WO2011101928A1

WO2011101928A1 - Three-dimensional image capturing adopter, hybrid image-capturing system, and electronic camera

Info

Publication number: WO2011101928A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/005167
Authority: WO
Inventors: 敏信秦野
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-02-22
Filing date: 2010-08-23
Publication date: 2011-08-25

Abstract

A three-dimensional image capturing adopter comprises: a three-dimensional image capturing unit having a first imaging unit for obtaining first image data and a second imaging unit for obtaining second image data; and a camera processing unit for receiving the first and second image data and performing image processing. The three-dimensional image capturing unit is configured attachable to a non-stereo camera while the front of the lens mirror cylinder of the non-stereo camera opens. The camera processing unit is configured attachable to the non-stereo camera and operable to drive the first and second imaging units.

Description

Adapter for stereoscopic imaging, hybrid imaging system and electronic camera

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adapter for a stereoscopic image, hybrid imaging system, and an electronic camera that enables simultaneous imaging of normal imaging and stereoscopic imaging.

As a conventional stereo camera, the technique which image | photographs a stereo image using the optical attachment for stereo image photography is known (for example, refer patent document 1). As shown in FIG. 15, a camera lens adapter j52 for imaging a stereoscopic image is used by being attached to the front of a normal imaging device j50. The adapter j 52 has a first mirror j 61 and a second mirror j 62 arranged to face each other at a predetermined angle with respect to the lens j 11, and takes in an image to be imaged and divides it into left and right halves Introduce to j50. A left-eye image (R image) and a right-eye image (L image) corresponding to the right and left lines of sight are separated on the image sensor j51 and imaged, and a stereo photograph is taken.

Apart from the above, there is also a technology for capturing a stereoscopic image using an adapter lens for capturing a stereoscopic image (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As shown in FIG. 16, the lens unit k1 and the prism unit k2 are adapter lenses that can be mounted on the front surface of the taking lens k32 of a general camera k3. The focus lens k12 in the lens unit k1 is moved to make the optical axes k21L and k21R of the left and right images of the subject parallel. The two-divided deflection prism k20 of the prism unit k2 bends a light ray parallel to the optical axis S in a direction approaching the optical axis S. The left and right images with parallax are captured on the imaging element k33 of the camera k3. When the adapter lens is attached to a general camera k3, stereo imaging is performed. When the adapter lens is not attached, ordinary imaging is performed.

JP 2003-50438 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-5314

In the above-mentioned prior art, the mode of mounting of the optical attachment for photographing a stereoscopic image to the non-stereo camera, which is a general camera, and the adapter lens is the mounting to the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera. It covers the light incident surface of the lens barrel, and photographing with the optical attachment and the adapter lens mounted is limited to three-dimensional image pickup with a stereo camera. On the other hand, shooting with the optical attachment and the adapter lens removed is limited to normal shooting with a non-stereo camera. That is, it is impossible to simultaneously perform normal shooting and stereoscopic image shooting. Therefore, in a shooting scene where changes in the subject condition are likely to cause shooting omissions, a user who wants to perform both normal shooting and stereoscopic image shooting misses the shutter opportunity and can not fulfill his wish.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by taking the following measures. There are three basic modes: 1), 2) and 3).

11 し A general camera for normal shooting that is not for stereoscopic image shooting is a non-stereo camera, and accordingly a camera for stereoscopic image shooting is captured as a stereo camera, and a stereo camera function is added to the non-stereo camera function at the time of shooting. The above problems are solved by realizing a hybrid use form that unites. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 1 of Example 1 to be described later (but not limited by the same figure).

As a function of the stereo camera, a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a camera processing unit for performing image processing of an image signal acquired by the stereoscopic image pickup unit are prepared. The adapter for stereoscopic image photography of this section << 1 >> consists of a stereoscopic image capturing unit, a camera processing unit, and a portion for electrically connecting these. The stereoscopic image capturing unit has first and second two imaging units, and is configured to be able to capture an object with parallax. The camera processing unit receives an image signal acquired by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit in the stereoscopic imaging unit and performs image processing (including recording of image data). The stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit that function as the stereo camera are associated with the non-stereo camera as follows. The stereoscopic image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to a non-stereo camera, but in the attached state, the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is attached in a state in which the front is open. This is to prevent normal imaging with a non-stereo camera if it covers the front of the lens barrel, but this will be avoided. The point that "a stereo image pickup unit can be attached to a non-stereo camera in a state where the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened" is fundamentally different from the prior art.

A camera processing unit that performs image processing of an image signal is configured to be attachable to a main unit (for example, a hot shoe) of a non-stereo camera. At the same time, the camera processing unit is configured to be capable of driving the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera in his hand and holds it, an adapter for stereoscopic image photographing as a stereo camera is also mounted there, and the same photographing operator can operate the stereo camera. If it is set to the interlocking operation mode which transmits the operation signal with the non-stereo camera to the stereoscopic image capturing unit via the camera processing unit attached to the non-stereo camera main body, normal shooting and stereoscopic image shooting Simultaneous processing is possible. Even in the non-linked operation mode, simultaneous operations with both the non-stereo camera and the stereoscopic image capturing adapter allow simultaneous processing of normal imaging and stereoscopic image imaging. In addition, a single process of normal shooting can be performed by the operation of the non-stereo camera, and a single process of three-dimensional image shooting can also be performed by the operation of the three-dimensional image shooting adapter.

The adapter for stereoscopic image photography of this paragraph is
A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
A camera processing unit that receives the first image data and the second image data and performs image processing;
Equipped with
The stereoscopic image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera in a state in which the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened,
The camera processing unit is attachable to the non-stereo camera, and the camera processing unit is configured to be capable of driving and operating the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

In this configuration, the non-stereo camera itself is an external component and does not become an essential component of the present invention.

In the above configuration, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter as the stereo camera is used in a state where the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are attached to the non-stereo camera. When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera in his hand, not only normal photographing can be performed by the non-stereo camera, but also three-dimensional image photographing can be performed by the adapter for three-dimensional image photographing attached to the non-stereo camera. That is, both the operation for the non-stereo camera and the operation for the stereo camera by the adapter for stereoscopic image capturing are possible. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe. In addition, since both the stereoscopic image imaging unit and the camera processing unit are provided, stereoscopic image photographing can be performed alone even when not mounted on a non-stereo camera. Further, the non-stereo camera used in combination is a general camera, and the camera processing unit built in the camera may not be a camera processing unit for stereoscopic image processing, and can be widely applied as a non-stereo camera It becomes.

<< 2 >> This configuration corresponds to a modification of the above-mentioned << 1 >>, and after integrating a stereoscopic image capturing unit and a camera processing unit that function as a stereo camera, the configuration is associated with a non-stereo camera as follows. The integrated stereoscopic image pickup unit and camera processing unit are configured to be attachable to the main unit (for example, a hot shoe) of the non-stereo camera, but for the same reason, the non-stereo camera The lens barrel is mounted with the front of the lens barrel open. The other configuration is the same as in the above-mentioned << 1 >>. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 3 of the second embodiment described later (but not limited by the same figure).

The adapter for stereoscopic image photography of this paragraph is
A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
A camera processing unit that receives the first image data and the second image data and performs image processing;
Equipped with
The stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are integrally connected, and the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are configured to open the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera. It is configured to be attachable to a stereo camera,
The camera processing unit is configured to be capable of driving and operating the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

Also in this configuration, the non-stereo camera itself is an external component and does not become an essential component of the present invention.

In the above configuration, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter as the stereo camera is used in a state where the integrated stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are attached to the main unit of the non-stereo camera. When the operator holds the non-stereo camera in his hand, not only can normal imaging be performed by the non-stereo camera, but also stereoscopic image photographing with the adapter for stereoscopic image photographing in a state of being attached to the non-stereo camera main body Become. That is, both the operation for the non-stereo camera and the operation for the stereo camera by the adapter for stereoscopic image capturing are possible. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe. In addition, since the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are integrally connected, it is not necessary to connect the two parts with a cable, and the structural consistency is good. In addition, since both the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are provided, it is possible to capture a stereoscopic image independently, and the non-stereo camera used in combination is a normal type camera whose built-in camera processing unit is not for stereoscopic image processing And the scope is broad.

<< 3 >> This configuration uses a built-in camera processing unit in a non-stereo camera for a camera processing unit that should perform image processing of an image signal acquired by a stereoscopic image pickup unit. The other configuration is basically the same as that of the above-mentioned << 1 >>. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 4 of the third embodiment described later (but not limited by the same figure). As a stereo camera, an output that outputs image data acquired by the first and second imaging units to a non-stereo camera built-in camera processing unit as a stereoscopic image imaging unit including the first and second imaging units Unit and an input unit of a drive signal from a camera processing unit built in the non-stereo camera. The stereoscopic image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera in a state in which the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened. The output unit of the image data is configured to be able to transmit the image data acquired by the first and second imaging units to a camera processing unit built in the non-stereo camera.

The adapter for stereoscopic image photography of this paragraph is
A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
An output unit that outputs the first image data and the second image data to a camera processing unit built in a non-stereo camera;
An input unit to which a drive signal from the camera processing unit is input;
Equipped with
The three-dimensional image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera in a state in which the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened.

