JPH07231402A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image pickup device imaging the object seen by the right eye and the object seen by the left eye by a time division system and by a device. CONSTITUTION:A reflected light control mirror 9 having the optical control element of a degree of freedom 1 is provided between first and second lenses 4 and 7 and an image pickup part 1. The optical control element is controlled by an optical control element driving device 10. Incident light for the right eye and for the left eye is made to alternately reflect on the image pickup part 1, and the object seen by the right eye and the object seen by the left eye are imaged by a time division system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a function of producing a stereoscopic image useful in the field of image pickup equipment such as a video camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 shows an image pickup apparatus for forming a conventional stereoscopic image. In the figure, reference numeral 51 is a first imaging unit that converts an image of a subject viewed by the right eye into an electrical signal, 52 is a second imaging unit that converts an image of the subject viewed by the left eye into an electrical signal, and 2 is a first imaging unit. A base frame that fixes the image pickup unit 51 and the second image pickup unit 52, 3 is incident light from a subject viewed by the right eye, and 6 is incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye.

When one subject is imaged in order to obtain a stereoscopic image at the time of reproduction, the first image pickup portion separately picks up the subject seen by the right eye and the second image pickup portion separately picks up the subject seen by the left eye.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a display system for stereoscopically viewing an image created by the above image pickup apparatus. In the figure, 53 is a VCR for the left eye that converts the electrical signal for the left eye captured by the imaging device into an image signal, and 54 is a right that converts the electrical signal for the right eye captured by the imaging device into an image signal. An eye video deck, 55 is a signal switching device that alternately switches the image signals of the left eye video deck 53 and the right eye video deck 54 every 1/60 second, and 56 is an image of the image signal from the signal switching device 55. A display for converting into 57, 57 is liquid crystal goggles worn by a person who views the image displayed on the display 56, 58
Is a liquid crystal shutter for the left eye which is a component of the liquid crystal goggles 57, 59 is a liquid crystal shutter for the right eye which is a component of the liquid crystal goggles 57, and 60 is a left eye image and a right eye which are alternately displayed by the signal switching device 55. The liquid crystal shutter drive device drives the left-eye liquid crystal shutter 58 and the right-eye liquid crystal shutter 59 in synchronization with the image for use.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation of a display system for stereoscopically viewing an image created by the above-mentioned image pickup apparatus. As shown in FIG. 17A, liquid crystal goggles 57
If you look at the image without wearing the, the image looks double. Next, FIGS. 17B and 17C show the case where an image is viewed with the liquid crystal goggles 57 attached. In FIG. 17B, the liquid crystal shutter drive device 60 closes the left eye liquid crystal shutter 58, and the signal switching device 55 displays the signal from the right eye video deck 54 on the display system 56 as an image. The right-eye image is viewed with the right eye. In FIG. 17C, the liquid crystal shutter driving device 60 closes the right eye liquid crystal shutter 58, and the signal switching device 55 closes the left eye video deck 5.
Since the signal from 4 is displayed as an image on the display system 56, the image for the left eye is viewed by the left eye. FIG. 17D shows the case where FIGS. 17B and 17C are alternately repeated every 1/60 second, that is, the image looks stereoscopic when the liquid crystal goggles are attached.

[0006]

In the conventional image pickup apparatus,
Since the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye were imaged separately, two VCRs that convert electrical signals into images when projecting images are required, and in addition, images for the right and left eyes are It was necessary to synchronize the blinking of the liquid crystal shutter with the switching of the images for the right eye and the left eye while synchronizing.

Further, when a function for suppressing image blur is added to the image pickup apparatus, there is a known method of electrically cutting out an image, but a high speed arithmetic unit is required to cut out the image within 1/60 second or less. There was a problem.

Further, since there is no function of picking up only a desired subject, it is impossible to combine images into an arbitrary background. Similarly, it is not possible to arbitrarily adjust the perspective of the target subject by converting only the target subject into a stereoscopic image.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by using a light control element, an object viewed by the right eye and an object viewed by the left eye are imaged in a time-division manner. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image pickup apparatus having a function of suppressing image blur and a function of picking up an image of a target subject only.

