High-speed imaging device

Abstract

To prevent a small accessory such as a lens protection cover from being lost.SOLUTION: One aspect of the high-speed imaging device according to the present invention is a high-speed imaging device for capturing a moving image of a high-speed phenomenon that cannot be captured by the naked eye, the high-speed imaging device including an imaging unit that acquires an image of a subject to be imaged, and a housing 10 in which the imaging unit is housed, and having a tray-shaped article housing portion side 10b on an upper surface of the housing 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-speed photography apparatus for photographing high-speed phenomena. [Background technology]

[0002] Dedicated high-speed imaging devices are used to capture high-speed phenomena that are difficult to capture with ordinary imaging devices (video cameras), such as destruction, explosions, collisions, discharges, or the high-speed movement of objects. For example, the high-speed imaging device (high-speed video camera) described in Non-Patent Document 1 is capable of extremely high-speed imaging at a maximum of 10 million frames per second (10 Mfps), and is extremely effective for detailed observation of high-speed phenomena. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, such high-speed imaging devices are used for measuring and observing the strain and destruction of objects in tensile tests. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 065815 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "High-Speed ​​Video Camera Hyper Vision HPV-X2," Shimadzu Corporation, [Online], [Retrieved July 11, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.an.shimadzu.co.jp / sites / an.shimadzu.co.jp / files / pim / pim_document_file / an_jp / brochures / 20730 / c220-4594.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Unlike typical imaging devices that are primarily for personal use, the high-speed imaging devices described above are in most cases used by multiple people within a user company, university, testing and research institute, etc. Therefore, proper management is required to keep the device in good condition, and after use, the user usually stores the device in a designated case and returns it to a designated storage location.

[0006] However, at test and measurement sites where such equipment is used, there are many different types of testing machines, measuring instruments, workbenches, etc., and small accessories that come with high-speed imaging equipment are prone to being lost. In particular, accessories such as lens protective covers and connector protective covers are often removed by users and placed around the equipment when in use. However, these accessories are prone to getting lost because they get stuck under measuring equipment or fall into the gaps between multiple pieces of measuring equipment during imaging. For users, the loss of such accessories not only increases the direct cost of repurchasing the accessories, but also reduces work efficiency due to the time spent searching for lost items, resulting in indirect costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and its main object is to provide a high-speed photography device that can prevent small accessories from being lost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the high-speed photography apparatus according to the present invention is a high-speed photography apparatus for capturing moving images of high-speed phenomena that cannot be perceived by the naked eye, The camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject that is a photographing target, and a housing that houses the imaging unit therein, The housing has a tray-shaped article storage section on the top surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the high-speed photography device of the above aspect of the present invention, various small items that are attached to the device or used in combination with the device can be stored in the item storage section, and the device can be moved to an appropriate position in that state to take photographs. This makes it possible to prevent the loss of small but important accessories such as lens protective covers and connector protective covers, and avoid unnecessary increases in costs that would result from the loss of accessories. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a high-speed photography device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A is a schematic side view and FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of the high-speed photography device of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic block circuit diagram of the high-speed imaging device of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an imaging system including a high-speed imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a monitor device is attached to the high-speed photography device of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic front view showing a state in which a monitor device is attached to the high-speed photography device of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In this specification, "high-speed photography" refers to the shooting of moving images at a frame rate of approximately 100,000 frames per second or higher.

[0012] An embodiment of a high-speed photography device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the high-speed photography device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (A) and a schematic top view (B) of the high-speed photography device of this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a schematic block circuit diagram of the high-speed photography device of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a photography system including the high-speed photography device of this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 4, the photography system is used to take high-speed photographs of a subject 4, and includes a high-speed photography device 1, a personal computer (PC) 2, and a cable 3 connecting the two. PC 2 includes a PC main body with a built-in CPU and other components, as well as input units such as a keyboard and pointing device, and a display unit such as a display monitor.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the high-speed photography device 1 includes a box-shaped housing 10 that is approximately rectangular, an imaging optical system 12 at least a portion of which protrudes forward from the front of the housing 10, and a handle 11 for carrying the device 1.

[0015] 3, the high-speed photography device 1 includes, in addition to the imaging optical system 12, functional blocks such as a burst image sensor 101, an image processing unit 102, a transfer processing unit 103, and a control unit 104 inside a housing 10. The image processing unit 102 includes a signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), etc. The transfer processing unit 103 includes a buffer memory, etc.

