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DESCRIPTION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONVERGENCE
DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT METHOD, AND PROGRAM
5 Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a threedimensional
image pickup apparatus, a convergence
distance adjustment method, and a program which are
preferable when applied to the case where a three-
10 dimensional (3D) image is taken by adjusting a
convergence distance, for example.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, an image pickup system that
15 takes a 3D image is configured by combining two image
pickup apparatuses. In the image pickup system, for
example, to reproduce a binocular disparity, two image
pickup apparatuses are combined with a half mirror and
attached to a frame (rig), thereby taking an image. In
20 recent years, an image pickup system has been used in
which two right and left lenses are provided to one
image pickup apparatus, and these two lenses are used
to make it possible to take a 3D image.
[0003] In the following description, a point at
25 which lines of sights of right and left eyes of a
viewer are intersected is called as a "convergence
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point", and an angle formed by the intersecting of the
lines of sights is called as a "convergence angle". The
definitions of the convergence point and the
convergence angle hold true for the case where the
5 right and left eyes of the viewer are replaced by right
and left lens optical systems held by a 3D image pickup
apparatus. The convergence is a parameter used when a
3D effect (depth and pop-up) of a 3D image is adjusted.
A subject, an image of which is taken at a position of
10 the convergence point, appears to exist on a screen for
a viewer who three-dimensionally views the image when
the image is projected on the screen. On the other
hand, a subject, an image of which is taken in front of
the convergence point, appears to jump in front of the
15 screen, and a subject, an image of which is taken
behind the convergence point, appears to recede to the
back of the screen. Therefore, at the time when a 3D
image is taken, it is necessary to adjust the
convergence point in addition to adjustments of
20 parameters such as a focus, a zoom, and an iris which
are necessary to take a two-dimensional (2D) image by
an image pickup apparatus.
[0004] Conventionally, a convergence distance from
image pickup lenses to a convergence point is changed
25 by adjusting a convergence angle by changing a tilt
with respect to optical axes of two right and left
^^K'
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lenses provided to a camera. An image taking person who
takes a 3D image adjusts a convergence point and a
focus point (FP) independently in order to take the 3D
image in consideration of a desired convergence point.
[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for
adjusting a convergence angle by a manual operation
after a focus is automatically adjusted.
[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. 2002-90921
Summary of Invention
Problem to be solved by the Invention
[0007] Incidentally, when an image taking person
moves a focus first, an operation for readjusting a
15 convergence point in each case to take a desired 3D
image by concentrating on the focus moved has to be
performed. In contrast, when a convergence point is
moved, an operation for readjusting the focus in each
case by concentrating on the convergence point moved
20 has to be performed. That is, when one of the focus and
the convergence point is moved, to take a 3D image
desired by the image taking person, the other one is to
be adjusted to a desired position. The operation has to
be adjusted each time an image is taken by using a
25 focus ring or a convergence ring, which is a
troublesome task. Further, to manually adjust the
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convergence point by following the focus point while
dynamically changing the focus point during the image
taking, the image taking person has to possess a high
image-taking skill.
5 [0008] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances,
the present disclosure has been made and has an object
of preferably and easily adjusting a focus point and a
convergence distance.
10 Means for solving the Problem
[0009] In the present disclosure, a focus point is
adjusted by focusing optical systems including a pair
of right and left image pickup lenses disposed at a
predetermined inter axial distance.
15 Subsequently, a distance from the focus point in
optical axis directions of the image pickup lenses to a
convergence point to be set is set as an offset
distance.
Further, to a focus distance from the image pickup
20 lenses to the focus point, the offset distance is
added, thereby adjusting the convergence distance from
the convergence point at which the optical axes of the
pair of right and left image pickup lenses are
intersected to the convergence point mentioned above.
25 [0010] As a result, it is possible to adjust the
convergence distance on the basis of the offset
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distance and the focus distance.
Effect of the Invention
[0011] According to the present disclosure, after
5 the focus distance is adjusted, the offset distance is
added to the focus distance, thereby adjusting the
convergence distance. In this way, it is possible to
automatically adjust the convergence distance in
accordance with the focus distance, so a task of
10 manually and independently adjust the focus distance
and the convergence distance is unnecessary, and it is
possible to preferably and easily take a 3D image.
Brief Description of Drawings
15 [0012]
[Fig. 1] Explanatory diagrams for showing an example
of a focus distance, an offset distance, and a
convergence distance of a 3D image pickup apparatus
according to a first embodiment of the present
20 disclosure.
[Fig. 2] A front view showing the 3D image pickup
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[Fig. 3] A left side view showing the 3D image pickup
25 apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present disclosure.
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[Fig. 4] A perspective view of an adjustment ring
according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[Fig. 5] A side view showing the adjustment ring
5 according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[Fig. 6] A block diagram showing an example of the
structure of an adjustment circuit of a zoom, a focus,
and a convergence according to the first embodiment of
10 the present disclosure.
