JPH01158377A - Automatic object tracking apparatus of video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately and automatically track an object while discriminating the same, by receiving the first radio wave by a radio wave response device and sending out the second radio wave containing inherent data. CONSTITUTION:The microwave of a predetermined band emitted by a microwave exciting circuit 81 is divided and distributed to phase shifters 83-1-83-n through a circulator 82 and a microwave circulatorily shifted in a phase is emitted from an array antenna 84 under the control of a phase shift control circuit 85 to perform two-dimensional beam scanning. When the radio wave response device 6 mounted on an object 5 is positioned in a certain beam direction, the response device 6 receives a microwave of a predetermined band and modulates the phase thereof on the basis of code data to emit the same non- directionally. This microwave is received by the antenna 84 to reach a receiving circuit 91 and the code data signal inherent to the response device 6 is extracted and, when said signal coincides with the code data stored in a code discrimination circuit 92, an identifying and confirming signal is formed. A tracking control circuit 93 sends out a control signal to drive circuit 94, 95 to displace the visual field optical axis direction 2a of a video camera 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an automatic tracking device that automatically tracks a subject such as a video camera. The present invention relates to an automatic subject tracking device for a video camera that automatically tracks a movable subject in the direction of its axis and can take unmanned pictures.

[Prior Art] For example, it has become possible for still cameras, video cameras, etc. to perform automatic shooting such as automatic exposure and automatic focus, but in actual shooting, the photographer is required to carry the video camera and take the angle. Therefore, if you want to take a photo of all the members, such as a commemorative photo, the photographer may be the only one left out of the photo due to camera work, or you may have to use a timer like with a still camera. Even if a mechanism was used, care had to be taken to ensure that everyone stayed in the same direction as the -degree setting.

As an automatic tracking device for video cameras,
An automatic tracking device for an infrared transmission device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2-2843 is known. In order to eliminate video signal cable transmission between the video camera and the video tape recorder, this device has an element that emits infrared rays modulated by the transmitted information signal and an element that senses infrared rays in the transmitting section of the video camera side. The receiver on the video tape recorder side is equipped with an element that emits infrared rays modulated by a pilot signal and an element that senses infrared rays, and while sensing each other's infrared rays, automatic search on the transmitter side and automatic search on the receiver side The system performs automatic tracking.

[Problems to be Solved] However, the above automatic tracking device has the following problems.

℃The transmitting unit on the video camera side is remotely tracked by the receiving unit on the video tape recorder side, which receives the transmitted information signal. Therefore, when this automatic tracking device is applied to automatic tracking of a subject, the transmitting unit on the video camera side and It is necessary to provide both an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element on the camera side, but for example, when multiple such cameras are placed adjacent to each other, it is impossible to distinguish between several infrared rays, so interference occurs in the search means on the subject side. The operation of the tracking means on each camera side is +! 121rl
Led. ■Since search and tracking uses infrared rays, for example, it is necessary to expose most of the infrared light emitting element and light receiving element on the subject side so as not to reduce the transmitting and receiving strength of the infrared rays, and due to the straightness of infrared rays, these Since the operation of the search means provided with the element is mechanical, it is often practically impossible to carry such a search means on the subject side.

[Object of the Invention] The object of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object is to solve the above problem, and the purpose is to solve the above problem, for example, in the relationship between a camera and its subject, even when a plurality of cameras are spatially adjacent to each other, a group of cameras can be A practical automatic subject tracking device for a video camera that allows each camera to accurately and automatically track the subject to be photographed without disturbing the motion, and also allows easy handling of the device on the subject side, and allows ordinary photographers to participate as the subject. The objective is to provide an automatic tracking device for

Solution to Problem E] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following structural requirements. .

(2) It is a device that automatically tracks the pointing direction of a first object to a relatively movable second object.

