JP2005148090A - Imaging device, imaging system, its control method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily take stereoscopic photographs and also freely set conditions for stereoscopic photographing by moving two or more imaging devices such as regular digital cameras. <P>SOLUTION: In a stereoscopic imaging system, two regular cameras are moved linking with each other by providing them with communication I/F circuits and connecting them together with a communication cable. Identification numbers are set for the cameras. The function of a master is imparted to one of the cameras and the function of a slave to the other. After photographing, all photographic image data with the identification number are transferred to and stored in the memory of the master. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging system that captures a stereo image using an imaging device such as a digital camera, and more particularly to an imaging device, an imaging system, a control method thereof, and a storage medium for easily obtaining a stereoscopic parallax image.

  Conventionally, as a method for easily capturing a stereo image, there are a method using a dedicated compound-eye stereo camera and a method using a normal monocular camera with a stereo adapter attached.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a conventional dedicated stereo camera. Reference numeral 64 denotes a stereo camera body, 43 denotes a shutter button, 45 denotes an optical viewfinder, and 44 denotes a compound eye lens. This type of compound-eye camera uses a silver salt film, and it is common to create a slide in which left and right images are paired and stereoscopically viewed with a dedicated viewer. In such a stereo camera, the focal length of the lens is fixed to about 28 mm to 35 mm, and the base length (distance between the centers of the compound eye lenses) is set to about 60 mm to 100 mm. This set value is a shooting condition for preventing the parallax between the captured left and right images from becoming extremely large, and does not make it difficult for the observer to see when viewing stereoscopically.

  FIG. 7 is a top view for explaining a monocular camera equipped with a conventional stereo adapter, in which 71 is a monocular camera body, 72 is a photographing lens, and 73 is a stereo adapter. Inside the stereo adapter 73, a triangular prism 74 having a mirror surface is arranged at the center of the taking lens, and the right eye image passes through the optical path 77 shown in the figure by the mirror 75, and the left eye image passes through the optical path 77 shown in the figure. The left and right images are formed in half on the film surface (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, there is a method in which two normal monocular cameras are used and fixed to a dedicated pan head without using the above-described stereo camera or stereo adapter.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-027702

  Conventional compound-eye stereo cameras are not widely used because they are dedicated to stereoscopic photography, and there are few manufacturers that currently manufacture stereo cameras. In addition, such a stereo camera has a drawback that optimal stereo shooting cannot be performed depending on the subject because shooting conditions such as the angle of view and the base line length are almost fixed.

  With a stereo adapter attached to a monocular camera, the optimal shooting distance and angle of view are also determined, and the optimal stereo shooting cannot be performed depending on the subject, and because the left and right images are separated with a mirror, There was a disadvantage that a good image could not be obtained due to light scattering at the corner of the mirror.

  The method using two ordinary monocular cameras also requires special modifications to the cameras in order to align the shooting conditions and shutter synchronization of the two cameras.

  In the above method, the operation of stereoscopic shooting is complicated, and it is difficult to freely set shooting conditions suitable for the subject.

  At present, digital cameras are becoming widespread, but there are few things that can perform stereo photography, and it is not possible to easily perform stereoscopic photography.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, and a control method thereof that can easily perform stereoscopic shooting using a plurality of imaging apparatuses such as a normal digital camera and can perform optimal shooting according to the subject of shooting conditions. And providing a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup optical system for picking up a subject, an image pickup element for converting a picked-up image into an image signal and outputting it, and a memory for storing pick-up image data. In the apparatus, identification information setting means corresponding to the operation mode of the master and the slave when a plurality of the imaging apparatuses are interlocked, and an imaging condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal are sent to the imaging apparatus in the slave operation mode when the master operation mode is selected. A command unit that outputs a command and receives a shooting condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal from another imaging device in the master operation mode when the slave operation mode is selected, and a control that performs a predetermined operation based on the shooting condition control signal or the shutter synchronization signal And means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the communication means transmits the photographed image data obtained by the imaging device to a specific imaging device, and the specific imaging device is The data is stored in the memory.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein identification information corresponding to the operation modes of the master and slave is added to the captured image data captured by the imaging apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging system including: a fixing member that fixes the plurality of imaging devices at a predetermined position; and a fixing unit that includes a connection connector and wiring for connecting communication units of the imaging device. A plurality of imaging devices are connected.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for interlocking a plurality of imaging devices having a photographing optical system for photographing a subject, an imaging element for converting a photographed image into an image signal, and a memory for storing photographed image data. The step of setting identification information corresponding to the operation mode of the master and the slave, and outputting the shooting condition control signal or the shutter synchronization signal to the imaging device in the slave operation mode when the master operation mode is selected, and the master when the slave operation mode is selected. It has a communication step of receiving a shooting condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal from another imaging device in an operation mode, and a control step of performing a predetermined operation based on the shooting condition control signal or the shutter synchronization signal.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the step of transmitting photographed image data captured by the imaging device to a specific imaging device, and the specific imaging device receives the captured image data. And a storing step for accumulating in the memory.

