JP2001141546A - Level measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure a water level even in a bad vision such as in the night/ rain. SOLUTION: A material with a low radiation ratio (thermal radiation characteristic) of 0.1 or less such as aluminum or stainless steel is used for a scale 5 of a scale plate 5, while a material with a high radiation ratio of about 1 such as wood or a material prepared by applying paint to wood is used for a scale base material 4. When the scale plate 3 is photographed by means of an infrared camera 1, an image with various density is formed according to a difference in a radiation ratio between the scale base material 4 and the scale 5. This image is processed for finding a water level from the number of shadings.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level measuring device for measuring a level such as a water level, and more particularly to a level measuring device which can be used even when visibility is poor at night or during rain.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 46 shows a configuration of a conventional water level measuring apparatus. A scale 105 is formed by engraving a scale 105 on the surface of a scale base material 104, and the scale plate 103 is placed in water 106 such as a reservoir. And set it up. The scale plate 103 is imaged by an ITV camera 101 having sensitivity to visible light, and
The observer reads the scale of the scale plate 103 above the water surface 107 by 2 and measures the water level.

[0003]

Conventionally, the image can be read with the ITV camera 101 which senses visible light, so that the scale can be read during the day, but the scale cannot be read at night, and it is difficult to read in the rain. There was a problem. In addition, the scale plate may be damaged or contaminated by hitting a drifting substance or the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a level measuring device for measuring a level such as a water level at which a scale can be read regardless of whether it is at night or during rain. It is another object of the invention to protect the scale plate from being damaged or contaminated by drifting matters.

[0004]

(1) A level measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target; an infrared camera for imaging the scale; The scale is composed of image processing means for measuring the level, and the scale is a material having a large emissivity and one of a material of a scale portion and a material of a portion sandwiching the scale is made of a material having a small emissivity. It is.

(2) In the above (1), aluminum or stainless steel is used for the scale.
The portion sandwiching the scale is made of wood or a material obtained by applying a paint to wood.

(3) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information. One of the graduation part and the part sandwiching the graduation is shaped so that it reflects the object with less infrared radiation and enters the infrared camera, and the other reflects the object with more infrared radiation and It is shaped to be incident on an infrared camera.

(4) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information. One of the scale part and the part sandwiching the scale is made of a material that reflects infrared rays well, and the other is made of a material that reflects less infrared rays.

(5) Further, in any one of the above (1) to (4), an infrared radiation means for irradiating the scale with infrared light is provided.

(6) Further, in any one of the above items (1) to (4), a heating means for heating a scale portion is provided in the scale.

(7) A scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is provided with an infrared ray radiating means, and one of the scale portion of the scale and a portion sandwiching the scale is made of an infrared transmitting material through which infrared light from the infrared ray radiating means is transmitted to the outside.

(8) Further, a sheathed heater or a heat pipe is used as the heating means of (6) or the infrared radiation means of (7).

(9) Further, in any one of the above items (1) to (8), each of the graduations has a shape having at least a part of curvature, a semi-cylindrical shape or a triangular prism shape.

(10) Further, in any one of the above items (1) to (9), a scale exchange mechanism for exchanging a scale with another scale is provided.

(11) Further, in any one of the above (1) to (9), the scale is formed into a roll shape which can be rotated, and the scale is rotated so that a new scale appears when the scale is rotated. A moving mechanism is provided.

(12) In the above (11), a cleaning mechanism for cleaning at least the scale portion when the scale is rotated is provided.

(13) In the above (1) to (12), the image processing means reads the scale according to the number of luminance differences between the scale portion of the scale image obtained from the imaging information and the portion sandwiching the scale. It is a means.

(14) In the above (1) to (12), the image processing means determines whether or not the luminance of the scale portion of the scale image obtained from the imaging information and the portion sandwiching the scale is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Is a means for reading the scale in accordance with.

(15) Also, a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and a level corresponding to a change in luminance of a scale portion of a scale image obtained from the imaging information. An image processing means for reading and measuring the level is provided.

(16) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is a scale having a reference scale which is different in shape from the scale at a desired position of the scale and serves as a level reference.

(17) In the above (16), the scale is provided with a predetermined scale at a predetermined interval so that the reference scale enters the field of view when the field of view of the infrared camera is narrow, and these scales are sandwiched between the reference scales. The graduation shape is such that the shape pattern formed by combining the graduations in the vicinity is different for each reference graduation.

(18) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is a scale that continuously reflects or emits infrared light over the entire range of level measurement, and the infrared light between the lower part of the scale where the level measurement target is located and the upper part of the scale where the scale is exposed. Imaging information corresponding to the difference in the amount of incident light is obtained, and the level is measured according to the imaging information.

(19) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is a scale in which two scales having a scale portion and a portion sandwiching the scale are equally spaced, and one of the scales is shifted halfway up and down from the other.

(20) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is a scale in which each scale is a triangular scale viewed from the infrared camera, and the scales are arranged continuously in the vertical direction.

(21) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information. And the portions sandwiching the scale are made of the same material, and one of them is coated with a material having a different reflectance from the above-mentioned material.

(22) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. While making the reflectance of the scale part and the part sandwiching the scale different,
At least a portion having a small reflectance has water repellency.

(23) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. When the arrangement of the camera and the scale is set to an arbitrary fixed position, the scale is a scale in which the vertical width of each scale viewed from the infrared camera is substantially the same.

(24) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Is a scale capable of variably adjusting the vertical scale angle of each scale with respect to the vertical plane, and is adjustable so that the vertical scale width of each scale is substantially the same when viewed from the infrared camera.

(25) Also, a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, a camera such as an infrared ray and a visible ray for imaging the scale, a scale portion of the scale of the imaging information, and a scale prepared in advance. It is provided with image processing means for comparing the scale with the template, determining the scale position according to the degree of similarity between the two, and reading the scale from the determined scale position to measure the level.

