JP2011048120A - Twin lens digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a twin lens digital camera for taking a stereoscopic photograph or a panoramic photograph by a configuration equipped with two imaging lenses and one solid imaging device. <P>SOLUTION: The twin lens digital camera has: one solid imaging device; two photographic optical systems forming a subject image on the one solid imaging device; an optical system switching means making it possible to form the subject image taken by any one of the two photographic optical systems on the solid imaging device; and an image generating means successively switching the two photographic optical systems by using the optical system switching means, successively forming the subject images taken by the two photographic optical systems on the solid imaging device, and generating one image by combining the image data of the respective formed subject images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera that includes two photographing optical systems and is capable of stereoscopic photographing or panoramic photographing.

  Conventionally, 3D digital cameras and panoramic digital cameras are known. Such a digital camera includes, for example, two photographing optical systems. The subject image photographed by the first photographing lens is captured on the first solid-state image sensor, and the subject image photographed by the second photographing lens is the first. Each image is formed on two solid-state image sensors, and the formed subject images are combined to generate one image data (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-224820

  As described above, a conventional digital camera having a stereoscopic shooting function or a panoramic shooting function generally includes two imaging lenses and two fixed imaging elements.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and as an example of the problem, a twin-lens system that can realize stereoscopic shooting or panoramic shooting with a configuration including two imaging lenses and one solid-state imaging device. To provide a digital camera.

  In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention includes one solid-state imaging device, two imaging optical systems capable of forming a subject image on the one solid-state imaging device, and the two imaging optical systems. An optical system switching unit that enables an object image captured by any one of the imaging optical systems to be formed on the solid-state imaging device, and the two imaging optical systems are sequentially switched by the optical system switching unit. Image generation in which the respective subject images photographed by the two photographing optical systems are sequentially formed on the solid-state imaging device, and the image data of the formed subject images are combined to generate one image. And a twin-lens digital camera.

It is a schematic block diagram of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system when the stereoscopic imaging mode of the binocular digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment is set. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system when the panorama mode of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment is set. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data for left eyes, and the image data for right eyes in the stereoscopic imaging mode of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data of the left half of the panorama image of the panorama imaging mode of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment, and image data of the right half. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of imaging | photography operation | movement of the twin-lens type digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system of the twin-lens type digital camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system of the twin-lens type digital camera which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the modification 1 of the optical system of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the modification 2 of the optical system of the twin-lens digital camera which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a twin-lens digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment. The twin-lens digital camera 1 is a digital camera capable of shooting a stereoscopic video and a panoramic video, an optical system 2 including two shooting optical systems, a control unit 11 that controls the entire twin-lens digital camera 1, An image processing unit 12 that performs image processing on image data captured by the optical system 2, a display unit 13 that displays image data that has undergone image processing, and a storage unit 14 that stores the displayed image data are provided.

  The optical system 2 is generally configured to include a first imaging unit 3, a second imaging unit 4, an optical system switching unit 5, and a fixed imaging element 6. The first photographing unit 3 is disposed on the right side from the front of the camera housing toward the subject, and includes a photographing lens (hereinafter also referred to as a right photographing lens) 7a. The second photographing unit 4 is arranged on the left side from the front of the camera housing toward the subject, and includes a photographing lens (hereinafter also referred to as a left photographing lens) 7b.

  The optical system switching unit 5 has a switch function for switching between two photographing optical systems, and fixedly captures either the subject image photographed by the first photographing unit 3 or the subject image photographed by the second photographing unit 4. An image is formed on the element 6. A specific configuration of the optical system switching unit 5 will be described later.

  Specifically, the solid-state imaging device 6 includes a CCD image sensor (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) 61. Of course, another solid-state image sensor may be used, and for example, a CMOS image sensor may be used. In the present embodiment, even if two imaging optical systems are provided, the fixed imaging element is constituted by one, so that the type of 3D (or panorama) constituted by two fixed imaging elements as in the prior art. Costs can be reduced compared to digital cameras. That is, since the peripheral circuit (image processing circuit) of the fixed image sensor and the solid-state image sensor can be made one, the cost can be greatly reduced. In addition, when two fixed image sensors are provided, there may be a difference in color tone between the respective solid-state image sensors and between the peripheral circuits. In this embodiment, the image sensor is configured with one solid-state image sensor. Therefore, such a problem does not occur. In addition, since the optical system from the optical system switching unit 5 to the solid-state imaging device 6 is single, the difference in optical system aberration can be eliminated.

