JP2011199757A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device having a larger angle of view in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction.
An imaging apparatus (100) includes a first optical system (L1) having a first optical axis (Bx2) and forming an image of a first region of a subject at a first angle of view, a first optical system, and a predetermined optical system. A second optical system that is arranged side by side along the direction and has a second optical axis (Bx3) having an angle different from that of the first optical axis and forms an image of a second area of the subject different from the first area at a second angle of view. (L2), a first photoelectric conversion element (C1) that captures the first image formed by the first optical system, and a second photoelectric conversion that captures the second image formed by the second optical system. And an element (C2).
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that images a single subject using a plurality of optical systems.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thin imaging devices and the like have been proposed due to advances in optical technologies such as miniaturization and high performance of photoelectric conversion elements such as CCDs and CMOS sensors. For example, in the imaging device of Patent Document 1, the outer dimensions are dimensional standards such as type I, II, III, IV in an I / O card of the PCMCIA / JEIDA standard. In Patent Document 1, one imaging lens is provided on the narrow side surface of the imaging device. The imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is thin (width is narrow) by using an imaging lens having a small lens diameter.

Announcement of JP-A-11-243501

  However, there is a problem that the maximum field angle in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction decreases as the lens diameter decreases.

  An object of this invention is to provide the imaging device which can image | photograph a big angle of view in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

  The imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has a first optical system having a first optical axis and forming an image of a first region of a subject at a first angle of view, and the first optical system aligned along a predetermined direction. A second optical system that has a second optical axis that is different from the first optical axis and that forms an image of a second region of a subject that is different from the first region at a second angle of view, and an image formed by the first optical system. A first photoelectric conversion element that captures the first image that has been formed, and a second photoelectric conversion element that captures the second image formed by the second optical system.

  The present invention can capture an image with a large angle of view in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction even with a thin imaging device.

1 is a perspective view of an imaging device 100. FIG. It is the conceptual diagram which showed 10 A of 1st imaging parts and the main-body part 19. FIG. (A) is a side view of the first imaging unit IU1 or the third imaging unit IU3. (B) is a side view of the second imaging unit IU2 or the fourth imaging unit IU4. It is a side view of 10 A of 1st imaging parts of 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the imaging step. (A) is the figure which showed image S1 of 1st imaging unit IU1. (B) is a diagram showing an image S2 of the second imaging unit IU2. (C) is a diagram showing an image S3 of the third imaging unit IU3. (D) is a diagram showing an image S4 of the fourth imaging unit IU4. It is the figure which showed the whole synthetic | combination image IM1 after synthesize | combining the images S1-S4. It is a top view of the 2nd imaging part 10B of a 2nd embodiment, or the 6th imaging part 10F of the 2nd modification. (A) is a side view of the fifth imaging unit IU5 or the seventh imaging unit IU7. (B) is a side view of the sixth imaging unit IU6 or the eighth imaging unit IU8. It is a side view of the 2nd image pick-up part 10B of a 2nd embodiment. It is a top view of 3rd imaging part 10C of a 3rd embodiment. It is a side view of 3rd imaging part 10C of a 3rd embodiment. (A) is a diagram showing an image S5 of the ninth imaging unit IU9. (B) is a diagram showing an image S6 of the tenth imaging unit IU10. (C) is a diagram showing an image S7 of the eleventh imaging unit IU11. (D) is a diagram showing an image S8 of the twelfth imaging unit IU12. It is the figure which showed the whole synthesized image IM2 after a synthesis | combination. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 200. FIG. It is a top view of 4th image pick-up part 10D of a 4th embodiment. It is a side view of 4th image pick-up part 10D of 4th Embodiment. (A) is a diagram showing an image S9 of the thirteenth imaging unit IU13. (B) is a diagram showing an image S10 of the fourteenth imaging unit IU14. It is the figure which showed image IM3 after a synthesis | combination. It is a top view of the 5th image pick-up part 10E of the 1st modification. (A) is the top view which showed an example of the photoelectric conversion element C5 or the photoelectric conversion element C6. (B) is the top view which showed another example of the photoelectric conversion element C5 or the photoelectric conversion element C6. (A) is a side view of the fifth imaging unit IU5 'or the seventh imaging unit IU7' of the second modification. (B) is a side view of the sixth imaging unit IU6 'or the eighth imaging unit IU8' of the second modification.

(First embodiment)
<Appearance of Imaging Device 100>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 100. In the first embodiment, the short side direction of the main surface 112 is the X-axis direction, the long side direction of the main surface 112 is the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction are the Z-axis direction. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a thin casing 11. The casing 11 includes four elongated side surfaces 111 having a width W of about 3 to 5 mm, and two main surfaces 112 perpendicular to the side surfaces 111.

  The main body 19 of the housing 11 of the imaging device 100 includes an LCD display unit 12 having a function of an external electronic viewfinder formed of a liquid crystal display device provided at one corner of the main surface 112 of the housing 11, and a side surface 111 of the housing 11. A release switch 13 is provided at one corner to start imaging. The main body 19 has a control circuit including a CPU and the like.