[Fig. 7] An explanatory diagram of a display example
of a setting menu for setting an offset distance
according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
15 [Fig. 8] An explanatory diagram of an operation
example at a time of a zoom adjustment according to the
first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 9] An explanatory diagram of an operation
example at a time of a focus adjustment according to
20 the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 10] An explanatory diagram of an operation
example at a time of a convergence adjustment according
to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 11] An explanatory diagram of a display example
25 of a setting menu for setting an offset distance that
performs automatic following according to a second
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embodiment of the present disclosure.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0013] Hereinafter, modes (hereinafter, referred to
5 as embodiments) for carrying out the present disclosure
will be described. It should be noted that the
description will be given in the following order.
1. First embodiment (example of automatically
adjusting convergence distance)
10 2. Second embodiment (example of causing
convergence distance to perform automatic following)
3. Modified example
[0014] <1. First embodiment>
(example of automatically adjusting convergence
15 distance)
[0015] Hereinafter, a first embodiment (hereinafter,
referred to as "this example") of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1
to 10.
20 [0016] In this embodiment, an example of applying
twin-lens 3D image pickup apparatus 100 capable of
taking an image of the same subject from a plurality of
points of view to generate a 3D image will be
described. The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 executes a
25 program, thereby achieving a convergence distance
adjustment method performed by internal blocks in
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cooperation with each other. First, the relationship
among a focus distance, an offset distance, and a
convergence distance will be described with reference
to Fig. 1.
5 [0017] (Description of focus distance, offset
distance, and convergence distance)
Figs. lA and IB are explanatory diagrams of the
focus distance, the offset distance, and the
convergence distance. Fig. lA shows an example in which
10 a focus point and a convergence point coincide with
each other at a position where a subject exists.
[0018] The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 is provided
with a left lens optical system 121L and a right lens
optical system 121R including a pair of right and left
15 image pickup lenses disposed at an inter axial distance
(IAD), which is equal to a width of right and left eyes
of a person. The left lens optical system 121L and the
right lens optical system 121R provided to the 3D image
pickup apparatus 100 are disposed in slanting
20 directions so that the optical axes of the lenses are
intersected toward the subject, and a convergence point
of the optical systems is moved forward or backward by
using a shift lens (not shown).
[0019] The left lens optical system 121L and the
25 right lens optical system 121R have a subordinatesuperior
relationship. An operation of a subordinate
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optical system is linked to an operation of a superior
optical system. In this example, the left lens optical
system 121L is superior, and the right lens optical
system 121R is subordinate. Further, the left lens
5 optical system 121L which is superior is directed to a
subject and focused thereon. It should be noted that
the right lens optical system 121R may be superior, and
the left lens optical system 121L may be subordinate.
[0020] The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 is disposed
10 in front of the subject, and the left lens optical
system 121L and the right lens optical system 121R are
focused on a head portion of the person as the subject.
In the following description, a distance from an image
pickup lens of the left lens optical system 121L to a
15 focus point Fl in the optical axis direction of the
left lens optical system 121L is referred to as a
"focus distance". In the same way, a distance from the
image pickup lens of the left lens optical system 121L
to a convergence point Al in the optical axis direction
20 of the left lens optical system 121L is referred to as
a "convergence distance",
[0021] The left lens optical system 121L and the
right lens optical system 121R are symmetrical with
respect to a perpendicular as an axis on a midpoint of
25 the inter axial distance, and the right lens optical
system 121R is operated in accordance with the
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operation of the left lens optical system 121L.
Therefore, the focus distance and the convergence
distance in the right lens optical system 121R are
equal to the distances in the left lens optical system
5 121L, respectively.
[0022] Fig. IB shows an example in which convergence
points Bl and B2 are set.
The optical systems set a focus point F2 on the
head portion of the person as the subject to
10 concentrate the focus thereon. Here, a distance to the
convergence point Bl or the convergence point B2 when
the focus point F2 is set as a reference is referred to
as an "offset distance". For example, in the case where
the focus point F2 is set to ±0 m as the reference of
15 the offset distance, the front side from the focus
point F2 when viewed from the image pickup lenses is
set to a negative offset distance, and the back side
from the focus point F2 when viewed from the image
pickup lens is set to a positive offset distance.
20 Therefore, when the offset distance is set to -1 m, the
convergence point B2 is set to 1 m ahead of the
subject. Then, the offset distance (-1 m) is added to
the focus distance, thereby obtaining the convergence
distance (-1 m) at the convergence point B2. At this
25 time, the relationship of the focus distance > the
convergence distance is satisfied.
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[0023] On the other hand, the offset distance is set
to +1 m, the convergence point Bl is set to 1 m behind
the subject. Then, the offset distance (+1 m) is added
to the focus distance, thereby obtaining the
5 convergence distance (+1 iti) at the convergence point
Bl. At this time, the relationship of the focus
distance < the convergence distance is satisfied.
[0024] It should be noted that in Fig. IB, the
distance of the left lens optical system 121L as the
10 superior on the optical axis is defined as the "offset
distance", but the distance may be defined again on the
center line (perpendicular in this example) of the
optical axes of the left lens optical system 121L and
the right lens optical system 121R. Further, in the
15 case where it is desired to emphasize that the subject
focused exists at the back of the screen, the
convergence point may be set to a distance shorter than
the focus distance. On the other hand, in the case
where it is desired to cause the subject focused to be
20 pop up from the screen, the convergence point may be
set to a distance longer than the focus distance.
[0025] (Structure of 3D image pickup apparatus)
Fig. 2 is a front view showing the 3D image pickup
apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the
25 present invention.