The "first object" is defined as light transmitting and receiving means including imaging means such as still cameras and video cameras, lighting means such as spotlights, sound transmitting and receiving means including sound collecting means such as microphones, and sound generating means such as speakers. be done. The "relatively movable second object" includes 5 subjects such as humans, animals, goods, etc.
Illumination target 9 refers to the object to which the first object is directed, such as a sound-producing object and a sound-receiving object, and naturally includes stationary objects. "Direction"
means that when the first object is an imaging means, the optical axis direction of the field of view is
In the case of illumination means, it is the optical axis direction of the illumination beam, and in the case of sound collection means, it is the directional direction of the sound collection range.

In the case of sound generation means, it refers to the directional direction of the sound generation range, etc.

・■ Based on the reception of the first radio wave, a second radio wave containing a unique information signal is transmitted.
There must be a radio wave transponder attached to the second object that returns the radio waves.

The "first radio wave" may include a transmission information signal or may be a radio wave in a specific frequency band, and the "second radio wave containing the unique information signal" refers to the identification of the second object. A radio wave that carries unique information including its attributes, and is individualized by various modulation techniques such as frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation.It may also include transmission information signals related to other than the second object. be.

"A radio wave transponder to be attached" refers to a state of ownership in which the radio wave transponder can be physically attached to a second object by carrying, attaching, possessing, hanging, etc.

(2) Having a radio wave searching means and a tracking means provided on the first object side.

It goes without saying that the "radio wave searching means and tracking means" are directly attached to the first object, and also includes the case that the "radio wave searching means" is spatially spaced apart from the first object.

- The Φ radio wave search means is composed of a radio wave emitting member that beam-directionally scans the first radio wave over a predetermined range, and a scan control member that controls the beam-directional scanning.

"Beam-directed scanning" includes scanning a plane with one parameter, scanning a three-dimensional space with two parameters, and the like.

The L-class tracking means includes an identification member that receives a second radio wave and identifies the unique information signal contained therein, an identification confirmation signal from the identification member, and a beam direction information signal from the scanning control circuit. and a tracking member that aligns the direction of the first object with the direction of the second object based on the object.

[Function] According to the present invention having the above configuration, the first radio wave beam is emitted from the radio wave emitting member of the radio wave searching means while being directionally scanned one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally under the control of the scanning control means. When a second object exists in the beam direction direction of the radio wave search means, a radio wave transponder owned by the second object immediately receives the first radio wave and generates a second radio wave containing unique information regarding the second object. It radiates and transmits radio waves as a medium. Here, the second radio wave is radiated from the radio wave transponder over a relatively wide range,
The radio transponder does not have the function of specifically searching for tR1 objects,
Since the second radio wave containing unique information is spread to the surrounding area, the use of omnidirectional radio waves makes it possible to simplify and compact the configuration of the radio wave transponder, and it also uses infrared rays. Compared to the case, absorption loss between the second object and the first object can be avoided, and when the second object is a human being, the radio wave transponder can be carried in a pocket.

The second radio wave emitted from the radio wave transponder is received by the radio wave emitting member on the first object side by transmitting/receiving compatibility. The beam direction may remain unchanged within the time required for the radio wave transponder to return unique information in response to a beam in a specific direction emitted from the radio wave radiating member and for the radio wave radiating member to receive this information.

If the second object moves at a relatively high speed, the scanning speed may be increased to receive specific information during different scans, and the radiation direction of the first radio wave may be set to follow the high speed movement. There is a radio wave transponder, that is, a second object, and when a second radio wave containing unique information is introduced, the identification member immediately identifies the unique information. If the unique information of the unique information group registered in the unique information group is identified as the same by comparing and determining the sameness, an identification confirmation signal is sent to the tracking member, -1
On the other hand, the scanning control member controls the beam pointing direction, and
The beam direction information signal is sent out to the tracking member one by one.
Therefore, upon input of the identification confirmation signal, the tracking member drives the pointing direction of the first object to match the beam pointing direction (second object direction) of the radio wave emitting member based on the beam pointing information signal at that time. As a result, the second object is automatically tracked.

[Example] Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of an automatic subject tracking device for a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. [It's a sign.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio wave transponder carried by the subject in the same embodiment. Figure m3 is a block diagram showing the configuration on the video camera side in the same embodiment.