  A part of the casing 11 is an imaging unit 10 (first imaging unit 10A) including four imaging lenses L1 to L4. The imaging unit 10 can rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 1, a solid line indicates a state where the imaging unit 10 is rotated from the main body unit 19 by a predetermined angle, and a dotted line indicates a state where the imaging unit 10 is not rotated from the main body unit 19. As a result, the photographer can point the imaging unit 10 at the subject while looking at the LCD display unit 12.

  The four imaging lenses L1 to L4 are provided on the side surface 111 on the + Y side of the imaging unit 10 and are arranged in a straight line along the X-axis direction. An image captured by the imaging lenses L1 to L4 of the imaging unit 10 is displayed on the LCD display unit 12 with a connection code provided in a rotation axis (not shown). The imaging unit 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

<Outline of First Imaging Unit 10A>
Hereinafter, the first imaging unit 10A will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the first imaging unit 10 </ b> A and the main body 19. The first imaging unit 10A illustrated in FIG. 2 includes four imaging units IU1 to IU4 that capture different areas of a subject (not shown).

  The first imaging unit 10A is disposed between the first imaging unit IU1 and the second imaging unit IU2, and prevents light incident on the first imaging unit IU1 from entering the photoelectric conversion element C2 of the second imaging unit IU2. A light shielding portion R1 extending in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the first imaging unit 10A includes a light shielding unit R2 between the second imaging unit IU2 and the third imaging unit IU3, and the light shielding unit R3 between the third imaging unit IU3 and the fourth imaging unit IU4. In addition.

  The imaging units IU1 to IU4 include prisms P1 to P4, coaxial lenses L1 to L4, and photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4, which are arranged coaxially. The prisms P1 to P4 include triangular prisms that deflect light in a predetermined direction. The imaging lenses L1 to L4 are depicted as one convex lens in FIG. 2, but are a lens group composed of a plurality of lenses. The photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 are two-dimensional CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensors or two-dimensional CMOS image sensors. In addition, the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 have, for example, a rectangular shape having a long side of 4 mm and a short side of 3 mm.

In the XY plane, the first imaging unit IU1 and the second imaging unit IU2 are arranged such that their optical axes Ax1, Ax2 are inclined at an angle α counterclockwise from the Y-axis direction. The third imaging unit IU3 and the fourth imaging unit IU4 are arranged such that their optical axes Ax3 and Ax4 are inclined at an angle α in the clockwise direction from the Y-axis direction. Further, the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the imaging units IU1 to IU4 is 2α. Accordingly, the horizontal field angle on the XY plane of the first imaging unit 10A is 4α, that is, for example, if the angle α is 15 °, the horizontal field angle on the XY plane of the first imaging unit 10A is 60 °.
Here, the angle of view indicates the angle of light rays connected from both ends of the image to the principal point, and represents the range of the object on the image plane as an angle. Half of the angle of view is called a half angle of view. Therefore, the angle α is a half angle of view of the imaging units IU1 to IU4.

  FIG. 3A is a side view of the first imaging unit IU1 or the third imaging unit IU3. As seen from the side view, the first imaging unit IU1 and the third imaging unit IU3 have the same shape, so the following description will be made on the first imaging unit IU1. The first imaging unit IU1 shown in FIG. 3A has a rectangular photoelectric conversion element C1 whose short side (3 mm) is oriented in the Z-axis direction. Further, on the + Y side of the photoelectric conversion element C1, an imaging lens L1 having a diameter of 3 mm and a triangular prism P1 having a height of 3 mm with the apex angle γ facing downward are arranged coaxially. Therefore, the width W of the housing 11 is about 3 to 5 mm, and is considerably thin. The photoelectric conversion element C1 is disposed at the focal position on the −Y side of the imaging lens L1, and the focal length f of the imaging lens L1 is, for example, 7.5 mm. Further, a variable diaphragm 16 for adjusting the amount of light incident on the imaging lens is disposed on the + Y side of the triangular prism P1. In the following embodiments, drawing of the variable aperture 16 is omitted.

  In the first imaging unit IU1, the optical axis from the photoelectric conversion element C1 to the triangular prism P1 is set to Bx1, and the axis of light emitted from the triangular prism P1 is set to Bx2. Then, the optical axis Bx1 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the + Z side by the triangular prism P1 to become the optical axis Bx2, and the angle formed between the optical axis Bx2 and the Y axis is β. As a result, the first imaging unit IU1 can capture an area of the subject in the + Z-axis direction, and the field angle that can be captured is 2β. Further, the light beam LL1 parallel to the Y-axis direction from the subject passes through the triangular prism P1 and the imaging lens L1 in order and is incident on the + Z side end A1 of the photoelectric conversion element C1.

Here, the relationship between the deflection angle β and the apex angle γ of the triangular prism P1 satisfies Expression (1).
β = γ (n−1) (1)
In Equation (1), n is the refractive index of the triangular prism P1.

