JPH1130799A - Noctovision video camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily photograph a video at a narrow and dark place with excellent image quality. SOLUTION: As for a noctovision video camera device where an illuminating means and an image pickup means are attached at the top end part 10 of a slender supporting body 21, image pickup is performed by illuminating by using a semiconductor light emitting element 41 and optically forming an image directly to a semi-conductor imaging device 42 through an objective lens 41. Thus, halation is suppressed. Also, the top end part can be bent in accordance with operation. Thus, the photographing is easily performed even at a narrow place. The video photographed is immediately converted into the video signal of a television standard system by the top end part. Therefore, the deterioration of the video is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a night-vision video camera device, and more particularly, to a night-vision video camera device suitable for being inserted into a narrow pipe, a manhole, or a gallery to search for an image of its internal state. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a night-vision video camera device for retrieving a narrow and dark place with an image, an elongated support such as a fiber cable or a telescopic rod is provided. (See JP-A-8-251574). These are designed to capture and operate a base end portion of a support, insert or extend a tip end portion of the support body, send a camera or the like to a search target location, and then take an image.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional night-vision video camera device, in the case of a full-scale use of a fiber cable, general structures such as a building such as a tunnel and a natural structure such as a cave. Is too expensive to use for performing video inspections on objects. On the other hand, when a telescopic rod is used, the structure is considerably simplified by irradiating visible light with a halogen lamp and attaching a filter to an objective lens to perform imaging. However, a sufficient image is not always easily obtained. Further, since the video signal taken by the camera at the tip of the rod is transmitted to the hand side of the rod and then supplied to the video signal processing circuit, if the rod is long, the signal is attenuated and the image is liable to be deteriorated.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to devise so that a narrow and dark image can be easily obtained with good image quality while avoiding the use of a fiber cable which causes a cost increase for cost reduction. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its object to realize a night-vision video camera device in which halation hardly occurs. Another object of the present invention is to realize a night-vision video camera device capable of easily taking a picture in a narrow and dark place. Still another object of the present invention is to realize a night-vision video camera device with little image degradation.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems First to third solving means invented to solve such problems are as follows.
The configuration and operation and effect will be described below.

[First Solution] In the night vision video camera apparatus of the first solution (as described in claim 1 at the beginning of the application), an illuminating device and an image capturing device are mounted on a distal end of an elongated support. In the night-vision video camera device described above, the imaging means optically directly forms an image on a semiconductor imaging device (such as a CCD) via an objective lens,
The illumination means (such as a light emitting diode or a semiconductor laser)
It is characterized by using a semiconductor light emitting element.

Here, "optically directly" means that no optical element such as a filter is added before and after the objective lens, and a transparent protective cover and a focus adjustment provided around the objective lens are provided. The presence or absence of a mechanism or the like does not matter.

[0008] In the night vision video camera apparatus of the first solution, when taking a picture in a narrow and dark place, the base end of the support is gripped and operated to insert the tip. A camera or the like is sent to a search target location by moving forward or backward.In such imaging, illumination is generally performed by a semiconductor light emitting element having a small luminous intensity instead of a halogen lamp, so there is little uneven illuminance, and halation is performed. Is less likely to occur.

Further, by directly receiving the light condensed by the objective lens, an effective light receiving amount can be ensured even under weak illumination light. By adopting, the emission wavelength is well adapted to the high-sensitivity band of the image sensor, so that in addition to the effective photoelectric conversion of the illumination light, undesired light due to unsuitable wavelength components even when directly imaged. It is hardly affected.

As a result, even with a simple structure that does not use a fiber cable, it is possible to take a picture of good image quality. Therefore, according to the present invention,
Halation hardly occurs even when an image in a narrow and dark place is taken, so that it is possible to realize a night-vision video camera device capable of taking images with good image quality.