In the above configuration, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter is used in a state where the stereoscopic image capturing unit is attached to the non-stereo camera. When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera in his hand, the non-stereo camera can not only perform normal photographing but also the built-in camera processing unit in the stereoscopic image pickup unit and the non-stereo camera attached to the non-stereo camera It also becomes possible to shoot stereoscopic images by That is, both the operation for the non-stereo camera and the operation for the stereo camera by the adapter for stereoscopic image capturing are possible. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe. In addition, since the non-stereo camera incorporates a built-in camera processing unit as the camera processing unit, the structure of the stereoscopic image capturing adapter itself can be simplified.

It is also effective to use an electronic camera equipped with a hybrid imaging system that combines the function of the stereo camera with the function of the non-stereo camera described above.

According to the present invention, when the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera in his hand, the non-stereo camera is in a state in which the adapter for stereoscopic image photographing (stereo camera) is attached. Both operation and operation to the stereo camera by the adapter for stereoscopic image shooting are possible, and even in the shooting scene where the subject condition changes rapidly, simultaneous execution of normal shooting and stereoscopic image shooting while taking advantage of the severe shutter chance Can be easily realized.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stereo camera including a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a camera processing unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual view showing the configuration of a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing the configuration of a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a non-stereo camera in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal configuration of the pre-processing unit in FIG. 5 of the third embodiment of the present invention and simplifying the others. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a non-stereo camera in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the pre-processing interface in FIG. 7 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in detail and simplifying the others. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram for converting two image signal inputs into one image data output in the hybrid imaging system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of converting the image signal input of two systems into image data output of one system by temporally shifting the reading start position in the vertical direction in the hybrid imaging system in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram for converting three-system image signals into one-system image data in the hybrid imaging system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a non-stereo camera in Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit in Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a camera lens adapter for three-dimensional image shooting is mounted on the front surface of a lens barrel of a general camera for normal shooting in the prior art. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an adapter lens for stereoscopic image shooting is mounted on the front surface of a lens barrel of a general camera for normal shooting in another prior art.

The three-dimensional image capturing adapter according to the present invention having the above-described configuration <1> to <3> can be further advantageously developed in the following embodiments.

<< 4 >> In the above [1] or [3],
The three-dimensional image capturing unit has a lens hood that can be attached to the lens barrel,
There is an aspect that the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are attached to the lens hood. In the case of <2>, the configuration of the present section is not applied because the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit which are integrally connected are attached to the “main unit” of the non-stereo camera. In the case of <1> and <3>, since there is no restriction of attachment to the main body, the application of this item (attachment of lens hood to lens barrel) is possible.

In the structure in which the lens hood attached with the first and second imaging units is attached to the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera, it is easily realized that the lens barrel does not fall within the field of view of the pair of imaging units Be done. Further, the relative positional relationship between the pair of imaging units and the lens barrel is always maintained in a constant relationship regardless of the length of the lens barrel. Therefore, in the case where the non-stereo camera is a single-lens reflex camera with interchangeable lenses, the lens barrel does not fall within the field of view of the pair of imaging units regardless of the length of the barrel of the interchangeable lens. Is obtained.

<< 5 >> When using the built-in camera processing unit in the non-stereo camera of << 3 >>, the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are connected via the input unit and the output unit. The form of the connection may be either wired connection or wireless connection. That is, the output unit and the input unit on the stereoscopic image capturing unit side are configured to be connectable to the camera processing unit of the non-stereo camera in a wired or wireless manner.

<6> In the above <1> and <2>, although the stereoscopic image capturing adapter includes the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit, the control of the capturing operation of the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit is performed. It is a preferable aspect to be configured to be controlled not by the operation signal from the camera processing unit but by the operation signal from the non-stereo camera. The normal shooting with the non-stereo camera is performed by the operation with the non-stereo camera. If the operation signal at this time is transmitted to the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit to perform shooting control of the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit, Simultaneous execution of normal shooting with a non-stereo camera and stereoscopic image shooting with a stereo camera is ensured.

<< 7 >> In the above <3>, the non-stereo camera uses the built-in camera processing unit, and the control of the stereoscopic image capturing unit is controlled by the operation signal from the non-stereo camera. Is a preferred embodiment. The normal shooting with the non-stereo camera is performed by the operation with the non-stereo camera, but if the operation signal at this time is transmitted to the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the shooting control of the stereoscopic image capturing unit is performed, the normal shooting with the non-stereo camera and the stereo Simultaneous execution with the stereoscopic image shooting by the camera is ensured.

In <8> above <4>, the stereoscopic image capturing unit has a lens hood that can be attached to the lens barrel of a non-stereo camera, and the first and second imaging units are attached to the lens hood. In this case, it is a preferable aspect to be able to adjust the base line length which is the distance between the centers of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit. Misalignment between the left and right eyes of human beings is called parallax, but it is possible to adjust the parallax by adjusting the base length, and it is effective in optimizing the stereoscopic effect and suppressing eyestrain.

In <9> above <4>, the stereoscopic image capturing unit has a lens hood attachable to the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera, and the first and second imaging units are attached to the lens hood. In this case, it is a preferable aspect that the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are configured to be adjustable in angle around the vertical axis with respect to the optical axis. The convergence of the optical axes of the left and right images is called "congestion". The three-dimensional effect also changes depending on the angle at which the optical axes intersect, which also affects the observer's feeling of fatigue. If convergence adjustment is performed by adjusting the angle around the vertical axis with respect to the optical axis of the first and second imaging units, it is effective in optimizing the three-dimensional effect and suppressing eyestrain. In addition, the focal length of the stereo camera can be set in a state independent of the zoom position of the lens of the non-stereo camera, and suitable stereoscopic photography can be performed according to the shooting scene. In addition, the aspect which combined said <8> and this item <9> is also considered.

<< 10 >> The camera processing unit in each of the above-described adapters for capturing a stereoscopic image may be a camera processing unit that constitutes a stereo camera together with the stereoscopic image capturing unit, or a camera processing unit built in a non-stereo camera, It is preferable that a camera processing unit configured to be able to convert two systems of image data from the first and second imaging units, which are mutually controlled in frame synchronous drive, into one system of integrated image data. In this case, it is possible to control stereoscopic image shooting with a stereo camera in correspondence with side-by-side (two-image parallel) recording. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 9 of the fourth embodiment described later (however, it is not limited by the figure).

1111 また Also, as mentioned above 1010 カメラ As a camera processing unit in each stereoscopic image capturing adapter, it may be a camera processing unit which constitutes a stereo camera together with a stereoscopic image pickup unit, or a camera processing built in a non-stereo camera In any case, it is preferable to use an aspect configured to drive by shifting the exposure period of the two systems of first and second image data in the vertical direction temporally by mode switching. In this case, in addition to the side-by-side recording support for stereoscopic image shooting with a stereo camera, frame sequential recording support (time-difference frame interlace) is also possible. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 10 of the fourth embodiment described later (however, it is not limited by the figure).

<< 12 >> In the configuration of <10>, the camera processing unit converts the two systems of the first and second image data into one system of integrated image data. The first and second image data writing processing and reading processing at double speed or more are performed, and the position and width of horizontal reading of the first and second image data of two systems are independently adjusted Configure. According to this configuration, it is possible to execute adjustment of parallax (baseline length) by digital processing, even though the image is a side-by-side image.

<< 13 >> The configuration of the above <3> using the built-in camera processing unit in a non-stereo camera
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit acquire the first image data and the second image data while performing frame synchronous drive control with each other,
The non-stereo camera has a third imaging unit for acquiring third image data,
The camera processing unit
An image memory for writing the first to third image data;
The first to third image data written in the image memory is used as a clock of integrated image data of one system by using a clock equal to or higher than the frequency obtained by adding the pixel clock frequency in each of the first to third image data A memory control unit to read out;
Preferably, the In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 11 of the fifth embodiment described later (however, it is not limited by the figure).

<< 14 >> The following configuration is a preferred embodiment of the camera processing unit described in <3> above, which utilizes a camera processing unit built in a non-stereo camera as a hybrid photographing system. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of Example 3 described later (however, the present invention is not limited by this figure). The camera processing unit
A first pre-processing unit that processes the first and second image data input from the three-dimensional image capturing adapter;
A second pre-processing unit that processes the third image data input from the third imaging unit;
Is equipped.

1515》 The configuration of 《3 ’above is
The first image data includes a first serial image signal,
The second image data includes a second serial image signal,
The third image data includes a third serial image signal,
The first pre-processing part is
A stereo-serial interface to which two systems of the first and second image data are input from the stereoscopic image capturing unit;
Stereo-serial / parallel conversion for converting the first and second serial image signals contained in the first and second image data input to the stereo-serial interface into first and second parallel image signals Department,
A stereo image pre-processing unit that generates fourth and fifth image data including the processed first and second parallel image signals after performing various image processing on the first and second parallel image signals When,
Equipped with
The second pre-processing part is
A serial interface to which the third image data is input from the third imaging unit;
A serial / parallel converter for converting the third serial image signal contained in the third image data input to the serial interface into a third parallel image signal;
An image preprocessing unit that performs various types of image processing on the third parallel image signal and then generates sixth image data including the third parallel image signal after processing;
Is preferably provided.

