rotation correction prism 613 is not an eyepiece but a TV camera 619.
The point is that. Correspondingly, on the optical path, a photographic lens 618 for a TV camera, not an objective lens and an eyepiece, and a total reflection mirror 617, not a pentaprism but also a turning means, are arranged. The observer of this panoramic periscope can observe the image while switching between an observation image using infrared rays and a TV image using visible light on a separate image display device (not shown). In the fourth embodiment, the TV imaging camera 61
Although 9 is the observation means, it is of course possible to use an electronic camera for recording this as a still image.

The panoramic periscope having such a configuration is used when there is a condition that makes it difficult for the observer to directly observe under the periscope or when it is desired to record an observation image by infrared rays and an observation image by visible light. This is useful when the main purpose is to perform observation by a plurality of observers.

Various changes can be made to the fourth embodiment. For example, similarly to the third embodiment, the optical path reflected by the double-sided total reflection mirror 606 is used as an optical path for forming an image with an infrared imaging camera, and the optical path when the double-sided total reflection mirror 606 is retracted is a visible image rotation correction prism. It is also possible to use an optical path having Further, as in the first embodiment, a camera in which a photomultiplier is incorporated as an imaging unit in the optical path of visible light where the visible image rotation correction prism 613 is not arranged is arranged as an optical system for dark field. Is also possible.

[0047]

As described above, the panoramic optical system according to the present invention uses a beam for dark-field observation, such as infrared rays, which is difficult to observe by direct viewing through a normal telescope, to the imaging means. And captures the image in the optical path of a light beam that can be observed by direct viewing, whereby the observer switches or superimposes a plurality of images on the observation target by using a plurality of observation optical paths, and shifts the line of sight. Without moving, it can be observed by a single imaging means such as an eyepiece or a monitor, and the observation target can be quickly recognized and identified. In addition, the image rotation correction prism in the apparatus can be replaced with only the visible image rotation correction prism, whereby the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified, and the size and cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a panoramic periscope.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a panoramic periscope using two image rotation correcting prisms in a two-system optical system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a panoramic periscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 Window glass 102 Prism mirror 203, 303, 403, 503, 603 Rotating mirror 204, 304, 404 Dichroic mirror 405 Half mirror 506, 606 Double-sided total reflection mirror 211, 311 Total reflection Mirror 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 Objective lens 113, 213, 313, 413, 513, 613 Visible image rotation correction prism 214, 314, 414, 514 Penta prism 115 Dach prism 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 Eyepiece Lens part 617 Total reflection mirror 618 T
Shooting lens for V camera 619 T
V imaging camera 221, 321, 421, 521, 621 infrared imaging optical system 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 infrared imaging camera 423, 523 total reflection mirror 224 infrared image rotation correction prism 431 T
Shooting lens for V camera 432 T
V imaging camera 351, 551, 651 infrared image display device 452T
V camera image and infrared image display device 353, 453 Total reflection mirror 354, 554, 654 Total reflection mirror 355, 555, 655 Infrared image projection optical system 456T
V camera image and infrared image projection optical system

Claims (17)

