Optical devices

Abstract

To provide an optical device which can adjust the optical amount of each of optical systems with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: The optical device of the present invention includes: a plurality of optical systems each having a diaphragm; a storage unit for storing information about the relation between the target opening diameter and the target optical amount of the diaphragm of each optical system; and a control unit for adjusting the optical amount by changing the opening diameter of the diaphragm of each optical system on the basis of the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical device, and more particularly to a compound eye optical system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional imaging device that acquires multiple videos or images through a compound eye optical system consisting of multiple optical systems, if there are differences in brightness or other characteristics between the multiple videos or images, there is a risk of discomfort when viewing the multiple videos or images simultaneously. Patent Document 1 discloses a compound eye camera that adjusts the aperture diameter of the diaphragm based on control information received from an external control device so that the light amounts in each of a plurality of optical systems are the same. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-146425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the compound eye camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, whenever it is determined that the aperture diameter of each diaphragm needs to be adjusted during use, control information for that adjustment must be obtained from an external control device, which makes the process particularly cumbersome when capturing video. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical device that can adjust the amount of light in each of a plurality of optical systems with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The optical device according to the present invention includes a plurality of optical systems each having an aperture, a storage unit that stores information indicating the relationship between the target aperture diameter of the aperture in each of the plurality of optical systems and the target light amount, and a control unit that adjusts the light amount by changing the aperture diameter of the aperture in each of the plurality of optical systems based on the information. The information is information about a target aperture diameter corresponding to a target light amount, determined based on a relationship between a plurality of values ​​of the aperture diameter ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value in each of a plurality of optical systems and a measured value of the light amount corresponding to each of the plurality of values, and the plurality of values ​​includes a first value ranging from the minimum value to the maximum value, a second value ranging from the minimum value to the first value, and a third value ranging from the first value to the maximum value.It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical device that can adjust the amount of light in each of a plurality of optical systems with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an imaging device including a compound eye optical system unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the relationship between a control amount and brightness in the compound eye optical system unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the relationship between a control amount and brightness in the compound eye optical system unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the control amount and brightness in the compound eye optical system unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the control amount and brightness in the compound eye optical system unit according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The optical device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings may be drawn at a scale different from the actual scale in order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment.

[0009] [First embodiment] In a stereoscopic image capturing device or a virtual reality (VR) image capturing device, imaging is performed using a compound optical system (composite optical system) consisting of a plurality of optical systems. In a compound eye optical system, if there are manufacturing errors and control variations in the light intensity adjustment devices provided in each of the multiple optical systems, or variations in the transmittance of each optical system, differences in brightness will occur between the multiple images or videos acquired through each of the multiple optical systems.

[0010] With the above-mentioned photographing devices, multiple videos and images acquired through multiple optical systems are viewed simultaneously, so if there are differences between the multiple videos and images, it may feel strange. In particular, differences in brightness between multiple captured videos or images are easily noticeable, so if there are any differences in brightness, it is necessary to make adjustments to reduce them.

[0011] Conventionally, an image processing method is known in which such adjustment is performed by setting a cutout area at the position of a reference area in each of multiple images, and setting a detection area for adjusting the image obtained from the cutout area within the reference area of ​​one of the multiple images. However, such an image processing method requires an image processing device for processing the acquired image, and in addition, the processing becomes complicated when processing video.

[0012] Further, conventionally, there is known a compound eye camera system that performs control so that the control amounts of the corresponding control objects in the compound eye camera, that is, the control amounts of the respective optical systems, match each other based on control information received from an external control device. However, in such a compound eye camera system, each time it is determined that adjustment of each optical system is necessary, control information for that adjustment must be obtained from an external control device, which makes processing particularly cumbersome when capturing images.

[0013] Therefore, the purpose of this embodiment is to provide a compound eye optical system unit that can control the amount of light with high precision by reducing the difference in light amount between each optical system without performing signal processing, image processing, etc. during use.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an imaging device 10 equipped with a compound eye optical system unit 20 as an optical device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] The imaging device 10 includes a camera body 1 and a compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment. The compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment includes a first optical system 2 and a second optical system 3.

[0016] The compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment may be fixed to the camera body 1, or may be detachable from the camera body 1 like an interchangeable lens. Furthermore, although the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment is configured from two optical systems, it is not limited to this and may be configured from three or more optical systems.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 each include a first imaging optical system 201 and a second imaging optical system 301, each of which has the same lens configuration and a predetermined focal length. The first imaging optical system 201 and the second imaging optical system 301 are provided with a first light amount adjustment device 202 and a second light amount adjustment device 302, respectively.