(26) Also, a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, a camera such as an infrared ray and a visible ray for imaging the scale, a scale portion of the scale of the imaging information, and a scale prepared in advance. Compare the graduation template, determine the graduation position according to the degree of similarity of the two compared, generate a scale image based on the decided graduation position, the brightness information for each graduation obtained from this scale video It is provided with image processing means for integrating and measuring the level according to the result of the integration.

(27) In (26), the integration of the luminance information for each scale obtained from the scale image by the image processing means is performed so that the S / N ratio (signal / noise ratio) is maximized. Things.

(28) A scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. When the scale is installed in the measurement object to be generated, means for protecting the scale from drifting objects such as a wire net is provided on the upstream side of the scale or around the scale.

(29) The scale comprises a scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. Are used, and each scale is arranged so that the reflection angle from sunlight to the infrared camera is different, and a scale in which reflected light of the sun does not enter the infrared camera can be selected.

(30) A scale for measuring the level of the level measurement object, a rotating mechanism for rotating the scale about a vertical rotation axis, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, The image processing means for measuring the level based on the information, the scale is rotated by the rotation mechanism to variably adjust the reflection angle from sunlight to the infrared camera, and the infrared camera The level can be measured on a scale adjusted so that reflected light does not enter.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a water level measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an infrared camera, 2 is an image processing device, 3 is a scale plate (scale), and a scale 5 is provided on a scale base material 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes water, which is a level measurement target. 7 is a water surface.

The scale 5 of the scale plate 3 is made of a material having a low emissivity (heat radiation characteristic) such as aluminum or stainless steel (about 0.1 or less). Use a material with high emissivity (close to 1) such as a material to which paint is applied.

On the other hand, the radiated energy of an object varies depending on its surface temperature, and the amount of energy (E) is
Equation (1) is obtained. E = εσT ⁴ −−−−−−−−−−− (1) ε: Emissivity (black body is 1 and maximum) σ: Stefan-Boltzmann constant T: Temperature of object (absolute temperature)

When the object is the scale plate 3, even if the scale 5 itself does not generate heat, a material having a small emissivity (high reflectivity) reflects heat radiation from the surroundings more.
When a temperature difference occurs between the graduation 5 and the graduation base material 4 and the graduation plate 3 is photographed with an infrared camera, the obtained image shows the difference in the density, the graduation 5 has a dark color, and the graduation base material 4 has The image becomes a light color and the scale is read by image processing this image.

Note that the scale material and the scale base material may be used in reverse. Further, an infrared camera having sensitivity to far-infrared rays having a longer wavelength has a higher sensitivity for scale determination than a camera having sensitivity to near-infrared rays.

Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to the shape of the scale, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the shape of the scale. FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a water level measuring device using the scale of FIG. 2 or FIG.

In FIG. 2, a scale 11 made of a metal material such as aluminum is provided on a scale substrate 4 to constitute a scale 3a. The shape of the upper part of the scale is a quarter column shape, and the shape of the lower part of the scale is a rectangular parallelepiped. The upper part of the scale reflects heat radiation from the sky (which is lower in temperature than the surface of the earth), and the lower part of the scale mainly reflects heat radiation from the surface of the surface. This scale 3a is connected to the infrared camera 1 as shown in FIG.
The image is processed by the image processing device 2 and the scale is read.

Regarding the fact that the temperature of the sky is lower than the surface of the ground, the "Computation of IRsky temperature and
comparison with surface temperature `` MAAtwater
& J.T.Ball.Solar Energy, 21, 211-216, 1978, and according to this document, "black body temperature Tso in the sky = temperature Ta
−ΔT, and ΔT = 6 to 18 ”.

As described above, even if the materials having the same emissivity are used, the energy amount of the above-mentioned equation (1) is different depending on the difference of the thermal radiation to be reflected (temperature difference). Appears. In addition, one scale made of a metal material such as aluminum may be formed by sequentially bending a single metal material plate such as aluminum to form a plurality of scales.

In FIG. 2, the scales 4 may be separated from each other so that the scale base material 4 can be clearly seen between the scales. As described in the first embodiment, the scale base portion has a large amount of energy.
The image becomes a pale color when imaged with. Then, shading is formed at the quarter columnar portion and the rectangular parallelepiped portion of the scale 11, and three types of shading appear on the image together with the scale base portion. The water level can be measured by extracting only the lightest part or extracting only the darkest part and counting the number.

FIG. 3 shows a scale 3b in which a triangular prism-shaped scale 12 made of a metal material such as aluminum is provided on a scale substrate 4. The inclined portion of the scale 12 reflects heat radiation from the sky. The portion of the scale substrate 4 has no reflection and the wood itself is almost equal to the ground surface temperature.
And the image of the graduation base material 4 show shading.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, if the sunlight directly strikes the scale, the temperature difference on the scale becomes small and it becomes difficult to identify the scale, so that the sunlight does not strike the scale. The scale 3a or 3b is set at an appropriate position. Note that, instead of the triangular prism of the scale 12 of FIG. 3, a portion of only the quarter column of the scale 11 of FIG. 2 (no rectangular parallelepiped portion) may be used as the scale.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the scale reading sensitivity is improved. FIG. 6 shows an example of the scale shape. In FIG. 5, the scale is read from the scale image by the difference in reflection between the scale 5 and the scale substrate 4 by emitting infrared rays to the scale 3 using the infrared heater 21.

Materials such as aluminum having a low emissivity reflect infrared rays well, and materials such as wood having a high emissivity have low reflection. The infrared camera senses the high temperature of the infrared heater reflected by the aluminum (detects the temperature of the infrared heater reflected through the aluminum (infrared heater)), and the scale material does not reflect much of the heat of the high-temperature infrared heater, A temperature difference occurs between the two, and the difference becomes the gradation of the scale on the image.

