JP3409455B2 - Infrared imaging device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared image pickup device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a first example of the configuration of a conventional infrared image pickup device. 1 is an infrared optical system for condensing and forming an image of incident light, and 2 is an imaged infrared light. An infrared light detector 3 for photoelectrically converting the light is a drive processor that drives the infrared light detector 2 and processes its output to output an infrared image signal.

Next, the operation will be described. For example, the infrared imaging device configured as described above is mounted on an aircraft,
When used for the purpose of navigation support at night, the infrared scene emitted from the outside is converted into an image signal to output the outside scenery as an image signal even at night.

FIG. 10 shows a second example of the configuration of a conventional infrared image pickup device, in which 1 to 3 are the same as those of the above conventional device.
Is an angle detector for detecting the angle of the infrared optical system 2 in the visual axis direction, and 5 is for detecting the target by using the image signal from the drive processor 3 and the angle signal from the angle detector 4 and for detecting the target angle signal. A target detector for output, 6 is a target indicator for outputting a target designation signal for designating a bomb target, 7 is a target angle signal from the target detector 5, a target indicator signal from the target indicator 6, and the flight speed of the aircraft. , A trajectory calculator that calculates the trajectory of the bomb using the attitude angle and the like, and 8 is a guided bomb that is dropped from an aircraft and detects and tracks a target by its own infrared guidance device.

In the infrared image pickup device constructed as described above, the trajectory calculator 7 uses the target angle signal from the target detector 5 and the target designation signal from the target indicator, and the velocity and attitude angle of the aircraft itself. Then, the flight direction, attitude angle, and search direction at the time when the target search is started after the guided bomb 8 is dropped are calculated, and after calculating whether to fly within the range in which the specified target can be detected, , 8 guided bombs were dropped. Further, the dropped guided bomb 8 searched, detected, and tracked the target by its own infrared guiding device, without using data such as target specifications from the aircraft.

[0006]

In the conventional infrared imaging device configured as described above, when mounted on an aircraft and used as a navigation device, the horizon and the ridgeline of a mountain are clearly defined in order to avoid collision with the ground surface. However, if the temperature difference between the ground surface and the sky or mountains is small, or if the visibility is poor, an image with a small difference in brightness with respect to the sky is output, and the horizon or It was difficult to identify the mountain ridge.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an infrared image pickup device which outputs an infrared image signal in which a horizontal line can be easily identified.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an infrared image pickup device which outputs an infrared image signal which makes it easy to identify the ridgeline of a mountain.

[0009]

According to the present invention, an infrared optical system for condensing and forming an image of infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and A drive processor that drives an infrared light detector and processes its output to output an image signal, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, and detects its own altitude. An altitude detector, a horizontal line detector that determines the position of a horizontal line on an infrared image using the angle in the visual axis direction from the angle detector and the altitude from the altitude detector, and a red line from the drive processor. The horizontal line is emphasized by using the outside image signal and the horizontal line position on the infrared image signal from the horizontal line detector to make the infrared image signal have a certain luminance difference between the region above the horizontal line and the region below the horizontal line. A horizontal brightness enhancer for outputting an infrared image signal is provided.

According to the present invention, there are provided an infrared optical system for collecting and forming an infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and the infrared light detector. A drive processor that drives and outputs an image signal by processing its output, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, an altitude detector that detects its own altitude, and the angle. A horizontal line detector that obtains the position of a horizontal line on an infrared image using the angle from the detector in the visual axis direction and the altitude from the altitude detector, an infrared image signal from the drive processor, and the horizontal line detection. A horizontal line brightness enhancer that outputs an infrared image signal with the horizontal line emphasized by converting the brightness of the infrared image signal using the horizontal line position on the infrared image signal from the device as the reference .

According to the present invention, there are provided an infrared optical system for collecting and forming an infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and the infrared light detector. A drive processor that drives and processes the output to output an image signal, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, and a direction specified by a direction command signal from the outside. A distance measuring device that measures the distance and outputs the measured distance and direction, and detects the ridgeline of the mountain on the image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction from the angle detector and the measured distance and direction from the distance measuring device. A ridge line detector that outputs a pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the distance change rate falls within a predetermined range, an infrared image signal from the drive processor, and an image signal from the ridge line detector. The brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain was emphasized from the position of the ridgeline above. It provided a ridge brightness enhancer for outputting external image signal.

