JPH08184436A - Position measuring equipment and camera with information recording function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To locate an object remote from a GPS receiver by correcting the positional information at a point to be measured based on the outputs from various sensors thereby locating the object. CONSTITUTION: A distance measuring section 1 measures the distance from a measuring point to an object and a GPS receiver 2 detects the position at the measuring point. An orientation sensor 3 detects the orientation of a measuring apparatus when it is directed toward the object as angle from the north and an inclination sensor 4 detects the angle of elevation of the measuring apparatus when it is directed toward the object. When a measuring button 9 is pushed, the equipment is actuated to start measurement through the measuring section 1, the receiver 2 and the sensors 3, 4. When the distance to the object is measured, a laser beam is transmitted from the measuring section 1 to the object and the time elapsed before receiving a reflected laser beam is measured thus determining the distance. Subsequently, a correction amount of the distance is determined, and the position of the object is determined at a control section 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position measuring device and a camera with an information recording function. More specifically, GPS (G
(Global Positioning System)
The present invention relates to a position measuring device that specifies the position of a measuring device using information from a satellite and a camera with an information recording function that can record the shooting state of the camera in a captured image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a device handling GPS data (positional information) has been sold due to the development of car navigation, but basically the location of a receiver is specified. Further, in recent years, there have been increasing opportunities for various cameras to be used by individuals, travelers, photographers and the like. And the G
Development of devices that handle PS data (positional information) is also being promoted.

[0003]

The conventional device is a GPS device.
There is a problem that the position where the receiver is installed can be known, but it is not possible to specify the position far away.
In addition, various proposals have been made to solve the desire to record the shooting target position together with the shot image when shooting with a camera, but at present, there is a distance from the shooting position to the shooting target, and this is corrected. There was no way to do it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a position measuring device capable of specifying the position of an object distant from a GPS receiver. Secondly, it is an object of the invention to provide a camera with an information recording function capable of specifying the position of an object to be photographed and recording it in an image.

[0005]

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a GPS receiving section for measuring the position of a measuring point, a distance measuring section for measuring a distance from the measuring point to an object, and an object. An azimuth sensor that obtains the azimuth of the measurement device when the measurement device is pointed at an object, a tilt sensor that obtains the elevation angle of the measurement device when the measurement device is aimed at an object, and the position of the measurement point in the GPS receiver. The information is acquired, and the distance, azimuth, and elevation of the object with respect to the GPS receiving unit are measured by the respective sensors, and a correction calculation is added to the position information of the measurement point based on the distance, azimuth, and elevation to detect the object. It is characterized in that means for specifying the position is provided.

In this case, it is preferable that the distance measuring unit measures the distance from the measurement point to the object by using a light wave in order to easily measure the distance to the object.
Further, it is preferable to further include a second receiving unit and correct the position information from the GPS receiving unit with the position information from the second receiving unit in order to obtain more accurate position information.

Further, when each information is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the memory, the control unit of the apparatus may issue an instruction such as standby or remeasurement to the built-in display unit. Is preferable for sure recording.

Further, an external output unit for taking out the display data to the outside is provided so that the various data displays can be displayed on a display device different from the measuring device. It is preferable to do so.

Further, map information for displaying a map of the relevant area is stored in a memory, and the position of the measurement point and / or
Alternatively, it is preferable to provide a means for indicating the position of the target object on the map displayed on the display unit in order to confirm the measurement point and the like on the map.

Further, it is preferable to measure the distance, the azimuth and the inclination angle at two points of interest and display the distance (height and width) between the two points in order to obtain more information.
A second invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is, in a camera with an information recording function configured to record various information on an image at the time of shooting, a GPS receiving section for measuring the position of the measurement point, and an object from the measurement point. A distance measuring unit that measures the distance to the object, an orientation sensor that obtains the azimuth of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, a tilt sensor that obtains the elevation angle of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, and The position information of the measurement point is acquired by the GPS receiving unit, and the distance, azimuth, and elevation angle of the object with respect to the GPS receiving unit are measured by the respective sensors, and the position information of the measurement point is obtained by the distance, azimuth, and elevation angle. A means for identifying the position of the target object by adding the correction calculation and recording the result as the shooting position information on the image is provided.

In this case, it is preferable that the distance measuring unit measures the distance from the measurement point to the object by using a light wave in order to easily measure the distance to the object.
Further, it is preferable that the optical axis of the camera and the central axis of the projection system of the distance measuring unit are coaxial with each other in order to obtain more accurate position information.