[0016] The burst image sensor 101 is an image sensor with a special structure for high-speed photography, and incorporates a large number of photoelectric conversion units arranged two-dimensionally and a memory unit capable of storing N frames of image signals (N is an integer greater than 1, e.g., 100). In a typical image sensor, one frame of image signals obtained in the photoelectric conversion units must be sent to the outside of the sensor immediately after acquisition. In contrast, the burst image sensor 101 can transfer one frame of image signals obtained in the photoelectric conversion units to the internal memory unit via parallel signal lines in an extremely short time. Therefore, the burst image sensor 101 can perform continuous photography without reading out N frames of image signals from the sensor 101 to the outside.

[0017] A typical photographing operation in the above photographing system is as follows. Predetermined shooting conditions, such as the shooting mode (trigger condition), frame rate, and exposure time, are set in advance in PC 2 and sent to control unit 104. When a trigger to start shooting is given from outside, burst image sensor 101 performs high-speed continuous shooting under the control of control unit 104. When shooting starts, an optical image of subject 4 incident through imaging optical system 12 is projected onto the light-receiving surface of burst image sensor 101. Burst image sensor 101 accumulates image signals in its internal memory at the set frame rate. After shooting is completed, the image signals held in the internal memory of burst image sensor 101 are sequentially read out and input to image processing unit 102. Image processing unit 102 amplifies each input image signal and converts it into digital data. Transfer processing unit 103 transfers the image data to PC 2 via cable 3 at a predetermined timing.

[0018] This high-speed photography device 1 is provided with accessories such as a lens protection cover that protects the imaging lens included in the imaging optical system 12, a connector protection cover that protects the connector for connecting the cable 3 and the like that is provided on the back of the housing 10, a case and key for storing the device 1 when storing it, and various connecting cables including the cable 3. However, the term "accessories" here includes both items such as various protective covers that are provided as standard (i.e., at no additional cost) when purchasing the high-speed photography device 1, and optional items that the user can purchase by paying an additional cost.

[0019] For example, lens protective covers and connector protective covers are attached to the device 1 when the device 1 is stored, and the user removes these covers when the device 1 is used. Conventionally, users have had to temporarily store removed covers and other items in an appropriate location, but in practice, these items have often been lost by being placed on nearby measuring equipment or a workbench. In contrast, the high-speed photography device 1 of this embodiment has a tray-shaped item storage section 10b formed on the flat top surface 10a of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 1, this item storage section 10b can store items such as small accessories 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a lens protective cover, a case key, a USB memory stick, and the like are stored, but it goes without saying that any item can be stored.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2(B), the top view shape of the item storage section 10b is a generally rectangular shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to a center line C extending in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10, and the handle 11 is arranged on the center line C so as to span above the item storage section 10b.

[0021] In a photography system using this high-speed photography device 1, image data captured at high speed is stored in PC 2, and in principle, it is assumed that the images will be viewed on PC 2. However, when a user checks and adjusts the photography range (the field of view or angle of view of high-speed photography device 1) (changing the position or orientation of device 1), it is tedious and inefficient for the user to check the image on the monitor of PC 2 from a distance or to walk all the way to the location where the monitor of PC 2 is installed. Therefore, this high-speed photography device 1 has a real-time image signal output connector located on the back of the housing 10 so that images captured in real time, rather than by high-speed photography, can be viewed close to the device 1. By connecting a monitor cable to this connector, real-time images can be displayed on the monitor.

[0022] Although a general tablet PC or the like can be used as the monitor, when using a display monitor 20 provided as an option, it can be used in combination with this device 1 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an external perspective view showing the state in which the display monitor 20 is attached to the high-speed photography device 1 of this embodiment, and Figure 6 is a partial schematic front view showing the state in which the display monitor 20 is attached to the high-speed photography device of this embodiment.

[0023] The display monitor 20, which is substantially flat, has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and the length of its long side is shorter than the length of the item storage unit 10b in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the end of the long side of the display monitor 20 can be accommodated in the recess of the item storage unit 10b, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The lower end of the display monitor 20 is hooked onto the corner between the inner bottom of the item storage unit 10b and the inner wall rising from the inner bottom, and the rear side is supported by the handle 11. As a result, the display monitor 20 is held on the top surface of the housing 10 with its display surface 20a facing diagonally upward, and the user O can look into the display surface 20a to check real-time images captured by the high-speed photography device 1.