  FIG. 3B is a side view of the second imaging unit IU2 or the fourth imaging unit IU4. Since the second imaging unit IU2 and the fourth imaging unit IU4 have the same shape when viewed from the side view, the following description will be made on the second imaging unit IU2. In the second imaging unit IU2 shown in FIG. 3B, only the apex angle direction (+ Z) of the triangular prism P2 is different from the apex angle direction (−Z) of the triangular prism P1, and the imaging lens L2, photoelectric sensor The configuration of the conversion element C2 and the like is the same as that of the first imaging unit IU1.

In the second imaging unit IU2, the optical axis from the photoelectric conversion element C2 to the triangular prism P2 is set to Bx1, and the axis of light emitted from the triangular prism P2 is set to Bx3. Then, the optical axis Bx1 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the −Z side by the triangular prism P2 to become the optical axis Bx3, and the angle formed between the optical axis Bx3 and the Y axis is β. As a result, the second imaging unit IU2 can image a region of the subject in the −Z-axis direction, and the angle of view is 2β. Further, the light beam LL2 parallel to the Y-axis direction from the subject passes through the triangular prism P2 and the imaging lens L2 in order, and is incident on the −Z side end A2 of the photoelectric conversion element C2.
Further, the relationship between the deflection angle β and the apex angle γ of the triangular prism P2 satisfies Expression (1).

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the first imaging unit 10A of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, when the triangular prisms P1 to P4 are used as the deflecting unit, the angle of view of the first imaging unit 10A is increased from the angle η1 to the angle η2. Further, since the light beam LL1 and the light beam LL2 are parallel to the Y-axis direction, the angle of view η2 corresponds to 4β. That is, for example, if the angle β is 11.3 °, the vertical field angle on the YZ plane of the first imaging unit 10A is 45.2 °.

<Outline of Image Synthesizer 14>
Image composition by the first imaging unit 10A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 to 7. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the imaging step. 6A is an image S1 captured by the first imaging unit IU1, FIG. 6B is an image S2 captured by the second imaging unit IU2, and FIG. 6C is an image S3 captured by the third imaging unit IU3. d) is a diagram showing an image S4 captured by the fourth imaging unit IU4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overall synthesized image IM1 after synthesis.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or 4, the image composition device 14 in the main body 19 includes a common point detection unit 141 that detects common points in the common region, and each image (images S <b> 1 to S <b> 4 in FIG. 6). The luminance detection unit 142 that detects the luminance, the luminance adjustment unit 143 that adjusts the luminance so that the luminance of the entire composite image (image IM1 in FIG. 7) is uniform, and the common point detected by the common point detection unit 141 And an image composition unit 144 that composes an overall composite image of the subject.

In step S101 of FIG. 5, the imaging unit IU1 images the subject area PS1 on the upper left side of the subject PS.
In step S103, the imaging unit IU2 images the subject area PS2 below the subject area PS1.
In step S105, the imaging unit IU3 images the subject area PS3 on the upper right side of the subject PS. In step S107, the imaging unit IU4 images the subject area “PS4” on the lower side of the subject area PS3. Steps S101 to S107 are performed simultaneously.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the imaging units IU1 to IU4 capture images S1 to S4, respectively. The image S1 and the image S2 share a common area CA12 having a width D, the image S1 and the image S3 share a common area CA13 having a width D, and the images S2 and S4 share a common area CA24 having a width D. The image S3 and the image S4 share a common area CA34 having a width D.

  As shown in step S201 in FIG. 5, the common point detection unit 141 detects a common point between the image S1 and the image S2 in the common area CA12. For example, a location where the contrast of the subject is changing, a location where the color is the same, and the like. It is preferable that there are two or more common points. If there are two or more common points, the inclination between the image S1 and the image S2 can be easily corrected.

  In step S203, the image composition unit 144 determines a composite position of the image S1 and the image S2 based on the common point detected by the common point detection unit 141. Similarly, the common point detection unit 141 detects a common point between the image S3 and the image S4 in the common area CA34, and the image composition unit 144 determines a combination position of the image S3 and the image S4 based on the common point. Then, the common point detection unit 141 detects a common point in the common areas CA13 and CA24, and the image composition unit 144 determines a composite position of the image S1, the image S2, the image S3, and the image S4 based on the common point. . Alternatively, the combination position may be determined two by two in another order.

  In step S205, the luminance detection unit 142 detects the luminance of the images S1 to S4. The imaging units IU1 to IU4 have separate imaging lenses L1 to L4 and photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4, respectively. For this reason, the brightness | luminances of the images S1-S4 may differ.

  In step S207, the brightness adjustment unit 143 adjusts the brightness of the images S1 to S4 so that the brightness of the entire image is uniform. In addition, the brightness of the common area CA12, common area CA13, common area CA24, and common area CA34 is also adjusted. For example, in the common areas CA12, CA13, CA24, and CA34 shown in FIG. 6, the luminance signals from two photoelectric conversion elements or four photoelectric conversion elements are overlapped. Therefore, the luminance adjusting unit 143 adjusts the luminance of the common area so that it is the same as the luminance of the non-overlapping area. Through these steps, one synthesized image IM1 as shown in FIG. 7 is synthesized.

