JP2004074898A - Monitoring device of approach angle indicating lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PAPI monitoring device for precisely and quickly detecting dislocation of a transition layer without precisely adjusting a position for detecting the transition layer of an indicating lamp. <P>SOLUTION: This PAPI (PAPI : Precision Approach Path Indicator) monitoring device 24 is composed of a camera unit 25 for imaging an image by receiving a light signal 22 from the indicating lamp 20, a camera driving part 41 for vertically moving this camera unit 25 on a base 26, a camera position detecting part 42 for detecting position information of this camera driving part 41, an image processing part 43 for detecting the number of transition layers of brightness or a color and lamp units of indicating lamps 20, an initial value storage part 45 for storing a position of a camera as an initial value and a transition layer movement determining part 44 for determining a moving distance by comparing the position information of the camera position detecting part with position information of the initial value storage part 45 when the image processing part 43 detects the transition layer and comparing the number of light emitting sources of the indicators 20 with the specified number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a precision approach angle indicator (PAPI: Precision Approach Path Indicator) monitoring device, and more particularly, to a device for monitoring an elevation angle of a light emitting unit of an indicator light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
It is said that the most nervous situation for pilots operating aircraft is when they approach the runway for landing. When approaching the runway for landing, it is the most important factor for ensuring safety during landing that the pilot accurately grasps whether or not the aircraft has the correct approach angle. For this purpose, a precision approach angle indicator (hereinafter referred to as an indicator) is installed near the entrance of the airport runway. FIG. 7 is a view showing the principle of the indicator light, where 50 is the runway, and 51 is the approach direction of the aircraft. A to D are indicator lights. The indicator lights A to D are generally arranged in a row at a side position of the runway 50, and emit light signals L1 to L4 from the light emitting units T1 to T4 at elevation angles θ1 to θ4. The elevation angles θ1 to θ4 of the respective light emitting units have a very small angle difference, and are set such that the elevation angle becomes smaller as the indicator light is located outside as viewed from the runway 50, that is, θ1 <θ2 <θ3 <θ4. ing. To give specific numerical values, the elevation angles θ1 to θ4 are set with an angle difference of 20 ′ in the range of 2 ° 30 ′ to 3 ° 30 ′. As described above, the indicator light is a visual approach angle display system for instructing the approach angle of the aircraft approaching the runway from above, and the pilot light of the aircraft is provided by the light emitted from the light emitting unit included in the indicator light. Is visually instructed to enter. Therefore, high reliability is required for the installation state and function of the indicator light, and it is particularly important that the elevation angle of the light emitting unit with respect to the approaching aircraft be accurately maintained. In addition, it is necessary to constantly monitor whether the elevation angle of the light emitting unit is set to an appropriate value, and if it deviates from the appropriate value, issue a warning and take necessary measures, such as prompt correction, at the airport. It is extremely important for safety.
[0003]
As a conventional technique for monitoring the elevation angle of the light emitting portion of the indicator light, for example, Japanese Patent No. 765890 discloses a technique for realizing an inexpensive monitoring device with a simple structure. According to this, a plurality of light receiving windows and a plurality of light receiving windows arranged at different distances in front of the light emitting portion of the approach angle indicating lamp and having different heights on the light receiving surface are optically individually coupled to each other. A light receiving device having a light receiving system, and a circuit for determining the suitability of the elevation angle from the light receiving signal output from each light receiving system of the light receiving device, the circuit for determining the suitability of the elevation angle, the plurality of said plurality of said Of the light-receiving windows, two light-receiving windows adjacent to each other in the height direction and two corresponding light-receiving systems are set as one set, and a plurality of these combinations are included. In each set, the light-receiving signal outputs of the two light-receiving systems are compared. To generate a comparison output, and determine whether the elevation angle is appropriate based on the comparison output.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-114991 discloses an optical system and an optical fiber bundle, and receives light from a plurality of lamps spaced apart from each other for receiving light incident through a space. A vessel is disclosed. According to this, the optical system includes a condensing lens, and the condensing lens faces one surface side with the lamp separated from the space and generates an image forming position different for each lamp on the other surface side. An optical system whose distance is sufficiently larger than the distance to the image forming position is constituted, and the optical fiber bundle has a light receiving surface at each image forming position of the lamp whose one end is obtained by the optical system. A fiber end face is constituted, each of the optical fiber end faces is constituted by an end face of an optical fiber bundle branched from the optical fiber bundle, and the other end is a light receiving output end.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-25697 discloses a technique for checking the installation state of a PAPI device. According to this, an irradiator provided in a housing of a PAPI device that irradiates a light beam in a predetermined direction, and a light source provided at a predetermined distance from the irradiator for receiving a light beam from the irradiator. When the light receiving device receives the light beam, it is determined that the housing is installed at a predetermined normal position, and when the light beam is no longer received, or when the light receiving level is predetermined. In the following cases, it is determined that the case has changed from a predetermined normal position.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the invention according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 766890, the lens and the four sensors having a limited directional angle need to have a narrow directional angle in order to reduce the influence of light other than the indicator light. The maximum sensitivity cannot be obtained unless it is adjusted correctly. In addition, if the position adjustment of the transition layer is not correctly performed at the position of 0 ° of the light receiver, there is a problem that a margin until an alarm is generated becomes small and a false alarm is easily generated. Therefore, it was necessary to make precise adjustments on the position of the transition layer, the orientation of the light receiver, and the width of the pink zone. Further, there is a problem that the light receiving sensor deteriorates quickly due to the light condensing effect of the lens.
