JP2019203953A - Imaging apparatus and light projection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to appropriately illuminate an imaging range of a wide-angle imaging device while preventing an increase in size of a projector.SOLUTION: In a projector 12, under a configuration where a plurality of LEDs 23 are used in which a radiation angle range having a radiant intensity of 50% or more is narrower than a range corresponding to the angle of view in the horizontal direction of an imaging device 11, these LEDs 23 are arranged at positions to be outside the angle of view of the imaging device 11, and are set in a direction to cover the angle of view at least in the horizontal direction of the imaging device 11 with the LEDs 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having a projector that irradiates light to a photographing range, and a light projecting method.

  As a method for ensuring nighttime visibility of a photographed image of a photographing device, a method using a projector that irradiates light to a photographing range is known. There are two types of projectors, one that uses a visible light lamp and the other that uses infrared light (including near-infrared light). From the standpoint that there is no discomfort (such as glare) unique to visible light, Types that use external light are becoming mainstream (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

JP 2005-247014 A JP 2005-123798 A JP 2009-159546 A

By the way, in the case of an imaging device that captures the interior of the vehicle, the imaging range is limited to a relatively narrow range such as the driver's face, while in the case of an imaging device that captures the outside of the vehicle, the appropriate range is appropriate for the widening of the imaging range. A projector that irradiates the light is desired.
In recent years, the use of photographing devices has expanded from the view use to the sensing use, and there is a tendency that the photographing range is widened and high image quality is desired. The light projector corresponding to this is also desired to have the ability to irradiate light over a wide range.

However, some recent photographing devices have a horizontal angle of view exceeding 130 °, for example, and a single light source used for a projector cannot sufficiently illuminate a range corresponding to the angle of view. In this case, a method using a large number of light sources is conceivable. However, it is difficult to arrange the projector in a vehicle or the like in which the arrangement space is restricted due to an increase in the size of the projector.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately illuminate a photographing range of a wide-angle photographing device while suppressing an increase in size of a projector.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus including an imaging device and a projector that irradiates light to the imaging range of the imaging device, wherein the projector has a radiation angle range having a predetermined or higher radiation intensity. A plurality of light sources narrower than a range corresponding to the angle of view of the photographing device in a predetermined direction, the plurality of light sources being arranged at positions outside the angle of view of the photographing device, and the light source by the light sources It is the direction which covers the angle of view of the said predetermined direction at least.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of light sources include a pair of light sources arranged on the same plane along the predetermined direction with a predetermined angle between the optical axes of the light sources.

  In the above-described configuration, when the angle from the direction in which the radiation intensity of the light source is strongest until the radiation intensity is halved is a value θX, the predetermined angle is one or more times the angle θX.

  In the above-described configuration, the pair of light sources is arranged at a symmetrical position with an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis of the imaging device as a symmetry axis. In the above configuration, the angle of view in the predetermined direction is a horizontal angle of view of the photographing device.

  In the above configuration, the projector includes a pair of mounting boards on which the pair of light sources are independently mounted on the front surface and a support portion that supports the back surfaces of the pair of mounting boards in a V shape at a predetermined angle. And the said support part is formed in the shape where the location which supports the position corresponding to the V-shaped front-end | tip in the said mounting substrate becomes so thin that it approaches the said light source.

  In the above-described configuration, the plurality of light sources includes another light source disposed in the same plane as the pair of light sources and in a different direction from the pair of light sources, and the other light sources are arranged in a predetermined direction of the photographing device. In the region corresponding to the angle of view, the light source is set in a direction in which light is emitted toward a region where light having a radiation intensity of a predetermined level or more is not emitted from the pair of light sources.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said light projector irradiates the light within the wavelength range of infrared light, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Further, in the above configuration, the light source emits light including a wavelength range of infrared light and visible light, the projector transmits light within the wavelength range of the infrared light, and the visible light An optical filter that does not transmit light in the wavelength range is provided.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said light projector may be a different body from the said imaging device, and may be integrally provided in the case of the said imaging device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light projecting method of projecting light onto a photographing range of a photographing device using a light projector, wherein a light source included in the light projector has a radiation angle range having a radiation intensity greater than or equal to a predetermined value. A plurality of light sources narrower than the range corresponding to the angle of view of the direction, the plurality of light sources are arranged at positions outside the angle of view of the photographing device, and at least the predetermined direction of the photographing device by each light source The orientation is set so as to cover the angle of view.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately illuminate the imaging range of a wide-angle imaging device while suppressing an increase in the size of the projector.

