JPS6097785A - Picture pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize quickly detailed investigation of a specific observation area by providing the first rediometer which obtains the first picture signal by the preceding observation and the second radiomer which obtains the high-quality second picture signal in correspondence to the specific observation area. CONSTITUTION:Charge distribution accumulated in a CCD1 which is one composite element of the first radiometer for preceding observation is oututted as a picture signal 103 by a clock pulse 102 from a time controlling circuit 3, and inputted to a sampling circuit 2. A sampling signal 104, which is added to the sampling circuit 2, is set so that the signal 104 will be lower than the regular frequency, and therefore, a frequency band width is made into a narrow band. On the other hand, the charge distribution accumulated in a CCD8, which is one composite element of the second radiometer for the detailed investigation, is A/D-converted in the same way, and is accumulated in a memory 10. A picture signal 107 which is inputted from an A/D converter 4 and a picture signal 120 which is read from the memory 10 are multipled by a multiplexer 5, and are sent to a picture trasmitter 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image capturing device, and in particular, to an image capturing device equipped with a radiometer in which a light receiving section of a multi-element photoelectric conversion means is arranged in an imaging section of an optical system. The present invention relates to an improved image capturing device.

In recent years, with the progress of remote sensing technology and related sensor technology, in response to remote observation targets, predetermined optical systems and photoelectric conversion means of various wavelength bands, including visible and infrared, are combined. Methods for efficiently collecting observation data as image signals are being put into practical use. For example, geostationary meteorological satellites are used to observe the earth's surface and collect weather data over a wide area. Another example is acquiring surface observation data as an image signal, transmitting this image signal to the ground, and collecting it at a data collection receiving station on the ground.

In such application fields where remote sensing technology is applied, it is inevitable that the observation target and the radiometer including the optical system and photoelectric conversion unit are located in a remote relationship. In many cases, the distance between the radiometer, which outputs observation data as an image signal, and the observer is similarly remote. As mentioned above, this also applies when an image capturing device including a radiometer is mounted on an artificial satellite to observe the earth's surface. In this way, when the radiometer and the observer are separated by distance or physically, it is difficult to transmit images and property names corresponding to observation data obtained by the radiometer to the observer. A transmission line is required. Therefore, there is a difference between the amount of information of both edge signals acquired within a unit time by an image capturing device including a radiometer and the transmission capacity of the data transmission line used to transmit this image signal from the image capturing device to the observer. , there is inevitably a mutual constraint relationship. In other words, if the transmission capacity of the data transmission line is limited, the amount of image signal information corresponding to the observation data acquired by the image capturing device including the radiometer and collected by the observer is limited to the above transmission capacity. be limited within the range of

For example, in the case of the earth observation satellite mentioned above, the satellite is equipped with a radiometer that includes a multi-element photoelectric conversion means, and it uses visible and infrared light to observe a predetermined ground surface corresponding to the orbit of the satellite. Observation data is acquired in the form of an image signal for the included wavelength range, and the image signal is transmitted online or offline to a data collection receiving station on the ground. In this case, as a method for transmitting the image signal to the ground, for example, for each observation wavelength range including visible light and red twilight, corresponding to a predetermined observation scanning width and pixel size on the ground surface, The image @ signal output from the multi-element photoelectric conversion means is transmitted as a pressure modulated signal to a data collection receiving station on the ground. Generally, in the case of remote sensing using earth observation satellites, the above observation scanning width is 1100 to 150 km (kilometers),
The resolution on the ground surface corresponding to the above pixel size is 25
m (meter), the transmission band of the image signal transmitted to the ground as the PSK modulated signal will be on the order of alooMHz (mega working hertz) or wider, and the frequency allocation to the carrier wave in the transmission line will be problems, as well as operational and technical constraints related to both the transmitting station on the satellite and the data acquisition receiving station on the ground.

Generally, from the perspective of using observation data, it is strongly recommended that image signals corresponding to a predetermined observation area be acquired as high-quality image signals with high resolution and quickly. In the case of the earth observation satellite, related to the constraint problem mentioned above, a specific observation area to be explored in more detail is specified by referring to the primary image signal obtained by comprehensively observing the earth's surface in advance. Then, a high-quality secondary image signal with a higher resolution is reacquired. By limiting the observation area in this way, although it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned transmission bandwidth-related constraint problem regarding the transmission of high-quality secondary image signals to the ground, it is not possible to Regarding the speed with which high-resolution, high-quality secondary image signals can be acquired, major problems remain as described below.