The automatic tracking device of the embodiment includes a tracking mechanism box 3 that changes and drives the angle direction (viewing optical axis direction 2a) of a video camera 2 mounted on a tripod l, and an electrical box 4 that includes various radio wave elements, electric circuits, etc. Video camera side device 7
and a radio wave transponder 6 carried by the subject 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radio wave transponder 6 is the size of a business card and consists of various electronic components mounted on a board 81 and a case (not shown) for hermetically storing them. It is roughly composed of a reading section 63 and a transmitting section 84.

The receiving section 82 includes a receiving microstrip antenna 6.
2a, a detector 82b that detects and rectifies the received power, and an amplifier 82c that amplifies the rectified voltage. The code reading unit 63 includes a built-in battery 83a and a switch circuit 83 that switches in response to input of the amplified voltage from the amplifier 62C.
b, a clock generator W83c that generates a clock signal in response to this switching, and a read-only memory (ROM) in which coded data unique to the radio wave transponder 6 itself is stored.
)63d. The transmitter 64 has a read-only memory 8
3d, and a transmission microstrip antenna 84b that transmits the modulated radio waves.

As shown in FIG. 3, the video camera side device 7 of the automatic tracking device includes a radio wave search means 8 that scans and emits a radio wave beam within a predetermined range, and a radio wave search means 8 that directs the viewing optical axis direction 2a of the video camera 2 toward the transponder 6. and a tracking means 9 for tracking and matching.

The radio wave search means 8 includes a microwave excitation circuit 81 and a circulator 82 . It consists of a radio wave radiating member composed of a phase shifter group 83 and an array antenna 84, and a phase shift control circuit 85 as a scanning control member.

The microwave excitation circuit 81 includes a solid-state microwave oscillator and the like and generates microwaves, and the circulator 82 guides the oscillated microwaves from the first port 82a to the second port 82b, and propagates them from the outside to the second port 82b. The microwave is passed through the third port 82c. The phase shifter group 83 is connected to each radiating element 〇4- of the array antenna 84.
1. Phase shifter 83-1 corresponding to 84-2 to 84-n,
8.3-2 to 83-n, and the phase of the feeding microwave received from the circulator 82 is adjusted! Shift to L, microwave radiation direction (beam direction perpendicular to the common plane)
A 0 phase control circuit 85 that varies the phase shifter 8
3-1, 83-2 to 83-n are electronically controlled; the beam direction is scanned two-dimensionally. The radiating elements of the array antenna 84 are arranged in a vertical and horizontal matrix as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The quasi-air box 4 containing the video camera 2 is fixed, and the viewing optical axis direction 2a of the video camera 2 and the two-axis direction of the array antenna 84 are made to coincide with each other.

Scanning in the beam direction direction uses the polar inner 0 of the spherical coordinates and the azimuth angle φ as scanning variables, and uses a scanning method that interpolates the entire scan of the azimuth angle φ (0 to 360°) for a certain inner pole θ(i). In other words, concentric scanning around the z-axis is used. However, in the subject search scan of a video camera, the subject is often located near the horizontal plane, and even if the vertical angle scan is enlarged, it may include an unnecessary range. Mo direction scanning (e.g. 8 degrees left and right)
') and vertical angle scanning (for example, 45° each) may be adopted; the scanning method and its scanning angle range should be determined based on the empirically known behavior of the object to be searched. be. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, the column (vertical) spacing dχ and row (horizontal) spacing d1 of each radiating element, and the number of vertical and horizontal elements are factors that influence the search resolution, but these are factors that affect the search resolution, such as the size of the target object. and the distance of the object. In the application example of the automatic tracking device δ of a video camera as in this embodiment, for example, the size of the radio wave transponder 6 is apparently the size of the object, but it is actually the size of the object 5.
Although the solid angle of the entire video camera 2 may be a problem, as will be described later, in this embodiment it is possible to measure the distance to the subject, so the ratio of the size of the subject to the size of the transponder is It is also possible to adjust the focus and angle of view of the video camera 2 based on the distance and distance.

