JPH0836134A - Stereoscopic image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To give the overall three-dimensional impression of an observation visual field to an observer by performing constitution from an optical system provided with a specified objective lens structure group and optical elements arranged in two separate partial optical paths behind the objective lens structure group. CONSTITUTION: This device is provided with an objective lens 1 capable of adjusting a variable distance by a user on an object side and changing magnification as well and the objective lens 1 sends out the formed image of a desired visual field to a stipulated intermediate image plane 3. Then, intermediate images generated on the intermediate image plane 3 are passed through the optical elements 4a and 4b by the objective lens structure group 2 positioned behind it and image-formed in two electrooptical image pickup devices 5a and 5b arranged in the respective partial optical paths along the two separate partial optical paths. Then, signals recorded in the electrooptical image pickup devices 5a and 5b are processed further by the well-known form and system. Also, as the appropriate electrooptical image pickup devices 5a and 5b, well-known CCD arrays known in a video camera or the like are utilized for instance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image pickup device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In microsurgery, a surgeon observes a field of view through a surgical microscope. In addition to directly observing the field of interest through an observation lens barrel arranged in a surgical microscope, a part of the observation light path is taken out from a stereoscopic observation light path to a video camera by an appropriate beam splitter element and displayed on a monitor. It is also possible.

However, in that case, it has been found that it is always a problem to appropriately divide the ratio of the luminance in the observation optical path in order to maintain sufficient luminance for the CCD array used in the video camera. . On the other hand, the brightness in the direct observation light path should not be reduced until the surgeon during surgery has an impression that he does not understand it.

To solve this problem, it has already been proposed in US Pat. No. 4,987,488 to use a video camera structure instead of a surgical microscope.
However, the structure proposed in this patent specification has the serious drawback of not guaranteeing a stereoscopic, ie three-dimensional, impression of the field of view to the surgeon during surgery. This stereoscopic vision is absolutely necessary in order to perform the microsurgical work with the required accuracy.

[0005]

The object of the present invention is therefore to ensure that the use is as flexible as possible and further ensures that the observer receives a general three-dimensional impression of the viewing field. It is to provide to an imaging device.

[0006]

This problem is solved by a stereoscopic image pickup device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are claimed in claims 2 to 1.
Found in Section 2.

A stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an objective lens structure group having a constant crossing distance or focal length on the object side,
It is composed of a known optical system including an optical element arranged in two separate partial optical paths behind the objective lens structure group. These optical elements are used, for example, as magnification changing means and can be configured as well-known Galilean converters or zoom magnification exchangers. At least one electro-optical imaging device is arranged in each of the partial optical paths behind the optical element.

According to the invention, another objective lens, which allows variable distance adjustment on the object side, is arranged in front of the objective lens structure group whose crossing distance or focal length is constant on the object side.
Further, the objective lens may be configured to change the magnification of the observed object. On the image side, it is necessary to determine and fix the position of the intermediate image formed by this objective lens in the corresponding intermediate image plane. The image of this intermediate image plane is observed via a subsequently arranged objective lens structure group or is further imaged on an electro-optical imager. In this way, the objective lens structure group and the objective lens for variable distance adjustment form a common objective lens system that positions and determines mutual intermediate image formation on a fixed intermediate image plane. The stereoscopic imaging device according to the invention ensures that the desired field plane can be focused through the only objective lens optics common to the two partial optical paths. This is a great advantage, for example, compared to a stereoscopic camera which has a burden of synchronizing the focusing of two stereoscopic cameras arranged in a convergent shape. In this regard, for example, US Pat.
No. 9,713, the patent describes the complex synchronization of the zooms of two stereoscopic cameras, and the two camera units are arranged with one and only one specified convergence angle. Has been done.

Behind the objective lens for adjusting the variable distance, an optical system compatible with a Greenough type or telescope type stereomicroscope can be arranged. further,
In this case, it is possible to connect further expansion stages selectively in the middle. In short, the stereoscopic imaging device according to the present invention can be used flexibly.

In a further advantageous embodiment, behind the stereoscopic imaging device according to the invention is a three-dimensional reproduction device for the captured images, which gives a large number of observers a stereoscopic impression of the field of interest. .

It can also be seen that the objective lens for variable distance adjustment is advantageously equipped with an autofocus system. The autofocus system ensures that the field-of-view plane is displayed sharply focused on the appropriate display device each time. As this system, various autofocus systems based on a passive operation method or an active operation method can be considered.