  Instead of steps S201 and S203, steps S205 and S207 may be performed first. The imaging units IU1 to IU4 and the image composition device 14 can obtain a composite image IM1 having a wide angle of view in the left-right and up-down directions that cannot be captured with one imaging lens. Specifically, when the horizontal angle of view of one imaging lens is 2α (see FIG. 2) and the vertical angle of view is 2β (see FIG. 3), the first imaging unit 10A has a horizontal angle of view 4α (see FIG. 2), it is possible to shoot an angle of view with a vertical angle of view 4β.

<Outline of the control unit 15>
The control unit 15 and its control will be described with reference to FIGS. The imaging apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 15 that moves the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 along the optical axis Bx1 or rotates the XZ plane according to the distance to the subject.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or 4, the control unit 15 includes a distance calculation unit 151 that calculates the subject distance to the subject. In addition, the control unit 15 includes an imaging adjustment unit 152 that adjusts the imaging state of the imaging lenses L1 to L4 and the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4, and an inclination adjustment unit that corrects the distortion of the subject due to a tilt angle. 153 is further included.

  Here, based on the distance between the lenses L1 and L4 and their focal lengths, the distance calculation unit 151 uses, for example, the principle of triangulation, and subjects from the imaging lenses L1 to L4 to the subject PS. The distance can be calculated.

  Based on the subject distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 151, the imaging adjustment unit 152 moves the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 along the optical axis Bx1 as indicated by the arrow AR1 in FIG. Can be moved. Accordingly, the imaging apparatus 100 can focus the imaging lenses L1 to L4. When adjusting the relative distance between the imaging lenses L1 to L4 and the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4, the imaging adjustment unit 152 fixes the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 and changes the positions of the imaging lenses L1 to L4. However, the same effect can be obtained. The imaging adjustment unit 152 adjusts the relative distance between the imaging lenses L1 to L4 and the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 by moving both the imaging lenses L1 to L4 and the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4. Good.

  Next, for example, when the subject PS is imaged at a short distance, the subject due to the tilt angle may be distorted. At this time, the inclination adjusting unit 153 rotates the photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 as indicated by an arrow AR2 in FIG. 3 by a motor (not shown) based on the subject distance calculated by the distance calculating unit 151. Thereby, the imaging apparatus 100 can reduce the distortion of the subject PS.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first imaging unit 10A of the first embodiment, prisms P1 to P4 are arranged in the imaging units IU1 to IU4. The second imaging unit 10B of the second embodiment is different in that it does not have prisms P1 to P4.
<Outline of Second Imaging Unit 10B>
The second imaging unit 10B will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the second imaging unit 10B of the second embodiment. The second imaging unit 10B illustrated in FIG. 8 includes four imaging units IU5 to IU8 that capture different areas of the subject. In addition, the second imaging unit 10B includes light shielding units R1 to R3 arranged extending in the Y-axis direction between the imaging units IU5 to IU8. In the second imaging unit 10B, the imaging units IU5 to IU8 include half-missing imaging lenses L5 to L8 and photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4, which are arranged coaxially.

  In the XY plane, the fifth imaging unit IU5 and the sixth imaging unit IU6 are arranged such that their optical axes Ax5, Ax6 are inclined at an angle α counterclockwise from the Y-axis direction. The seventh imaging unit IU7 and the eighth imaging unit IU8 are arranged such that their optical axes Ax7, Ax8 are inclined at an angle α in the clockwise direction from the Y-axis direction. Further, the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the imaging units IU5 to IU8 is 2α.

  FIG. 9A is a side view of the fifth imaging unit IU5 or the seventh imaging unit IU7. As seen from the side view, the fifth imaging unit IU5 and the seventh imaging unit IU7 have the same shape, so the following description will be made on the fifth imaging unit IU5. The fifth imaging unit IU5 shown in FIG. 9A has a rectangular photoelectric conversion element C1 having a short side of 3 mm. In addition, a half-chip imaging lens L5 having a radius of 3 mm is arranged with the apex B1 facing downward. The focal length f of the imaging lens L5 is, for example, 7.5 mm, and the photoelectric conversion element C1 is disposed at the focal position.

  In the fifth imaging unit IU5, the optical axis from the photoelectric conversion element C1 to the half-deficient imaging lens L5 is set to Bx4, and the axis of light emitted from the half-deficient imaging lens L5 is set to Bx5. Then, the optical axis Bx4 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the + Z side by the half-missing imaging lens L5 to become the optical axis Bx5, and the angle formed between the optical axis Bx5 and the Y-axis is β. As a result, the fifth imaging unit IU5 can image the area of the subject in the + Z-axis direction, and the angle of view is 2β. Further, the light beam LL3 parallel to the Y-axis direction from the subject passes through the half-deficient imaging lens L5 and enters the + Z side end A1 of the photoelectric conversion element C1.

