JPH07209401A - Target capture device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability in the processing of a target such as the sight of a fighter in flight. CONSTITUTION:In a target capture device capable of changing the target detected and captured by image and identification processing, this device has an image indicator 19 for displaying the first image signal from an image pickup device 11, a suppressing window setting circuit 12 for partially suppressing the area of this image signal, and a detecting processing circuit 14 for detecting and trapping a target from the second image signal passed through the suppressing window setting circuit 12. It further has a trapping window calculating circuit 15 for calculating a capturing window from the target position signal and target size signal outputted from the detecting processing circuit 15, a trapping window superposing circuit 18 provided between the image pickup device 11 and the image indicator 19 to superpose the first image signal with the capturing window, a target changer 1 for changing the already captured target, and a memory circuit 17a for storing the capturing window with the output from the target changer 1 as a moment, and the output of the memory circuit 17a is supplied to the suppressing window setting circuit 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image processing and identification of a target such as a fighter's machine image within an imaging field of view for aiming, pointing and tracking a missile equipped launcher toward a target. The present invention relates to an improvement of a target capturing device that performs a so-called target capturing operation of processing and detecting and capturing as a target.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional target capturing device relates to a target capturing device which is limited in direct contact because it is embodied in equipment for the Self Defense Force of the Defense Agency, but it is constructed as shown in FIG. There is. That is, the image pickup device 11 and the image display device 19 for displaying the first image signal from the image pickup device 11.
The position input device 2 operated by the operator and the position input device 2 are operated to display, for example, the designated window symbol 44 of FIG. 6C at a desired position in the visual field on the image display 19. Therefore, the position size generation circuit 33 that generates the target position setting and the target size setting, and the target to be captured based on the target position setting and the target size setting from the position size generation circuit 33 is the designated window symbol 4
4, a designated window calculation circuit 34 for designating the target image, a target changer 1 for issuing a target change command by the operator, and a pass window for passing only a part of the visual field region for the first image signal. A setting circuit 31; a detection processing circuit 32 that performs a target capturing operation based on the second image signal output from the passage window setting circuit 31 and outputs a target capturing signal and a target position signal by determining the likelihood of the target; A coupling circuit 3 that connects the designated window calculation circuit 34 and the passage window setting circuit 31 in accordance with the target change command.
5, a designated window superimposing circuit 36 and a captured symbol superimposing circuit which are directly connected between the image pickup device 11 and the image display device 19 in order to superimpose and display the symbol indicating the designated window and target capture on the target. And a circuit 37.

The operation for capturing a target and the operation of the apparatus having the above-mentioned structure will be described below. The target 41 and the target 42 shown in FIG. 6A are present in the visual field captured by the image display 19, and the second window from the passage window setting circuit 31 is provided as shown in FIG. 6B. An image is displayed on the image display of FIG. 5 as a first capture symbol 43 indicating that the target 42 is captured by performing image and identification processing based on the image signal and determining the target likeness as a target based on the result. It is supposed to be displayed in 19.

When the operator determines that the desired target of the target 42 is the target 41 is doubtful from the information from other devices not included in the present invention, the following operation is performed. The operator operates the position input 2 (joystick or the like) to drive the position size generation circuit 33 to adjust the target position setting and the target size setting, and as shown in FIG. After the designated window symbol 44 is moved and superimposed on the target 41 by the designated window superimposing circuit 36, a target changing command is generated by the target changer 1 and supplied to the coupling circuit 35, and the designated window is set as a passing window. It is connected to the circuit 31. As a result, the operation of the passage window setting circuit 31 detects the image signal in the vicinity of the target 41 as if it were cut out.
2 but not the other parts outside the transit window area. That is, the image signal in the vicinity of the target 42 is not sent to the detection processing circuit 32. As a result, the capture of the target 42 is released as shown in FIG.
Since the target 41 in the designated window is captured, the first captured symbol 43 disappears, and it is displayed that the second captured symbol 45 is newly superimposed on the target 41.
Is displayed, and the target acquisition operation ends.

As described above, the conventional target capturing device requires the position input device 2 (such as a joystick) for giving the designated target position setting and target size setting when it is desired to change the target to be captured. Therefore, a complicated operation is also required, which is complicated and burdensome for an operator who operates in a tight situation. Therefore, there is a drawback that it is difficult to capture the target accurately and timely.

It should be noted that the target changer 1 and the position input device 2 do not necessarily have the above-mentioned configuration, and for example, can receive a required signal from those having similar functions arranged on the control stick of a fighter. There is also.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances and eliminates the need for a position input device for giving a designated target position setting and target size setting, thereby facilitating operation. To provide a device.

