JP7843043B2 - Equipment for simultaneous underwater and surface photography - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a photographic device used for simultaneously photographing underwater and above-water scenes.

Cameras with excellent waterproofing capabilities, capable of underwater photography, have been known for some time. Such cameras have been used, for example, by attaching them to the end of a fishing rod to film swimmers underwater.

Furthermore, a technique using a camera cart that moves along rails is known for underwater photography equipment that captures moving objects within a tank.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an underwater photography device in which a trolley is mounted on rails on the floor of a water tank, and a camera is housed at the end of a support arm that extends from the trolley into the water. In this underwater photography device, since the trolley travels on the water's surface, there is no need to waterproof the trolley, and maintenance can be easily performed on land.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-122145

For example, when attempting to film a swimmer underwater in a swimming pool, one might consider using a mobile cart that travels on the water's surface alongside the swimmer, and an underwater camera mounted on the end of an arm or similar extension extending from the cart into the water. However, in this case, the water resistance acting on the underwater camera would create relatively significant resistance on one side of the mobile cart, making it difficult to maintain the cart's movement in a straight line in the direction of the swimmer's swimming.

Here, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the trolley is mounted on rails, it seems that the trolley can be moved stably along the rails. However, this technology requires the installation of rails on the floor of the water tank, which is time-consuming and costly to prepare. Furthermore, in a configuration where an underwater camera is mounted at the end of an arm or the like extending from the trolley into the water, a weight imbalance occurs. This weight imbalance can lead to the trolley falling into the water. Thus, there is still room for improvement in technology for photographing objects moving underwater.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a photographic device that can suitably support the simultaneous, low-cost, and relatively easy photographing of objects moving underwater both underwater and above the water surface.

The simultaneous underwater and surface imaging apparatus of this disclosure is an imaging apparatus used for simultaneously imaging underwater and on the surface. This imaging apparatus comprises a trolley configured to travel on a water surface; a support portion positioned to the side of the trolley for fixing a first camera for imaging the surface; a support portion positioned on an arm extending downward from the first support portion for fixing a second camera for imaging underwater; and an underwater balancer positioned to cover the side of the second camera when the second camera is fixed to the second support portion, and having a predetermined streamlined shape and predetermined size.

In the above-described simultaneous underwater and surface imaging device, the first support section and the second support section are connected via an arm, allowing the first camera for surface imaging and the second camera for underwater imaging to be installed integrally so that they have the same camera angle in both the left-right and front-back directions. This enables the seamless and optimal generation of composite images when an object moving underwater is simultaneously filmed from both underwater and above the water. Furthermore, the inclusion of an underwater balancer prevents the trolley from falling into the water due to weight imbalance, allowing the trolley to move alongside the object underwater without the need for rails or other supports on the ground (e.g., a poolside). Therefore, using the imaging device disclosed herein makes it possible to support simultaneous underwater and surface imaging relatively easily and at low cost.

Furthermore, in the simultaneous underwater and surface imaging apparatus of this disclosure, when the combined weight of the first camera and the second camera is considered the imaging unit weight, the underwater balancer may have a size capable of generating buoyancy greater than or equal to the imaging unit weight. This eliminates weight imbalances and rotational moments in the lateral direction of the trolley, making it easier to maintain the trolley's movement in a straight line in the direction of the object's movement underwater. In other words, the trolley can be moved alongside the object without the need for rails or the like, enabling low-cost and relatively easy simultaneous underwater and surface imaging.

Furthermore, in the simultaneous underwater and surface imaging apparatus of this disclosure, in the above configuration, the underwater balancer may be formed in a wedge shape around the second camera, extending forward and backward in the direction of travel of the trolley, thereby forming the streamlined shape and having a hollow structure. This reduces the running resistance that may be added to one side of the trolley due to the second camera moving underwater, making it easier to maintain the trolley's movement in a straight line in the direction of the object's underwater movement. In this case, the underwater balancer may have a skirt portion formed on a plane opposite to the surface forming the wedge-shaped streamlined shape, and the skirt portion may be formed to protrude from the plane at both ends in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to generate a force due to the Venturi effect in the underwater balancer, stabilizing the behavior of the underwater balancer when moving underwater. As a result, it becomes easier to maintain the trolley's movement in a straight line in the direction of the object's underwater movement.