  The image pickup apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the fifth aspect, the method further comprises the step of adding identification information corresponding to the operation mode of the master and slave to the photographed image data photographed by the image pickup apparatus. To do.

  A storage medium according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a processing program for implementing the functions of the imaging apparatus and the imaging system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, or the control method according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects. The processing steps are stored in a computer-readable manner.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of cameras that can be used for normal shooting are connected with a plurality of communication cables, and the shooting conditions for stereo shooting can be freely set by linking shooting operations, so that stereo shooting can be easily performed. A system can be constructed.
In addition, since the 3D imaging data is added to the master camera's recording memory with the camera identification information and recorded together, even when the recording memory is replaced, only the master camera's recording memory is replaced. It is easy to handle and the operability is improved.

  Hereinafter, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, an external view of the imaging apparatus and its system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 41 and 42 denote camera bodies, which are digital cameras comprising a photographing lens 44, an optical viewfinder 45, a shutter button 43, a flash 47, a recording memory 46, and a connection connector 48. The cameras 41 and 42 are fixed to a predetermined position of the fixing member 52 by a fixing screw 51 so as to be easy to handle at the time of photographing.

A cable 50 and a connection connector 49 are provided inside the fixing member 52 so that the cameras 41 and 42 can communicate with each other. The camera 41 is set to function as a master and the camera 42 is set to function as a slave. The photographer can easily perform stereoscopic shooting by pressing the shutter button 43 of the master camera 41. be able to.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system shown in FIG. 4, and reference numerals 31 and 32 denote camera bodies. The camera 31 and the camera 32 have the same configuration and are connected by a communication cable 30 via connection connectors 18 and 29.

  4 is an imaging lens, 3 is a focus lens for changing the focus position of the photographing lens, and 1 is a zoom lens for changing the focal length of the photographing lens. Each lens is driven by a focus lens drive circuit 8 and a zoom drive circuit 10.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes an aperture device which can change the size of the aperture diameter of the aperture and is driven by an aperture drive circuit 9.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes an imaging element that forms an image of a subject by the imaging lens 4 and converts it into an electrical signal. Reference numeral 6 denotes a photometric circuit for measuring the brightness of the subject based on the output signal of the image sensor 5, and reference numeral 7 denotes a distance measuring circuit for measuring the distance of the subject. Reference numeral 11 denotes an A / D conversion circuit that converts a video signal output from the image pickup device into a digital signal. Reference numeral 12 denotes an output from the A / D conversion circuit 11, which performs pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing to convert the image data into imaging data. An image signal processing circuit.

  The display device 14 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, and can capture image data from the image signal processing circuit 12 by converting it into a video signal by the D / A conversion circuit 13 for display. Thereby, it functions as an electronic viewfinder.

  The memory 16 is a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, and temporarily stores imaging data and imaging condition data, and is used as a storage area for a system controller operation control processing program and a work area for the system controller. be able to.

  The recording memory 27 includes a memory card or a hard disk made of a non-volatile memory, and can be attached and detached by a connector of the memory I / F circuit 26. The memory I / F circuit 26 is an interface circuit that reads and writes image data and the like to the recording memory 27.

