JP2002310651A - Ecological survey system and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ecological survey system and its method, capable of accurately taking in positional information on an observed survey target and is further capable of storing images taken of the target and the positional information, in an electronic storage medium on the spot. SOLUTION: This system is characterized in that the position of a camera 1 is measured by a GPS receiver 2, the distance between the camera 1 and the survey target 7 is measured with a ranging sensor 3, the direction and elevation angle of the target 7 as seen from the camera 1 are measured by a direction sensor 4, the on-map positional information on the target 7 is calculated by a CPU 6, and the positional information and the images of the target 7 taken by the camera 1 are stored/saved in the electronic storage medium 5, with a one-to-one correspondence made between them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for investigating the global environment, and more particularly to a system and method for investigating ecology of wild birds and wild animals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when conducting an ecology survey of wild birds and wild animals, as shown in FIG. 4, a camera 11 for identifying the survey target and a map for identifying and recording the position of the survey target are shown in FIG. 12, a magnet 13, a notebook 14, and the like. However, depending on the type of organism, it may be difficult to specify the exact position using only the map 12 and the magnet 13, such as when observing in the forest or when observing at sea as in the ecology of seabirds. , It was not possible to record the location of the survey target correctly. In addition, since the image of the survey target is photographed by the camera 11 and the position of the survey target is recorded in the notebook 14 or the like, it is necessary to work to cope with both later. In addition, when photographing a survey target using a super-telephoto lens, as in the case of seabird surveys, the distance between the photographer and the subject may be large, making it difficult to accurately identify the position of the survey target. It was difficult.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For the above reasons, it is difficult to obtain accurate position information of a survey target with the conventional techniques, and the correspondence between the photographed image of the survey target and the survey position is taken. However, there is a problem that the observation point of the photographed image is sometimes unknown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is capable of accurately grasping the position information of a survey target observed, and furthermore, recording the photographed image and the position information of the survey target on an electronic recording medium on the spot. It is intended to provide a survey system and method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an ecological survey system according to the present invention comprises a camera, a GPS (Gl).
oval Positioning System) receiver, ranging sensor, direction sensor, CPU (Centra)
l Processing Unit), using an electronic recording medium as a component, measuring the position of the camera with a GPS receiver, measuring the distance between the camera and the object to be investigated (subject) with a distance measuring sensor, and observing the object as seen from the camera The azimuth and elevation angle are measured by the azimuth sensor, and from these measurement data, the position information on the map of the survey target is calculated by the CPU, and the position information and the photographed image of the survey target photographed by the camera are one-to-one. It is characterized in that it is recorded and stored in an electronic recording medium in a corresponding manner.

[0006] In addition, according to the ecological survey method of the present invention, a step of obtaining position information of a camera by a GPS receiver, a step of obtaining distance information from a camera to a survey target by a distance measuring sensor, and a step of obtaining information from a camera by an azimuth sensor. Obtaining angle information corresponding to the azimuth and elevation angle of the survey target;
Based on the position information obtained by the receiver, based on the distance information obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information obtained by the azimuth sensor, a step of calculating the position of the investigation target by the CPU; Recording the position information and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in one-to-one correspondence.

The ecology survey method of the present invention includes a step of obtaining positional information A (X1, Y1) of a camera by a GPS receiver, and a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to a research target by a distance measuring sensor. A step of obtaining angle information of 0 degree corresponding to the direction of the survey target viewed from the camera by the direction sensor; and a step of obtaining position information A (X1, Y) obtained by the GPS receiver.
From the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information 0 degrees obtained by the azimuth sensor based on 1), the position B (X1 + Z, Y1) or D to be investigated by the CPU
Calculating (X1-Z, Y1);
Recording the position information calculated by the method and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0008] Further, the ecological survey method of the present invention includes a step of obtaining positional information A (X1, Y1) of a camera by a GPS receiver, and a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to an object of investigation by a distance measuring sensor. Obtaining angle information 90 degrees corresponding to the azimuth of the survey target viewed from the camera by the azimuth sensor; and position information A (X1, X1) obtained by the GPS receiver.
Y1) based on the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information 90 degrees obtained by the azimuth sensor,
Calculating the position C (X1, Y1 + Z) or D (X1, Y1-Z) of the investigation target by using
Recording the position information calculated by U and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in one-to-one correspondence.

[0009] Further, the ecological survey method of the present invention includes a step of obtaining positional information A (X1, Y1) of a camera by a GPS receiver, and a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to a research target by a distance measuring sensor. Obtaining angle information α degrees corresponding to the azimuth of the survey target viewed from the camera by the azimuth sensor; and position information A (X1, Y) obtained by the GPS receiver.
From the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information α degrees obtained by the azimuth sensor based on 1), the position of the investigation target (X1 + Zcosα, Y1 + Zsi) is determined by the CPU.
nα), (X1 + Zcosα, Y1-Zsinα),
The step of calculating (X1-Zcosα, Y1 + Zsinα) or (X1-Zcosα, Y1-Zsinα), and the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the survey target photographed by the camera in one-to-one correspondence. Recording on an electronic recording medium as described above.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned ecological survey method, the azimuth sensor obtains angle information θ corresponding to the elevation angle of the survey target viewed from the camera, and instead of the distance information Z from the camera to the survey target, the information is obtained in the horizontal direction. Converted distance Zcosθ
Is used to calculate the position of the survey target by the CPU.