In the case of the earth observation satellite, the orbit of the satellite is generally a circular orbit with sun synchronous rate regression. The rate of this orbit (the number of times the satellite orbits the earth in one day) is determined by the orbital altitude, but is usually 13 to 15 times/day.
The number of return days (the number of days required for the satellite to return to an orbital position corresponding to the same position on the earth's surface) corresponding to this orbital rate ranges from around 20 days to around 30 days.

Therefore, it takes about 20 to 30 days for the earth observation satellite to orbit the earth and acquire a comprehensive primary image signal of the earth's surface.

In order to obtain the high-quality secondary image signal by referring to the comprehensive secondary image signals of the ground surface obtained in advance and specifying a specific observation area included in the ground surface, After specifying this specific observation area, it is necessary to wait for at least 20 to 30 days corresponding to the number of return days. In other words, in order to investigate a predetermined observation area in detail, a long period of at least 20 to 30 days is required to acquire high-resolution, high-quality secondary image signals. This method has a disadvantage in that it is significantly lacking in quickness in acquiring secondary image signals.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a first radiometer that performs preliminary observation to obtain a primary image signal, and a second radiometer that obtains a secondary image signal corresponding to a limited specific observation area. and an image capturing device capable of quickly acquiring a secondary image signal for detailed exploration corresponding to the specific observation area through a specific image processing means for the secondary image signal. It is about providing.

The image capturing apparatus of the present invention is an image capturing apparatus including a radiometer formed by arranging a light receiving part of a multi-element photoelectric conversion means in an imaging part of an optical system facing a predetermined observation audience. a first radiometer that obtains a predetermined primary image signal by performing preliminary observation of the observation target area; and a second radiometer that acquires a predetermined secondary image signal corresponding to a specific observation area selectively extracted from a predetermined observation target area.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation situation regarding an embodiment in which the image capturing device of the present invention is applied to an earth observation satellite, and shows the relative relationship between the artificial satellite and the earth's surface in the orbit plane of the earth observation satellite. . In Figure 1, an earth observation satellite 51 moves along a traveling direction 201 corresponding to the earth's surface 202, and uses a first radiometer 52 and a second radiometer 53 to measure the distance on the earth's surface 202. Obtain an image signal of a predetermined observation target area. Imaging direction line 205 of the first radiometer 52
is inclined at a predetermined angle of 0 degrees with respect to the vertical line 207 of the ground surface 202 in the orbital plane, and the imaging direction line 206 of the second radiometer 53 is also inclined at a predetermined angle of 0 degrees with respect to the vertical line 207 of the ground surface 202 in the orbital plane. 202 is set at right angles.

At the time shown in FIG. 1, the prior observation area on the ground surface 202 where the first radiometer 52 is acquiring the next image signal is shown as 203 in the figure, and the second The specific observation area on the ground surface 202 from which the radiometer 53 acquires the sequential image signal is indicated as 204 in the figure. Therefore, as is clear from the comparison with the traveling direction 201 of the earth observation satellite 51, the observation area imaged by the first radiometer 52 is always the same as the area imaged by the second radiometer at any given time. The observed area also corresponds to the preceding area.

For example, assuming that the altitude of the earth observation satellite is approximately 600 km (kilometers), the distance between the reference positions 20B and 209 imaged by the first and second radiometers at the same time, respectively, is The distance is approximately 10,100 km/meter on the ground surface 202. That is, the first radiometer 52 is always ahead of the second radiometer 53 and is imaging an observation area of −C, so that if we look at the same fin area, the second radiation Ft1
The secondary image signal obtained by '53 is also delayed by a specific delay time T (seconds) from the primary image signal obtained by the first radiometer.

In such an operating situation, the image signal captured and output by the first radiometer 52 is subjected to multi-signal processing by a predetermined image processing means within the specific delay time, and the processing results are referred to. Then, a specific partial observation area is selected, and a high-resolution, high-quality secondary image signal is imaged and outputted using the second radiometer 53 corresponding to the specific partial observation area. In this way, the first radiometer 52 and the second radiometer 5
3 are operated in conjunction with each other, even when a high-quality secondary image signal is transmitted to the ground by the second radiometer 53, the observation target area falls within the specific partial observation area. Because the frequency bandwidth occupied by the image signal is limited, the frequency bandwidth occupied by the image signal does not need to be widened, and the above-mentioned problems in the transmission line to the data collection receiving station on the ground can be avoided. Through signal image processing, a specific partial observation area that requires detailed exploration is quickly selected within the specific delay time T, and a high-quality secondary image signal corresponding to this partial observation area is transferred to the - The image signal can be acquired with a time delay on the order of seconds with respect to the acquisition time of the next image signal.