[0010]

In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, a light control element is arranged between the right eye and left eye lenses and the image pickup section.

In the image pickup device of the present invention, the gyro and the gyro drive device are arranged on the base frame.

In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the image processing apparatus is arranged in the base frame.

In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, a gyro, a gyro drive unit, and an image processing unit are arranged on a base frame.

Further, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention has a light control element having one degree of freedom.

The image pickup device of the present invention has a light control element having two degrees of freedom.

[0016]

The light control element drive device of the present invention controls the light control element to alternately reflect the incident light for the right eye and the left eye to the image pickup section. Images are taken using the division method.

Further, according to the present invention, a signal for suppressing a horizontal image shake is input from the gyro driving device to the optical control element driving device based on a gyro signal from the gyro, so that a horizontal direction which is important when viewing a stereoscopic image. Reduce image blur.

Further, the present invention is necessary because an image signal is inputted from the image processing device to the light control element driving device so that the light control element reflects only an object to be imaged by processing the electric signal from the image pickup section. Only the subject can be imaged.

According to the present invention, the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye are imaged in a time-division manner, image blurring in the left-right direction that is important when viewing a stereoscopic image is suppressed, and only the required subject is imaged.

Further, according to the present invention, an object is imaged by using a light control element having one degree of freedom.

According to the present invention, a subject is imaged using a light control element having two degrees of freedom.

[0022]

【Example】

Example 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image pickup apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image pickup unit that converts an image into an electric signal using a built-in image pickup element, 2 is a base frame to which the image pickup unit 1 is fixed, 3 is first incident light from a subject viewed by the right eye, 4 is fixed to the base frame 2 and is the first
A first lens for narrowing down the incident light 3 of the first lens, 5 a first mirror for reflecting the light that has passed through the first lens 4, 6 a second incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye, 7 a base frame 2 Is fixed to the second lens for narrowing down the second incident light 6, 8 is a second mirror for reflecting the light passing through the second lens 7, and 9 is fixed to the base frame 2 and reflected by the first mirror 5. 1 degree of freedom for reflecting the light and the reflected light of the second mirror 8 to the imaging unit 1
The reflected light control mirror 10 composed of the above light control element is a light control element driving device which is fixed to the base frame 2 and controls the light control element of the reflected light control mirror 9.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the reflected light control mirror 9 which is one of the components of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment.
In FIG. 2A showing the configuration of the reflected light control mirror 9,
Reference numeral 21 denotes a light control element that constitutes the reflected light control mirror 9 by arranging a plurality of them in a matrix and arranging in a plane.
Reference numeral 22 is a surface formed by the light control element 21. Light control element 21
2 (b) showing the configuration of FIG.
And 25 are first flexible pivots having low torsional rigidity, which are composed of two thin plates vertically joined to each other, which support the mirror 23 so as to be rotatable about one axis,
Reference numeral 26 is a beam for fixing the first flexible pivots 24, 25.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. First from the subject seen with the right eye
Light that has passed through the first lens 4 that narrows the incident light 3 of the light reflected by the first mirror 5 and the second light from the subject viewed by the left eye.
The light that has passed through the second lens 7 that narrows the incident light 6 and is reflected by the second mirror 8 is the mirror of the light control element 21 that is a component of the reflected light control mirror 9 in the light control element driving device 10. By controlling the rotation of 23 as shown in FIG. 4,
The light is made incident on the imaging unit 1 alternately. That is, the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the light control element 21 which is a component of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. The operation principle is the same as that of the conventional light control element (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-40693), though the structure is different from that of the light control element 21 used in the present invention. Axis 3 from the position shown by the broken line 32 to the position shown by the broken line 33
It is possible to move around 4. In the “on” position, the edge 35 of the mirror 23 contacts the landing electrode 36. The mirror 23 is moved to the "on" position by applying the appropriate voltage to the control electrode 37. The voltage on this control electrode 37 is applied to the positive electrode 38 and then to the negative electrode 40 via the inverter 39. A differential bias is applied to the mirror 23 via the electrode 41. In the “off” state, the mirror 23 applies a negative voltage to the control electrode 37 and rotates it to the position indicated by the broken line 33. The reflected light control mirror 9 has a plurality of the light control elements 21 arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane, and each mirror 23 can be controlled individually or simultaneously. Further, even if the mirror 23 is rotated, the torsional rigidity of the flexible pivots 24 and 25, which are the supporting members, is low, so that the mirror 23 is not distorted.

