JP2001153967A - Apparatus and method for estimation of weather - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a weather estimation apparatus by which local weather conditions can be estimated precisely. SOLUTION: The weather estimation apparatus 10 is provided with a vibration sensor 12 which is attached to a tree and which measures a tree sound A. A voltage V which is output according to the tree sound A from the vibration sensor 12 is sent to a data processor 16 via a tree-sound observation device 14. An estimation judgment processing part 52 in the data processor 16 performs a rainfall start/rainfall stop judgment processing operation on the basis of the value (the sound pressure level corresponding to the magnitude of the sound pressure of the tree sound A) Vd of the voltage V. Concretely, when the sound pressure level Vd is raised, the stop of a rainfall is estimated. When the sound pressure level Vd is lowered, the start of a rainfall is estimated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a weather forecasting apparatus and method for forecasting weather based on tree sounds.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to predict changes in weather (that is, atmospheric conditions and various atmospheric phenomena such as rain, wind, lightning, etc.), a technique for analyzing and predicting a weather map, a weather radar, and the like have been proposed. For example, a method of analyzing and predicting the movement of the rain area obtained in the above was used.

[0003]

However, it has been difficult to perform local weather prediction with the above-described prediction method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, and it is possible to perform a local weather forecast and obtain an accurate forecast result. And a method.

[0005]

A weather forecasting apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a tree sound measuring means for measuring a sound transmitted to a tree;
And weather forecasting means for forecasting weather based on a change in sound measured by the tree sound measuring means (the invention according to claim 1).

In this case, the change in the sound is a temporal change in the sound pressure of the sound (the invention according to claim 2).

[0007] The weather forecasting means predicts that rain will start when the sound pressure decreases, and predicts that rain will stop when the sound pressure increases. 3).

For this reason, the configuration can be simplified,
In addition, the weather can be predicted locally, and an accurate prediction result can be obtained.

The weather forecasting method according to the present invention includes a step of measuring a sound transmitted to a tree, and a step of forecasting a weather based on a change in the measured sound.
Described invention).

Therefore, the weather can be predicted locally and an accurate prediction result can be obtained.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Weather Prediction Apparatus] First, a weather prediction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a weather forecasting apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The weather forecasting apparatus 10 provides weather information (information on atmospheric conditions and various atmospheric phenomena such as rain, wind, and lightning).
Among them, a vibration sensor 12 as a tree sound measuring means and a tree sound observation apparatus 1
4 and a data processing device 16.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibration sensor 12.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vibration sensor 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vibration sensor 12 includes a flat, substantially cylindrical housing 20 and a mounting surface 22 of the housing 20.
(A lower surface in the figure) a rod 2 protruding from substantially the center of the rod 2
4 is provided. Further, the vibration sensor 12 is provided with a belt 26 for attaching the vibration sensor 12 to a tree τ as described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, a cushion member 30a made of, for example, a urethane material is attached to an upper portion in the figure of the housing 20.
A substrate 30b made of a metal material or the like is attached to the lower surface of the cushion member 30a. And
A vibration sensing part 30d is attached to the substrate 30b via a pillar 30c made of a rubber member or the like. In this case, the both ends of the seismic sensor 30d are supported by the pillars 30c.

The vibration sensing part 30d is made of a resin material or the like.
A set of protection plates 31a, 31b and these protection plates 31a, 3b
The piezoelectric element 32 is sandwiched between the piezoelectric elements 1b. The protection plates 31a and 31b are provided with terminals 33a and 33b electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 32, respectively.

Further, in the substantially central portion of the seismic sensor 30d,
The rod 24 is attached. This rod 24
Is obtained by deforming the cushion member 30a.
It advances and retracts along the axis of the housing 20. In this case, rod 2
4 is formed in a shape such as a sharpened shape or a curved surface shape.

Here, the seismic sensor 30d is connected via the rod 24.
Is applied, the protective plates 31a and 31b bend. At this time, since the piezoelectric element 32 also bends, the piezoelectric element 32 outputs a voltage V according to the amount of the bending (the applied force). The voltage V is applied to the terminal 3
The signal is supplied to a signal amplifying unit 40 (see FIG. 1) described later via a cable 34 (see FIG. 2) connected to 3a and 33b.

As the tree sound measuring means, in addition to the vibration sensor 12 having the piezoelectric element 32, various vibration sensors and various microphones such as an inductor microphone and a variable capacitance microphone can be used.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the vibration sensor 12 is attached to a trunk (or a branch) of the tree τ. In this case, the vibration sensor 12 is mounted on the tree τ via the belt 26 such that the mounting surface 22 (see FIG. 3) is in close contact with the surface of the tree τ. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the position of the distal end of the rod 24 is retracted to the position of the mounting surface 22, and the distal end of the rod 24 is moved by the repulsive force (compression force) of the cushion member 30 a. , Is pressed against the surface of the tree τ.