  Note that photosensors are arranged in a plane on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 6, and the subject image formed on the light receiving surface is converted into an amount of electric charge corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photosensor. The The charges accumulated in this manner are sequentially read out as image signals and converted into digital signal image data by an imaging circuit (not shown). The exposure control in this embodiment is performed by controlling the charge accumulation time (so-called electronic shutter).

  The image processing unit 12 includes image data (also referred to as a right image) captured through the first image capturing unit 3 and image data (also referred to as a left image) captured through the second image capturing unit 4. Are combined to generate a stereoscopic video or a panoramic video.

  Specifically, the display unit 13 is configured by a liquid crystal monitor or the like, and can display a stereoscopic video or a panoramic video. Note that any method may be used as a method for displaying a stereoscopic image, and for example, a method using parallax or a method using a lenticular lens may be used. The display unit 13 may be configured by a single display unit capable of displaying both stereoscopic video and panoramic video, or may be configured by two display units for stereoscopic video and panoramic video.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 stores a CPU that performs control of the photographing optical system according to the photographing mode, switching control of two photographing optical systems, recording control, display control, and the like, a CPU operation program, and various constants. It is composed of a ROM, a RAM serving as a work area for the CPU, and the like.

  Specifically, the storage unit 14 is a hard disk, a memory card, or the like, and image data (right video) captured by the first imaging unit 3 and image data (left image) captured by the second imaging unit 4. Video) is stored in association with each other.

  Next, a specific configuration of the optical system 2, that is, a configuration capable of switching between two imaging optical systems will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the optical system 2 when the stereoscopic shooting mode is set, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the optical system 2 when the panoramic shooting mode is set. It is. In the present embodiment, the optical system switching unit 5 includes a rotatable total reflection mirror (also referred to as a rotating mirror) 51.

  In the stereoscopic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 2A, the angle of the rotating mirror 51 is adjusted so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61. Note that the position of the rotary mirror 51 where the right image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the stereoscopic shooting mode is referred to as a first rotational position. That is, when the rotating mirror 51 is set to the first rotating position, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a, then reflected by the rotating mirror 51 and formed on the CCD 61. However, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then blocked by the rotating mirror 51, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the angle of the rotating mirror 51 is adjusted so that the left image photographed by the photographing lens 7 b is formed on the CCD 61. Note that the position of the mirror 51 where the left image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the stereoscopic shooting mode is referred to as a second rotational position. That is, when the mirror 51 is set to the second rotation position, the subject image (left image) taken by the taking lens 7 b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8 b and then reflected by the rotary mirror 51 and formed on the CCD 61. However, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected on the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the rotating mirror 51, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  As described above, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when an instruction to start shooting is given, the rotating mirror 51 is first switched to the first rotation position and then the second rotation position in order at high speed. Can be captured almost simultaneously as image data for the left eye and image data for the right eye as image data for the right eye. Note that the arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b, the first rotation position, and the second rotation position are positions suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions corresponding to the left and right eyes. It is adjusted to. In the present embodiment, the rotating mirror 51 is provided with the light reflecting surface on one side, but may be the rotating mirror 51 provided with the light reflecting surface on both sides. In this case, the rotation angle of the rotating mirror 51 when switching the right image to the left image can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of left-eye image data and right-eye image data of a stereoscopic video. In the present embodiment, such left-eye image data and right-eye image data are combined to generate stereoscopic video image data.

  Next, in the case of the panoramic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the angle of the rotating mirror 51 is adjusted so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61. . Note that the position of the mirror 51 where the right image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the panoramic shooting mode is referred to as a third rotational position. That is, when the rotary mirror 51 is set at the third rotational position, the subject image (right image) taken by the taking lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a, then reflected by the rotary mirror 51 and formed on the CCD 61. However, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then blocked by the rotating mirror 51, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Here, the third rotation position is a position obtained by rotating the first rotation position (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3A) slightly counterclockwise (direction A shown in FIG. 3A). For this reason, the right image is further imaged on the CCD 61 than in the stereoscopic shooting mode. That is, the right field of view is widened.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the angle of the rotating mirror 51 is adjusted so that the left image taken by the taking lens 7 b is formed on the CCD 61. Note that the position of the rotary mirror 51 where the left image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the panoramic shooting mode is referred to as a fourth rotational position. That is, when the rotary mirror 51 is set to the fourth rotational position, the subject image (left image) taken by the taking lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b, then reflected by the rotary mirror 51 and formed on the CCD 61. However, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the rotating mirror 51, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Here, the fourth rotation position is a position obtained by rotating the second rotation position (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3B) slightly clockwise (B direction shown in FIG. 3B). For this reason, the left video image is formed on the CCD 61 further than the left video image in the stereoscopic shooting mode. That is, the left visual field is widened.