Example 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 11 denotes a gyro fixed to the base frame 2 for detecting the shaking of the base frame 2,
Reference numeral 12 denotes a gyro driving device which is fixed to the base frame 2 and inputs a signal from the gyro 11 to the light control element driving device 10.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner. Further, in this embodiment, the gyro 11 detects the sway of the base frame 2, and based on the gyro signal, the gyro drive device 12 receives a signal from the gyro drive device 12 that causes the sway of the imaging unit 1 with respect to the space to be zero. The device 10 controls the light control element 21. That is, it is possible to obtain the effect of suppressing image blurring in the horizontal direction, which is important when viewing a stereoscopic image.

The operation of the light control element 21 in this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in that the mirror 23 is not distorted.

Example 3. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1-8,10
Nos. 12 to 12 are the same as in Example 1. 13 is fixed to the base frame 2 and the reflected light from the first mirror 5 and the second light
The reflected light control mirror is composed of a light control element having two degrees of freedom for reflecting the reflected light of the mirror 8 to the image pickup section 1.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the reflected light control mirror 13 which is one of the components of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. In the figure, 23 to 26 are the same as those in the first embodiment. 27 is a frame that supports the first flexible pivots 24 and 25, and 28 and 29 are second flexible pivots that support the frame 27 and that are composed of two thin plates that are vertically joined to each other and that have low torsional rigidity. 1
The axis connecting the flexible pivot 24 and the first flexible pivot 25 and the axis connecting the second flexible pivot 28 and the second flexible pivot 29 are orthogonal to each other.

In the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the object viewed by the right eye and the object viewed by the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner.

The operation of the light control element 21 in this embodiment is as follows: the axis connecting the first flexible pivots 24 and 25;
With respect to the axis connecting the second flexible pivots 28 and 29, the rotation control of the mirror 23 can be performed by the same driving method as that of the first embodiment. Further, even if the mirror 23 rotates, the torsional rigidity of the first flexible pivots 24 and 25, which are the supporting members, is low, so that the mirror 23 is prevented from being distorted.

In the operation of the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment, the gyro 11 detects the movement of the base frame 2, and based on the gyro signal, the gyro driving apparatus 12 outputs a signal that makes the movement of the image pickup unit 1 in the space zero. The light control element drive device 10 received from controls the light control element 21. That is, it is possible to obtain the effect of suppressing the image shake in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Example 4. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment. 14 is the base frame 2
It is an image processing device that is fixed to the image processing device and performs image processing on the electric signal from the image pickup unit 1 and inputs the signal to the light control element driving device 10.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner. Further, in this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 14 performs the binarization processing of the electric signal from the image pickup unit 1 to extract the contour of the object, and compare it with the sample stored as data in the image processing apparatus 14 in advance. The required subject is extracted by. Then, the image processing device 14 inputs a signal to the light control element driving device 10 so that only the first incident light 3 and the second incident light 6 within the necessary contour of the subject are reflected by the imaging unit 1. In other words, there is an effect that only the necessary subject is imaged.

The operation of the light control element 21 in this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in that the mirror 23 is not distorted.

Example 5. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 12 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and 14 is the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the subject viewed with the right eye and the subject viewed with the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner. In addition, as in the second embodiment,
The effect of suppressing image blurring in the left-right direction, which is important when viewing a stereoscopic image, is obtained. Further, as in the case of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect of capturing only the necessary subject.