Further, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-111491, the range of displacement of the transition layer that can be detected by the fixed lens is extremely narrow, and it is difficult to detect such displacement of the elevation angle. In addition, there is another problem that the light receiving sensor deteriorates quickly due to the light condensing effect of the lens as described above.
Further, in the invention according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-25697, the change in the position of the transition layer is not only caused by the change of the base, but may also be caused by the change of the positional relationship between the lamp, the reflecting mirror, the red filter, and the lens. If the fluctuation is caused by something other than the base, the displacement of the transition layer cannot be detected.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a PAPI monitoring device capable of accurately and quickly detecting a shift of a transition layer without performing precise position adjustment for detecting a transition layer of an indicator light. With the goal.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the problem, the present invention is directed to a monitoring device that is installed near an aircraft approach road and monitors an elevation angle of a light emitting unit of an approach angle indicator light that emits light to indicate an approach angle of an aircraft. The light emitting unit includes an upper part that emits white light and a lower part that emits red light that are continuously arranged in a vertical positional relationship via a transition layer, and receives an optical signal from the light emitting part. A camera that converts the position of the camera into a video signal; a camera moving unit that moves the position of the camera; a camera position detecting unit that detects the position of the camera based on movement information of the camera moving unit; Image processing means for determining a transition layer of the brightness of the emission light of the upper white light and the lower red light based on the obtained image signal, and an initial position storage for storing an initial position of the camera when the transition layer is imaged. Means and before A transition layer movement determination unit that determines a current position of the camera when capturing the transition layer having the brightness determined by the image processing unit and a movement amount from the initial position stored in the initial position storage unit; The transition layer movement determining means determines whether or not the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is normal based on the result of comparing the initial position with the current position.
The light signal emitted from the light emitting portion of the indicator light is white light in the upper light emitting portion and red light in the lower light emitting portion. The boundary between the upper light emitting part and the lower light emitting part is called the transition layer, and the elevation angle of the light emitting part of the indicator light is the angle between this transition layer and the horizontal plane, which is the most important layer that indicates the approach angle to the aircraft. is there. Conventional monitoring devices have used various methods to detect the amount of deviation from the correctly adjusted transition layer as a reference point. However, high-precision positioning and techniques were required to initially set the predetermined position of the monitoring device to this reference point. This is because it is necessary to detect a change in position due to pinpoint. Therefore, in the present invention, a camera that can move up and down is arranged, the camera moves the light from the indicator light with the elevation angle set accurately, and the image is image-processed to form a brightness transition layer. To detect. The position of the camera at this time is stored as an initial position. Then, the camera is moved up and down from that position, so that the camera sequentially changes to white light, a transition layer, and red light. In the course of this movement, the current position of the camera capturing the transition layer and the stored initial position are constantly compared to determine whether or not the amount of movement is within an allowable range. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the initial position of the monitoring device to an absolute position in a pinpoint manner, and by detecting a position relative to the stored initial value, it is possible to determine whether the current position is within an allowable range. Is to monitor the elevation angle.
