JPH11295408A - Target tracking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a target tracking apparatus by which a target can be tracked continuously even when a tracking operation is disturbed in such a way that light is irradiated excessively or the like from the target being tracked on a screen, by a method wherein a plurality of diaphragms are used so as to be changed over according to the luminance distribution data characteristic and the image signal level of the screen as a whole. SOLUTION: A quantity of incident light on an infrared optical system 1 is adjusted by a filter 2a, and the distribution of the luminance of a screen as a whole is found by an infrared imaging part 3a. A level detection part 5a receives luminance data and an image signal from the imaging part 3a, it sets a threshold value according to a luminance level, it binarizes and processes the image signal, the area of the image of excessive light is measured on the basis of a black and white image so as to be compared with a judgment reference, it selects the kind of a diaphragm, and it outputs a driving signal 9. A motor control part 16 changes over a light reducer 14a via a motor 15 in order to place the diaphragm according to the signal 9. The detection part 5a receives a signal 8 from the imaging part 3a and a signal 10 from a target tracking and processing part 4a at any time. When it is judged that the image of the excessive light disappears after the changeover of the diaphragm, the kind of the diaphragm is reselected so as to be adjusted to a size which is adapted to a tracking and processing operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a target having an excessive light suppressing function for continuing tracking mainly using excessive light when a tracking disturbance such as excessive light irradiation is made from a target during image tracking. It relates to a tracking device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation example of a target tracking device. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 27 denotes a missile, reference numeral 28 denotes a target, and reference numeral 29 denotes a target tracking device mounted on the tip of the missile 27. The target tracking device is mounted on, for example, the tip of the missile 27, captures an infrared image, detects the target 28 from the video signal, tracks the image, and performs the visualization necessary for the system to approach the target 28. It is operated for the purpose of outputting target information such as the azimuth angle of the target to the axis to the system.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a conventional target tracking device using an element for detecting an infrared region. FIG.
In 7, 1 is an infrared optical system, 2 b is a filter unit for suppressing a reflection component of sunlight, 3 a is an infrared imaging unit having an infrared detector having sensitivity in an infrared region, and 4 a is a unit for binarizing an infrared image. A target tracking processing unit that performs image processing to detect and track a target and output target information. Reference numeral 7 denotes a system control unit that receives target information and a video signal from the target tracking processing unit 4a and uses the data to control the entire system such as attitude control. 9 is a filter mounting command signal, and 11 is target information and a video signal. Reference numeral 29 denotes a configuration range of the target tracking device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the detailed components of the target tracking device. The infrared optical system 1 includes a plurality of lenses 12 and a window 13 for protecting the lenses 12 from the outside. The filter unit 2b includes a dimmer 14b for limiting the amount of infrared light transmitted through the infrared optical system 1, a motor 15 for driving the dimmer 14b, and a motor controller 16 for controlling the operation of the motor 15. Is done. The infrared imaging unit 3a includes a detector 17a including an element, a cooler, a dewar, and a readout circuit, an amplifier circuit 18 for amplifying an output from the detector 17a, and an analog signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 18 converted into a digital signal. It comprises an A / D conversion circuit 19 for conversion and a correction operation circuit 20 for correcting variations in element sensitivity and generating luminance distribution data of pixels. FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the dimmer 14b. Normally, the dimmer 14b includes a dummy filter 20 and a long-pass filter 21 for suppressing a near-infrared region.