<< 16 >> With regard to the hybrid photographing system, the following configuration is a preferable embodiment of the camera processing unit of the above-mentioned <3> which utilizes a camera processing unit built in a non-stereo camera. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the fourth embodiment described later (however, the present invention is not limited by the figure).

The non-stereo camera includes a third imaging unit that acquires third image data, a preprocessing interface, and the camera processing unit.
The pre-processing interface integrates one system of the first and second image data input from the stereoscopic image capturing adapter and the third image data input from the third imaging unit. It is configured to be convertible to image data,
The camera processing unit receives and processes the integrated image data from the pre-processing interface.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the adapter for stereoscopic image capturing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view showing a configuration of an electronic camera provided with a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing, which is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This electronic camera is composed of a combination of a stereo camera SC for imaging a stereoscopic image and a non-stereo camera NS which is a general camera for ordinary imaging that is not for imaging a stereoscopic image.

The stereo camera SC includes a stereoscopic image capturing unit 100, a data communication unit 150, and a camera processing unit 200. The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are electrically connected via a data communication unit 150 made of a cable. Image data output from the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 in the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100 is configured to be input to the camera processing unit 200 via the data communication unit 150. The camera processing unit 200 is configured to receive image data acquired by the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 and perform image processing. This image processing includes recording of image data. Further, the camera processing unit 200 is configured to be capable of driving and operating the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20.

The stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 includes a first image pickup unit 10 and a second image pickup unit 20 for making the subject luminous flux incident independently on the left and right, and a lens hood 30 on which the first and second

image pickup units

10 and 20 are mounted. Have. The non-stereo camera NS includes a camera body 600 and a lens barrel 700. The lens barrel 700 is detachably mounted to the mount of the camera body 600. The lens hood 30 is configured to be attachable to the tip of the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS, and the camera processing unit 200 is configured to be attachable to the hot shoe 610 of the camera body 600. The non-stereo camera NS and the stereo camera SC can exchange signals via the hot shoe 610. The other end of the lens barrel 700 is provided with a mount for combining with the camera body 600. The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 detachably mounted on the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS in the lens hood 30 is configured such that the mounting thereof is in a state of opening the front of the lens barrel 700.

In the first embodiment, the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100, the data communication unit 150, and the camera processing unit 200 configure a stereoscopic image capturing adapter, and the stereoscopic image capturing adapter configures a stereo camera SC.

In the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20, an optical lens, an iris for adjusting the amount of incident light, a mechanical shutter, an optical low pass filter, and an imaging device are arranged in this order of description. Motors for moving the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction include an autofocus motor (AF motor) for moving the focusing lens and a zoom motor for moving the zoom lens, and the AF motor, zoom lens motor and iris motor are respectively The drive is controlled by the motor controller in the camera processing unit 200. The imaging element is disposed perpendicularly to the optical axis of the imaging lens. The sub circuit board of the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 having the first and second

image pickup units

10 and 20 is connected to the main circuit board of the camera processing unit 200 via the data communication unit 150. The contacts and terminals on these circuit boards enable wired communication with a serial interface described later.

As another connection method, a plurality of contact points (not shown) are provided on the front mount portion of the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 and the lens barrel 700, and the mount portions on the lens barrel 700 side and the camera main body 600 side are the same. There is a configuration in which a terminal (not shown) in contact with the connection terminal is provided. At this time, the main circuit board of the camera processing unit 200 and the hot shoe 610 of the camera body 600 may be provided with a plurality of contact points (not shown) on both sides. These contacts and terminals connected via the mount enable data communication with the serial interface described later.

Further, as another connection method, there is a mode in which a sub-circuit board of the three-dimensional image pickup unit 100 and a main circuit board of the camera processing unit 200 are connected by an optical fiber by providing light transmission / reception terminals. These optical contacts and terminals connected via optical cables enable optical communication with the serial interface described later.

On the back of the camera body 600, a liquid crystal panel for displaying the through image or menu image of the subject, a display button for switching the liquid crystal panel ON / OFF, and an appropriate item from the menu images displayed on the liquid crystal panel A cross operation button operated at the time of selection, an execution button (not shown) pressed at the time of displaying or confirming the menu screen, and the like are provided.

Also on the back of the camera processing unit 200, a liquid crystal panel for displaying a through image or menu image of an object, a display button for switching the liquid crystal panel ON / OFF, and an appropriate item from the menu images displayed on the liquid crystal panel There is a mode provided with a cross operation button operated at the time of selection, an execution button (not shown) pressed at the time of display or confirmation of the menu screen, and the like.

By operating various buttons on the back of the camera body 600, the camera body 600 can be sequentially switched to a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, a night shooting mode, a flash shooting mode, and the like. At the same time, the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 can be operated from the camera body unit 600, and can also be operated from the camera processing unit 200.

The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is detachably attached to the front end of the lens barrel 700. The stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is mounted on the front end of the lens barrel 700 with high accuracy via a bayonet mechanism. The bayonet mechanism is a socket-type simple joining mechanism that connects and releases by inserting a claw into a groove and twisting it. A connection terminal is provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the lens barrel 700, and the output terminal (transmission device) of the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is in contact with this connection terminal. The transmission apparatus may be a wireless communication interface having a modulation unit that modulates data to form a transmission signal and an antenna that transmits the transmission signal, instead of the output terminal.

When the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are attached to the non-stereo camera NS, it is possible to simultaneously perform stereoscopic image shooting with the stereo camera SC and normal shooting with the non-stereo camera NS. When the camera is not attached, normal photographing is performed by the non-stereo camera NS. The stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the embodiment can also be used alone as a camera dedicated to stereoscopic image capturing.

Next, the configuration of the stereo camera SC including the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The configuration of the stereo camera SC can be realized based on the basic configuration of a general single-plate digital camera.

The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 includes an Rch first imaging unit 10 for capturing an image for the right eye, a second imaging unit 20 for Lch for performing an image capturing for the left eye, and frame synchronous driving control of a dual sensor. The unit 31 is provided. The first imaging unit 10 includes an optical lens 11, an optical low pass filter (optical LPF) 12, a color filter 13, an imaging device 14, and an analog front end unit 15. Similarly, the second imaging unit 20 includes an optical lens 21, an optical low pass filter (optical LPF) 22, a color filter 23, an imaging device 24, and an analog front end unit 25. In the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20, drive control is performed in frame synchronization by the frame synchronization drive control unit 31.

The configuration and operation of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are the same as each other, so the first imaging unit 10 will be described here.

The light that has passed through the optical lens 11 passes through the optical LPF 12 and the color filter 13 and enters the imaging device 14. The optical LPF 12 has the function of removing high frequency components higher than the sampling frequency depending on the pixel pitch of the image pickup device 14 and the like (the high frequency components of the key signal have low frequencies) in the final image after image reproduction (signal processing) Prevent the occurrence of the phenomenon of folding back to the component). The color filter 13 has a predetermined color arrangement in which any one of R, G, and B exists at a position corresponding to one pixel of the imaging device 14, and the light incident on the photodiode as the light receiving element Make a color selection. The image pickup device 14 as an image sensor represented by a CCD type or a CMOS type has a large number of photodiodes (photosensitive pixels) arrayed two-dimensionally on its light receiving surface, and the object information passing through the optical lens 11 is Photoelectric conversion. The imaging device 14 has an electronic shutter function of controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode according to the timing of the shutter gate pulse, and is controlled by the CPU 41 of the camera processing unit 200 via the frame synchronous drive control unit 31. (Exposure, reading, etc.). An object image formed on the light receiving surface of the imaging device 14 is converted into signal charge of an amount according to the amount of incident light by each photodiode, and the signal charge is based on the pulse given from the driver circuit of the frame synchronous drive control unit 31. Is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) according to. The image signal output from the imaging device 14 is sent to the analog front end unit 15 and converted to a digital signal by A / D conversion processing after processing such as analog gain and CDS (correlated double sampling). In the case of a CMOS-type imaging device, there is also a form in which a noise processing unit and an A / D converter are mounted as means for realizing high-speed readout, and they are directly output as digital signals. The same applies to the second imaging unit 20.

The components of the camera processing unit 200 are as follows: 41 is a CPU (central processing unit), 42 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), 43 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), 44 is a preprocessing unit, 45 is a memory control unit, 46 Is an image memory, 47 is an image signal processing unit, 48 is a compression / decompression unit with motion vector detection, 49 is a resize processing unit, 50 is a face area detection unit, 51 is a recording media interface, 52 is a display processing unit, 53 is a monitor Reference numeral 54 denotes an operation panel, 55 denotes a recording medium, 56 denotes a camera shake detection unit, 57 denotes an external device control interface, and 58 denotes a synchronization signal generation unit (SSG).

The CPU 41 is a control unit that generally controls the stereo camera SC in accordance with a predetermined program, and controls the operation of each circuit in the stereo camera SC based on an operation signal from the operation panel 54. That is, the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are controlled by the frame synchronous drive control unit 31 in accordance with various photographing conditions (exposure condition, presence / absence of strobe light emission, photographing mode, etc.) according to the operation signal. Control. Furthermore, automatic exposure (AE) control, automatic focusing (AF) control, auto white balance control, lens drive control, image processing control, read / write control of the recording medium 55, and the like are performed. For example, drive control of the focus lens in the

optical lenses

11 and 21 is performed so that the zoom magnifications of the respective optical systems become the same in response to the zoom instruction from the operation panel 54. In addition, AF control is performed when a half press of the release switch is detected, and when full press of the release switch is detected, matched exposure and read out control are started to capture an image for recording. In addition, a command is sent to a strobe control circuit (not shown) as needed to control the light emission of a flash light emitting tube (light emitting portion) such as a xenon tube.