[0011] By doing so, the position and image of the survey target on the map can be recorded on the electronic recording medium, so that the conventional ecological survey tool becomes unnecessary and the survey target which has been impossible in the past can be obtained. Accurate position information can be obtained. Further, since the position information of the survey target and the image can be recorded at the same time, not only the data rearrangement after the survey becomes unnecessary, but also the data loss can be prevented.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ecological survey system according to the present invention. Here, 1 is a camera for photographing the image of the survey target, 2 is a GPS receiver for specifying the position of the observer, 3 is a distance measuring sensor for specifying the distance between the observer and the survey target, Reference numeral 4 denotes an azimuth sensor for determining the direction and elevation angle of the survey target viewed from the observer, 5 denotes an electronic recording medium for recording a photographed image and the position of the survey target, 6
Is a CPU for calculating the position of the survey target, and 7 is a survey target (subject). With this system, it is possible to simultaneously record the image of the position of the survey target located far from the observation point (the position of the observer) and accurate position information. Although FIG. 1 shows each component independently, these components may be incorporated in the camera 1 and integrated.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of the ecological survey system according to the present invention. First, the position of the survey target 7 is specified as follows. The position (X1, Y1) of the observer (observation point), that is, the position of the camera 1 is obtained by the GPS receiver 2 connected to the camera 1, and the position information is obtained. The distance information is obtained by measuring the distance to the object 7 and the azimuth sensor 4 measures the azimuth and elevation of the object 7 viewed from the position of the observer to obtain the angle information, and the observation from the GPS receiver 2 is performed. Based on the position information of the person, the CPU 6 calculates the position (X2, Y2) to be investigated from the distance information from the distance measuring sensor 3 and the angle information from the direction sensor 4. Next, the calculated position information of the survey target is recorded on the electronic recording medium 5 connected to the camera 1, and the image information of the survey target 7 photographed by the camera 1 is also recorded on the electronic recording medium 5. That is, the integrated information from the CPU 6 is recorded and stored so that the image information and the position information of the investigation target 7 correspond one-to-one.
Here, as the distance measuring sensor 3, an infrared method or a phase difference detecting method which is a distance measuring method of a general camera can be used. However, in order to accurately measure an object at a long distance of 100 m or more, a laser distance is required. Sensors are preferred. Further, as the electronic recording medium 5, a compact flash (registered trademark) or a smart media is advantageous for miniaturization.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method for obtaining the position of the survey target according to the present invention. Here, the point A (X1, Y1) is the position of the observer (observation point) given by the GPS receiver 2, and X1 and Y1 are the position of the X coordinate and the position of the Y coordinate (actually, longitude and latitude, respectively). ). Assuming that survey target 7 is B
If the distance between AB given by the distance measuring sensor 3 is Z and the azimuth given by the azimuth sensor 4 is 0 degree, it is assumed that the point is located at the (X2, Y2) point. Is B
It is given by (X1 + Z, Y1). Survey target 7 is C (X
If it is at point (3, Y3), the azimuth from point A is 90 degrees, so the position of point C is given by C (X1, Y1 + Z). Similarly, point D is given by D (X1-Z, Y1) and point E is given by E (X1, Y1-Z). Regarding the position of the survey target at any distance and any direction from point A,
It can be obtained in a similar manner. That is, a step of obtaining position information A (X1, Y1) of the camera by the GPS receiver, a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to the object to be investigated by the distance measuring sensor, and an azimuth of the object to be inspected viewed from the camera by the azimuth sensor. Calculating the angle information α degrees corresponding to the position information A (X1, Y) obtained by the GPS receiver.
Based on 1), the position of the survey target is calculated by the CPU from the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information α degrees obtained by the azimuth sensor. When (X1 + Zcosα, Y1 + Zsinα),
When the survey target is between B and E, (X1 + Zcos
α, Y1−Zsin α), (X1−Zcosα, Y1 + Zsinα) when the target is between C and D, and (X1−Zcosα, Y) when the target is between D and E
1-Z sin α), and a step of recording the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in a one-to-one correspondence. Features.

The above is an example of a case where the object to be surveyed is in a horizontal direction at a long distance, the elevation angle of the object to be investigated as viewed from the observer is small, and the influence of the elevation angle can be ignored in determining the position of the object to be investigated. When the elevation angle is large, it is necessary to perform a calculation in a similar manner taking into account the influence. For example, if the distance between the observer (observation point) and the survey target is Z, and the elevation angle is θ, the distance between the two in the horizontal direction is Zcos θ. That is, the azimuth sensor obtains angle information θ corresponding to the elevation angle of the inspection target viewed from the camera, and replaces the distance information Z from the camera to the inspection target with a distance Zcos θ converted in the horizontal direction.
Is used to calculate the position of the survey target by the CPU.