In contrast to a stereoscopic camera structure in which two camera units are arranged with a defined and constant convergence angle to each other, the device according to the invention is, for example, the applicant's utility model No. 93055447.5. The intermediate structure groups described in US Pat.
In short, the device according to the invention guarantees various possible applications. Other advantages and details of the stereoscopic imaging device according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013]

1 schematically shows a first embodiment of an optical system of a stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates that the user can adjust the variable distance on the object side and can also change the magnification.
The objective lens of is shown. The adjustment of different distances on the object side of the objective lens 1 is represented in FIG. 1 by two object-side optical paths (A) and (B). In this case, various known alternative methods can be applied for the variable distance adjustment. That is, for example, the entire objective lens 1 can be slid with respect to the image plane in accordance with the well-known imaging equation. Furthermore, it is also possible to slide only one or some of the individual lenses of the objective lens. That is, to ensure the necessary variable distance adjustment,
Front lens adjustment or internal focusing can also be achieved in a known manner and manner.

Indispensable in each of the above alternative arrangements is to fix the image position of the generated intermediate image imaged by or observed through the following optical system in a defined manner, ie: It is only to keep the image-side crossing distance constant. In various configurations, the object-side intersection distance and / or the object-side focal length are variable.

In this case, the objective lens 1 of the illustrated embodiment is constructed as an objective lens with a constant focal length, and enables the change of the object-side crossing distance at intervals of [∞; 0.8 m]. . This-schematically shown-objective lens 1
Is, for example, Zeiss Planar T ^* , 1:
2. It has a well-known structure such as a conventional photographic objective lens with f = 110 ^mm . In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, as an example, three separate lenses are shown in the first objective lens 1 in order to allow a change of the object-side crossing distance or the object-side focal length. One or several of the lenses in is configured to be slidable along a defined control curve. Sliding of the lens or lenses can be performed manually or electrically by well-known aspects and methods, as is also known for photographic objectives.

As already mentioned, in order to guarantee the variable distance adjustment, it is possible to make the whole objective lens 1 slidable. Then, the objective lens 1 sends out the image formation of a desired visual field to the prescribed intermediate image plane 3. In this case, the position of the image-side intermediate image plane 3 is constant. That is, the image-side crossing distance of the objective lens 1 is constant.

The intermediate image generated on the intermediate image plane 3 is converted into optical elements 4a, 4a by the objective lens structure group 2 located thereafter.
Two electro-optical image pickup devices 5a and 5b arranged along the two separate partial optical paths through b.
Is imaged on. The signals recorded by the electro-optical imaging device 5a, 5b can subsequently be further processed in a known manner and manner. A suitable electro-optical imaging device 5a,
As 5b, for example, a well-known CCD array known as a video camera or the like is used.

In addition to the possibility of providing two separate electro-optical image pickup devices in the partial light path, only one electro-optical image pickup device for sequentially receiving light from the two partial light paths with respect to the two three-dimensional partial light paths. It is also possible to use only. In the latter case, an appropriate shutter element that is synchronized with the signal output of the electro-optical image pickup device is arranged in front of the electro-optical image pickup device. Suitable devices with corresponding shutter elements are, for example, the applicant's patent applications P4243452.1 and P424, which are also expressly incorporated herein by reference.
3556.0 in detail.

The emission light path of the active autofocus system 17 is also shown in schematic form in FIG. This autofocus system projects a mark on the field of view, and the mark is similarly imaged on a photodetector (not shown) via the objective lens 1. Since the in-focus position of the mark on the photodetector is clearly defined, when this mark is out of alignment, the control circuit responds accordingly.
Refocus. A description of a suitable autofocus system, including the available signal processing schemes, can be found, for example,
It is in the applicant's patent application P4131737.8. Instead of the active autofocus system shown in the schematic diagram, other known autofocus systems can each be used in combination with the device according to the invention.

As already mentioned, the device according to the invention offers various possibilities for adjusting the magnification of the observed object as desired. Therefore, the objective lens 1 can be configured by a known zoom lens aspect and method that also provides the ability to change the imaging scale in addition to the variable distance adjustment.
The intersection distance on both sides, ie the defined position of the intermediate image, is likewise constant.

Alternatively, as described above, the objective lens 1 is configured so that the image-side crossing distance is constant and only the distance adjustment is performed, and the variable magnification is a Galilean exchanger or a zoom magnification converter in the three-dimensional partial optical path. It is also possible to realize it through a well-known magnification converter. In that case, the desired (stepwise) magnification is adjusted, for example, in the same manner and manner as known from conventional stereomicroscopes. further,
It is also possible to place one or more completely separate magnifying stages between the intermediate image plane and the subsequent objective lens structure group in order to vary the magnification.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second objective lens structure group 2 is constructed as an optical element common to the two partial optical paths. FIG. 2 shows a modification of the stereoscopic image pickup device according to the present invention, which is an alternative thereto. First Objective Lens 1 of Example of FIG. 2
0 and the corresponding optical paths A'and B'correspond to the optical paths of the objective lens of the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the variable distance adjustment of the objective lens 10 is performed on the object side, and at the same time, the image formation of the observed field of view on the defined first intermediate image plane 30 is guaranteed. However, two electro-optical image pickup devices 50 in the two partial optical paths are provided for the sent intermediate image.
a and 50b are imaged via two separate optical elements 40a and 40b. In that case, the two optical elements 40a, 40
b or the partial optical paths defined therethrough are already situated at mutually defined solid angles. This solid angle can also be configured to be variable via an appropriate mechanism. Also in this embodiment, the variable ability or the prescribed adjustment of the desired magnification mentioned above can be realized.