The ROM 42 stores programs executed by the CPU 41 and various data required for control, and the RAM 43 is used as a work area of the CPU 41.

The operation panel 54 is used by the user to give various instructions to the stereo camera SC, and a mode selection switch for selecting an operation mode, selection operation of menu items (cursor movement operation), frame forwarding / frame return of reproduced images, etc. The cross key to indicate the selected item, the execution key to confirm (register) the selected item or execution of the operation, the cancel key to erase the desired target such as the selected item or cancel the instruction, power switch, zoom switch, release switch, etc. Including the controls of

The first and second image data composed of digital image signals obtained by A / D conversion in the analog front end units 15 and 25 of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 respectively are processed by the preprocessing unit 44. , And sent to the image signal processing unit 47. The pre-processing unit 44 includes an auto calculation unit that performs calculations necessary for AE and AF control, and calculates focus evaluation value and AE based on the first and second image data fetched in response to the half depression of the release switch. An operation or the like is performed, and the operation result is transmitted to the CPU 41. When full-pressing of the release switch is detected, the CPU 41 controls a lens driving motor (not shown) based on the result of focus evaluation value calculation to move the

optical lenses

11 and 21 to a matched focusing position. In the setting of the aperture and the electronic shutter, exposure control with good matching is performed.

The pre-processing unit 44 and the image signal processing unit 47 perform synchronization (processing to interpolate the spatial shift of the color signal accompanying the color filter array), white balance (WB) adjustment, gamma correction, luminance / color difference signal generation, contour Various processing such as enhancement (magnification / reduction) processing by the electronic zoom function and conversion (resize) processing of the number of pixels are performed on the first and second image data. These processes are performed according to a command from the CPU 41. Furthermore, processing of the first and second image data is performed using the image memory 46 via the memory control unit 45 between the preprocessing unit 44 and the image signal processing unit 47, and the processed first, The second image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 46.

The resize processing unit 49 changes the image size of the first and second image data that has undergone predetermined signal processing in the preprocessing unit 44 and the image signal processing unit 47 to a standard size. This functions when recording the first and second image data with a standardized size or when displaying on a liquid crystal monitor connected to the monitor interface 53.

The face area detection unit 50 detects information such as the position, size, and inclination of the face of a person on the resized first and second image data as necessary.

The compression / decompression unit 48 compresses the resized first and second image data in accordance with various types of compression formats. At this time, a compression encoding algorithm corresponding to the compression format to be used is used. MPEG format, H. When data compression is performed with a standardized size in a moving image compression data format such as H.264 format, resizing image data is periodically read from the image memory 46 through the memory control unit 45 in parallel processing, and compression of input frame data is performed. After that, the first and second image data compressed by writing back to the image memory 46 are stored in the memory space.

The recording medium interface 51 relays the memory control unit 45 and the recording medium 55, and transfers the compressed first and second image data to the recording medium 55 for recording. The first and second image data of the two systems of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 thus taken in are recorded on the recording medium 55 in accordance with the recording mode. The recording medium 55 is not limited to a semiconductor memory represented by a memory card, and various media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used. In addition, not only the removable media but also a built-in recording medium (internal memory) may be used.

In this stereo camera SC, JPEG format, MPEG format, H.264, and so on. Still image recording and moving image recording in compressed data format such as H.264 format are possible. The camera shake detection unit 56 detects camera shake of the stereo camera SC, feeds back the detected camera shake amount to the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100, and optical camera shake correction and camera shake correction are performed. A gyro sensor is used for the camera shake detection unit 56.

In the above configuration, the CPU 41 further communicates, via the external device control interface 57, whether or not the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 in the stereo camera SC are attached to the non-stereo camera NS. To detect. The external device control interface 57 is connected to the hot shoe 610 of the camera body 600. The CPU 41 has a function of receiving an operation signal from the non-stereo camera NS via the external device control interface 57 and controlling the operation of each circuit in the stereo camera SC. That is, when the stereo camera SC is attached to the non-stereo camera NS, the various operation signals from the non-stereo camera NS are supplied to the CPU 41 of the stereo camera SC via the hot shoe 610 and the external device control interface 57. It has become. Thus, stereoscopic image shooting with the stereo camera SC and normal shooting with the non-stereo camera NS can be performed simultaneously.

There are the following modes (1) to (3) as an operation mode in a state where the stereo camera SC is attached to the non-stereo camera NS.

(1) A mode in which normal shooting with the non-stereo camera NS is performed based on the operation X of the non-stereo camera NS at the camera body 600.

(2) A mode in which a stereoscopic image is taken by the stereo camera SC based on the operation Y of the camera processing unit 200 of the stereo camera SC.

(3) A mode in which the normal shooting with the non-stereo camera NS and the stereoscopic image shooting with the stereo camera SC are simultaneously performed based on the operation X ^* at the camera body 600 of the non-stereo camera NS.

In the case of mode (3), the various operation signals from the non-stereo camera NS are supplied to the CPU 41 of the stereo camera SC via the hot shoe 610 and the external device control interface 57.

Note that instead of using the hot shoe 610, a movable pin (linked to a switch) is provided near the tip of the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS, and the stereo camera SC is mounted by turning on / off the movable pin. It may be configured to detect whether or not it is detected. Further, the function of detecting the mounting of the stereo camera SC may not be provided, and when the photographing operator wears the information, the effect may be input from the operation panel 54.

As described above, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the first embodiment includes the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 including the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20, the first imaging unit 10, and the second imaging unit 20. Camera processing unit 200 that receives the first and second image data acquired in step S2 and performs image processing, and the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 does not open the front of the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS. The camera processing unit 200 is configured to be attachable to the stereo camera NS, and the camera processing unit 200 is configured to be attachable to the camera main body 600 of the non-stereo camera NS and to drive and operate the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20. ing.

According to the first embodiment, the non-stereo camera NS, which is a general camera for normal shooting that does not have a stereoscopic image shooting function, includes the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100 as a peripheral device and the camera processing unit 200. By mounting the stereo camera SC, it is possible to take a stereoscopic image. When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera NS with the stereo camera SC in hand, not only can normal shooting with the non-stereo camera NS, but also the stereo camera SC mounted in the non-stereo camera NS Images can also be taken. That is, both the operation for the non-stereo camera NS and the operation for the stereo camera SC can be performed. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe.

Further, in the structure in which the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 having the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 is mounted on the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS, the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 have a lens hood Since the lens hood 30 is attached to the lens hood 30 and attached to the lens barrel 700, the lens barrel 700 does not fall within the field of view of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20.

Further, the relative positional relationship between the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 and the lens barrel 700 is always kept constant regardless of the length of the lens barrel 700. Therefore, in the case where the non-stereo camera NS is a single-lens camera capable of interchangeable lenses, the lens barrel 700 does not enter the field of view of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20. It can be realized regardless of the length of the

(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The stereoscopic image capturing adapter in the second embodiment is an adapter in which the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are integrated in one case. The stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the second embodiment can also be used as an electronic camera dedicated to stereoscopic image capturing.

The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 includes first and

second imaging units

10 and 20. The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is integrated with the camera processing unit 200, and is physically connected to the hot shoe 610 of the non-stereo camera NS in the camera processing unit 200, and configured to electrically communicate with the non-stereo camera NS. It is done.

For the specific configuration of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the specific configuration of the camera processing unit 200, the configuration of the block diagram of FIG. 2 in the case of the first embodiment is used.

The stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the second embodiment is acquired by the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 including the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20, the first imaging unit 10, and the second imaging unit 20. A camera processing unit 200 that receives the first and second image data and performs image processing, and the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are integrally connected, and a lens mirror of the non-stereo camera NS The camera processing unit 200 is configured to be able to drive and operate the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20 so as to be attachable to the camera body 600 of the non-stereo camera NS in a state in which the front of the tube 700 is opened. It is done.

According to the second embodiment, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter as the stereo camera SC is in a state where the integrated stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are attached to the camera body 600 of the non-stereo camera NS. It will be used. When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera NS in his hand, not only normal photographing can be performed by the non-stereo camera NS, but also three-dimensional image photographing by the adapter for three-dimensional image photographing mounted in the camera body 600 is possible. become. In other words, both the operation for the non-stereo camera NS and the operation for the stereo camera SC by the stereoscopic image capturing adapter can be performed. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe.

Further, because the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera processing unit 200 are integrated, the data communication unit 150 in the first embodiment does not exist in the form of a cable exposed to the outside. Therefore, the structural cohesion is good.

In the case of the second embodiment, the lens hood 30 for mounting on the lens barrel 700 as in the first embodiment is not used, and the whole is mounted on the hot shoe 610 of the camera body 600. As for the camera NS, the built-in camera processing unit may be a normal type camera not for stereoscopic image processing, and the application range is wide.

The image data generated by the stereo camera SC may be input to the non-stereo camera NS. In this case, a data communication unit connected to the non-stereo camera NS may be separately provided.