[0018] Each of the first imaging optical system 201 and the second imaging optical system 301 may be configured with a plurality of lenses that move independently when adjusting the focal length or the focus position. Furthermore, each of the first imaging optical system 201 and the second imaging optical system 301 may be made up of a plurality of lens groups that move independently as a unit when adjusting the focal length or the focus position. Furthermore, the first imaging optical system 201 and the second imaging optical system 301 may each be configured by a combination of at least one lens and at least one lens group that move independently when adjusting the focal length or focus position.

[0019] Each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 is, for example, a diaphragm having a plurality of diaphragm blades (not shown) and an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes the plurality of diaphragm blades. Specifically, the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are each so-called iris diaphragms in which a portion of a plurality of diaphragm blades arranged around the optical axis OA overlap with each other to form an aperture opening on the optical axis OA.

[0020] The first optical system 2 also includes a first light amount adjustment device driving unit 203 as a driving means for driving an opening / closing mechanism provided in the first light amount adjustment device 202 . Similarly, the second optical system 3 includes a second light amount adjusting device driving section 303 as a driving means for driving an opening / closing mechanism provided in the second light amount adjusting device 302 .

[0021] Hereinafter, the first light amount adjustment device driving section 203 and the second light amount adjustment device driving section 303 will be simply referred to as the first driving section 203 (control section) and the second driving section 303 (control section), respectively. The aperture value (F value) set by each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 changes depending on the positions of the plurality of aperture blades.

[0022] In the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, the amount of overlap between the plurality of diaphragm blades changes depending on the position of each of the plurality of diaphragm blades. Therefore, the operating loads applied to the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303 also change depending on the positions of the plurality of diaphragm blades in the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, respectively. Generally, as the aperture value, i.e., the amount of overlap between the aperture blades, of each of the first light adjustment device 202 and the second light adjustment device 302 increases, the operating load applied to the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303 increases.

[0023] Specifically, the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 are configured by, for example, stepping motors. The first optical system 2 includes a first lens control unit 204 (control unit) that controls the driving by the first driving unit 203. The second optical system 3 also includes a second lens control unit 304 (control unit) that controls the driving by the second driving unit 303.

[0024] Specifically, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 control the driving directions of the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 by changing the polarity of the driving signals applied to the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303, respectively. In addition, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 control the drive positions of the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303 by changing the number of pulses of the drive signals applied to the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303, respectively. This makes it possible to change the amount of opening and closing operation (aperture amount, aperture diameter) of the plurality of diaphragm blades in each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302.

[0025] Each of the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 is provided with a diaphragm position detection unit (not shown) that detects the positions of a plurality of diaphragm blades corresponding to the open diaphragm position (open F value). In the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment, the aperture position detection means is provided in consideration of the possibility of receiving an impact, etc., but the aperture position detection means may be subjected to open control by counting pulses of a stepping motor.

[0026] The first optical system 2 also includes a first lens communication unit 205 that communicates with a first camera communication unit 105 provided in the camera body 1 . Similarly, the second optical system 3 includes a second lens communication unit 305 that communicates with the second camera communication unit 106 provided in the camera body 1 .

[0027] The first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 receive a signal (target aperture value signal) from the camera body 1 via the first lens communication unit 205 and the second lens communication unit 305, respectively. The first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 then control the aperture amounts (aperture diameters) of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, respectively, based on the received signals.

[0028] Specifically, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 each control the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303 based on a drive instruction control amount (hereinafter simply referred to as the control amount) corresponding to the brightness (aperture value). As a result, the opening diameters of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are changed.

[0029] The first optical system 2 includes a first storage unit 206 that stores a table (information) indicating the relationship between the target brightness in the first optical system 2 and the target control amount for the first light amount adjustment device 202. Similarly, the second optical system 3 includes a second storage unit 306 that stores a table (information) indicating the relationship between the target brightness in the second optical system 3 and the target control amount for the second light amount adjustment device 302.

[0030] When controlling the first driver 203 , the first lens controller 204 acquires the target control amount from the table stored in the first storage unit 206 . Furthermore, when controlling the second driver 303 , the second lens controller 304 acquires the target control amount from the table stored in the second storage unit 306 .