  The memory control circuit 15 controls the A / D conversion circuit 11, the image signal processing circuit 12, the D / A conversion circuit 13, and the memory 16, and can display the imaging data on the display device 14 or write it in the recording memory 27. it can.

  The system controller 19 controls the entire camera and controls sequences of the focus lens driving circuit 8, the zoom driving circuit 10, the aperture driving circuit 9, the flash 24, the memory control circuit 15, and the like.

  A shutter switch (SW1) 20 and a shutter switch (SW2) 21 are operated by a shutter button (not shown).

  The shutter switch (SW1) 20 is turned on when the shutter button is half-pressed, and starts an AF process (auto focus), an AE process (automatic exposure), an AWB process (auto white balance), and a series of communication processes described later. Instruct.

  The shutter switch (SW2) 21 is turned on when the shutter button is fully pressed, and gives an instruction to start an imaging operation. The video signal read from the image sensor 5 is temporarily stored as image data in the memory 16 via the A / D conversion circuit 11, the image signal processing circuit 12, and the memory control circuit 15. Next, the imaging data is read from the memory 16, subjected to compression processing or the like by a compression circuit (not shown), and stored in the recording memory 27 via the memory I / F circuit 26.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a mode switching dial, which can switch between a normal shooting mode and a 3D shooting mode.

  The operation unit 23 includes various operation buttons (not shown), an operation menu display panel, and the like, and can set functions and numerical values. By providing a plus button and a minus button for moving the menu as operation buttons, functions and numerical values can be input and selected and determined by the set button.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a power supply unit, which is composed of an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, and supplies power to each part of the camera.

28 is an optical finder, without using the electronic finder function of the display device 14 of the liquid crystal panel.
It is possible to take a picture.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a communication I / F circuit for transmitting / receiving imaging condition control data, shutter synchronization signals, imaging data, and the like. As a communication standard, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) may be used.

  Next, the operation of the imaging system configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the imaging system.

  In an imaging system including cameras 31 and 32 connected to each other by a communication cable 30, the camera 31 is assumed to be a master and the camera 32 is assumed to be a slave.

  First, in step S201, a power switch (not shown) of the camera 31 is turned on. Next, in step S202, the mode switching dial is set to the 3D shooting mode, and in step S203, the camera 31 registers # 1 as an identification number with the operation button of the operation unit 23 in order to perform the function as a master.

  Similarly, the camera 32 is turned on in step S216, and in step S217, the mode switching dial is set to the 3D shooting mode. In step S218, the camera 31 registers # 2 as an identification number using the operation button of the operation unit 23 in order to perform the function as a slave.

  In step S204, the shooting mode is set by the operation button of the operation unit 23 of the master camera 31. As in the normal shooting mode, an automatic shooting mode such as an aperture priority mode and a shutter speed priority mode, a manual mode shooting mode, or the like is selected as the shooting mode.

  Next, in step S205, the subject is photographed using the optical viewfinder or electronic viewfinder of the master camera 31, and the zoom value is set. In normal stereoscopic shooting, if the zoom is set to the wide end, the amount of parallax in stereoscopic shooting can be kept small, and stereoscopic shooting that is easy to see can be performed regardless of the distance of the subject.

  The slave camera 32 enters a standby state after step S218, and is in a standby mode in which it waits for transmission of shooting conditions and the like from the master camera 31.

  In step S206, when a shutter button (not shown) of the master camera 31 is half-pressed, the shutter switch (SW1) 20 is turned on, and preparation for photographing is started.

  In step S207, the luminance of the subject is measured by the photometry circuit 6, and the optimum aperture value and shutter speed are determined based on the shooting mode selected in step S204.

  In step S208, the distance of the subject is measured by the distance measuring circuit 7, and the focus lens is driven based on the distance information. At this time, the focus lens drive circuit 8 can drive the focus lens to a predetermined position when given the measured distance information.

  In step S209, the shooting conditions obtained by the shooting operation of the master camera 31 are transmitted to the slave camera 32. The photographing condition data includes a zoom value, an aperture value, a shutter speed, distance information, and the like. It is set automatically when selecting the master / slave mode so that only the flash of the master camera is turned on during flash photography and the flash of the slave camera is turned off.