(Example 3)
FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a hybrid photographing system including an adapter for three-dimensional image photographing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a camera processing unit that performs image processing of image data acquired by the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 uses a built-in camera processing unit in a non-stereo camera NS with an external input. The stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the third embodiment includes a stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 in which the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are mounted on the lens hood 30 mountable to the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS; And a data communication unit 150 for electrically connecting the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 to the non-stereo camera NS. A connection point with the data communication unit 150 of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is an output unit 32 and an input unit 33. The output unit 32 is a portion that outputs the first and second image data acquired by the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20 to the non-stereo camera NS and to the built-in camera processing unit 400. . The input unit 33 is a portion for inputting a drive signal from the camera processing unit 400 built in the non-stereo camera NS. The first and second image data output from the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are input to the non-stereo camera NS via the data communication unit 150. The sub circuit board of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is connected to the main circuit board of the non-stereo camera NS via the data communication unit 150. When this connection is made, the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the camera main unit 600 communicate with each other to check the devices, and then become electrically connected. The operation of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 can also be performed from the camera body unit 600. The other configuration in FIG. 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and thus detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the non-stereo camera NS in the third embodiment. The non-stereo camera NS is configured to be able to connect the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 via the data communication unit 150 based on the basic configuration of a general single-plate digital camera. The basic configuration and operation of a stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 having a pair of first and second

image pickup units

10 and 20 are the same as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 61 denotes an optical lens of the non-stereo camera NS, 300 denotes a third imaging unit of the non-stereo camera NS, and 400 denotes a camera processing unit of the non-stereo camera NS. As components of the

third imaging unit

300, 62 is an optical low pass filter (optical LPF), 63 is a color filter, 64 is an imaging device, 65 is an analog front end including an A / D conversion unit, 66 is frame synchronous driving It is a control unit. Further, as components of the

camera processing unit

400, 70 is a preprocessing unit, 71 is a CPU, 72 is a ROM, 73 is a RAM, 75 is a memory control unit, 76 is an image memory, 77 is an image signal processing unit, and 78 is a compression Reference numeral 79 denotes a resize processing unit, 80 denotes a face area detection unit, 81 denotes a recording media interface, 82 denotes a display processing unit, 83 denotes a monitor interface, 84 denotes an operation panel, 85 denotes a recording medium, 86 denotes a camera shake detection unit, 87 Is an external device control interface, and 88 is a synchronization signal generator (SSG). These components are configured the same as the camera processing unit 200 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The first and second image data consisting of right-eye and left-eye image signals from the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 are transmitted to the non-stereo camera NS built-in camera processing unit 400 via the data communication unit 150 and are necessary The signal is processed and recorded on the recording medium 85. The internal processing of the non-stereo camera NS allows JPEG format, MPEG format, H.264 format Still image recording and moving image recording in compressed data format such as H.264 format are possible. Also, shake of the hybrid photographing system is detected using the shake detection unit 86, and the detected shake amount is fed back to the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 to perform optical shake correction and shake correction. A gyro sensor is used for the camera shake detection unit 86.

The preprocessing unit 70 and the external device control interface 87 of the camera processing unit 400 in the non-stereo camera NS of the third embodiment are somewhat different from a general single-plate digital camera. In a general single-plate digital camera, the pre-processing unit is configured to receive image data of one system. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the pre-processing unit 70 has a total of three system inputs (first to third image data inputs). One system input (third image data input) from the original third imaging unit 300 and two system inputs from the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 in the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100 (first , Second image data input).

In addition to the input of the third image data of one system subjected to A / D conversion in the third imaging unit 300 of the non-stereo camera NS, the preprocessing unit 70 The first and second image data of A / D converted two systems of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are input. The one line of the third image data and the two lines of the first and second image data are sent to the image signal processing unit 77 through the preprocessing unit 70. The external device control interface 87 is used to detect that the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is connected to the non-stereo camera NS via the data communication unit 150, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 71.

Next, the detailed configuration of the pre-processing unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal configuration of the pre-processing unit 70 in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the first to third image data include the first to third serial image signals.

As a basic component in the

pre-processing unit

70, 26 is a serial interface that receives the third image data output from the

third imaging unit

300, and 27 is the third image data included in the input third image data A serial / parallel converter that converts the serial image signal of 3 into a manageable third parallel image signal, and 28 performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction of the converted third parallel image signal. An image preprocessing unit to be implemented, and an imaging unit control data extraction unit 34 extract white balance data and AF high frequency components from the third parallel image signal. Also, as a component of the stereoscopic image capturing unit, a stereo-serial interface 35 receives as inputs the first and second image data of two systems for the right eye and for the left eye output from the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 as a component 35 Is a stereo-serial / parallel converter for converting the first and second serial image signals contained as main data in the input first and second image data into first and second parallel image signals that can be easily handled, 37 is a stereo image pre-processing unit that performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction of the converted first and second parallel image signals, and 38 is the first and second parallel image signals. It is an imaging unit control data extraction unit that extracts data for white balance and high frequency components for AF.

In the pre-processing unit 70, a first pre-processing portion is configured by the stereo-serial interface 35, the stereo-serial / parallel converter 36, the stereo image pre-processing unit 37, and the imaging unit control data extraction unit 38, and a serial interface A second pre-processing unit portion is composed of the serial / parallel conversion unit 27, the image pre-processing unit 28, and the imaging unit control data extraction unit 34.

The operation in this configuration will be described. The third imaging unit 300 and the camera processing unit 400 operate systemically under synchronization control of imaging between the frame synchronization drive control unit 66 and the synchronization signal generation unit 88.

(1) When the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is not attached, it is used as a general camera. Third image data (including the third serial image signal as main data) is output in serial form from the third imaging unit 300 to the serial interface 26 by the shooting start operation of the still image or the moving image by the shooting operator. The serial / parallel converter 27 converts the third serial image signal into a continuous third parallel image signal. Furthermore, the image pre-processing unit 28 performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction on the third parallel image signal to make the processed third parallel image signal the main data. The sixth image data to be included is generated. At the same time, the imaging unit control data extraction unit 34 extracts data for white balance and high frequency components for AF. Data for white balance is extracted by calculating an integrated value for each color of the third parallel image signal. The high frequency component for AF is extracted from the luminance component of the third parallel image signal. The continuous image signal preprocessed by the image preprocessing unit 28 is output to the memory control unit 75 inside the camera processing unit 400.

(2) When the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is attached, it can be used as a general camera, and the CPU 71 switches the operation mode to perform photographing using the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100. The first and second image data output from the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 are received in serial form by the stereo-serial interface 35 by the imaging start operation of the imaging operator's 3D still image or 3D moving image. The first and second serial image signals included as main data in the first and second image data received by the stereo-serial interface 35 are continuously transmitted by the stereo-serial / parallel converter 36 to two series of 1, converted to a second parallel image signal (stereo parallel image signal). The stereo image preprocessing unit 37 performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction on each of the converted first and second parallel image signals to obtain the first, second, and third processed signals. Two systems of fourth and fifth image data including the second parallel image signal as main data are generated. At the same time, the imaging unit control data extraction unit 38 extracts white balance data and an AF high frequency component from each of the two systems of the first and second parallel image signals. Two series of fourth and fifth image data including two series of first and second parallel image signals that have been preprocessed by the stereo image pre-processing section 37 as main data are compared with those of the camera processing section 400. It is output to the internal memory control unit 75.

A preprocessing unit 70 capable of a plurality of inputs is a functional block constituting the camera processing unit 400, and the preprocessed fourth and fifth image data can be temporarily stored in the image memory 76 through the memory control unit 75. Will be written. The image signal processing unit 77 performs image signal processing while reading the fourth and fifth image data from the image memory 76, and writes the processing result back to the image memory 76 to store compressed data in the memory space.

When the fourth and fifth image data subjected to predetermined signal processing in the image signal processing unit 77 are recorded as image data of a standardized size, or to be displayed on a liquid crystal monitor connected to the monitor interface 83, The resize processing unit 79 changes the image size to the standard size.

For the resized image data, the face area detection unit 80 detects information such as the position, size, and inclination of the face of a person as needed.

Further, the resized fourth and fifth image data are sent to the compression / decompression unit 78 and compressed in accordance with various types of compression formats. A compression encoding algorithm corresponding to the compression format used at this time is used. MPEG format, H. In the case of compressing the fourth and fifth image data in the standardized size in the moving image compression data format such as H.264 format, the compression / decompression unit 78 performs resizing image data from the image memory 76 via the memory control unit 75 in parallel processing. Are periodically read and compressed for each frame, and the compressed data is stored in the memory space by writing back to the image memory 76. The compressed fourth and fifth image data is recorded on the recording medium 85 via the recording medium interface 81. The recording medium 85 for storing the fourth and fifth image data is not limited to a semiconductor memory represented by a memory card, and various media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used. Moreover, the recording medium (internal memory) incorporated in the non-stereo camera NS which constitutes not only the removable media but the hybrid imaging system may be used.

The CPU 71 is a control unit that generally controls the hybrid imaging system in accordance with a predetermined program, and controls the operation of each circuit in the hybrid imaging system based on an operation signal from the operation panel 84. The ROM 72 stores programs executed by the CPU 71 and various data required for control, and the RAM 73 is used as a work area of the CPU 71.