  FIG. 9B is a side view of the sixth imaging unit IU6 or the eighth imaging unit IU8. From the side view, the sixth imaging unit IU6 and the eighth imaging unit IU8 have the same shape. The sixth imaging unit IU6 shown in FIG. 9B has a rectangular photoelectric conversion element C2 having a short side of 3 mm. Further, a half-missing imaging lens L6 having a radius of 3 mm is arranged with the apex B2 facing upward. Therefore, the width W of the housing 11 is about 3 to 5 mm, and is considerably thin. The focal length f of the imaging lens L6 is 7.5 mm, for example, and the photoelectric conversion element C2 is disposed at the focal position.

  In the sixth imaging unit IU6, the optical axis from the photoelectric conversion element C2 to the half-deficient imaging lens L6 is Bx4, and the axis of the light emitted from the half-deficient imaging lens L6 is Bx6. Then, the optical axis Bx4 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the −Z side by the half-missing imaging lens L6 to become the optical axis Bx6, and the angle formed between the optical axis Bx6 and the Y-axis is β. Thereby, the sixth imaging unit IU6 can image a region of the subject in the −Z-axis direction, and the angle of view is 2β. Further, the light beam LL4 parallel to the Y-axis direction from the subject passes through the half-deficient imaging lens L6 and enters the −Z side end portion A2 of the photoelectric conversion element C1.

  FIG. 10 is a side view of the second imaging unit 10B of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the second imaging unit 10B deflects the light with the half-missing imaging lenses L5 to L8, so that the angle of view widens from the angle η1 to the angle η2, and a wide area of the subject on the YZ plane. Can be imaged. Further, since the light beam LL3 and the light beam LL4 are parallel to the Y-axis direction, the angle of view η2 corresponds to 4β. For example, when the angle β is 11.3 °, the vertical field angle of the second imaging unit 10B is 45.2 °.

  The configurations and operations of the image composition device 14 and the control unit 15 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
In the first imaging unit 10A of the first embodiment, prisms P1 to P4 are arranged in the imaging units IU1 to IU4. The third imaging unit 10C of the third embodiment differs from the first imaging unit 10A in that the imaging units IU9 to IU12 are all facing different XY planes. The third imaging unit 10C is different from the first imaging unit 10A in that the third imaging unit 10C does not include the horizontal prisms P1 to P4.
<Outline of Third Imaging Unit 10C>
The third imaging unit 10C will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the third imaging unit 10C of the third embodiment. The third imaging unit 10C illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a ninth imaging unit IU9 to a twelfth imaging unit IU12 that images different areas of the subject. In addition, the third imaging unit 10C includes light shielding units R1 to R3 that are arranged to extend in the Y-axis direction between the imaging units IU9 to IU12. In the third imaging unit 10C, the ninth imaging unit IU9 to the twelfth imaging unit IU12 have imaging lenses L9 to L12 and photoelectric conversion elements C1 to C4 arranged coaxially.

  In the XY plane, the ninth imaging unit IU9 is arranged so that its optical axis Ax9 is inclined at an angle α counterclockwise from the Y-axis direction, and the tenth imaging unit IU10 further moves its optical axis Ax10 from the position of the optical axis Ax9. They are arranged so as to incline at an angle 2α counterclockwise. The eleventh imaging unit IU11 is arranged so that its optical axis Ax11 is inclined at an angle α clockwise from the Y-axis direction, and the twelfth imaging unit IU12 further moves its optical axis Ax12 clockwise from the position of the optical axis Ax11. It arrange | positions so that angle 2 alpha may incline.

  Accordingly, since the angle of view of each of the imaging units IU9 to IU12 is 2α, the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the third imaging unit 10C is 8α, and a wide range of the subject PS can be imaged on the XY plane. . That is, for example, if the angle α is 15 °, the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the third imaging unit 10C is 120 °.

  FIG. 12 is a side view of the third imaging unit 10C of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the vertical field angle on the YZ plane of the third imaging unit 10C is 2β. For example, when the angle β is 11.3 °, the vertical field angle of the third imaging unit 10C is 22.6 °.

<Image Synthesis of Whole Composite Image IM2>
In the third embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 further includes an image configuration apparatus 14 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the configuration thereof is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, image composition of the overall composite image IM2 by the image construction device 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  13, (a) is an image S5 captured by the ninth imaging unit IU9, (b) is an image S6 captured by the tenth imaging unit IU10, (c) is an image S7 captured by the eleventh imaging unit IU11, d) is a diagram showing an image S8 captured by the twelfth imaging unit IU12. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overall synthesized image IM2 after synthesis.

  First, in the third imaging unit 10C, the four imaging units IU9 to IU12 capture an area having the same height in the Z-axis direction with the same width. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the ninth imaging unit IU9 images the leftmost region of the subject, the tenth imaging unit IU10 images the right region of the subject, and the eleventh imaging unit IU11 The twelfth imaging unit IU12 images the rightmost area of the subject.

