JP2002090921A - Stereoscopic optical unit and stereoscopic image capturing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To simply control the convergence angle according to subject distance information, only a constant convergence angle according to the automatic control program, that is, a three-dimensional effect can be obtained. SOLUTION: In a stereoscopic optical unit 1 which has left optical systems 112 and 113 and right optical systems 107 and 108 and shoots an image which can be stereoscopically observed through these optical systems, the optical axes of both optical systems are provided. Angle operation mechanism 380 for adjusting the convergence angle of the camera according to the user's arbitrary operation
Is provided. Furthermore, the convergence angle operating mechanism and the automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism 350 for automatically controlling the convergence angles of the optical axes of the two optical systems based on the subject distance information are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic photographing optical unit used for a photographing apparatus such as a video camera and an electronic still camera, and for photographing parallax images capable of stereoscopic observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a so-called stereoscopic image is photographed using a video camera, an electronic still camera, or the like, various stereoscopic photographing optical units are used.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-149515 discloses an anamorphic mirror, a focus lens, a liquid prism (VAP: vari-angle prism) provided for each of the right and left eyes, a liquid prism driving circuit, Distance measuring means for calculating the distance between the image sensor and the subject; and a convergence angle for changing the optical axis angle (convergence angle) of the right eye component and the left eye component in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measuring means. A three-dimensional imaging optical unit and a three-dimensional video imaging system including a displacement unit have been proposed.

Here, the intersection of the optical axes of the right eye component and the left eye component is called convergence, and the angle at which the optical axes intersect is called the optical axis angle or the convergence angle.

In order to control the stereoscopic effect when capturing a stereoscopic image, the convergence position is shifted so that the optical axes of the right-eye component and the left-eye component converge at the subject position, that is, the convergence angle is reduced. We need to change it.

Therefore, in the stereoscopic image photographing system proposed in the above publication, the left and right liquid prisms are expanded and contracted by the liquid prism driving circuit based on the subject distance information by the distance measuring means, and the convergence angle is automatically adjusted by the convergence angle displacement means. Is set to

[0007]

However, only by automatically controlling the convergence angle according to the subject distance information,
According to the automatic control program, only a constant convergence angle corresponding to the subject distance, that is, only a three-dimensional effect can be obtained.

For this reason, when the photographer particularly wants to emphasize a stereoscopic image or when he does not want to emphasize a stereoscopic image too much,
There is a problem that the photographer's wish cannot be freely reflected in the image.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic optical unit in which a photographer can arbitrarily adjust the optical axis convergence angle of the left and right optical systems.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a stereoscopic photographing optical unit having a left optical system and a right optical system for photographing an image capable of stereoscopic observation through these optical systems, the convergence of the optical axes of the two optical systems is described. A convergence angle operation mechanism for adjusting the angle in accordance with a user's arbitrary operation is provided.

For example, when the two optical systems each have a reflective optical element, the arrangement angle of the reflective optical element is changed by a convergence angle operating mechanism.

This makes it possible to adjust the angle of convergence of the optical axes of the left and right optical systems, that is, the stereoscopic effect of the captured image, according to the user's preference.

By having both the convergence angle operation mechanism and the automatic convergence angle adjustment mechanism for automatically controlling the convergence angles of the optical axes of the two optical systems based on the subject distance information, for example, automatically It is possible to improve the operability such that it is possible to quickly readjust the convergence angle according to the user's preference after the standard convergence angle according to the subject distance is set. .

In this case, by configuring the convergence angle operation mechanism using a part of the automatic convergence angle adjustment mechanism, the configuration of the stereoscopic optical unit can be simplified and downsized.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a stereoscopic video photographing system including a stereoscopic photographing optical unit and a photographing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an interchangeable lens unit (stereoscopic optical unit) standardized in a predetermined format. The interchangeable lens unit 1 includes a photographing optical system 100, a liquid crystal control circuit 123, an IG driver 12
4, a motor driver 125, 126, 400, a lens microcomputer 127 for controlling these, a video input terminal 1
28, and has a lens mount that can be mounted on the imaging device 2 and a contact block that enables communication with the imaging device 2.

The photographing device 2 has a camera mount and a contact block respectively corresponding to the lens mount and the contact block on the interchangeable lens unit 1 side. The lens mount is detachably connected to the camera mount.

The contact block of the lens unit 1 and the contact block of the camera unit 2 come into contact with each other by attaching the lens mount to the camera mount.
Predetermined data communication is performed between the lens microcomputer 127 and the camera microcomputer 208 according to a predetermined format. In addition, power is also supplied from the photographing device 2 to the lens unit 1 through both contact blocks.

