JPH0625850B2 - Stereoscopic imaging method - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an imaging method, and in particular, obtains a stereoscopic image of an observation area in combination with a flying body such as a resource exploration satellite flying over an observation area on the earth. Stereoscopic imaging method for

(Prior Art) A conventional stereoscopic imaging method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. This type of stereoscopic imaging method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 0-39994.

In FIG. 1, this stereoscopic imaging method has an imaging device 15 mounted on a flying body 16. Flight 16 is in observation area 1
7 At an altitude of H above the speed V in the direction of flight indicated by the arrow
It is assumed that the aircraft will fly at (m / sec). The imaging device 15 picks up an optical image of the observation area 17.
Aircraft 16 is assumed to be in flight position A at some first time.

The imaging device 15 has an optical system 18 directed to the observation area 17. The observation area 17 forms a viewing angle θ with respect to the optical system 18. The optical system 18 transfers the optical image of the observation area 17 to the focal area 19
To form. As will be described in detail later, the focal area 19
The first to third photoelectric converters 21 to 23 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the flight direction and in parallel with each other. The distance between the first and third photoelectric converters 21 and 23 is defined by the viewing angle θ.

The observation area 17 is between the front partial area 24 and the rear partial area 25 defined by the viewing angle θ. The observation area 17 is divided (with respect to the flight direction) into a plurality of partial areas to be picked up as a partial optical image in the focal area 19. In this example, the front partial area 24, the rear partial area 25, and the intermediate area 26
And are shown. The intermediate region 26 is located between the front partial region 24 and the rear partial region 25 and immediately below the air vehicle 16. The front partial area 24 is located at a distance W from the rear partial area 25 in the flight direction.

The first photoelectric converter 21 converts the partial optical image obtained from the front partial area 24 into a front signal. The second and third photoelectric converters 22 and 23 convert the partial optical images obtained from the intermediate region 26 and the rear partial region 25 into an intermediate signal and a rear signal, respectively.

Suppose that the air vehicle 16 reaches the second flight position B from the first flight position A at the second time point. As we all know,
The stereoscopic image shows the first photoelectric converter 21 at the flight position A.
And the rearward signal obtained from the third photoelectric converter 23 at the flight position B are then processed. The plane image is obtained by processing the intermediate signal obtained from the second photoelectric converter 22.

A charge coupled device (CCD), for example, is used for the first to third photoelectric converters 21 to 23. Therefore, the photoelectric converters 21 to 23 have a constant read frequency and
A series of image pulses whose amplitude changes is output as an image pulse train.

With reference to FIG. 2, the air vehicle 16 includes a signal processing unit 30 and an antenna 31. The image pulse train is sent from the first to third photoelectric converters 21 to 23 to the signal processor 32.
The signal processor 32 encodes the image pulse train into a coded image data train. The encoded image data sequence is modulated into a modulated image data sequence by the modulator 33. The modulated image data sequence is transmitted by the transmitter 34 through the antenna 31 to the earth station described later. The signal processing unit 30 may include a storage unit that temporarily stores the encoded image data string.

Referring to FIG. 3, the earth station 40 operates as a part of the stereoscopic imaging method. The modulated image data string transmitted from the air vehicle 16 is received by the antenna 41 and sent to the demodulator 42 to be demodulated as a demodulated image data string. In response to the demodulated image data string, the signal distribution circuit 43 sends the demodulated image data string to the first to third photoelectric converters 21 to 23 corresponding to the first to third photoelectric converters 21 to 23.
~ Divide into the third image data sequence I1 to I3.

The first and second image data sequences I1 and I2 have first and second delay circuits 4 having first and second delay times, respectively.
It is output to the image reproducing unit 48 through 6, 47. The first delay time is t and the second delay time is 2t. The third image data string is directly supplied to the image reproducing unit 48.
The image reproducing unit 48 is a first unit for reproducing a stereoscopic image and a planar image.
~ Process the third image data sequence.

Returning to FIG. 1, between the front partial area 24 and the intermediate area 26,
The distance between the intermediate region 26 and the rear partial region 25,
W / 2. In addition, it is assumed that the flying body 16 flies from the first position A to the second position B in a time of 2T (seconds).
The time 2T is given by 2T = W / V.