The operation of the conventional device shown in FIG. 17 will be described. Light incident on the infrared optical system 1 passes through the dummy filter 20 of the filter unit 2b, enters the infrared imaging unit 3a, is photoelectrically converted by the detector 17a, and is converted into an electric signal. The analog signal output from the detector 17a is amplified by the amplifier circuit 18 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 19, and the correction arithmetic circuit 20 corrects the sensitivity variation of each element and converts it into an infrared image signal. Target tracking processing unit 4a
Is output to The infrared imaging unit 3a sets the luminance of each pixel to 1
The 2-bit data is used, and the distribution of the luminance data of the entire screen is obtained, and the luminance level of the entire screen is corrected so that the maximum value matches the median value of 12 BITs, so that the dynamic range can be sufficiently used even for a high luminance target. Like that. In the target tracking processing unit 4a, the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a is subjected to a binarization process in which a portion having a certain luminance or more is set to a value of 1 and other portions are set to a value of 0. A target candidate is selected, and the selected candidate is measured for a feature amount such as a position on a screen, pixel brightness and area, and compared with a previously input feature amount such as a target pixel brightness and area to determine a target. The determination and tracking are performed, and the target information such as angle data with respect to the visual axis center and the video signal 11 are output to the system control unit 7. In the case of a target tracking device operated by other than a missile, in a situation where a large number of clutters are generated on an infrared image due to the influence of sunlight reflection, the operator checks the situation on the monitor image and sends it to the motor controller 16. The motor controller 16 outputs the driving power to the motor 15 and outputs the driving power to the motor 15 so that the dimmer 14 b
Switch. At this time, the light incident on the infrared optical system 1 is limited to infrared light suppressed in the near infrared region, which is relatively strongly affected by the reflection of sunlight by passing through the long-pass filter 21 of the filter unit 2b, and Imaging unit 3a
And is output as an infrared image signal, and the target tracking processing section 4a performs the above-described processing to track the target. In the case of the target tracking device operated by the missile, the filter mounting command signal 9 cannot be output by the operator, so that it is considered that the filter is not switched and the long-pass filter 21 is mounted. Therefore, in the target tracking device operated by the missile, it is considered that the motor 15 and the motor controller 16 of the filter unit 2b do not exist.

[0006]

The conventional target tracking apparatus has the above-described configuration. When a target during image tracking interferes with tracking such as irradiation of excessive light, a long-pass filter for suppressing a near infrared region. However, there is a problem that excessive light is incident and cannot be suppressed, so that the entire screen is saturated and the target is lost. Even if a long-pass filter for suppression of the near-infrared region can be used to narrow down and track excessive light, it cannot respond to changes in the incident level, such as approaching the target or increasing the irradiation intensity of the excessive light. There was a problem that the screen was saturated and the target was lost. If the amount of incident light is extremely large, it takes several seconds for the filter to be attached and detached in accordance with the operator's command so far, and the element of the infrared detector may be destroyed during that time. There was a problem that there is.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a function of automatically dimming or suppressing excessive light according to the characteristics of luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of a video signal. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a target tracking device capable of continuously tracking a target even when a tracking disturbance such as excessive light irradiation is made from a target during image tracking.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a target tracking apparatus that adjusts the amount of incident light by preparing a plurality of apertures and switching according to the characteristics of luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of a video signal. Then, the excessive light image is narrowed down, and the tracking is continued by using the excessive light radiated from the target for the obstruction of tracking in reverse.

A target tracking device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
By preparing a variable pinhole and controlling the aperture diameter according to the characteristics of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of the video signal, the amount of incident light is adjusted to narrow down the excessive light image,
The tracking is continued by using the excessive light emitted from the target for the tracking obstruction in reverse.

[0010] The target tracking device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
By preparing a plurality of neutral density filters and switching according to the characteristics of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of the video signal, the amount of incident light is adjusted to narrow down the excessive light image, and the target is illuminated to prevent tracking. The tracking is continued by using the excessive light in reverse.

[0011] A target tracking device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes:
By preparing a single dimming filter coated with a material or coating that continuously changes the dimming rate and controlling the filter position according to the characteristics of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of the video signal, The excessive light image is narrowed down by adjusting the amount of light, and the tracking is continued by using the excessive light emitted from the target for obstructing the tracking.

Further, a target tracking device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes:
Preparing a spectral filter and a plurality of band-pass filters to detect the wavelength characteristic of excessive light, and selecting a filter to be used for suppressing excessive light, suppress or adjust the incidence of excessive light to narrow down the excessive light image, The tracking is continued.

[0013] A target tracking device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes:
By preparing a plurality of bandpass filters, detecting the characteristic of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the wavelength characteristic of the excessive light from the video signal, and selecting a filter used for suppressing the excessive light, the incidence of the excessive light can be suppressed or The adjustment is performed to narrow down the excessive light image, and the tracking is continued.

[0014] A target tracking device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes:
By preparing a detector with a variable exposure time in the infrared imaging unit and setting the exposure time according to the characteristics of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of the video signal, the excessive light image as the infrared image can be further narrowed down The tracking is continued even for a higher level of excessive light.