Next, the shape of the scale in FIG. 6 will be described. Scale 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a semi-cylindrical column (camel-shaped) made of aluminum, which is attached to the scale substrate 4 to form a scale 3c. When the scale 13 is irradiated by the infrared heater 21 as shown in FIG. 5, since the scale 13 is a semi-cylindrical column, the scale 13 is always reflected to the infrared camera 1 at any part of the curved surface of the semi-circle. Therefore, the arrangement of the infrared heater 21, the scale 3c, and the infrared camera 1 becomes easy.

The scale 13 is not limited to a semi-cylindrical column, but may be a scale having a curved surface such as a convex surface. When the arrangement of the infrared heater 21, the infrared camera 1, and the scale 3 c can be accurately grasped in advance, the geometrical arrangement of the projection and reflection is clear. To do. By doing so, the amount of infrared radiation to the infrared camera 1 can be increased, and the reading sensitivity can be increased. The reflection efficiency is improved.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 shows a configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A heater 22 such as a sheathed heater is embedded in a scale plate (scale) 3, and the heater 22 and the metal scale 5 are brought into thermal contact with each other. Thereby, the temperature difference between the scale 5 and the scale base material 4 can be increased. in this case,
By coating the metal scale 5 with a coating material whose emissivity approaches 1, the amount of infrared radiation can be further increased. Therefore, it is possible to increase the scale temperature more effectively than in the third embodiment by irradiating with an infrared heater from outside.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In the fifth embodiment, a heat pipe is used in place of the heater of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 8, a heat pipe 2 for heating a scale 5
5, the heater 24 is heated by the electric power from the power source 23,
Heat is applied to the scale 5 via the heat pipe 25.

Embodiment 6 FIG. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 14 denotes a window using an infrared transmitting material, which is used as a scale.
When the infrared ray radiated from the heater 22 passes through the window and is imaged by the infrared camera 1, the image of the window 14 is high because the temperature of the window 14 is high and the image of the scale substrate 4 is dark. Can be identified.

Embodiment 7 FIG. In the seventh embodiment, if the scale surface becomes dirty, the reflectivity of infrared rays decreases, so that the scale is clarified. In FIG. 10, a scale exchange mechanism 31 is provided so that the scale plate 3 can be replaced. Scale plate 3
If the surface becomes dirty, replace it with another scale plate 3.

Embodiment 8 FIG. In the eighth embodiment, the scale is clarified similarly to the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 4a denotes a roll-shaped scale base material, and a scale 5 is attached to the base material to form a roll-shaped scale. A roll 35 for rotating the scale is housed in the case 32 to form a scale rotating mechanism. When the scale surface is soiled with such a configuration, the roller 35 is rotated so that a new scale appears.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a cleaning mechanism 37 is provided so that the scale surface can be cleaned when the roller 35 is rotated.

Embodiment 9 FIG. Embodiment 9 of the present invention relates to image processing. FIG. 13A shows a scale image 41 on the image display surface 40. Using the brightness difference of the scale image 41 captured by the infrared camera 1,
Edge detection is performed to extract only a portion where the luminance greatly changes, and the water level is calculated based on the number of edges as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14A, a histogram reference axis 43 from the origin is set, and the reference axis 43 is set.
Find the luminance distribution at, and make it a histogram,
The water level is calculated by counting the number of times that a portion below or above a predetermined threshold value occurs. The scale of the water level shown in FIG.
However, since the origin is taken at the top, it may be "1, 2, 3, ..." from below.

Embodiment 10 FIG. In the first to ninth embodiments and the later-described embodiments, the measurement of the water level is described. However, the present invention can be used for level measurement of liquids, fluids, powders, granules and the like.

Embodiment 11 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
Reference numeral 1 relates to image processing. FIG. 15A shows a display screen 4 when there is no water captured by the infrared camera 1.
This shows a scale image 41 on 0. Histogram reference axis 43 from the origin for scale image 41
Is set, the luminance distribution of the scale on the reference axis 43 is obtained, and the distribution is formed into a histogram.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a luminance distribution in the form of a histogram.
This is shown in FIG. Then, the shape of the histogram at this time is stored in a storage medium such as a memory as reference information.

Next, FIG. 16A shows a scale image 41 when immersed in water captured by the infrared camera 1. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 6 denotes water, which is a level measurement target, and reference numeral 7 denotes a water surface. When there is water 6 as in FIG. 16A, a histogram similar to the case where there is no water is formed for the portion above the water surface 7 as shown on the left side of the histogram in FIG. 16B.

On the other hand, the water temperature is imaged in a portion below the water surface 7, and the histogram shows the brightness of the water temperature.
As shown on the right side of the histogram of (b), a histogram different from that without water is formed. FIG. 16 shows the shape of the histogram when there is no water stored in the aforementioned storage medium.
Based on the difference in the shape of the histogram when there is water as shown in (b), a change in the shape of the histogram is detected to find the water surface.

In addition to the histogram shape, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16 (b) and FIG. 16 (b), the interval a of the portion where the luminance is equal to or less than the threshold is b
The water surface 7 may be detected by utilizing the features of the histogram, such as detecting a change in the water surface 7. In addition, the origin of the histogram is not limited to one, but two or more may be provided and processing may be performed on each of them to calculate the water level. Instead of performing the processing on each of the pixels, the processing may be performed by averaging each vertical pixel and converting the result into a histogram.

As described above, the change in the histogram is identified on a pixel basis, so that the measurement can be performed on a pixel basis.
Accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 12 FIG. FIG. 17 shows Embodiment 12
FIG. 3 is a front view of the scale 3 for explaining the following. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 44 denotes a reference scale, and reference numeral 45 denotes a normal scale.
At the time of level measurement, when there is no reference scale 44, measurement is performed by counting from the top of the scale. However, when the uppermost scale is not captured in the infrared image, the lower scale is erroneously determined to be the uppermost scale, and erroneous measurement is performed.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, measurement is performed by counting from a reference scale whose absolute position is known. In addition, when the reference scale is not captured in the infrared image, another normal scale 45 is not erroneously determined as the reference scale 44, so that a measurement error can be eliminated. By providing the reference scale in this way, the reliability of measurement can be increased.