Fig. 3 is a left side view showing the 3D image
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pickup apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 includes a main
body unit 110 and a lens unit 120.
5 [0026] The twin-lens type 3D image pickup apparatus
100 converts right and left images of a subject
captured through the right and left lenses into
electrical signals by an image pickup element and
performs an A/D conversion. After that, by a
10 predetermined method such as an HDV (high-definition
video) method, compression coding is performed, thereby
recording them in right and left semiconductor
recording media. As the image pickup element, for
example, a CCD (charge coupled device) imager, a CMOS
15 (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor, or
the like is used.
[0027] On the side surface of the 3D image pickup
apparatus 100, an adjustment ring 200 is provided which
is constituted of three rings for making adjustments of
20 a zoom, a focus, and a convergence. The three rings are
combined so as to be coaxial and can be operated by
being rotated independently of each other. Further, to
make adjustments of the zoom, the focus, and the
convergence, a zoom ring 210, a focus ring 220, and a
25 convergence ring 230 are provided. To take a desired 3D
image by an image taking person, generally, the focus
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and the convergence are alternately adjusted repeatedly
in many cases. However, because the focus ring 220 for
the focus adjustment and the convergence ring 230 for
the convergence adjustment which are rotatable
5 coaxially with the adjustment ring 200 and
independently of each other are used, it is possible to
improve efficiency of the adjustment task.
[0028] The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 in this
example is provided with an instruction button 240
10 which is disposed on a center portion of the
convergence ring 230 and is protruded in the axis
direction of the focus ring 220 and the convergence
ring 230. When the instruction button 240 is pressed by
the image taking person, an instruction to start to
15 adjust the convergence distance is given to a control
circuit 312 (see. Fig. 6 to be described later), in
addition to the adjustment of the convergence distance
by the convergence ring 230. The instruction button 240
is used as an adjustment instruction unit that gives an
20 instruction to start to adjust the convergence distance
from the convergence point at which the optical axes of
the pair of right and left image pickup lenses are
intersected to the image pickup lenses.
[0029] In addition, to the main body unit 110,
25 various interface groups used for connection to an
external apparatus, various operation button groups, a
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handle 111, a display unit 113, a battery adapter (not
shown), a memory card slot (not shown), and the like
are provided. The interface group and the battery
adapter are mainly provided on a back portion of the
5 main body unit 110. Examples of the interface include
an input and output of digital video and audio, an
input and output of analog video and audio, an input
for control, a monitor output, a headphone output, or
the like. Further, to the battery adapter, a battery
10 (not shown) can be attached and detached.
[0030] An operation unit 115, the display unit 113,
and the memory card slot are mainly provided on a side
surface of the main body unit 110. To the operation
unit 115, for example, a power supply button, a record
15 button, a reproduction button, a fast-forward button, a
reverse button, a shutter button, and other buttons are
included. The display unit 113 is used to display an
image which is being taken, a recorded image, a
graphical user interface (GUI) or the like for
20 performing function selection or a setting operation or
used as a setting unit that sets the offset distance.
Further, the display unit 113 is provided ratably on
the side surface of the main body unit 110 around the
two axes. To and from the memory card slot, a memory
25 card as a semiconductor recording medium can be
attached and detached, and the memory card slot can
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record and read digital image data to and from the
memory card.
[0031] As the display unit 113, for example, a
liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the
5 like is used, and in order to check a 3D image while
taking an image of the subject by the image taking
person, the display unit can be used as a 3D monitor.
Further, on the display unit 113, displaying is
performed with settings of an autofocus and a manual
10 focus distinguished. It should be noted that the
display unit 113 displays only a left image taken by
the left lens optical system 121L which is operated as
the superior or displays a green left image in the case
where an anaglyph is used in which the left image is
15 displayed in green, and a right image is displayed in
red, for example. These images may be displayed by a
viewfinder (not shown).
[0032] A part of the operation button groups and the
handle 111 are mainly provided on an upper surface of
20 the main body unit 110. The handle 111 is used by the
image taking person in order to support the 3D image
pickup apparatus 100. On the front of the handle 111, a
microphone 119 is attached, and in the main body unit
110, a control circuit such as a CPU (central
25 processing unit), right and left image pickup elements,
a signal processing circuit, an encoder circuit, and
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the like are accommodated.
[0033] To the lens unit 120, the right lens optical
system 121R and the left lens optical system 121L are
provided in parallel in a right and left direction, and
5 in accordance with the convergence angle set, the
optical axes of the right lens optical system 121R and
the left lens optical system 121L are tilted. When the
left lens optical system 121L is operated, in
synchronization with the operation of the left lens
10 optical system 121L, the right lens optical system 121R
adjusts the zoom, the focus, and the convergence.
[0034] Further, on the end portion of the lens unit
120, a lens filter 123 that restricts a wavelength of
light that is incident on the right lens optical system
15 121R and the left lens optical system 121L is provided.
Furthermore, a lens hood 125 that protects the image
pickup lenses of the right lens optical system 121R and
the left lens optical system 121L for various purposes
is provided.
