Stereoscopic camera apparatus which incorporates cameras and can commonly adjust directions of the cameras

• US 4,879,596 A
• Filed: 01/05/1989
• Issued: 11/07/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Miura, Kenichi, Kobayashi, Hiromichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/293,672
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 358/88, 358/3, 358/209, 358/229, 352/57
• US Class Current: 348/47
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/08 by simultaneous recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

In a sterescopic camera supporting apparatus of this invention, first and second image pickup elements incorporated in first and second cameras which are independent of each other so as to obtain a stereoscopic image are attached to corresponding holders by elongated apertures formed in mounting portions of the first and second cameras and screws loosely fitted in the elongated apertures, so as to be pivotally adjusted in plane directions perpendicular to optical axes of the first and second cameras. The first camera is attached to a first sub frame by elongated apertures formed in the mounting portion of the first camera and screws loosely fitted in the elongated apertures to be vertically pivoted about the optical axis for adjustment. The second camera is attached to a second sub frame by elongated apertures formed in the mounting portion of the second camera and screws loosely fitted in the elongated apertures to be pivotally adjusted in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical pivot direction of the first camera. The first and second sub frames are attached to one and the other end portions of a main frame, so that the first and second cameras are integrated.

Claims

1. An electronic image pickup device comprising:

first and second image pickup means which are independent of each other so as to obtain a stereoscopic image;

a supporting member which can support said first and second image pickup means so that optical axes of said first and second image pickup means are directed in the same direction;

first and second supporting means for supporting said first and second image pickup means on said supporting member to be pivotal in a first plane direction so as to perform adjustment in the first plane direction perpendicular to the optical axes of said first and second image pickup means;

third supporting means for supporting said first or second image pickup means on said supporting member to be pivotal in a second plane direction so as to perform adjustment in the second plane direction perpendicular to the first plane direction; and

fourth supporting means for supporting said second or first image pickup means on said supporting member to be pivotal in a third plane direction so as to perform adjustment in the third plane direction perpendicular to the first and second plane directions.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second image pickup means comprise first and second cameras incorporating first and second image pickup elements, respectively.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member supports said first image pickup means on one end portion thereof and said second image pickup means on the other end portion thereof, so that first and second image pickup means are integrally attached to said supporting member.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second supporting means comprises at least two screw means, and aperture means through which said at least two screw means are loosely fitted, and which are formed in a corresponding one of said first and second image pickup means.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said third supporting means comprises at least two screw means, and aperture means through which said at least two screw means are loosely fitted and which are formed in said first or second image pickup means.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fourth supporting means comprises at least two screw means, and aperture means through which said at least two screw means are loosely fitted and which are formed an said second or first image pickup means.