Further, the control unit of the apparatus should prevent normal operation even if the shutter is pressed for photographing when each information of the camera is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the memory. However, it is preferable for surely recording information.

Further, a second GPS receiver is provided, and position information from the first GPS receiver is stored in the second GPS receiver.
It is preferable to correct the position information from the receiver in order to obtain more accurate position information.

A third invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a camera with an information recording function which is constructed so that the photographing position information can be recorded on an image at the time of photographing, and the information is transmitted from a GPS receiver placed near the photographing object. A receiving unit that receives the determined position information through a communication unit, a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the measurement point to the object, and an orientation sensor that determines the orientation of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object. , A tilt sensor that obtains the elevation angle of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, and position information of the object is acquired by the receiving unit, and the distance, azimuth, and elevation angle to the object are measured by the sensors. ,
It is characterized in that a unit for recording the position information of the object received by the receiving unit and the output of each sensor on the image is provided.

In this case, it is preferable that the communication means is optical communication in order to transmit information without passing through a communication line. Further, it is preferable that the communication means uses a communication line in order to reliably transmit information.

[0016] Further, the communication means is wireless,
It is preferable for transmitting information without using a communication line.

[0017]

[Action]

(First invention) A GPS receiving unit for measuring the position of the measuring point, and a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance from the measuring point to the object, the position of the measuring point is measured by the GPS receiving unit, Next, the distance measuring unit measures the distance from the measurement point to the object, and then the distance to the object is obtained,
The position of the object is specified by adding the correction calculation based on the outputs of the various sensors to the position information of the measurement point.
As a result, it is possible to specify the position of the object that is far from the GPS receiver.

In this case, the distance measuring unit can easily measure the distance to the object by measuring the distance from the measurement point to the object by the light wave. This is especially effective when the object to be measured is in a place where it cannot be walked.

Further, a more accurate position information can be obtained by further comprising a second GPS receiving unit and correcting the position information from the first GPS receiving unit with the information from the second receiving unit. You can

Further, when each information is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the memory, the control unit of the apparatus issues an instruction such as standby or re-measurement to the built-in display unit, so that each information is Can be reliably recorded.

Further, by providing an external output unit for taking out the display data to the outside so that the various data displays can be displayed on a display device different from the measuring device, the various data can be displayed on the other display unit. You will be able to.

Further, map information for displaying a map of the relevant area is stored in a memory, and the position of the measurement point and / or
Alternatively, by providing a means for indicating the position of the object on the map displayed on the display unit, it is convenient to be able to confirm the measurement point or the like on the map.

Further, more information can be obtained by measuring the distance, the azimuth and the tilt angle at two points of interest and displaying the distance (height and width) between the two points. (Second invention) A GPS receiving unit for measuring the position of the measuring point and a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance from the measuring point to the object are provided, and the photographing target position is determined based on the output data of each sensor. A means for recording the calculated result as the photographing position information is provided. As a result, the position of the object to be photographed can be specified and recorded in the image in the camera with the information recording function.

In this case, the distance measuring unit can easily measure the distance to the object by measuring the distance from the measurement point to the object by the light wave. This is especially effective when the object to be measured is in a place where it cannot be walked.

By arranging the optical axis of the camera and the central axis of the projection system of the distance measuring section to be coaxial, more accurate position information can be obtained. In addition, the control unit of the device ensures that if each information of the camera is not recorded in the predetermined recording location of the built-in memory, it does not operate normally even if the shutter is pressed for shooting. Information can be recorded in.

Further, a second GPS receiver is provided, and the position information from the first GPS receiver is stored in the second GPS receiver.
By correcting with the data from the receiver,
More accurate position information can be obtained.

(Third invention) G placed near the object to be photographed
A receiver is provided for receiving the position information transmitted from the PS receiver via the communication means, and the position information received by the receiver can be recorded on the image as the photographing position information together with the image. According to the present invention, the position information from the GPS receiver can be used as it is as the position information of the object to be photographed, and the position of the object to be photographed can be specified and recorded in the image in the camera with the information recording function. .

In this case, since the communication means is optical communication, information can be transmitted without passing through a communication line. Further, since the communication means uses a communication line, reliable information transmission can be performed.