This is because the front sub-region 24 is again in the third area after the time 2T after the front sub-region 24 is picked up by the photoelectric converter 21.
It means that it is picked up by the photoelectric converter 23. Taking this into consideration, the first delay time 2t is made equal to the time 2T in order to obtain a stereoscopic image of the front partial area 24. The stereoscopic image of the front partial area 24 is the first delay circuit 4
It is obtained by processing the first image data sequence I1T and the third image data sequence I3 delayed by 6.

On the other hand, the air vehicle 16 moves in the middle sub-region 2 during half of the time 2T.
Fly a distance W / 2 from 6 to the front subregion 24. The front partial area 24 is then picked up by the second photoelectric converter 22. After the lapse of time T, the air vehicle 16 reaches the second flight position B. In order to obtain the stereoscopic image and the planar image of the front partial area 24 at the same time, the second delay circuit 47 gives the second delay time t to the second image data string.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As is well known, the ratio of the distance W to the altitude H is called the base height ratio. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the base height ratio is related to the viewing angle θ. It is also clear that the conventional imaging method can obtain only one type of stereoscopic image.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic imaging system capable of reproducing a plurality of stereoscopic images with different base height ratios.

Another object of the present invention is to realize the above object with one optical system.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The stereoscopic imaging method according to the present invention is combined with a flying body that flies in a predetermined direction above the observation area, and is mounted on the flying body to provide an optical image of the observation area on the focus area. In an imaging system that includes an optical system that forms the optical system and an image processing unit that is coupled to the optical system and electrically processes the optical image, each time one crosses over the partial observation area that divides the observation area, A plurality of (4 or more) photoelectric converters provided on the focal region so as to convert the optical image into a plurality of partial electric signals representing the partial observation region, and one-to-one corresponding to the partial observation region; ,
Signal processing means for processing the plurality of partial electric signals into a plurality of stereoscopic images, the signal processing means being coupled to the plurality of photoelectric converters.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 4, the stereoscopic imaging method is used in combination with the satellite 50. The satellite 50 is assumed to fly over the observation area 51 of the earth in the flight direction of the arrow along a predetermined orbit. The orbit is at altitude H.

This stereoscopic imaging system has an optical system 52 mounted on a satellite 50 and directed to an observation area 51. The optical system 52 forms an optical image of the observation area 51 in the focal area 53. Observation area 51
Is divided into sub-regions as will be explained shortly. Assume that the number of subregions is an odd number greater than three. In this case, the observation area 51 is the first to nth partial areas 51.
It is divided into -1 to 51-n. Each sub-region extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flight and has a width W'with respect to the direction of flight. The i-th partial area 51-i is on the center line of the observation area 51 extending in the direction perpendicular to the flight direction. However, i = (n + 1)
/ 2. From this, the first to (i-1) th sub-regions 51-1 to 51- (i-1) may be referred to as front sub-regions, respectively, and the (i + 1) th to n-th sub-regions 51. −
Each (i + 1) may be referred to as a rear partial area. The optical image of the observation area 51 is divided into first to n-th partial images corresponding to the first to n-th partial areas on a one-to-one basis.

The stereoscopic imaging method includes an image processing unit 54 having a photoelectric conversion unit 55. The photoelectric conversion unit 55 has a centerline perpendicular to the flight direction, and is arranged on the focal region 53 in parallel with each other.
To n-th photoelectric converters 55-1 to 55-n. The reference numbers of the first to nth photoelectric converters 55-1 to 55-n are opposite to those of the first to nth partial areas 51-1 to 51-n. For example, the above-mentioned CCD is used for each photoelectric converter, and is composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements extending in the direction of the center line. The i-th photoelectric converter 55-i is on the center line. The 1st to n-th photoelectric converters 51-1 to 51-n are the 1st to n-th partial regions 51-1 to
One pair corresponds to 51-n. First to nth photoelectric converter 5
5-1 to 55-n respectively convert the first to nth partial images into first to nth partial electrical signals. 1st- (i-
The photoelectric converters 55-1 to 55- (i-1) of 1) may be referred to as front photoelectric converters, and the (i + 1) to nth photoelectric converters 55- (i + 1) to 55-n. May be called a rear photoelectric converter. Similarly, the first to (i-1) partial electrical signals may be referred to as front partial electrical signals, and the (i + 1) to nth partial electrical signals are referred to as rear partial electrical signals. Is also good.