[0015] The target tracking device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes:
To prepare a detector that has the characteristic that the quantum efficiency of the infrared imaging device element rises and falls every column or row, and when excessive light is incident, shift the tracking process to the image by the output of the low quantum efficiency element Thus, tracking is continued even for an excessively high level of excessive light.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a target tracking apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1, 3a, 4a,
Reference numerals 7 and 11 are the same as those of the conventional apparatus. Reference numeral 2a denotes a filter unit having a plurality of apertures having different aperture diameters for selecting and switching to adjust the light amount, and 5a denotes a signal level detection unit for detecting the characteristics of the luminance distribution data of the entire screen and the level of the video signal. Reference numeral 6 denotes a configuration range of the target tracking device. 8 is the luminance distribution data and video signal of each pixel, 9 is the filter unit 2
The drive command signal 10 for “a” is data such as the tracking availability state and the size of the target image. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detailed components of the target tracking device. In FIG.
13, 15 to 20 are equivalent to conventional devices. 14a
Is a dimmer composed of a plurality of apertures. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dimmer 14a. In FIG. 3, 21a
To 21e are pinholes having different opening diameters.

Next, the operation will be described. The light incident on the infrared optical system 1 passes through the filter unit 2a so that the amount of infrared light transmitted through the infrared optical system 1 is adjusted and enters the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen from the luminance data of each pixel, adjusts the luminance level of image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detection unit 5a receives the luminance distribution data and the video signal of the entire screen from the infrared imaging unit 3a, and when the luminance distribution data shows a high frequency of occurrence near the saturation level as shown in FIG. It is determined that light is incident, and a threshold value is set according to the luminance level to perform a binarization process on the video signal. Further, the signal level detector 5a measures the area of the excessive light image from the binarized black-and-white image, compares it with a pre-input criterion, selects the type of aperture to be used for suppression, and controls the motor control. The drive signal 9 is output to the device 16. The motor controller 16 outputs drive power to the motor 15 and switches the dimmer 14a in order to mount an aperture according to the received drive signal 9. The signal level detection unit 5a receives the signal 8 from the infrared imaging unit 3a,
Since the signal 10 is received from the target tracking processing unit 4a as needed, if it is determined that the excessive light image has not disappeared or the area has not been reduced on the image after switching the aperture, the type of aperture used for suppression Is reselected and adjusted to a size that can be adapted to the tracking processing. Conversely, when the tracking state signal included in the signal 10 is trackable, the signal level detection unit 5a does not change the signal 9. The target tracking processing unit 4a receives the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a, performs the same processing as the conventional device, and performs target detection, tracking, and output of target information.

Second Embodiment A block diagram of a target tracking device and a diagram showing detailed components according to a second embodiment of the present invention are equivalent to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 shows a dimmer 14 composed of a variable pinhole.
It is a figure showing the example of composition of a.

Next, the operation will be described. The light incident on the infrared optical system 1 passes through the filter unit 2a, the light amount is adjusted, and enters the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detector 5a performs the same processing as in the first embodiment to set the aperture diameter of the stop, and sends the drive signal 9 to the motor controller 16.
Is output. The motor controller 16 outputs drive power to the motor 15 to set the aperture diameter according to the received drive signal 9 and sets the aperture diameter of the dimmer 14a. The target tracking processing unit 4a receives the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a, performs the same processing as the conventional device, detects the target,
It performs tracking and outputs target information.

Third Embodiment A block diagram of a target tracking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is equivalent to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed components of a target tracking device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, components other than 14b are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. 14b is a dimmer composed of dimming filters having different dimming rates. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dimmer 14b. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 22a to 22e denote neutral density filters having different dimming rates.

Next, the operation will be described. The incident light to the infrared optical system 1 is transmitted through the filter unit 2b, the amount of incident light is adjusted, and is incident on the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detector 5a performs the same processing as in the first embodiment, selects the type of the neutral density filter, and outputs the drive signal 9 to the motor controller 16. The motor controller 16 mounts a filter according to the received drive signal 9,
To output the driving power to switch the dimmer 14b. The target tracking processing unit 4a receives the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a, performs the same processing as the conventional device, and performs target detection, tracking, and output of target information.