Furthermore, since the communication means is wireless, information can be transmitted without passing through a communication line.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the first invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of the first invention. In the figure, 1 is a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the measurement point to the object, and 2 is G that detects the position of the measurement point.
A PS receiver, 3 is an azimuth sensor for detecting the azimuth of the measuring device when the measuring device is aimed at an object, from an angle from magnetic north, 4
Is a tilt sensor for detecting the elevation angle of the device when the measuring device is aimed at the object.

Reference numeral 5 is a control unit having an arithmetic function for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, 6 is a display section for displaying various information, 7 is a battery (battery) for operating the apparatus, 8 is a power switch,
Reference numeral 9 is a measurement button for instructing the start of measurement, and 10 is a memory provided in the control unit 5 for storing various information. The operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operating procedure of the first invention. First, press the power switch 8 (S
1), distance measuring unit 1, GPS receiver 2, azimuth sensor 3,
Power is supplied to the tilt sensor 4 and the display unit 6 to start each operation. Next, when the measurement button 9 is pressed (S2), the device starts operation, and the distance measuring unit 1, GPS receiver 2, azimuth sensor 3, and tilt sensor 4 start measurement operation.

When measuring the distance to the object, the device shown in FIG. 2 is held by both hands like binoculars and the object is placed in the field of view. As a distance measuring principle, for example, a laser rangefinder is used, a laser beam is emitted from the distance measuring unit 1 toward an object, and the time until the laser beam hits the object and is reflected back is measured to determine the distance. The method of seeking is used. In the power-on state, measurement is possible at any time, and the distance is measured by aligning the center of the crosshair in the field of view with the object other than the rangefinder with binoculars and pressing the measurement button 9. The measurement result is written in the memory 10.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method for calculating the target position. The position measurement calculation is performed by the following formula. The symbols shown in the formulas are the same as those shown in FIG. The distance to the object is L, the azimuth (angle from magnetic north) θ, and the elevation angle α of the device, and the position (latitude x, longitude y) of the object is obtained from the position data (latitude X, longitude Y) from the GPS.

Horizontal distance to the object: L1 = L × cosα Latitude component of this distance: Lx = L1 × cosθ Longitude component of this distance: Ly = L1 × sinθ Radius of the earth at latitude X: Latitude of RxLX Change: ΔX = (Lx / Rx) × (360 / π) (1) Radius in longitude direction at latitude X + ΔX: Ry = Rx × cos (X + ΔX) Change in longitude of LY: ΔY = (Ly / Ry) × (360 / π) (2) The correction amounts ΔX, Δ up to the object by the equations (1) and (2).
Y has been obtained. When the correction amounts ΔX and ΔY up to the object are obtained by the equations (1) and (2), the control unit 5 obtains the position (latitude x, longitude y) of the object by the following equation.

Position of object (x, y) = (X + ΔX, Y + ΔY) (3) The above-mentioned position measuring method is not so good in terms of accuracy, but the radius of the earth is taken into consideration according to the required accuracy. Will be required. The calculation result of the equation (3) is written in the memory 10.

The control unit 5 checks whether or not the position information from GPS is written in the memory 10 (S
3). If the position information is not written, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to perform a retry display (S6), and prompts re-measurement. Further, the control unit 5 stores the distance measuring unit 1 in the memory 10.
It is checked whether or not the distance data up to the object measured in step 4 is written (S4). When the distance data has not been written, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to perform a retry display (S6), and prompts remeasurement. Furthermore, the control unit 5
Checks whether or not the azimuth and tilt angle data are written in the memory 10 (S5). When the data of the azimuth and the tilt angle are not written, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to perform a retry display (S6) and prompts re-measurement. This is because each information is surely recorded.

When the above-mentioned measurement results are written in the memory 10, the control unit 5 calculates the correction amounts ΔX and ΔY up to the object based on these data (S
7). The arithmetic expressions are the above-mentioned expressions (1) and (2). When the correction amount is obtained, the control unit 5 calculates the position of the object by the expression (3) (S8), and displays the obtained position information on the display unit 6 (S9).

When the measurement is continued, the above operation is repeated, but when the measurement is finished, the power switch 8 is turned off (S1).
0). In this case, all the data written in the memory 10 in the control unit 5 is cleared (S11). If it is necessary to store it as data, it is necessary to have a non-volatile memory inside or to record it in an IC card, a floppy disk or the like. It is also possible to connect a printer as needed to output characters.