The height of the tree τ at which the vibration sensor 12 is to be mounted is preferably a position where the sound pressure of the tree sound A is relatively high.

A tree sound A generated from the tree τ (including a sound transmitted through the tree τ) is detected by the vibration sensor 12. Specifically, when the tree sound A is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 32 via the rod 24, the piezoelectric element 32 outputs a voltage V corresponding to the tree sound A. And this voltage V
Is output to the tree sound observation device 14 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tree sound observation device 14
Has a signal amplifying unit 40, a noise removing unit 42, a level meter 44, and a signal output unit 46.

When the voltage V is supplied from the piezoelectric element 32, the signal amplifying section 40 amplifies the voltage V by, for example, 10 ⁴ and outputs the amplified voltage V to the noise removing section 42.

After removing noise from the voltage V from the signal amplifying unit 40, the noise removing unit 42 supplies the noise to the signal output unit 46. Since the tree sound A is mainly included in a frequency band of 1 kHz or less, the noise removing unit 42 uses a low-pass filter (LP) that passes a component in this frequency band.
F), a band pass filter (BPF), etc. (preferably,
BPF).

The voltage V from which noise has been removed by the noise removing unit 42 is also supplied to a level meter 44. Then, the value of the voltage V is displayed on the level meter 44. That is, the loudness of the tree sound A can be confirmed by the display of the level meter 44. In this case, based on the loudness of the tree sound A obtained by the level meter 44, a height position (a position at which the sound pressure of the tree sound A is relatively high) at which the vibration sensor 12 is to be mounted on the tree τ is determined. It may be.

The signal output section 46 outputs the voltage V from the noise removing section 42 to the data processing device 16.

The data processing unit 16 includes a signal input unit 50
, A prediction determination processing unit (weather prediction means) 52, and a display unit 5
Four. The data processing device 16 is actually configured by a general-purpose computer (including a personal computer) or the like, and the prediction determination processing unit 5
2 is substantially a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
(Including peripheral devices).

The data processing device 16 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing system programs and application programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used for work, a timer for timekeeping, An input / output interface such as a D converter and a D / A converter is provided.

The signal input unit 50 changes the voltage V from the signal output unit 46 of the tree sound observation device 14 at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1
Every 10 minutes). Then, the voltage V is digitally converted (A / D converted) and supplied to the prediction determination processing unit 52 as a sound pressure level Vd corresponding to the sound pressure of the tree sound A. In the signal input unit 50,
A process of taking in the voltage V may be performed based on an instruction from the prediction determination processing unit 52.

The prediction determination processing section 52 performs processing for predicting the weather based on the sound pressure level Vd from the signal input section 50. Specifically, based on the temporal change of the sound pressure level Vd, a process of determining whether or not rain starts (falling) and a process of determining whether or not rain stops (stops falling) are performed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the relationship between the sound pressure level Vd and the weather.

As shown in FIG. 5, it has been experimentally confirmed by the inventor of the present application that the sound pressure level Vd decreases several hours before the rain starts. Therefore, by detecting a decrease in the sound pressure level Vd, it is possible to predict that rain will start to fall.

The decrease in the sound pressure level Vd is caused by, for example, a change ΔVa (that is, a time differential value) in a predetermined time width ΔT in the process of decreasing the sound pressure level Vd from the value V1 in fine weather to the value V2 in rainy weather. ) Is greater than a predetermined value. The sound pressure level Vd
Of the sound pressure level Vd may be detected depending on whether or not falls below a predetermined threshold value.

The transition time Ta from the point in time when the decrease in the sound pressure level Vd is detected (the point in time at which the sound pressure level Vd is detected) (ta1) to the point in time when rain starts (the point in time when the rain starts) ta2 is determined by the environment in which (Altitude etc.) can be almost specified. As an example, in the case of the tree τ located in the plain, the transition time Ta is, for example, 5 to 6 hours, and in the case of the tree τ located in the mountainous area, the transition time T
a is, for example, 2 to 3 hours. If the transition time Ta changes due to a seasonal factor such as a season, the transition time Ta may be corrected based on this factor.

Contrary to the start of rainfall, at the end of rainfall, as shown in FIG. 6, the sound pressure level Vd rises several hours before the rainfall stops. Has been confirmed. Therefore, by detecting the increase in the sound pressure level Vd, it can be predicted that rain will stop falling.

The rise of the sound pressure level Vd is, for example, the change ΔVb (ie, the time differential value) in a predetermined time width ΔT in the process of increasing the sound pressure level Vd from the value V2 in rainy weather to the value V1 in fine weather. ) Is greater than a predetermined value. The sound pressure level Vd
May be detected based on whether or not exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

The transition time Tb from the point in time when the increase in the sound pressure level Vd is detected (rise point) tb1 to the point in time when rain stops (rainfall end point) tb2 is substantially the same as the transition time Ta at the start of rainfall. It is.