Embodiment 13 FIG. FIG. 18 shows Embodiment 13
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an array pattern of a reference scale and upper and lower scales. If the range of the level measurement is large and the scale cannot be covered by one screen of the infrared camera, the image is divided into a plurality of shots and connected to perform image processing. then,
It is possible to control which part of the whole infrared camera image corresponds to which part of the scale by controlling the infrared camera. However, there is a possibility that the error in the camera control is large and the measurement result is largely shifted depending on the measurement range. In addition, even when the entire scale can be covered by one screen, it is necessary to count which part of the scale of the water surface corresponds to the whole scale from the top scale, and there is a problem that the screen processing time becomes longer. there were.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem. The positional relationship between the reference scale and the scales above and below the reference scale can be recognized by image processing, and the reference scale can be recognized at any part of the entire scale. In FIG. 18, the arrangement pattern of the reference graduation 44 and the normal graduation 45 above and below it is distinguished by the difference in the left and right positions of the normal graduation 45, and patterns 46 to 49 are formed. As for the reference memory at the uppermost end, two reference graduations are distinguished from each other, like 50 patterns. In this way, even when the measurement range is large and the entire scale is divided into a plurality of images and image processing is performed, it is possible to determine the position of the reference scale on the entire scale, and a highly reliable level measurement device can be obtained. .

The above-mentioned reference scale is identified based on the difference in the position of the upper and lower scales in the left-right direction.
As shown in (a) and (b), patterning may be performed based on a positional relationship with two graduations above and below the reference graduation,
More discrimination is possible. Further, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), the length of the scale of the reference scale 44 may be changed, or as shown in FIG. May be identified. All of the above were determined by the combination of the scale position and dimensions,
A similar effect can be obtained by attaching an infrared lamp to the scale and identifying the position of the reference scale by lighting the lamp. Also,
Even when the entire scale can be covered in one screen, it is possible to determine the position of the reference scale immediately above the scale of the water surface position on the entire scale. Therefore, it is sufficient to count the positions from the reference scale, thereby reducing processing time. It becomes possible.

Embodiment 14 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 21 is a three-dimensional view of the shape of the scale of the scale explaining FIG.
A plan view is shown in FIG. FIG. 22A is a front view,
(B) is a side view. 21 and 22, 51
Is a scale made of a metal material such as aluminum which can cover the entire measurement range with one triangular prism-shaped mass. The difference between the amount of heat radiation between the inclined portion of the scale 51 and the scale substrate 4 is made so that the scale 51 can be read.

When the water level is measured by the scale 3, the inclined portion of the scale 51 below the water surface is affected by the refractive index of the water, and does not reflect the radiant heat from the sky. When the image is taken by the infrared camera 1, the water temperature between the scale 51 and the infrared camera 1 is taken. Since the amount of heat radiation from water and the amount of heat radiation of the scale 51 reflecting the sky are different, shading appears in the scale 51 portion of the obtained image. The water surface is detected by performing image processing on this image.

The scale 51 has a triangular prism shape, but may have a scale shape as described in the second and third embodiments. In addition, the scale 3 uses the difference in the amount of heat radiation between water and the sky, but creates the difference in the amount of heat radiation using a heater or a heat pipe as described in any of the third to sixth embodiments. It may be a scale.

As described above, since the measurement is performed on the scale capable of covering the entire measurement range with one lump, continuous water level detection becomes possible, and accurate water level measurement can be performed.

Embodiment 15 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 23 shows a three-dimensional view of the shape of the scale of the scale explaining FIG.
FIG. 24 is a plan view, and FIG. 25A or FIG. 25B shows an image of a scale captured by the infrared camera 1. FIG.
4A is a front view, and FIG. 4B is a side view. FIG.
In FIG. 24, reference numeral 52 denotes a triangular prism-shaped scale made of a metal material such as aluminum, and the scale 3 is arranged on the scale equipment 4 alternately and continuously in two rows.

The principle of detecting the water surface is the same as in the fourteenth embodiment. In the eleventh embodiment, the water surface cannot be detected in a portion where the scale is not graduated. However, in this embodiment, since the graduations 52 are provided continuously and alternately, the water surface can be detected continuously.

Image processing for a scale having a graduated scale is performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 25 (a), one origin is provided on each of the right and left sides, and histogram reference axes 53a and 53b are respectively set, and the luminance distribution of the scale on each of the reference axes 53a and 53b is obtained.
Make it a histogram. The water level is calculated by applying the processing method described in the ninth or eleventh embodiment to these two histograms, for example.

As shown in FIG. 25B, two or more origins may be provided on the left and right instead of one each. In this way, by taking data for one scale a plurality of times, noise and the like can be removed, and the accuracy can be improved. Further, instead of making a histogram, processing by edge detection as described in Embodiment 9 may be performed.

The scale 52 of the scale 3 utilizes the reflection of radiant heat from the sky. However, when the scales are packed and arranged, not the sky but the scale above is reflected, and the heat of the scale is reflected. there is a possibility. For this reason, an appropriate grayscale image cannot be obtained, and measurement may be difficult. In order to avoid this, a structure of alternately arranging is adopted. However, if the structure does not reflect the upper scale, the structure may be arranged in a line. Also, an array structure having two or more rows may be used.

The scale 52 has a triangular prism shape, but may have a scale shape as described in the second and third embodiments. The scale 3 may be a scale using the above-described heater or heat pipe.

As described above, by performing the measurement on the scale in which the scales are continuously provided alternately, continuous water level detection becomes possible, and accurate water level measurement can be performed.
In addition, since it is sufficient to perform detailed image processing only on a scale having a water surface, the processing speed can be improved, and the accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 16 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 26 is a three-dimensional view of the shape of the scale of the scale for explaining FIG.
FIG. 27 is a plan view, and FIG. 28 is a scale image captured by the infrared camera 1. 27A is a front view, and FIG. 27B is a side view. 26 and 27,
Reference numeral 54 denotes a triangular pyramid scale made of a metal material such as aluminum, and the scale 3 is continuously arranged on the scale equipment 4.