20 [0035] On the side surface of the lens unit 120, in
addition to the adjustment rings 200, a grip unit 127
held by a hand of the image taking person is provided,
and to the grip unit 127, a wide-angle/telescopic
switch 128 is provided. Further, on the side surface of
25 the lens unit 120, a dark filter button 129 is provided
which makes an adjustment to reduce a light quantity
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that enters the right lens optical system 121R and the
left lens optical system 121L. Furthermore, an iris
dial 130 which adjusts brightness of an image to be
taken by adjusting exposure and the like are also
5 provided.
[0036] (Structure of adjustment ring)
Next, the structure of the adjustment ring 200
will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the
10 adjustment ring 200.
Fig. 5 is a side view showing the adjustment ring
200.
[0037] The adjustment ring 200 is constituted of the
zoom ring 210 for adjusting the zoom, the focus ring
15 220 for adjusting the focus, and the convergence ring
230 for adjusting the convergence. The zoom ring 210,
the focus ring 220, and the convergence ring 230 are
combined in a nested structure and are freely rotatable
independently of each other and coaxially in forward
20 and backward directions.
[0038] The zoom ring 210 is a rotating unit which is
disposed on an outermost side in the adjustment ring
200.
The focus ring 220 is used as a focus adjustment
25 unit that adjusts a focus point by focusing the optical
systems by being rotated.
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The convergence ring 230 is coaxially combined
with the focus ring 220 having a different outer
diameter in the nested structure. The convergence ring
230 is rotated independently of the focus ring 220,
5 thereby adjusting the convergence point. Further, the
convergence ring 230 is freely rotated on the inner
side of the zoom ring 210 and freely rotated on the
inner side of the focus ring 220. Thus, the outer
diameters of the zoom ring 210, the focus ring 220, and
10 the convergence ring 230 are decreased in order of the
zoom ring 210, the focus ring 220, and the convergence
ring 230. Therefore, the image taking person can easily
recognize the positional relationship of the ring which
is being operated, with the result that improvement of
15 the operability is expected.
[0039] On an outer circumferential surface of the
zoom ring 210, anti-slip slits 211 are formed. Further,
the focus ring 220 has a protruded portion 221
protruded in the axis direction from the zoom ring 210.
20 On an outer circumferential surface of the protruded
portion 221, anti-slip slits 222 are formed. On the
other hand, an end position of the convergence ring 230
disposed freely rotatably on the inner side of the
focus ring 220 is set to be equal to or substantially
25 equal to the end portion of the focus ring 220. The end
portion of the convergence ring 230 is depressed in a
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mortar-like shape, and on the inner circumferential
surface (slope) of the depressed portion, anti-slip
slits 231 are formed.
[0040] As described above, the adjustment ring 200
5 has the structure in which the zoom ring 210 is
disposed on the outermost side of the adjustment ring
200. Further, the focus ring 220 is disposed inside the
zoom ring 210, and the convergence ring 230 is disposed
inside the zoom ring 210. Furthermore, the focus ring
10 220 is protruded from the zoom ring 210.
[0041] However, the structure is not limited to the
above structure, and the zoom ring 210 may be disposed
on an innermost side of the adjustment ring 200, and on
an outer circumference thereof, the focus ring 220 and
15 the convergence ring 230 may be disposed in this order.
Alternatively, the convergence ring 230 and the focus
ring 220 may be disposed in this order. Further, the
adjustment ring 220 may be provided in a place other
than the side surface of the main body unit 110 as long
20 as the image taking person performs an easy operation.
Furthermore, the convergence ring 230 may be protruded
from the focus ring 220, and anti-slip slits may be
formed on an outer circumferential surface of the
protruded portion of the convergence ring 230.
25 [0042] (Adjustment circuits for zoom, focus, and
convergence)
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Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the
structure of adjustment circuits for the zoom, the
focus, and the convergence.
[0043] The 3D image pickup apparatus 100 includes
5 the following circuits respectively corresponding to
the zoom ring 210, the focus ring 220, and the
convergence ring 230 of the adjustment ring 200. That
is, rotary encoders 301, 302, and 303, an optical
system control circuit 304, a zoom drive circuit 305, a
10 focus drive circuit 306, and a convergence drive
circuit 307 are provided. Further, a left optical
system zoom actuator 308L, a left optical system focus
actuator 309L, and a left optical system convergence
actuator 310L are provided. Similarly, a right optical
15 system zoom actuator 308R, a right optical system focus
actuator 309R, and a right optical system convergence
actuator 310R are provided. The focus ring 220 is used
as a focus adjustment unit that adjusts positions of
the focus points (focus distance) of the right lens
20 optical system 121R and the left lens optical system
121L.
[0044] Rotation information output by the zoom ring
210, the focus ring 220, and the convergence ring 230
which are subjected to an independent rotation
25 operation is detected by the rotary encoders 301, 302,
and 303 provided so as to be corresponded to the
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respective rings. Detection information obtained by the
rotary encoders 301, 302, and 303 is transmitted to the
optical system control circuit 304 such as a CPU. On
the basis of the detection information of the rotary
5 encoder 301 corresponding to the zoom adjustment, the
optical system control circuit 304 obtains a control
amount by performing predetermined operation processing
relating to the zoom adjustment and supplies control
information corresponding to the control amount to the
10 zoom drive circuit 305.