According to this invention, the position of the camera that has detected the transition layer of the light from the indicator light with the accurately set elevation angle is stored as the initial value, and the elevation angle abnormality is detected from the relative deviation from the initial value. Therefore, it is not necessary to precisely set the transition layer, so that the adjustment is easy and the number of adjustment steps can be reduced.
[0006]
A monitoring device for monitoring an elevation angle of a light emitting portion of an approach angle indicator light which is installed near an aircraft approach road and emits light to indicate an approach angle of the aircraft, wherein the light emitting portion is a transition layer. An upper portion that emits white light and a lower portion that emits red light continuously arranged in a vertical positional relationship through a camera, which receives an optical signal from the light emitting unit and converts it into an image signal, Camera moving means for moving the position of the camera, camera position detecting means for detecting the position of the camera based on movement information of the camera moving means, and the upper white light based on an image signal converted by the camera, Image processing means for determining a transition layer of the color of emitted light of lower red light, an initial position storage means for storing an initial position of a camera when the transition layer is imaged, and a color determined by the image processing means Transition layer A transition layer movement determination unit that determines a current position of the camera at the time of imaging and a movement amount from the initial position stored in the initial position storage unit, wherein the transition layer movement determination unit includes the initial position and a current position. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is normal based on the result of comparison with the position.
The light emitting part of the indicator light is composed of two colors of light, white and red. In claim 1, a transition layer due to brightness was detected. In the present invention, a color camera is used, and for example, red light and white light can be distinguished from the proportion of the mixture of RGB, so that it can be detected as a color transition layer therefrom.
According to this invention, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect can be obtained.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transition layer movement determination unit determines that a position movement amount obtained by comparing an initial position and a current position of the camera when imaging the transition layer is within a preset allowable range. If so, the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is determined to be normal.
The absolute allowable range of the elevation angle of the light emitting unit is strictly determined. Therefore, a monitoring device that monitors it must be able to detect its tolerance with more accurate accuracy. It depends on how precisely the pitch of the camera movement is set. If the camera satisfies such a condition, it is possible to set the allowable range in the same manner with respect to the absolute allowable range of the elevation angle, and determine the error of the elevation angle based on the allowable range.
According to this invention, the transition layer movement determination means compares the initial value with the current position, and if the comparison result is within the predetermined allowable range, it can be determined that the state is normal. Therefore, the determination error is absorbed and the determination result converges. can do.
[0007]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer layer movement determining means compares the initial position and the current position of the camera at the time of imaging the transfer layer with a position movement amount exceeding a preset allowable range. In this case, after reconfirmation within a time allowed for safety, the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is determined to be abnormal, and a warning is issued.
If the judgment result exceeds the permissible range either up or down, an alarm may be issued immediately, but in order to reconfirm that there is no malfunction, reconfirm within the time allowed for safety, and then It is necessary for safety to emit.
According to this invention, when the determination result exceeds the allowable range, the angle of elevation is determined to be abnormal by reconfirming within a time allowed for safety, so that erroneous abnormality determination can be reduced.
Preferably, the camera moving means reciprocates the camera up and down a predetermined distance so as to sequentially receive the light signals of the white light, the brightness transition layer, and the red light emitted from the light emitting unit. Control as described above.
The light signal from the light emitting unit is not always constant, and the position and shape of the base fluctuate due to expansion and contraction due to a temperature difference or the like, and other factors, as well as a lamp, a reflecting mirror, a red filter, and a light constituting the light emitting unit. There is a possibility that the transition layer changes due to a change in the positional relationship of the lenses. Therefore, if the camera is fixed and the transition layer of the brightness is observed, if the transition layer moves for the above-mentioned reason, there is a possibility that the transition layer may be lost, and the position of the camera is accurately adjusted to the position of the transition layer. There must be. In the present invention, in order to prevent this, the camera is always moved up and down, and in the process, the transition layer of the brightness is always captured, and the error from the initial position is detected.
According to this invention, the camera is always moved up and down to always detect the transition layer of the brightness within the movable range of the camera. The amount of movement of the brightness transition layer can be detected.
Preferably, the camera moving means reciprocates the camera up and down a predetermined distance so as to sequentially receive the light signals of the white light, the color transition layer, and the red light emitted from the light emitting unit. Is controlled.