[0031] In the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment, the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 are provided with a first memory unit 206 and a second memory unit 306, respectively, for storing the above-mentioned tables, but this is not limited to this. That is, at least a part of the table may be stored in a device such as a cloud computing system that is separate from the first storage unit 206 and the second storage unit 306. At this time, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 each acquire the target control amount from a table stored in the separate device via wireless communication or the like. This makes it possible to control the opening amounts of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera body 1 includes a first imaging element 102, a second imaging element 103, a camera control unit 104, a first camera communication unit 105, and a second camera communication unit 106.

[0033] The first imaging element 102 and the second imaging element 103 are respectively a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor, and acquire image data by receiving an optical image (subject image) formed via the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 and performing photoelectric conversion. Then, the first imaging element 102 and the second imaging element 103 each output the acquired image data to the camera control unit 104.

[0034] In the camera body 1, the first imaging element 102 and the second imaging element 103 are provided to correspond to the first imaging optical system 201 and the second imaging optical system 301, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, a single imaging element may be provided within the camera body 1, and the single imaging element may receive multiple optical images from the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively, and perform photoelectric conversion to obtain multiple image data.

[0035] The camera control unit 104 controls the first image sensor 102 and the second image sensor 103, and also controls the first camera communication unit 105 and the second camera communication unit . Specifically, the camera control unit 104 transmits the target brightness to the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 via the first camera communication unit 105, the second camera communication unit 106, the first lens communication unit 205, and the second lens communication unit 305. That is, the first camera communication unit 105 and the second camera communication unit 106 transmit information about the target brightness in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively.

[0036] Next, the control of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 in the compound eye optical system unit 20 as the optical device according to this embodiment will be described.

[0037] FIG. 2(a) shows the relationship between the control amount for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position, as well as the relationship between the control amount for the second light amount adjustment device 302 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position. In FIG. 2(a), the change in brightness at the actual aperture position of the first light amount adjustment device 202 is shown by a solid line, and the change in brightness at the actual aperture position of the second light amount adjustment device 302 is shown by a dashed line.

[0038] In Figure 2(a), the horizontal axis corresponds to the control amount (aperture control amount, aperture diameter), and the smaller the control amount, the larger the aperture diameter of each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302. The vertical axis corresponds to brightness (aperture value, light amount), and the brightness at the actual aperture positions of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 becomes brighter as the value approaches AV0.

[0039] That is, by setting the control amount for each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 to 0, the brightness AV0 when the aperture is fully opened in each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 is set. In other words, brightness AV0 is the amount of light at the aperture diameter of each optical system, and may be determined by a predetermined fixed aperture in the optical system, or may be determined by a jig or the like that can set a predetermined brightness using an aperture diameter of a predetermined size.

[0040] It should be noted that AV0, AV1, AV2, etc. shown on the vertical axis of FIG. 2(a) do not represent actual AV values, but represent target brightnesses corresponding to target control amounts 0, 1, 2, etc. Specifically, AV1, AV2, AV3, AV4, and AV5 are set so as to be darker by a predetermined number of steps than the brightness AV0 when the aperture is fully open. Here, in the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment, the target control amounts 0 to 5 and target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 shown in FIG. 2(a) are examples, and the number of target control amounts and target brightnesses is not limited to these.

[0041] The first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 each have mechanical play such as play in the connection parts to the first drive unit 203 and the second drive unit 303, and play in the cam mechanism that opens and closes the multiple aperture blades. Furthermore, the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 each have manufacturing variations in their components.

[0042] Therefore, even if the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are controlled with the same control amount, the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are driven to positions with different opening diameters. In this way, individual differences occur in the positions where the aperture diameters are driven in the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, and therefore the brightness at the actual aperture positions differs from each other.

[0043] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2(a), even if control is performed with a target control amount 5 for each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture positions between the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 differs by A. Therefore, a difference in brightness occurs between the optical images formed by the first imaging element 102 and the second imaging element 103 via the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively, and therefore between the acquired image data.

[0044] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control amount for each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 is corrected so that the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture positions of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 is equal to each other for each control amount. Next, a specific correction method will be described in detail.

[0045] 2(b) and 2(c) show how the control amounts for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are corrected, respectively. The correction process described below may be performed by attaching the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment to an external device, or may be performed in the camera body 1 to which the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment is attached.