[0045] On the basis of the control information, the
zoom drive circuit 305 drives the left optical system
zoom actuator 308L and the right optical system zoom
actuator 308R. As a result, the zooms of the right lens
15 optical system 121R and the left lens optical system
121L are adjusted. Further, on the basis of the
detection information of the rotary encoder 302
corresponding to the focus adjustment, the optical
system control circuit 304 obtains a control amount by
20 performing predetermined operation processing relating
to the focus adjustment and supplies the control
information in accordance with the control amount to
the focus drive circuit 306.
[0046] On the basis of the control information, the
25 focus drive circuit 306 drives the left optical system
focus actuator 309L and the right optical system focus
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actuator 309R. As a result, the focus adjustment for
the right lens optical system 121R and the left lens
optical system 121L is made.
[0047] Further, the optical system control circuit
5 304 obtains a control amount by performing
predetermined operation processing relating to the
convergence adjustment on the basis of the detection
information of the rotary encoder corresponding to the
convergence adjustment. Then, control information
10 corresponding to the control amount is supplied to the
convergence drive circuit 307. On the basis of the
control information, the convergence drive circuit 307
drives the left optical system convergence actuator
310L and the right optical system convergence actuator
15 310R. As a result, the convergence adjustment for the
right lens optical system 121R and the left lens
optical system 121L is made.
[0048] In addition, the 3D image pickup apparatus
100 is provided with a focus position sensor 311
20 serving as a focus distance detection unit that detects
a focus distance from the image pickup lens to the
focus point on the basis of the inter axial distance
and the focus point from the information received from
the left lens optical system 121L. By applying
25 triangulation, the focus position sensor 311 can obtain
the focus distance from the inter axial distance and
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the focus point which are obtained in advance.
[0049] In addition, the 3D image pickup apparatus
100 is provided with the control circuit 312 that
obtains the convergence distance on the basis of the
5 focus distance. The control circuit 312 is used as a
control unit that adjusts the convergence distance from
the image pickup lenses to the convergence point, when
the instruction button 240 that gives an instruction to
start to adjust the convergence distance is pressed. At
10 this time, after the focus point is adjusted by the
focus ring 220, the control circuit 312 sets, as the
offset distance, a distance from the focus point of the
image pickup lenses in the optical axis direction to
the convergence point to be set. Then, the offset
15 distance is added to the focus distance from the image
pickup lenses to the focus point, thereby adjusting the
convergence distance from the image pickup lens to the
convergence point.
[0050] Here, as described above with reference to
20 Fig. IB, in the case where the adjustment is made so
that the convergence point is disposed behind the focus
point, the control circuit 312 adds a positive offset
distance to the focus distance. On the other hand, in
the case where the adjustment is made so that the
25 convergence point is disposed in front of the focus
point, the control circuit 312 adds a negative offset
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distance to the focus distance. As a result, it is
possible to automatically adjust the convergence
distance in accordance with the focus distance only by
pressing the instruction button 240 by the image taking
5 person.
[0051] As described above, the 3D image pickup
apparatus 100 presents the instruction button 240 for
performing the automatic adjustment of the convergence
distance and a menu for setting the positional
10 relationship between the convergence point and the
focus point. The menu may include a GUI displayed on
the display unit 113, but the function of the menu may
be implemented by the operation button or the like
attached to the main body unit 110. By using this menu,
15 it is possible for the image taking person to set a
desired positional relationship (distance) between the
convergence point and the focus point as the offset
distance in advance. Then, after the focusing is
performed at the time of image taking, only by a
20 pressing operation for the instruction button 240, the
3D image pickup apparatus 100 automatically adjusts the
convergence point position. Therefore, it is possible
to simplify the adjustment task for the convergence
point of the focus point which is manually performed by
25 the image taking person and easily obtain a desired 3D
image.
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[0052] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a display example
of a setting menu for setting the offset distance which
is displayed on the display unit 113.
When the input operation for the operation unit
5 115 is performed, the control circuit 312 displays a
menu screen used to set a value of the offset distance
by the image taking person on the display unit 113. By
the operation input for the operation unit 115, the
image taking person can set in advance the offset
10 distance used to calculate the convergence distance as
a "convergence offset distance". Therefore, when the
instruction button 240 is pressed at the time when a 3D
image is taken, the 3D image pickup apparatus 100 can
adjust the convergence distance in accordance with the
15 offset distance set.
[0053] (Example of selection operation)
Here, an example of a selection operation will be
described.
First, the image taking person selects a value of
20 the offset distance from the menu screen for setting
the offset distance which is displayed on the display
unit 113.
[0054] At the time of image taking, after the
focusing on a subject is performed, on the basis of the
25 offset distance selected, the control circuit 312
obtains a convergence angle on the basis of the focus
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distance obtained from the focus position sensor 311.
Then, the control circuit 312 changes the optical axes
of the image pickup lenses in the left lens optical
system 121L and the right lens optical system 121R with
5 respect to the convergence drive circuit 307, thereby
setting the convergence angle in accordance with the
convergence point.
[0055] For example, the convergence distance is
obtained as follows.
10 In the case where the offset distance set through
the operation unit 115 from the menu screen of the
display unit 113 is +1 m, and the focus distance is 3
m, the convergence distance o f 4 m = 3 m + l m i s set.
