IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PRESENTATION SYSTEM

• US 20130286255A1
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Future University Hakodate
• Original Assignee: Future University Hakodate
• Inventors: SUZUKI, Sho'ji, KANENO, Ryoichi
• Granted Patent: US 9,143,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/17 with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/023 Multi-image cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/06 involving anamorphosis G03B37/02, G03B37/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2621 Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability

Abstract

A first imaging unit is configured to capture an image showing a subject in front. A convex reflector is located behind an imaging plane of an optical system formed by the first imaging unit and is configured to share an optical axis with the first imaging unit and mirror a subject beside the convex reflector, a convex portion of the convex reflector being oriented forward. A second imaging unit is configured to share the optical axis with the first imaging unit and capture an image mirrored by the convex reflector. An image processing unit is configured to adjust a resolution of images captured by the first and the second imaging units, obtain a mirror-reversed image from the image captured by the first imaging unit or the image captured by the second imaging unit, and blend the mirror-reversed image with the other image.

Claims

1. An image capturing device comprising:

a first imaging unit configured to capture an image showing a subject in front;

a convex reflector located behind an imaging plane of an optical system formed by the first imaging unit and configured to share an optical axis with the first imaging unit and mirror at least a subject beside the convex reflector, a convex portion of the convex reflector being oriented forward;

a second imaging unit configured to share the optical axis with the first imaging unit and capture an image mirrored by the convex reflector; and

an image processing unit configured to adjust a resolution of an image captured by the first imaging unit and an image captured by the second imaging unit, obtain a mirror-reversed image from the image captured by the first imaging unit or the image captured by the second imaging unit, and blends the mirror-reversed image with the other image.

2. The image capturing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a magnification or reduction factor acquisition unit configured to acquire a magnification or reduction factor of an image output from the image processing unit, wherein

the image processing unit re-adjusts, when the magnification or reduction factor acquisition unit acquires a magnification or reduction factor, the resolution of the image from the first imaging unit and the image from the second imaging unit before generating a blended image.

3. An image presentation system comprising:

the image capturing device according to claim 1;

a projection unit configured to project an image generated by the image capturing device; and

a curved screen configured to reflect the image from the projection unit.

4. An image capturing device comprising:

a first imaging unit configured to capture an image showing a subject in front;

a convex reflector located behind an imaging plane of an optical system formed by the first imaging unit and configured to share an optical axis with the first imaging unit and mirror at least a subject beside the convex reflector, an opening being formed at a center of the convex reflector and a convex portion of the convex reflector being oriented forward;

a planar reflector located between the first imaging unit and the convex reflector and configured to mirror an image mirrored by the convex reflector;

a second imaging unit configured to share the optical axis with the first imaging unit and capture an image mirrored by the convex reflector via the opening of the convex reflector; and

an image processing unit configured to adjust a resolution of an image from the first imaging unit and an image from the second imaging unit, and generate a single blended image by overwriting a center of the image from the second imaging unit by the image from the first imaging unit.

5. The image capturing device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a magnification or reduction factor acquisition unit configured to acquire a magnification or reduction factor of an image output from the image processing unit, wherein the image processing unit re-adjusts, when the magnification or reduction factor acquisition unit acquires a magnification or reduction factor, the resolution of the image from the first imaging unit and the image from the second imaging unit before generating a blended image.

6. An image presentation system comprising:

the image capturing device according to claim 4;

a projection unit configured to project an image generated by the image capturing device; and

a curved screen configured to reflect the image from the projection unit.