The tracking means 9 includes an identification member that identifies unique information from the transponder 6, and a visual field optical axis direction 2a of the video camera 2 that identifies the transponder 6.
and a tracking member directed in the direction of.

The identification member includes a receiving circuit 91 that receives and detects the microwave introduced from the third port of the circulator 82, and a code identification circuit 82 that identifies the unique data code signal extracted from the receiving circuit 91. The code identification circuit 82 determines whether or not the input unique data exists in the unique data group registered in advance in the built-in reference memory, and outputs an identification confirmation signal only when they are the same.

The tracking member includes a tracking control circuit 93, an 0 drive system, and a φ drive system.

The tracking control circuit 83 immediately takes in the beam direction information signal sent from the phase shift control circuit 85 in response to the manual input of the identification confirmation signal, discriminates its inner 0 and azimuth φ, and controls the corresponding 0 and φ. 0 drive circuit 94. The signal is sent to the small drive circuit 95. Here, the array antenna 84 is fixed inside the electrical box 4 shown in the first diagram, and its z-axis is always aligned in the viewing optical axis direction 2a of the video camera 2.
The beam orientation information signal from the phase shift control circuit 85 can be used as tracking information as it is, which avoids complicating the device configuration. However, it may be difficult to attach a tracking device to a small object such as a still camera, or if tracking is required. If the tracking device is attached only when the object is to be used, in addition to the beam direction information signal, it is necessary to create an information signal in the visual field optical axis direction 2a and to specify the spatial relationship between the two. The information signal in the visual field optical axis direction 2a can be obtained from the controlled physical quantities of the 0 displacement mechanism 9B and the φ displacement mechanism 99, which will be described later, and the spatial relationship is restricted to uniform arrangement with the array antenna 84 by an adapter or the like. It can be determined by The θ drive circuit 84 and the φ drive circuit 95 include power amplifiers, and supply power to the corresponding θ electric motor 86 and φ electric motor 97 to rotate them. The θ displacement mechanism 98 is operated by the rotation of the 0 drive motor 86, and displaces the inner 0 in the visual field optical axis direction 2a.
The displacement mechanism 88 is operated by the rotation of the φ electric motor 97,
This is to displace the azimuth angle φ in the viewing optical axis direction 2a.

In this embodiment, a distance measuring circuit 10 is provided which receives a trigger signal from a microwave excitation 81 and an identification confirmation signal from a code identification circuit 92 and measures the distance to the subject. This distance measuring circuit lO calculates the generation time difference Δt between the trigger signal and the identification confirmation signal, and the array antenna 8 from the time of trigger generation.
Based on the fixed time t1 from the time of microwave emission in No. 4, the fixed time t2 from the time of reception of the transponder 6 to the time of reply, and the given time t3 from the time of reception of the array antenna 84 to the time of generation of the identification confirmation signal, For example, the round trip time between the array antenna 84 and the subject ΔT=Δt−(tl+t2+
After calculating t3), the distance 111D=(ΔT/2)C is calculated. Note that C is the speed of light. The distance signal from the distance measuring circuit 10 is sent to the focus adjustment circuit 11 of the video camera.
Based on this, the focus adjustment circuit 11 adjusts the focus iA of the subject.

Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, when the subject 5 is automatically tracked by the video camera 2, the photographer who is to be the subject 5 puts the radio wave transponder 6 in, for example, a breast pocket. Note that it may be worn on clothing like a name tag. In this embodiment, the actual subject of the video camera 2 is the radio wave transponder 6, and the subject 5 is the apparent subject, so the transponder 6 should not be photographed as much as possible. It is desirable to attach it to a position that represents the subject 5 to be photographed.

Automatic tracking of the video camera 2 as the subject 5 moves is performed in the following manner.