At this time, an intersecting point of arcs each having
15 a radius of 4 m is determined from the left lens
optical system 121L and the right lens optical system
121R. Then, the control circuit 312 determines an angle
(convergence angle 9) of the optical axes to the
intersecting point of the arcs from the left lens
20 optical system 121L and the right lens optical system
121R from a table (or calculation). In the table, a
relationship of the convergence angle to the focus
distance is stored in advance. Therefore, the control
circuit 312 gives an instruction to adjust the
25 convergence to the convergence drive circuit 307 so as
to cause the convergence point to move in accordance
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with the convergence angle. As a result, a part of the
lens group (for example, shift lens) is driven on an
orthogonal plane of the optical axes of the image
pickup lenses, a horizontal direction, or a right and
5 left direction, and the convergence angle is set to the
predetermined value 6.
[0056] After that, the image taking person checks an
effect of the 3D image taking while viewing an image
displayed on the display unit 113. Here, if the 3D
10 image taking intended is not implemented, the offset
distance is set again. For the display unit 113, the 3D
viewfinder or the 3D monitor is used, so the image
taking person can check the effect of the 3D image
taking in real time. However, the 3D image can be
15 checked on the basis of reproduced video data by
reading the image from an HDD (not shown) or the like.
[0057] Next, an operation example of the adjustment
ring 200 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to
10.
20 Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an operation example
at the time of the zoom adjustment.
The image taking person fits the fingers to the
outer circumferential surface of the zoom ring 210 at
the time of the zoom adjustment to rotate and operate
25 the zoom ring 210. By this operation, rotation
information is detected by the rotary encoder 301, with
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the result that the zoom adjustment can be made.
[0058] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an operation
example at the time of the focus adjustment.
The image taking person fits the fingers to the
5 outer circumferential surface of the protruded portion
221 of the focus ring 220 at the time of the focus
adjustment to rotate and operate the focus ring 220. By
this operation, rotation information is detected by the
rotary encoder 302, with the result that the focus
10 adjustment can be made.
[0059] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an operation
example at the time of the convergence adjustment.
The image taking person fits the fingers to the
inner circumferential surface of the mortar-like
15 depressed portion of the end portion of the convergence
ring 230 at the time of the convergence adjustment to
rotate and operate the convergence ring 230. By this
operation, rotation information is detected by the
rotary encoder 303, with the result that the
20 convergence adjustment can be made.
[0060] The zoom ring 210, the focus ring 220, and
the convergence ring 230 are coaxially combined and
integrated as the adjustment ring 200. Therefore, the
image taking person can smoothly change an adjustment
25 target among the zoom, the focus, and the convergence
only by slightly moving the image taking person's hand.
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Further, because the zoom ring 210, the focus ring 220,
and the convergence ring 230 are coaxially rotated, the
same operation feeling can be obtained. Thus,
immediately after an adjustment target is changed, it
5 is possible to start another adjustment. In particular,
in the adjustment tasks which are alternately and
repeatedly performed like the focus and convergence
adjustments, the improvement of efficiency can be
expected.
10 [0061] As described above, the zoom ring 210, the
focus ring 220, and the convergence ring 230 are
coaxially combined and integrated as the adjustment
ring 200. With this structure, it is possible to
smoothly change the adjustment target among the zoom,
15 the focus, and the convergence only by slightly moving
a hand of the image taking person. Further, the zoom
ring 210, the focus ring 220, and the convergence ring
230 are coaxially rotated, and setting values are not
changed when the rings are not touched. Therefore, in
20 the case where the image taking person moves the hand
off after the adjustment and makes the adjustment
again, it is possible to restart making the adjustment
from the value previously set. In particular, in the
adjustment tasks alternately and repeatedly performed
25 like the focus and the convergence, the improvement of
efficiency can be expected. Further, in the case where
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the focus adjustment becomes necessary by the zoom
adjustment, efficiency of the adjustment tasks
including the zoom adjustment can be increased.
[0062] By the 3D image pickup apparatus 100
5 according to this embodiment described above, it is
possible to easily set the convergence distance in
accordance with the offset distance only by pressing
the instruction button 240. Therefore, as compared to
the case where the focus distance and the convergence
10 distance are individually set by manual operations as
in related art, it is possible to significantly reduce
time until changing of the convergence distance is
completed. Further, because the offset distance set
once is not changed, it is possible to stably take the
15 3D image having a constant offset distance only by
pressing the instruction button 240, and a feeling of
strangeness in the 3D image due to the change of the
offset distance during the image taking is not
generated. Thus, it is possible to achieve the easy
20 operability of the 3D image pickup apparatus 100 in the
case where a high-quality 3D image is taken.
[0063] Further, the instruction button 240 is
disposed with the button protruded in the axis
direction on the center portion of the adjustment ring
25 200. Therefore, there is no possibility that the image
taking person mistakenly touches the instruction button
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240 in an ordinary operation, and a non-intended 3D
image is prevented from being taken.
[0064] In addition, it is possible to set the offset
distance to any value by a user. Therefore, the offset
5 distance is easily changed, and it is possible to
reduce time and effort of an operation when images of
the same subject having slightly different convergence
distances are taken.