The principle of detecting the water surface is the same as in the fourteenth embodiment. However, since the scale 54 is provided continuously, the scale at which the water surface can be detected changes due to the vertical movement of the water surface. Therefore, it is sufficient to search for a scale having a water surface and perform image processing for detecting the water surface only on the scale. Further, since the scale is inclined, the position where the water surface can be detected is different due to the fluctuation of the water surface even within the same scale.

The image processing for the scale having the actual scale is performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 28A, an edge detection is performed to extract only a portion where the luminance greatly changes, using the luminance difference of the scale video 41. As a result, FIG.
An edge as shown in (b) is obtained. At this time, FIG.
Since the temperature of the upper scale is reflected in the reflection portion 55 of (a) due to the scale angle, the brightness of the scale reflecting the radiant heat of the sky is different. By utilizing this, the edge 56 is slanted from the left end to the right end of the edge 42.
Can be done. By performing a process of checking the presence or absence of the edge 56, it is possible to determine that the edge has disappeared as the water surface.

Note that the target edge may be an edge other than the edge 56. Also, instead of edge detection, histogram processing may be performed.

The scale 3 may be a scale using the above-described heater or heat pipe. Also, scale 5
4 has a triangular pyramid shape, but may have a semi-conical shape, or a conical shape in the upper half and a pyramid shape in the lower half. 26 and 27 are triangular pyramids including right triangles.
A triangular pyramid that does not include a right triangle may be used. In addition, although the scale 54 is provided so as to cover the right side, the scale 54 may be provided so as to cover the left side. In addition, the scale 54 may not have a single-row configuration, but may have a configuration of two or more rows, and in this case, the configuration may not be a configuration in which only the right side or the left side is filled.

As described above, continuous measurement of the water surface becomes possible by performing the measurement on the scale having the triangular pyramid-shaped scale continuously, so that accurate water level measurement can be performed.
In addition, since the scale is inclined, the position where the water surface can be detected is different due to the fluctuation of the water surface even within the same scale, and the water level can be determined based on the position, and the accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 17 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 29 shows a three-dimensional view of a scale for explaining No. 7. Reference numeral 57 denotes a scale made of a metal material such as aluminum. The scale 57 is provided on the scale base material 4 made of the same material as the scale 57. Further, the scale 57 reflects heat radiation from the sky at its inclined portion, and a paint 58 having a lower reflectance than the metal material is applied to the surface of the scale base 4.

The scale 57 reflects heat radiation from the sky at its inclined portion. However, the scale substrate 4 has a small reflectance and approaches the temperature of the scale substrate 4, that is, the ground surface temperature. Shading can be achieved between the portion and the portion of the scale base material 58. The principle of water level measurement is the same as in the fourteenth embodiment.

The scale 57 has a triangular prism shape, but may have the scale shape described in the second and third embodiments. Further, as in the fifteenth embodiment, two rows of scales may be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, a member 58 made of a metal material such as aluminum, which can cover the entire measurement range with one triangular prism-shaped lump, and a material 58 having a lower reflectance than the above metal material is sandwiched between the scales 57. It may be applied.

As described above, since the scale and the scale base material are formed of the same material, the scale and the scale base material can be integrally formed, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the recyclability can be improved. .

Embodiment 18 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 31 shows a three-dimensional view of a scale for explaining No. 8. Reference numeral 57 denotes a scale made of a metal material such as aluminum. The scale 3 is provided on a scale base material 60 made of a material having a lower reflectance and a water repellency than the scale of the metal material.

The graduation 57 reflects heat radiation from the sky at its inclined portion, but the graduation base material 60 becomes heat radiation from the graduation base material 60 itself having a small reflectance and a surface temperature.
Therefore, in the image of the infrared camera, shading can be performed at the scale 57 and the scale base 60, and the water level can be measured according to the same principle as in the fourteenth embodiment.

However, when water adheres to the graduation base material due to rain or the like, the evaporation heat of the water causes the heat of vaporization to be taken, the temperature of the graduation base material 60 falls below the surface temperature, and a graduation reflecting heat radiation from the sky. There is a case where the temperature difference from the temperature 57 becomes small. In this case, it is difficult to distinguish the scale 57 and the base material 60 from the image of the infrared camera. However, since the scale base material 60 of the present embodiment is made of a material having water repellency, water does not adhere to the scale base material 60, and thus there is no temperature decrease due to deprivation of vaporization heat. Thus, shading can be performed between the scale 57 and the scale base 60.

As described above, since the scale base material 60 is made of a water-repellent material, there is no adhesion of water and the heat of vaporization is not deprived. Therefore, the scale 57 and the scale base material 60 can be distinguished and stable. Water level measurement can be performed.

In the above description, the scale substrate 60 is made of a material having water repellency. However, the scale substrate 60 may be made of a material that is not water repellent, and may be coated with a water repellent paint or attached with a water repellent material later. Similar effects can be obtained. Of course, the scale 57 and the scale base material 60 may be manufactured from the same material, and only the scale base material 60 may be coated with a water-repellent material later.

Embodiment 19 FIG. Embodiment 1 of the present invention
FIG. 32 shows an example of an arrangement diagram of an infrared camera and a scale for explaining No. 9. In the figure, θ1 is the infrared camera 1 and scale 3
Is the angle between the line connecting the upper end of the scale and the ground, and θ2 is the angle between the line connecting the infrared camera 1 and the lower end of the scale 3 and the ground. The infrared camera 1 is higher than the scale 3,
θ1 is an angle smaller than θ2.

