Imaging system

Abstract

To provide an imaging system capable of taking images that are precisely aligned with the user's line of sight.SOLUTION: An imaging system 1 includes an imaging device 22 and an aperture 21 as a frame. The imaging device 22 captures an image in the normal viewing direction of a user. The aperture 21 has an opening 21a that transmits light, and is installed in a position in front of the normal viewing direction of the user and in front of the capturing direction of the imaging device 22 so as to limit the user's field of view and the capturing angle of view of the imaging device 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to imaging systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when learning a job that requires skilled techniques, such as welding, the steps of the job performed by a skilled worker are captured by an imaging device, and the captured image information is visually recognized by the learner. In this case, by capturing the image from the direction in which the worker is viewing, the learner can visually recognize the image information close to the worker's line of sight, which can improve the effectiveness of learning the skill (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-281520 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, in the technology of Patent Document 1 and the like mentioned above, although it is possible to obtain imaging information close to the worker's line of sight, no consideration is given to aligning the shooting direction with the worker's line of sight, and there is a problem in that it may not be possible to capture the worker's fine hand movements, etc. in line with the person's line of sight.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an imaging system capable of capturing an image that is accurately aligned with the user's line of sight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An imaging system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an imaging device that captures an image in the direction of a user's normal line of sight, and a frame having an opening that transmits light and is installed in a position in front of the user's normal line of sight and in front of the imaging direction of the imaging device so as to limit the user's field of view and the imaging angle of the imaging device.

[0007] In addition, an imaging system in another embodiment includes a frame body having an opening that transmits light and is installed in front of the user's normal viewing direction so as to limit the user's field of view, a first filter that is installed at an angle relative to the user's normal viewing direction and transmits a portion of the light incident from the opening of the frame body toward the user's eyes and reflects a portion of the light, and an imaging device that captures the light reflected by the first filter.

[0008] The first filter may transmit light having a wavelength in a predetermined range, which is a portion of the light incident through the opening of the frame, and may reflect light having a wavelength outside this range.

[0009] The first filter may be composed of a short-pass filter, a half mirror, a dichroic mirror, or a long-pass filter.

[0010] The optical fiber may further include a second filter between the first filter and the imaging device, the second filter transmitting only light having a wavelength within a predetermined range.

[0011] In addition, the imaging device may capture an image of the welding operation by the user, and the wavelength range of light transmitted by the second filter may be a wavelength range in which the light of a molten pool generated by the welding operation has a relatively higher brightness or intensity than the arc light.

[0012] The imaging device may be placed between the eyebrows of the user.

[0013] The imaging device may be composed of a group of a plurality of imaging devices.

[0014] The imaging system may also be configured with a welding mask, a protective mask, glasses, or goggles. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an imaging system capable of capturing an image of an object viewed by a user and a subject captured by an imaging device with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a side view of a welder wearing a welding mask equipped with the imaging system of the first embodiment on his face, and FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the same condition. [Diagram 2] 10(a) is a side view of a protective mask equipped with an imaging system according to the second embodiment, worn by a user on the face, and FIG. 10(b) is a front view of the same condition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Imaging system according to the first embodiment As a first embodiment of the imaging system, an imaging system that captures an image of a visual target area when an experienced welder X performs welding work will be described with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b).

[0018] Fig. 1(a) is a side view of a state in which a welder X wears a welding mask 10 equipped with an imaging system 1 according to the first embodiment on his face, and Fig. 1(b) is a front view of the same state. Xe in Fig. 1(a) and (b) represents the eyes of the welder X.

[0019] The welding mask 10 is a device worn by a welder X to protect the face from light, heat, dust, etc. generated during welding work. The main body of the welding mask 10 is made of a material that blocks light, and has a shape that allows it to cover the face of the welder X.

[0020] The imaging system 1 includes an aperture 11 disposed on a welding surface 10, a first filter 12, a light shielding plate 13, and an imaging device group .