The movement of the brightness transition layer under various conditions is the same as the movement of the color transition layer at the same time. Therefore, in the present invention as well, in order to prevent this, the camera is always moved up and down, and in the process, the color transition layer is always caught, and the error from the initial position is detected.
According to the invention, the color transition layer is always detected by always moving the camera up and down, so that the amount of movement of the color transition layer can be accurately detected.
[0008]
According to a seventh aspect, each time the camera detects the transition layer of the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting unit, the transition layer movement determining unit determines the initial position and the current position stored in the initial position storage unit. Is calculated.
The camera position stored in the initial position storage means is a position at which the camera detects the brightness transition layer and determines the position as the initial position. Therefore, when the camera is moved up and down to detect white light or red light, position detection is not performed, and the amount of movement from the initial position is calculated only when the camera detects a transition layer of brightness. This makes it possible to always accurately detect the current position of the brightness transition layer.
According to this invention, since the transition layer having the latest brightness can always be accurately detected, the amount of movement of the transition layer can be detected quickly and accurately.
In a preferred embodiment, each time the camera detects a transition layer of the color of the light emitted from the light emitting unit, the transition layer movement determining unit determines whether the initial position and the current position are stored in the initial position storage unit. An error is calculated.
The camera position stored in the initial position storage means is a position where the color camera detects the color transition layer and determines the position as the initial position. Therefore, when the camera is moved up and down to detect white light or red light, the position is not detected, and the amount of movement from the initial position is calculated only when the camera detects a color transition layer. Thus, the current position of the color transition layer can always be accurately detected.
According to this invention, since the transition layer of the latest color can always be detected accurately, the moving amount of the transition layer can be detected quickly and accurately.
Claim 9 wherein the image processing means further comprises a light emitting unit number detecting means for detecting the number of light emitting sources of the light emitting unit, when the camera moving means moves the camera to a position to detect the transition layer, If the result of comparing the number of light emitting sources detected by the light emitting unit number detecting means with a preset number is different, it is determined that the light emitting source has been extinguished and a warning is issued.
The light emitting section constitutes one light emitting section from a plurality of light emitting sources. In Japan, one light emitting section is generally constituted by three light emitting sources, and they are horizontally arranged in one light emitting section. Then, the camera captures an image of the light-emitting unit including the plurality of light-emitting sources by the camera and inputs the image to the image processing unit. In addition to detecting the transition layer as brightness and color values, the image processing means can also recognize the number of light emitting sources. Therefore, if the number of light-emitting sources is stored in advance as three light-emitting sources and the number of light-emitting sources is compared at the same time when the transition layer is detected, for example, disconnection of the lamp can be easily detected.
According to this invention, the number of light sources of the light emitting unit is also detected at the time of detecting the transition layer, so that the light source abnormality of the light emitting unit can be simultaneously detected.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail using embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are not merely intended to limit the scope of the present invention but are merely illustrative examples unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an apparatus for monitoring a precision approach angle indicator (PAPI: Precision Approach Path Indicator) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the precision approach angle indicating light is simply referred to as an indicating light.
1A is a configuration diagram of the embodiment, FIG. 1B is a front view of an indicator light, and FIG. 1C is a front view of a PAPI monitoring device. For example, the indicator lamps 20 have lamp units 20a, 20b, and 20c having the same configuration as shown in (b) and are horizontally arranged in a horizontal row, and are installed in the indicator lamp 20 at the same emission angle. Thus, the reason for arranging a plurality of lamps having the same configuration in one indicator lamp is that if one lamp constitutes one indicator lamp, or if the lamp is extinguished for some reason, the indicator lamp This is a measure to prevent it from fulfilling its role. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 7 above, the plurality of indicator lights are used as one unit, and on the base 21 installed near the landing side entrance of the runway of the airport, the light emitting direction is a predetermined set elevation angle θ and Is accurately positioned in advance. A setting method of the set elevation angle with respect to the horizontal direction when the indicator light 20 is installed is performed by using a reference plate which is arranged at a predetermined position in front of the indicator light 20 at a predetermined height and projects light from the indicator light 20. Is On this reference plate, a reference line (not shown) indicating a position projected by the transition layer as a boundary line between the upper and lower light emitting units constituting the indicator light is drawn, and the elevation angle of the light emitting unit of the indicator light 20 is shown. Is adjusted so that the transition layer coincides with the reference line on the reference plate.