The operation panel 84 is a device for the user to give various instructions to the hybrid imaging system. For example, a mode selection switch for selecting the operation mode of the hybrid imaging system, selection operation of menu items (cursor moving operation), reproduction Cross key to input an instruction such as frame advance / frame return, an execution key to confirm (register) a selected item or execute an operation, cancel for deleting a desired target such as a selected item or cancel an instruction Includes various controls such as keys, power switches, zoom switches, and release switches. In addition, since the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is attached to the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS as a function expansion peripheral device, control is performed by the same operation as described above from the operation panel 84 of the non-stereo camera NS To be done.

The CPU 71 controls the frame synchronous drive control unit 31 in the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 according to various photographing conditions (exposure condition, presence / absence of flash light emission, photographing mode, etc.) according to operation signals inputted from the operation panel 84. The first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are controlled while being synchronized with the operation of the camera processing unit 400 of the non-stereo camera NS, and automatic exposure control of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20, autofocus Perform matching adjustment such as adjustment control, auto white balance control, lens drive control, and image processing control.

For example, the CPU 71 drives and controls the focus lens constituting the two optical lens units in the third imaging unit 300 and the three-dimensional image imaging unit 100 of the non-stereo camera NS, and a zoom instruction from the operation panel 84 by the photographing operator The zoom magnifications of the respective optical systems are calculated and the magnifications of the zoom lenses are controlled in correspondence with. At this time, the two optical lens units in the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 are controlled so as to match each other and to have the same optical condition.

The CPU 71 performs automatic focus adjustment control when it detects a half press of the release switch, and starts exposure and readout control for capturing an image for recording when it detects a full press of the release switch. In addition, the CPU 71 sends a command to a flash control circuit (not shown) as needed to control the light emission of a flash light emitting tube (light emitting unit) such as a xenon tube. In addition, it controls the lighting of the auxiliary lighting accompanying the movie shooting.

The pre-processing unit 70 capable of performing a plurality of inputs, which is a pre-process of the camera processing unit 400 of the non-stereo camera NS, includes an auto calculation unit that performs calculations necessary for AE and AF control, and responds to half depression of the release switch. Focus evaluation value calculation, AE calculation, etc. are performed based on the image data taken in, and the calculation result is transmitted to the CPU 71. When full depression of the release switch is detected, the CPU 71 controls a lens driving motor (not shown) based on the result of focus evaluation value calculation, and the

optical lenses

11 and 21 in the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 and the non-stereo camera NS. The optical lens 61 in the third imaging unit 300 is moved to the in-focus position, and the diaphragm and the electronic shutter are controlled to perform exposure control. Thus, the captured image data is recorded on the recording medium 85 in accordance with the recording mode.

Further, the CPU 71 detects whether or not the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is attached to the non-stereo camera NS by communicating via the external device control interface 87. Also, a movable pin (linked to a switch) is provided in the vicinity of the tip of the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS, and it is detected whether the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is attached by turning on / off the movable pin. Good. Further, the function of detecting the mounting of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 may not be provided, and when the photographing operator wears the function, the effect may be input from the operation panel 84.

As described above, the stereoscopic image capturing adapter according to the third embodiment includes the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 including the first imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20, the first imaging unit 10, and the second imaging unit 20. An output unit 32 for outputting the first and second image data acquired in the above to the camera processing unit 400 built in the non-stereo camera NS, and an input of a drive signal from the camera processing unit 400 built in the non stereo camera NS The stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera NS in a state of opening the front of the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS, and the image signal output unit 32 is configured to The first and second image data acquired by the imaging unit 10 and the second imaging unit 20 can be transmitted to the built-in camera processing unit 400 in the non-stereo camera NS.

According to the third embodiment, by mounting the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 to the non-stereo camera NS and connecting the data communication unit 150, it is possible to perform stereoscopic image shooting. When the photographing operator holds the non-stereo camera NS mounted with the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 with his hand, not only can the normal photographing be performed by the non-stereo camera NS, but also the stereoscopic image pickup in the state mounted on the non-stereo camera NS Stereoscopic image shooting by the unit 100 can also be performed. That is, both the operation for the non-stereo camera NS and the operation for the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 are possible. This makes it possible to easily realize simultaneous execution of normal shooting and three-dimensional image shooting in a state where the severe shutter chance is used, even in a shooting scene where the change in the subject condition is severe.

Further, in the structure for mounting the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 on the lens barrel 700, the lens hood 30 to which the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are attached is configured to be mounted on the lens barrel 700. Because of this, the lens barrel 700 does not fall within the field of view of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20. Also, the relative positional relationship between the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 and the lens barrel 700 is always kept constant regardless of the length of the lens barrel 700, and the non-stereo camera NS In the case of a single-lens camera with interchangeable lenses, the effect that the lens barrel 700 does not fall within the field of view of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 is determined by the length of the barrel of the interchangeable lens. It can be realized without.

(Example 4)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a non-stereo camera, which is Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, a camera processing unit that should perform image processing of the first and second image data acquired by the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is a camera built in the non-stereo camera NS with an external input. The processing unit 400 is used. The basic configuration for connecting the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 to the non-stereo camera NS is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 of the third embodiment. The operation of the basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 5 of the third embodiment indicate the same components, and thus the detailed description will be omitted. The configuration specific to the present embodiment is as follows.

In the fourth embodiment, the camera processing unit 400 built in the non-stereo camera NS is the same as that of a general single-plate digital camera, and its preprocessing unit 74 serves as one system of image data input. ing. Since the pre-processing unit 74 is similar to that of a general single-plate digital camera, three-system input is newly performed in order to configure three-system image data input consisting of the first to third image data. A pre-processing interface 500 has been added. The three-process input pre-processing interface 500 is inserted between the third imaging unit 300 and the camera processing unit 400.

The pre-processing interface 500 for three-system input includes one-system third image data (third serial image signal is included as main data) from the third imaging unit 300 of the non-stereo camera NS and stereoscopic image imaging Two systems of first and second image data (including the first and second serial image signals as main data) from the unit 100 are input, and the first to third image data are It is converted into integrated image data (the fourth serial image signal is included as main data) and output. The integrated image data is taken into the image memory 76 through the pre-processing unit 74 and the memory control unit 75 corresponding to one-system input of the existing camera processing unit 400, and is sent to the image signal processing unit 77.

The three-system input pre-processing interface 500 can be easily configured as a hybrid imaging system by being configured from a single semiconductor integrated circuit (companion LSI) and incorporated as a functional block into an existing non-stereo camera NS.

Next, the detailed configuration of the three-system input pre-processing interface 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the pre-processing interface 500 in FIG. 7 in detail and the others in a simplified manner. As a component of the preprocessing interface 500, a first serial interface 91 receives the third image data (a third serial image signal is included as main data) output from the third imaging unit 300, A stereo 92 receives two first and second image data (including first and second serial image signals as main data) for the right eye and for the left eye output from the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100. Serial interface 93 is a first serial / parallel conversion that converts the first to third serial image signals contained in the input first to third image data into first to third parallel image signals that can be easily handled 94 performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction for each of the converted first to third parallel image signals. An image pre-processing unit; 95, an image pickup unit control data extraction unit for extracting data for white balance and high-frequency components for AF from each of the first to third parallel image signals; A parallel / serial conversion unit 97 generates integrated image data including the fourth serial image signal as main data by converting the first to third parallel image signals into one system of fourth serial image signal; 97 An output interface for outputting integrated image data to the camera processing unit 400 in the latter stage, 98 is a control data interface for communicating with the

camera processing unit

400, and 99 is synchronization between the third imaging unit 300 and the synchronization signal generating unit 88. And, it is a synchronization signal generation unit that outputs a reference signal for performing synchronous drive control of the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100. Reference numeral 410 denotes a second serial interface in the preprocessing unit 74 of the camera processing unit 400, and reference numeral 420 denotes a second serial / parallel conversion unit.

The operation in this configuration will be described. The preprocessing interface 500 is connected to the CPU 71 of the camera processing unit 400 via a control data interface 98 that communicates with the camera processing unit 400, and the CPU 71 performs operation control.

The third imaging unit 300, the preprocessing interface 500, and the camera processing unit 400 output a reference signal inside the preprocessing interface 500 in order to synchronize with the synchronization signal generation unit 88 of the camera processing unit 400. The system operation is performed under synchronous control of imaging using the generation unit 99.

(1) When the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is not attached, it is used as a general camera. The third imaging unit 300 outputs the third image data to the first serial / parallel conversion unit 93 through the first serial interface 91 in response to the shooting start operation of the still image or the moving image of the imaging operator. The first serial / parallel converter 93 converts the third serial image signal included as main data in the third image data into a continuous first parallel image signal. However, although the first parallel image signal includes the third serial image signal as main data, it does not include the first and second serial image signals. The image preprocessing unit 94 performs various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction on the first parallel image signal. At the same time, the imaging unit control data extraction unit 95 extracts white balance data and AF high frequency components from the first parallel image signal. The parallel / serial conversion unit 96 converts the continuous first parallel image signal preprocessed by the image preprocessing unit 94 into a fourth serial image signal. The parallel / serial conversion unit 96 outputs the integrated image data including the fourth serial image signal as main data to the camera processing unit 400 in the subsequent stage via the output interface 97.