[0021] The aperture 11 is a frame having an opening 11a that transmits light, and is installed on the welding mask 10 so that the line of sight of the welder X in normal vision passes near the center of the opening 11a when the welder X wears the welding mask 10 on his face and looks forward. "Normal vision" refers to the line of sight in a state in which parallel light rays entering the eye form an image on the retina when the eye is not accommodating at all, and is the forward direction of a person's face. The opening 11a is formed to a size corresponding to the field of view of the welder X when the welder X wears the welding mask 10 with the aperture 11 installed. The opening 11a may be formed to a size corresponding to the angle of view of the imaging device group 14. The aperture 11 may be made of a material that blocks light. The aperture 11 is installed in a position forward of the normal vision of the welder X and in front of the shooting direction of the imaging device group 14, and limits the viewing area of ​​the welder X and the imaging angle of the imaging device group 14.

[0022] The first filter 12 is, for example, a short-pass filter, and is installed in the normal line of sight of the welder X, closer to the welder X than the aperture 11. The first filter 12 is installed at a tilt with a predetermined angle, for example, 45 degrees, with respect to the normal line of sight of the welder X. The first filter 12 takes in light incident on the welding surface 10 from the opening 11a of the aperture 11, transmits a part of the light having a predetermined wavelength range toward the eye Xe of the welder X, and reflects light having wavelengths other than this range in an upward direction refracted by 90° with respect to the optical axis. This "upward direction refracted by 90° with respect to the optical axis" is the upward direction in the vertical direction of FIG. 1(a). The wavelength range of the light transmitted by the first filter 12 is the visible range.

[0023] The light shielding plate 13 is, for example, an automatic light shielding plate, and operates to reduce the amount of light that passes through when it detects light with a certain brightness or higher. In this embodiment, when it detects that an arc light has occurred during welding work, the light shielding plate 13 operates to reduce the amount of light that passes through so that the subject appears dark to the welder X. In FIG. 1(a), the light shielding plate 13 is shown installed between the first filter 12 and the face of the user, but the position is not limited to this. For example, the light shielding plate 13 may be installed at the opening 11a.

[0024] The imaging device group 14 is configured as a stereo camera using imaging devices 14a and 14b. In this embodiment, a case where the imaging device group 14 is configured by two imaging devices 14a and 14b will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured by three or more imaging devices.

[0025] The imaging device 14a has a lens unit 141a, and the imaging device 14b has a lens unit 141b. A second filter 15a is attached to the lens unit 141a of the imaging device 14a, and a second filter 15b is attached to the lens unit 141b of the imaging device 14b. The second filter 15a is connected to the imaging device 14a, and the second filter 15b is connected to the imaging device 14b.

[0026] The second filters 15a and 15b are interference filters that transmit light of a predetermined range of wavelengths. In this embodiment, the range of wavelengths transmitted by the second filters 15a and 15b is a wavelength range around 880 nm, for example, a wavelength range of 880 nm±100 nm.

[0027] This wavelength range near 880 nm is a wavelength range in which the light of the molten pool generated by welding has relatively higher brightness or intensity than the arc light, and is a band in which the plasma emission is particularly small.

[0028] The imaging devices 14a and 14b capture the light that is reflected by the first filter 12 and transmitted through the second filters 15a and 15b.

[0029] When a welder X wears a welding mask 10 equipped with such an imaging system 1 and the imaging devices 14a, 14b take images, the field of view of the welder X and the imaging angle of the imaging devices 14a, 14b are limited to the same area by the opening 11a of the aperture 11 installed on the welding mask 10. This allows the imaging devices 14a, 14b to capture the area that the welder X is visually identifying from the same direction as the welder X's normal viewing direction.

[0030] Furthermore, with this configuration, even if the posture of the welder X or the distance from the welding work site to the eyes Xe of the welder X changes, the imaging devices 14a and 14b can capture an image at an angle of view that matches the area to be visually recognized by the welder X. By visually recognizing the imaging information captured in this manner, a student of welding work can visually recognize the welding work site from the same eye level as the skilled welder X, and can efficiently learn welding work.