The photographing optical system 100 has a right objective optical system 100R and a left objective optical system 100L which are separately arranged on the right and left sides. These objective optical systems 100R, 10R
0L includes reflection mirrors (reflection optical elements) 107 and 112 that can rotate around a predetermined axis, and negative refraction first lens groups 108 and 113 including one or a plurality of lenses. Have been. Also, the left and right objective optical systems 100
Between R and 100L, a combining prism 110 having reflection surfaces 109 and 111, and a fixed negative refraction lens group 115 including one or more lenses are arranged.

The positions of the reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are adjusted by an automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism including a driving unit 350 and a convergence angle operating mechanism, as described later.

Further, behind the fixed lens group 115,
A variator lens group 116, a compensator lens group 116, and a focusing lens group 119 are arranged.

In such a photographing optical system 100, the photographing light beams incident on the left and right reflecting mirrors 107 and 112 are:
The light is bent toward the combining prism 110 by the reflecting mirrors 107 and 112, and further bent backward by the reflecting surfaces 109 and 111 of the combining prism 110 so that the optical axes 6 coincide with each other. It is injected backward from.

In the present embodiment, the stop 114 is disposed on the object side so that the left and right objective optical systems 100R and 100R can be used.
L, the effective luminous flux is reduced.
The size of 0R and 11L is reduced.

The light beam emitted from the fixed lens group 105 is guided in the direction of a three-panel imaging unit 200 described later.

On the other hand, polarizing plates 101 and 104 are disposed at the front end of the objective optical systems 100R and 100L, and the first lens groups 108 and 113 and the combining prism 11 are provided.
0, the liquid crystal element 10 having a shutter function
2, 105 are arranged. These liquid crystal elements 102,
The glass surface 105 is coated with a coating for preventing reflection.

The polarizing plates 101, 104 and the liquid crystal element 102,
By applying a predetermined electric field to the liquid crystal elements 102 and 105 alternately in combination with
The luminous fluxes incident on 0R and 100L are alternately combined into a prism 1
The light is incident on the ten reflecting surfaces 109 and 111. This allows
Also in the three-plate type imaging unit 200, both objective optical systems 100R, 10R
Light beams incident on 0L are alternately guided.

The liquid crystal elements 102 and 105 include:
Ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC), twisted nematic (TN)
Liquid crystal, super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal, or the like can be used. Further, the polarizing plates 101 and 104 may be fixed to the liquid crystal elements 102 and 105 by bonding or the like.

Here, the two objective optical systems 100R, 100L
The optical axes 4 and 5 of the left and right light beams guided to the combining prism 110 are substantially in the same plane and substantially intersect at a predetermined position including the point at infinity. That is, congestion occurs. As described above, the reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are rotatable around a predetermined axis, and by rotating them in synchronization with each other, the convergence position, that is, the convergence angle can be changed.

In this embodiment, the interval (base line length) between the intersections of the optical axes 4 and 5 and the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting mirrors 107 and 112 is set to be close to 63 mm. This is the average human pupil distance, and is a consideration for capturing a natural stereoscopic image. However, the base line length may have other lengths. Further, an ND filter (not shown) is arranged in the photographing optical system 100.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an IG meter for driving the diaphragm 114, and 121 denotes a step motor for rotating a cam cylinder 118 for driving the variator lens group 116 and the compensator lens group 116 in the direction of the optical axis 6. A step motor 122 drives the focusing lens group 119 in the direction of the optical axis 6. The IG meter 120 and the step motors 121 and 122 have an IG driver 124 and motor drivers 125 and 1 respectively.
26 are respectively connected.

The interchangeable lens unit 1 thus configured is a so-called rear focus type zoom lens unit (other types of zoom lenses may be used).

The lens groups 116, 117 and 119 are driven and controlled by the lens microcomputer 127 with a predetermined positional relationship during zooming. The lens group 11
6, 117 and 119 are detected in the direction of the optical axis 6 by converting the count values of the drive pulses of the step motors 121 and 122.

However, the position detection of the lens group is not particularly limited to this, and a variable resistance type, a capacitance type and an optical type may be used.

Further, the driving method of each lens group is not limited to the above, and the lenses 116 and 117 may be individually driven by a motor without using the cam barrel 118. The drive source is not limited to a step motor, but may be an electromagnetic motor such as a DC motor, a solid motor such as a vibration type motor, an electrostatic motor, or the like.