FIG. 33A shows the uppermost scale 57 and the lowermost scale 57 of the scale 3 when the angle α of the slope of the scale is the same angle from the upper end to the lower end of the scale 3.
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an angle relationship between the camera and the infrared camera 1;
(B) shows the infrared camera image. The angle β between the slope of the scale and the infrared camera 1 changes depending on the position of the scale,
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the scale height h in the infrared camera image also varies depending on the position in the scale height direction, and it is necessary to take account of this difference in image processing, which is complicated.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34 (a), the angle α of the scale slope is set such that the angle β between the scale slope and the infrared camera 1 becomes constant depending on the position on the scale 3. Because the angle was set, the infrared camera image
As shown in (b), the scale height h at any position on the scale 3
Will be the same.

As described above, since the height of the scale of the infrared camera image is not changed at any scale of the scale 3, it is necessary to consider the change in the height direction of the scale in the image processing. And the processing algorithm can be simplified.

Embodiment 20 FIG. In the nineteenth embodiment, the scale 57 is manufactured at an angle such that the height of each scale is the same when viewed from the infrared camera 1. However, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the scale 57 is hinged at the upper end thereof. The scale 57 is rotatably held by the scale 61 and the scale 57 can be fixed to the bracket 62 fixed to the scale base 4 with the screw 63. After the scale 3 is installed, the angle of the scale can be adjusted. As a result, the water level can be measured with higher accuracy, and scales having different angles can be realized by the same part, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Embodiment 21 FIG. Embodiment 2 of the present invention
Reference numeral 1 relates to an image processing procedure. FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating the twenty-first embodiment. FIG. 38 shows an example of the scale image 41 captured on the image display surface 40. In FIG. 37, 64 is an image input means, 65 is a scale position search means, 66 is a scale database, 67 is a scale reading means, and 68 is a level measuring means. In FIG. 38, reference numeral 69 denotes a scale position search template.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the scale 3 is imaged by the infrared camera 1 in the image input means 64. The video information obtained thereby is input to the image processing device 2 and stored.

Subsequently, the scale position searching means 65 performs a process of searching where the scale exists in the obtained video information. At this time, information on the reference scale shape is held in the scale database 66, and the scale position is searched by comparing the information with the obtained video information. For example, in FIG. 38, it is checked how similar each part of the scale video 41 is to the template 69 as the reference data, and it is determined that the scale is present in the most similar part.

Next, based on the position obtained by the scale position searching means 65, the scale reading means 67 extracts only information of the scale image 41 including the scale part from the obtained image information, and newly extracts the information. Store. Then, the level measuring means 68 is used for the information of the extracted scale video 41 portion.
In, processing is performed by the above-described edge detection and histogram creation, and the water level is calculated.

The calculated water level data is output to the outside of the image processing device and displayed on a display device or the like. Further, an image of a processing result may be output and displayed on a display device. After the output is completed, the measurement processing ends.

Note that the image input means 64 may use an imaging device such as a visible camera, a near-infrared camera, a night vision camera, a low illuminance camera, etc., instead of the infrared camera 1. Further, the information of the reference scale shape held in the scale database 66 may be prepared in advance, or may be used the information of the previous scale shape or position in the case of continuous measurement. . Furthermore, when previously holding the scale shape information, hold a plurality of shape information,
The optimum shape information may be selected and used.

As described above, the position of the scale is checked before measuring the level, and processing is performed only on that part, so that the part other than the scale in the video is not processed, and the processing speed is improved. Can be planned.

Embodiment 22 FIG. Embodiment 2 of the present invention
Reference numeral 2 relates to an image processing procedure. FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating the twenty-second embodiment, and FIG. 40 illustrates an example of a scale image and its projected luminance distribution data. In FIG. 39, reference numeral 70 denotes a projection integrating means. Other blocks are the same as in the twenty-first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. Scale reading means 67
Thus, the same processing as in the twenty-first embodiment is performed until the scale video 41 is cut out from the video display surface 40 in FIG. 38 and newly stored. Next, in the projection integrating means 70,
The obtained luminance information of the scale image 41 is integrated by projection (projection as electrical signal processing) in a predetermined direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 38) for each pixel column, converted into data, and the data is newly stored. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 40, the luminance data of the scale image 41 is projected in the horizontal direction. Here, as shown on the right side of FIG. 40, data processing such as forming a histogram of data obtained by projection may be performed. Then, the scale water level is calculated based on the data obtained by the projection integration. The processing after the calculation of the water level is performed in the same manner as in the twenty-first embodiment. Here, by performing the projection integration, the influence of noise can be removed, the S / N ratio can be improved, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

The predetermined direction is a horizontal direction in FIG. 38 and a direction along the scale (upward right) in FIG. 42 to be described later, that is, the scale can be collected only in the scale portion. The scale substrate has a direction in which only a portion of the substrate can be collected (a direction parallel to the scale). The predetermined direction is also the direction in which the maximum S / N ratio (signal / noise) is obtained. The projection axis is perpendicular to the predetermined direction as shown in FIGS.

When the projection integration is performed, for example, when the scale is composed of two or more rows, the scale may be divided and projected for each row, or the whole may be projected at a time for processing. .

As described above, by performing the projection integration on the scale information, even if the scale information is partially missing, the influence of the missing can be suppressed to a low level.
As a result, level measurement can be performed even when part of the information is missing, and measurement accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 23 FIG. Embodiment 2 of the present invention
Reference numeral 3 relates to an image processing procedure. FIG. 41 is a block diagram for explaining Embodiment 23, and FIG. 42 shows an example of a scale image and its projected luminance distribution data. In FIG. 41, reference numeral 71 denotes integration direction data. Other blocks are the same as those in the twenty-second embodiment. In FIG. 42, reference numeral 72 denotes an example of scale data stored in the scale database 66, 72a denotes a template of the scale data, 7
2b indicates a direction in which the luminance information of the scale image 41 at that time is projected and integrated. Reference numeral 73 denotes another example of the scale data, which has the same configuration as the scale data 72. Other configurations are the same as those of the twenty-second embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. The point that an image including the scale image 41 is captured by the image input means is the same as in the twenty-second embodiment. Next, the scale position search means 65 searches for the highest similar part between the scale image 41 in the image display surface 40 and the template 72a or 73a in the scale data 72 or 73 stored in the scale database 66. At this time, the projection integration direction data 72b or 73b stored in the scale database 66 in pair with a similar template is registered in the integration direction data 71.