The operation of the light control element 21 in this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in that the mirror 23 is not distorted.

Example 6. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1-8, 1
0 to 13 are the same as those in the third embodiment, and 14 is the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

In the operation of the image pickup apparatus in this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the object viewed by the right eye and the object viewed by the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time division manner. Further, as in the case of the third embodiment, the effect of suppressing image shake in the vertical and horizontal directions can be obtained. Further, as in the case of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect of capturing only the necessary subject.

The operation of the light control element 21 in this embodiment is such that the mirror 23 is not distorted as in the third embodiment.

[0043]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

Since the object viewed with the right eye and the object viewed with the left eye can be imaged by one device in a time-division system, by wearing the liquid crystal goggles with the liquid crystal shutter on the lens part, There is an effect that an image produced by only one device for converting an electric signal into an image can be viewed three-dimensionally.

By using a flexible pivot having low rigidity as the supporting member of the mirror of the light control element having one degree of freedom, which is a component of the image pickup device, the mirror can be rotated about one axis without distortion of the mirror surface. Therefore, there is an effect that an image without distortion can be obtained.

The light control element having one degree of freedom controlled on the basis of the gyro signal has an effect of obtaining a one-dimensional image, that is, an image in which lateral shake which is important when viewing a stereoscopic image is suppressed.

By using a flexible pivot having low rigidity as the supporting member of the mirror of the light control element having two degrees of freedom, which is a component of the image pickup apparatus, the mirror can be rotated about the two axes without distortion of the mirror surface. Therefore, there is an effect that an image without distortion can be obtained.

The light control element having two degrees of freedom controlled based on the gyro signal has an effect of obtaining a two-dimensional image, that is, an image in which shake in the vertical and horizontal directions is suppressed.