It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of a light projector. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a light projector. It is a figure which shows the radiation | emission characteristic of LED. It is a figure which shows the X, Y, Z direction of LED. It is a figure which shows the radiation intensity of LED in a Y and Z direction. It is a figure which shows the radiation intensity | strength of LED in a X and Z direction. It is a figure which shows the case where the imaging | photography range is illuminated with one LED. It is a figure which shows the case where the imaging | photography range is illuminated with the light projector of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the radiation | emission characteristic of a projector. It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on a 1st modification. It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the radiation | emission characteristic of LED. It is a figure which shows the radiation | emission characteristic of a projector. It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on a 3rd modification. It is a figure which shows the imaging device which concerns on a 4th modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a photographing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral A is a front view of the photographing apparatus, and reference numeral B is a side view of the photographing apparatus.
The photographing apparatus 1 is an in-vehicle photographing apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and photographs the surroundings of the vehicle. The imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging device 11 that captures the front of a vehicle, and a projector 12 that irradiates light in the infrared wavelength region within the imaging range of the imaging device 11. It functions as a night vision device capable of photographing an object or the like. On the vehicle side, by using the photographing apparatus 1 and a known image recognition technology, it becomes possible to detect a person or an obstacle even at night. In addition, the imaging device 11 may image other than the front of the vehicle.

The imaging device 11 includes a case 21 that houses an image sensor, and a lens unit 22 is provided on the front surface of the case 21. The case 21 functions as a protective case for protecting the image sensor from rain water and the like, and also serves as a support base for supporting the projector 12. FIG. 1 shows a case where the projector 12 is attached to the upper surface of the case 21 and the projector 12 is arranged behind the front surface of the photographing device 11.
In FIG. 1, the symbol LC indicates the optical axis of the imaging device 11, and the symbol LD indicates the separation distance between the front surface of the imaging device 11 and the LED 23 serving as the light source of the projector 12.

By adjusting the separation distance LD, the LED 23 is disposed outside the angle of view of the photographing device 11, and the situation where the direct light of the LED 23 is reflected in the photographed image of the photographing device 11 is prevented. If the direct light of the LED 23 is reflected in the photographed image of the photographing device 11, flare or ghost is frequently generated, enlarged, or induced, and so-called whiteout occurs.
In FIG. 1, symbol K1 indicates the outermost peripheral position when the vertical angle of view of the photographing device 11 is 210 °. In this configuration, even when the vertical angle of view exceeds 180 °, the light of the LED 23 does not appear in the captured image of the imaging device 11.

  For the photographing device 11, an in-vehicle camera having sensitivity in the wavelength region of infrared light is used. In general in-vehicle cameras, a filter process for cutting a wavelength component of visible light or more (a wavelength region of about 780 nm or more) is performed in internal signal processing. However, in practice, since it is difficult to completely remove wavelengths of 780 nm or more, the wavelength component of near-infrared light is also reflected in the image of the in-vehicle camera. As the imaging device 11 of the present embodiment, a general vehicle-mounted camera may be used, or a camera having sensitivity only in the invisible light wavelength region, such as a near-infrared camera or a far-infrared camera. In addition, when it is necessary to reduce the influence (for example, reflection) of headlight light, it is preferable to use a near-infrared camera or a far-infrared camera.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the projector 12, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the projector 12.
The projector 12 includes a hollow case 31, and in the case 31, a pair of mounting substrates 32 on which the LEDs 23 are independently mounted on the surface, and a pair of cover glasses 33 that cover the LEDs 23 from the emission side. In the present embodiment, a pair of the mounting substrate 32 and the cover glass 33 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to a pair. Further, electronic components other than the LED 23 are mounted on the back surface of the mounting substrate 32.