[0031] In addition, the imaging devices 14a and 14b function as stereo cameras, so that the welding work site, which is the subject, can be imaged three-dimensionally, including depth information, so that a person learning welding work can visually recognize the image information captured three-dimensionally with high accuracy, and can learn welding work efficiently.

[0032] Furthermore, the light that enters through the opening 11a of the welding surface 10 and passes through the second filters 15a and 15b is in a wavelength range in which the light of the molten pool generated by the welding work has a relatively high brightness or intensity compared to the arc light. Therefore, the imaging devices 14a and 14b can clearly capture the molten pool, which is necessary for checking the progress of the welding work.

[0033] Normally, the human eye adjusts to reduce the incidence of strong light by pupil movement, etc., so that when a welding work site is viewed, even if a high-luminance arc light and a low-luminance molten pool are simultaneously viewed, the human eye can distinguish between them to some extent. However, when a welding work site is photographed with a general imaging device, the same adjustment as the human eye does not occur automatically, and the high-luminance arc light causes halation and increases the contrast, resulting in an image in which the state of the molten pool cannot be recognized.

[0034] In contrast, the welding surface 10 of the first embodiment described above can capture clear images of the molten pool, and a person learning welding can visually recognize the image information of the welding work captured in this manner and efficiently learn the welding work.

[0035] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the case where the imaging subject of the imaging system is a welding work site has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, this imaging system can be applied to any field where there is a need to observe and capture the movements in a small area, such as the movements of a craftsman's hands at other processing work sites. For example, this imaging system can be applied to sealing work in the construction field, such as applying adhesives, or blasting work for painting.

[0036] Also, the setting of the light reflection area of ​​the first filter 12 may be changed depending on the application field of the imaging system. The first filter 12 is not limited to a short-pass filter, and may be configured with a dichroic mirror or a long-pass filter. Furthermore, if there is no need to limit the wavelength region of the light incident on the imaging device group 14, the first filter 12 may be configured with a filter other than a short-pass filter, for example, a half mirror. Moreover, the necessity of installing the light shielding plate 13 and the second filters 15a and 15b is optional.

[0037] Furthermore, the two imaging devices 14a and 14b installed as the imaging device group 14 may be configured to capture different subject parts. For example, the wavelength ranges transmitted by the second filters 15a and 15b attached to the imaging devices 14a and 14b may be adjusted separately, so that the imaging device 14a captures the arc light and the imaging device 14b captures the molten pool. With this configuration, desired multiple subjects can be captured as separate imaging information.

[0038] In this way, by changing the restriction on the wavelength of light incident on the group of imaging devices 14 or by changing whether or not there is a restriction, the imaging system 1 can capture images with a suitable configuration according to the subject.

[0039] In the above-described first embodiment, the first filter 12 is installed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the light incident from the opening 11a, but the present invention is not limited to this. The installation angle of the first filter 12 can be appropriately changed depending on the positions of the first filter 12 and the imaging devices 14a and 14b relative to the position of the eye Xe of the welder X so that the area to be visually recognized by the welder X matches the imaging angle of the imaging devices 14a and 14b.

[0040] By configuring the first filter 12 and the imaging devices 14a and 14b so that the distance therebetween is as short as possible, the welding surface 10 can be made compact.

[0041] In the above-described first embodiment, the first filter 12, the light shielding plate 13, the imaging devices 14a, 14b, and the second filters 15a, 15b are installed inside the welding surface 10, but this is not limiting. For example, at least one of the first filter 12, the light shielding plate 13, the imaging devices 14a, 14b, and the second filters 15a, 15b may be installed outside the welding surface 10.

[0042] Imaging system according to the second embodiment As a second embodiment of the imaging system, an imaging system that captures an area to be visually recognized by a user Y will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] Fig. 2(a) is a side view of a state in which a user Y wears a protective mask 20 equipped with an imaging system 2 according to the second embodiment on his / her face, and Fig. 2(b) is a front view of the same state. Ye in Figs. 2(a) and (b) represents the eyes of the user Y.