In the present invention, an infrared optical system for collecting and forming an infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and the infrared light detector are provided. A drive processor that drives and processes the output to output an image signal, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, and a direction specified by a direction command signal from the outside. A distance measuring device that measures the distance and outputs the measured distance and direction, and detects the ridgeline of the mountain on the image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction from the angle detector and the measured distance and direction from the distance measuring device. A ridge line detector that outputs a pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the distance change rate falls within a predetermined range, an infrared image signal from the drive processor, and an image signal from the ridge line detector. The brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain was emphasized from the position of the ridgeline above. A ridge line luminance emphasizing device that outputs an external image signal, and a pointing command for measuring the distance inside the mountain ridge line from the ridge line position on the image signal from the ridge line detector and the image signal from the ridge line luminance / luminance device. A perspective brightness enhancer that outputs a signal to the distance measuring device and outputs an infrared image signal that emphasizes the distance to the mountain by converting the brightness according to the distance to the mountain using the distance data from the distance measuring device. And.

[0013]

In the present invention, the horizon detector detects the position of the horizon on the image using the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction and the altitude of the aircraft itself. The horizontal line luminance enhancer uses the infrared image signal from the drive processor and the horizontal line position on the infrared image signal from the horizontal line detector to make the infrared image signal constant in the area above and below the horizontal line. The infrared image signal in which the horizontal line is emphasized is output by providing the luminance difference of.

In the present invention, the horizon detector detects the position of the horizon on the image using the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction and the altitude of the aircraft itself. The horizontal line brightness enhancer is the first
Instead of the horizon brightness enhancer in the infrared imager,
The infrared image signal from the drive processor and the infrared image signal from the horizontal line detector are converted in luminance with reference to the luminance of the horizontal line to output an infrared image signal in which the horizontal line is emphasized.

In the present invention, the ridge line detector detects the ridge line of the mountain on the image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction of the infrared optical system and the measurement distance and direction from the distance measuring device such as a radar device, and also detects the distance. A pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the rate of change falls within a predetermined range is output to the distance measuring device. The ridgeline brightness enhancer outputs an infrared image signal in which the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain is emphasized from the infrared image signal from the drive processor and the ridgeline position on the image signal from the ridgeline detector.

In the present invention, the ridge line detector detects the ridge line of the mountain on the image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction of the infrared optical system and the measurement distance and direction from the distance measuring device such as a radar device, and also detects the distance. A pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the rate of change falls within a predetermined range is output to the distance measuring device. The ridgeline brightness enhancer outputs an infrared image signal in which the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain is emphasized from the infrared image signal from the drive processor and the ridgeline position on the image signal from the ridgeline detector. The perspective brightness enhancer outputs a pointing command signal for measuring the distance inside the ridge of the mountain from the ridge position on the image signal from the ridge brightness enhancer and the image signal from the ridge brightness converter to the ranging device. At the same time, by using the distance data from the distance measuring device, the brightness is converted according to the distance to the mountain, thereby outputting an infrared image signal emphasizing the distance to the mountain.

[0017]

EXAMPLES Example 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is the same as the conventional device, 9 is an altitude detector for detecting the altitude of the own device, 10 is an angle signal from the angle detector 4 and an altitude signal from the altitude detector 9 A horizontal line detector for obtaining the position, 11 uses the infrared image signal from the drive processor 3 and the horizontal line position on the infrared image signal from the horizontal line detector 10 to detect the infrared image signal in an area above and below the horizontal line. It is a horizontal line brightness enhancer that outputs an infrared image signal in which the horizontal line is emphasized by giving a constant brightness difference to the area of. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the angle θ of the optical system in the visual axis direction, the altitude h, and the angle α at which the horizon is viewed from the position of the altitude h. Reference numeral 21 is the earth, and 22 is an infrared imaging device.
3A and 3B are diagrams showing the characteristics when the infrared image signal has a certain luminance difference between the upper region and the lower region with respect to the horizontal line. FIG. 3A is an input image, and FIG. The output image is shown.

For example, in the horizontal line detector 10, since there is a relationship shown in FIG. 2 between the visual axis direction θ of the infrared optical system 1 from the angle detector 4 and the angle α for watching the horizontal line from the altitude h, the image is obtained. Detect the position of the horizon on the signal.

The horizontal line brightness enhancer 11 uses the infrared image signal from the drive processor 3 and the horizontal line position on the image signal from the horizontal line detector 10 to keep the area above and below the horizontal line constant. 3 (a) is output as an infrared image with horizontal lines emphasized as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

Example 2. In the first embodiment, the horizontal line brightness enhancer emphasizes the horizontal line by making the infrared image have a constant brightness difference between the area above the horizontal line and the area below the horizontal line. Similar effects can be expected by performing the brightness conversion as shown in.