[0046] First, as shown in FIG. 2(b), target control amounts 0 to 5 (target aperture diameters) are set for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 so that target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 are set, respectively, via the first light intensity adjustment device 202 in the first optical system 2. At this time, since the first light amount adjustment device 202 has the above-mentioned play and manufacturing variations, when a predetermined target control amount is set, the brightness at the actual aperture position deviates from the corresponding target brightness, as shown by the black circle in Figure 2(b).

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, the target control amount corresponding to each of the target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 (target light intensity) is determined by assuming that the brightness changes linearly in accordance with the change in the control amount between adjacent target brightnesses among the target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 (target light intensity). In this way, corrected target control amounts (hereinafter referred to as "corrected target control amounts") 0, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0, AV1, AV2, AV3, AV4, and AV5, respectively, are determined, as shown by the white circles in Figure 2(b).

[0048] In addition, by performing the same correction process as above in the second optical system 3, corrected target control amounts 0, 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0, AV1, AV2, AV3, AV4, and AV5, respectively, are determined, as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0049] In other words, in the first optical system 2, the relationship between the control amount as the aperture diameter of the diaphragm which is the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the brightness as the amount of light is measured. Then, based on the measurement results, the target control amounts 0 to 5 as the target aperture diameters of the diaphragm corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 as the target light amounts are corrected to corrected target control amounts 0 to 5a.

[0050] Similarly, in the second optical system 3, the relationship between the control amount as the aperture diameter of the diaphragm which is the second light amount adjustment device 302 and the brightness as the amount of light is measured. Then, based on the measurement results, target control amounts 0 to 5 as the target aperture diameters of the diaphragm corresponding to target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 as the target light amounts are corrected to corrected target control amounts 0 to 5b. Note that the corrected target control amounts are not limited to these, and a correction value that is a difference from the target control amount may also be used.

[0051] Tables 1 and 2 are tables showing the target brightness, the corresponding target control amount, and the corresponding correction target control amount in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to this embodiment, respectively.

[0052] [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0053] In Tables 1 and 2, (1) and (2) are added to the target brightnesses AV0 to AV5 of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively, for ease of understanding.

[0054] In the above correction, the target control amounts 1 to 5 are corrected based on the target control amount 0 and the corresponding target brightness AV0, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, each target control amount may be corrected based on a predetermined target control amount other than the target control amount 0 and the corresponding target brightness as a reference. However, in order to make the brightness of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 match, the reference target control amount and the corresponding target brightness are required to be the same.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the correction control amount for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position, as well as the relationship between the correction control amount for the second light amount adjustment device 302 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position. It should be noted that, as indicated by the black arrows in Figures 2(b) and (c), the intervals between adjacent correction target control amounts among the correction target control amounts 0 to 5a are not equal, and the intervals between adjacent correction target control amounts among the correction target control amounts 0 to 5b are not equal.

[0056] Therefore, in FIG. 3, it should be noted that the corrected target control amounts 1a to 5a and the corrected target control amounts 1b to 5b do not actually coincide with one another. The vertical axis shows scales for the target brightnesses AV0(1) to AV5(1), but does not show scales for the target brightnesses AV0(2) to AV5(2).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, by correcting the control amount for each of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302, a predetermined brightness can be set at the corresponding actual aperture positions of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302. In other words, by changing the interval between the control amounts for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 according to the control amount, it is possible to set the target brightness in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3. In other words, by changing the driving amount of the aperture blades provided in each of the first light adjustment device 202 and the second light adjustment device 302 according to the position of the aperture blades, it is possible to set the target brightness in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0058] The correction table determined as shown in Table 1 is stored in the first storage unit 206 in the first optical system 2, and the correction table determined as shown in Table 2 is stored in the second storage unit 306 in the second optical system 3. When the imaging device 10 is used, the correction tables are read out from the first storage unit 206 and the second storage unit 306 by the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 .

[0059] Next, when setting the target brightness for each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 based on instructions from the camera control unit 104, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 determine the corresponding correction target control amount by referring to the correction table. Then, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 respectively control the driving of the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 based on the determined correction target control amount. This allows the aperture diameters of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 to be set with high precision.

[0060] As described above, in the compound eye optical system unit 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, corrected control amounts are set for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively. This allows a predetermined brightness to be set in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, thereby making it possible to align the changes in brightness between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0061] Therefore, the difference in brightness between the two images acquired through the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 can be reduced. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a compound eye optical system that can be controlled with high-precision light intensity accuracy, thereby reducing the difference in light intensity between each image acquired by instructing each optical system to have the same brightness.