[0065] <2. Second embodiment>
10 (Example of causing convergence distance to
perform automatic following)
Next, a second embodiment of the present
embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11.
In this embodiment, description will be given on an
15 example of application to the 3D image pickup apparatus
100 in which even in the case where a focus distance is
changed by an autofocus or the like when a 3D image is
being taken, the convergence distance is changed by
being caused to automatically follow a change of the
20 focus distance. In the following description, the parts
corresponding to those in Figs. 1 to 4 described in the
first embodiment are denoted by the same reference
symbols, and detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
25 [0066] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a display
example of a setting menu for setting an offset
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distance to be automatically followed.
The control circuit 312 displays, on the display
unit 113, a menu screen for selecting whether the
convergence point is caused to automatically follow a
5 focus point adjusted by the focus ring 220, and the
convergence distance is adjusted or not. When the image
taking person sets the automatic following to be on,
after the setting time point, even if the focus point
is dynamically changed, the focus position sensor 311
10 automatically obtains a focus distance. Then, the
control circuit 312 adjusts the convergence distance by
causing the convergence point to achieve the automatic
following on the basis of the focus distance so that
the offset distance set in advance is maintained.
15 [0067] By the 3D image pickup apparatus 100
according to the second embodiment described above, by
turning the automatic following by the convergence
point on, even if the image taking person uses the
autofocus or the like to dynamically change the focus
20 point, the convergence point is automatically changed,
with the result that the convergence distance is
adjusted. Thus, in the case where an image of a moving
subject, a subject that moves backwards, or the like is
taken, only by the focusing, a 3D image is easily taken
25 on the basis of the convergence distance intended. In
this way, a complicated operation for setting the
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convergence point is unnecessary for the image taking
person, and the image taking person can concentrate on
the image taking, so it is possible to increase the
quality of the 3D image taken.
5 [0068] <3. Modified example>
It should be noted that the automatic following
may initially set to be on without particularly
providing the menu screen for the automatic following
of the convergence point. As a result, even if the
10 image taking person moves the focus point manually or
by the autofocus, it is possible to take a preferable
3D image without considering the setting of the
convergence point.
[0069] In addition, in the first and second
15 embodiments, the focus ring 220 is used as the focus
adjustment unit, the convergence ring 230 is used as
the convergence adjustment unit, and the instruction
button 240 is used as the adjustment instruction unit.
However, the focus adjustment unit, the convergence
20 adjustment unit, and the adjustment instruction unit
may not be limited to the rings, and a slide switch or
various switch mechanisms may be used therefor.
Further, by a menu displayed in the GUI on the display
unit 113, various values may be adjusted.
25 [0070] In addition, in the first and second
embodiments, the example of the application to the
4l
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twin-lens 3D image pickup apparatus 100 is described,
but as in related art, application to an image pickup
system that generates a 3D image by using two cameras
is possible.
5 [0071] In addition, the series of processes in the
above embodiments can be executed by hardware but can
also be executed by software. In the case where the
series of processes are executed by software, the
software can be executed by a computer in which a
10 program that configures the software is incorporated in
dedicated hardware or a computer in which programs for
executing various functions are installed. For example,
a program that configures desired software may be
installed in a general-purpose personal computer or the
15 like and executed.
[0072] Further, a recording medium in which a
program code of software that implements the functions
of the above embodiments may be supplied to a system or
an apparatus. Furthermore, of course, the functions are
20 also implemented by reading and executing a program
code stored in a recording medium by a computer (or a
control apparatus such as a CPU) of the system or the
apparatus.
[0073] As the recording medium for supplying the
25 program code in this case, for example, a flexible
disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical
^
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disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile
memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0074] Further, by executing the program code read
by a computer, the functions of the above embodiments
5 are implemented. In addition, on the basis of an
instruction of the program code, an OS or the like that
operates on a computer partially or entirely performs
actual processing. The case where the functions of the
above embodiments are implemented through the
10 processing is also included.
[0075] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not
limited to the above embodiments, and can of course
have various other application examples and modified
examples without departing from the gist of the present
15 disclosure described in the scope of claims.
[0076] It should be noted that the present
disclosure can have the following configuration.
(1) A three-dimensional image pickup apparatus,
including:
20 optical systems including a pair of right and left
image pickup lenses disposed at a predetermined inter
axial distance;
a focus adjustment unit that adjusts a focus point
by focusing the optical systems; and
25 a control unit that adds an offset distance to a
focus distance from the image pickup lenses to the
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focus point after the focus point is adjusted by the
focus adjustment unit, and adjusts a convergence
distance from the image pickup lenses to a convergence
point to be set, the offset distance being a distance
5 from the focus point in optical axis directions of the
image pickup lenses to the convergence point.
(2) The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to Item (1), in which
the control unit adds a positive offset distance
10 to the focus distance when making an adjustment so that
the convergence point is located posterior to the focus
point, and adds a negative offset distance to the focus
distance when making an adjustment so that the
convergence point is located anterior to the focus
15 point.
(3) The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to Item (1) or (2), further including:
a setting unit that sets the offset distance;
an adjustment instruction unit that gives an
20 instruction to start to adjust the convergence
distance; and
a focus distance detection unit that detects a
focus distance from the image pickup lenses to the
focus point on the basis of the inter axial distance
25 and the focus point.