In the above description of the embodiment, the case where a lightwave type laser length measuring device is used as the distance measuring unit 1 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and another active device is used. It is possible to apply a distance measuring tool of a passive type or a passive type.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of another embodiment of the first invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the second GPS receiver 14
To provide data from the first GPS receiver 2 to the second
The GPS receiver 14 corrects the received data to identify the position with higher accuracy. In the circuit diagram, the second GPS receiver 14 is added to the circuit of FIG. 1 (the circuit diagram is omitted).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the work procedure in this case. The same step parts as those in the flowchart of FIG. 3 are indicated by the same step numbers. In this step,
In addition to FIG. 3, a portion for correcting with the data from the second GPS receiver is added to the position specifying portion. First, a step (S3 ') of checking whether or not the position information from the second GPS receiver 14 is written in the memory of the control unit is added, and after the check sequences S3 and S3', the second GPS is added. Step S20 for correcting the measurement position of the first GPS receiver 2 is entered using the position data of the receiver 14. As a result, the measurement position can be obtained more accurately. Therefore, the position information obtained by correcting the object can also be obtained more accurately.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of another embodiment of the first invention. In this embodiment, an external output unit (not shown) for extracting display data to the outside is provided in the device, and the display data is output to the external device. With the position measuring device shown in the figure, the distance to the object 20 is measured, the position of the object is specified, and from the calculated latitude data and longitude data, an external device 21 (for example, a personal computer) connected to the position measuring device is used. The position of the object 20 and / or the measurement point is indicated by a certain symbol (point or code, etc.) on the display unit of the computer). In this way, the position of the position of the object or the measurement point becomes clear on the map, and the position can be confirmed more concretely. In this embodiment, each measurement data 21a is further displayed on the map displayed on the display unit of the personal computer 21. Details of each measurement data are as shown in FIG. In the figure, the measurement points and the objects are shown separately.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of another embodiment of the first invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the target position specifying mode described above, a target size measuring mode is added. Switch to measurement mode and
At each point between the points, press the measurement button twice in line with the crosshair of the viewfinder of the position measuring device, measure the distance, azimuth and tilt angle at the two target points, and measure the distance (height and width) between the two points. It is designed so that it can be measured and displayed.

First, the power switch 8 is turned on (S
1), start operation of the device. When the power is turned on, the mode is set. In the mode setting, a normal position specifying mode or a size measuring mode is selected by a mode setting switch (not shown) provided on the device.

In the position specifying mode, the measurement button 9
Press (S3) and the device will send the GPS information as described above,
Each data such as azimuth, inclination and distance to the target is fetched (S4), the position of the target is calculated based on the fetched data (S5), and the calculation result is displayed on the display unit 6 (S).
6).

In the size measurement mode, when the aim is set at the starting point and the measurement button 9 is pressed (S7), the control section 5 takes in each data of the starting point (S8). Next, when aiming at the end point and pressing the measurement button again (S9), the control unit 5 captures each data of the end point (S10). Next, the control unit 5 calculates the distance between the two points based on the captured data of the two points (start point and end point) (S11), and displays the calculation result on the display unit 6 (S12). According to this embodiment, more information can be obtained. The measurement operation described above continues as long as necessary.

When these measurements are completed, the power switch 8
Is turned off (S13), and each information stored in the memory 10 is cleared (S14). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the position information is output from the external output terminal of the apparatus to the external personal computer, and the symbol of the measurement position is displayed on the map displayed on the personal computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to store map information in the memory of the device of the present invention, provide a display unit capable of displaying the map information, and display the symbol of the measurement position on the displayed map.

FIG. 10 is a constitutional block diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention, and FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the position measuring device of the first invention is incorporated in a camera having an information recording function. In these figures, 31 is a camera body, 32 is a GPS receiver for detecting a position, 33 is a direction sensor for detecting the direction of the camera when the camera is aimed at an object, and 34 is an object for the camera. It is a tilt sensor that detects the elevation angle of the camera when facing an object. As is clear from FIG. 11, the GPS receiver 32, the azimuth sensor 33, and the tilt sensor 34 are attached outside the camera body 31. The tilt sensor 34 measures tilts in two directions, that is, an elevation angle of the camera and a rotation angle around the lens axis, and can detect all photographing directions of the camera together with the azimuth sensor 33. The orientation sensor 33 is used because it is desirable to use magnetic north as a reference in the horizontal direction.