[0044] The protective mask 20 is a device worn by the user Y to protect the face from, for example, heat, dust, etc. The main body of the protective mask 20 is made of a material that blocks light, and has a shape that can cover the face of the user Y.

[0045] The imaging system 2 includes an aperture 21 installed on the protective mask 20 and an imaging device 22. The aperture 21 is a frame having an opening 21a that transmits light. The aperture 21 is installed in a position in front of the normal viewing direction of the user Y and in front of the shooting direction of the imaging device 22 so as to limit the field of view of the user Y and the shooting angle of the imaging device 22. Specifically, the aperture 21 is installed on the protective mask 20 so that when the user Y wears the protective mask 20 on his / her face and looks forward, the line of sight of the user Y in normal viewing passes near the center of the opening 21a. The aperture 21 may be made of a material that blocks light.

[0046] The imaging device 22 is placed, for example, between the eyebrows of the user Y, near the eyes Ye, and captures an image in the same direction as the line of sight of the user Y when looking straight ahead, that is, in the direction near the center of the opening 21a.

[0047] When the user Y wears the protective mask 20 equipped with the imaging system 2 described above and operates the imaging system 2, the imaging device 22 can capture an image of the same area as the area that the user Y is visually targeting, from the same direction as the line of sight of the user Y. By visually viewing the imaging information captured in this way, other users can view the visual target from the same line of sight as the user Y.

[0048] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the imaging system 1 is mounted on the welding surface 10, and the aperture 11, the first filter 12, the light shielding plate 13, the imaging devices 14a, 14b, and the second filters 15a, 15b are installed on the welding surface 10. In the second embodiment, the imaging system 2 is configured using the protective surface 20, and the aperture 21 is installed on the protective surface 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the imaging system may be configured using instruments such as glasses or goggles that are worn on a human face, and the aperture and the imaging device may be installed on these instruments. By configuring the imaging system using various instruments in this way, it is possible to take images according to the visual target of the user in a wide range of fields.

[0049] Although some embodiments have been described, the embodiments can be modified or modified based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 2 Imaging system 10 Welding Mask 11, 21 Aperture 11a, 21a opening 12 First Filter 13 Shading plate 14 Imaging devices 14a, 14b, 22 Imaging device 15a, 15b Second filter 20 Protective Face Mask

Claims

1. An imaging device that captures an image in the user's normal viewing direction; an imaging system comprising: a frame having an opening for transmitting light, the frame being installed at a position in front of the user's normal viewing direction and in front of the imaging direction of the imaging device so as to limit the user's field of view and the imaging angle of view of the imaging device.

2. A frame body having an opening for transmitting light and installed in front of a user in a normal viewing direction so as to limit the user's field of view; A first filter is installed at an angle relative to the normal viewing direction of the user, and transmits a portion of the light incident from the opening of the frame toward the user's eye and reflects a portion of the light; an imaging device that captures the light reflected by the first filter.

3. The imaging system according to claim 2 , wherein the first filter transmits light having a wavelength in a predetermined range that is a portion of the light incident through the opening of the frame, and reflects light having a wavelength outside this range.

4. The imaging system according to claim 2 , wherein the first filter is composed of a short-pass filter, a half mirror, a dichroic mirror, or a long-pass filter.

5. The imaging system according to claim 2 , further comprising a second filter between the first filter and the imaging device, the second filter transmitting only light having a wavelength in a predetermined range.

6. The imaging device captures an image of the welding work performed by the user, 6. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein the wavelength range of light transmitted by the second filter is a wavelength range in which light of a molten pool generated by a welding operation has a relatively high brightness or intensity compared to arc light.

7. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is placed between the eyebrows of the user.

8. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is composed of a group of a plurality of imaging devices.

9. The imaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging system is configured using a welding mask, a protective mask, glasses, or goggles.

Images