[0062] [Second embodiment] 4(a) and (b) respectively show how the control amounts for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are corrected in the compound eye optical system unit according to the second embodiment. The compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the same members are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] In the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to the first embodiment, corrected control amounts are set for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3. This allows the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 to have the same change in brightness.

[0064] On the other hand, since the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 each use a reference target control amount and a corresponding target brightness, i.e., a target control amount 0 and a target brightness AV0, independently, a difference in brightness remains as shown by B in Figure 3. This difference is due to the existence of optical variations that affect brightness, such as mechanical play and manufacturing variations in the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302, as well as variations in fixation and transmittance in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0065] Here, when multiple image sensors corresponding to multiple optical systems are provided, as in the camera body 1, the amount of light in each captured image can be made to match each other by adjusting the sensitivity of each of the multiple image sensors. However, when the imaging area of ​​a single imaging element is divided into multiple areas and multiple images are acquired through multiple optical systems, it is difficult to adjust the sensitivity of each area according to the amount of light in each image.

[0066] Therefore, in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, the control amount is corrected in each optical system based on the target control amount that serves as a reference for a predetermined optical system among the plurality of optical systems and the corresponding target brightness.

[0067] Specifically, in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, it is assumed that the relationship between the control amount and brightness as shown in Figure 2(a) is obtained in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, as in the first embodiment. At this time, in the first optical system 2, the target control amount is corrected in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and corrected target control amounts 1a to 5a corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(1) to AV5(1), respectively, are determined, as shown by the white circles in FIG. 4(a).

[0068] Next, in the second optical system 3, target control amounts corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(1) to AV5(1) are determined based on the target control amount 0 in the first optical system 2 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(1). That is, as shown by the white circles in FIG. 4(b), corrected target control amounts 1c to 5c corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(1) to AV5(1), respectively, are determined.

[0069] In other words, for the second optical system 3, first, the difference is calculated between the target brightness AV0(2) (first light amount) at a target control amount of 0 (predetermined aperture diameter, open diameter) in the second optical system 3 and the target brightness AV0(1) at a target control amount of 0 in the first optical system 2. Next, the target brightness as the target light amount in the second optical system 3 is corrected from AV1(2) to AV5(2) to AV1(1) to AV5(1), respectively, based on the calculated difference. Then, corrected target control amounts 1c to 5c are determined as target aperture diameters of the diaphragm, which is the second light amount adjustment device 302, corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(1) to AV5(1) as the corrected target light amounts, respectively.

[0070] Tables 3 and 4 are tables showing the target brightness, the corresponding target control amount, and the corresponding correction target control amount in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, respectively.

[0071] [Table 3] [Table 4]

[0072] FIG. 4(c) shows the relationship between the correction control amount for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position, as well as the relationship between the correction control amount for the second light amount adjustment device 302 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position. As shown in Figure 4(c), in the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to set a predetermined brightness at the corresponding actual aperture positions of the first light adjustment device 202 and the second light adjustment device 302. In addition, it can be seen that in the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment, the difference in brightness that remained between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the compound eye optical system unit 20 of the first embodiment has also been reduced.

[0073] The correction table determined as shown in Table 3 is stored in the first storage unit 206 in the first optical system 2, and the correction table determined as shown in Table 4 is stored in the second storage unit 306 in the second optical system 3. When the imaging device 10 is used, the correction tables are read out from the first storage unit 206 and the second storage unit 306 by the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 .

[0074] Next, when setting the target brightness for each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 based on instructions from the camera control unit 104, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 determine the corresponding correction target control amount by referring to the correction table. Then, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 respectively control the driving of the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 based on the determined correction target control amount. This allows the aperture diameters of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 to be set with high precision.

[0075] As described above, in the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment, corrected target control amounts are set for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively, as shown in Figure 4(c). This allows a predetermined brightness to be set in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, thereby making it possible to align the changes in brightness between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0076] Therefore, the difference in brightness between the two images acquired through the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 can be reduced. In other words, according to this embodiment, by taking into account the optical variations in each optical system, it is possible to provide a compound eye optical system that can be controlled with high-precision light intensity accuracy, which can further reduce the difference in light intensity between each image acquired by specifying the same brightness for each.