[Second Solution] In the night vision video camera apparatus of the second solution (as described in claim 2 at the beginning of the application), an illuminating means and an imaging means are mounted on the distal end of an elongated support. In the night vision video camera device described above, the distal end is bendable in response to an operation on the base end side of the support.

[0012] In the night vision video camera device of the second solution, when the camera at the distal end is fed into a narrow place, the distal end is operated after being straightened before the distal end is inserted. On the other hand, when taking a picture, the leading end portion is appropriately bent, and then the image is taken while rotating the support around its core. Accordingly, it is possible to take a 360-degree image of the cavity in the back of a gap or a small hole or the inner surface in a dark space. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a night-vision video camera device that can easily capture an image that goes around a narrow and dark place without using a flexible fiber cable.

[Third Solution] In the night vision video camera apparatus of the third solution, an illuminating means and an image pickup means are mounted on a distal end portion of an elongated support. In the night-vision video camera device described above, the imaging means includes a video signal processing circuit for converting a captured video into a video signal of a television standard system.

Here, the above-mentioned "television standard system"
The one using a black-and-white video signal including a horizontal synchronization signal indicating the maximum carrier voltage of the video signal, the NTSC system,
Color-compatible devices such as the PAL system and the SECAM system may be used.

In the night vision video camera device of the third solution, when an image is taken, the signal is
The video signal processing circuit immediately converts the video signal into a television standard video signal at the distal end of the support, transmits the signal along an intermediate portion of the support, and sends the video signal from the base end of the support to a monitor or the like to display the image. And records. At this time, if the support is long, the attenuation when transmitted along the support also increases, but since this signal clearly includes the video signal maximum carrier voltage, the signal is amplified based on this. Therefore, the video signal is accurately restored, and the deterioration of the video is considerably suppressed.

As a result, even if the video signal is attenuated, the video signal is taken out without deteriorating the image quality of the video. In addition, it can be easily and reliably performed by a proven standard television receiving system. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a night-vision video camera device capable of capturing an image in a narrow and dark place with good image quality because the image is less deteriorated even if the support is long.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment for implementing the night vision video camera apparatus of the present invention achieved by such a solution will be described.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention is the night-vision video camera device of the first solving means described above, wherein the image pickup device is a CCD sensor and the illuminating means is It is characterized by emitting near-infrared rays. This makes it possible to easily and inexpensively realize a semiconductor light emitting device and a semiconductor imaging device having characteristics of the emission wavelength and the light receiving sensitivity that are compatible with each other by using general members having high circulation.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention is the night-vision video camera device of the first solving means and the first embodiment described above, wherein a plurality of the semiconductor light emitting elements are provided. And are distributed around the objective lens. This can increase both luminous intensity and uniformity during illumination.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention is the night-vision video camera device of the above-mentioned second solving means, wherein an elastic member for urging the distal end portion in a bent state is provided. A tension transmitting member connected to a distal end movable portion that is movable when the distal end is bent, and extending to a base end of the support. This makes it easy to straighten the distal end of the support simply by pulling the tension transmitting member, and the distal end is bent without permission when the tension transmitting member is released, so that the bent state is maintained. It will be easier to shoot.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the night vision video camera apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A shows the entire external appearance, FIG. 1B shows the details of the cross section of the distal end portion, and FIG. 1C shows the distal end surface viewed from the X direction.

In this night vision video camera device, a cylindrical rod 21 is used as an elongated support, and an illumination means and an image pickup means, which will be described later, are attached to the tip 10 thereof.
A grip part 22 is formed at the base end. Its total length is 1
About m to several meters are easy to handle, and the diameter is preferably about 10 mm to 30 mm. The tip portion 10 is for inserting the CCD sensor 43 and the like, and the grip portion 22 is for sticking the rod 2 for easy gripping.
The diameter is made larger than 1, but it is preferable to stop it at about 40 mm.