The first and nth photoelectric converters 55-1 and 55-n are symmetrical with respect to the center line, and are separated by the maximum distance defined by the (n-2) photoelectric converters. On the other hand, the (i-1) th and (i + 1) th photoelectric converters 55- (i-1) and 55-
(I + 1) is also symmetric with respect to the center line, and is separated by the minimum distance defined by the i-th one photoelectric converter. Strictly speaking, there is a space between two adjacent photoelectric converters, but the above maximum and minimum distances ignore this.

As will be described in detail later, the maximum and minimum distances determine the maximum and minimum viewing angles with respect to the optical system 52. The maximum viewing angle covers the entire observation area 51, and the minimum viewing angle is the (i−1) th, i-th, (i + 1) th partial area 55−.
(I-1), 55-i, 55- (i + 1) are covered. The viewing angle is related to the base height ratio as described below.

The base height ratio will be described with reference to FIG.
When the air vehicle is a satellite, the altitude is so high that the calculation of the base height ratio is slightly different from that of an airplane (see FIG. 1).

In FIG. 5, the satellite is 57 above the earth indicated by 56.
It flies at a constant altitude H on the orbit 57 indicated by. From the first flight position p1 to the flight positions p2, p3, p4, p
It is assumed that the aircraft flies to the flight position p7 via p.5 and p6. In addition, the first to seventh partial areas 58-1 to 58-7
Are immediately below the first to seventh flight positions, respectively. Furthermore, the first and seventh flight positions p1, p7 are symmetrical with respect to the flight position p4. Similarly, the second and sixth flight positions p2, p6 are symmetrical with respect to the flight position p4, and the third and fifth flight positions p3, p5 are also symmetrical with respect to the flight position p4. The first distance between the first and seventh flight positions p1 and p7 is represented by b1 along the first straight line SL1. Similarly, the second distance between the second and sixth flight positions p2 and p6 is represented by b2 along the second straight line SL2 and between the third and fifth flight positions p3 and p5. The third distance therebetween is represented by b3 along the third straight line SL3.

Here, from the first flight position p1 to the first partial area 58-1
Vertical line L1 is lowered to the second to seventh flight positions p in the same manner.
The second to seventh partial areas 58-2 to 5 from 2 to p7, respectively.
Vertical lines L2 to L7 shall be dropped on 8-7. At the first flight position p1, the satellite has an angle θ1 with respect to the vertical line L1.
The partial image of the fourth partial area 58-4 is picked up. At the second flight position p2, the satellite picks up the partial image of the fourth sub-area 58-4 at an angle θ2 with respect to the vertical line L2. Furthermore, in the third flight position p3, the satellite picks up a partial image of the fourth sub-area 58-4 at an angle θ3 with respect to the vertical line L3. Fifth, sixth, and seventh
The fourth sub-region 58 at the flight positions p5, p6, p7 of
The angles for picking up the −4 partial image are equal to the first to third angles θ1 to θ3, respectively. Here, each of the first to third angles θ1 to θ3 may be referred to as a stereoscopic viewing angle.

The fourth vertical line L4 intersects the first to third straight lines SL1 to SL3 at intersections h1, h2, and h3, respectively. The first to third intersections h1 to h3 respectively define the heights H1, H2 and H3 from the fourth partial area 58-4.

Taking the above points into consideration, the first, second and third bases
Height ratios are b1 / H1, b2 / H2, b3 /
Given by H3. Here, it can be understood that the first, second, and third base height ratios are related to the stereoscopic viewing angles θ1, θ2, and θ3.