Fourth Embodiment A block diagram of a target tracking device and a diagram showing detailed components according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention are equivalent to FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dimmer 14b. In FIG. 8, 23 is a circular or fan-shaped dimmer composed of a single dimming filter coated with a material or coating whose dimming rate changes continuously.

Next, the operation will be described. Light incident on the infrared optical system 1 is transmitted through the filter unit 2b, the amount of light is adjusted, and is incident on the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detection unit 5a performs the same processing as in the first embodiment, sets the dimming rate of the dimming filter, and outputs the drive signal 9 to the motor controller 16. The motor controller 16 outputs driving power to the motor 15 and switches the dimmer 14b in order to set the dimming rate according to the received driving signal 9. The target tracking processing unit 4a receives the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a, performs the same processing as the conventional device, and performs target detection, tracking, and output of target information.

Fifth Embodiment A block diagram of a target tracking device and a diagram showing detailed components according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention are equivalent to FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dimmer 14b. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 24 denotes a fan-shaped spectral filter coated with a material or a coating having continuously different transmission wavelength characteristics.
Reference numerals a to 25e denote several types of bandpass filters that suppress a wavelength band expected to be used as excessive light.

Next, the operation will be described. The light incident on the infrared optical system 1 is transmitted through the filter unit 2b, and its wavelength and light amount are limited, and is incident on the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detection unit 5a determines the presence or absence of excessive light from the luminance distribution data of the entire screen output from the infrared imaging unit 3a. When the incidence of excessive light is confirmed, the driving signal 9 is output to the motor controller 16 to obtain the video signal and the luminance distribution data of the image transmitted through the spectral filter 24, and the area of the excessive light image and FIG. A wavelength band effective for suppression of excessive light is detected from the luminance distribution data as shown in (1), a band-pass filter used for suppression is selected, and the drive signal 9 is output to the motor controller 16 again. The motor controller 16 outputs drive power to the motor 15 and switches the dimmer 14b in order to mount a bandpass filter according to the received drive signal 9. As the characteristic of the excessive light, the one using the emission line spectrum generated by the excitation of an active medium such as an atom is mainly used. By suppressing this wavelength band, the image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a is excessively large. Light is not picked up or becomes a focused image. Therefore, the image tracking processing section 4a can continuously track the target image or the narrowed down excessive light image almost in the same manner as before the interference is caused by the excessive light irradiation.

Sixth Embodiment A block diagram of a target tracking device and a diagram showing detailed components according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention are equivalent to FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the dimmer 14b.
In FIG. 11, reference numerals 25a to 25b are equivalent to the bandpass filter of the fifth embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. The light incident on the infrared optical system 1 is transmitted through the filter unit 2b, and its wavelength and light amount are limited, and is incident on the infrared imaging unit 3a. The infrared imaging unit 3a calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detection unit 5a receives the luminance distribution data of the entire screen from the infrared imaging unit 3a, and determines whether or not excessive light is incident from the luminance distribution data. If the incidence of excessive light is confirmed, the drive signal 9 is output to the motor controller 16 to obtain the video signal and luminance distribution data of the image transmitted through each bandpass filter, and the area and luminance of the excessive light image are obtained. A band pass filter effective for suppressing excessive light is selected from the distribution characteristics, and the drive signal 9 is output to the motor controller 16 again. The motor controller 16 outputs drive power to the motor 15 and switches the dimmer 14b in order to mount a bandpass filter according to the received drive signal 9. In the video signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3a, since the excessive light is not captured or becomes a narrowed image for the reason described in the fifth embodiment, the image tracking processing unit 4a is not affected by the excessive light irradiation. The target image or the excessive light image can be continuously tracked in almost the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment.

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a target tracking device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, 1, 4a, 6 to
10 is the same as the conventional device. 2b is a filter unit for reducing or suppressing excessive light according to the first to sixth embodiments, 3b is an infrared imaging unit having an infrared detector having sensitivity in an infrared region and having a variable exposure time, and 5b is an infrared imaging unit 3.
The signal level detector according to the first to sixth embodiments is provided with a function of controlling the exposure time of b. Reference numeral 26 denotes an exposure time control signal transmitted from the signal level detection unit 5b to the infrared imaging unit 3b. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for continuing tracking when a tracking disturbance such as excessive light irradiation is received from a tracking target.