With the light control element controlled based on the signal from the image processing device, there is an effect that only a desired subject can be imaged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a light control element in Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation of the light control element in Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of the light control element in Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a light control element in Example 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus in Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a display system for stereoscopically viewing an image created by a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation of a display system for stereoscopically viewing an image created by a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging part 2 Base frame 3 1st incident light 4 1st lens 5 1st mirror 6 2nd incident light 7 2nd lens 8 2nd mirror 9 Reflected light control mirror 10 Light control element drive device 11 Gyro 12 Gyro driving device 13 Reflected light control mirror 14 Image processing device 21 Light control element 22 Surface 23 Mirror 24 First flexible pivot 25 First flexible pivot 26 Beam 27 Frame 28 Second flexible pivot 29 Second flexible pivot 31 vertical surface 32 broken line 33 broken line 34 axis 35 edge 36 landing electrode 37 control electrode 38 positive electrode 39 inverter 40 negative electrode 41 electrode 51 first image pickup unit 52 second image pickup unit 53 left eye video deck 54 right eye video Deck 55 Signal switching device 56 Display 7 LCD goggles 58 the liquid crystal shutter for a liquid crystal shutter 59 for the right eye left eye 60 a liquid crystal shutter driving device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup section for converting an image into an electric signal by using a built-in image pickup element, a base frame to which the image pickup section is fixed, and incident light from a subject fixed to the base frame and viewed by the right eye. A first lens which is fixed to the base frame, reflects a light passing through the first lens, and a first lens which is fixed to the base frame and narrows incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye. 2 lenses,
A second mirror fixed to the base frame and reflecting the light passing through the second lens, and a reflected light of the first mirror fixed to the base frame and a reflected light of the second mirror are arbitrarily set. A reflected light control mirror in which a plurality of light control elements that can be selected and reflected on the image pickup unit are arranged in a matrisk pattern and arranged in a plane, and a light control element driving device that is fixed to the base frame and controls the light control element are provided. An imaging device characterized by the above. 2. An image pickup unit for converting an image into an electric signal by using a built-in image pickup device, a base frame to which the image pickup unit is fixed, and incident light from a subject fixed to the base frame and viewed by the right eye. A first lens which is fixed to the base frame, reflects a light passing through the first lens, and a first lens which is fixed to the base frame and narrows incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye. 2 lenses,
A second mirror fixed to the base frame and reflecting the light passing through the second lens, and a reflected light of the first mirror fixed to the base frame and a reflected light of the second mirror are arbitrarily set. A reflected light control mirror in which a plurality of light control elements that can be selected and reflected on the image pickup unit are arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane, a light control element drive device fixed to the base frame to control the light control element, the base A gyro fixed to a frame and detecting a sway of the base frame; and a gyro controller for inputting a signal to the light control element driving device so that the sway of the base frame with respect to the space becomes zero based on a signal from the gyro. An image pickup apparatus comprising: 3. An image pickup section for converting an image into an electric signal by using a built-in image pickup element, a base frame to which the image pickup section is fixed, and incident light from a subject fixed to the base frame and viewed by the right eye. A first lens which is fixed to the base frame, reflects a light passing through the first lens, and a first lens which is fixed to the base frame and narrows incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye. 2 lenses,
A second mirror fixed to the base frame and reflecting the light passing through the second lens, and a reflected light of the first mirror fixed to the base frame and a reflected light of the second mirror are arbitrarily set. A plurality of light control elements that can be selected and reflected on the image pickup section are arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane; and a light control element driving device that is fixed to the base frame and controls the light control elements, An image processing apparatus which is fixed to the base frame and which processes an electric signal from the image pickup section to input a signal to the light control element drive device so that the light control element reflects only a target object to the image pickup section. An image pickup apparatus comprising: 4. An image pickup section for converting an image into an electric signal by using a built-in image pickup element, a base frame to which the image pickup section is fixed, and incident light from a subject fixed to the base frame and viewed by the right eye. A first lens which is fixed to the base frame, reflects a light passing through the first lens, and a first lens which is fixed to the base frame and narrows incident light from a subject viewed by the left eye. 2 lenses,
A second mirror fixed to the base frame and reflecting the light passing through the second lens, and a reflected light of the first mirror fixed to the base frame and a reflected light of the second mirror are arbitrarily set. A plurality of light control elements that can be selected and reflected on the image pickup section are arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane; and a light control element driving device that is fixed to the base frame and controls the light control elements, An image processing apparatus which is fixed to the base frame and which processes an electric signal from the image pickup section to input a signal to the light control element drive device so that the light control element reflects only a target object to the image pickup section. A gyro that is fixed to the base frame and that detects shaking of the base frame; and a gyro for the space of the base frame based on the output signal from the gyro. Imaging apparatus characterized by comprising a gyro controller upset inputs a signal to the optical control element driver so that the zero. 5. A mirror for reflecting the reflected light of the first mirror or the reflected light of the second mirror, wherein the mirror is 1
A flexible pivot having a low torsional rigidity, which is composed of two thin plates vertically connected to each other so as to be rotatable about one axis; a beam fixing the flexible pivot; an electrode fixed to the beam and driving the mirror; A light control element including a mirror, the flexible pivot, the beam, and the electrode, and fixed to the base frame to arbitrarily select reflected light from the first mirror and reflected light from the second mirror. 5. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the light control elements having one degree of freedom capable of being reflected by the image pickup section are arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane to form a reflected light control mirror. 6. A first flexible pivot having a low torsional rigidity, which comprises a mirror for reflecting incident light, two thin plates vertically joined to each other for rotatably supporting the mirror about one axis, and the first flexible pivot. A frame for fixing one flexible pivot, and a low torsional rigidity composed of two thin plates vertically joined to each other for supporting the frame so that the frame can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the mirror A plurality of light control elements each including a second flexible pivot, a beam fixing the second flexible pivot, and an electrode fixed to the beam and driving the mirror are arranged in a matrix and arranged in a plane. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which constitutes a reflected light control mirror.