  Here, the images captured by the imaging units IU9 to IU12 are referred to as images S5 to S8, respectively. The image S5 and the image S6 share a common area CA56 having a width D, the image S6 and the image S7 share a common area CA67 having a width D, and the images S7 and S8 share a common area CA78 having a width D. ing.

  The image composition device 14 in the main body 19 includes a common point detection unit 141 and the like as in the first embodiment. The common point detection unit 141 detects a common point between the image S5 and the image S6 in the common area CA56, and the image composition unit 144 determines a combination position of the image S5 and the image S6 based on the common point. Similarly, the common point detection unit 141 detects a common point between the image S6 and the image S7 in the common area CA67, and the image composition unit 144 determines a combination position of the image S6 and the image S7 based on the common point. The common point detection unit 141 detects a common point between the image S7 and the image S8 in the common area CA78, and the image composition unit 144 determines a composite position of the image S7 and the image S8 based on the common point.

  Thereafter, the luminance of the images S5 to S8 is detected by the luminance detector 142. The brightness adjusting unit 143 adjusts the brightness of the images S5 to S8 so that the brightness of the entire image is uniform. In addition, the brightness of the common area CA56, the common area CA67, and the common area CA78 is also adjusted.

  The image synthesizing device 14 synthesizes the images S5 to S8 into one whole synthesized image IM2 as shown in FIG. Here, since the third imaging unit 10C has a horizontal angle of view of, for example, 120 °, panorama imaging can be performed by one imaging.

(Fourth embodiment)
<Appearance of Imaging Device 200>
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 200. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the imaging device 200 includes the casing 11 having a small thickness. The casing 11 includes four elongated side surfaces 111 having a width W of about 3 to 5 mm, and two main surfaces 112 perpendicular to the side surfaces 111.

  The main body 19 of the housing 11 of the imaging device 200 has an LCD display unit 12 having a function of an external electronic viewfinder formed of a liquid crystal display device provided at one corner of the main surface 112 of the housing 11 and one corner of the side surface 111 of the housing 11. And a release switch 13 provided to start imaging. The main body 19 has a control circuit including a CPU and the like.

  A part of the casing 11 includes a fourth imaging unit 10D including two imaging lenses L13 to L14. Here, the two imaging lenses L13 and L14 are provided on the side surface on the + Y side of the housing 11, and are arranged so as to be aligned in a straight line along the X-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the fourth imaging unit 10 </ b> D can be separated from the main body 19 of the housing 11, and the fourth imaging unit 10 </ b> D is connected to the housing 11 by a connection cord 17 that can be expanded and contracted. Accordingly, the photographer can point the imaging lenses L13 and L14 of the fourth imaging unit 10D toward the subject. The fourth imaging unit 10D is detachable from the fixing unit 19 of the housing 11. If imaging units with different magnifications of the imaging lens are prepared, imaging devices with different magnifications can be obtained. Further, the image captured by the fourth imaging unit 10D can be displayed on the LCD display unit 12 by the connection cord 17.

<Outline of Fourth Imaging Unit 10D>
The fourth imaging unit 10D will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of a fourth imaging unit 10D of the fourth embodiment. The fourth imaging unit 10D illustrated in FIG. 16 includes two imaging units IU13 to IU14 that image different areas of the subject in the Z-axis direction. In the fourth imaging unit 10D, the imaging units IU13 to IU14 have half-missing imaging lenses L13 and L14 and photoelectric conversion elements C1 and C2 that are arranged coaxially. The fourth imaging unit 10D is disposed between the thirteenth imaging unit IU13 and the fourteenth imaging unit IU14, and prevents light incident on the thirteenth imaging unit IU13 from entering the photoelectric conversion element C2 of the fourteenth imaging unit IU14. A light shielding portion R4 extending in the Y-axis direction.

  In the XY plane, the thirteenth imaging unit IU13 and the fourteenth imaging unit IU14 are arranged such that their optical axes Ax13, Ax14 extend along the Y-axis direction. In addition, the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the imaging units IU13 and IU14 is 2α, and the horizontal angle of view on the XY plane of the fourth imaging unit 10D is also 2α. For example, the horizontal field angle of the fourth imaging unit 10D is 30 °.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the fourth imaging unit 10D of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, when the half-missing imaging lenses L13 and L14 are used as a deflecting unit (see FIG. 9), the angle of view of the fourth imaging unit 10D spreads from the angle η1 to the angle η2, and the YZ plane A wider area of the subject can be imaged. Further, since the light beam LL3 and the light beam LL4 (see FIG. 9) are parallel to the Y-axis direction, the angle of view η2 corresponds to 4β. That is, for example, if the angle β is 11.3 °, the vertical angle of view on the YZ plane of the fourth imaging unit 10D is 45.2 °.
Here, the arrangement of the thirteenth imaging unit IU13 and the fourteenth imaging unit IU14 on the YZ plane is the same as the fifth imaging unit IU5 and the sixth imaging unit IU6 of the second embodiment described in FIG.