If the observation point and the object to be investigated are extremely close to each other and the position of the observer (observation point) can be regarded as the same as the position of the object to be investigated, the distance sensor 3 is determined by the observer.
It is also possible to substitute only the position information from the GPS receiver 2 without using the data of the azimuth sensor 4.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine the position of a survey target far away from an observation point, and to correspond one-to-one with a photographed image of the survey target. Because it can be recorded and stored, it is effective for forests where it is difficult to read the exact position from a map, which is often encountered when observing wild birds and wildlife, and for ecology research at sea. In addition, since the obtained information is recorded on the electronic recording medium on the spot, there is no need to make correspondence between observation points and images after the survey. This has the advantage of greatly reducing the time required to organize data and preventing data loss. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for determining a position of a survey target according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a conventional ecology research tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 GPS receiver 3 Distance measuring sensor 4 Direction sensor 5 Electronic recording medium 6 CPU 7 Survey target

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuro Mikazuki 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Toru Kishimoto 2-3-3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Masato Nakamura Inventor 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Shizuo FURUBO Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (3-1) Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Maruo 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor: Youshi Somemura Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 2-3-1 Otemachi Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5J062 BB05 CC07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A camera, a GPS receiver, a distance measuring sensor, a direction sensor, a CPU, and an electronic recording medium are constituent elements. The position of the camera is measured by the GPS receiver, and the distance between the camera and a survey target is measured. Measure with a distance sensor, measure the azimuth and elevation angle of the survey target viewed from the camera with the azimuth sensor, calculate the position information on the map of the survey target from these measurement data with the CPU, and use the position information and the camera An ecological survey system characterized in that the photographed image of a survey target is recorded and stored in an electronic recording medium in one-to-one correspondence. 2. A step of obtaining positional information of a camera by a GPS receiver; a step of obtaining distance information from a camera to an object to be investigated by a distance measuring sensor; and a direction and elevation angle of the object to be inspected viewed from the camera by an azimuth sensor. Calculating the angle information obtained by the CPU, and calculating the position of the survey target by the CPU from the distance information obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information obtained by the direction sensor based on the position information obtained by the GPS receiver. And a step of recording the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the inspection target photographed by the camera on an electronic recording medium in a one-to-one correspondence. . 3. Position information A (X) of a camera by a GPS receiver
1, Y1), a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to the object to be searched by the distance measuring sensor, and a step of obtaining angle information 0 degrees corresponding to the direction of the object to be viewed viewed from the camera by the direction sensor. Based on the position information A (X1, Y1) obtained by the GPS receiver, the position information B to be investigated by the CPU is obtained from the distance information Z obtained by the distance measurement sensor and the angle information 0 degrees obtained by the direction sensor. (X1 + Z, Y1) or D (X1-
Z, Y1), and recording the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in a one-to-one correspondence. Characteristic ecological survey method. 4. Position information A (X) of a camera by a GPS receiver
(1, Y1), a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to the object to be investigated by a distance measuring sensor, and a step of obtaining 90 ° of angle information corresponding to the direction of the object to be inspected viewed from the camera by the direction sensor. On the basis of the position information A (X1, Y1) obtained by the GPS receiver, the CPU obtains the position C to be investigated by the CPU from the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information 90 degrees obtained by the azimuth sensor. (X1, Y1 + Z) or D (X
1, Y1-Z), and a step of recording the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the survey target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in one-to-one correspondence. An ecological survey method characterized by the following. 5. The camera receives positional information A (X) from a GPS receiver.
(1, Y1), a step of obtaining distance information Z from the camera to the object to be surveyed by a distance measuring sensor, and a step of obtaining angle information α degrees corresponding to the direction of the object to be examined viewed from the camera by the direction sensor. Based on the position information A (X1, Y1) obtained by the GPS receiver, the CPU determines the position of the survey target by the CPU based on the distance information Z obtained by the distance measuring sensor and the angle information α degrees obtained by the direction sensor. X1 + Zcosα, Y1 + Zsin
α), (X1 + Zcosα, Y1-Zsinα), (X
1−Zcosα, Y1 + Zsinα) or (X1
-Zcosα, Y1-Zsinα), and recording the position information calculated by the CPU and the image information of the investigation target photographed by the camera in an electronic recording medium in one-to-one correspondence. Ecological survey method characterized by having. 6. An azimuth sensor obtains angle information θ corresponding to an elevation angle of a research target viewed from a camera, and uses a horizontal converted distance Zcos θ in place of the distance information Z from the camera to the research target. 6. The position of a survey target is calculated by the method according to claim 3.
Ecological survey method described in section.