The LED 23 will be described.
A wide-angle type LED is used as the LED 23 of the present embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing the radiation characteristics of the LED 23, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the X, Y, and Z directions of the LED 23, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are radiation intensities (relative radiation) of the LED 23 in the X, Y, and Z directions. It is a figure which shows intensity | strength.
As shown in these figures, the LED 23 has both a horizontal direction (corresponding to the X direction) and a vertical direction (corresponding to the Y direction) when the direction with the highest radiation intensity is an angle of 0 ° (also referred to as an optical axis). The radiation intensity is 50% at radiation angles + 60 ° and −60 °. Hereinafter, an angle from the direction in which the radiation intensity is strongest to the half of the radiation intensity is expressed as an angle θX (60 ° in the present embodiment).

  In this description, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are directions corresponding to the horizontal angle of view and the vertical angle of view of the photographing device 11, respectively, and are not necessarily the same as the directions when actually arranged. For example, in the case of the imaging device 11 that captures the front of the vehicle, each direction of the imaging device 11 and each direction of the vehicle approximately coincide with each other, but when the imaging device 11 is a side camera that is attached below the side mirror, Each direction of the imaging device 11 does not match each direction of the vehicle.

By the way, the angle of view of the photographing device 11 such as the in-vehicle camera has been widened with the expansion from the view application to the sensing application. In particular, the horizontal angle of view exceeds 130 °, and in the future it is expected that more than 180 ° will appear.
For this reason, even if the wide-angle type LED 23 as described above is used, when the photographing range of the photographing device 11 is illuminated by only one LED 23, as shown in FIG. As it goes from the center of AR0 to the periphery, the amount of radiant light decreases and becomes darker. Here, in FIG. 8, the first range AR1 is illuminated relatively brightly by the LED 23, and is a range suitable for sensing and view applications. The second range AR2 is darker than the first range AR1, but is a range suitable for sensing and view applications. The third range AR3 is darker than the second range AR2, and is unsuitable for both the sensing application and the view application.
In other words, in the example of FIG. 8, it is difficult to illuminate the imaging range AR0, particularly the entire horizontal angle of view, to an extent suitable for sensing applications and view applications.

  In this configuration, the projector 12 is configured as follows in order to cover at least the range of the horizontal angle of view of the imaging device 11 using the two LEDs 23, so that it can be used for sensing applications and view applications as shown in FIG. The preferred first range AR1 and second range AR2 are expanded at least in the horizontal direction. In the example of FIG. 9, the first range AR1 and the second range AR2 can illuminate the entire shooting range AR0 to an extent suitable for sensing applications and view applications.

Hereinafter, the projector 12 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projector 12 is formed in a symmetric structure with an orthogonal plane MC orthogonal to the horizontal direction with respect to the optical axis LC of the photographic device 11 as a symmetric axis when mounted on the photographic device 11. Has been.
The case 31 is manufactured, for example, by molding a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 31 includes a substrate support portion 35 that supports the back surfaces of the pair of mounting substrates 32 in a V shape at a predetermined sandwich angle θA, and parallel to each mounting substrate 32. A cover support portion 36 that supports the cover glass 33 is integrally formed. In FIG. 2, an angle θB (hereinafter referred to as an attachment angle) is an inclination angle of the mounting substrate 32 (an inclination angle with respect to the orthogonal plane MC orthogonal to the optical axis LC of the imaging device 11), and the attachment angle θB = 90 ° −. θA × (1/2).

The substrate support portion 35 includes a first support portion 37 having a pair of steps D1 for positioning the front end portions of the pair of mounting substrates 32, and a second support portion 38 having a step D2 for positioning the rear end portions of the respective mounting substrates 32. And a third support portion 39 with which the back surface of each mounting substrate 32 abuts, and thereby each mounting substrate 32 is fixed.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first support portion 37 corresponds to a location that supports a position corresponding to the V-shaped tip of the pair of mounting boards 32. This 1st support part 37 is formed in the shape which becomes thin, so that it approaches LED23 by planar view. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate the light on the wide angle side (light XW in FIG. 2) emitted from the LED 23 without being blocked by the first support portion 37.