Example 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention,
Reference numerals 1 to 4 are the same as those of the conventional apparatus, 12 is a radar apparatus as a distance measuring apparatus that measures a distance in a direction designated by a direction command signal from the outside and outputs the measured distance and direction, and 13 is an angle detector. Angle from 4 and radar device 12
A ridge line detector that detects the ridgeline of the mountain on the image signal from the distance and the direction and outputs a pointing command signal that performs distance measurement in the direction in which the distance change rate falls within a predetermined range. The ridge brightness enhancer that outputs the infrared image signal in which the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain is emphasized from the infrared image signal of ## EQU1 ## and the position of the ridgeline of the mountain on the infrared image signal from the ridge detector 13. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method for detecting the ridgeline of a mountain, (a) is a distance measuring method for detecting the ridgeline of a mountain,
(B) shows the difference in distance between the mountain slope and the outside of the mountain.

For example, the ridge line detector 13 measures the distance from the bottom to the top in the direction perpendicular to (1), (2), and (3) as shown in FIG. Outside of Figure 6
Since the distance greatly changes as shown in (b), the ridgeline of the mountain is detected, the distance measuring direction is moved horizontally, and the distance is measured again as (4), (5), (6). By outputting the command angle to the radar device 12, while sequentially detecting the ridgeline of the mountain, the pointing command for performing the distance measurement in the direction such that the distance change rate falls within the predetermined range is output to the radar device. .

The edge brightness enhancer 14 uses the infrared image signal from the drive processor 3 and the edge position on the infrared image signal from the edge detector 13 to increase the brightness of the edge of the mountain by a certain value. Output an image with the mountain ridgeline emphasized.

Example 4. FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which 1-4 are the same as those of the conventional apparatus, 12, 13, 14
Is the same as in the third embodiment, and 15 is a pointing command signal for measuring the distance inside the ridgeline of the mountain from the ridgeline position on the image signal from the ridgeline detector 13 and the image signal from 13 the ridgeline luminance / luminance device. Is output to the distance measuring device 12, and an infrared image signal that represents the distance difference between the mountain and the mountain as a luminance difference by converting the distance difference between the mountain and the mountain from the distance data from the distance measuring device 12 into a luminance difference. This is a far-intensity brightness converter that outputs.

The perspective brightness enhancer 15 first outputs to the radar device 12 a direction command signal for measuring the area inside the detected ridgeline of the mountain. Next, by using the distance from the radar device, for example, by increasing the brightness of a mountain at a short distance, an infrared image in which perspective is emphasized is output. Also, the same effect can be expected by outputting an image signal indicating the perspective as a brightness difference and an infrared image from the ridge brightness enhancer as color images of different colors.

Reference Example 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reference example 1 of the present invention.
Reference numeral 8 is the same as the conventional apparatus, and 16 is a guide bomb 8 that displays the target image from the target detector 5 and the bombing target position from the target indicator 6.
It is an image processor for outputting to.

In FIG. 8, since the image processor 16 outputs the target image from the target detector 5 and the target position from the target indicator 6 to the guided bomb 8, the guided bomb 8 is searched by its own infrared guiding device. The target to be bombed can be selected from a plurality of targets by being configured to match the detected target.

Reference Example 2. The image processor 16 in Reference Example 1 has a target image signal with a target aspect ratio and a target image signal with an aspect ratio so that the image is viewed from the same angle as the angle at which the infrared guidance device of the guided bomb 8 starts a target search. The same effect can be expected even if it is output to the guided bomb 8 together with it.

Reference Example 3. Further, the image processor 16 in Reference Example 1 is used to cut out an image in the same direction as the search direction at the time when the infrared guiding device of the guide bomb 8 starts the target search and has the same angle of view as the search coverage area. The same effect can be expected by outputting the target image signal to the guided bomb 8 together with the target designation signal.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image is detected by using the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction and the altitude of the aircraft, and the infrared image signal is detected by the horizontal line. Since an infrared image signal in which the horizontal line is emphasized is output by providing a certain brightness difference between the upper region and the lower region, it is possible to supply an infrared image in which the horizontal line can be easily identified.

Further, according to the present invention, the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image is detected by using the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction and the altitude of the own device, and the brightness is determined with reference to the brightness of the pixel indicating the horizontal line. Since the infrared image signal in which the horizontal line is emphasized is output by converting the, the infrared image in which the horizontal line can be easily identified can be supplied.