Microwaves in a predetermined band sent out from the microwave excitation circuit 81 are passed from the first port 82a to the second port 82b of the circulator 82 to the phase shifter 83- through the branch feeder line.
1, divided and distributed to 83-2 to 83-n. Each phase shifter 83-1, 83-2 to 83-n is connected to a corresponding radiating element 84 by periodic phase control of a phase shift control circuit 85.
-1.The phase of the emitted microwaves from 84-2 to 84-n is shifted cyclically, and as shown in FIG. For 0. Two-dimensional beam scanning (directional scanning) regarding the azimuth angle φ is performed.

In the beam direction from the array antenna 84, the radio wave transponder 6
is not present, the emitted microwave is transmitted to the radio wave responder 6.
However, if the radio wave transponder 6 is located in a certain beam direction during the beam scanning process, the radio wave transponder 6 will respond. That is, the radio wave transponder 6 receives the search microwave using the receiving microstrip antenna 82a. The received microwave is rectified and amplified by a detector 82b and an amplifier 82c, and when the amplified voltage exceeds a predetermined reference level, a clock generator 83c is activated by the operation of a switch circuit 83b, and a clock signal is output from a read-only memory (ROM) 83d. sent to. Note that the radio wave transponder 6 in this embodiment is always powered on and is activated immediately upon reception of microwaves; however, in order to control the start of automatic tracking of the video camera 2 from the subject 5 side. A manual on/off switch may be provided between the built-in battery 83a and the switch circuit 83b. In such a case, for example, when the photographer as the subject 5 moves to an appropriate location, the manual on/off switch By closing, the radio wave transponder is activated for the first time, and the unnecessary tracking operation of the video camera 2 can be eliminated.

The read-only memory 83d reads out the stored code data in synchronization with the clock signal and sends it to the phase modulator f14.
a, the phase modulator 64 phase-modulates the microwave in a predetermined band using the encoded data as a signal, and the modulated microwave is sent to the transmission microstrip antenna 84.
It is radiated omnidirectionally from b. The microwaves containing the unique information of the transponders 6 are received by the array antenna 84 for both transmission and reception within a time period in which the direction of the radiation microwave from the array antenna 84 remains unchanged. This received microwave is transmitted to the radiating element 84 which functions as a receiving element.
-1.84-2 to 84-n, phase shifter 83-1, 83
-2 to 83-n, the received power is combined in the branch feeder line, and the combined I&-r microwave is sent to the circulator 82.
The signal reaches the receiving circuit 81 from the second port 82b of the receiver via the third port 82c. The reception circuit 31 demodulates and amplifies the received microwave, and extracts a code data signal specific to the radio transponder 6. The code data signal is referred to a code data group stored in the code identification circuit 92, and if the code data is included in the group, an identification confirmation signal is generated.

If the signal entering the code identification circuit 92 from the receiving circuit 91 does not match any of the stored code data groups, no identification confirmation signal is generated. Noise is completely ignored.1 For example, another radio wave transponder having code data that does not exist in the code data group in the code identification circuit 92 exists in the vicinity of the radio wave transponder 6 owned by the subject 5. However, even if it responds to the radiated microwave from the array antenna 84, the code identification circuit 82 does not pick up the response, so it is possible to effectively prevent interference in the tracking means. Of course, interference with noise microwaves can also be prevented.

The tracking M control circuit 93 receives the identification confirmation signal and immediately takes in the beam direction information signal at that time.

This is decoded to calculate the polar 0 and azimuth φ, and corresponding control signals are sent to the 0 drive circuit 84 and the φ drive circuit 85, respectively. By starting the θ electric motor 86 of the 0 drive circuit 84, the 0 displacement mechanism 88 is activated, and as shown in FIG. By starting the φ electric motor 97 of the circuit 85, the φ displacement mechanism 99 is operated, and the visual field optical axis direction 2a is
is displaced in the direction of increasing or decreasing its azimuth. Here, the amount of displacement is 0
．． φ may correspond to the absolute value of the beam orientation information signal obtained from the tracking control circuit 93, but in that case, a feedback circuit is provided between the 0 drive circuit 94 and φ drive circuit 95 and the tracking control circuit θ3. In this embodiment, it is necessary to configure a servo system with a servo system, which complicates the device configuration.