The cover support portion 36 has a step D3 for positioning the front end portion of the cover glass 33 and a step D4 for positioning the rear end portion of the cover glass 33. The step D3 is provided integrally with the first support portion 37, and the step D4 is provided integrally with the second support portion 38. Each of the cover glasses 33 is supported in parallel with each mounting substrate 32 by the steps D3 and D4.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each mounting substrate 32 is disposed close to the cover glass 33 so that the gap between each LED 23 and the cover glass 33 is minimized. Accordingly, the light of each LED 23 is not only in the range of the radiation angle 0 to θX (60 ° in the present embodiment) corresponding to the radiation intensity of 100% to 50% but also in the range of the radiation angle θX to 90 °. The light can be emitted from the cover glass 33 to the outside. Light from each LED 23 in the vicinity of a radiation angle of 90 ° overlaps each other and irradiates the left and right central region of the photographing range of the photographing device 11. Thereby, the light quantity of the left-right center area | region can be increased efficiently.

The cover glass 33 transmits light in the wavelength range of infrared light (including near infrared light) and does not transmit light in the wavelength range of visible light by the dielectric multilayer film and / or the filter glass. An optical filter having characteristics is formed. For this reason, even if LED23 radiates | emits the light containing the wavelength range of visible light, it can prevent that visible light is irradiated from the light projector 12. FIG. A wide variety of known optical filters can be applied to the cover glass 33.
Note that lighting devices such as automobiles are finely defined by the regulations of each country, and the projector 12 does not irradiate visible light, so that regulations such as Japan can be cleared.

In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, by setting the mounting angle θB to an angle θX (60 ° in the present embodiment, and the included angle θA is also 60 °), as shown in FIG. At least the range of the horizontal angle of view is covered with sufficient radiation intensity (in this embodiment, radiation intensity of 50% or more).
Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the radiation characteristics of the projector 12. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis is the radiation angle when the direction with the strongest radiation intensity is 0 °, and the vertical axis is the irradiation intensity of “one lamp radiation” with only one LED 23 at the radiation angle of 0 °. Is the relative radiant intensity with 100%.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the case of “single lamp radiation”, a radiation angle of 120 ° (−60 ° to + 60 °) has a radiation intensity of 50% or more. That is, with one lamp, only the central portion (120 ° range centered on a radiation angle of 0 °) is bright and the peripheral portion is dark.
On the other hand, in the case of “two lamps 60 ° mounting radiation” (mounting angle θB of two LEDs 23 = 60 °) of the present embodiment, the range of the radiation angle 240 ° (−120 ° to + 120 °) is 50% or more. Radiation intensity. In addition, the radiation intensity is uniform (100% radiation intensity) in a radiation angle range of 150 ° (−75 ° to + 75 °).

  Therefore, in the “two-lamp 60 ° mounting radiation” of the present embodiment, a radiation intensity of 50% or more is obtained in the range of the radiation angle of 240 °, and 100% of the radiation intensity is evenly obtained in the range of the radiation angle of 150 °. It is done. Thereby, even when the horizontal angle of view of the imaging device 11 exceeds 180 °, it becomes easy to illuminate the central portion and the peripheral portion with sufficient and uniform radiation intensity.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in “two lamps 30 ° mounting radiation” (the mounting angle θB = 30 ° of the two LEDs 23), only the central portion is extremely bright and the peripheral portion is dark.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in “two lamps 80 ° mounting radiation” (the mounting angle θB = 80 ° of the two LEDs 23), the center portion becomes relatively dark.
Therefore, in order to cover at least the horizontal angle of view of the wide-angle imaging device 11 with the two LEDs 23, the mounting angle θB is preferably 30 ° or more and less than 80 °, more preferably 60 A predetermined range centered on ° (for example, in the range of 40 ° to 70 °) is preferable. Since the radiation characteristic of the projector 12 depends on the radiation characteristic of the LED 23, the radiation intensity is constant based on the angle between the optical axis of each LED 23 and the orthogonal plane MC according to the radiation characteristic of the LED 23 based on the photographing range of the photographing device 11. What is necessary is just to set so that it may become above.