Reference numeral 50 is a distance measuring unit used for measuring the distance to the object used in the first embodiment. As the distance measuring unit 50, for example, a laser distance measuring device is used, and the distance is obtained by measuring the time until the laser beam is emitted from the measuring unit, hits the object, is reflected, and returns. When the power is on, measurement is possible at any time, and the distance is measured by looking at the rangefinder like binoculars and aligning the center of the crosshair in the field of view with the object and pressing the switch. Reference numeral 35 is a control unit that controls the operation of the entire camera, 36 is a battery that supplies power to the circuit, 37 is a camera microcomputer that controls the operation of the camera unit, and 38 is a shutter.

Reference numeral 39 is a film transport detection section for detecting the film feed amount when the film loaded in the camera is transported, 40 is an LED driver for driving the LED, 41 is various information at the frame position of the film during the transport of the film. Is an imprinting LED for printing, 42 is a power switch, and 43 is a memory provided in the control unit 5 for storing various information.
The operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operating procedure of the second invention. Before shooting, the power switch 42 installed in the camera body is turned on (S1). By turning on this power supply, the GPS receiver 32, the direction sensor 33,
Power is supplied to the tilt sensor 34 and the distance measuring unit 50,
Start each operation. When the information is detected from these sensors, the control unit 35 records the information in the memory 43.

The shutter 38 of the camera of this embodiment is of a type capable of two-step switch operation. When the shutter is pressed halfway, the state is confirmed in the first step, and when the shutter is fully pressed in the second step, a photography mode is set. Is configured to be. Therefore, first, when the shutter 38 is half-pressed (S2), each sensor starts its operation and stores the measurement result in the memory 43. When confirming that the shutter 38 is half pressed, the control unit 3
5 checks whether or not various measurement data are stored in the memory 43 (S3, S4, S5). If the measurement data of each sensor is not stored in the memory 43, the process returns to step S2 and the operation is stopped. This is to ensure that the data is recorded in the image captured by the camera.

Position information from GPS is written in the memory 43, measurement data of the distance to the object of the distance measuring unit 50 is stored, and the memory 43 measures the orientation sensor 33 and the tilt sensor 34. After confirming that the data is stored, the control unit 35 returns to the above-mentioned (1).
The correction amount up to the object is calculated by the equation (2) (S6). When the calculation of the correction amount up to the object is completed, the position of the object represented by the equation (3) is calculated using this correction amount for the measurement position information (S7).

Next, the control unit 35 checks whether or not all the various data are written in the memory 43 (S).
8). If it is not written, the process returns to step S2 and the measurement is performed again. This is to ensure a reliable recording operation. When it is confirmed that all the various data are stored in the memory 43, the shutter 38 is fully pressed to photograph the object (S9). At this time, the character information recording area of the frame is shielded from light.

Next, the control section 35 carries the film and writes various data to each frame (S10). here,
When the film is fed, the film feeding detection unit 39 detects the film feeding amount, and the LED driver 40 causes the imprinting LED 41 to emit light for each preset feeding amount to write a character on the film.

As one method for detecting the film feed amount, for example, an encoder is attached to the sprocket shaft, and the output of the encoder determines the light emission timing of the LED by the control unit 35 to output the drive signal of the LED driver 40. It is possible to Here, when writing various information such as characters, the sensitivity of the film used can be set automatically or manually, and the LED emission amount from the LED driver 40 can be adjusted (this is Parts are not shown as a diagram in particular).

The above operation is repeated to continue taking a picture, but the power switch 42 is turned off to end the operation (S11). In this case, all the data written in the memory 43 of the control unit 35 is cleared (S12).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a photographed image according to the present invention. In this embodiment, not only the position of the measuring object is recorded, but also the position information of the measuring point is recorded. The upper part of the character information recording section is
12122355), latitude (N354423), longitude (E1352235), azimuth (135), camera elevation angle (+35), and rotation angle around the lens axis (L10) (L indicates counterclockwise rotation). The lower part is the position information of the measurement object (indicated by a + symbol in the image). It is shown in latitude and longitude.

When the distance to the object is measured by the camera, the optical axis of the camera and the central axis of the projection system of the distance measuring unit 50 are arranged so as to be coaxial. This allows
It is possible to measure the distance to the object more accurately.

In the second embodiment described above, the distance measuring unit 50
As an example, the case where a lightwave type laser length measuring device is used is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and another active type or passive type distance measuring tool can be applied. Is.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of another embodiment of the second invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the second GPS receiver 44 is provided, and the data from the first GPS receiver 32 is corrected by the data received by the second GPS receiver 44 to specify the position with higher accuracy. Is made possible. As for the circuit diagram, a second GPS receiver 44 is added to the circuit of FIG. 10 (the circuit diagram is omitted).