[0008]

A first aspect of the invention is to detect, capture and display a target by performing image processing and identification processing on an image signal for a field of view output from an image pickup device, and change the captured target. In the target capturing device capable of instructing, the image display device for displaying the first image signal from the image pickup device, and a part of the visual field region for the first image signal from the image pickup device. Control such that suppression of the area does not affect the image of other areas and identification processing by a technique such as suppression, erasing, masking, etc. is called suppression. A suppression window setting circuit that suppresses a section, a first detection processing circuit that processes the second image signal that has passed through the suppression window setting circuit to detect and capture a target, and an output from this first detection processing circuit. Target position signal And a capture window calculating circuit for calculating a capture window from a target size signal and a capture window superimposing circuit for superimposing the capture window on the first image signal, the capture window calculating circuit being provided between the image pickup device and the image display device. A target changer for instructing a change of the target and a first storage circuit for storing the capture window triggered by an output from the target changer are provided, and the output of the first storage circuit is set for the suppression window. It is intended to be supplied to the circuit.

A second invention is the above first invention,
A second detection processing circuit capable of outputting a target capture signal to the first detection processing circuit, and a passage window connected between the second detection processing circuit and the suppression window setting circuit. A setting circuit, a passage window setting circuit, and a coupling circuit for selectively connecting the capture window superimposing circuit and the capture window calculating circuit in accordance with the target capture signal are provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first or second aspect of the invention, storing a capture window corresponding to each of the plurality of capture windows in the first storage circuit. And a second memory circuit capable of

[0011]

Since the present invention is configured as described above and controls the suppression window setting circuit by the capture window generated by the capture window calculation circuit, an image and a discrimination process are performed on the field of view other than the capture window area. Even if the first target exists in the field of view, it is suppressed by the capture window, so it does not affect the target capturing operation of the second target and automatically captures this second target. Is possible.

Further, once the target capture is secured by adding a passage window setting circuit and a loop for connecting the capture windows, the capture window is acquired from the image processing for the entire field of view with this information. The image processing area can be limited to the area indicated by, and the target capturing operation can be improved by improving the capturing accuracy and shortening the processing time.

Further, by configuring the memory circuit to store a plurality (n) of capture windows, the target capture operation can be executed by changing the displayed target capture operations up to n targets one after another. Therefore, although the target-likeness is high, if the target-likeness is suspicious from the information from other devices not included in the present invention, the target capturing operation currently being captured is stopped, and the target capturing is performed on another target. It can be turned into action and can capture less target-like targets.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a target capturing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows the main structure of the target capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. That is, the target capturing device includes an image pickup device 11 for picking up a desired field of view, an image display device 19 for displaying the first image signal output from the image pickup device 11, a fighter in flight, a missile, etc. A target that has already been processed by a so-called target capturing operation that is detected as a target by using image processing and identification processing techniques such as a machine shadow, or the target capturing operation has not been performed due to a machine shadow of flare or a fighter of a fellow aircraft. It is assumed that the operator performs a required operation while referring to a target on the image display screen 19 that does not need to perform the target capturing operation and does not require the capturing.
A suppression window setting circuit 12 capable of suppressing a part of the visual field area for the first image signal output from the image pickup device 11, and the suppression window setting circuit 1
The first target is detected by inputting the second image signal, in which a partial region of the first image signal is suppressed, which is output from No. 2, and performing the target capturing operation. A first detection processing circuit 14a that outputs a target position signal and a target size signal together with a target presence region including the first target captured and supplied with the target position signal and the target size signal, and Capture window calculation circuit 15 that calculates a capture window related to a suppression region that is also a target of suppression in a series of subsequent operations.
And, for example, if the target-likeness of the first target, which has been identified and captured as a target in the target capturing operation already performed from the information obtained from another device not included in the present invention, is doubtful, the operation is performed. Target changer 1 operated by staff
When the target change command issued by the operation of the target changer 1 is used as a trigger, the capture window is stored for a predetermined time or for a period until it is externally erased, and is output to the suppression window setting circuit 12. The first storage circuit 17a is provided between the image pickup device 11 and the image display device 19 for superimposing a capture window symbol on the first image signal to display that the capture window has been output. And a capture window superimposing circuit 18.