  As described above, the projector 12 of the present embodiment uses a plurality of LEDs 23 in which the radiation angle range having a radiation intensity of 50% or more is narrower than the range corresponding to the horizontal field angle of the imaging device 11. The LEDs 23 are arranged at positions outside the angle of view of the photographing device 11 and are set so as to cover at least the horizontal angle of view of the photographing device 11 by each LED 23. According to this configuration, the light of the LED 23 does not appear in the photographed image of the photographing device 11, and the photographing range of the photographing device 11 is appropriately adjusted while suppressing the increase in the number of the LEDs 23 and the enlargement of the projector 12. Can be illuminated.

In the present embodiment, the radiation intensity of 50% is set to the radiation intensity for illuminating to the extent possible for sensing and view applications. However, this is only the LED employed in the embodiment, and other LEDs are employed. In this case, the radiation intensity is not limited to 50%.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, each LED 23 has a predetermined angle (corresponding to the included angle θA) between the optical axes of the LEDs 23, and is in the same plane along the horizontal direction of the imaging device 11 (in FIG. Since the LEDs 23 are arranged in pairs on the surface indicated by MM, it is easy to arrange the LEDs 23 in a compact manner. Even if the LED 23 is changed to one having different radiation characteristics, or the photographing device 11 is changed to one having a different angle of view, each LED 23 is photographed by adjusting the included angle θA between the LEDs 23. It becomes easy to adjust the orientation so as to sufficiently cover the imaging range of the device 11.

  The included angle θA is preferably set to be equal to or larger than an angle θX from the direction in which the radiation intensity of the LED 23 is strongest until the radiation intensity is halved. This is because if the value is much less than 1 time, the center of the photographing range of the photographing device 11 becomes dark.

  Further, the pair of LEDs 23 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the optical axis LC of the imaging device 11 with the orthogonal plane MC orthogonal to the horizontal direction of the imaging device 11 as the symmetry axis. When used, the photographing range of the photographing device 11 can be easily illuminated appropriately.

  The projector 12 has a substrate support portion 35 that supports the back surfaces of the pair of mounting substrates 32 in a V shape at a predetermined sandwich angle θA, and the substrate support portion 35 has a V shape on the pair of mounting substrates 32. A portion (first support portion 37) that supports a position corresponding to the tip of the LED is formed in a shape that becomes thinner as it approaches the LED 23. Thereby, the radiation light (light XW in FIG. 2) near the surface of the mounting substrate 32 from the LED 23 can be radiated without being blocked as much as possible. Therefore, it is advantageous for improving the radiation intensity of a region radiated from the vicinity of the V-shaped tip and overlapping each LED 23 (that is, the central region of the imaging range).

In the present embodiment, by arranging the pair of LEDs 23 as described above, it is possible to illuminate the imaging range corresponding to the horizontal angle of view of the imaging device 11 with 50% or more of the maximum radiation intensity of the LED 23. Thereby, it is possible to illuminate a person or an obstacle existing in front of the vehicle by using the wide-angle imaging device 11 that images the front of the vehicle, and is used for sensing.
Moreover, since the projector 12 emits light within the wavelength range of infrared light, it is possible to illuminate people existing in front of the vehicle without making the driver aware of the illumination light, and to clear the regulations of each country. It becomes easy to mount on the vehicle.

Further, since the projector 12 is separate from the photographing device 11, it can be easily attached to an existing photographing device. It is also possible to install the projector 12 in a place other than the photographing device 11.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the case where the projector 12 is arranged behind the front surface of the photographing device 11 has been described. However, when the vertical angle of view of the projector 12 is less than 180 °, photographing is performed. The projector 12 may be disposed in front of the front surface of the device 11. In short, the position of the projector 12 can be arbitrarily changed as long as the position is outside the angle of view of the photographing device 11.