[0010]
This transition layer will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one lamp in the indicating lamp 20 of FIG. A white light source 30 formed of a halogen lamp, a reflecting mirror 31 for reflecting light emitted from the white light source 30, a red filter 32 provided to cover an upper half area of an optical axis 37, and a light beam having a predetermined focal length And a lens 33 for collecting the light, which are housed in a case (not shown). The light from the white light source 30 is reflected forward by the reflecting mirror 31 as a constant light flux, and the upper half of the light flux becomes red light by the red filter 32 in the upper half of the optical axis 37 of the light flux. The lower half area of the optical axis 37 is refracted by the lens 33 as white light, and the image is inverted from the focal point F. The upper side is separated into white light 35 and the lower side into red light 34. At this time, the transition layer 36 appears at the boundary. Here, a layer in which the transition layer is blurred and looks pink due to a deviation between the edge accuracy of the red filter 32 and the adjustment of the indicator light is referred to as a pink zone. Due to such factors, a pink zone is generated for each indicator light.
When the lamp 20c is viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1B, the transition layer formed in this way is a white light 35 on the upper side, a red light 34 on the lower side, and a transition layer 36 on the boundary between the white light 35 and the lens. Radiated. The same applies to the other lamps 20a and 20b. Further, the position of the indicator light 20 is not always constant, and not only the position and shape of the base 21 fluctuate due to expansion and contraction due to a temperature difference or the like, but also the lamp 30, the reflecting mirror 31, and the red filter of FIG. There is a possibility that the positional relationship between the transfer layer 32 and the lens 33 fluctuates and the transition layer fluctuates. Further, in an extreme case, it is conceivable that a vehicle passing through the airport comes into contact and the indicator lamp is deformed, misaligned, or inclined. Although the angle of elevation of the light emitted from the indicator light 20 plays an important role in informing the pilot of the angle of approach of the aircraft to the runway, various factors such as the above-described temporal factors and external factors have been described. There is a possibility that it will fluctuate depending on factors, and therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor the fluctuation of the elevation angle, and if it is found, maintenance and management work is required to correct it. Therefore, even after the elevation angle of the indicator light is initially set using the reference plate, the PAPI monitoring device 24 that constantly monitors the change in the elevation angle of the light emitting unit of the indicator light is required. The PAPI monitoring device 24 is always installed at a position facing the indicator light 20 after the indicator light 20 is installed. However, the spreading width of the transition layer becomes larger as the center line is closer to the center line, and the predetermined horizontal distance is increased. Since it is the smallest in the vicinity, it is disposed so as to be displaced horizontally to the left or right by a predetermined distance from the optical center line of the optical signal 22 emitted from the indicator lamp 20.
[0011]
The PAPI monitoring device 24 of the present invention is installed on a base 26 installed at a position facing the indicator light 20 at a predetermined angle at a position where the optical signal 22 emitted from the indicator light 20 is received. A cylinder 23 or a cylindrical hole for removing unnecessary light is disposed on the light receiving surface, and a camera 25 is provided at an inner rear end of the cylinder 23. Image data is taken using the opening range of the cylinder 23 as an imaging range. It is configured to be collected. That is, the cylinder 23 is arranged as shown in FIG. 1C, and the light from the indicator lamp 20 is photographed by the camera 25. Although not shown, the camera 25 in the PAPI monitoring device 24 can be moved up and down as shown by an arrow 27 by a driving device such as a motor integrally with the cylinder 23 (details will be described later). . In FIG. 1, the indicator light 20 and the PAPI monitoring device 24 are configured in a one-to-one correspondence. However, in actuality, four sets of this combination are installed so as to face each indicator light described with reference to FIG.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the PAPI monitoring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The PAPI monitoring device 24 includes a camera unit 25 that receives an optical signal 22 from the indicator lamp 20 and captures an image, a camera driving unit 41 that moves the camera unit 25 up and down on a base 26, A camera position detection unit 42 for detecting position information of the unit 41; and an image processing unit 43 for detecting a brightness or color transition layer and the number of lamps of the indicator light 20 based on image information from the camera unit 25. An initial value storage unit 45 that stores the position of the camera as an initial value when the image processing unit 43 detects the transition layer, and a position of the camera position detection unit 42 when the image processing unit 43 detects the transition layer. It is composed of a transition layer movement judging section 44 which judges the amount of movement by comparing the information with the position information of the initial value storage section 45 and compares the number of light emitting sources of the indicator 20 with a specified number.