After the scale position searching means 65, the scale image 41 is cut out by the scale reading means 67, and the projection integrating means 70 projects based on the integrated direction data 71. Note that the integration process is performed in the same manner as in the twenty-second embodiment except for the projection direction. Then, the level is measured as in the twenty-second embodiment.

As described above, by changing the projection integration direction for each scale data stored in the scale database,
Water level measurement is possible even with inclined scale information, and measurement accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 24 FIG. FIG. 43 shows Embodiment 24.
FIG. 44 is a plan view showing another example. 43 and 44 (a), two struts 74 are driven into the upstream side of the scale 3, and the two struts 74 are used.
A wire mesh 75 is fixed between the wires. By doing so, the scale 3 can be protected against drifting substances flowing from the upstream, and a device that can more reliably measure the level can be provided.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 44 (b), (c) and (d), it is also possible to drive only a plurality of columns 74 or only one column without the wire mesh 75. In addition, in the vicinity of an estuary that flows into the sea of a river, the direction of the tidal current changes in a complicated manner due to tides. When a scale is installed in such a place, the scale may be surrounded by a wire net. If small particles other than drifting substances adhere to the scale,
A screen with a fine mesh may be provided around the scale.

Embodiment 25 FIG. FIG. 45 shows Embodiment 2
FIG. 46 is an image diagram showing a level measuring device No. 5 in which scales 76a and 76b, which are the same as the scale 3, are installed on the infrared camera 1 so as to reflect different sky as shown in FIG. When the sun is reflected on the scale 76a and the level cannot be measured, if the infrared camera 1 is rotated and the scale 76b is photographed, the level can be measured without the reflection of the sun and the reliability of the apparatus can be improved. Can be. Of course, the same effect can be obtained even when level measurement cannot be performed due to reasons other than the reflection of sunlight.

The number of scales may be three or more, and the reliability can be further improved. Further, two scales 76a and 76b having different installation angles may be accommodated in one image without rotating the infrared camera 1. By providing a mechanism for rotating the scale about the vertical direction as a rotation axis, the scale may be rotated to a position where the infrared camera does not capture the reflected light of the sun from the scale, and the level may be measured. Good.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention, the scale portion of the scale for measuring the level and the portion sandwiching the scale are formed into a scale which can be distinguished in density when the image is taken by an infrared camera, and the scale is provided through the infrared camera. Since the scale is read, the level can be measured even at night or during rain. Further, since the scale is a continuous scale portion, the level is measured according to the difference between the portion hidden by the measurement target and the exposed portion of the scale portion, so that the continuous level measurement can be performed. Further, the scale can be protected from drifting substances and the like by the protection means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a scale shape according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another example of the scale shape according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of a scale shape according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a water level measurement device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a scale changing mechanism according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration of a roll-type scale according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a configuration of a roll-type scale provided with a cleaning mechanism in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating image processing of a water level measurement device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating image processing of a water level measurement device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating image processing of a water level measurement device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating image processing of a water level measurement device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a scale according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a layout diagram of scales including a reference scale of a scale according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a layout diagram showing an example of a scale including a reference scale of a scale according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a layout diagram showing another example of the scale including the reference scale of the scale according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an example of a scale shape according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a front view and a side view showing an example of a scale shape according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of a scale shape according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

24A and 24B are a front view and a side view showing an example of a scale shape according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating image processing of water level measurement according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an example of a scale shape according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are a front view and a side view showing an example of a scale shape according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating image processing of water level measurement according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a scale of a water level measuring device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a scale of a water level measuring device of another embodiment according to Embodiment 17 of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a scale of a water level measuring device according to Embodiment 18 of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of an infrared camera and a scale according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a relationship between an infrared camera and a scale and a diagram showing an infrared image on a scale for describing a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a relationship between an infrared camera and a scale according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention and a diagram showing an infrared image on a scale.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a scale structure according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a side view showing a scale structure according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a level measuring device according to Embodiment 21 of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating video processing according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of a level measuring device according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating video processing according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a level measuring device according to Embodiment 23 of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating video processing according to Embodiment 23 of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing scale protection with a wire mesh according to Embodiment 24 of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing another example of scale protection according to Embodiment 24 of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship between an infrared camera and a scale according to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water level measurement device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Infrared camera 2 Image processing apparatus (image processing means) 3 Scale plate (scale) 3a, 3b, 3c
Scale 4,4a Scale substrate 5,11,12,
13 scale 6 water (level measurement target) 7 water surface (water level,
Level) 14 window 21 infrared heater (infrared radiation means) 22, 24 heater (heating means) 23 power supply 25 heat pipe (heating means) 31 scale exchange mechanism 32 case 35 roller 36 scale rotation mechanism 37 cleaning mechanism 40 video display surface 41 Scale image 42 Edge 43 Histogram reference axis 44 Reference scale 45 Normal scale 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 Array pattern 51, 52, 54, 57 Scale 53a, 53b
Histogram reference axis 55 Reflected portion 56 Edge 58 Paint with low reflectivity 59 Member 60 Scale base material 61 Hinge 62 Bracket 63 Screw, 64 Image input means, 65 Scale position detecting means 66 Scale database 67 Scale position reading means 68 Level measuring means 69 , 72a, 7
3a template 70 projection integration means 71 integration direction data 72, 73 scale data 72b, 73b
Projection integration direction 74 Prop 75 Wire mesh 76a, 76b Scale

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Junji Takada 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Kaiga 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Co., Ltd. Company F-term (reference) 2F014 AA10 AB02 AB03 FA04