Next, the operation and operation for changing the capture from the state in which the first target 22 is captured to the desired second target 21 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 2
As shown in (b), the situation in which the first capture window 23 is displayed on the first target 22 is confirmed on the image display 19 and the target as illustrated above is confirmed. When it is doubtful that the first target 22 is the target due to the reason for changing the above, etc., in order to identify and confirm whether or not one of the targets displayed in the other can be handled as the target by the target capturing operation. By operating the target changer 1 above,
When the operator issues the target change command, this target change command is given to the first memory circuit 17a. Since the first storage circuit 17a outputs the first capture window 23 to the suppression window setting circuit 12 for the predetermined time, the input signal of the detection processing circuit 14a has a hatched area in FIG. The suppression region 24 including the first target 22 indicated by is suppressed. As a result, the first detection processing circuit 14a is shown in FIG.
A region excluding the suppression region 24 in (c), that is, the target 2
If the target 21 is identified as the second target 21 by performing the target capturing operation in the area including 1, the first target 2
1 is captured, the second capture window 25 is applied to the target 21, and the image display 19 confirms the display as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present invention, the suppression window setting circuit 12 is restricted by the capture window generated by the capture window calculation circuit 15, and the capture operation of the first target captured in advance is released, and a new operation is performed. In addition, since it operates so as to automatically capture the second target, the burden on the operator is significantly reduced.

A second embodiment of the target capturing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 shows the main configuration of the target capturing device according to the second embodiment. That is, the target capturing device includes an image pickup device 11 for picking up a desired field of view, an image display device 19 for displaying a first image signal output from the image pickup device 11, and the image pickup device 11 for outputting the first image signal. A suppression window setting circuit 12 capable of suppressing a partial area of the visual field for the first image signal, and a partial area of the first image signal output from the suppression window setting circuit 12 is suppressed. After inputting the second image signal and once the above target capturing operation (hereinafter, referred to as the first target capturing operation in the embodiment) is established, a part of the visual field area is continuously operated. A passage window setting circuit 13 which outputs a third image signal mainly composed of a so-called passage window portion which can be passed as if it were cut out, and the first target supplementing operation, and the passage window. The first target is continuously detected by performing the second target capturing operation with the function setting circuit 13 functioning, and the target position signal, the target size signal and the target related to the first target are accompanied with the target capturing operation. A second detection processing circuit 14b that outputs a capture signal together, and a target existing region including the first target captured by receiving the target position signal and the target size signal, and a series of subsequent operations. A capture window calculation circuit 15 that calculates a capture window related to a suppression region that is also a target of suppression in the process, and a target change operated by an operator when the likelihood of the first target as illustrated above is doubtful. Device 1 and the target change command issued by the operation of the target change device 1 as a trigger, the capture window is stored and held for the above predetermined period, and the capture window is suppressed. In order to combine the first storage circuit 17a for outputting to the window setting circuit 12 and the acquisition window with the passing window setting circuit 13 by the target acquisition signal, and at the same time to superimpose the acquisition window symbol on the first image signal, A coupling circuit 1 for coupling the capture window to a capture window superposition circuit 18 installed between the imager 11 and the image display 19.
6 and 6. Subsequently, based on FIG. 2, the desired second target 21 is obtained from the state where the first target 22 is captured.
The operation and the operation for changing the trapping are based on the above-mentioned first embodiment, but following the first target capturing operation, a so-called second target capturing operation related to the passing window will be described below.

Once the first target capture operation is performed, the capture window is transferred to the passage window setting circuit 13 by the operation of the coupling circuit 16 as the second detection processing circuit outputs the target capture signal and the like. By connecting the capture windows, the passage window setting circuit 13 causes only the passage area in the vicinity of the target 21 shown in FIG. Is supplied to the second detection processing circuit 14b. Since the third image signal is a part of the entire visual field, the load on the detection processing circuit 14b is small, and the so-called second target capturing operation is performed with high accuracy, and the target position signal, the target size signal, and the target capturing signal are the same as described above. Can be output.

When a target is changed in the state where the second target capturing operation is started, an operator issues a target changing command issued by operating the target changing device 1 to store the capture window currently being captured in the storage circuit. By storing and holding the target and changing the target window by adding the target change command to the combining circuit 16, the detection window circuit 14 is released from the connection between the capture window calculating circuit 15, the passing window setting circuit 13 and the capture window superimposing circuit 18.
The operation is returned to the first target capturing operation in b, and the target can be changed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the passage window setting circuit 13a is provided to limit the detection processing to the area corresponding to the capture window in accordance with the target capture signal. The improvement and the processing time can be shortened.