<Image composition of whole composite image IM3>
In the fourth embodiment, the fixing unit 19 of the imaging device 200 includes the image construction device 14. Hereinafter, image composition of the overall composite image IM3 by the image construction device 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  18A is a diagram illustrating an image S9 captured by the thirteenth imaging unit IU13, and FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating an image S10 captured by the fourteenth imaging unit IU14. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an overall synthesized image IM3 after synthesis.

  First, in the fourth imaging unit 10D, the two imaging units IU13 and IU14 image regions having different heights in the Z-axis direction with the same width. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the photoelectric conversion element C1 images the area above the subject, and the photoelectric conversion element C2 images the area below the subject.

  The image S9 and the image S10 share a common area CA90 having a width D. The common point detection unit 141 detects a common point in the common area CA90, and the image composition unit 144 determines a combination position of the image S19 and the image S20 based on the common point. The luminance detection unit 142 detects the luminance of the images S9 and S10. The brightness adjustment unit 143 adjusts the brightness of the common area so that the brightness of the entire image is uniform.

(First modification)
The fifth imaging unit 10E according to the first modification includes imaging units IU15 to IU18. The imaging units IU15 and IU16 share one photoelectric conversion element C5, and the imaging units IU17 and IU18 share one photoelectric conversion element C6. This is different from the first embodiment.
<Outline of the fifth imaging unit 10E>
The fifth imaging unit 10E will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a fifth imaging unit 10E of the first modification. The fifth imaging unit 10E illustrated in FIG. 20 includes four imaging units IU15 to IU18 that image different areas of the subject. Further, between the imaging unit IU15 and the imaging unit IU16, there is a light-shielding portion R1 that extends in the direction of the optical axis Ax1 of the imaging unit IU15 or the optical axis Ax2 of the imaging unit IU16. Between the imaging unit IU16 and the imaging unit IU17, there is a light-shielding portion R2 arranged extending in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, between the imaging unit IU17 and the imaging unit IU18, there is a light-shielding portion R3 that extends in the direction of the optical axis Ax3 of the imaging unit IU17 or the optical axis Ax4 of the imaging unit IU18.

  Here, as in the first embodiment, the optical axis Ax1 of the imaging unit IU15 and the optical axis Ax2 of the imaging unit IU16 are parallel, and the optical axis Ax3 of the imaging unit IU17 and the optical axis Ax4 of the imaging unit IU18 are parallel. . In the fifth imaging unit 10E, the imaging units IU15 and IU16 share one photoelectric conversion element C5, and the imaging units IU17 and IU18 share one photoelectric conversion element C6.

  FIG. 21A is a plan view showing an example of the photoelectric conversion element C5 or the photoelectric conversion element C6. When viewed from the plan view, the photoelectric conversion element C5 and the photoelectric conversion element C6 have the same shape, and thus the photoelectric conversion element C5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 21A, the photoelectric conversion element C5 includes two photoelectric conversion regions C51 and C52 of the same size formed on a rectangular substrate F. The photoelectric conversion area C51 constitutes the prism P1, the imaging lens L1, and the imaging unit IU15, and the photoelectric conversion area C52 constitutes the prism P2, the imaging lens L2, and the imaging unit IU16 (see FIG. 20).

  FIG. 21B is a plan view showing another example of the photoelectric conversion element C5 or the photoelectric conversion element C6. When viewed from the plan view, the photoelectric conversion element C5 and the photoelectric conversion element C6 have the same shape. As shown in FIG. 21B, the photoelectric conversion element C5 has one photoelectric conversion region C50 formed on a rectangular substrate F. Further, the photoelectric conversion region C50 is divided into two photoelectric conversion regions C51 and C52 of the same size by a light shielding portion R5 (see FIG. 20) as indicated by a dotted line. Different pixel areas are used in one photoelectric conversion area C50.

  The configurations and operations of the image composition device 14 and the control unit 15 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Although this modification is obtained by modifying the first embodiment, it is also applied to the other second and fourth embodiments.

(Second modification)
<Outline of the sixth imaging unit 10F>
The sixth imaging unit 10F of the second modified example is configured by imaging units IU5 ′ to IU8 ′ as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11A is a side view of the fifth imaging unit IU5 'or the seventh imaging unit IU7' according to the second modification. Since the fifth imaging unit IU5 'and the seventh imaging unit IU7' have the same shape when viewed from the side view, the following description will be made on the fifth imaging unit IU5 '.

  The fifth imaging unit IU5 'of the second modified example is configured with the same configuration requirements as the fifth imaging unit IU5 of the second embodiment. However, the half-deficient imaging lens L5 and the photoelectric conversion element C1 of the second modification differ from the second embodiment only in that they are inclined by a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, also in the fifth imaging unit IU5 ′, the optical axis Bx7 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the + Z side by the half-missing imaging lens L5 to become the optical axis Bx8. is there.