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and an image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, wherein the scale is a scale. A level measuring device characterized in that one of the material of the portion and the material of the portion sandwiching the scale is made of a material having a high emissivity, and the other is made of a material having a low emissivity. 2. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein aluminum or stainless steel is used for the scale portion, and wood or a material obtained by applying paint to wood is used for a portion sandwiching the scale. Level measurement device. 3. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and an image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, wherein the scale is a scale. One of the part and the part sandwiching the scale is shaped so as to reflect the object with less infrared radiation and enter the infrared camera, and reflect the other with the object with large infrared radiation to the infrared camera. A level measuring device having a shape so as to be incident. 4. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, wherein the scale is a scale. A level measuring device characterized in that one of the portion and the portion sandwiching the scale is made of a material that reflects infrared light well, and the other is made of a material that reflects less infrared light. 5. The level measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising an infrared radiation means for irradiating the scale with infrared light. 6. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a heating means for heating a scale portion is provided in the scale. 7. A scale for measuring the level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information, A level measuring device comprising an infrared radiation means, wherein one of a scale portion of the scale and a portion sandwiching the scale is made of an infrared transmitting material through which infrared light from the infrared light transmitting device is transmitted to the outside. 8. A level measuring device using a sheathed heater or a heat pipe as the heating means according to claim 6 or the infrared radiation means according to claim 7. 9. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein each of the graduations has a shape having at least a part of curvature, a semi-cylindrical shape, or a triangular prism shape. Level measuring device. 10. The level measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a scale exchange mechanism for exchanging a scale with another scale. 11. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the scale is formed into a rotatable roll, and a new scale is provided when the scale is rotated. A level measuring device comprising a moving mechanism. 12. The level measuring device according to claim 11, further comprising a cleaning mechanism for cleaning at least a scale portion when the scale is rotated. 13. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing means determines the number of luminance differences between a scale portion of the scale video obtained from the imaging information and a portion sandwiching the scale. A level reading device for reading a scale according to the level. 14. The level measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing means has a luminance of a graduation portion and a portion sandwiching the graduation of the scale image obtained from the imaging information, which is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. A level reading device for reading a scale in accordance with the number of whether or not the level is measured. 15. A scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and reading the level in accordance with a change in luminance of a scale portion of a scale image obtained from the imaging information. A level measuring device comprising image processing means for measuring a level. 16. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, wherein the scale is a scale. A scale having a reference scale different from the scale at a desired position and serving as a level reference. 17. The level measuring device according to claim 16, wherein the scale is provided with reference scales at predetermined intervals of the scales, and a shape pattern formed by combining these reference scales and scales near the reference scales. Has a scale shape such that a different pattern is provided for each reference scale. 18. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. A scale that continuously reflects or emits infrared light over the entire measurement range, and calculates the amount of infrared incident light between the lower part of the scale where the level measurement target is located and the upper part of the scale where the scale is exposed. Obtain imaging information according to the difference,
A level measuring device characterized in that a level is measured according to the imaging information. 19. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, wherein the scale is a scale. A level measuring device characterized in that two scales each having an equal interval between a portion and a portion sandwiching the scale are arranged side by side, and one of the scales is half scaled up and down from the other. 20. A scale for measuring the level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaged information. A level measuring device, wherein the scale is a triangular scale viewed from the infrared camera, and the scale is a scale arranged continuously in a vertical direction. 21. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and an image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, and a scale of the scale is provided. A level measuring device characterized in that a portion and a portion sandwiching the scale are made of the same material, and one of the materials is coated with a material having a different reflectance from the above material. 22. A scale for measuring the level of the level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, and a scale portion of the scale And a portion sandwiching the scale has a different reflectance, and at least a portion having a small reflectance has water repellency. 23. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information, the infrared camera and the scale The level measuring device is characterized in that, when the arrangement of (1) and (2) is an arbitrary fixed position, the scale is such that the vertical width of each scale viewed from the infrared camera is substantially the same. 24. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and an image processing means for measuring the level on the basis of the image pickup information. Level measurement, characterized in that the vertical scale angle of the scale with respect to the vertical plane is variably adjustable, and that the vertical width of each scale can be adjusted to be substantially the same when viewed from the infrared camera. apparatus. 25. A scale for measuring the level of a level measurement target, a camera for imaging the scale, such as an infrared ray or a visible ray, a scale portion of the scale of the imaging information, and a pre-created scale template. And compare
Determine the scale position according to the degree of similarity between the two,
A level measuring device comprising image processing means for reading a scale from a fixed scale position and measuring a level. 26. A scale for measuring the level of a level measurement target, a camera for imaging the scale, such as an infrared ray or a visible ray, a scale portion of the scale of the imaging information, and a pre-created scale template. And compare
Determine the scale position according to the degree of similarity between the two,
Image processing means for generating a scale image based on the determined scale position, integrating luminance information for each scale obtained from the scale image, and measuring a level according to the integrated result is provided. Level measurement device. 27. The level measuring device according to claim 26, wherein the integration of the luminance information for each scale obtained from the scale image by the image processing means is performed in an S / N ratio (signal / noise ratio).
A level measuring device characterized in that integration is performed so that the maximum value is obtained. 28. A measurement object comprising a scale for measuring the level of a level measurement object, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the imaging information thereof, wherein a flow occurs. When the scale is installed inside the scale, means for protecting the scale from drifting objects such as a wire net is provided upstream of the scale or around the scale. 29. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, an infrared camera for taking an image of the scale, and image processing means for measuring the level based on the image pickup information. A level measuring device, wherein each scale is arranged so that a reflection angle from sunlight to the infrared camera is different, and a scale in which reflected light of the sun does not enter the infrared camera can be selected. 30. A scale for measuring a level of a level measurement target, a rotation mechanism for rotating the scale about a vertical rotation axis, an infrared camera for imaging the scale, and information based on the imaging information. The scale is rotated by the rotation mechanism to adjust the reflection angle from sunlight to the infrared camera variably, and the reflected light of the sun is reflected to the infrared camera. A level measuring device characterized in that the level can be measured on a scale adjusted so as not to enter.