JPS63107389A - Image pickup device for stereoscopic vision - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To considerably miniaturize the titled device with simple constitution by providing a first and a second optical systems disposed with a specific optical axis-interval in relation with a casing, an adjusting means to adjust the positions of the both optical systems in the direction of axis, and a first and a second image pickup elements that are driven and controlled with the same drive pulse. CONSTITUTION:On one end of the first casing 10, the second casing 11 which is cylinder-shaped having buttom is provided freely adjustable in position by moving in the direction shown by an arrow A-B, and on the bottom part of the second casing 11, a first and a second lens 12, 13 are disposed with an optical axis-interval L1 of, for instance, approximately 6.5mm. In case of picking up a stereoscopic image, the position of the second casing 11 is adjusted by moving it in the direction of an arrow A-B in relation with the casing 10, and thus the image of an object is formed respectively by the first and the second lenses 12, 13. Then, thus formed optical images are photoelectrically converted respectively to a first and a second video signals 17, 18, outputted to a signal processing circuit where they are converted to respective video signals. Thus a stereoscopic image is picked up.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a stereoscopic imaging device used for example in a video camera.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, methods based on the principle of binocular parallax have been known as means for capturing stereoscopic images.

FIG. 3 shows a stereoscopic imaging device based on the principle of binocular parallax, in which the left vision and the first and second video cameras 1.2 constituting the left vision are connected to a fine movement table (not shown). They are installed at predetermined optical axis intervals through the optical axis. Such an imaging device captures the target by adjusting the optical axes of the first and second video cameras 1 and 2 via a fine movement table (not shown), and images the target respectively. A stereoscopic image of the target is obtained from the first and second video signals 1 and 28 (see FIG. 4).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first video camera 1 has an image sensor 1 whose optical distance formed by the lens 1a is driven and controlled by the first drive pulse 1C from the drive circuit 1b.
After being photoelectrically converted into a first video signal 1e at step d, it is processed into a first video signal 1g at a signal processing circuit 1f. On the other hand, in the second video camera 2, an optical image formed by the lens 2a is photoelectrically converted into a second video signal 2C by an excellent image element 2b, and then processed into a second video signal 2e by a signal processing circuit 2d. be done. At this time, the image sensor 2b receives a synchronizing signal 1h such as VB8 outputted from the driving circuit 1b of the first video camera 1 through the external synchronizing circuit 2f and the driving circuit 2g, and receives the first driving pulse 1C. Drive control is performed using the same second drive pulse 2h.

However, in the above-mentioned mirror imager, because the first and second video cameras 1.2 are arranged side by side via a fine movement table (not shown), the distance between their optical axes is a size corresponding to the camera housing. Because of this, there are restrictions on miniaturization, and there is a problem in increasing the size. Furthermore, according to this, it is necessary to provide an external synchronization circuit 2f to synchronize the first and second video signals 1q and 2h output from the first and second video cameras 1 and 2. Another problem is that the configuration becomes complicated.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems of increasing size and complication, and has a simple configuration and can realize miniaturization as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic imaging device.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The stereoscopic imaging device of the present invention includes first and second optical systems disposed with a predetermined distance between optical axes with respect to the facepiece. , adjustment means for moving and adjusting the first and second optical systems in the optical axis direction, and arranged corresponding to the first and second optical systems,
The present invention is characterized in that it includes first and second image pickup elements whose drive is controlled by the same drive pulse.

(Function) With the above configuration, the optical axes of the first and second optical systems can be brought close to each other, and the first and second image sensors corresponding to the first and second optical systems can be driven in the same manner. The drive is controlled by pulses.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a stereoscopic imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 10 denotes a first casing having a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

At one end of this first casing 1o, there is a second casing 1 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom.
1 is provided so as to be movable and adjustable in the directions of arrows A and B (optical axis direction), and first and second optical systems for left viewing and left viewing are configured on the bottom surface of this second housing 11. The first and second
The lenses 12 and 13 are arranged with an optical axis interval Ls of approximately 5.5 mm, which is approximately the same as the interval between human eyes. Further, on the bottom surface of the first casing 10, for example, first and second mounting portions 10a and 10b are formed with a predetermined interval, and the first and second mounting portions are formed with a predetermined interval. First and second '@ image elements 14.15 are arranged in 10b, corresponding to the first and second lenses 12.13, respectively. These first and second image sensors 14 and 15 receive the same drive pulse 16 output from a drive circuit (not shown) at their input terminals.
is input, and from each output end, first and second images synchronized horizontally and vertically according to the optical images formed by the first and second lenses 12 and 13 are sent to a signal processing circuit (not shown). Outputs signals 17 and 18.

In the above configuration, when a stereoscopic image is to be imaged, first, the second housing 11 is moved and adjusted in the directions of arrows A and B with respect to the first housing 10, and the first and second lenses 12. Image the target at 13. Then, these first and second lenses 12.
The optical image formed by 13 is transmitted to the first and second image sensors 14.
At 15, the first and second video signals 17 and 18 synchronized horizontally and vertically are photoelectrically converted, respectively, and output to the signal processing circuit (not shown), where they are converted into respective video signals for stereoscopic viewing. An image is captured.

In this way, the stereoscopic imaging device has the first and second lenses 12.13 disposed in the second housing 11 with the optical axis interval L1, and the first and second lenses 12.13 By configuring each formed optical image to be photoelectrically converted by the first and second image carrier elements 14.15 which are driven and controlled by the same drive pulse 16, the first and second lenses 12.13 It becomes possible to make the optical axis distance L1 close to each other, and miniaturization is realized as much as possible. According to this, the first and second
By driving the image sensors 14 and 15 with the same drive pulse 16, it is no longer necessary to provide the conventional external synchronization circuit 2f (see Figure 4), and the configuration can be simplified. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the first and second lenses 12.1
Although the present invention is configured such that the optical axes 11 and 11 are disposed in the second casing that is movably adjustable with respect to the first casing 10 at an interval L1, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 2, first and second pedestals 21.22, called mounts, are arranged with respect to the housing 20 with an optical axis distance L1, and the first and second pedestals 21.22 are automatically mounted. It is also possible to configure so that the first and second optical systems 23 and 24 having focusing ability are attached, and similar effects can be expected. In this case, corresponding to these first and second optical systems 23.24, the housing 20 has first and second m-detection elements 26.27 which are driven and controlled by the same drive pulse 25 as described above. For example, the first and second attachments are arranged via portions 20a, 20b.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a stereoscopic imaging device that has a simple configuration and can be made as compact as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a stereoscopic imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively conventional stereoscopic imaging devices. FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a circuit configuration diagram showing a visual imaging device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... First housing, 11... Second housing, 12 degrees 13... First and second lenses, 14.15... First and second imaging elements, 16. 25... drive pulse,
17.18...first and second video signals, 20...
Housing, 21.22... Pedestal, 23.24... First and second optical systems, 26.27... First and second imaging elements. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue (10th son, 1st case) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] first and second optical systems disposed with a predetermined distance between the optical axes with respect to the housing; an adjusting means for moving and adjusting the first and second optical systems in the optical axis direction; What is claimed is: 1. A stereoscopic imaging device comprising first and second imaging elements arranged corresponding to first and second optical systems and driven and controlled by the same drive pulse.