Next, the operation of the PAPI monitoring device 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the PAPI monitoring device 24 drives the camera driving unit 41 to move the camera unit 25 up or down. In the process of the movement, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the images are all white 55 images, the upper half is white 56 and the lower half is red 57 images as shown in FIG. Thus, all become one of the red 58 images. Here, the reference transition layer is a mixed image of (b) white and red, and the camera position detection unit 42 detects the position of the camera unit 25 when this image is detected, and uses the value as an initial value. It is stored in the initial value storage unit 45. More specifically, when the camera drive unit 41 is realized by a servo motor, for example, the camera position detection unit 42 can easily detect the camera position by counting the number of pulses generated from the encoder of the servo motor. . That is, if a reference point is determined and, for example, the position shown in FIG. 4A is used as a reference point, the counter is set to 0 therefrom to drive the camera driving unit 41 to move the camera unit 25 downward. Count up in the order of (a), (b), and (c). After moving to (c), reversely count down to (c), (b), and (a). The count value at the time when the red mixed image is detected is stored in the initial value storage unit 45. Then, when returning to (a), the count becomes 0.
[0013]
Next, a normal monitoring operation will be described. The camera drive unit 41 is driven again to move the camera unit 25 downward. The images from the camera unit 25 are sequentially sent to the image processing unit 43 for image processing, and the processing result is transmitted to the transition layer movement determination unit 44. At the same time, the camera position detection unit 42 counts the number of pulses from the camera drive unit 41 and transmits the count result to the transition layer movement determination unit 44. Here, when the image processing unit 43 detects the image of FIG. 4B, the transition layer movement determination unit 44 temporarily stores the count number of the camera position detection unit 42 at that time in a memory (not shown), and the initial value storage unit 45 Is compared with the count number stored in. As a result, if the difference between the count numbers is within a predetermined allowable range, monitoring is continued as it is, and if the difference exceeds the allowable range, an abnormal signal 46 is generated. This allowable range is determined in consideration of a measurement error and a measurement limit value. For example, the considered value is converted into a count number, and the value is determined as the initial value count number ± several count. At this time, the image processing unit 43 also counts the number of lamps in the indicator lamp 20 at the same time, and determines whether the number has decreased from a predetermined number. If the number has decreased, it is considered that the lamp is not emitting light due to disconnection or the like, and the lamp abnormality signal 47 is generated.
[0014]
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the PAPI monitoring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, the PAPI monitoring device 24 drives the camera driving unit 41 to move the camera unit 25 up or down to capture an optical signal (S1). Next, the image processing unit 43 performs image processing on the white-red mixed image of FIG. 4B to extract a transition layer (details will be described later) (S2). Then, if the camera position detecting section 42 detects the position of the camera unit 25 when the transition layer is detected and stores the value as an initial value (YES route in S3), the value is stored in the initial value storing section 45. (S7). Next, in order to shift to a normal monitoring operation, the camera driving unit 41 is driven again to return the camera unit 25 to the reference point, and the camera unit 25 is moved downward from there, and the step S1 is executed. The images from the camera unit 25 are sequentially sent to the image processing unit 43 for image processing, and the processing result is transmitted to the transition layer movement determination unit 44. At the same time, the camera position detecting unit 42 counts the number of pulses from the camera driving unit 41 and transmits the counting result to the transition layer movement determining unit 44. Here, when the image processing unit 43 detects the image of FIG. 4B again (S2), since it is not the initial setting in step S3 (NO route in S3), the process proceeds to the next step S4 and determines the transition layer movement. The unit 44 temporarily stores the count number of the camera position detection unit 42 at that time in a memory (not shown) and compares it with the count number stored in the initial value storage unit 45 (S4). As a result, if the difference between the count numbers is within the predetermined allowable range (YES route in S5), the monitoring is continued as it is (S6). If the difference exceeds the allowable range (NO route in S5), the abnormal signal 46 is output. Is generated (S8).