(4) The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
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according to any one of Items (1) to (3) , in which
the focus adjustment unit is a focus ring that
adjusts a focus of the optical system by being rotated,
the three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
5 further including a convergence ring that is coaxially
combined with the focus ring having a different outer
diameter in a nested structure and adjusts the
convergence distance by being rotated independently of
the focus ring, in which
10 the adjustment instruction unit is a button that
is protruded in an axis direction of the focus ring and
the convergence ring and gives an instruction to the
control unit to start an adjustment of the convergence
distance by being pressed, independently of the
15 adjustment of the convergence distance by the
convergence ring.
(5) The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to any one of Items (1) to (4), in which
the control unit displays a menu screen for
20 setting a value of the offset distance on a display
unit.
(6) The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to any one of Items (1) to (4), in which
the control unit displays, on the display unit,
25 the menu screen for causing whether or not the control
unit adjusts the convergence distance by following the
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focus adjusted by the focus adjustment unit to be
selected.
(7) A convergence distance adjustment method,
including:
5 focusing optical systems including a pair of right
and left image pickup lenses disposed at a
predetermined inter axial distance and adjusting a
focus point; and
adding an offset distance to a focus distance from
10 the image pickup lenses to the focus point and
adjusting a convergence distance from the image pickup
lenses to a convergence point to be set, the offset
distance being a distance from the focus point in
optical axis directions of the image pickup lenses to
15 the convergence point.
(8) A program causing a computer to execute the
steps of
focusing optical systems including a pair of right
and left image pickup lenses disposed at a
20 predetermined inter axial distance and adjusting a
focus point, and
adding an offset distance to a focus distance from
the image pickup lenses to the focus point and
adjusting a convergence distance from the image pickup
25 lenses to a convergence point to be set, the offset
distance being a distance from the focus point in
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optical axis directions of the image pickup lenses to
the convergence point.
Description of Symbols
[0077]
5 100 three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
110 main body unit
113 display unit
115 operation unit
120 lens unit
10 121L left lens optical system
121R right lens optical system
123 lens filter
125 lens hood
200 adjustment ring
15 210 zoom ring
220 focus ring
230 convergence ring
240 setting button
311 focus position sensor
20 312 control circuit

^1^
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Claims
[1] A three-dimensional image pickup apparatus,
comprising:
optical systems including a pair of right and left
5 image pickup lenses disposed at a predetermined inter
axial distance;
a focus adjustment unit that adjusts a focus point
by focusing the optical systems; and
a control unit that adds an offset distance to a
10 focus distance from the image pickup lenses to the
focus point after the focus point is adjusted by the
focus adjustment unit, and adjusts a convergence
distance from the image pickup lenses to a convergence
point to be set, the offset distance being a distance
15 from the focus point in optical axis directions of the
image pickup lenses to the convergence point.
[2] The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit adds a positive offset distance
20 to the focus distance when making an adjustment so that
the convergence point is located posterior to the focus
point, and adds a negative offset distance to the focus
distance when making an adjustment so that the
convergence point is located anterior to the focus
25 point.
[3] The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
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according to claim 2, further comprising:
a setting unit that sets the offset distance;
an adjustment instruction unit that gives an
instruction to start to adjust the convergence
5 distance; and
a focus distance detection unit that detects a
focus distance from the image pickup lenses to the
focus point on the basis of the inter axial distance
and the focus point.
10 [4] The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to claim 3, wherein
the focus adjustment unit is a focus ring that
adjusts a focus of the optical systems by being
rotated,
15 the three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
further comprising a convergence ring that is coaxially
combined with the focus ring having a different outer
diameter in a nested structure and adjusts the
convergence distance by being rotated independently of
20 the focus ring, wherein
the adjustment instruction unit is a button that
is protruded in an axis direction of the focus ring and
the convergence ring and gives an instruction to the
control unit to start an adjustment of the convergence
25 distance by being pressed, independently of the
adjustment of the convergence distance by the
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convergence ring.
[5] The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to claim 4, wherein
the control unit displays a menu screen for
5 setting a value of the offset distance on a display
unit.
[6] The three-dimensional image pickup apparatus
according to claim 5, wherein
the control unit displays, on the display unit,
10 the menu screen for causing whether or not the control
unit adjusts the convergence distance by following the
focus adjusted by the focus adjustment unit to be
selected.
[7] A convergence distance adjustment method,
15 comprising:
focusing optical systems including a pair of right
and left image pickup lenses disposed at a
predetermined inter axial distance and adjusting a
focus point; and
20 adding an offset distance to a focus distance from
the image pickup lenses to the focus point and
adjusting a convergence distance from the image pickup
lenses to a convergence point to be set, the offset
distance being a distance from the focus point in
25 optical axis directions of the image pickup lenses to
the convergence point.
iA
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[8] A program causing a computer to execute the steps
of
focusing optical systems including a pair of right
and left image pickup lenses disposed at a
5 predetermined inter axial distance and adjusting a
focus point, and
adding an offset distance to a focus distance from
the image pickup lenses to the focus point and
adjusting a convergence distance from the image pickup
10 lenses to a convergence point to be set, the offset
distance being a distance from the focus point in
optical axis directions of the image pickup lenses to
the convergence point.