[0077] In the above correction in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, the target control amount in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 is corrected based on the target control amount 0 in the first optical system 2 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(1), but this is not limited to this. That is, the target control amounts for the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 may be corrected based on a predetermined target control amount other than the target control amount 0 for the first optical system 2 and the corresponding target brightness as a reference. Furthermore, the target control amounts for the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 may be corrected based on a predetermined target control amount for the second optical system 3 and the corresponding target brightness.

[0078] [Third embodiment] 5(a) and 5(b) respectively show how the control amounts for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 are corrected in the compound eye optical system unit according to the third embodiment. The compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the compound eye optical system unit 20 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the same members are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0079] In the compound eye optical system unit of the second embodiment, corrected target control amounts for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 are set based on the target control amount 0 in the first optical system 2 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(1). This allows the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 to have the same change in brightness.

[0080] On the other hand, in the second optical system 3, the value of brightness AV0(2) when the aperture is fully open in the second light intensity adjustment device 302 is greater than the value of brightness AV0(1) when the aperture is fully open in the first light intensity adjustment device 202 in the first optical system 2. That is, the brightness when the second light amount adjustment device 302 is fully open is darker than the brightness when the first light amount adjustment device 202 is fully open.

[0081] Therefore, even if an attempt is made to determine a target control amount in the second optical system 3 that corresponds to the target brightness AV0(1) based on the target control amount 0 in the first optical system 2 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(1), such a control amount does not exist. In other words, in the second optical system 3, it is not possible to open the aperture further so that the brightness becomes brighter than the brightness AV0(2) at the maximum aperture. Therefore, a difference in brightness remains between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the vicinity of the control amount 0, as shown by C in FIG. 4(c).

[0082] Therefore, in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, the target control amount for each optical system is determined based on the reference target control amount and the corresponding target brightness for a specific optical system among the multiple optical systems that has the darkest brightness at a control amount of 0.

[0083] Specifically, in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, it is assumed that the relationship between the control amount and brightness as shown in Figure 2(a) is obtained in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, as in the first embodiment. Here, of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, the optical system with the darkest brightness at a target control amount of 0, in other words, the optical system with the largest value of target brightness AV0 at a target control amount of 0, is the second optical system 3.

[0084] Therefore, in the first optical system 2, target control amounts corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0(2) to AV5(2) are determined based on the target control amount 0 in the second optical system 3 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(2). That is, as shown by the white circles in FIG. 5(a), corrected target control amounts 0d to 5d corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0(2) to AV5(2), respectively, are determined.

[0085] In other words, for the first optical system 2, the difference between the target brightness AV0(1) at a target control amount of 0 in the first optical system 2 and the target brightness AV0(2) at a target control amount of 0 in the second optical system 3 is first calculated. Here, the second optical system 3 is the optical system that has the largest brightness AV0 at the maximum aperture, that is, the darkest brightness, in other words, the smallest amount of light, of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0086] Next, the target brightness as the target light amount in the first optical system 2 is corrected from AV0(1) to AV5(1) to AV0(2) to AV5(2), respectively, based on the calculated difference. Then, corrected target control amounts 0d to 5d are determined as target aperture diameters of the diaphragm, which is the first light amount adjustment device 202, corresponding to the target brightnesses AV0(2) to AV5(2) as the corrected target light amounts, respectively.

[0087] Next, in the second optical system 3, the target control amounts 1 to 5 corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(2) to AV5(2) are corrected based on the target control amount 0 in the second optical system 3 and the corresponding target brightness AV0(2). That is, as shown by the white circles in FIG. 5(b), corrected target control amounts 1b to 5b corresponding to the target brightnesses AV1(2) to AV5(2), respectively, are determined.

[0088] Tables 5 and 6 are tables showing the target brightness, the corresponding target control amount, and the corresponding correction target control amount in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the compound eye optical system unit according to this embodiment, respectively.

[0089] [Table 5] [Table 6]

[0090] FIG. 5(c) shows the relationship between the correction control amount for the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position, as well as the relationship between the correction control amount for the second light amount adjustment device 302 and the brightness at the corresponding actual aperture position. As shown in Figure 5(c), in the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to set a predetermined brightness at the corresponding actual aperture positions of the first light adjustment device 202 and the second light adjustment device 302. In addition, it can be seen that the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment also reduces the difference in brightness that remained between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 in the compound eye optical system units of the first and second embodiments.