  According to such a configuration, since the half-missing imaging lens L5 and the photoelectric conversion element C1 are inclined, the thickness in the Z-axis direction of the fifth imaging unit IU5 ′ is smaller than that in the second embodiment, Therefore, the thickness of the entire imaging device is also reduced.

  FIG. 11B is a side view of the sixth imaging unit IU6 'or the eighth imaging unit IU8' according to the second modification. As seen from the side view, the sixth imaging unit IU6 'and the eighth imaging unit IU8' have the same shape, so the following description will be made on the sixth imaging unit IU6 '.

  The sixth imaging unit IU6 'of the second modified example is configured by the same configuration requirements as the sixth imaging unit IU6 of the second embodiment. However, the half-deficient imaging lens L6 and the photoelectric conversion element C1 of the second modification are different from the second embodiment only in that they are inclined by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, also in the sixth imaging unit IU6 ′, the optical axis Bx7 in the Y-axis direction is deflected to the −Z side by the half-missing imaging lens L5 to become the optical axis Bx9. It is.

  According to such a configuration, since the half-missing imaging lens L6 and the photoelectric conversion element C2 are inclined, the thickness in the Z-axis direction of the sixth imaging unit IU6 ′ is smaller than that in the second embodiment, Therefore, the thickness of the entire imaging device is also reduced.

  The configurations and operations of the image composition device 14 and the control unit 15 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the optimal embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and variations within the technical scope thereof. For example, in the present invention, the imaging device in which the imaging lens is disposed on the side surface of the housing has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to an imaging device in which the imaging lens is disposed on the main surface of the housing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A-10E ... Imaging part 11 ... Housing 12 ... LCD display part 13 ... Release switch 14 ... Image composition apparatus 141 ... Common point detection part, 142 ... Luminance detection part, 143 ... Brightness adjustment part, 144 ... Image composition part 15 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Lens control part 151 ... Distance calculating part 152 ... Image formation adjustment part 153 ... Inclination adjustment part 16 ... Variable diaphragm 17 ... Connection code 100, 200 ... Imaging device Ax1-Ax14, Bx1-Bx6 ... Optical axis C1-C6, C51, C52, C63, C64 ... photoelectric conversion elements L1 to L14 ... lenses P1 to P4 ... prisms IU1 to IU14 ... imaging units IM1 to IM3 overall composite image S1 to S10 image W ... thickness of the imaging device η2 ... Angle

Claims (13)

A first optical system having a first optical axis and imaging a first area of a subject at a first angle of view;
A second field angle of a second region of the subject that is arranged alongside the first optical system along a predetermined direction and has a second optical axis different from the first optical axis and different from the first region. A second optical system that forms an image at
A first photoelectric conversion element that captures a first image formed by the first optical system;
A second photoelectric conversion element that captures a second image formed by the second optical system;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A card-shaped housing having an elongated side surface with a width of 5 mm or less and a main surface intersecting the side surface;
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first optical system and the second optical system are arranged side by side on the side surface.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element are formed on the same substrate. The first optical system includes a first optical path deflecting unit that deflects an optical axis from the first photoelectric conversion element to the first optical system to the first optical axis,
4. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the second optical system includes a second optical path deflecting unit that deflects an optical axis from the second photoelectric conversion element to the second optical system toward the second optical axis. 5. The imaging device described in 1. The first optical system is a half-chip lens with a part cut away, and the optical axis from the first photoelectric conversion element to the first optical system is deflected to the first optical axis,
4. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the second optical system is a half-chip lens with a part cut away, and deflects an optical axis from the second photoelectric conversion element to the second optical system to the second optical axis. The imaging device according to claim 1.   Light that is disposed between the first optical system and the second optical system, prevents light incident on the first optical system from entering the second photoelectric conversion element, and enters light incident on the second optical system The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a light-shielding portion that prevents the light from entering the first photoelectric conversion element.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first field angle and the second field angle are the same field angle. The first image and the second image have a common area partially overlapping;
The image synthesizing unit that synthesizes the first image and the second image so as to form a wide-angle synthesized image obtained by combining the first angle of view and the second angle of view. The imaging device according to any one of the above. A common point detection unit for detecting a common point of the subject from the common area;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image synthesis unit synthesizes the first image and the second image based on a common point of the subject. A luminance detection unit for detecting luminance of the first image and the second image from the common region;
A brightness adjusting unit that adjusts the brightness of the first image and the second image in order to make the brightness of the composite image uniform;
An imaging device according to claim 8 or claim 9 provided. A distance calculation unit that calculates a subject distance to the subject based on a distance in the elongated direction from the first optical system to the second optical system and a common point in the common region;
An image adjusting unit that adjusts an image forming state between the first optical system and the second optical system and the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element based on the subject distance;
The imaging device according to claim 8, further comprising:   When the subject distance is closer than a predetermined distance, the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion so as to correct distortion of the subject with respect to the first optical axis and the second optical axis. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a tilt adjusting unit that tilts the element.   The imaging device according to claim 8, further comprising a display unit that displays the synthesized image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit on the main surface.