(2) When the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is mounted, it can be used as a general camera, and the CPU 71 switches the operation mode to perform photographing using the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100. The operation as a stereo camera SC using the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100 is as follows.

The operation is started by the photographing start operation of the photographing operator's three-dimensional still image or three-dimensional moving image. First and second serial image signals output in serial form from the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are input to the serial / parallel converter 93 via the stereo-serial interface 92. The serial / parallel converter 93 converts the first and second serial image signals into two continuous first and second parallel image signals. The first and second parallel image signals converted by the serial / parallel converter 93 are further subjected to various processes such as black level adjustment, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction by the image preprocessing unit 94. At the same time, the imaging unit control data extraction unit 95 extracts white balance data for each color from each of the first and second parallel image signals, and from the luminance components of the first and second parallel image signals. Extract high frequency components for AF. Furthermore, the parallel / serial conversion unit 96 converts the first and second parallel image signals preprocessed by the image preprocessing unit 94 into a fourth serial image signal of one system. However, although the fourth serial image signal is main data of the integrated image data, the integrated image data does not include the third serial image signal. The parallel / serial conversion unit 96 outputs integrated image data including the fourth serial image signal as main data to the camera processing unit 400 in the subsequent stage via the output interface 97.

The synchronization signal generation unit 99 generates a reference signal for performing synchronous drive control of the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20. Under the reference signal, the image preprocessing unit 94 and the parallel / serial conversion unit 96 execute serial / parallel conversion using a line memory.

The processing performed by the image preprocessing unit 94 and the parallel / serial conversion unit 96 has a plurality of modes as follows.

(A) The first mode will be described with reference to FIG. This is to convert two systems of first and second image data D1 and D2 into one system of integrated image data (RAW) D11. The image preprocessing unit 94 and the parallel / serial conversion unit 96 use the line memory to write the first and second image data D1 and D2 of the two systems under the reference signal by the synchronization signal generation unit 99. At the same time, read processing of double speed for writing is performed to shift the read start position in time. As a result, the two systems of first and second image data D1 and D2 are converted into one continuous system of integrated image data (RAW) D11. The one-system integrated image data (RAW) D11 is input to the camera processing unit 400 in the subsequent stage, and batch image processing is performed (side-by-side recording support control).

(B) The second mode will be described with reference to FIG. This is to convert two systems of first and second image data D1 and D2 into one system of integrated image data (RAW) D12 in a state of being temporally shifted in the vertical direction so as to interpolate the exposure period. is there. The image preprocessing unit 94 and the parallel / serial conversion unit 96 use the line memory to write the first and second image data D1 and D2 of the two systems under the reference signal by the synchronization signal generation unit 99. In addition to the above, the read start position in the vertical direction is temporally shifted based on the double speed read processing for writing. As a result, the two systems of first and second image data D1 and D2 are converted into one system of integrated image data (RAW) D12 in a state in which the exposure period is mutually interpolated. The one-system integrated image data (RAW) D12 is input to the camera processing unit 400 in the subsequent stage, and becomes RAW output of time difference frame interlace (frame sequential recording correspondence control).

The processes (a) and (b) may be performed before or after the image preprocessing unit 94. If the process is performed in the previous stage, the process in the image preprocessing unit 94 can be performed as a process of one system.

Further, according to the hybrid imaging system in which the image processing control using the line memory is mounted inside the preprocessing interface 500, the first and second image data D1 and D2 of the two systems for which the control of the frame synchronous drive is performed Image processing (side-by-side recording support control) can be performed as one-system integrated image data (RAW), and RAW frame output of time difference frame interlace can be performed by switching by mode setting.

In addition, when reading out two lines of first and second image data D1 and D2 from the line memory as one line of integrated image data (RAW), the horizontal reading start position and the horizontal width are adjusted independently of each other. As a result, it is possible to carry out one system of image processing in which the parallax (baseline length) is adjusted by digital processing in the previous step, even though it is a side-by-side RAW image.

According to the fourth embodiment, when the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 is not attached, it can be used as a general camera, and by attaching the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100, stereoscopic image photographing can be performed. The shooting operator performs normal shooting by the third imaging unit 300 and stereoscopic imaging by the stereoscopic imaging unit 100 in a state of taking advantage of severe shutter chance by switching the operation mode even in a shooting scene in which the subject condition changes rapidly. Image shooting can be switched.

(Example 5)
As shown in FIG. 11, the adapter for stereoscopic image photography of the fifth embodiment of the present invention further provides a dedicated image memory 550 outside the preprocessing interface 500 of the fourth embodiment, and a memory control unit inside. A 510 is provided. This is composed of two systems of first and second image data D1 and D2 output from the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100, and one system of third image data D3 output from the third imaging unit 300. A total of three systems of first to third image data are converted into one system of integrated image data D21 or one system of integrated image data D22. While writing the first to third image data D1, D2 and D3 of the three systems into the image memory 550 via the memory control unit 510, the first to third clocks are used using a clock higher than the frequency obtained by adding the pixel clock frequencies of the three systems. An output conversion process is performed to read out the third image data D1, D2, and D3. As a result, the original third image data D3 of the non-stereo camera NS and the two systems of the first and second image data D1 and D2 of the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 are composed of one continuous RAW image signal. The integrated image data D21 or integrated image data D22 is converted, and the integrated image data D21 after conversion or the integrated image data D22 is subjected to batch image processing by the camera processing unit 400 in the subsequent stage.

Integrated image data D21 has the following features. That is, the third image data D3 generated by the third imaging unit 300 of the non-stereo camera NS and the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 of the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 of the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100 In combining with the second image data D1 and D2, the first image data D1 and the second image data D2 are arranged in the vertical direction, and the third image data D3 and the pair of first and second images Data D1 and D2 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

The integrated image data D22 has the following features. That is, in combining the third image data D3 and the first and second image data D1 and D2, the third image data D3 and the first and second image data D1 and D2 can be arranged in the vertical direction. .

According to the fifth embodiment, even in the case of a shooting scene in which the subject condition is rapidly changing, the shooting operator can use the severe shutter chance to take advantage of normal shooting by the non-stereo camera NS and two-line image data having parallax. Image shooting can be performed simultaneously.

(Example 6)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit and a non-stereo camera in Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Regarding the configuration for transmitting the two systems of first and second image data from the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 of the stereoscopic image imaging unit 100 to the camera processing unit 400 of the non-stereo camera NS Instead of being input to the unit 74, it is input to the memory control unit 75 of the next stage of the preprocessing unit 74. As a configuration therefor, the Y / C image signal processing unit 160 is provided at the output stage of the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100, and the Y / Cr / Cb data input interface 170 is provided at the input stage of the memory control unit 75. This is because the first and second image data (RAW image signals) generated by the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are converted to Y / Cr / Cb data using the Y / C image signal processing unit 160. After conversion, the data can be written to the image memory 76 via the Y / Cr / Cb data input interface 170 and the memory control unit 75.

(Example 7)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit in Embodiment 7 of the present invention. The seventh embodiment is applicable to the first and third embodiments in the case where the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 has the lens hood 30 mountable to the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS. The seventh embodiment is configured such that the base length which is the distance between the centers of the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 can be adjusted.

The lens hood 30 has an octagonal cylindrical shape.

Slide grooves

110 and 120 are formed on two slopes of the lens hood 30 in a V shape, and a pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are slidably attached to the

slide grooves

110 and 120. . At the side of the

slide grooves

110 and 120, a scale 130 for position adjustment check is formed.

Both the first and second imaging units are moved by moving the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 the same distance in a direction toward or away from each other with reference to the position adjustment check scale 130 as a guide. The base lengths of 10 and 20 can be adjusted. By adjusting the base line length, it is possible to adjust the parallax (displacement between the human left eye and the right eye). This is effective in optimizing the three-dimensional effect and suppressing eyestrain.

(Example 8)
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image pickup unit that is Embodiment 8 of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is applicable to the first and third embodiments in which the stereoscopic image pickup unit 100 has the lens hood 30 mountable to the lens barrel 700 of the non-stereo camera NS. In the eighth embodiment, on the premise of the seventh embodiment, the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are configured to be adjustable in angle around the vertical axis with respect to the optical axis of the lens barrel 700, and can be used with the non-stereo camera NS. It is possible to perform parallax convergence adjustment for an object. A pair of left and right slide pedestals 141 and 142 are slidably mounted in the

slide grooves

110 and 120, and the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are configured to be pivotable around vertical axes on the slide pedestals 141 and 142, respectively. It is done. Thus, the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 can be angle-adjusted around the vertical axis in the horizontal plane. Both the first and

second imaging units

10 and 20 are pivoted in a direction approaching each other or pivoted apart from each other. That is, it is axisymmetric turning. By adjusting the convergence (the intersection of the optical axes of the left and right images) of the pair of first and

second imaging units

10 and 20, it is effective in optimizing the stereoscopic effect and suppressing eyestrain.

Although not shown in the drawings, the eighth embodiment is also included in the eighth embodiment in which a fixed pedestal is used instead of the slide pedestal so that a pair of imaging units can be pivoted about the vertical axis.