Next, the weather prediction process in the prediction judgment processing section 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the prediction judgment processing section 52 executes step S
In step 1, the sound pressure level Vd from the signal input unit 50 is fetched.

Next, in step S2, a process of determining the end of rainfall is performed. Specifically, from the sound pressure level Vd obtained in step S1, a predetermined time Tf (for example,
Sound pressure level Vd 'several tens of minutes or several hours ago)
(This is the sound pressure level Vd obtained before the predetermined time Tf, for example, stored in the RAM.) It is determined whether the obtained value (time change amount) is larger than a predetermined determination constant αa. It is determined (Vd−Vd ′> αa?).

When Vd−Vd ′> αa holds (YE
(S: end of rainfall), the process proceeds to step S3. on the other hand,
If Vd−Vd ′> αa is not satisfied (NO: rainfall continues), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S3, a variable F indicating the weather is set to F = 1 (indicating that the rainfall ends after the elapse of the transition time Tb). Further, the time point t when the variable F is set is stored as the rising time point tb1. After step S3, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S4, the prediction judgment processing unit 5
2 performs a rainfall start determination process. Specifically, the sound pressure level Vd obtained in step S1 is set to a predetermined time Tf
A process of subtracting from the previous sound pressure level Vd 'is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the value (the amount of time change) obtained by the subtraction process is greater than a predetermined determination constant αb (Vd′−Vd> αb?).

When Vd'-Vd> αb holds (YE
S: Start of rainfall), the process proceeds to step S5. on the other hand,
If Vd′−Vd> αb is not satisfied (NO: no rainfall starts), the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S5, a variable F indicating the weather is set to F = 2 (indicating that rain starts after the elapse of the transition time Ta). Further, the time point t when the variable F is set is stored as the lowering time point ta1. After step S5, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S6, a variable F indicating the weather is set to F = 0 (indicating no change). After step S6, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the prediction judgment processing unit 5
2 supplies the obtained weather information (variable F, rising time tb1, falling time ta1, etc.) to the display unit 54 shown in FIG. 1 as prediction data Da. With the supply of the prediction data Da, the local weather information (forecast of weather several hours later) at a specific point where the tree τ is located is displayed on a display (not shown) of the display unit 54.

If the predetermined time Tf in steps S2 and S4 is, for example, several hours, the influence of noise can be reduced and erroneous determination can be avoided. However, the sound pressure of the tree sound A changes every time. If it has changed, the determination accuracy may be reduced.

When the predetermined time Tf is, for example, several tens of minutes, the start / end of rain can be determined at an early point in time (when the sound pressure level Vd starts to change).
If the sound pressure level Vd changes gradually, there is a possibility that the determination accuracy is reduced.

Therefore, in consideration of the above, the predetermined time Tf may be set to several hours or several tens of minutes, or the predetermined time Tf may be set to several hours or several tens of minutes, for example. The determination accuracy may be improved by alternately performing the determination process.

As described above, the weather forecasting apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can obtain highly accurate local weather information which has been difficult to obtain conventionally.

Moreover, the weather prediction device 10 is composed of the vibration sensor 12, the tree sound observation device 14, and the data processing device 16, and has a simple configuration.

Since the vibration sensor 12 can be attached to the tree τ by the belt 26, the work of installing the weather prediction device 10 can be easily performed.

According to the weather forecasting apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to obtain weather information other than the forecast information of weather several hours later.

For example, in Niigata Prefecture and its neighboring prefectures, the change in the sound pressure level Vd from late August to late September is closely related to the time of the first snow, and from mid-September to October. It has been experimentally confirmed by the inventor of the present application that the change in the sound pressure level Vd in the middle is closely related to the timing of the start of the fixing of the deep snow. Therefore, from the change in the sound pressure level Vd, it is possible to predict the timing of the initial snow and the timing of the start of the fixing of the deep snow.

It has been experimentally confirmed by the inventor of the present application that the sound pressure level Vd changes abruptly immediately before lightning occurs. Therefore, the occurrence of lightning can be predicted from the change in the sound pressure level Vd.

"Weather forecasting system" Next, a weather forecasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a weather forecast system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The weather forecasting system 100 includes a plurality of weather forecasting devices 110 (n) (n = 1, 2,..., J), and a wired and / or wireless network 112 with these weather forecasting devices 110 (n). Is provided with a data aggregation processing device 120 connected via the.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the weather forecasting device 110 (n). This weather prediction device 110 (n) includes a vibration sensor 12, a tree sound observation device 14, and a data processing device 130. The configurations of the vibration sensor 12 and the tree sound observation device 14 are the same as those of the weather prediction device 10 in FIG.