  As described above, in the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when an instruction to start shooting is given, the rotary mirror 51 is first switched to the third rotation position and then the fourth rotation position at high speed sequentially, so that the left image Can be captured almost simultaneously as image data of the left half of the panoramic image and right video as image data of the right half of the panoramic image. In addition, the arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b, the third rotation position, and the fourth rotation position are adjusted so as to be positions suitable for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of left half image data and right half image data of a panoramic video. In the present embodiment, such left-half image data and right-half image data are connected to the left and right to generate panoramic video image data.

  Note that the twin-lens digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment has both a stereoscopic shooting mode and a panoramic shooting mode, and thus is slightly larger than a twin-lens digital camera having only the stereoscopic shooting mode. A lens is mounted and the light receiving surface of the CCD 61 is slightly larger.

  Next, the photographing operation of the twin-lens digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the photographing operation of the twin-lens digital camera 1. Note that the photographing operation shown in FIG. 6 is executed when a photographing start instruction is issued.

  First, a shooting mode (stereo shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode) selected by the user is set (step S10). When the set shooting mode is the stereoscopic shooting mode (step S20: YES), the rotary mirror 51 is set to the first position (step S30), and when the shooting mode is the panoramic shooting mode (step S20: NO). ), The rotary mirror 51 is set to the third position (step S40).

  Next, in the twin-lens digital camera 1, the photographing lens 7a of the first photographing unit 3 photographs the right image (step S50), and the photographed right image is formed on the CCD 61 (step S60). Then, the right image formed on the CCD 61 is stored in a memory (RAM) (step S70).

  Next, when the set shooting mode is the stereoscopic shooting mode (step S80: YES), the rotary mirror 51 is set to the second position (step S90), and when the shooting mode is the panoramic shooting mode (step S80). : NO), the rotary mirror 51 is set to the fourth position (step S100).

  Next, in the twin-lens digital camera 1, the photographing lens 7b of the first photographing unit 3 photographs the left image (step S110), and the photographed left image is formed on the CCD 61 (step S120). Then, the left image formed on the CCD 61 is stored in a memory (RAM) (step S130).

  Next, the twin-lens digital camera 1 acquires a pair of left video and right video stored in the memory, performs predetermined image processing, and displays them on the display unit 13 (step S140). That is, in the stereoscopic shooting mode, a stereoscopic video is displayed on the display unit 13 and in the panoramic shooting mode, a panoramic video is displayed on the display unit 13.

  Next, when the twin-lens digital camera 1 receives an instruction to save the video displayed on the display unit 13 (step S150), the video displayed on the display unit 13, the left video, and the right video are displayed. Are stored in the storage unit 14 in association with each other (step S160). Otherwise, the process returns to step S20.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation mirror 51 is controlled so as to capture the left image after capturing the right image, but the reverse order may be used. That is, the rotation mirror 51 may be controlled to rotate so that the right image is captured after the left image is captured.

  As described above, according to the twin-lens digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, stereoscopic photography or panoramic photography can be realized with a configuration including two imaging lenses and one solid-state imaging device. As a result, the CCD, the optical system from the CCD to the optical system switching unit, and its peripheral circuit are configured as a single unit, so that the conventional type of stereoscopic imaging or panoramic imaging including two fixed imaging elements is used. The cost can be reduced compared to other digital cameras.

  The optical system switching unit 5 is not limited to the rotatable mirror 51 described above, and various forms are possible. Hereinafter, another configuration of the optical system switching unit 5 will be described.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the optical system 2A according to the second embodiment. Here, FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical system 2A when the stereoscopic shooting mode is set, and FIG. 7B is an optical system 2A when the panoramic shooting mode is set. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of these. In the present embodiment, the optical system switching unit 5 includes two fixed half mirrors 52a and 52b that intersect and mechanical shutters 53a and 53b. The shutters 53a and 53b are both closed in the initial state. In the present embodiment, the photographing lens 7a and the fixed mirror 8a, the photographing lens 7b and the fixed mirror 8b are each configured as an integral lens folder, and the lens folder is configured to be rotatable. Yes. Here, the position of each lens folder in the stereoscopic shooting mode is referred to as a first rotation position, and the position of each lens folder in the panoramic shooting mode is referred to as a second rotation position.