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the work procedure in this case. The same step parts as those in the flowchart of FIG. 12 are indicated by the same step numbers. In this procedure, in addition to FIG. 12, a portion to be corrected by the data from the second GPS receiver is added to the position specifying portion. First, the second GPS receiver 1 is stored in the memory 43 of the control unit.
4 is added, and a step (S3 ′) for checking whether the position information from the second GPS receiver 4 is written is added, and after the check sequences S3 and S3 ′, the second GPS receiver 4
Step S20 for correcting the measurement position of the first GPS receiver 32 is entered with the position data of No. 4. As a result, the measurement position can be obtained more accurately. Therefore, the position information obtained by correcting the object can also be obtained more accurately.

FIG. 16 is a constitutional block diagram showing an embodiment of the third invention, and FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the third invention. In this embodiment, the GPS receiver is separated from the camera body and placed separately. By placing the GPS receiver separately, the camera body can be downsized. Figure 10
The same parts as those shown in FIG. In these figures, 51 is a camera body and 48 is an external GPS
A receiver for receiving the positional information transmitted from the receiver 45,
Reference numeral 33 is an azimuth sensor that detects the azimuth of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, and 34 is a tilt sensor that detects the tilt angle of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object. As is clear from FIG. 17, the receiver 48,
The azimuth sensor 33 and the tilt sensor 34 are provided in the camera body 51.
Mounted outside the. The tilt sensor 34 measures the tilt in two directions of the elevation angle of the camera and the rotation angle around the lens axis,
Together with the azimuth sensor 33, all the shooting directions of the camera can be detected. The orientation sensor 33 is used because it is desirable to use magnetic north as a reference in the horizontal direction.

Reference numeral 35 is a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire camera, 36 is a battery for supplying power to the circuit, 37 is a camera microcomputer for controlling the operation of the camera unit, and 38 is a shutter. Reference numeral 39 denotes a film transport detection unit that detects the film feed amount when the film loaded in the camera is transported.
Reference numeral 40 is an LED driver for driving the LED, 41 is an imprinting LED for printing various information on the frame position of the film during film transport, 42 is a power switch, and 43 is a control unit 5.
It is a memory provided inside for storing various information. 45 is a GP arranged in the vicinity of the target object (here, a utility pole is shown)
S receiver, 46 is a transmitter that wirelessly sends the position information measured by the GPS receiver 45 to the camera body 51. The operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operating procedure of the third invention. First, the GPS receiver 45 and the transmitter 46 are arranged near the object to be photographed (S1). Next, the power switches of the PS receiver 45 and the transmitter 46 are turned on (S2), and the power switch 42 of the camera is turned on (S3). By turning on these power supplies, power is supplied to the system shown in FIG. 17 and each operation is started.

When the camera 51 is aimed at the object, the position information measured by the GPS receiver 45 enters the receiver 48 of the camera from the transmitter 46, and the position information of the object is stored in the memory 43. It At the same time, the outputs of the azimuth sensor 33 and the tilt sensor 34 attached to the camera 51 are also stored in the memory 43. In this example, G from the object
Since the PS information is received as it is, the first invention, the second invention
It is not necessary to obtain the position information of the object from the position of the measurement point by the correction calculation as in the case of the above invention.

The shutter 38 of the camera of the present invention is of a type capable of two-step switch operation. When the shutter is half pressed, the state is confirmed in the first step, and when the shutter is fully pressed in the second step, the photographing mode is set. Is configured. When the shutter 8 is pressed to the first stage (half-press) during shooting (S4), the control unit 35 checks whether or not various data are recorded in the memory 43 (S5). If the various data are not stored in the memory 43, the process returns to step S4 and the shutter operation is performed again. This allows
It is designed to ensure that various kinds of information are recorded in the shot frame image.

These data are stored in the memory 4 in the control unit 35.
If it is recorded in No. 3, the shutter is pushed to the second step (full press), and the operation shifts to the photographing operation (S6). At this time, the character information recording area of the frame is shielded from light. When the film is fed after photographing, the film feed detection unit 39 detects the film feed amount, and the LED driver 40 causes the imprint LED 41 to emit light for each preset feed amount to write a character on the film (S7).

As one method for detecting the film feed amount, an encoder is attached to the sprocket shaft to determine the LED emission timing by the output by this output, and the LED driver drive signal is output.