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment includes charge-coupled devices 1 and 8, a sampling circuit 2, a time control circuit 3, A-D converters 4 and 9, a multiplexer 5, It includes an image transmitter 6, a transmitting antenna 7, a memory IO, a memory control circuit 11, a command receiver 12, and a receiving antenna 13.

In Figure 2, corresponding to the observation target area on the earth's surface, as mentioned above, the first radiometer and the second radiometer each emit radiation or light in each wavelength range including visible, infrared, etc. is received, and through the photoelectric conversion action in the multi-element photoelectric conversion elements of the load coupling device 1 and the charge coupling device 8, a charge distribution corresponding to the received light amount distribution is generated, and each charge is accumulated in a predetermined storage medium. Ru. In this case, the charge-coupled devices 1 and 8 are connected to the -(
; is a component. As these charge-coupled devices 1 and 8, in the case of the present invention, any charge-coupled device including one in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged linearly can be effectively applied. In the embodiment, the former case corresponds to a case in which a cylindrical coupling device in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a line is used.

The charge distribution stored in a predetermined storage medium of the charge-coupled device 1 is controlled by a reset/curse 101 corresponding to a predetermined imaging synchronization inputted from the time control circuit 3, and (The υ image signal 10 is transferred to a register provided inside the chair 1 and is generated by a predetermined clock pulse 102 which is also input from the time control circuit 3.)
3 and input to the sampling circuit 2. In the sampling circuit 2, the image signal 103 is sampled and extracted via the sampling signal 104 inputted from the time control circuit 3, and is inputted to the AD converter 4 as a sampled image signal 105. The sampling frequency corresponding to the sampling signal 104 is set to a specific frequency that is lower than the normal sampling frequency for the image signal 103 output from the charge-coupled device 1, so that the sampling frequency corresponds to the sampled image signal. The frequency bandwidth of 105 is compressed and narrowed compared to the normal case. In the A-D converter 4, the time control circuit 3
The sampled image signal 105 is converted from analog to digital via a predetermined black pulse input from the digital image signal 107, and is output as a digital image signal 107, which is input to the multiplexer 5.

On the other hand, the charge distribution stored in a predetermined storage medium of the charge-coupled device 8 is inputted from the time control circuit 3. zb to reset pulse 110 corresponding to a predetermined imaging cycle.
The image signal 1 is controlled by a predetermined clock pulse 111 that is controlled and transferred to a register provided inside the charge-coupled device B, and then inputted from the time control circuit 3.
12 and input to the A-D converter 9. A
The -D converter 9 receives the image signal 1 via a predetermined clock pulse 113 input from the time control circuit 3.
12 is A-D converted and input to the memo IJ 10 as a digital image signal 114.

In the memory 10, a memory control circuit 11 operates by inputting a time reference signal 115 from the time control circuit 3 and inputting a command signal 121 from the command receiver 12.
Address signal 116 and convolution command signal 1 output from
17 and a clock φ pulse 119 are input, and the digital image signal 114 described above is sequentially stored at the titration address designated by the address signal 116. The image signal stored at a predetermined address in the memory 10 is inputted to the memory IOK from the memory control circuit 11 after a predetermined time in accordance with the imaging cycle in the charge-coupled device 8. and a clock pulse 119, and sent to the multiplexer 5 as a digital image signal 1120.

The multiplexer 5 inputs and multiplexes the digital image signal 107 output from the A-D converter 4 and the digital image signal 120 read from the memory 10, and sends the image as a multiplexed image signal lo8 @a6. sent to. In the image transmitter 6, the multiplexed image signal 10
8 is output as a high-frequency image signal 109 through a predetermined modulation effect, and is sent to a data collection receiving station on the ground via a transmitting antenna 7.