  In the stereoscopic photographing mode, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the shutter 53a is opened so that the right image photographed by the photographing lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the half mirrors 52a and 52b are arranged in an intersecting state, and the right image that has reached the half mirrors 52a and 52b through the opened shutter 53a shows one of the two half mirrors 52a or 52b. The light is reflected and transmitted through the other to form an image on the CCD 61. That is, when the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The subject image (left image) captured by the lens 7b is reflected on the fixed mirror 8b and then blocked by the closed shutter 53b, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Next, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened so that the left image photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the half mirrors 52a and 52b are arranged so as to cross each other, and the left image that has reached the half mirrors 52a and 52b via the opened shutter 53b is displayed on one of the two half mirrors 52a or 52b. The light is reflected and transmitted through the other to form an image on the CCD 61. That is, when the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The subject image (right image) captured by the lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the closed shutter 53a, so that it does not form an image on the CCD 61.

  As described above, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened, so that the left video is the image data for the left eye and the right video. Can be captured almost simultaneously as image data for the right eye. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ¼ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the half mirrors 52a and 52b are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions corresponding to the left and right lines of sight.

  On the other hand, in the case of the panoramic shooting mode, first, the lens folder is moved from the first rotation position in FIG. 7A (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 7B) to the second position in FIG. 7B. The photographing lens 7a faces the outside (more right side) and the photographing lens 7b faces the outside (more left side). That is, the right lens folder is rotated slightly clockwise (B direction shown in FIG. 7B), and the left lens folder is rotated slightly counterclockwise (A direction shown in FIG. 7B). .

  Next, in this state, the shutter 53a is opened so that the right image photographed by the photographing lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the half mirrors 52a and 52b are arranged so as to intersect with each other, and the right image that has reached the half mirrors 52a and 52b via the opened shutter 53a shows one of the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The light is reflected and transmitted through the other to form an image on the CCD 61. That is, when the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The subject image (left image) captured by the lens 7b is reflected on the fixed mirror 8b and then blocked by the closed shutter 53b, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Next, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened so that the left image photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the half mirrors 52a and 52b are arranged so as to cross each other, and the left image that has reached the half mirrors 52a and 52b via the opened shutter 53b is displayed on one of the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The light is reflected and transmitted through the other to form an image on the CCD 61. That is, when the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the two half mirrors 52a and 52b. The subject image (right image) captured by the lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the closed shutter 53a, so that it does not form an image on the CCD 61.

  Here, since the second rotation position is a position where both the photographing lenses 7a and 7b are rotated slightly outward from the first rotation position, the right image is further more than in the stereoscopic shooting mode. The right image is formed on the CCD 61, and the left image is formed on the CCD 61 further than in the stereoscopic shooting mode. That is, a wide-angle image can be formed.

  As described above, in the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened, so that the left video is the image data of the left half of the panoramic image, The right video can be captured almost simultaneously as image data of the right half of the panoramic image. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ¼ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the half mirrors 52a and 52b are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

  In the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, the integrated photographing lens 7a and fixed mirror 8a, and the integrated photographing lens 7b and fixed mirror 8b are respectively rotated to adjust the image formation on the CCD 61. However, it is also possible to adjust the image formation on the CCD 61 by making each of them individually rotatable. That is, the panorama shooting mode may be set by rotating and adjusting either the shooting lens 7 or the fixed mirror 8.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, two half mirrors are used as two total reflection mirrors, and the positions of the respective half mirrors shown in FIG. It may be arranged at a different position. In this case, the angles of the two total reflection mirrors are adjusted by tilting up and down with respect to the paper surface so that the subject image captured by the two imaging lenses is formed on the CCD 61. According to this modification, it is possible to suppress the loss of the light amount of the present embodiment (the same light amount as that of the first embodiment can be taken in).

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the optical system 2B according to the third embodiment. Here, FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical system 2B when the stereoscopic shooting mode is set, and FIG. 8B is an optical system 2B when the panoramic shooting mode is set. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of these. The optical system 2B is the same as the second embodiment in that the optical system switching unit 5 is configured by using two intersecting fixed mirrors and two mechanical shutters, but there are two types of fixed mirrors. This is different from the second embodiment. In other words, in the present embodiment, the optical system switching unit 5 includes a fixed half mirror 52a and total reflection mirror 54b, and mechanical shutters 53a and 53b. The shutters 53a and 53b are both closed in the initial state. Also in the present embodiment, the photographing lens 7a and the fixed mirror 8a, the photographing lens 7b and the fixed mirror 8b are each configured as an integral lens folder, and the lens folder is configured to be rotatable. The position of each lens folder in the stereoscopic shooting mode is referred to as a first rotation position, and the position of each lens folder in the panoramic shooting mode is referred to as a second rotation position.

  In the stereoscopic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 8A, the shutter 53a is opened so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the right image that has reached the half mirror 52a through the opened shutter 53a is reflected by the half mirror 52a and imaged on the CCD 61. That is, when the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the half mirror 52a. Since the subject image (left image) is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then blocked by the closed shutter 53b, it is not formed on the CCD 61.

  Next, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened so that the left image photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 61. Here, the half mirror 52a and the total reflection mirror 54b are arranged in a substantially L shape, and the left image that has reached the total reflection mirror 54b via the opened shutter 53b is reflected by the total reflection mirror 54b. The image is formed on the CCD 61 through the half mirror 52a. That is, when the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is reflected by the fixed mirror 8b and then imaged on the CCD 61 via the total reflection mirror 54b and the half mirror 52a. The subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the closed shutter 53a, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  As described above, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened, so that the left video is the image data for the left eye and the right video. Can be captured almost simultaneously as image data for the right eye. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ½ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the half mirrors 52a and 52b are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions corresponding to the left and right lines of sight.

  On the other hand, in the case of the panoramic shooting mode, first, the lens folder is rotated from the first rotation position in FIG. 8A to the second rotation position in FIG. 7a is directed to the outside (more right side), and the taking lens 7b is directed to the outside (more left side). That is, the right lens folder is rotated slightly clockwise (B direction shown in FIG. 8B), and the left lens folder is rotated slightly counterclockwise (A direction shown in FIG. 8B). .

  Next, in this state, as in the stereoscopic shooting mode, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are successively opened sequentially, and the right image and the left image are sequentially formed on the CCD 61.

  As described above, in the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened, so that the left video is the image data of the left half of the panoramic image, The right video can be captured almost simultaneously as image data of the right half of the panoramic image. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ½ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the half mirrors 52a and 52b are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the optical system 2C according to the fourth embodiment. Here, FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical system 2C when the stereoscopic shooting mode is set, and FIG. 9B is an optical system 2C when the panoramic shooting mode is set. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of these. In the present embodiment, the optical system switching unit 5 includes a rotatable half mirror (also referred to as a rotating half mirror) 55 and mechanical shutters 53a and 53b. The shutters 53a and 53b are both closed in the initial state.

  In the case of the stereoscopic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 9A, after adjusting the angle of the rotating half mirror 55 so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61, Open the shutter 53a. Note that the rotational position of the rotating half mirror 55 at which the right image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment is referred to as a fifth rotational position. That is, when the rotary half mirror 55 is set to the fifth rotation position and the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right image) taken by the taking lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a, and then the rotary half mirror 55 is moved. The subject image (left image) captured by the photographing lens 7b is blocked by the closed shutter 53b and is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Next, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened. That is, when the rotary half mirror 55 is set to the fifth rotation position and the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) taken by the taking lens 7b is transmitted through the rotary half mirror 55 and formed on the CCD 61. However, the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then blocked by the closed shutter 53a, so that it is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Thus, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the rotary half mirror is set to the fifth rotation position, and the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed to be opened. It is possible to capture the left video as image data for the left eye and the right video as image data for the right eye almost simultaneously. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ½ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotating half mirror 55 are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions corresponding to the left and right lines of sight.

  On the other hand, in the case of the panoramic shooting mode, first, the rotary half mirror 55 is moved from the fifth rotation position in FIG. 9A (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 9B) to the first in FIG. 9B. Rotate to 6 rotation position. That is, the rotary half mirror 55 is rotated slightly counterclockwise (direction A shown in FIG. 9B).

  Here, since the sixth rotation position is a position obtained by rotating the rotating half mirror 55 slightly counterclockwise from the fifth rotation position, the right image is further on the right side than in the stereoscopic shooting mode. Since the image is formed on the CCD 61, a wide-angle image can be formed.

  Next, in this state, as in the stereoscopic shooting mode, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are successively opened sequentially, and the right image and the left image are sequentially formed on the CCD 61.

  As described above, in the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened, so that the left video is the image data of the left half of the panoramic image, The right video can be captured almost simultaneously as image data of the right half of the panoramic image. However, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is ½ the amount of light compared to the first embodiment. The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotating half mirror 55 are adjusted so as to be suitable positions for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

<Variation 1 of the fourth embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an optical system 2D according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. Here, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the optical system 2D in the stereoscopic shooting mode and the panoramic shooting mode. The optical system 2D is different from the fourth embodiment in that it is a rotatable total reflection mirror and has a wide rotation range. In other words, in the present modification, the optical system switching unit 5 includes a rotatable mirror 51 and mechanical shutters 53a and 53b. The shutters 53a and 53b are both closed in the initial state.

  In the stereoscopic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 10, after adjusting the angle of the rotating mirror 51 so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the CCD 61, the shutter 53a is opened. . It should be noted that the rotation position of the rotary mirror 51 where the right image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present embodiment is the fifth rotation position in the fourth embodiment. That is, when the rotary mirror 51 is set to the fifth rotational position and the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right video) taken by the taking lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then passed through the rotary mirror 51. Although the image is formed on the CCD 61, the subject image (left image) taken by the taking lens 7 b is not formed on the CCD 61 because the path is blocked by the closed shutter 53 b.

  Next, after adjusting the angle of the rotary mirror 51 so that the left image photographed by the photographing lens 7b is directly formed on the CCD 61, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened. It should be noted that the rotational position of the rotating mirror 51 where the left image is imaged on the CCD 61 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of this modification is referred to as a seventh rotational position. That is, when the rotary half mirror 55 is set to the seventh rotational position and the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 61, but photographed by the photographing lens 7a. The subject image (right image) is not formed on the CCD 61 because the path is blocked by the closed shutter 53a.

  As described above, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present modification, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially switched at high speed and opened in accordance with the position of the rotary mirror 51. Image data and the right image can be captured almost simultaneously as image data for the right eye. Further, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is twice as much as that in the fourth embodiment (the same amount of light as in the first embodiment). The arrangement of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotational position of the rotary mirror 51 are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions corresponding to the left and right lines of sight.

  On the other hand, in the case of the panoramic shooting mode, first, the rotating mirror 51 is rotated from the fifth rotation position to the sixth rotation position of the fourth embodiment, so that the shooting lens 7a moves outward (to the right). Try to face.

  Next, when the shutter 53a is opened with the rotating mirror 51 set to the sixth rotating position, the subject image (right image) captured by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then the rotating mirror 51. The subject image (left image) captured by the photographing lens 7b is blocked by the closed shutter 53b and is not imaged on the CCD 61.

  Next, after rotating the rotary mirror 51 from the sixth rotation position to the seventh rotation position, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened. Then, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 61, but the subject image (right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is blocked by the closed shutter 53a, so the CCD 61 Is not imaged.

  As described above, in the panoramic shooting mode of the present embodiment, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially opened at high speed in accordance with the position of the rotary mirror 51. The left half of the image data and the right video can be captured almost simultaneously as the right half of the panoramic image. Further, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is twice as much as that in the fourth embodiment (the same amount of light as in the first embodiment). The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotation position of the rotary mirror 51 are set so as to be suitable positions for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

<Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an optical system 2E according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. Here, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical system 2E in the stereoscopic shooting mode and the panoramic shooting mode. The optical system 2E is different from the fourth embodiment in that there is no rotatable mirror and the CCD 62 itself rotates. In other words, in the present modification, the optical system switching unit 5 includes a rotatable CCD 62 and mechanical shutters 53a and 53b. The shutters 53a and 53b are both closed in the initial state.

  In the stereoscopic shooting mode, first, as shown in FIG. 11, the angle of the rotating CCD 62 is adjusted so that the right image shot by the shooting lens 7a is formed on the light receiving plane of the CCD 62, and then the shutter. 53a is opened. Note that the position of the CCD 62 at which the right image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of the present modification is referred to as a first CCD rotation position. That is, when the CCD 62 is set to the first CCD rotation position and the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (right image) captured by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then formed on the CCD 62. The subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is not formed on the CCD 62 because the path is blocked by the closed shutter 53b.