The above operation is repeated to continue taking a picture, but the power switch 42 is turned off to end the operation (S8). In this case, all the data written in the memory 43 in the control unit 35 is cleared (S9).

When the object to be photographed is changed, the position of the combination of the GPS receiver 45 and the transmitter 46 is changed and the above operation is repeated. When ending, the power switch of the GPS receiver 45 / transmitter 46 is turned off (S10).

The image thus photographed is shown in FIG.
Will be the same as shown in. That is, in addition to the position information (latitude, longitude) of the object, the azimuth angle, elevation angle, etc. of the camera 51 are recorded.

In the above embodiments, the communication specifications are not particularly limited, that is, radio waves, light, sound waves, etc. can be used. Needless to say, a wired (communication line) connection is also possible. Further, in this embodiment, the receiver 4
8 and further the camera is equipped with a GPS receiver, in addition to the position information of the target object, the information of the position to be photographed is measured,
Recording may be performed.

In the above explanation, only the position of the target is specified, but when this method is used, the receiver is placed at a position where GPS radio waves can be received at the time of photographing in a place where GPS radio waves cannot be received. , It becomes possible to record the approximate position information by receiving the electric wave from this. For example, in the case of underwater photography, put the receiver on the buoy and bring the position information to the underwater camera by wire, attach the receiver to the balloon in the forest and take it to a height where radio waves can be received, and position information by wire or wireless Applications such as flying the camera to the camera are also possible.

Further, the method of recording the position information on the frame image is not limited to the printing method using the LED, and a method of magnetic recording on a film with a magnetic layer may be used, for example.

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the invention, the GPS receiving unit for measuring the position of the measuring point and the distance measuring unit for measuring the distance from the measuring point to the object are provided. If the position of the measuring point is measured by the GPS receiving unit, then the distance from the measuring point to the object is measured by the distance measuring unit, and then the distance to the object is obtained,
By specifying the position of the object by adding the correction calculation based on the output of the various sensors to the position information of the measurement point,
The position of the object remote from the GPS receiver can be specified. According to the present invention, since the position of the object itself can be specified, the correspondence with the map is simplified, and the height, width, etc. of the object can be measured if necessary, and new applications are possible. .

In this case, the distance measuring unit can easily measure the distance to the object by measuring the distance from the measurement point to the object by the light wave. This is especially effective when the object to be measured is in a place where it cannot be walked.

Further, a more accurate position information can be obtained by further including a second GPS receiving unit and correcting the position information from the first GPS receiving unit with the information from the second receiving unit. You can

Further, when each information is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the built-in memory, the control unit of the apparatus issues an instruction such as standby or re-measurement to the built-in display unit so that each information is Can be reliably recorded. Further, by providing an external output unit for extracting display data to the outside so that various data displays can be displayed on a display device different from the measuring device, various data can be displayed on another display unit. become able to.

Further, the map information for displaying the map of the relevant area is stored in the memory, and the position of the measurement point and / or
Alternatively, by providing a means for indicating the position of the object on the map displayed on the display unit, it is convenient to be able to confirm the measurement point or the like on the map.

Further, more information can be obtained by measuring the distance, the azimuth, and the tilt angle at two target points and displaying the distance (height and width) between the two points. According to the second invention, G for measuring the position of the measurement point
A PS receiving unit and a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the measurement point to the object are provided, and means for recording the result of calculating the imaging target position as the imaging position information based on the output data of each sensor is provided. As a result, in the camera with the information recording function, the position of the object to be photographed can be specified and recorded in the image. As a result, correspondence with maps becomes easier and new applications become possible.

In this case, the distance measuring unit can easily measure the distance to the object by measuring the distance from the measurement point to the object by the light wave. This is especially effective when the object to be measured is in a place where it cannot be walked.

Further, by arranging the optical axis of the camera and the central axis of the projection system of the distance measuring section to be coaxial, more accurate position information can be obtained. In addition, the control unit of the device ensures that if each information of the camera is not recorded in the predetermined recording location of the built-in memory, it does not operate normally even if the shutter is pressed for shooting. Information can be recorded in.

Further, a second GPS receiver is provided, and position information from the first GPS receiver is stored in the second GPS receiver.
By correcting with the data from the receiver,
More accurate position information can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a receiving unit for receiving the position information transmitted from the GPS receiver placed in the vicinity of the object to be photographed through the communication means, and the position information received by the receiving unit is displayed as an image. Since the position information from the GPS receiver can be used as it is as the position information of the object to be photographed by recording it on the image as the image position information together with the position information of the object to be photographed in the camera with the information recording function. It can be specified and recorded in the image. In this case, the correspondence with the map becomes easy and new application becomes possible.