In the first embodiment of the stereoscopic image pickup apparatus shown in FIG.
The optical system arranged behind the objective lens 1 is similar to the telescopic system of a stereomicroscope, but in the second embodiment of the imaging device according to the invention, the so-called Greenoug.
H system is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block connection diagram of the entire structure including the stereoscopic image pickup device according to the present invention and the three-dimensional image display device arranged thereafter. The signals of the electro-optical image pickup devices 105a and 105b are coupled to the processing device 110 located behind them. The processing device 110 can sequentially provide the stereoscopic image to a suitable display device 120, which includes two electro-optical imaging devices 105a, 1a.
The two stereoscopic partial images captured by 05b are presented as alternating half images. The viewer is able to perceive their images in three dimensions through the properly synchronized shuttered glasses 130.

A device suitable for displaying a three-dimensional image, ie a device suitable for processing a signal supplied by an electro-optical imaging device, is for example specified in the applicant's international patent application WO 93/08665. .

The stereoscopic imaging device according to the invention has the advantage that it is suitable for use in the operating room. In the operating room,
For example, mounting the device according to the invention on the ceiling of an operating room,
An image of the surgical situation can be provided and staff such as an assistant can monitor the situation with an appropriate display device. In the case of such a structure, an illumination means for illuminating the field of interest with the required brightness is further provided.

It has therefore proved to be particularly advantageous to integrate the device according to the invention with the surgical luminaire on the ceiling of the operating room in order to make the device to be used compact. Such combination in a single housing avoids user adjustment problems due to the need for relative adjustment of the luminaire and the imaging device according to the invention.
However, in addition to the use in the operating room, it is possible to realize various other application uses of the stereoscopic imaging device according to the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical system of a stereoscopic image pickup device according to the present invention, which has a constant focal length objective lens common to two partial optical paths.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the optical system of the stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, which has two separate partial objective lenses for two partial optical paths.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block connection diagram of the entire structure including a stereoscopic image pickup device according to the present invention and a three-dimensional image display device arranged thereafter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 10 ... First objective lens, 2 ... Objective lens structure group,
3, 30 ... Intermediate image plane, 4a, 4b, 40a, 40b ...
Optical elements, 5a, 5b, 50a, 50b ... Electro-optical imaging device, 17 ... Autofocus system, 120 ... Display device.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A first objective lens (1, 10), on which a variable distance adjustment is performed on the object side to form an image on a defined first intermediate image plane (3, 30), Second objective lens (1, 10), which has a constant crossing distance on the object side and produces an image at infinity from the image of the first intermediate image plane (3, 30). The objective lens structure group (2, 40a, 40b) and the second objective lens structure group (2, 40a, 40b) are arranged behind the second objective lens structure group (2, 40a, 40b) in two separate partial optical paths and define a defined image. An optical element (4
a, 4b) and an electro-optical imaging device (5a, 5b, 50a, 50b) arranged in the image plane of the two partial optical paths. 2. The stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first objective lens enables variable magnification adjustment. 3. The stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the entire first objective lens (1, 10) is slidable along the optical axis for adjusting the distance. 4. Stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein one or more individual elements of the first objective lens (1, 10) are slidable along the optical axis for distance adjustment. . 5. The stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a magnification conversion means is arranged in the partial optical path. 6. An electro-optical image pickup device (5a, 5b, 50)
a, 50b) behind at least one display device (1
20. The stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a three-dimensional display device for a captured image including 20) is arranged. 7. A three-dimensional display device for photographed images sequentially displays three-dimensional partial images on a display device (120), and the three-dimensional display device associates the three-dimensional partial images with each eye of an observer. 7. The stereoscopic imager according to claim 6, further comprising at least one switchable diaphragm connected thereto. 8. A second objective lens structure group (2) is composed of a fixed focal length objective lens consisting of only one integral part or a plurality of parts with respect to two partial optical paths, and the crossing distance is the first. The stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 1, which is aligned with the position of the intermediate image plane (3). 9. The second objective lens structure group consists of two separate integral or multiple parts corresponding to two partial optical paths, each of which has a constant focal length.
0a, 40b). 10. The stereoscopic image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance adjustment of the first objective lens (1, 10) is performed electrically, and an autofocus means (17) is attached to the first objective lens. . 11. Stereoscopic according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising illumination means for sufficiently brightening the field of view to be observed and arranged with the stereoscopic imager in a single housing. Imaging device. 12. The stereoscopic imaging device according to claim 11, wherein the housing is arranged on a ceiling of the operating room.