The distal end portion 10 of the support has a fixed tip tube 11 directly connected to a rod 21 and a fixed tip tube 11.
And a movable movable tip 13 connected to the hinge 12 by a hinge 12 so as to be able to rotate in both directions. When the movable distal end tube 13 rotates toward the fixed distal end tube 11, the distal end portion 10 becomes straight, and when the movable movable end portion 13 rotates away from the fixed distal end tube 11, the distal end portion 10 becomes bent. In this device, rotation is stopped when the device is bent to a substantially right angle, with emphasis on viewing in the lateral direction.

A spring 15 is mounted on the opposite side of the hinge 12 between the fixed tip barrel 11 and the movable tip barrel 13, and the spring 15 is covered therewith by a telescopic cover 14. It is mounted over the fixed-end tube 11 and the movable-end tube 13 in a compressed state so as to act as an elastic member for urging the portion 10 into a bent state. One end of the wire 32 is also connected as a tension transmitting member to the opposite side of the hinge 12 on the end face of the movable distal end tube 13, but the other end of the wire 32 extends to the outside of the grip portion 22 through the lumen of the rod 21. After being flattened, a ring 31 is attached so as to be easily pulled. Thus, the distal end portion of the night-vision video camera device is configured such that a movable portion mounted with a camera or the like can be bent in accordance with an operation on the base end side of the support.

An objective lens 42, a CCD sensor 43, and a video signal processing circuit 44 are arranged on the axis of the movable movable barrel 13 in order from the most distal end. Video signal processing circuit 44
Is integrated with a circuit for receiving an output signal of the CCD sensor 43 and immediately converting the signal into a black and white video signal of a television standard system. The circuit is mounted on the same substrate as the CCD sensor 43 at the rear thereof. Is implemented. The output signal of the video signal processing circuit 44 is transmitted to the cable 23 through the rod 21 and the lumen of the grip portion 22 by the cable 45, and further transmitted from the control unit 24 to the coaxial cable 2.
5 to the outside.

Further, electric power and the like to the CCD sensor 43 and the video signal processing circuit 44 are also made through power transmission lines bundled with these cables 23 and 45. Thereby, the imaging means of this night-vision video camera device optically directly forms an image on a CCD sensor, which is a semiconductor image pickup device, via an objective lens, and also includes a video signal processing circuit at a distal end thereof. The captured video is converted into a video signal of a television standard system and then transmitted.

Four LEDs 41 (light emitting diodes) are provided on the foremost surface of the movable tip 13 so as to surround four sides of the objective lens 42. For these LEDs 41, those whose emission wavelength peaks belong to the near infrared region are used. The power supply to the LED 41 is also performed via a power transmission line bundled with the cables 23 and 45, and the on / off control can be performed by a switch operation of the control unit 24. Thus, the illuminating means of the night-vision video camera device has a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements that emit near-infrared rays, which are dispersed and arranged around the objective lens.

The mode of use and operation of the night vision video camera device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An example will be described in which a cavity formed under the tunnel ceiling due to rainwater erosion or the like is inspected.

In the ceiling of the tunnel wall 51 constructed in the soil 50, a small through-hole 52 is formed in advance or as necessary. If the cavity 53 behind the ceiling grows greatly, the pressure of the soil applied to the tunnel wall 51 becomes uneven, which is not preferable. In addition, if the large stone 54 is hidden on the cavity 53, it falls and the tunnel wall 51 is damaged. The spread of the cavity 53 through the small through-holes 52 is confirmed in the video to determine the necessity of injecting the coagulant into the cavity 53, etc. You do it.

First, the grip 22 of the night vision video camera device
When the ring 31 is pulled while holding, the movable tube 13 at the distal end is pulled toward the fixed distal tube 11 by the wire 32,
The tip 10 becomes substantially straight (see FIG. 2A).
In this state, the distal end portion 10 is inserted into the small through hole 52. The tip 10 is inserted until it comes off above the tunnel wall 51. Then, when the ring 31 is released, the movable end tube 13 rotates away from the fixed end tube 11 by the repulsive force of the spring 15, and the end portion 10 is bent. Thus, the tip movable cylinder 13 becomes substantially horizontal in the cavity 53, and L
The ED 41 and the CCD sensor 43 also face sideways (FIG. 2B).
reference).