This operation can be performed in the same manner even if the positions of the suppression window setting circuit and the passage window setting circuit are exchanged. A third embodiment of the target supplement device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the main configuration of the target capturing device according to the third embodiment. That is, the target capturing device includes an image pickup device 11 for picking up a desired visual field and an image display device 19 for displaying the first image signal output from the image pickup device 11.
And a suppression window setting circuit 12 capable of suppressing a part of the field of view for the first image signal output from the imager 11, and the first output from the suppression window setting circuit 12. The second target image signal of which the partial region of the second target image signal is suppressed and the target capturing operation is performed to detect the first target, and the target position signal and the target size signal related to the first target are detected. In the target presence region including the first target captured and supplied with the target position signal and the target size signal, and in the subsequent series of operations. Capture window calculation circuit 1 for calculating a capture window related to a suppression region that is also a suppression target
5 and when the first target likelihood as exemplified above is doubtful, the capture window is triggered by the target changer 1 operated by the operator and the target change command issued by the operation of the target changer 1. It is possible to carry out the memory holding operation of holding the memory for a plurality of times (n) during the above predetermined period,
A second storage circuit 17b capable of storing and retaining specifications relating to each of n times of capture windows and outputting the specifications of n times of capture windows to the suppression window setting circuit 12.
And a capture window superimposing circuit installed between the imager 11 and the image display 19 for superimposing a capture window symbol on the first image signal to display that the latest capture window has been output. The target capturing device is composed of 18.

In the present embodiment, in the case where three or more targets appear in the first embodiment and the likelihoods of the targets are different from each other,
This is an embodiment in which a plurality of targets can be suppressed and targets having low target-likeness can also be captured by storing n capture windows resulting from the operation of the target changer performed n times.

Although the image pickup device outputs a digital image signal, the principle of the present invention can be realized by providing an analog-digital conversion function for an analog image signal.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the target can be automatically captured, the designated window is operated every time the target is changed, as in the conventional invention, to the position surrounding the desired target by operating the position input device. Since the operation to move can be excluded,
The target capturing operation can be performed by simply operating the target changer, and the position input device can be eliminated. In the present invention, for example,
Since the operation of the above position input device is performed under time tight conditions such as the operation of capturing a fighter or missile in flight, it is not necessary to perform this kind of troublesome operation to capture an appropriate target. It also contributes to reducing the workload and psychological burden on the operator.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of image display according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional target capturing device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image display example in the apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Target changer 2 ... Position input device 11 ... Imager 12 ... Suppression window setting circuit 13 ... Passing window setting circuit 14a ... First detection processing circuit 14b ... Second detection processing circuit 15 ... Capture window calculation circuit 16 ... Coupling circuit 17a ... First storage circuit 17b ... Second storage circuit 18 ... Capture window superposition circuit 19 ... Image display Container 21 ... Target or target on which target processing is performed 22 ... Target on which target or target processing is performed 23 ... First capture window 24 ... Suppression region 25 ... Second capture window 31 ... Passing window setting circuit 32 ... Detection processing circuit 33 ... Position size generation circuit 34 ... Designated window calculation circuit 35 ... Coupling circuit 36 ... Designated window superimposition circuit 37 ..Capture symbol superposition circuit 41 ... Target or target on which target processing is performed 42 ... Target or target on which target processing is performed 43 ... First capture symbol 44 ... Designated wind symbol 45 ... Second capture symbol

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A target capturing device capable of detecting, capturing, and displaying a target by performing image processing and identification processing on an image signal output from an image pickup device with respect to a photographic field of view, and instructing change of the captured target. In, an image display device for displaying a first image signal from the image pickup device, a suppression window setting circuit for suppressing a part of the visual field region with respect to the first image signal, and the suppression window setting circuit. A first detection processing circuit that processes a second image signal that has passed through to detect and capture a target, and a capture window that calculates a capture window from a target position signal and a target size signal output from the first detection processing circuit. A calculation circuit, a capture window superimposing circuit that is provided between the image pickup device and the image display and that superimposes the first image signal and the capture window, and an instruction to change the capture target. And a first memory circuit for storing the capture window triggered by the output from the target modifier, and supplying the output of the first memory circuit to the suppression window setting circuit. Target capturing device characterized by. 2. A second detection processing circuit replacing the first detection processing circuit capable of introducing an output signal from the suppression window setting circuit and outputting a target capture signal, and the second detection processing circuit. And the suppression window setting circuit, and selectively connects the output of the acquisition window calculation circuit according to the target acquisition signal to the passage window setting circuit and the acquisition window superposition circuit. The target capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling circuit. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory circuit replacing the first memory circuit capable of storing the capture windows corresponding to each of the plurality of capture windows. 2. The target capturing device according to any one of 2.