Three-dimensional imaging device and method, as well as program

Abstract

Two or more images having a parallax therebetween are obtained by imaging a subject from different positions using imaging units. Three-dimensional processing for three-dimensional display is applied to the two or more images, and the two or more images are displayed on a display unit. While the imaging units carry out a zoom operation, three-dimensional display with a reduced parallax between the two or more images or two-dimensional display is performed.

1 . A three-dimensional imaging device comprising:
 two or more imaging units for obtaining two or more images having a parallax therebetween by imaging a subject from different positions, the two or more imaging units having an optical zoom function;   a three-dimensional processing unit for applying three-dimensional processing for three-dimensional display to the two or more images;   a display unit for carrying out various types of display including three-dimensional display of the two or more images; and   a display control unit for carrying out three-dimensional display by reducing the parallax between the two or more images or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display while the imaging units carry out a zoom operation,   wherein in a case where an object, which is displayed on the display unit other than the images obtained through imaging of the subject, is three-dimensionally displayed with being superposed on the three-dimensionally displayed image, the display control unit carries out three-dimensional display by reducing the parallax or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display of the object while the imaging units carry out the zoom operations.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional imaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional processing unit carries out the three-dimensional processing with a reduced parallax while the imaging units carry out the zoom operation. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional imaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit for notifying that the three-dimensional display with a reduced parallax or thea two-dimensional display is being carried out. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional imaging device as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the display control unit gradually reduces the parallax after the zoom operation is started until the parallax becomes 0 to finally carry out the a two-dimensional display. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional imaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display control unit gradually reduces the parallax after the zoom operation is started until the parallax becomes a predetermined parallax to finally carry out the three-dimensional display with a reduced parallax. 
     
     
         6 . A three-dimensional imaging method for use with a three-dimensional imaging device including two or more imaging units for obtaining two or more images having a parallax therebetween by imaging a subject from different positions, the two or more imaging units having an optical zoom function, a three-dimensional processing unit for applying three-dimensional processing for three-dimensional display to the two or more images, and a display unit for carrying out various types of display including three-dimensional display of the two or more images, the method comprising:
 carrying out three-dimensional display by reducing parallax between the two or more images or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display while the imaging units carry out a zoom operation; and   in a case where an object, which is displayed on the display unit other than the images obtained through imaging of the subject, is three-dimensionally displayed with being superposed on the three-dimensionally displayed image, carrying out three-dimensional display by reducing parallax or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display of the object while the imaging units carry out the zoom operation.   
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program for causing a computer to carry out a three-dimensional imaging method for use with a three-dimensional imaging device including two or more imaging units for obtaining two or more images having a parallax therebetween by imaging a subject from different positions, the two or more imaging units having an optical zoom function, a three-dimensional processing unit for applying three-dimensional processing for three-dimensional display to the two or more images, and a display unit for carrying out various types of display including three-dimensional display of the two or more images, the program causing the computer to carry out the procedure of:
 carrying out three-dimensional display by reducing parallax between the two or more images or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display while the imaging units carry out a zoom operation; and   in a case where an object, which is displayed on the display unit other than the images obtained through imaging of the subject, is three-dimensionally displayed with being superposed on the three-dimensionally displayed image, carrying out three-dimensional display by reducing parallax or converting the three-dimensional display to a two-dimensional display of the object while the imaging units carry out the zoom operation.