Next, the controller 24 is operated to start near-infrared illumination by the LED 41 and imaging by the CCD sensor 43. When the illumination is dark, all the LEDs 41 are turned on, and when the illumination is too bright, some of the LEDs 41 are turned off. Then, the grip 22 and the rod 21 are rotated one or more rotations around the axis. Thus, while turning the LED 41 and the CCD sensor 43, visual observation is performed on a monitor (not shown) connected to the end of the coaxial cable 25, and an image is recorded if necessary. In this manner, even the dark cavity 53 formed behind the ceiling of the tunnel wall 51 can be easily inspected / confirmed through the small holes 52 to check the state of the lateral expansion. In addition, since it is possible to view images of good image quality with little deterioration due to halation or transmission attenuation, reliable inspection and
You can check.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the night-vision video camera device according to the first solution of the present invention has the following features.
By reducing the illumination light and adapting the image sensor and light-emitting element to receive all the condensed light, halation does not easily occur even when shooting images in narrow and dark places, so it is good. There is an advantageous effect that a night-vision video camera device capable of shooting with high image quality can be realized.

Further, in the night vision video camera device of the second solution of the present invention, when the camera is fed or picked up, the distal end portion is appropriately set at hand so as to be in a desired state of a straight state or a bent state. By being able to operate,
Even if a flexible fiber cable is not used, there is an advantageous effect that a night-vision video camera device capable of easily capturing an image that goes around a narrow and dark place can be easily realized.

Further, in the night-vision video camera device according to the third solution of the present invention, the image is immediately converted into a signal in a format that is easy to amplify and then transmitted, so that the support is formed. There is an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a night-vision video camera device in which image deterioration is small even if it is long.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an embodiment of a night-vision video camera device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a usage mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Front-end | tip part (the front-end | tip part of a support body) 11 Front-end | tip fixed cylinder (bending mechanism) 12 Hinge (bending base point, movable base point, bending mechanism) 13 Top-end movable barrel (camera attachment cylinder, bending movable part, bending mechanism) 14 Expansion / contraction Cover (protective coating) 15 Spring (elastic member) 21 Rod (long tube, middle part / body part of support) 22 Grip (hand-held fixed tube, base end of support) 23 Cable (lighting power and video signal Transmission line) 24 Control unit 25 Coaxial cable (video signal output line) 31 Ring (pull for straight end, bending mechanism) 32 Wire (string, tension transmission member, bending mechanism) 41 LED (light emitting diode, semiconductor light emitting element) , Illumination means) 42 Objective lens 43 CCD sensor (semiconductor imaging device, imaging means) 44 video signal processing circuit (imaging means) 45 cable (transmission of illumination power and video signal) In) 50 soil (ground) 51 tunnel wall (soil buildings buried shell) 52 through small holes (inspection hole) 53 cavity (erosion marks) 54 Oishi (falling of hazardous materials)

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a night-vision video camera apparatus in which an illuminating means and an imaging means are mounted on a distal end portion of an elongated support, said imaging means optically directly forms an image on a semiconductor imaging device via an objective lens. A night-vision video camera device, wherein the lighting means uses a semiconductor light-emitting element. 2. A night-vision video camera device having an illumination means and an imaging means mounted on a distal end of an elongated support, wherein the distal end is bendable in response to an operation on a base end side of the support. A night-vision video camera device, characterized in that: 3. A night-vision video camera device having an illuminating means and an imaging means mounted on a distal end portion of an elongated support, wherein the imaging means converts a captured image into an image signal of a television standard system. A night-vision video camera device comprising a circuit.