The relationship between the stereoscopic viewing angle and the base height ratio will be described with reference to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 4 and FIG. In FIG. 6, the first, i-th, and n-th partial areas 51-1, 51
In addition to -i and 51-n, f-th, g-th, k-th, and m-th sub-regions 51-f, 51-g, 51-k, and 51-m are shown. Similarly, the first, i-th, and n-th photoelectric converters 55-1, 55-i, and 55-
In addition to n, the fth, gth, kth, and mth photoelectric converters 55-f, 55-g, 55-k, and 55-m are shown. Here, the first, f-th, g-th, and i-th sub-regions 51-1, 51-f, 51-g, and 51-i.
Are the 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4th sub-regions 5 respectively.
8-7, 58-6, 58-5, and 58-4 (fifth
Corresponding to the figure), the k-th, m-th, and n-th sub-regions 58-
k, 58-m, and 58-n are the third, second, and first subregions 58-3, 58-2, and 5, respectively.
8-1. The first viewing angle for covering the entire observation area 51 is the first and nth photoelectric converters 55.
It is determined by the number of photoelectric converters between -1 and 55-n, which is equal to twice the first stereoscopic viewing angle θ1 described in FIG. The f
To the m-th sub-region 51-f to 51-m, the second viewing angle is f-th and m-th photoelectric converter 55-f.
And 55-m, which is equal to twice the second stereoscopic viewing angle θ2 described in FIG. The third viewing angle for covering the sub-regions 51-g to 51-k between the g-th and the k-th is the g-th and the k-th photoelectric converters 55-g and 5.
It is determined by the number of photoelectric converters between 5-k and is equal to twice the third stereoscopic viewing angle θ3 described in FIG.

Altitude H is 100 (km), width of partial area W'is 30
(M), if odd n is 1001, and the first, second and third base height ratios b1 / H1, b2 / H2 and b3 / H3 are 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1, respectively, f , G, k, and m are 167, 333, 669, and 83, respectively.
It becomes 5. These numbers will be used later. In the above description, flight positions p1 and p7, p2 and p6, p3 and p5
It is assumed that and are symmetric with respect to the flight position p4, but they do not necessarily have to have a symmetrical positional relationship. This is because, for example, in the case of an airplane, the flight path may change with time.

Returning to FIG. 4, it is assumed that the satellite 50 flies over each partial area every time t1. The control circuit 60 receives the command signal transmitted from the earth station 80. The command signal is classified into a read control signal, a mode selection signal, a transmission command signal, and a base / height ratio designation signal, as will become apparent later. Upon receiving the read control signal, the control circuit 60 outputs a first read signal 60-1 having a read speed f1. The 1st to n-th photoelectric converters 55-1 to 55-n convert the partial images of the partial areas 51-1 to 51-n to the 1st to 1st parts, respectively.
Convert to the nth analog signal. First read signal 60
In response to −1, the first to nth photoelectric converters 55-1 to 5-5
5-n sends the first to nth analog signals in parallel to the analog signal processing section 61 at every time t1.

In response to the first to nth analog signals, the analog signal processing unit 61 performs an amplification operation and parallel-serial conversion, and outputs a serial signal of the first to nth amplified signals. The serial signal of the first to nth amplified signals is supplied to the digital signal processing unit 62. The digital signal processing unit 62 converts the serial signal of the first to nth amplified signals into the serial signal of the first to nth digital signals. The 1st to nth digital signals correspond to the 1st to nth analog signals in a one-to-one relationship.

The image processing unit 54 has a real-time transmission mode and a temporary storage mode. In the real-time transmission mode, the earth station 8 transmits the first to nth digital signals in real time.
This is a mode for transmitting to 0. The temporary storage mode will be described later. The mode selection signal described above is for selecting one of the real-time transmission mode and the temporary storage mode. In response to the mode selection signal, the control circuit 6
0 supplies the selection signal 60-2 to the selection circuit 63. The selection signal 60-2 selects one of the modulator 64 and the signal processing unit 65. Upon receiving the mode selection signal for selecting the real-time transmission mode, the control circuit 60 outputs the selection signal 60-2 for selecting the modulator 64. in this case,
The selection circuit 63 outputs the first to nth digital signals to the modulator 6
Send to 4. The modulator 64 modulates the supplied first to nth digital signals into first to nth modulated signals and outputs them to the transmitter 66. The transmitter 66 transmits the first to nth modulated signals using the downlink radio channel at the transmission rate f2 to the earth station 80 through the antenna 67.

Referring again to FIG. 7 together with FIG. 4, the signal processing unit 65
Is a storage unit 71, a reading unit 72, and a signal processor 7.
Have three. In the temporary storage mode described above, the control circuit 60 selects the selection signal 6 for selecting the temporary storage mode.
When 0-2 is received, a selection signal 60-2 for selecting the signal processing unit 65 is output. The control circuit 60 includes the signal processing unit 6
When the selection signal 60-2 for selecting 5 is output, the selection circuit 63 outputs the first to nth digital signals to the storage unit 71.
Output to. The storage unit 71 stores the first to nth digital signals as the first to nth stored digital signals.

The control circuit 60 supplies the second read signal 60-3 to the read unit 72 when receiving either the transmission command signal or the base height ratio designation signal. The transmission command signal is a signal for reading all the first to nth stored digital signals from the storage unit 71 as the first to nth read digital signals. In this case, the reading unit 72 outputs the first to nth read digital signals to the modulator 64. The first to nth read digital signals are modulated by the modulator 64, and the transmitter 6
6 to the earth station 80 through the antenna 67.

The base height ratio designation signal is for designating at least two base height ratios in order to obtain at least two stereoscopic images. In response to the base / height ratio designating signal, the control circuit 60 outputs a read command signal indicating the first to nth stored digital signals. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the first to third base height ratios are 0.3, 0.
When it is 2, 0.1, the read command signals are the first and the 16th.
7 shows the 7th, 333rd, 669th, 835th, and 1001st stored digital signals. Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 4, the case where the first to third base height ratios are 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. To do. As shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the aircraft flies from the first to the seventh flight positions at time 001t1.

In this case, since the satellite 50 flies only in the 1001 partial area, this imaging method represents 1001 different observation areas.
Pick up the optical image of. Storage unit 71 is 1001
The first to 1001 partial digital signals corresponding to the optical image are stored. The reading unit 72 is the first, the 167th, the 33rd
The third, the 669th, the 835th, and the 1001st stored digital signals are transferred to the first, 167th, 333rd, 669th,
It is read as the 835th and 1001st read digital signals. Here, the first stored digital signal is the observation area 51 when the satellite 50 is at the first flight position p1.
Is the first partial signal obtained from the 500th partial region of The 167th stored digital signal corresponds to the satellite 50.
Is the 167th partial signal obtained from the 500th partial area of the observation area 51 at the second flight position p2. The 333rd stored digital signal is transmitted by the satellite 50
Is the 333rd partial signal obtained from the 500th partial area of the observation area 51 at the flight position p3. Sixth
The stored digital signal of 69 is the 669th partial signal obtained from the 500th partial area of the observation area 51 when the satellite 50 is at the fifth flight position p5. The 835th stored digital signal is the 835th partial signal obtained from the 500th partial area of the observation area 51 when the satellite 50 is at the sixth flight position p6. Further, the 1001st stored digital signal indicates that the satellite 50 has the seventh flight position p7.
It is the 1001st partial signal obtained from the 500th partial area of the observation area 51 at the time.

The reading unit 72 sends to the signal processor 73 the first and 1001st read digital signals as the first pair of read digital signals and the 167th and 835th read digital signals as the second pair read digital signals. As, the 333rd and 669th read digital signals are supplied as read digital signals of the third pair. When supplied with the read digital signals of the first to third pairs, the signal processor 73 processes the read digital signals of the first to third pairs in a known manner and outputs the first to third stereo signals. To do. First to third
The stereo signal of is modulated into first to third modulated stereo signals by the modulator 64 and transmitted from the transmitter 66 to the earth station 80 through the antenna 67.

In the above operation, for example, the 1001st photoelectric converter is the first
Until the entire partial image of the 1001st partial area is picked up. Therefore, the signal processing unit 65 actually outputs the continuous first stereo signal, the continuous second stereo signal, and the continuous third stereo signal.
The first to third continuous stereo signals are modulated by the modulator 64 into a continuous first modulated stereo signal, a continuous second modulated stereo signal, and a continuous third modulated stereo signal. As a result, the 1st to 3rd stereo signals are divided into
It can be obtained with the third base height ratio. Generally, (n-1) / 2 types of stereoscopic images are first to (n-)
It can be obtained with a base height ratio of 1) / 2.

The reading unit 72 may directly send the read digital signals of the first to third pairs to the modulator 64.
This is effective when the transmission speed f2 is lower than the reading speed f1. Further, the read section 72 and the signal processor 73 are described separately for the sake of clarity, but it is easy to give the signal processor 73 the function of the read section.

The earth station 80 which is a part of the stereoscopic imaging system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIG. It is assumed that the present imaging method picks up an optical image of the observation area equal to the number of the first to nth partial areas specified by the first to seventh flight positions. The earth station 80 uses the read control signal, the mode selection signal, the transmission command signal,
And a control unit 81 for outputting a command signal classified into a base / height ratio designation signal. Transmission unit 82
Transmits the command signal through the antenna 83 using the uplink radio channel. When the control unit 81 outputs the mode selection signal for selecting the real-time transmission mode, the receiver 84 receives the first to nth modulated signals transmitted from the transmitter 66 (FIG. 4) in real time. The demodulator 85 demodulates the 1st to nth modulated signals into the 1st to nth demodulated signals.

The first to nth demodulated signals are supplied to the signal processing unit 90.
The signal processing unit 90 includes a storage unit 91, a reading unit 92, a signal processor 93, a signal converter 94, and a display unit 95. The storage unit 91 stores the first to nth demodulated signals as the first to nth storage signals.

When a non-stereo image is requested, the reading unit 92 reads the i-th storage signal from the storage unit 91 as a non-stereo signal. When the reading of the i-th storage signal is repeated n times, the reading unit 92 outputs the first to n-th non-stereo signals. The first to nth non-stereo signals are the first to nth
One-to-one correspondence with the sub-regions of 1 to 3 is supplied to the signal converter 94. The signal converter 94 converts the first to nth non-stereo signals into television signals and outputs them to the display unit 95. The display unit 95 displays a plane image of the observation area.

A case where the base height ratio of 0.3 is requested will be described with reference to FIG. 9 together with FIG. It is assumed that when the satellite 50 flies in the 1500 sub-region, the present imaging method picks up the 1st to 1500th optical images. The 1st to 1001st demodulated signals are stored in the storage unit 91 in relation to the 1st to 1500th optical images.
It is assumed that it is stored as a storage signal of 01.

In the first step S1, the base height ratio is set to 0.3.

In the second step S2, the reading unit 92 reads the first and 1001st stored signals of the first optical image as the read signals of the first pair of the first and 1001st.

In the third step S3, the read signal of the first pair according to the first and 1001st is stored in the signal processor 93 as the stored signal of the first pair of the 1st and 1001st. This storage process is repeated as described later. The signal processor 93 counts how many times the storing process is repeated.

In a fourth step S4, the signal processor 93 identifies whether the number of store operations has reached 1500. If it is less than 1500 times, the fourth step S4 returns to the second step S2. Second step S
In 2, the reading unit 92 reads the first to 1001st stored signals for the second optical image in the storage unit 91 as the read signals of the first and 1001st second pairs. In the third step S3, the read signal of the second pair is stored in the signal processor 93 as the storage signal of the second pair. In the second to fourth steps, the storage process is 1
The process is repeated up to 500 times. When the storage processing reaches 1500 times, the read signals of the first to 1500th pairs are stored in the signal processor 93 as the storage signals of the first to 1500th pairs.

When the process proceeds from the fourth step S4 to the fifth step S5,
The signal processor 93 processes the stored signals of the first to 1500th pairs. The signal processor 93 is the first of the first pair.
The first stereo signal is output by processing the 100th stored signal and the 1001st stored signal of the 1001st pair. Subsequently, the signal processor 93 determines that the first stored signal of the second pair and the 1001st of the 1002nd pairs.
The second stored signal is output by processing the second stored signal. Similarly, the signal processor 9
3 outputs first to 500th stereo signals. First to
The 500th stereo signal is supplied to the signal switch 94.

In the sixth step S6, the signal converter 94 uses the first to fifth signals.
00 stereo signal is converted into a television signal.

In the seventh step S7, the display unit 95 displays the television signal as a stereoscopic image of the observation area.

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, the transmitter 66 transmits the continuous first modulated stereo signal, the continuous second modulated stereo signal, and the continuous third modulated stereo signal to the earth station 80. . In FIG. 9, the receiver 84 receives continuous first to third modulated stereo signals. The demodulator 85 demodulates the continuous first to third modulated stereo signals into a continuous first demodulated stereo signal, a continuous second demodulated stereo signal, and a continuous third demodulated stereo signal, and a continuous first demodulated stereo signal. ~ Outputs the third demodulated stereo signal to the storage unit 91. The storage unit 91 stores the continuous first to third demodulated stereo signals as a continuous first stored stereo signal, a continuous second stored stereo signal, and a continuous third stored stereo signal. In order to obtain the first stereoscopic image with the first base-height ratio, the reading unit 92 reads the continuous first stored stereo signal as a continuous first read stereo signal and supplies it to the signal converter 94. To do. The signal converter 94 converts the continuous first read stereo signal into a first television signal. The display unit 95 displays the first television signal as a stereoscopic image of the observation area based on the first base height ratio.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be considered. For example,
n may be an even number of 3 or more. Of course, the present invention can be applied not only to satellites but also to ordinary airplanes. Also, the optical system
It is also possible to form a plurality of optical images at a time in a plurality of focal areas by using spectral filters having different spectral characteristics. In this case, a plurality of photoelectric conversion parts are provided in each of a plurality of focal areas.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a plurality of types of stereoscopic images with a plurality of base height ratios with a single optical system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a conventional stereoscopic imaging method,
2 is a schematic diagram of the signal processing unit and the optical system shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block configuration diagram of an earth station operating as a part of the stereoscopic imaging system shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an observation area and satellites for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a base height ratio, and FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the signal processing unit shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is an operation of the signal processing unit shown in FIG. 9 is a schematic block configuration diagram of an earth station operating as a part of the stereoscopic imaging system shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 10 is a signal in the earth station shown in FIG. The flowchart figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a process part. In the figure, 50 is a satellite, 51 is an observation area, 54 is an image processing unit,
55 is a photoelectric converter, 60 is a control circuit, 61 is an analog signal processing unit, 62 is a digital signal processing unit, and 65 is a signal processing circuit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical system, which is combined with a flying body that flies in a predetermined direction over the observation area, is mounted on the flying body, and forms an optical image of the observation area on a focal area, and is combined with the optical system. And an image processing means for electrically processing the optical image by means of an image processing means for electrically processing the optical image. A plurality (4 or more) provided on the focal region so as to be converted into partial electric signals of and corresponding to the partial observation region on a one-to-one basis.
And a signal processing unit that is coupled to the plurality of photoelectric converters and processes the plurality of partial electric signals into a plurality of stereoscopic images, and the plurality of photoelectric converters include the flying object. When in a position, outputs a plurality of front partial electrical signals representing a plurality of partial observation areas ahead of the area immediately below and a plurality of rear partial electrical signals representing a plurality of partial observation areas behind the area directly below, The signal processing means includes a storage means for storing the plurality of front partial electric signals and the plurality of rear partial electric signals as a front partial storage signal and a rear partial storage signal, respectively, and is connected to the storage means. The said front partial memory signal,
A front partial read-out signal as one set of rear partial read-out signals, a plurality of sets as a rear partial read-out signal, and means for processing to obtain a stereoscopic image of a plurality of partial observation areas; The partial storage signal for use is converted by the one photoelectric converter of the plurality of photoelectric converters with respect to a certain partial observation area in front of the immediately below when the flying object is at the certain position, while, The one partial storage signal for rear is one photoelectric converter having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the one photoelectric converter among the plurality of photoelectric converters after the flying object has passed through the certain partial observation area. The stereoscopic imaging method is characterized in that the partial observation area is converted by the above method. 2. The stereoscopic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of photoelectric converters are arranged at a center perpendicular to the predetermined direction in order to divide the optical image into a front image and a rear image with respect to the predetermined direction. It divides into a front photoelectric converter group and a rear photoelectric converter group by a line, and the front photoelectric converter group and the rear photoelectric converter group respectively represent the front image by the plurality of partial electric signals. It is divided into a plurality of front partial electric signals and a plurality of rear partial electric signals representing the plurality of rear images, and the front photoelectric converter group and the rear photoelectric converter group are symmetrical with respect to the center line. And a predetermined number of photoelectric converters, which are symmetrical to each other, and the predetermined number determines a viewing angle that covers the partial observation areas of a number equal to this. Characterized by Body imaging system.