The control signals to the tracking control circuit θ3 and 0 drive circuit 94 and φ drive circuit 95 are a 0 increase/decrease signal and a φ increase/decrease signal, both of which are binary logic signals.
The 0 coordinate and the φ coordinate are controlled to increase or decrease.

Its displacement mechanism 98. The relative changes in the polarity O and azimuth angle of the beam direction due to the change in the two-axis direction of the 7-ray antenna 84 that simultaneously follows the field-of-view optical axis direction 2a accompanying the operation of f19 are transmitted from the phase shift control circuit 85 to beam scanning. Since it is obtained all the time, feedback control is already functioning as a whole, so there is no need to provide a feedback path for the additional function, and the device configuration is simplified. Therefore, when the two axial directions of the array antenna 84 match the beam direction (pole 0→O0, azimuth φ O0)
, the viewing optical axis direction 2a of the video camera 2 coincides with the direction of the subject 5, that is, the radio wave transponder 6, and at that point, the operation of the displacement mechanisms 98 and 99 is automatically stopped. Furthermore, when the subject 5 is moving, the visual field optical axis direction 2a
It goes without saying that this will follow suit.

Note that the above embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic subject tracking device for a video camera, but the present invention may also be applied to a still camera instead of a video camera. A movable object to be illuminated, such as an actor, a singer, or a baseball player, may have a radio transponder 6, and an automatic tracking device may be attached to a lighting means such as a spotlight, or a microphone or the like may be attached to the automatic tracking device. An automatic tracking device may be provided in the sound collecting means, and the present invention can be widely applied to objects that require directionality. In addition, when a plurality of such objects exist independently in space, each object is equipped with a radio wave transponder 6 that receives the code data registered in the code identification circuit 92, and the code is appropriately coded. When performing external selection of data, time-sharing automatic tracking of different objects becomes possible. Furthermore, even when radio wave transponders are attached to different parts of an independent object, automatic tracking of each part can be performed separately. It becomes possible.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a first object-side radio wave searching means for scanning a first radio wave in a beam direction, and a second radio wave containing unique information in response to reception of the radio wave. Reply 2nd
and a radio wave transponder on the object side.

an identification member on the first object side that determines whether the unique information is true or not; and when the unique information is true, the pointing direction of the first object is tracked in the direction of the second object based on beam directional information from the radio wave search means. Since it is characterized in that it includes a tracking means for matching, it has a first-order effect.

■When the first object is a video camera and the photographer has a radio transponder as the second object.

The automatic tracking function allows the photographer to participate as the subject, making unattended shooting possible.

・With the function of determining the authenticity of movable information, even if there are multiple video cameras or multiple radio transponders on the subject side, there will be no interference, that is, no hunting or malfunctions.
Quick and smooth automatic tracking can be achieved.

・■It does not use infrared rays, and has little radio wave attenuation even if the spatial distance between the first and second objects is relatively long.
Moreover, even if an obstacle is partially or temporarily interposed between the two, disturbances in the tracking operation can be suppressed due to the diffraction effect of radio waves, so stable automatic tracking is expected.

l74) From the transparency of radio waves? The li-wave transponder does not need to be exposed and attached to the second object; if the second object is a human, it can be attached to an appropriate part of the person's clothing or carried in a pocket. Therefore, restrictions on how radio wave transponders can be used have been relaxed, and since radio wave transponders do not have strong directivity, there is no need to pay much attention to how the radio wave transponders are installed, making it possible to create highly practical tracking devices. Can be provided.

For example, since there is no search means including mechanical elements on the subject side, the device on the subject side, that is, the transponder, can be made smaller and cheaper, and the effect of Φ mentioned above can be further demonstrated.