Further, according to the present invention, the ridgeline of the mountain on the infrared image is detected from the angle in the visual axis direction of the optical system and the measured distance and direction from the radar device, and the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain is increased by a constant value. Since the infrared image signal in which the ridgeline of the mountain is emphasized is output, an infrared image in which the ridgeline of the mountain can be easily identified can be supplied.

Further, according to the present invention, since the distance inside the ridgeline of the mountain is measured and the distance to the mountain is expressed as a brightness difference, an infrared image signal emphasizing the distance to the mountain is output. It is possible to supply an infrared image that makes it easy to identify perspective.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an angle in a visual axis direction, an altitude, and an angle at which a horizon is viewed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a characteristic in the case where an infrared image signal has a constant luminance difference between an upper region and a lower region with respect to a horizontal line.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the horizontal line luminance enhancer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method for detecting a ridgeline of a mountain.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a reference example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a conventional infrared imaging device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a conventional infrared imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 infrared optical system, 2 infrared light detector, 3 drive processor, 4 angle detector, 5 target detector, 6 target indicator, 7 ballistic calculator, 8 guided bomb, 9
Altitude detector, 10 horizon detector, 11 horizon brightness enhancer, 12 radar device, 13 ridge detector,
14 ridge brightness enhancer, 15 perspective brightness enhancer,
16 Image processor.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/222-5/247

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An infrared optical system for collecting and forming an image of infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and driving the infrared light detector. And a drive processor that processes the output and outputs an image signal, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, an altitude detector that detects its own altitude, and the angle detection Line detector for obtaining the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image signal using the angle of the visual axis direction from the device and the altitude from the altitude detector, the infrared image signal from the drive processor and the horizontal line detection An infrared image signal with the horizontal line emphasized is output by using the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image signal from the instrument to give the infrared image signal a certain brightness difference between the region above and below the horizontal line. Infrared image pickup device, comprising: 2. An infrared optical system for collecting and forming an image of infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and driving the infrared light detector. And a drive processor that processes the output and outputs an image signal, an angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, an altitude detector that detects its own altitude, and the angle detection Line detector for obtaining the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image signal using the angle of the visual axis direction from the device and the altitude from the altitude detector, the infrared image signal from the drive processor and the horizontal line detection A horizontal line brightness enhancer that outputs the infrared image signal with the horizontal line emphasized by converting the brightness of the infrared image signal using the position of the horizontal line on the infrared image signal from the device as the reference An infrared imaging device having. 3. An infrared optical system for collecting and forming an image of infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and driving the infrared light detector. Along with the drive processor that processes the output and outputs an image signal, the angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, and the distance in the direction specified by the direction command signal from the outside. A distance measuring device that measures and outputs a measurement distance and a direction, and detects a ridgeline of a mountain on an image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction from the angle detector and the measurement distance and direction from the distance measuring device, and the distance. A ridge line detector that outputs a pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the rate of change falls within a predetermined range, an infrared image signal from the drive processor, and an image signal from the ridge line detector. An infrared image signal that emphasizes the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain from the ridgeline position An infrared imaging device, comprising: an output ridge brightness enhancer. 4. An infrared optical system for collecting and forming an image of infrared light, an infrared light detector for photoelectrically converting the formed infrared light, and driving the infrared light detector. Along with the drive processor that processes the output and outputs an image signal, the angle detector that detects the angle of the infrared optical system in the visual axis direction, and the distance in the direction specified by the direction command signal from the outside. A distance measuring device that measures and outputs a measurement distance and a direction, and detects a ridgeline of a mountain on an image signal from the angle in the visual axis direction from the angle detector and the measurement distance and direction from the distance measuring device, and the distance. A ridge line detector that outputs a pointing command signal for performing distance measurement in a direction in which the rate of change falls within a predetermined range, an infrared image signal from the drive processor, and an image signal from the ridge line detector. An infrared image signal that emphasizes the brightness of the ridgeline of the mountain from the ridgeline position The directional command signal for measuring the distance inside the ridgeline of the mountain from the ridgeline luminance enhancer to be output, the ridgeline position on the image signal from the ridgeline detector, and the image signal from the ridgeline luminance / luminance device is measured. It has a perspective brightness enhancer that outputs an infrared image signal that emphasizes the perspective of the mountain by outputting to the range device and converting the luminance according to the distance to the mountain using the distance data from the range finder. Characteristic infrared imaging device.