In the above-mentioned operation process, the digital image signal 107 output from the A-D converter 4 corresponds to the primary image signal acquired by the first radiation field, and also from the memo IJ 10. The digital image signal 120 read out corresponds to the secondary image signal acquired by the second radiometer. As already explained with reference to Figure 1,
The secondary image signal and the secondary image signal for the same observation area are acquired at a time difference of the delay time T seconds. Therefore, the digital image signal 107 is also input to the multiplexer 5 in advance of the digital image signal 120 by a predetermined time T (T in T) seconds corresponding to the delay time T seconds, and is input to the multiplexer 5 to transmit the image transmitter 6 and the transmitting antenna 7. sent to the ground via

The data collection receiving station on the ground performs real-time image processing on this second image signal, refers to the processing results, selects a specific area characterized by detailed exploration in the preceding observation area, and performs a predetermined An observation area designation signal is generated and transmitted to the earth observation satellite via a command transmission station. In the earth observation satellite, the receiving antenna 13 receives a high frequency command signal 1 corresponding to the observation area designation signal.
22 is received and output, and the observation area designation signal 121 is generated and input to the memory control circuit 11 via the command reception tit12. In the memory control circuit 11,
An address signal corresponding to a specific area requiring detailed exploration is generated via the observation area designation signal 121, and a predetermined address signal 116, read command signal 118 and black are generated as described above.

A pulse 119 is sent to the memory 1o and is associated with the observation area designation signal 121. A digital image signal 120 corresponding to the secondary image signal of the specific area is read out and input to the multiplexer 5. The fact that the digital image signal 120 corresponding to this specific area is sent to the ground via the multiplexer 5, the image transmitter 6, and the transmitting antenna 7 with a delay of T seconds with respect to the digital image signal 107 for the same observation area is as follows. It is quite clear through the above explanation.

Note that in the above explanation, the case where the image processing means for selecting a specific area is placed on the ground is explained.
It is also possible to install this image processing means in an earth observation satellite and operate it in preparation for the image capturing apparatus of the present invention.

In addition, regardless of whether the image processing means is installed on the ground or mounted on an artificial satellite, the artificial processing judgment function of the operator is reflected in the operational aspect related to the processing content of the image processing means, It goes without saying that the present invention can be effectively applied to the case where the observation area designation signal for rounding the specific area selection is generated.

In the above embodiment, the first radiometer and the second radiometer are separated as independent radiation systems as shown in FIG. They may be structurally integrated, and also when the multi-element photoelectric means forming each photoelectric conversion section is shared under the condition that the -order image signal and the secondary image signal are separated. , the present invention is applicable. Of course, regardless of whether the photoelectric conversion elements in the multi-element photoelectric conversion means are in a linear arrangement or a planar arrangement, the image capturing apparatus in the application area of TFC, other observation satellites other than earth observation satellites, and remote sensing technology. Needless to say, it can also be applied to

As explained in detail above, the invention is based on a first radiometer that performs preliminary observation to obtain a primary image signal, and a second radiometer that obtains a high-quality secondary image signal corresponding to a limited specific observation area. By providing a radiometer, it is possible to quickly obtain a secondary image signal for detailed exploration corresponding to the specific observation area through a specific image processing means for the previous P-primary image signal. It's effective.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a continuous use situation in an embodiment in which the present Shiromei is applied to an earth viewing planet, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main JM section of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, l, 8...charge-coupled device, 2
... Sampling circuit, 3 ... Time control circuit, 4, 9 ... A-Dg converter, 5 ... Multigretaza, 6 ... ...Image transmission device, 7...
...Transmission Ambuna, 1-0...Memory, 11
. . . Memory control circuit, 12 . . . Command receiver, 13 . . . Receiving antenna.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an image capturing device equipped with an infrared meter formed by arranging a light receiving section of a multi-element photoelectric conversion means in an imaging section of an optical system facing a predetermined observation target, a predetermined observation target area is detected in advance. a first radiometer that performs preliminary observation to obtain a predetermined primary image signal; and a first radiometer that performs preliminary observation to obtain a predetermined primary image signal; An image capturing device comprising: a second radiation needle that acquires a predetermined secondary image signal corresponding to a specific observation area to be selectively extracted. (2) The image capturing apparatus according to claim (1), wherein the first radiometer and the second radiometer are used as one radiometer. (3) The image according to claim (1), wherein the first radiometer and the second radiometer share a photoelectric conversion section of the multi-element photoelectric conversion means. Imaging device.