  Shooting condition data stored in the memory 16 by the system controller 19 of the master camera 31 is transmitted from the communication I / F circuit 17 via the communication cable 30.

  In step S219 of the slave camera 32, the shooting condition data is received by the communication I / F circuit. In step S220, the shooting condition data is stored in the memory 16 by the system controller 19 of the slave camera 32, and zooming is performed based on the value. Set the shooting conditions for the aperture value, aperture value, shutter speed, and distance information.

  In step S221, the zoom lens is driven by the zoom drive circuit so that the commanded zoom value is obtained. In step S222, the focus lens is driven by the focus lens drive circuit based on the commanded distance information. Thereby, the photographing conditions of the slave camera 32 can be made the same as those of the master camera 31.

  When the photographing preparation of the slave camera 32 is completed, the system controller 19 transmits a photographing preparation completion signal from the communication I / F circuit 17 to the master camera 31 in step S223.

  The master camera 31 receives the photographing preparation completion signal in step S210, and the photographing preparation is completed.

  In step S211, when the shutter button (not shown) of the master camera 31 is fully pressed, the shutter switch (SW1) 20 is turned on and the photographing operation is started.

  When the shutter switch (SW1) 20 is turned ON, the system controller transmits a shutter synchronization signal to the slave camera 32 through the communication I / F circuit 17.

  In step S213, the master camera 31 drives the aperture to a predetermined aperture value, and in step S214, the master camera 31 captures an image with an exposure time corresponding to a predetermined shutter speed. The charge signal stored in the image sensor 5 is read out and converted into image data by the video signal processing circuit 12.

  In step S215, the image data is subjected to compression processing, and an identification number and shooting condition data are added to the memory 16 and temporarily stored.

  In step S224, the slave camera 32 receives the shutter synchronization signal from the master camera 31, drives the aperture in step S225, and performs shooting in step S226, as in the master camera 31. The imaging data of the slave camera 32 is compressed, and the identification number and imaging condition data are added to the memory 16 of the slave camera 32 and temporarily stored.

  In such an imaging system, if the imaging data is stored in separate recording memories of the master and slave cameras, it is inconvenient because the memory needs to be replaced when the imaging data is transferred from the recording memory to the personal computer. Further, since the master and slave cameras are arranged close to each other, the recording memory cannot be taken out unless the camera body is removed from the fixed member. In order to solve these problems, the imaging data is collectively stored in the recording memory of the master camera.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an operation procedure for storing in one recording memory.

  In step S301, the imaging data temporarily stored with the identification number and the shooting condition data added to the memory 16 of the master camera is given a file name in which the master camera identification number is added to the unique file name. It is stored in the recording memory 27.

  In step S302, a transfer request signal for transferring image data captured by the slave camera to the master camera is sent to the slave camera through the communication I / F circuit.

  In step S303, the slave camera receives the transfer request signal. In step S304, the slave camera reads out the shooting data to which the slave camera identification number and shooting condition data are added, and transmits it to the master camera.

  In step S305, the master camera receives the shooting data to which the slave camera identification number and shooting condition data have been added. In step S306, the master camera temporarily stores the data in the memory 16 of the master camera.

  In step S307, the shooting data shot by the master camera is set to the same unique file name as when it was stored in the recording memory, and the file name with the identification number of the slave camera added is stored in the recording memory. A series of shooting operations ends.

  At this time, the unique file name of the 3D shooting mode is set to a file name that can be distinguished from the file name of the normal shooting mode.

  For example, if the file names in the normal shooting mode are IMG001, IMG002,. Is added with a master / slave identification number at the end so that STR001_1, STR001_2, STR002_1, STR002_2,...

  As described above, the imaging data for stereoscopic shooting is assigned to the recording memory of the master camera and is collectively recorded with the camera identification number. Even when the recording memory is replaced, only the recording memory of the master camera is recorded. If they are replaced, the handling becomes very easy.