[0024] Furthermore, as described above, the shape of the item storage unit 10b in a top view and the handle 12 are substantially symmetrical with respect to the center line C, so the display monitor 20 can be mounted not only with the display surface 20a facing diagonally upward to the right as shown in Figs. 5 and 6(A), but also with the display surface 20a facing diagonally upward to the left as shown in Fig. 6(B). In other words, the placement of the display monitor 20 in the item storage unit 10b can be changed to make it easier for the user O to view, depending on the positional relationship between the user O and the device 1. This improves operability and workability, and provides the user with a comfortable working environment for high-speed photography.

[0025] It should be noted that the above embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that any modifications, changes, or additions made within the spirit of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

[0026] For example, in the above embodiment, handle 11 is a continuously extending member with both ends fixed to top surface 10a of housing 10 (the inner wall of item storage section 10b). However, it may be configured such that only one end is fixed to top surface 10a of housing 10, or such that a portion of the extending member is interrupted (i.e., not continuous). Furthermore, the shape and depth of item storage section 10b as viewed from above may be changed as appropriate. For example, a recess may be provided on the inner bottom of item storage section 10b that fits a case key or lens protection cover, preventing accessories from moving within item storage section 10b even if device 1 is tilted when moving it.

[0027] [Various aspects] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are examples of the following aspects.

[0028] (Item 1) One aspect of the high-speed photography device of the present invention is a high-speed photography device for capturing moving images of high-speed phenomena that cannot be seen with the naked eye, The camera comprises an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject to be photographed, and a housing in which the imaging unit is housed, and has a tray-shaped item storage section on the top surface of the housing.

[0029] In the high-speed photography device described in paragraph 1, various small items that are attached to the device or used in combination with the device can be stored in the item storage section, and the device can be moved to an appropriate position in that state to take photographs. This makes it possible to prevent the loss of small but important accessories such as lens protective covers and connector protective covers, and avoid unnecessary increases in costs due to lost accessories.

[0030] (Item 2) The high-speed photography device described in item 1 may further include a handle provided across the upper part of the article storage section.

[0031] (Item 3) In the high-speed photography device described in item 2, the handle and the item storage section can be configured so that the lower end of a flat monitor that is separate from the device is hooked at the corner between the inner bottom of the item storage section and the side wall section that rises from the inner bottom, and the back of the monitor is supported by the handle, so that the monitor can be held with its display surface facing diagonally upward.

[0032] The monitor in the high-speed photography device described in paragraph 3 can typically be used by a user to check real-time images captured by the device. According to the high-speed photography device described in paragraph 3, a monitor can be attached to the device so that the user can check images when adjusting the position or orientation of the device, for example, and the orientation and angle of the monitor can be determined so that the user can easily see the images.

[0033] (Item 4) In the high-speed photography device described in item 3, the housing has a long, narrow rectangular shape in top view, the item storage section has a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line of the long side of the rectangle in top view, the handle is located on the center line, and the display surface of the flat monitor can be selectively held in two directions that are approximately perpendicular to the center line. This improves the operability of adjusting the photography range in high-speed photography.

[0034] According to the high-speed photography device described in paragraph 4, the direction and angle of the monitor can be adjusted to make it easy for the user to see whether the user is positioned on the right or left side of the device, which further improves the ease of adjusting the shooting range during high-speed photography. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1...High-speed photography device 10...Housing 10a…Top surface 10b...Item storage section 11...Handle 12...Imaging optical system 101...Burst image sensor 102...Image processing unit 103...Transfer processing unit 104...Control unit 2...PC 3...Cable 4...Subject 20...Display monitor 20a…Display surface 30...Accessories

Claims

1. A high-speed photography device for capturing moving images of high-speed phenomena that cannot be seen with the naked eye, The camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject that is a photographing target, and a housing that houses the imaging unit therein, The high-speed photography device has a tray-shaped article storage section on the top surface of the housing.

2. The high-speed photography device according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle provided across the upper part of the article storage section.

3. 3. The high-speed photography device according to claim 2, wherein the handle and the item storage section are configured so that the lower end of a flat monitor that is separate from the device is hooked at a corner between an inner bottom of the item storage section and a side wall section that rises from the inner bottom, and the back of the monitor is supported by the handle, thereby enabling the monitor to be held with its display surface facing diagonally upward.

4. 4. The high-speed photography device according to claim 3, wherein the housing has an elongated rectangular shape in top view, the item storage section has a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line in the long side direction of the rectangle in top view, the handle is located on the center line, and the display surface of the flat monitor can be selectively held in two directions that are approximately perpendicular to the center line when viewed from the center line.

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