  Next, after adjusting the angle of the rotating CCD 62 so that the left image taken by the taking lens 7b is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62, the shutter 53a is closed and the shutter 53b is opened. It should be noted that the position of the CCD 62 at which the left image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of this modification is referred to as a second CCD rotation position. That is, when the CCD 62 is set at the second CCD rotation position and the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) taken by the taking lens 7b is formed on the CCD 62, but the subject image taken by the taking lens 7a. Since the path of the (right image) is blocked by the closed shutter 53a, the image is not formed on the CCD 62.

  As described above, in the stereoscopic shooting mode of this modification, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially opened at a high speed in accordance with the rotational position of the CCD 62. Image data and the right image can be captured almost simultaneously as image data for the right eye. Further, the amount of light focused on the CCD 62 is twice as much as that in the fourth embodiment (the same amount of light as in the first embodiment). The arrangement of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotational position of the CCD 62 are adjusted so as to be suitable for capturing the same subject from different directions in correspondence with the left and right lines of sight.

  On the other hand, in the case of the panorama shooting mode, the right image (the image on the right side as compared with the stereoscopic shooting mode) taken by the taking lens 7a is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62 in the same manner. After adjusting the angle, the shutter 53a is opened. It should be noted that the stop position of the CCD 62 where the right image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62 in the panoramic shooting mode of this modification is referred to as a third CCD rotation position. That is, when the CCD 62 is set to the third CCD rotation position and the shutter 53a is opened, the subject image (more right image) photographed by the photographing lens 7a is reflected by the fixed mirror 8a and then formed on the CCD 62. However, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is not formed on the CCD 62 because the path is blocked by the closed shutter 53b.

  Next, after adjusting the angle of the CCD 62 so that the left image (the image on the left side of the stereoscopic shooting mode) taken by the taking lens 7b is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 62, the shutter 53a is closed. To open the shutter 53b. Note that the stop position of the CCD 62 when the left image is imaged on the CCD 62 in the stereoscopic shooting mode of this modification is referred to as a fourth CCD rotation position. That is, when the CCD 62 is set to the fourth CCD rotation position and the shutter 53b is opened, the subject image (left image) photographed by the photographing lens 7b is formed on the CCD 62, but the subject image photographed by the photographing lens 7a. Since the path of the (right image) is blocked by the closed shutter 53a, the image is not formed on the CCD 62.

  As described above, in the panorama shooting mode of the present modification, when a shooting start instruction is issued, the shutter 53a and the shutter 53b are sequentially opened at a high speed in accordance with the rotational position of the CCD 62. The left half image data and the right video can be captured almost simultaneously as the right half image data of the panoramic image. Further, the amount of light focused on the CCD 61 is twice as much as that in the fourth embodiment (the same amount of light as in the first embodiment). The arrangement positions of the photographing lenses 7a and 7b and the rotation position of the CCD 62 are set so as to be suitable positions for capturing subjects adjacent to each other.

<Others>
The embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and the present invention can be practiced without departing from the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments and examples.

  For example, in the optical system described in the present embodiment and the modification, a meniscus concave lens may be inserted in the optical path from the photographing lens to the CCD. That is, in the present embodiment and the modification, the optical system switching unit 5 must be disposed in the optical path from the photographing lens to the CCD. Therefore, the meniscus concave lens is disposed so as to increase the focal length from the photographing lens to the CCD. May be.

  In the present embodiment and the modification, the twin-lens digital camera has been described as a digital camera having both a stereoscopic shooting function and a panoramic shooting function. However, a digital camera having either one of the functions may be used. Of course.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a twin-lens digital camera 1 that can realize stereoscopic shooting or panoramic shooting with a configuration including two imaging lenses and one solid-state imaging device. it can.

  For example, the twin-lens digital camera 1 of the present embodiment includes one solid-state imaging device 6, two imaging optical systems capable of forming a subject image on one solid-state imaging device 6, and two imaging optical systems. An optical system switching unit 5 that enables a subject image captured by any one of the imaging optical systems to be formed on the solid-state imaging device 6 and the optical system switching unit 5 are used to sequentially switch between the two imaging optical systems. An image processing unit that sequentially forms the subject images photographed by the two photographing optical systems on the solid-state imaging device 6 and generates one image by combining the image data of the formed subject images. Therefore, stereoscopic imaging or panoramic imaging can be realized with a configuration including two imaging lenses and one solid-state imaging device.