According to this disclosure, it is possible to suitably support the simultaneous imaging of objects moving underwater, both underwater and from above the water, at low cost and relatively easily.

This is the first figure showing the schematic configuration of the imaging equipment in the embodiment. This is a second figure showing the schematic configuration of the imaging equipment in the embodiment. This diagram illustrates a configuration comprising a trolley, a first camera and a first support for fixing the first camera, an arm, a second camera and a second support for fixing the second camera, and shows what might happen if an underwater balancer is not provided. This diagram illustrates how photographic equipment is used to film swimmers in a swimming pool. This figure illustrates image data from a first camera fixed to a first support and capturing images on the water surface, image data from a second camera fixed to a second support and capturing images underwater, and composite image data of these images captured simultaneously. This is a diagram illustrating the shape of an underwater balancer. This diagram illustrates the Venturi effect caused by the formation of a skirt portion on an underwater balancer.

The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and this disclosure is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

The overview of the simultaneous underwater and surface imaging device in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a first diagram showing the schematic configuration of the imaging device in this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a second diagram showing the schematic configuration of the imaging device in this embodiment. The imaging device 1 in this embodiment is used to simultaneously photograph both underwater and above water. In this embodiment, an example of using the imaging device 1 to photograph swimmers in a swimming pool will be described.

In this embodiment, the photographic equipment 1 comprises a trolley 10 configured to travel on a water surface, a first support unit 100 for fixing a first camera for photographing the water surface, a second support unit 200 for fixing a second camera for photographing underwater, and an underwater balancer 300.

The trolley 10 is a trolley that travels along the poolside on the water surface, accompanying swimmers in the pool, and has wheels 11, a base 12, and a slider 13. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the photographer can move the trolley 10 by pushing the base 12 with a rod or the like. The trolley 10 may also be equipped with a motor or the like to rotate the wheels 11, in which case the trolley 10 will move as the wheels 11 rotate due to the driving force from the motor or the like.

Furthermore, a slider 13 is installed on the upper surface of the base 12. This slider 13 is configured to fix the first support portion 100 to the trolley 10 and has a sliding structure for adjusting the position of the first support portion 100 in the left-right direction.

The first support unit 100 is then fixed to the trolley 10 by the slider 13 described above. With the first support unit 100 positioned to the side of the trolley 10 in this manner, and the first camera supported by the first support unit 100, the first camera is positioned to the side of the trolley 10. The first support unit 100 is positioned approximately at the same height as the wheels 11 of the trolley 10 in the vertical direction. This ensures that the first support unit 100 and the first camera fixed to it are positioned over the water. Furthermore, a well-known camera (for example, GoPro®) can be used as the first camera.

Furthermore, an arm 110 extending downward from the first support portion 100 is connected to the first support portion 100. A second support portion 200 is then positioned on this arm 110, thereby connecting the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 via the arm 110. With the second support portion 200 thus connected to the first support portion 100, and the second camera supported by the second support portion 200, the second camera is positioned to the side of the trolley 10. Note that the second support portion 200 is positioned below the wheels 11 of the trolley 10 in the vertical direction. As a result, the second support portion 200 and the second camera fixed to it are positioned underwater. A well-known waterproof camera (e.g., GoPro®) can be used for the second camera.

Furthermore, by connecting the first support section 100 and the second support section 200 via the arm 110 as described above, the first camera for filming above water and the second camera for filming underwater can be installed integrally so that they have the same camera angle in both the left-right and front-back directions. This allows for the seamless and optimal generation of composite images when a swimmer is filmed simultaneously from both above and below water in a swimming pool.

Here, Figure 2 shows the state in which the second camera is fixed to the second support part 200. As shown in Figure 2, the underwater balancer 300 is positioned to cover the side of the second camera in this state.

Furthermore, this underwater balancer 300 has a predetermined size. This will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 3 illustrates a configuration comprising a trolley 10, a first camera and a first support 100 for fixing the first camera, an arm 110, a second camera and a second support 200 for fixing the second camera, and illustrates a situation that may occur if an underwater balancer 300 is not provided.