[Claims] A rotating mirror that rotates around an axis; a mirror rotating mechanism that rotates the rotating mirror; and a mirror that is disposed in an optical path along a rotating axis of the rotating mirror. A light separating unit that separates a light beam from the outside guided by the mirror into a plurality of light beams, an image rotation correction prism that corrects rotation of an image due to rotation of the rotation mirror, and a rotation of the image rotation correction prism In a panoramic observation optical system having a prism rotating mechanism for forming a light beam and an image forming means for forming an image of the light beam from the image rotation correcting prism, the image rotating prism among a plurality of light beams separated by the light separating means is arranged. Imaging means arranged in an optical path that is not provided, an image display means for displaying an image related to image information output from the imaging means, and a luminous flux carrying the image displayed on the image display means,
A panoramic observation optical system comprising: an image light flux capturing means for capturing in a light path on which the image rotation correction prism is disposed. 2. The image rotation correction prism according to claim 1, wherein the prism is arranged in one of the plurality of light beams separated by the light separating device and at a subsequent stage of the image light beam capturing device. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The light beam traveling direction of the light beam provided with the image rotation correction prism is controlled by entering and retreating into the optical path as the image light beam capturing means before the image rotation correction prism. 3. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 1, wherein a total reflection mirror that can move in and out is arranged in an optical path that can be changed. 4. A half mirror or a dichroic mirror as said image light flux taking-in means is arranged in a light beam provided with said image rotation correction prism, before said image rotation correction prism. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 5. A half mirror or a dichroic mirror as said image light beam taking-in means is arranged between said light separating means and said image rotation correcting prism in a light beam provided with said image rotation correcting prism, 2. A shutter according to claim 1, wherein shutters are arranged between said image light beam taking-in means and said light separating means and in an optical path between said image light beam taking-in means and said image display means. Or the panoramic observation optical system according to 2. 6. A turning mirror that turns around an axis, a mirror turning mechanism that turns the turning mirror, and the turning mirror that is disposed in an optical path along the turning axis of the turning mirror. A light beam turning means capable of turning an external light beam guided in a plurality of directions, an image rotation correction prism for correcting the rotation of an image accompanying rotation of the rotating mirror, and an image rotation correction prism. In a panoramic observation optical system having a prism rotating mechanism for rotating and an image forming means for forming an image of a light beam from the image rotation correcting prism, the image forming apparatus includes: Imaging means arranged in the optical path where the rotating prism is not arranged, image display means for displaying an image related to image information output from the imaging means, and luminous flux carrying the image displayed on the image display means To
A panoramic observation optical system comprising: an image light flux capturing means for capturing in a light path on which the image rotation correction prism is disposed. 7. The image rotation correcting prism is located in one of a plurality of optical paths through which a light beam can travel in accordance with a turning operation of the light beam turning device, and is located downstream of the image light beam capturing device. Is used, and as the light beam diverting means, a total reflection mirror that can move in and out of the light path such that the traveling direction of the light beam can be changed by the operation of entering and leaving the light path,
7. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 6, wherein a mirror that is moved into and out of an optical path in conjunction with the movement of the total reflection mirror is used as the image light beam capturing means. 8. A total reflection mirror which is capable of changing the traveling direction of light by entering / retreating an optical path is used as the light beam diverting means, and the back surface of the total reflection mirror is totally reflected. 7. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 6, wherein the surface is made to function as the image light beam taking-in means. 9. At least one of the image rotation correction prisms among a plurality of optical paths constituted by a plurality of light beams separated by the light separating means or a plurality of light paths through which the light beams can travel by the light beam diverting means is provided. An optical path that is not disposed is an optical path for infrared light, and at least one other optical path is an optical path for visible light, and the image rotation correction prism is arranged in the optical path for visible light. The panoramic observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: 10. The image rotation correction prism of at least one of a plurality of light paths constituted by a plurality of light beams separated by the light separating means or a plurality of light paths through which light beams can travel by the light beam diverting means. An optical path that is not arranged is an optical path for visible light, and at least one
2. The optical path for visible light, wherein the two optical paths are provided with the image rotation correcting prism in the optical path.
9. The panoramic observation optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein 11. The image pickup means disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not disposed is a camera, and the imaging means disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is disposed is an eyepiece. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the optical system is a lens. 12. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup means disposed in an optical path where said image rotation correction prism is not disposed is a camera using photomultiplier means, and disposed in an optical path where said image rotation correction prism is disposed. 11. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 9, wherein said image forming means is a camera. 13. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup means disposed in an optical path where said image rotation correction prism is not disposed and said imaging means disposed in an optical path where said image rotation correction prism is disposed. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 9, wherein: 14. An image pickup device disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is not disposed is a camera using a photomultiplier, and is disposed in an optical path where the image rotation correction prism is disposed. 11. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 9, wherein said imaging means is an eyepiece. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of an image obtained by said imaging means and the size of an image obtained by said imaging means are made to substantially match. The panoramic observation optical system described. 16. The panoramic observation optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mirror is configured to be able to be raised. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a window glass that rotates integrally with the rotating mirror is arranged on the observation target side of the rotating mirror. Panoramic observation optical system.