  Moreover, although the case where the light projector 12 was comprised separately from the imaging device 11 was demonstrated, you may integrally provide the light projector 12 in the case 21 of the imaging device 11 so that it may illustrate in FIG.11 and FIG.12. Here, the symbol A in FIG. 11 is a front view of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first modification, and the symbol B is a top view. In FIG. 11, a case where a right-angled triangular projector structure 12 </ b> A in a plan view including the LED 23 and the cover glass 33 is formed in pairs, and each projector structure 12 </ b> A is integrally provided on the left and right side surfaces of the case 21 is shown. Yes.

  Moreover, the code | symbol A of FIG. 12 has shown the front view of the imaging device 1 which concerns on a 2nd modification, and the code | symbol B has shown the top view. FIG. 12 shows a case in which the substantially flat projector structure 12B is formed in pairs in plan view including the LED 23 and the cover glass 33, and the respective projector structures 12B are integrally provided on the left and right side surfaces of the case 21. Yes.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the photographing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. Reference numeral A denotes a front view of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, and reference numeral B denotes a side view of the photographing apparatus 1. Note that in the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
In the second embodiment, in the pair of projector structures 12A constituting the projector 12, a narrow-angle type LED is used for the pair of LEDs 23 and on the same plane (plane MM in FIG. 13). The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that another LED 23A arranged in a different direction from these LEDs 23 is provided as a pair.
The other LED 23A is set in a direction in which light is emitted toward a region where light having a radiation intensity of a predetermined level or higher is not emitted from the pair of LEDs 23 in a region corresponding to the horizontal angle of view of the photographing device 11. Yes.

The LEDs 23 and 23A have the same radiation characteristics, and the radiation characteristics are shown in FIG. These LEDs 23 and 23A have a characteristic that the radiation intensity becomes 50% at radiation angles + 30 ° and −30 ° both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. For this reason, the angle θX from the direction in which the radiation intensity is strongest until the radiation intensity is halved is 30 °.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the second embodiment, the mounting angle θB is set to an angle θX (30 °, in this case, the included angle θA (not shown) is also 30 °), and the mounting angle θC (light) of the other LEDs 23A is set. The inclination angle with respect to the axis LC is set to 100 °.

Here, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the radiation characteristics of the projector 12.
As shown in FIG. 15, in the “two-light 30 ° mounting, two-lamp 100 ° mounting radiation” of the second embodiment, the radiation intensity of 50% or more is within a radiation angle range of 260 ° (−130 ° to + 130 °). As a result, in the range of a radiation angle of 240 ° (−120 ° to + 120 °), a radiation intensity of 70% to 130% is obtained. Thereby, even if the imaging device 11 has a wide angle exceeding 180 °, the central portion and the peripheral portion can be illuminated with sufficient radiation intensity.

  Alternatively, the mounting angle θB may be set to 40 °, and the mounting angle θC of the other LED 23A may be set to 110 °. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15 with “two lamps 40 ° mounting, two lamps 110 ° mounting radiation”, a radiation intensity of 50% or more is obtained in a radiation angle range of 280 ° (−140 ° to + 140 °), In the range of a radiation angle of 260 ° (−130 ° to + 130 °), a radiation intensity of 70% to 120% is obtained. This also makes it possible to illuminate the central portion and the peripheral portion with sufficient radiation intensity even when the photographing device 11 is at a wide angle.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, another LED 23A is disposed in a pair on the same plane as the pair of LEDs 23, and the other LEDs 23A correspond to the horizontal angle of view of the photographing device 11. Of the regions to be emitted, light is emitted from the pair of LEDs 23 toward a region where light having a predetermined or higher radiation intensity is not emitted. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain various effects similar to those of the first embodiment even when the narrow-angle type LEDs 23 and 23A are used as compared with the first embodiment.

  Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the projector 12 may be provided integrally with the case 21 of the photographing device 11. Here, symbol A in FIG. 16 is a front view of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the third modification, and symbol B is a top view. In FIG. 16, in addition to the substantially flat projector structure 12B in plan view including the LED 23 and the cover glass 33, the substantially flat projector structure 12C in plan view including the LED 23A and the cover glass 33 is integrated with the case 21. Provided.

  Moreover, the code | symbol A of FIG. 17 has shown the top view of the imaging device 1 which concerns on a 4th modification, the code | symbol B has shown the front view, the code | symbol C has shown the rear view, and the code | symbol D has shown the side view. FIG. 17 is different from FIG. 16 in that a pair of projector structures 12C are arranged above and below the case 21. In FIG. 17, the range not covered by the pair of projector structures 12B arranged on the left and right of the case 21 is illuminated by the pair of projector structures 12C arranged vertically.

Each of the above-described embodiments is merely illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, although the case where LED was used for a light source was demonstrated, you may use light sources other than LED. Further, in this embodiment, the radiation intensity of 50% is set to the radiation intensity for illuminating to the extent possible for the sensing application and the view application. However, this is only the LED employed in the embodiment, and other LEDs, or When a light source other than LED is employed, the radiation intensity is not limited to 50%.
Moreover, although the case where the present invention is applied to the photographing apparatus 1 and the photographing method for photographing the surroundings of the vehicle has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and light is applied to the photographing range using another known photographing apparatus or a projector. The present invention may be applied to a photographing method that projects light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 11 Imaging device 12 Floodlight 12A, 12B, 12C Floodlight structure 21, 31 Case 22 Lens part 23, 23A LED (light source)
32 Mounting substrate 33 Cover glass 35 Substrate support portion 36 Cover support portion 37 First support portion 38 Second support portion 39 Third support portion LC Optical axis of imaging device MC orthogonal plane

Claims (12)

In an imaging device comprising an imaging device and a projector that irradiates light to the imaging range of the imaging device,
The projector includes a plurality of light sources having a radiation angle range having a radiation intensity greater than or equal to a predetermined range, which is narrower than a range corresponding to a field angle in a predetermined direction of the imaging device,
The photographing apparatus, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged at positions outside the angle of view of the photographing device, and are oriented so that each light source covers at least the angle of view of the photographing device in the predetermined direction.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources include a pair of light sources arranged on the same plane along the predetermined direction with a predetermined angle between the optical axes of the light sources. .   3. The predetermined angle is equal to or greater than an angle θX when the angle from the direction in which the radiation intensity of the light source is strongest to the value where the radiation intensity is halved is a value θX. Shooting device.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pair of light sources are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis of the photographing device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the angle of view in the predetermined direction is a horizontal angle of view of the imaging device. The projector includes a pair of mounting boards on which the pair of light sources are independently mounted on the front surface, and a support portion that supports the back surfaces of the pair of mounting boards in a V shape at a predetermined angle.
The said support part is formed in the shape where the location which supports the position corresponding to the V-shaped front-end | tip in the said mounting board | substrate becomes thin as it approaches the said light source. Shooting device. The plurality of light sources includes another light source arranged on the same plane as the pair of light sources and in a different direction from the pair of light sources,
The other light source is set in a direction in which light is emitted toward a region in the region corresponding to the angle of view in the predetermined direction of the photographing device where light having a radiation intensity of a predetermined level or more is not emitted from the pair of light sources. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projector emits light within a wavelength range of infrared light. The light source emits light including a wavelength range of infrared light and visible light,
The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the projector includes an optical filter that transmits light in the wavelength range of the infrared light and does not transmit light in the wavelength range of the visible light.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projector is a separate body from the photographing device.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projector is provided integrally with a case of the photographing device. In the light projecting method of projecting light to the photographing range of the photographing device using the projector,
The light source of the projector is a plurality of light sources having a radiation angle range having a radiation intensity greater than or equal to a predetermined range, which is narrower than a range corresponding to an angle of view in a predetermined direction of the imaging device,
The projection is characterized in that the plurality of light sources are arranged at positions outside the angle of view of the photographing device, and set so that each light source covers at least the angle of view of the predetermined direction of the photographing device. Light way.