In this case, since the communication means is optical communication, information can be transmitted without going through a communication line. Further, since the communication means uses a communication line, reliable information transmission can be performed.

Further, since the communication means is wireless, information can be transmitted without passing through a communication line. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to firstly provide a position measuring device capable of specifying the position of an object distant from the GPS receiver, and secondly, to specify the position of the imaging object. It is possible to provide a camera with an information recording function that can record an image as an image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of the first invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operating procedure of the first invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating a target position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of each measurement data displayed on a map.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a second invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operating procedure of the second invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a captured image.

FIG. 14 is another schematic explanatory diagram of the second invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of another embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a third invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operating procedure of the third invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 distance measuring unit 2 GPS receiver 3 azimuth sensor 4 tilt sensor 5 control unit 6 display unit 7 battery 8 power switch 10 memory

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A GPS receiving unit for measuring the position of a measuring point, a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance from the measuring point to an object, and a direction of the measuring apparatus when the measuring apparatus is aimed at the object. An azimuth sensor, a tilt sensor that obtains an elevation angle of the measuring device when the measuring device is aimed at an object, and position information of a measuring point is acquired by the GPS receiving unit,
The distance, azimuth, and elevation of the object with respect to the PS receiver are measured by each of the sensors, and
A position measuring device comprising: means for specifying a position of an object by adding a correction calculation to the position information of the measurement point. 2. The position measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring unit measures the distance from the measurement point to the object using light waves. 3. A second GPS receiving section is further provided, and position information from the first GPS receiving section is corrected by position information from the second GPS receiving section. Position measuring device. 4. The control unit of the apparatus is configured to issue a standby or remeasurement instruction to the built-in display unit when each information is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the built-in memory. The position measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. An external output unit for extracting display data to the outside is provided so that various data displays can be displayed on a display device different from the measuring device.
The position measuring device described. 6. Means for storing map information for displaying a map of a corresponding area in a memory and showing the position of the measurement point and / or the position of the object on the map displayed on the display unit are provided. The position measuring device according to claim 1, wherein 7. The position measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the distance, the azimuth, and the tilt angle are measured at two target points and the distance (height and width) between the two points is displayed. 8. A camera with an information recording function configured to record various kinds of information on an image at the time of shooting, and a GPS receiver for measuring the position of a measurement point and a distance for measuring the distance from the measurement point to an object. A measuring unit, an orientation sensor that determines the azimuth of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, a tilt sensor that determines the elevation angle of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, The location information is acquired and the G
The distance, azimuth, and elevation of the object with respect to the PS receiver are measured by each of the sensors, and
A camera with an information recording function, comprising means for adding a correction calculation to the position information of the measurement point to specify the position of the object, and recording the result as imaging position information on the image. 9. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 8, wherein the distance measuring unit measures the distance from the measurement point to the object by light waves. 10. The information recording function according to claim 8, wherein the optical axis of the camera and the central axis of the projection system of the distance measuring unit are arranged so as to be coaxial with each other. camera. 11. The control unit of the device, when each information of the camera is not recorded in a predetermined recording location of the built-in memory, prevents the camera from operating normally even if the shutter is pressed for photographing. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 8. 12. A second GPS receiving section is further provided, and position information from the first GPS receiving section is stored in the second GPS receiving section.
9. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 8, wherein the camera is corrected with position information from the receiving unit. 13. A camera with an information recording function configured to record shooting position information on an image at the time of shooting, the position information transmitted from a GPS receiver placed in the vicinity of the shooting target via communication means. A receiving unit that receives the signal, a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the measurement point to the object, a direction sensor that obtains the direction of the camera when the camera is aimed at the object, and a direction sensor when the camera is aimed at the object. An inclination sensor for obtaining the elevation angle of the camera, the position information of the target object is acquired by the receiving unit, the distance to the target object, the azimuth and the elevation angle are measured by the respective sensors, and the target object received by the receiving unit. A camera with an information recording function, which is provided with means for recording position information and the output of each sensor on an image. 14. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 13, wherein the communication means is optical communication. 15. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 13, wherein the communication means uses a communication line. 16. The camera with an information recording function according to claim 13, wherein the communication means is wireless.