As shown in Figure 3, in a configuration where two cameras (first camera and second camera) are positioned on one side of the trolley 10 to simultaneously capture both underwater and above-water scenes, a weight imbalance occurs in the left-right direction of the trolley 10. Furthermore, the second camera, which captures underwater scenes, is positioned on the side of the trolley 10, below the trolley 10's wheels 11. Therefore, a rotational moment is generated with the wheel 11 on the side where the camera is positioned as the pivot point. Consequently, in the configuration shown in Figure 3, this weight imbalance and rotational moment could cause the trolley 10 to be pulled into the water, potentially resulting in it falling into the water.

It might seem that adding a balancer weight to the trolley 10 on the water would prevent the trolley 10 from falling into the water. However, since the two cameras (first camera and second camera) each weigh, for example, 700g, the balancer weight would have to be heavy to correct the weight imbalance. This would then require more driving force to move the trolley 10.

Therefore, in the imaging device 1 of this embodiment, when the combined weight of the first camera and the second camera is considered the imaging unit weight, the underwater balancer 300 has a size capable of generating buoyancy equal to or greater than the imaging unit weight. Specifically, the volume of the underwater balancer 300 is set so that it can generate buoyancy equal to or greater than the imaging unit weight. The volume of the underwater balancer 300 can be set so that its buoyancy is, for example, approximately equal to the combined weight of the imaging unit weight plus the weights of the first support unit 100, the second support unit 200, and the arm 110.

Furthermore, by arranging the underwater balancers 300, whose size is determined in this manner, as shown in Figure 2, the weight imbalance and rotational moment of the trolley 10 in the lateral direction are eliminated, making it easier to maintain the trolley 10 moving in a straight line in the direction the swimmer is swimming. In other words, on the poolside above the water, the trolley 10 can be moved to accompany swimmers in the pool without installing rails or the like on the floor, thus supporting simultaneous underwater and above-water filming at low cost and relatively easily.

Here, Figure 4 illustrates an example of how the camera equipment 1 is used to film swimmers in a swimming pool. In the example shown in Figure 4, the cameraman pushes the cart 10 with a stick or the like, allowing the cart 10 to move along the poolside above the water, accompanying the swimmers. At this time, the first camera, fixed to the first support part 100, is positioned above the water, and the second camera, fixed to the second support part 200, is positioned underwater. Furthermore, to reduce the water resistance acting on the second camera as it moves underwater, the underwater balancer 300, which is positioned to cover the side of the second camera, has a predetermined streamlined shape. Specifically, the underwater balancer 300 is formed in a wedge shape extending forward and backward in the direction of travel of the cart 10, with the second camera as the center, thus forming a streamlined shape. Further details will be explained later based on Figure 6.

Figure 5 illustrates image data from a first camera fixed to the first support unit 100 and capturing images above water, image data from a second camera fixed to the second support unit 200 and capturing images underwater, and composite image data of these simultaneously captured images. These image data may be still images or moving images. Furthermore, the image data can be combined based on well-known techniques.

By using the imaging device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously capture images both underwater and above water, as shown in Figure 5. By combining these image data, it becomes possible to visualize the entire figure of a swimmer in a pool. This allows, for example, swimmers to objectively view their own swimming form. Furthermore, for example, coaches can use such image data to correct or improve swimmers' form.

Furthermore, in the camera equipment 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the first camera for filming above water and the second camera for filming underwater can be installed integrally so that they have the same camera angle in the left-right and front-back directions. Therefore, when a swimmer is filmed simultaneously from both above and below water in a pool, a composite image can be generated smoothly and appropriately. Also, as described above, the underwater balancer 300 allows the trolley 10 to move along with swimmers in the pool without the need to install rails or the like on the poolside floor. Therefore, using the camera equipment 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to support simultaneous filming from both above and below water at low cost and relatively easily.

Next, the shape of the underwater balancer 300 will be described in detail based on Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the underwater balancer 300. Figure 6(a) shows a plan view of the underwater balancer 300, and Figure 6(b) shows a perspective view of the A-A section in Figure 6(a).