As shown in FIG.
The (n) data processing device 130 includes a signal input unit 50,
Prediction determination processing unit 52, display unit 54, communication processing unit 13
Four. The configurations of the signal input unit 50, the prediction determination processing unit 52, and the display unit 54 are the same as those of the data processing device 16 in the weather forecasting device 10 of FIG. Omitted.

The forecast data Da (variable F, rising time tb1,
Includes the drop time point ta1 and the like. ), Together with the display unit 54,
It is also supplied to the communication processing unit 134. Communication processing unit 134
Converts the prediction data Da into prediction data Da (n) (n =
1, 2,..., J), a process of transmitting the data to the data aggregation processing device 120 via the line network 112 (see FIG. 8). In this case, information for identifying each weather forecast device 110 (n) is added to the forecast data Da (n).

FIG. 10 schematically shows an installation position of the weather forecasting device 110 (n) in a predetermined range B in which weather is to be forecast.

The vibration sensors 12 are respectively attached to a plurality of trees τ (n) (n = 1, 2,..., J) in the range B. Then, each weather prediction device 110 (n) measures the tree sound A of each tree τ (n) to perform a local weather prediction process at the position of these trees τ (n) (this prediction). The processing is almost the same as the processing shown in FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 8, each weather prediction device 110
The prediction data Da (n) obtained in (n) is
The data is transmitted to the data aggregation processing device 120. The data aggregation processing device 120 obtains a weather forecast distribution (distribution of local forecast values) based on the forecast data Da (n).
Then, this distribution is supplied to a display (not shown).

FIG. 11 shows a screen 136 of a display device constituting the data aggregation processing device 120. On the screen 136, a predicted weather distribution is displayed, for example, in a different color on an image representing the weather prediction range B (for example, displayed in white on a black background). For example, in FIG. 11, an area Q indicated by oblique lines (for example, “red”) is an area where the end of rain is predicted, and an area indicated by a point (for example, “blue”). R is a region where the start of rain is predicted.

As described above, in the weather forecasting system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the weather forecasting device 1
It is possible to obtain the predicted distribution of weather in the range B where 10 (n) is installed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately predict the weather over a wide area.

In this case, based on the predicted weather distribution obtained by the weather prediction system 100, it is possible to correct the predicted distribution obtained by the conventional method.

When the weather forecast distribution is to be obtained by numerical calculation, the weather forecast distribution obtained by the weather forecast system 100 is used as an initial value, a correction value, a boundary value, and the like. Accuracy can be improved.

According to the weather forecasting system 100, the course of a typhoon (including a hurricane or the like) or a low pressure can be predicted in advance. Specifically,
The sound pressure level Vd is several hours or more before the typhoon, low pressure, etc. reaches the position of the tree τ (n), and the distance between the center position of the typhoon, low pressure, etc. and the position of the tree τ (n). Is about 800k
It has been experimentally confirmed by the inventor of the present application that the value decreases when the value of m is reached. Therefore, each tree τ
From the change in the sound pressure level Vd in (n), the path of the typhoon, low pressure, etc. is several hours or more before, or the center position of the typhoon, low pressure, etc. is about 800 km away from the position of the tree τ (n). Can be predicted at a time.

[0074]

According to the present invention, a local weather forecast can be accurately made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a weather forecasting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vibration sensor included in the weather prediction device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vibration sensor of FIG. 2 along the line III-III.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where the vibration sensor of FIGS. 2 and 3 is attached to a tree.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a voltage level and weather.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a voltage level and weather.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a weather prediction process in a prediction determination processing unit included in the weather prediction device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a weather forecast system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a weather forecasting apparatus constituting the weather forecasting system of FIG. 8;

10 is a diagram schematically showing an installation position of the weather forecasting device of FIG. 9 in a predetermined range in which weather is to be forecasted.

11 is a diagram showing a screen of a data aggregation processing device constituting the weather forecasting device of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110 (n) weather forecasting device 12 vibration sensor 14 tree sound observing device 16, 130 data processing device 52 prediction prediction processing unit 100 weather forecasting system 112 network 120 data aggregation processing device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsuhiro Nagaya 5-1-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideki Oguchi 5-1-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo Japan Radio (72) Inventor Hitoshi Goshiro 5-1-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo Japan Radio Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A meteorological weather comprising: a tree sound measuring means for measuring a sound transmitted to a tree; and a weather forecasting means for predicting a weather based on a change in sound measured by the tree sound measuring means. Prediction device. 2. The weather forecasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change of the sound is a temporal change of a sound pressure of the sound. 3. The weather forecasting device according to claim 2, wherein said weather forecasting means predicts that rain will start when confirming said decrease in sound pressure, and indicates rainfall when confirming said rise in sound pressure. A weather forecasting device for predicting that the rain will stop. 4. A weather forecasting method, comprising: measuring a sound transmitted to a tree; and predicting weather based on a change in the measured sound.