Here, the image processing flow, the initial position storage flow, and the transition layer movement determination flow in FIG. 5 will be described in further detail. First, the image processing flow of FIG. 6A will be described. The image captured by the camera unit 25 is input to the image processing unit 43 as one of white, mixed white and red, and red as shown in FIG. When a trigger signal for storing an image is generated (S11), the image at that time is stored in the memory (S12). The trigger signal may be a clock signal generated periodically or a signal generated when predetermined conditions are met. Next, from the image stored in the memory, a round high-brightness part (lamp) of FIG. 4 is detected (S13). For example, if a transition layer is detected by brightness, a green filter is used for the camera. Thereby, the brightness of white and red can be more clearly distinguished. The brightness level at that time is (a)>(b)> (c). Also, if the transition layer is detected by color, the red filter can be more clearly distinguished by using a red filter in the camera. The brightness level at that time is (c)>(b)> (a). In this way, the image of the brightness or color transition layer is determined from the difference in level, and when the level becomes (b) in each case, the number of high-luminance parts (lights) is counted and output. (S14), and at the same time, outputs a determination signal for detecting the transition layer (S15).
[0015]
Next, the initial position storage flow of FIG. 6B will be described. The PAPI monitoring device 24 drives the camera driving unit 41 to move the camera unit 25 up or down. In the process of the movement, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the image is an image of all 55 white as shown in FIG. 4A, an image of white 56 in the upper half and red 57 in the lower half as shown in FIG. As shown in (c), the entire image is one of the red 58 images. Here, the reference transition layer is a mixed image of (b) white and red, and the camera position detection unit 42 detects the position of the camera unit 25 when this image is detected, and uses the value as an initial value. It is stored in the initial value storage unit 45. For example, in order to realize the camera driving unit 41 by a servo motor or a stepping motor, it is easy to count the number of pulses generated from the encoder in the case of a servo motor, or to count the number of driving pulses in the case of a stepping motor. Can be detected. That is, when the reference point is determined and, for example, the position in FIG. 4A is set as the reference point, the counter is set to 0 therefrom to drive the camera driving unit 41 to move the camera unit 25 downward (S20). 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) are counted up (S21), and it is determined whether or not the transition layer (c) is detected (S22). When the transition layer (c) is detected, the count number at that time is stored in the initial value storage unit 45 (S23).
Next, the transition layer movement determination flow of FIG. 6C will be described. When the determination signal of the image processing flow of FIG. 6A is input (YES route of S30), the count value from the camera position detector 42 at that time is stored in the memory (S31). Next, the count value stored in the initial value storage unit is read (S32), and compared with the current value counter value stored in the memory (S33). If the difference is within the allowable range, it is determined to be normal (S34), and if the difference is outside the allowable range, an elevation angle abnormality is issued (S35). This allowable range is determined in consideration of a measurement error and a measurement limit value. For example, the considered value is converted into a count number, and the value is determined as the initial value count number ± several count. As described above, if the determination result exceeds the allowable range either up or down, an alarm may be issued immediately, but in order to re-check whether there is a malfunction, re-check within a time allowed for safety. It is necessary from an aspect of safety to issue an alarm as an abnormality.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a light transition layer is detected from an indicator light having an accurately set elevation angle, the camera position at that time is stored as an initial value, and a relative position from this initial value is stored. Since the elevation angle abnormality is detected from the deviation amount, it is not necessary to precisely set the transition layer, the adjustment is easy, and the number of adjustment steps can be reduced.
According to the second aspect, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect are obtained.
According to the third aspect, the transition layer movement determining means compares the initial value with the current position, and determines that the state is normal if the comparison result is within a predetermined allowable range. The determination result can converge.
According to the fourth aspect, when the determination result exceeds the allowable range within the time allowed for safety, the elevation angle is determined to be abnormal, so that erroneous abnormality determination can be reduced.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the camera is always moved up and down to always detect the transition layer of the brightness within the movable range of the camera. The amount of movement of the brightness transition layer can be detected.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by always moving the camera up and down, the color transition layer can always be detected, so that the transition layer is not lost and as a result, the amount of movement of the color transition layer can be accurately detected. be able to.
According to the seventh aspect, since the latest information of the transition layer of the brightness can always be detected accurately, the moving amount of the transition layer can be detected quickly and accurately.
According to the eighth aspect, since the latest information of the transition layer of the latest color can always be accurately detected, the moving amount of the transition layer can be detected quickly and accurately.