In the above embodiment, a digital camera mainly shooting a still image of a subject is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a video camera etc. mainly shooting a moving image.

In the above embodiment, although the method of supplying power is not mentioned in the stereoscopic image capturing unit 100, the camera processing unit 200, the stereo camera SC, and the non-stereo camera NS, each may have a power supply. It may be configured to supply power by electrical connection from the stereo camera NS.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. The constituent elements in a plurality of embodiments and examples may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The adapter for stereoscopic image shooting according to the present invention is used in combination with a non-stereo camera, which is a general camera for normal shooting, to take advantage of severe shutter chances even in a shooting scene where the subject condition changes rapidly. It is useful as a technique for realizing simultaneous execution of shooting and stereoscopic image shooting.

The present invention is applicable to a silver halide film camera, a still image electronic camera, a video camera and the like.

NS: non-stereo camera SC: stereo camera 10: first imaging unit 20: second imaging unit 30: lens hood 31: frame synchronous drive control unit 32: output unit 33: input unit 41, 71: CPU
44, 74: Pre-processing unit 45, 75: Memory control unit 46, 76: Image memory 47, 77: Image signal processing unit 48, 78: Compression / decompression unit 51, 81: Recording media interface 54, 84: Operation panel 55, 85: recording medium 57, 87: external device control interface 58, 88: synchronization signal generation unit 70: pre-processing unit capable of inputting a plurality of images 100: stereoscopic image capturing unit 150: data communication unit 200: camera processing unit 300: non-stereo Camera imaging unit 400: Camera processing unit for non-stereo camera 500: Preprocessing interface 600: Camera body unit 610: Hot shoe 700: Lens barrel

Claims

A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
A camera processing unit that receives the first image data and the second image data and performs image processing;
Equipped with
The stereoscopic image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera in a state in which the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened,
The camera processing unit is attachable to the non-stereo camera, and the camera processing unit is configured to be capable of driving and operating the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.
Adapter for stereoscopic image photography.
A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
A camera processing unit that receives the first image data and the second image data and performs image processing;
Equipped with
The stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are integrally connected, and the stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are configured to open the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera. It is configured to be attachable to a stereo camera,
The camera processing unit is configured to be able to drive and operate the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.
Adapter for stereoscopic image photography.
A stereoscopic imaging unit having a first imaging unit for acquiring first image data and a second imaging unit for acquiring second image data;
An output unit that outputs the first image data and the second image data to a camera processing unit built in a non-stereo camera;
An input unit to which a drive signal from the camera processing unit is input;
Equipped with
The stereoscopic image capturing unit is configured to be attachable to the non-stereo camera in a state where the front of the lens barrel of the non-stereo camera is opened.
Adapter for stereoscopic image photography.
The three-dimensional image capturing unit has a lens hood that can be attached to the lens barrel,
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are attached to the lens hood,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 1.
The three-dimensional image capturing unit has a lens hood that can be attached to the lens barrel,
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are attached to the lens hood,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 3.
The output unit and the input unit are configured to be connectable to the camera processing unit by wire or wirelessly.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 3.
The stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are configured to be able to control a photographing operation by an operation signal from the non-stereo camera.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 1.
The stereoscopic image capturing unit and the camera processing unit are configured to be able to control a photographing operation by an operation signal from the non-stereo camera.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 2.
The stereoscopic image pickup unit is configured to be capable of controlling a photographing operation by an operation signal from the non-stereo camera.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 3.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are configured such that a base length that is a distance between centers of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit in the lens hood can be adjusted. ,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 4.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are configured such that a base length that is a distance between centers of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit in the lens hood can be adjusted. ,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 5.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are configured to be adjustable in angle around a vertical axis with respect to the optical axis in the lens hood.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 4.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit are configured to be adjustable in angle around a vertical axis with respect to the optical axis in the lens hood.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 5.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit acquire the first image data and the second image data while performing frame synchronous drive control with each other,
The camera processing unit is configured to be capable of converting the first image data and the second image data into one integrated image data.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 1.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit acquire the first image data and the second image data while performing frame synchronous drive control with each other,
The camera processing unit is configured to be capable of converting the first image data and the second image data into one integrated image data.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 2.
A three-dimensional image capturing adapter according to claim 3 and the non-stereo camera.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit acquire the first image data and the second image data while performing frame synchronous drive control with each other,
The camera processing unit is configured to be capable of converting the first image data and the second image data into one integrated image data.
Hybrid shooting system.
The camera processing unit is configured to drive by shifting the exposure period of the first and second image data in the vertical direction temporally by mode switching.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 14.
The camera processing unit is configured to drive by shifting the exposure period of the first and second image data in the vertical direction temporally by mode switching.
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 15.
The camera processing unit is configured to drive by shifting the exposure period of the first and second image data in the vertical direction temporally by mode switching.
The hybrid photographing system according to claim 16.
When the camera processing unit converts the first and second image data into the integrated image data, the line memory is used to write the first and second image data and read the double speed or more. Processing and independently adjusting the position and width of the horizontal readout of the first and second image data,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 14.
When the camera processing unit converts the first and second image data into the integrated image data, the line memory is used to write the first and second image data and read the double speed or more. Processing and independently adjusting the position and width of the horizontal readout of the first and second image data,
The adapter for three-dimensional image photography of Claim 15.
When the camera processing unit converts the first and second image data into the integrated image data, the line memory is used to write the first and second image data and read the double speed or more. Processing and independently adjusting the position and width of the horizontal readout of the first and second image data,
The hybrid photographing system according to claim 16.
A three-dimensional image capturing adapter according to claim 3 and the non-stereo camera.
The first imaging unit and the second imaging unit acquire the first image data and the second image data while performing frame synchronous drive control with each other,
The non-stereo camera has a third imaging unit for acquiring third image data,
The camera processing unit
An image memory for writing the first to third image data;
The first to third image data written in the image memory is used as a clock of integrated image data of one system by using a clock equal to or higher than the frequency obtained by adding the pixel clock frequency in each of the first to third image data A memory control unit to read out;
Equipped with
Hybrid shooting system.
A three-dimensional image capturing adapter according to claim 3 and the non-stereo camera.
The non-stereo camera includes a third imaging unit that acquires third image data, and the camera processing unit.
The camera processing unit
A first pre-processing unit that processes the first and second image data input from the three-dimensional image capturing adapter;
A second pre-processing unit that processes the third image data input from the third imaging unit;
Equipped with
Hybrid shooting system.
The first image data includes a first serial image signal,
The second image data includes a second serial image signal,
The third image data includes a third serial image signal,
The first pre-processing part is
A stereo-serial interface to which two systems of the first and second image data are input from the stereoscopic image capturing unit;
Stereo-serial / parallel conversion for converting the first and second serial image signals contained in the first and second image data input to the stereo-serial interface into first and second parallel image signals Department,
A stereo image pre-processing unit that generates fourth and fifth image data including the processed first and second parallel image signals after performing various image processing on the first and second parallel image signals When,
Equipped with
The second pre-processing part is
A serial interface to which the third image data is input from the third imaging unit;
A serial / parallel converter for converting the third serial image signal contained in the third image data input to the serial interface into a third parallel image signal;
An image preprocessing unit that performs various types of image processing on the third parallel image signal and then generates sixth image data including the third parallel image signal after processing;
Equipped with
The hybrid photographing system according to claim 24.
A three-dimensional image capturing adapter according to claim 3 and the non-stereo camera.
The non-stereo camera includes a third imaging unit that acquires third image data, a preprocessing interface, and the camera processing unit.
The pre-processing interface integrates one system of the first and second image data input from the stereoscopic image capturing adapter and the third image data input from the third imaging unit. It is configured to be convertible to image data,
The camera processing unit receives the integrated image data from the pre-processing interface and processes the integrated image data.
Hybrid shooting system.
The first image data includes a first serial image signal,
The second image data includes a second serial image signal,
The third image data includes a third serial image signal,
The pre-processing interface is
A stereo-serial interface to which two systems of the first and second image data are input from the stereoscopic image capturing unit;
A first serial interface to which the third image data is input from the third imaging unit;
The first and second serial image signals included in the first and second image data input to the stereo-serial interface and the third image data input to the first serial interface A first serial / parallel converter for converting the third serial image signal contained therein into first to third parallel image signals, respectively;
An image preprocessing unit for performing various types of image processing on the first to third parallel image signals;
Converting the first to third parallel image signals subjected to image processing by the image pre-processing unit into a fourth serial image signal of one system to generate the integrated image data including the fourth serial image signal; Parallel / serial converter,
Equipped with
The pre-processing unit
A second serial interface that receives the integrated image data from the parallel / serial converter;
The fourth serial image signal included in the integrated image data received by the second serial interface is converted into fourth to sixth parallel image signals, and the fourth to sixth parallel image signals are included; A second serial / parallel converter that generates fourth to sixth image data;
Equipped with
The hybrid photographing system according to claim 26.
A hybrid photographing system according to claim 23,
A camera body provided with the hybrid imaging system;
Equipped with
Electronic camera.
A hybrid photographing system according to claim 24;
A camera body provided with the hybrid imaging system;
Equipped with
Electronic camera.
The hybrid photographing system according to claim 26,
A camera body provided with the hybrid imaging system;
Equipped with
Electronic camera.