[0091] The correction table determined as shown in Table 5 is stored in the first storage unit 206 in the first optical system 2, and the correction table determined as shown in Table 6 is stored in the second storage unit 306 in the second optical system 3. When the imaging device 10 is used, the correction tables are read out from the first storage unit 206 and the second storage unit 306 by the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 .

[0092] Next, when setting the target brightness for each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 based on instructions from the camera control unit 104, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 determine the corresponding correction target control amount by referring to the correction table. Then, the first lens control unit 204 and the second lens control unit 304 respectively control the driving of the first driving unit 203 and the second driving unit 303 based on the determined correction target control amount. This allows the aperture diameters of the first light amount adjustment device 202 and the second light amount adjustment device 302 to be set with high precision.

[0093] As described above, in the compound eye optical system unit of this embodiment, corrected target control amounts are set for the first light intensity adjustment device 202 and the second light intensity adjustment device 302 in the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, respectively, as shown in Figure 5(c). This allows a predetermined brightness to be set in each of the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3, thereby making it possible to align the changes in brightness between the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3.

[0094] Therefore, the difference in brightness between the two images acquired through the first optical system 2 and the second optical system 3 can be reduced. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a compound eye optical system that can be controlled with high-precision light intensity accuracy, which can reduce the difference in light intensity between each image acquired by specifying the same brightness across the entire driving range of the light intensity adjustment device in each optical system.

[0095] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. The present embodiment also includes a method having various steps for creating the tables shown above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 2. First optical system 3 Second optical system 20 Compound eye optical system unit (optical device) 202 First light quantity adjustment device (aperture) 203 First light amount adjusting device driving unit (control unit) 204 First lens control unit (control unit) 206 First memory unit 302 Second light quantity adjustment device (aperture) 303 Second light amount adjusting device driving unit (control unit) 304 Second lens control unit (control unit) 306 Second Memory Unit

Claims

1. a plurality of optical systems each having an aperture; a storage unit that stores information indicating a relationship between a target aperture diameter of the diaphragm and a target light amount in each of the plurality of optical systems; a control unit that adjusts the amount of light by changing the aperture diameter of the diaphragm in each of the plurality of optical systems based on the information, the information is information about the target aperture diameter corresponding to the target light amount, which is determined based on a relationship between a plurality of values ​​of the aperture diameter ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value in each of the plurality of optical systems and the measurement values ​​of the light amounts corresponding to the plurality of values, The optical device, wherein the plurality of values ​​includes a first value between the minimum value and the maximum value, a second value between the minimum value and the first value, and a third value between the first value and the maximum value.

2. The optical device described in claim 1, characterized in that when determining the target aperture diameter corresponding to the target light amount for each of the plurality of optical systems, the target light amount is corrected based on the difference between a first light amount when the aperture in a first optical system among the plurality of optical systems has a predetermined aperture diameter and a second light amount when the aperture in a second optical system among the plurality of optical systems, which is different from the first optical system, has the predetermined aperture diameter.

3. 3. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the first light amount is the light amount when the aperture diameter is at the maximum value.

4. 4. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the second optical system is an optical system that has the smallest amount of light when the aperture diameter is at the maximum value among the plurality of optical systems.

5. An optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; an imaging element that receives an image formed by the optical device; An imaging device comprising:

6. A method for generating information indicating a relationship between a target aperture diameter of a diaphragm and a target light amount in each of a plurality of optical systems each having a diaphragm, the method comprising: measuring, in each of the plurality of optical systems, the amount of light corresponding to each of a plurality of values ​​between the minimum and maximum values ​​of the aperture diameter of the diaphragm; determining the target aperture diameter of the diaphragm corresponding to the target light amount for each of the plurality of optical systems based on the measurement result obtained by the measuring step; the plurality of values ​​includes a first value between the minimum value and the maximum value, a second value between the minimum value and the first value, and a third value between the first value and the maximum value.

7. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step includes a step of correcting the target light amount based on a difference between a first light amount when the diaphragm in a first optical system among the plurality of optical systems has a predetermined aperture diameter and a second light amount when the diaphragm in a second optical system among the plurality of optical systems, the second optical system being different from the first optical system, has the predetermined aperture diameter.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first amount of light is the amount of light when the aperture diameter is at the maximum value.

9. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second optical system is an optical system that has the smallest amount of light when the aperture diameter is at the maximum value among the plurality of optical systems.

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