As shown in Figure 6(a), the underwater balancer 300 is formed in a wedge shape with a tapered, pointed end in the front-to-back direction, centered around the housing for the second camera, thus forming a streamlined shape. The housing for the second camera is formed to a thickness approximately equal to that of the second camera itself. By positioning the underwater balancer 300 to cover the sides of the second camera, the water resistance acting on the second camera as it moves underwater can be reduced. This reduces the running resistance that may be added to one side of the trolley 10 due to the second camera moving underwater, making it easier to maintain the trolley 10 moving in a straight line in the direction of the swimmer's swimming.

Furthermore, the underwater balancer 300 has a hollow structure, as shown in Figure 6(b). This allows for a reduction in the mass of the underwater balancer 300 compared to a solid structure, while still ensuring the necessary volume to generate buoyancy.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the underwater balancer 300 has a skirt portion 310 formed on the plane opposite to the surface that forms the wedge-shaped streamline. This skirt portion 310 is formed to protrude from the plane at both the vertical ends. Therefore, when the trolley 10 is moved to accompany a swimmer in the pool, the gap between the plane and the poolside wall is sealed by the skirt portion 310, creating a Venturi space 320. The Venturi effect caused by this Venturi space 320 will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the Venturi effect caused by the formation of a skirt portion 310 on the underwater balancer 300.

As shown in Figure 7(b), the gap between the poolside wall and the plane of the underwater balancer 300 facing the wall is sealed by the skirt portion 310, thereby forming a venturi space 320 in the gap.

As shown in Figure 7(a), when the trolley 10 travels along the poolside, the water flow from the front in the direction of travel enters the Venturi space 320, flows through the Venturi space 320, and is discharged to the rear. At this time, the fluid flowing through the Venturi space 320, formed by the narrow gap, has a higher flow velocity than other parts. Therefore, due to the Venturi effect, the Venturi space 320 becomes a lower-pressure area than other parts. This generates a force on the underwater balancer 300 that pulls it towards the poolside wall.

Furthermore, by generating a force in the underwater balancer 300 due to the Venturi effect described above, the behavior of the underwater balancer 300 when moving underwater can be stabilized, making it easier to maintain the trolley 10 moving in a straight line in the direction the swimmer is swimming.

As described above, the photographic device 1 of this embodiment can suitably support the simultaneous and relatively easy underwater and surface photography of objects moving underwater at low cost.

<Other variations>
The embodiments described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence. In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the camera 1 is used to film swimmers in a pool, but the camera 1 of this disclosure may also be used to film objects moving inside a water tank.

1... Filming equipment 10... Dolly 11... Wheels 12... Base 13... Slider 100... First support part 110... Arm 200... Second support part 300... Underwater balancer

Claims (4)

A photographic device used to simultaneously photograph underwater and above water,
A trolley configured to be able to travel on a water surface,
A support portion located on the side of the aforementioned trolley, comprising a first support portion for fixing a first camera for photographing the water surface,
A support portion arranged on an arm extending downward from the first support portion, the second support portion for fixing a second camera for taking underwater photographs,
An underwater balancer having a predetermined streamlined shape and predetermined size is positioned to cover the side of the second camera when the second camera is fixed to the second support portion.
A device equipped with features for simultaneous underwater and surface photography. When the combined weight of the first camera and the second camera is defined as the weight of the imaging unit,
The aforementioned underwater balancer is
Having the size that can generate buoyancy greater than or equal to the weight of the imaging unit,
The underwater and surface simultaneous shooting device according to claim 1. The aforementioned underwater balancer is
The second camera is formed in a wedge shape in the direction of travel of the trolley, thereby forming the streamlined shape and having a hollow structure.
The underwater and surface simultaneous imaging device according to claim 2. The aforementioned underwater balancer is
A skirt portion is formed on a plane opposite to the surface that forms the wedge-shaped streamlined shape.
The skirt portion is formed so as to protrude from the plane at both ends in the vertical direction of the plane.
The underwater and surface simultaneous photography device according to claim 3.