・The first object and the second object are transmitted and received using 61 radio waves.
Since the objects are related, in addition to the above-mentioned automatic tracking operation, as a side effect, for example, automatic focus adjustment based on the distance # between both people, measurement, and automatic tracking based on directional information and distance information. It also becomes possible to perform angle adjustments, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1. [J is a schematic diagram showing the overall appearance of an automatic subject tracking device for a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the t-wave j carried by the subject in the same embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ε answering device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration on the video camera side in an example of a collision. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of each radiating element of the array antenna and the polarity and azimuth of the scanning beam in the same embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the polarity and azimuth of the viewing optical axis direction of the video camera in the same embodiment. [Explanation of symbols] l...Tripod, 2...Video camera, 2a...Visual beam direction, 3...Tracking mechanism box, 4...Electric box, 5...Subject, 6...・Card-shaped radio wave response of automatic tracking device, 6I... Board, 62... Receiving section, 62a... Microstrip red antenna for reception,
82b...Detector. 82c...Amplifier, 63...Code reading section, 63a.
・Built-in battery, fi3b...switch circuit, 83c・
・Clock circuit, Hd...Read-only memory, θ4・
...Transmission unit, 84a...Phase modulator, 64b...Microstrip antenna for transmission, 7...Automatic tracking! +′ video camera side device. 8... Radio wave searching means, 9... Tracking means, 10...
Distance measurement circuit, 11... Focus adjustment circuit, 81... Microwave excitation circuit, 82... Circulator, 82a.
...First port, 82b...Second port, 82c...
・First port, 83... Phase shifter group, 83-1, 83
-2 to 83-n... Phase shifter, 84... Array antenna, 84-1.84-2 to 84-n... Radiation element, 8
5... Phase shift control circuit, 91... Receiving circuit, 92...
・Tracking control circuit, 84...0 drive circuit, 35...φ
Drive circuit, 96...0 electric motor, 97...φ electric motor, 98...θ displacement mechanism, 89...φ displacement mechanism, θ...for pole, φ...azimuth angle. Applicant Shin IJ Honmusen Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Yama 1) Minoru Figure 1 Figure 2 Mutual 2761

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A device that automatically tracks the pointing direction of a first object to a relatively movable second object, which returns a second radio wave containing a unique information signal based on reception of the first radio wave. The radio wave searching means includes a radio wave transponder to be attached, and a radio wave searching means and a tracking means provided on the first object side. a scanning control member that controls scanning, and the tracking means includes an identification member that receives the second radio wave and identifies the unique information signal contained therein, an identification confirmation signal from the identification member, and the scanning control member. An automatic tracking device comprising: a tracking member that aligns the pointing direction of the first object with the direction of the second object based on the beam direction information signal from the circuit. (2) The radio wave emitting member includes an excitation circuit that excites and outputs microwaves in a specific frequency range, a circulator that passes the microwaves from the first port to the second port, and a phase of the microwaves from the second port. and an array antenna that radiates the microwave as the first radio wave from a radiating element corresponding to the phase shifter group. The automatic tracking device according to item 1. (3) The radio wave transponder includes a receiving unit that receives the first radio wave, a code reading unit that reads out a unique code from a storage unit based on the reception, and a code reading unit that reads out a unique code from a storage unit based on the reception, and a code readout unit that performs phase modulation with the unique code to generate the second radio wave. The automatic tracking device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter that transmits microwaves as radio waves. (4) The automatic tracking device according to claim 3, wherein the radio wave transponder is configured in the form of a small, portable card. (5) The identification member includes the array antenna that receives the second radio wave, the circulator that introduces the second radio wave from the second port to the third port, and the circulator that demodulates the second radio wave to generate the unique The invention is characterized in that it is comprised of a receiving circuit that outputs an information signal, and a code identification circuit that compares the unique information signal with a code group in a storage unit and sends out the identification confirmation signal when they match. Automatic tracking device according to scope 2. (6) The tracking member is configured to control a tracking mechanism to output first and second drive signals corresponding to azimuth information and polar angle information included in the beam orientation information signal upon reception of the identification confirmation signal. An automatic tracking device comprising: a circuit; and a tracking mechanism that operates the first object based on the first and second drive signals.