  In this case, the subject image photographed by one photographing optical system and the subject image photographed by the other photographing optical system are each formed in the same region of the solid-state imaging device 6. That is, the subject images photographed by the two photographing optical systems are formed on the entire pixel area of the solid-state image sensor 6 and become left and right image data.

  In addition, the optical system switching unit 5 includes, as an example, a rotatable rotating mirror 51, and the rotating mirror 51 has a first rotational position (which enables imaging on the solid-state imaging device 6 of one photographing optical system). Or the third rotation position) and the second rotation position (or the fourth rotation position) that enables image formation on the solid-state image pickup device 6 of the other imaging optical system. May be switched. In this case, even with a configuration including one solid-state imaging device, left and right image data can be acquired by controlling the rotation of the rotary mirror 51.

  Further, the optical system switching unit 5 adjusts the angles of the first rotation position and the third rotation position, and the second rotation position and the fourth rotation position according to the stereoscopic shooting mode or the panoramic shooting mode. Therefore, it is possible to support two shooting modes.

  The optical system switching unit 5 includes, as an example, two shutters 53a and 53b and at least one mirror (for example, half mirrors 52a and 52b, half mirror 52a and total reflection mirror 54b, or rotating half mirror 55). And the shutters 53a and 53b are respectively arranged in an optical path from one imaging optical system to the mirror and an optical path from the other imaging optical system to the mirror. The optical system switching unit 5 may be arranged at a position where imaging can be performed, and the optical system may be switched by sequentially controlling opening and closing of the shutters 53a and 53b. In this case, even with a configuration including one solid-state imaging device, left and right image data can be acquired by sequentially controlling the opening and closing of the shutters 53a and 53b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Binocular digital camera 2,2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E Optical system 3 1st imaging | photography part 4 2nd imaging | photography part 5 Optical system switching part 6 Solid-state image sensor 7a, 7b Shooting lens 8a, 8b Fixed mirror DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Image processing part 13 Display part 14 Storage part 51 Rotating mirror 52a, 52b Half mirror 53a, 53b (Mechanical) Shutter 54b Total reflection mirror 55 Rotating half mirror 61, 62 CCD

Claims (7)

One solid-state imaging device;
Two imaging optical systems capable of forming a subject image on the one solid-state imaging device;
An optical system switching unit capable of forming a subject image captured by one of the two imaging optical systems on the solid-state imaging device;
The two imaging optical systems are sequentially switched by the optical system switching means, and the subject images captured by the two imaging optical systems are sequentially imaged on the solid-state imaging device, Image generating means for generating one image by combining the image data of the subject image;
A twin-lens digital camera characterized by comprising:   2. The subject image captured by one of the imaging optical systems and the subject image captured by the other imaging optical system are each formed in the same region of the solid-state imaging device. A twin-lens digital camera. The optical system switching means includes a rotatable mirror,
A first position allowing the mirror to form an image on the solid-state image sensor of the one imaging optical system, and a second position enabling imaging on the solid-state image sensor of the other imaging optical system. 3. The twin-lens digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is switched by controlling the rotation to the position of. It further comprises mode selection means for selecting a stereoscopic shooting mode or a panoramic shooting mode,
The optical system switching means is
4. The twin-lens digital camera according to claim 3, wherein an angle between the first position and the second position is adjusted according to a photographing mode selected by the mode selection unit. The optical system switching means includes two shutters and at least one mirror,
The shutter is disposed in an optical path from one of the imaging optical system to the mirror, and an optical path from the other imaging optical system to the mirror, respectively.
The mirror is disposed at a position that allows the two imaging optical systems to form an image on the solid-state imaging device,
The optical system switching means is
3. The twin-lens digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is switched by sequentially controlling opening and closing of the two shutters. It further comprises mode selection means for selecting a stereoscopic shooting mode or a panoramic shooting mode,
The mirror is a fixed mirror;
The optical system switching means is
6. The twin-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein a direction of a photographing lens included in the photographing optical system is controlled in accordance with a photographing mode selected by the mode selecting unit. It further comprises mode selection means for selecting a stereoscopic shooting mode or a panoramic shooting mode,
The mirror is a rotatable mirror;
The optical system switching means is
6. The twin-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the angle of the mirror is adjusted according to the photographing mode selected by the mode selection means.

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