  In the present embodiment, recording is performed collectively in the master recording memory. However, there is a case where only the recording memory of the slave camera can be taken out when two cameras are arranged because the memory outlet is on the opposite side. In that case, it is possible to change the setting so as to perform batch recording in the recording memory of the slave camera.

  FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the case of shooting parallax images from three viewpoints in stereoscopic shooting, a configuration in which three cameras are linked is also possible. Reference numerals 61, 62, and 63 denote the same digital cameras, which are fixed to a dedicated fixing member 52 and connected by a built-in communication cable. By registering one of the three cameras as identification number # 1 as the master camera and setting the other two cameras as identification numbers # 2 and # 3 as slave cameras, it is possible to link with the master camera. . Similarly to the above-described embodiment, captured image data can be transferred from the slave camera to the recording memory of the master camera and stored in a batch.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the dedicated fixing member is arranged so that the lens direction is parallel without congesting the camera has been described, but a hinge that can rotate at a certain angle is provided at the center of the fixing member, It is also possible to add convergence by crossing the lens direction of the camera.

  Further, as the communication means, a cable is used in the above-described embodiment, but a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth may be used.

  Note that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to the camera, and reading and executing the program codes by the camera. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium realizes the above embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, or the like can be used.

  In addition, the hardware configuration and software configuration in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately replaced with a configuration that realizes the same function.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the imaging system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the transfer procedure of the imaging data of this invention Explanatory drawing of the imaging system of the present invention External appearance explanatory drawing of other embodiments of the imaging system of the present invention Illustration of a stereo camera of a conventional example Illustration of a camera equipped with a conventional stereo adapter

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Zoom lens 2 Aperture apparatus 3 Focus lens 5 Imaging element 6 Photometry circuit 7 Distance measurement circuit 12 Image signal processing circuit 15 Memory control circuit 17 Communication I / F circuit 19 System controller 20, 21 Shutter switch 22 Mode switching dial 27 Memory for recording 30 Communication cable 31 Master camera 32 Slave camera

Claims (8)

  In an imaging apparatus having a photographing optical system for photographing a subject, an imaging element for converting a photographed image into an image signal and outputting it, and a memory for storing photographed image data, an operation mode of a master and a slave when interlocking a plurality of the imaging apparatuses When the master operation mode is selected, a shooting condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal is output to the imaging device in the slave operation mode, and when the slave operation mode is selected, the image is taken from another imaging device in the master operation mode. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a communication unit that receives a condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal; and a control unit that performs a predetermined operation based on the shooting condition control signal or the shutter synchronization signal.   2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication means transmits photographed image data obtained by the image pickup apparatus to a specific image pickup apparatus, and the specific image pickup apparatus stores the data in a memory thereof.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein identification information corresponding to an operation mode of the master and the slave is added to captured image data captured by the imaging apparatus.   A plurality of image pickup devices are connected by a fixing means provided with a fixing member for fixing the plurality of image pickup devices at predetermined positions, and a connection connector and wiring for connecting communication means of the image pickup devices. An imaging system.   Corresponding to master and slave operation modes in a control method for interlocking a plurality of imaging devices having a photographing optical system for photographing a subject, an imaging element for converting and outputting a photographed image to an image signal, and a memory for storing photographed image data A step for setting identification information, and a command for outputting a shooting condition control signal or a shutter synchronization signal to the imaging device in the slave operation mode when the master operation mode is selected, and a shooting condition control from another imaging device in the master operation mode when the slave operation mode is selected. A control method comprising: a communication step of receiving a signal or a shutter synchronization signal; and a control step of performing a predetermined operation based on the shooting condition control signal or the shutter synchronization signal.   2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting captured image data captured by the imaging device to a specific imaging device; and storing the specific imaging device receiving the captured image data and storing the captured image data in a memory thereof. 5. Control method of 5.   6. The control method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of adding identification information corresponding to the operation mode of the master and slave to captured image data captured by the imaging apparatus. A processing program for executing the functions of the imaging apparatus and the imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the processing steps of the control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 are stored in a computer-readable manner. A storage medium characterized by that.

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