Next, the operation will be described. Light incident on the infrared optical system 1 passes through the filter unit 2b and is dimmed or limited in wavelength, and is incident on the infrared imaging unit 3b. The infrared imaging unit 3b calculates the luminance distribution of the entire screen, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The signal level detection unit 5b receives the luminance distribution data and the video signal of the entire screen from the infrared imaging unit 3b, and determines whether or not excessive light is incident from the luminance distribution data. FIG. 13 (b)
When the incidence of excessive light is confirmed as shown in FIG.
To reduce or suppress excessive light. When the irradiation level of the excessive light has a strong or peculiar wavelength characteristic, there is a possibility that the influence of the interference due to the excessive light cannot be removed only by operating the filter unit 2b as shown in FIG. The signal level detection unit 5b detects such a situation based on the number of high brightness data from the brightness distribution data and the size of the excessive light image from the video signal, and outputs an exposure time control signal 26 to the infrared imaging unit 3b. To adjust the exposure time. When the oversized light image is large, as shown in FIG. 13D, the exposure time is shortened to lower the contrast of the entire screen to narrow down the oversized light image. In the opposite case, the exposure time is increased. An excessive light image can be raised by enhancing the contrast. The target tracking processing unit 4a receives the infrared image signal output from the infrared imaging unit 3b, performs the same processing as the conventional device, detects the target, tracks, and outputs the target information.

Eighth Embodiment FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a target tracking apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, 1, 2b, 5b
11 to 26 are the same as those of the device of the seventh embodiment. Reference numeral 3c denotes an infrared imaging unit having a characteristic in which the quantum efficiency of the element in the infrared detector which has sensitivity in the infrared region and whose exposure time is variable varies between columns or rows. 4b
Is a target tracking processing unit added with a function of receiving video signals of two systems and selecting an image to be tracked. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for continuing tracking when a tracking target such as excessive light irradiation is received from a tracking target.

Next, the operation will be described. Light incident on the infrared optical system 1 passes through the filter unit 2b and is dimmed or wavelength-restricted to be incident on the infrared imaging unit 3c. The infrared imaging unit 3c generates an image by separating the output signal of the element for each quantum efficiency, adjusts the luminance level of the image display, and outputs an infrared image signal. The infrared imaging unit 3c transmits the luminance distribution data of the element having high quantum efficiency to the signal level detection unit 5b, and the signal level detection unit 5b determines whether or not excessive light is incident from the received luminance distribution data. FIG.
When it is confirmed that a large excessive light is incident as shown in FIG. 15B, the excessive light is reduced or suppressed by controlling the filter unit 2b as shown in FIG. The exposure time of the detector of the infrared imaging unit 3c is controlled to adjust the excessive light image as shown in (2). If the excessive light image on the image generated by the output signal of the element having high quantum efficiency is still larger than the target area that can be tracked, the output signal of the element having low quantum efficiency is generated as shown in FIG. By switching the video signal to the processed image and shifting the processing, it is possible to continuously perform tracking even for excessive light having a higher irradiation level.

[0032]

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, even if excessive light is emitted from the target being tracked for tracking disturbance, the amount of incident light can be adjusted to track the disturbance light. Can be continued.

Also, according to the second or fourth embodiment of the present invention, the amount of incident light due to the irradiation of excessive light from the tracking target can be continuously adjusted for dimming, so that the tracking accuracy is higher than in the first or third embodiment. improves.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a background image can be continuously captured to detect the wavelength characteristic of the excessive light and suppress the band, thereby enabling multi-target tracking.

Further, according to the sixth aspect, since the wavelength characteristic of the excessive light is detected by the signal processing from the video signal and the luminance distribution data, multi-target tracking can be performed and the configuration of the filter can be simplified.

According to the seventh aspect, the range of the intensity of the excessive light that can be tracked is widened, so that the tracking ability is improved as compared with the first to sixth embodiments.