According to the ninth aspect, the number of light emitting sources of the light emitting section is also detected at the same time when the transition layer is detected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a PAPI monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PAPI monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of one lamp in the indicator lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a difference in the color of the lamp depending on the elevation angle of the lamp in the indicator lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the PAPI monitoring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an operation flowchart illustrating the operation flowchart of FIG. 5 of the present invention in further detail.
FIG. 7 is a view showing the principle of a conventional indicator light.
[Explanation of symbols]
24 PAPI monitoring device, 25 camera unit, 41 camera drive unit, 42 camera position detection unit, 43 image processing unit, 44 transition layer movement determination unit, 45 initial value storage unit

Claims (9)

A monitoring device that is installed near an aircraft approach road and monitors an elevation angle of a light emitting unit of an approach angle indicator light that emits light to indicate an approach angle of the aircraft,
The light emitting unit includes an upper part that emits white light and a lower part that emits red light, which are continuously arranged in a vertical positional relationship via a transition layer, and
A camera that receives an optical signal from the light emitting unit and converts it into an image signal, a camera moving unit that moves the position of the camera, and a camera position that detects the position of the camera based on movement information of the camera moving unit Detecting means, image processing means for determining a transition layer of the brightness of the emitted light of the upper white light and lower red light based on the image signal converted by the camera, and a camera when the transition layer is imaged Initial position storage means for storing the initial position of the camera, and the current position of the camera when the transition layer having the brightness determined by the image processing means is imaged and the amount of movement from the initial position stored in the initial position storage means And a transition layer movement determining means for determining
A monitoring apparatus, wherein the transition layer movement determining means determines whether or not the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is normal based on a result of comparing the initial position and the current position. A monitoring device that is installed near an aircraft approach road and monitors an elevation angle of a light emitting unit of an approach angle indicator light that emits light to indicate an approach angle of the aircraft,
The light emitting unit includes an upper part that emits white light and a lower part that emits red light, which are continuously arranged in a vertical positional relationship via a transition layer, and
A camera that receives an optical signal from the light emitting unit and converts it into an image signal, a camera moving unit that moves the position of the camera, and a camera position that detects the position of the camera based on movement information of the camera moving unit Detecting means, image processing means for determining a transition layer of the color of the emission light of the upper white light and lower red light based on the image signal converted by the camera, and a camera for imaging the transition layer An initial position storage unit for storing an initial position, and determining a current position of the camera and an amount of movement from the initial position stored in the initial position storage unit when the color transition layer of the color determined by the image processing unit is imaged. Transition layer movement determining means,
A monitoring apparatus, wherein the transition layer movement determining means determines whether or not the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is normal based on a result of comparing the initial position and the current position. The transition layer movement determination means is configured to compare the initial position and the current position of the camera when the transition layer is imaged with a current position, and if the position movement amount is within a predetermined allowable range, the approach angle is determined. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the elevation angle of the indicator light is determined to be normal. The transition layer movement determination unit is configured to compare the initial position and the current position of the camera when the transition layer is imaged with the current position, and when the position movement amount exceeds a predetermined allowable range, safety is considered. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein after reconfirming within an allowable time, the elevation angle of the approach angle indicator is determined to be abnormal and an alarm is issued. The camera moving means controls the camera to reciprocate up and down a predetermined distance so as to sequentially receive light signals of white light, brightness transition layer, and red light emitted from the light emitting unit. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein: The camera moving unit controls the camera to reciprocate up and down a predetermined distance so as to sequentially receive the light signals of the white light, the color transition layer, and the red light emitted from the light emitting unit. The monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein The transition layer movement determining means calculates an error between the initial position stored in the initial position storage means and the current position every time the camera detects the transition layer of the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting unit. The monitoring device according to claim 1, 3, 4, or 5, wherein The transition layer movement determining means calculates an error between the initial position and the current position stored in the initial position storage means each time the camera detects a transition layer of the color of the light emitted from the light emitting unit. The monitoring device according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 6, wherein The image processing means further includes a light emitting part number detecting means for detecting the number of the light emitting parts, and when the camera moving means moves the camera to a position for detecting the transition layer, the camera moving means detects the light emitting part number detecting means. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein when a result of comparing the number of the light emitting units and a preset number is different, it is determined that the light emitting unit has been extinguished and a warning is issued. apparatus.

Images