Next, the configuration of the photographing device 2 will be described. The imaging device 2 has a three-panel imaging unit 200,
The three-plate imaging unit 200 includes first, second, and third color separation prisms 201, 202, and 203, and three color separation prisms 201, 202, and 203 separated by the color separation prisms 201, 202, and 203.
An image pickup device (not shown) of a CCD tube for picking up an image formed by the color light components of the colors.

More specifically, the photographing optical system 100
The light flux incident through the first, second, and third prisms 2
01, 202, and 203, the red component of the three primary colors forms an image on the image sensor through the first prism 201, and the green component forms an image on the image sensor through the second prism 202. Is the third prism 2
An image is formed on the image sensor through the image sensor 03.

The image pickup device 2 includes amplifiers 204 and 2 for amplifying a photoelectric conversion signal of a subject image from the image pickup device.
05, 206 and these amplifiers 204, 205, 206
Signal processing circuit 2 that performs various processes on the electric signal amplified to the optimum level by each to generate a video signal
07, a video output terminal 209 for outputting a video signal from the signal processing circuit 207, an electronic viewfinder (EVF) 3 for converting a video signal from the signal processing circuit 207 into an image and displaying the image, Camera microcomputer 208 as control means for controlling the operation of the camera.

The signal processing circuit 207 includes a camera signal processing circuit 207a and an AF (auto focus) signal processing circuit 207b. Camera signal processing circuit 207a
Converts the electrical signals from the amplifiers 204, 205, and 206 into a standard television signal and outputs it as a video signal.

The AF signal processing circuit 207b includes the amplifier 20
An AF evaluation value signal is generated by using the electric signals from 4, 205, and 206. The camera microcomputer 208 reads out the AF evaluation value signal generated by the AF signal processing circuit 207b using a data reading program stored in advance,
The data is transferred to the lens microcomputer 127. Lens microcomputer 12
Reference numeral 7 drives and controls the focus lens group 119 based on the transferred AF signal evaluation value to perform focusing.

Next, a specific configuration of the photographing optical system 100 in the interchangeable lens unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the photographing optical system 100, and FIG. 3 is a front view when the photographing optical system is viewed from the object side. In these figures, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The polarizing plates 101 and 104 are fixed to the front end of the unit body, and the reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are fixed to the front group base 300 so that the convergence angle can be changed by a driving mechanism (see FIG. 3) described later. It is attached to the part.

The first lens groups 108 and 113 are respectively
The lens barrels 151 and 152 are fixed and held. The lens barrels 151 and 152 are moved and adjusted to support plates 153 and 154 in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axes 4 and 5, and then fixed with an adhesive or the like. Have been.

Further, the support plates 153 and 154 are fixed to a common holding member 155 (see FIG. 3) with screws after being moved and adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes 4 and 5. The holding member 155 is fixed to the front group base 300.

The combining prism 110 and the stop 114 are fixed to the front group base 300 with a plurality of screws (not shown). The fixed lens group 115 is fixed to a fixed cylinder 156.

The front group base 300 is a part serving as a base for assembling the parts as described above. The front group base 300 and the parts assembled to the front group base 300 form a front unit as one unit part. A group base unit 51 is configured (see FIG. 8).

The front group base 300 is a component formed by cutting or molding metal or a mold material.
The lower bearing 300a, 300b and the upper bearing 300c are integrally formed. Further, the front group base 300 is precisely machined with a gear bearing hole, a female screw for fixing each component, and the like.

In this embodiment, the first lens group 10
Components such as 8, 113, the combining prism 110, the aperture 114, the drive unit 350, the reflection mirrors 107 and 112, and the liquid crystal shutters 102 and 105 are assembled to the front group base 300, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Some parts may be fixed to another holding member and disposed.

The variator lens group 116 and the compensator lens group 117 are respectively provided with movable lens barrels 157, 1
58, these movable lens barrels 157, 1
58 is a guide bar 159 supported by the fixed cylinder 156,
160 supports the movable member in the direction of the optical axis 6.

Further, cam pins 161 and 162 are formed on the movable lens barrels 157 and 158, respectively. These cam pins 161 and 162 move to straight grooves formed in the fixed cylinder 156 and extending in the direction of the optical axis 6. It fits freely and also movably fits into a cam groove formed in the cam cylinder 118.

With this configuration, the movable lens barrels 157 and 158
The cam cylinder 118 moves in the direction of the optical axis 6 when the cam cylinder 118 is driven to rotate by the step motor 121 with respect to the fixed cylinder 156. Thereby, zooming is performed.

The focusing lens group 119 is fixed to a movable lens barrel 163. The movable lens barrel 163 is supported by guide bars 159 and 160 so as to be movable in the direction of the optical axis 6. When the cam barrel 164 is driven to rotate by the stepping motor 122 with respect to the fixed barrel 156, the movable barrel 163 is moved in the direction of the optical axis 6 by a fitting action between the cam pins 165 and the cam grooves formed in the cam barrel 164. Go to Thereby, focusing is performed.

A drive unit 350 drives the left and right reflection mirrors 107 and 112. Reference numeral 404 denotes an electric circuit board, which controls the driving of the distance measuring sensor 405 and the liquid crystal shutters 102 and 105, the driving of the diaphragm 114, the driving unit 350 and the step motor 121,
The drive control and the like of 122 are performed.

Here, the reflecting mirrors 10 arranged on the left and right sides
The structure around 7, 112 will be described with reference to FIGS. The reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are formed to have the same dimensions and are fixed to the mirror mounting plates 301 and 302 with an adhesive or the like.

In the mirror mounting plates 301 and 302, three female screw holes are formed. Mirror base 305,3
Reference numeral 06 denotes a part obtained by processing a metal material by pressing or the like, and includes screw through holes 305a and 306b slightly larger than the outer diameter of the holding screw 303, a driving lever portion 370, and rotating shaft holding holes 305b and 306b (FIG. 4). ) Are processed with high accuracy.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, screw through holes 305a, 306b of the mirror bases 305, 306 are provided.
Into the female screw holes formed in the mirror mounting plates 301 and 302 by inserting the holding screws 303 into the
Reflection mirrors 107 and 11 are provided on mirror bases 305 and 306.
2 is retained. By screwing or loosening the holding screw 303, the reflection surface 10 of the prism 110 is
The inclination of the reflection mirrors 107 and 112 with respect to the mirrors 9 and 111 can be adjusted.

The rotation shaft 307 is connected to the mirror bases 305 and 3
06 are inserted into the rotation shaft holding holes 305b and 306b formed therein, and are fixed with an adhesive or the like. This rotating shaft 307
Is fitted with the bearings 420a and 420b assembled to the rotary bearing lower holding portions 300a and 300b.

The bearings 420a and 420b are parts obtained by cutting a metal material or a molding material.
07 and a part made of a different material. This bearing 4
Lubricants or the like may be applied to portions that become the sliding portions of 20a and 420b.

Further, the bearings 420a and 420b have
As shown in FIG. 5, the long holes 421a and 421b are precisely machined, so that the assembling position can be adjusted in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The tilt of the rotation shaft 307 can be corrected.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, upper bearings 422a and 422a,
The 22b and the bearing springs 423a, 423b will be described. The upper bearings 422a and 422b are
The upper bearings 422a and 422b are formed with V-groove shapes (not shown).

The rotating shaft 307 abuts on the V groove in the radial direction. Further, the rotating shaft 307 is urged in its radial direction by bearing springs 423a, 423b, whereby the upper bearings 422a, 4
The rotation shaft 307 is brought into contact with the V-groove portion provided in the 22b to remove the backlash in the radial direction. Further, the rotating shaft 307 is urged in the thrust direction to abut against the bearings 420a and 420b to remove the play in the thrust direction. Thus, a highly accurate rotation bearing portion is configured.

Next, a mechanism for adjusting the convergence angles of the left and right optical axes will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 350 is a unit formed by a plurality of components, and includes a DC motor 4 serving as a drive source inside the unit.
30 and a pulley 4 for transmitting the power of the motor 430
31 and the belt 4 wound around the pulley 431
32, a plurality of transmission gears (not shown) that are gear-coupled to the pulley 431, a gear shaft that rotatably holds each transmission gear, and a torque limiter.

The rotation of the DC motor 430 is controlled by the cam gear 35 via the components housed in the drive unit 350.
1 and rotate it.

The cam gear 351 is a part produced by cutting or molding a mold material or a metal material.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cam gear 351 has a gear portion for transmitting power and a cam portion 351a for converting a rotary operation into a linear operation. The gear unit meshes with a transmission gear housed in drive unit 350.

The moving sleeve 361 is provided on the cam portion 351a.
The protrusion 361a provided on the upper side of the lens is slidably fitted. When the cam gear 351 rotates, the moving sleeve 361 is moved substantially in the direction of arrow C in FIGS. Move in parallel.

The moving sleeve 361 is formed in an "H" shape, and has a round hole formed at both ends thereof so that the guide shaft 360 can pass therethrough.

The guide shaft 360 is fixed to the front group base 300, and the movable sleeve 361 is slidable in the direction of arrow C with high precision with respect to the guide shaft 360 in accordance with the movement of the projection 361a. Has become.

The moving sleeve 361 is supported by the guide shaft 360 at both ends, so that the moving sleeve 361 can be moved.
Of the protrusion 361a is prevented. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a protrusion 361b is provided on the moving sleeve 361 on the side opposite to the protrusion 361a.

The protrusion 361 b is provided on the mirror base 30.
5 and 306 are in contact with lever portions 370a and 370b. Also, one end of a leaf spring 390a, 390b is attached to the lever portion 370a, 370b by a fixing screw 391.
a, 391b, and leaf springs 390a, 390b.
The two lever parts 370a, 370
b always comes into contact with the protrusion 361b of the moving sleeve 361 without play.

In such a configuration, the driving unit 3
When the DC motor 430 in the rotation unit 50 is rotated, the rotation is transmitted to the cam gear 3 via the components in the drive unit 350.
51.

When the cam gear 351 rotates, the cam 35
The moving sleeve 361 moves in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis 6 by the cam engagement between the projection 1a and the protrusion 361a of the moving sleeve 361.

When the moving sleeve 361 moves, the levers 370a and 370b that are in contact with the protrusions 361b of the moving sleeve 361 rotate about the rotation shaft 301b, and accordingly, the mirror bases 305 and 306 rotate the rotation shaft 307. And the same angle in the opposite directions at the same speed. That is, the rotation is performed so as to be a rotationally symmetrical rotation about the line including the optical axis 6. As a result, the left and right reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are rotated synchronously to change the respective arrangement angles, and the objective optical system 100R,
The convergence angles of the 100L optical axes 4 and 5 are changed.

Here, based on the output signal from the distance measuring sensor 405, the lens microcomputer 127 as the control means controls the reflection mirrors 107 and 112 for obtaining the convergence angle corresponding to the subject distance indicated by the output signal. Calculate the arrangement angle. Then, a signal is sent to a motor driver (not shown) that drives the DC motor 430 based on the calculation result, and the DC motor 430 is driven. Thereby, the convergence angles of the optical axes 4 and 5 of the objective optical systems 100R and 100L are automatically adjusted according to the subject distance (that is, the convergence positions of the optical axes 4 and 5 are on the subject), The imaging device 2 captures a parallax image that provides a standard stereoscopic effect.

In this embodiment, the case where a DC motor is used as the drive source of the drive unit 350 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a step motor, a vibration motor, or the like may be used.

The drive unit 3 according to the present embodiment
An automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism is constituted by the cam gear 351, the moving gear 351, the moving sleeve 361, and the lever portions 370 a and 370 b.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1, a convergence operation dial 354 included in an operation unit 380 (see FIG. 1) for manual operation when the photographer adjusts the convergence angle arbitrarily is connected via transmission gears 352 and 353. The convergence operation dial 354 is disposed at a position in the unit main body that does not interfere with shooting.
A drive gear for transmitting rotation to the transmission gear 353 is provided coaxially with the dial shaft.

For this reason, when the photographer rotates the convergence operation dial 354 in order to arbitrarily adjust the convergence angle, the rotation of the convergence operation dial 354 is transmitted to the cam gear 351 and the same as in the case of the drive by the drive unit 350 described above. In addition, the left and right reflection mirrors 107 and 112 are synchronously rotated to change the respective arrangement angles, and the objective optical systems 100R and 100R are changed.
The convergence angles of the optical axes 4 and 5 of 00L are changed. Therefore, it is possible to photograph a parallax image that provides a stereoscopic effect according to the photographer's preference.

In this embodiment, the convergence operation dial 354, the transmission gears 352, 353, the cam gear 351,
Moving sleeve 361 and lever portions 370a, 370b
Forms a convergence angle operation mechanism.

Further, by having both the automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism and the convergence angle operating mechanism as in the interchangeable lens unit 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a standard convergence angle is automatically set according to the subject distance. After that, the operability can be improved such that the convergence angle according to the photographer's preference can be quickly readjusted.

Further, in this embodiment, since the convergence angle operating mechanism is constituted by using a part of the automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism (the cam gear 351, the moving sleeve 361, and the lever portions 370a, 370b), the interchangeable lens unit is used. 1 can be simplified and downsized.

Next, a method of holding the distance measuring sensor 405 will be described with reference to FIGS. Distance sensor 405
Are provided with a plurality of connection terminals. This connection terminal is an electric circuit board or a flexible wiring material (FPC)
And the like are electrically connected by soldering. In the present embodiment, the flexible wiring member 407
Is used.

Further, in this embodiment, the distance measuring sensor 40
5 is a flexible wiring member 40 having a reinforcing plate 5406
By soldering to 7, an electrical connection and a mechanical connection (holding) are enabled.

The reinforcing plate 406 is a thin plate-like component formed by pressing or cutting a metal material or a mold material, and is made of an adhesive or a double-sided tape.
7 is fixed.

In three places of the reinforcing plate 406, screw through holes are machined with high precision.
Book screws 409, 410, and 411 are inserted.

A coil spring 412 is mounted on the screws 409, 410, 411.
The distance measurement sensor 405 can be held by screwing 0,411 to three female screw portions formed on the prism holding plate 414. In addition, screw 409,
By tightening or loosening 410 and 411, the distance measuring optical axis of the distance measuring sensor 405 can be adjusted.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the main line unit (unit for holding the lens mount from the second group lens) 50 and the front group base unit 51.

The distal end of the main line system unit 50 is formed of a part obtained by cutting a metal material. The distal end part includes a plurality of female threads (not shown), a fitting part 55, a rotation regulating pin 56, Are formed.

The front group base unit 51 has a fitting portion 58
, A long hole 57 in which the rotation regulating pin 56 is fitted, and four screw through holes (not shown).

The fitting portion 55 of the main line system unit 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the fitting portion 58 of the front group base unit 51.

The shape of the fitting portion 55 is not limited to a columnar shape, but may be a donut-shaped shape in which the inside is lightened.

In the present embodiment, the main line unit 5
Although the case where the fitting portion 55 of 0 is convex and the fitting portion 58 of the front group base unit 51 is concave has been described, the relationship may be reversed.

Further, the outer diameter of the rotation regulating pin 56 is slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole 57. Also in this part, a long hole may be machined in the main line system unit 50, and a rotation regulating pin may be machined in the front group base unit 51,
Further, the rotation regulating pin 56 may be integrally formed with the main line unit 50, or a parallel pin may be press-fitted into the main line unit 50.

Further, a through-hole is formed in the main line system unit 50, a long hole is formed in the front group base unit 51, and pins are inserted into these round holes and the long holes, and then four screws 401 are formed.
a, 401b, 401c, and 401d may be tightened, and then the pins may be pulled out and assembled. When the pin is not used, the screw through hole and the screw 401
The rotation of the main line system unit 50 and the front group base unit 51 can be adjusted within the play range of a, 401b, 401c, and 401d.

By attaching a washer or the like to the fixing screws 401a and 401d penetrating the front group base unit 51, the inclination of the main line system unit 50 and the front group base unit 51 can be corrected.

Next, a method of adjusting the first lens groups 113 and 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
In the figure, a male screw part 152a is formed on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 152 holding the first lens group 113, and the male screw part 152a is screwed into a female screw part 154a formed on the support plate 154.

In this state, the lens barrel 152 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 9 by rotating a groove 152b formed in the lens barrel 152 with a tool (not shown).

After the magnification of the left objective optical system 100L is adjusted to a predetermined magnification by this movement, the lens barrel 152 is bonded to the support plate 154.

The other first lens group 108 can be moved in the same manner, and by this movement, the right objective optical system 100R
After the magnification is adjusted to a predetermined magnification, the lens barrel 151 is bonded to the support plate 153.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the support plate 154 has a vertically long slot 1154.
b, 1154c and a horizontally long slot 1154d are formed, and the holding member 155 has a hole 1155 having a diameter smaller than the width of the slot corresponding to each slot.
a, 1155b and 1155c are formed.

First, the elongated hole 1154 of the support plate 154
b, 1154c and corresponding holes 1155a,
Insert tool pins 1166, 1167 having concentric fitting portions to be fitted into 1155b, respectively, and insert elongated holes 1154d.
And a tool pin 1168 having an eccentric circular fitting portion to be fitted into each of the holes 1155c.

When the tool pin 1168 is rotated in this state, the support plate 154 can move up and down according to the amount of eccentricity of the fitting portion.

Here, after the adjustment in the up-down direction, the tool pin 1168 having the concentric fitting portion is replaced on the way with the tool pin 1169 having the eccentric fitting portion. If there is no problem with the amount of left and right optical axis deviation, insert a tool pin having an eccentric fitting
154b and hole 1155a.

The tool pin 1167 inserted into the elongated holes 1154c and 1155b may have a configuration in which a pin protruding from the holding member 155 is inserted into the elongated hole 1154c.

The vertical and horizontal movements of the support plate 154 cause the optical axis 5 of the left objective optical system 100L to move.
Can be adjusted to a predetermined position.

On the other hand, the first lens group 108 is also movable, and by this movement, the position of the optical axis 4 of the right objective optical system 100R can be adjusted to a predetermined position.

After these adjustments, the support plate 154 is fixed to the holding member 155 with screws 1170 and 1171 as shown in FIG.

The support plate 153 is similarly fixed to the holding member 155. Further, the liquid crystal shutter 10
2 and 105 are also fixed to the holding member 155 with an adhesive or a screw (not shown).

The above adjustment is performed in a state in which the holding member 155 is attached to the front group base 300, and the adjustment is performed so that the right and left magnification errors and the optical axis shift are within predetermined errors. Further, by employing a liquid crystal shutter having substantially the same external dimensions as the first group, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire apparatus.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows a liquid crystal shutter 10 in the lens unit 1 of the first embodiment.
A modified example using a rotary blade mechanism instead of 2 and 105 is shown.

FIG. 12A is a front sectional view (FIG. 12) of the lens unit 1 around the objective optical system viewed from the objective side.
FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
Is a horizontal sectional view, and FIG. 12C is a side view.

The base plate 517 is a component obtained by processing a thin metal plate by press working or wire cutting, and has a positioning hole and a through hole for fixing a screw for accurately assembling each component (not shown). Have been. The photo sensor 509 and the motor 505 are fixed to the base plate 517 with screws (not shown) with high accuracy.

In this embodiment, after assembling the rotary blade motor 505 to the base plate 517, the pulleys 511, 51
Assemble 2. The pulley 511 and the pulley 512 are the same parts, and are connected by a belt 510.

The rotating blade shaft 513 is a part obtained by processing a metal bar with high accuracy by lathing or forging, etc. One end of the rotating blade shaft 513 is processed into a spherical shape, and
The female screw part is machined.

A retaining ring 518 is inserted into a through-hole formed in the rotating blade 502, and the rotating blade 502 and the rotating blade shaft 513 are integrally connected by the retaining ring 518.

The spherical portion of the rotary blade shaft 513 abuts on the conical portion of the bearing 515, so that the rotary blade shaft 513 can be held accurately.

When assembling the rotary blade 501 to the rotary blade shaft 513, the rotary blade shaft 513 is inserted into a through hole formed in the rotary blade 501, and the rotary blade 501 is formed in the rotary blade 501.
The rotating blades 501 and 502 are fixed while adjusting the phase using the elongated hole 516 at the location and the female screw at the location formed on the rotating blade shaft 513.

When the rotary blade motor 505 rotates, the pulley 511 rotates, and the pulley 512
The rotation is transmitted to. As a result, the rotating blade shaft 513 rotates, and the rotating blades 501 and 502 rotate at the same speed.
09, 111.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows a liquid crystal shutter 10 in the lens unit 1 of the first embodiment.
A modified example using a rotary blade mechanism instead of 2 and 105 is shown.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the objective optical system in the lens unit 1 and the reflection mirrors 107 and 112.
, The first lens groups 108 and 113, and the combining prism 11
0 and the rotating blades 551 are shown.

The rotating blade 551 is a part processed into a thin disk shape with a metal or a molding material.
Has a cutout portion wider than the effective light beam diameter.

The rotary blade 551 is driven to rotate by a rotary blade motor (not shown), and the optical axis 4 is rotated by the rotary blade 551.
When one of the objective optical path on the optical axis side and the objective optical path on the optical axis 5 side is shielded, the other objective optical path is in a transmission state.

As described above, since the exposure of the left and right images is controlled by one rotating blade, in this embodiment, the right and left images can be easily formed by controlling the speed of one motor and the timing of video shooting. Obtainable.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 14 shows a lens unit 1 according to the first embodiment.
A modified example using a rotating mirror instead of 0 is shown.

That is, in the first to third embodiments, the pupil is divided using the combining prism 110, but in the present embodiment, the first lens groups 108 and 1 disposed on the left and right are used.
The light beam emitted from the light source 13 and the right light beam and the left light beam are made incident on the imaging surface by using a rotating mirror 601.

FIG. 14A is a front view of the periphery of the objective optical system in the lens unit 1 as viewed from the objective side.
4B, the light beam on the optical axis 4 side is reflected on the reflection surface of the first rotating mirror 601 and is incident on the imaging surface, and the light beam on the optical axis 5 side is shielded on the back surface of the first rotating mirror 601. FIG. FIG. 14C shows that the light beam on the optical axis 5 side is reflected by the reflection surface of the second rotating mirror 601 and is incident on the imaging surface, and the light beam on the optical axis 4 side is the back surface of the second rotating mirror 601. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where light is shielded.

In these figures, reference numeral 600 denotes a base plate, on which the first rotating mirror 60 is mounted.
A first motor 603 for moving the first mirror 1 in the optical path, and a second motor 6 for moving the second rotating mirror 602 in the optical path.
04 is held.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a first photo-interrupter for optically detecting that the first rotary mirror 601 has retreated from the optical path, and 606 optically detects that the first rotary mirror 601 has retracted from the optical path. FIG.

First and second motors 603 and 604
Is controlled by a control circuit (not shown) so that the first and second rotating mirrors 601 and 602 alternately advance and retreat with respect to the optical path in synchronization with the video synchronization signal. The first
And the stop control of the second motors 603 and 604
And the output from the second photo interrupters 605 and 606.

In the second and third embodiments described above, one motor only needs to rotate one rotating blade or rotating mirror, so that the motor can be downsized and each rotating mirror can be tilted. For example, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the mechanism, for example, it is possible to dispose a space formed by the above-described process, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the lens unit 1.

[0130]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the convergence angle operation mechanism for adjusting the convergence angle of the optical axes of the left and right optical systems according to the user's arbitrary operation is provided, the optical axis convergence angles of the left and right optical systems according to the user's preference, That is, it is possible to adjust the stereoscopic effect of the captured video.

If the convergence angle operating mechanism and the automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism for automatically controlling the convergence angles of the optical axes of the two optical systems based on the subject distance information are provided, for example, The operability can be improved such that after the standard convergence angle according to the subject distance is set, the convergence angle according to the user's preference can be promptly readjusted.

In this case, if the convergence angle operating mechanism is configured by using a part of the automatic convergence angle adjusting mechanism, the configuration of the stereoscopic optical unit can be simplified and downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stereoscopic video photographing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an interchangeable lens unit included in the stereoscopic video imaging system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an internal configuration of the interchangeable lens unit as viewed from an objective side.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing left and right reflection mirrors and a driving mechanism of the interchangeable lens unit.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the reflection mirror and its driving mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a holding section of the reflection mirror.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the reflection mirror and its driving mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a main line system unit and a front group base unit that constitute the interchangeable lens unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method of adjusting a first lens group constituting the interchangeable lens unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method of adjusting a first lens group constituting the interchangeable lens unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method of holding left and right first lens groups constituting the interchangeable lens unit.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a front view and a plan view showing a mechanism for switching between left and right images in an interchangeable lens unit constituting a stereoscopic image photographing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for switching between left and right images in an interchangeable lens unit constituting a stereoscopic image photographing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a front view and a plan view showing a mechanism for switching between left and right images in an interchangeable lens unit constituting a stereoscopic image photographing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 interchangeable lens unit 2 imaging device 50 main line unit 51 front group base unit 100 photographing optical system 102, 105 liquid crystal shutter 104, 113 first lens group 105 synthetic prism 114 aperture 115 fixed lens group 118 cam barrel 116 variator lens group 117 compensator Lens group 119 Focusing lens group 300 Front group base 350 Drive unit 351 Cam gear 354 Convergence operation dial 360 Guide shaft 361 Moving sleeve 501,502 Rotating blade 505,603,604 Motor 601, 602 Rotating mirror

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 15/00 H04N 15/00 // G02F 1/13 505 G02F 1/13 505 1/1335 1/1335

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A stereoscopic optical unit having a left optical system and a right optical system for photographing an image capable of stereoscopic observation through these optical systems, wherein a convergence angle of an optical axis of both optical systems is determined by a user. A convergence angle operation mechanism for adjusting the stereoscopic imaging optical unit in accordance with an arbitrary operation of the stereoscopic photographing optical unit. 2. The stereoscopic imaging according to claim 1, wherein each of the two optical systems has a reflection optical element, and the convergence angle operation mechanism changes an arrangement angle of the reflection optical element. Optical unit. 3. The convergence angle operation mechanism includes an operation member for receiving a user's operation, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a movement of the operation member to the two optical systems to change a convergence angle. The stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a convergence angle operation mechanism; and an automatic convergence angle adjustment mechanism for automatically controlling a convergence angle of the optical axes of the two optical systems based on subject distance information. 3. The stereoscopic optical unit according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. The stereoscopic optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the convergence angle operation mechanism is configured using a part of the automatic convergence angle adjustment mechanism. 6. A three-dimensional imaging optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an imaging device configured to capture an image that can be stereoscopically observed through the three-dimensional imaging optical unit. 3D video shooting system.