Further, according to the eighth aspect, since the intensity range of the excessive light that can be tracked is widened, the tracking ability is further improved as compared with the seventh embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a target tracking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detailed components of the target tracking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a dimmer according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of luminance distribution data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a dimmer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed components of a target tracking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a dimmer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a dimmer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a dimmer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of luminance distribution data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a dimmer according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a target tracking device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of a tracking process according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a target tracking device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of a tracking process according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation scene of the target tracking device.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a conventional target tracking device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing detailed components of a conventional target tracking device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a dimmer of a conventional target tracking device.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 infrared optical system 2 filter unit 3 infrared imaging unit 4 target tracking processing unit 5 signal level detection unit 6 target tracking device 7 system control unit 8 pixel luminance distribution data and video signal 9 filter unit drive command signal 10 tracking enable / disable state and Target information 11 Video signal and target information 12 Multiple lenses 13 Window 14 Dimmer 15 Motor 16 Motor controller 17 Detector 18 Amplifier circuit 19 A / D conversion circuit 20 Correction operation circuit 21 Pinhole 22 Light reduction filter 23 Continuous Circular or fan-shaped neutral density filter in which the extinction rate changes 24 Fan-shaped spectral filter in which the transmission wavelength characteristic continuously changes 25 Bandpass filter 26 Exposure time control signal 27 Missile 28 Target 29 Target tracking device 30 Dummy filter 31 Long-pass filter

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An infrared optical system for converging and forming an image of an infrared light, and a plurality of diaphragms having different aperture diameters. A filter unit for adjusting the amount of light, an infrared imaging unit for receiving the infrared light whose light amount is limited by the filter unit, converting the received infrared light into an electric signal, and outputting it as an infrared image, and binarizing the infrared image A target tracking processing unit that performs image processing such as detecting and tracking a target and outputs data such as the position of the target on the screen, and luminance distribution data and a video signal of pixels output from the infrared imaging unit. Receives and measures the luminance distribution of the entire screen, detects the presence and intensity of excessive light incidence, and receives data such as the possibility of tracking and the size of the target from the target tracking processing unit and sends the data to the filter unit. Signal to switch A target tracking device, comprising: a signal level detection unit that outputs a signal. 2. A target according to claim 1, further comprising a filter having a variable pinhole and controlling an opening diameter to adjust the amount of infrared light transmitted through said infrared optical system. Tracking device. 3. A filter having a plurality of neutral density filters having different dimming rates and a filter section for adjusting the amount of infrared light transmitted through the infrared optical system by switching the type of the neutral density filter. The target tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. A light reduction filter having a circular or fan-shaped material and a coating in which the light reduction rate is continuously changed is provided, and the light reduction filter is rotated to control the light reduction rate. 2. The target tracking device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter unit that adjusts the amount of infrared light transmitted through the infrared optical system. 5. A filter unit comprising a spectral filter and a plurality of band-pass filters, wherein the filter is rotated to separate out excessive light and suppress a wavelength band showing a strong spectrum in the wavelength characteristic of the excessive light with the band-pass filter. And a signal level detection unit having a function of detecting a wavelength characteristic of excessive light from a video signal obtained by passing through the spectral filter and selecting a filter effective for suppressing excessive light. 2. The target tracking device according to 1. 6. A filter unit having a plurality of band-pass filters, wherein the filter unit switches the type of the filter to spectrally separate excessive light and suppresses a wavelength band showing a strong spectrum in the wavelength characteristic of the excessive light with the band-pass filter. And a signal level detection unit having a function of detecting a wavelength characteristic of excessive light from luminance distribution data of an image transmitted through each band-pass filter and selecting a filter to be used for suppressing excessive light. 2. The target tracking device according to 1. 7. An infrared imaging section having an infrared detector having sensitivity in an infrared region and having a variable exposure time, and detecting a luminance distribution data of a pixel output from the infrared imaging section and a level of a video signal to a filter section. A signal level detecting unit that outputs a filter switching signal and has a function of controlling an exposure time in accordance with the level of the detected signal to add a function of adjusting a target image to a trackable size. The target tracking device according to claim 1. 8. An infrared detector element having sensitivity in an infrared region has a characteristic that the quantum efficiency of the element is increased or decreased for each column or row. An infrared imaging unit that generates an image based on the output of the element, and a target tracking processing unit that has a function of shifting a tracking process to an image based on the output of the element with low quantum efficiency when excessive light is incident. The target tracking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein