KR101388534B1 - Optical snow meter using laser point - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical design using a laser in accordance with the present invention comprises: a laser array including a plurality of laser beam generators installed so as to be irradiated at different set points or in different directions with respect to a target surface; A camera module installed to observe the target surface and configured to capture a plurality of optical pointers formed by the laser array; And a microcomputer converting a change in position in each image of the optical pointer into a snow amount by comparing the first image photographed by the camera module at a first time point and the second image photographed by the camera module at a second time point. Contains wealth.

Description

Optical red design using laser {OPTICAL SNOW METER USING LASER POINT}

The present invention relates to an optical red design designed to measure snow amount or snow state using a laser and a camera.

Snow cover refers to snow accumulated on the ground, and the definition in the weather station means when the surrounding ground of the observation area is covered by more than half of the snow, and the depth of snow accumulated is called snow quantity.

Even in the same area, snow conditions may be different due to the ups and downs of the ground, buildings, or wind. The representative value of the average amount of snow is important as basic weather data, but the snow state can be useful for real life because it can be used to inform road conditions or wind direction.

In general, a snow measurement method is a naked eye measuring method using a snow measurement and a sensor measuring method using a laser or ultrasound. Although visual measurement is a simple method, subjective error may occur according to the person who takes the measurement, and since it has to go directly to the target site and measure it directly, it has limitations and mobility.

The method using ultrasonic waves measures the amount of snow by using reflected ultrasonic waves, but has a disadvantage in that a measurement error is relatively large due to uneven snow surface.

The method using a laser is an optical measurement method using the linearity of laser light, which can reduce the measurement error, and thus the meteorological equipment using the laser has been in the spotlight. However, since the measurement is performed by only one point of the laser, there is a limit in confirming the exact snow amount or snow state of the target site.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to increase the reliability of the amount of snow using a laser having excellent straightness, and to intelligently measure the amount of snow and the snow state through the image processing for a plurality of laser pointers in three dimensions and accurate. The purpose is to present the design.

In order to solve the above problems, an optical design using a laser in accordance with the present invention, the laser array comprising a plurality of laser beam generating unit is provided so that each can be irradiated in a different set point or a different direction with respect to the target surface; A camera module installed to observe the target surface and configured to capture a plurality of optical pointers formed by the laser array; And a microcomputer converting a change in position in each image of the optical pointer into a snow amount by comparing the first image photographed by the camera module at a first time point and the second image photographed by the camera module at a second time point. Contains wealth.

As an example related to the present invention, the camera module and the plurality of laser beam generators may be installed such that optical axes of the camera module may have different solid angles with respect to optical axes of the plurality of laser beam generators.

As an example related to the present invention, the plurality of laser beam generators may be arranged to have the same distance from the reference position of the laser array, and the camera module may be disposed at the reference position of the laser array.

As an example related to the present invention, the plurality of laser beam generators may be disposed in a radial form, and the camera module may be disposed at the centers of the laser beam generators.

As an example related to the present invention, the plurality of laser beam generators may be installed to match the plurality of optical pointers at a predetermined distance from the laser array.

As an example related to the present invention, the laser beam generator may include a green laser.

As an example related to the present invention, in the optical design using the laser, the camera module may further include an infrared cut filter.

As an example related to the present invention, the camera module may further include an infrared cut filter.

As an example related to the present invention, the optical design using the laser further includes an application processor (AP) equipped with an algorithm for adjusting a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the subject and the background of the target surface. The microcomputer may be configured to transmit a control command to the application processor to analyze at least one of the exposure level, the white balance, and the amplification value of the image sensor by analyzing the captured image.

As an example related to the present invention, the optical design using the laser is a PWM control unit that can adjust the output of the laser; A communication protocol capable of controlling an image sensor of the camera; And a memory configured to store an image captured by the camera.

As an example related to the present invention, the microcomputer unit may be configured to output an average value of individual snowfall amounts according to a change in position of each optical pointer.

As an example related to the present invention, the microcomputer unit may compare the first pattern made by the plurality of optical pointers at the first time point with the second pattern made by the plurality of optical pointers at the second time point. It may be configured to output the inclination direction.

As an example related to the present invention, the optical design using the laser further includes a biometric sensing unit configured to detect a living body, and the microcomputer unit generates the laser beam when a human body or an animal is sensed by the biometric sensing unit. It may be configured to control the camera module to block the output of the negative and to photograph the movement of the human body or animal.

As described above, according to the optical red design using the laser according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately calculate the snow amount through the comparison of the images by using the laser having excellent straightness in the form of an array.

In addition, according to the red design according to the present invention, it is possible to provide not only the amount of snow, but also the state of snow, the direction of the wind and the like through the comparison of the pattern consisting of a plurality of optical pointers, there is an effect that can provide the usefulness of real life.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of an optical design (100) using a laser associated with the present invention
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an optical design (100) using a laser associated with the present invention
3 is an initial set position view of the optical pointers by a plurality of laser beam generation unit at the maximum installation height of the optical design (100) using the laser according to the present invention
4 is a positional relationship diagram of the optical pointers during the installation of the optical design (100) using the laser associated with the present invention in the operating environment
Figure 5 is an example related to the present invention, the positional relationship diagram showing the position change of one optical pointer (P1) due to 0.24mm snow
Figure 6 is an example related to the present invention, the positional relationship diagram showing the position change of one optical pointer (P1) due to 1mm snow
7 is a positional relationship diagram showing the positional change of one optical pointer P1 and the optical pointer P5 symmetric to it due to 1 mm snow.
8 is a positional relationship diagram showing the change of the pattern by the optical pointers when it is laid horizontally with the ground surface
9 is a positional relationship diagram showing the change of the pattern by the light pointers when the snow surface is inclined and inclined

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an optical design using a laser associated with the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of the optical red design 100 using a laser associated with the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram of an optical red design 100 using a laser related to the present invention.

As shown in these figures, the overall design 100 includes a laser array 120, the camera module 130 and the microcomputer unit 110. For installation, these laser array 120, camera module 130 and the microcomputer unit 110 may be composed of the assembly 102, the support 101 to maintain a certain height relative to the target surface (G) It can be supported form.

The laser array is provided with a plurality of laser beam generators 121 and 122 provided so as to be irradiated with respect to the target surface G in different set points or in different directions. The laser beam generators 121 and 122 have positions or azimuths different from those of the camera module 130 so as to grasp the change in the horizontal position of the optical pointer formed by the camera module 130 by the camera module 130. As such an example, these laser beam generators 121 and 122 may be installed such that the optical axes of the camera modules 130 may achieve different solid angles with respect to the optical axes of these laser beam generators 121 and 122. The plurality of laser beam generators 121 and 122 may be arranged to have the same distance from the reference position of the laser array 120, and the camera module 130 may be disposed at the reference position of the laser array 120. . The plurality of laser beam generators 121 and 122 may be disposed in a radial form, that is, a regular polygon having a square, a regular hexagon, a regular octagon, or more. In FIG. 4 to be described later, the arrangement of optical pointers by a plurality of laser beam generators having an octagonal arrangement is illustrated.

The camera module 130 is installed to observe the target surface G, and is configured to capture a plurality of optical pointers formed by the laser array 120. Such a camera module 130 may use a digital method having an image sensor. The camera module 130 is disposed in a fixed form to measure the snow state on the target surface (G). Thus, the image picked up by the camera module 130 provides a position where the optical pointers have changed over time (if snow has occurred) within a fixed frame.

The microcomputer unit 110 changes the position of each optical pointer in the image by comparing the first image captured by the camera module 130 and the second image captured by the camera module 130 at a second time point. Convert to To this end, the microcomputer 110 may be equipped with a processor, a memory, and the like. The annular method of the snow amount by the microcomputer 110 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 or less.

As shown in FIG. 2, in terms of electrical hardware, the proper design 100 includes a controller 111, a camera module 130, a plurality of laser beam generators 121, 122, 123, an application processor 131, a biometric detector 140, The memory 150 may include an external communication module 160 and a power supply unit 170.

The camera module 130 may have a communication protocol for capturing and transmitting an image. As such an example, a scheme such as Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) or IIC (I2C) may be used. In order to increase the resolution and measurement accuracy, the camera module may be a high resolution camera having a resolution of 5 million pixels or more, and an infrared cut filter may be embedded to facilitate visual identification of the optical pointer. The object image of the optical pointer captured by the camera module 130 contains information in units of pixels, and can be converted into an actual distance by comparing the information of pixels in the object image at the changed position (time). .

The laser beam generators 121, 122, and 123 may be configured in plural as described above, and the number thereof may vary as necessary. When the infrared cut filter is built in the camera module 130, the laser beam generators 121, 122, and 123 may use the green laser in the visible light region as the main light source, rather than the red laser in the infrared region.

The application processor 131 may include an algorithm for adjusting a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the subject and the background of the target surface G. The application processor 131 may be embedded in the camera module 130 or may be mounted between the camera 130 and the microcomputer 110. If it is difficult to recognize the optical pointer in the image photographed due to diffuse reflection of sunlight, the application processor 131 to control the amplification value, white balance, and exposure level of the image sensor of the camera module 130 in the control unit 111. ) Can be easily recognized by giving a control command. For example, when the light on the measurement surface is strong and it is difficult to recognize the optical pointer, the exposure value is reduced to reduce the sensitivity, and the output of the laser is increased to easily control the recognition of the laser pointer. In order to perform this function, the control unit 111 may be equipped with a PWM control unit that can control the output of the laser.

The biometric sensing unit 140 may be configured to include a passive infrared sensor capable of detecting a human body or an animal to measure infrared rays emitted from the human body or the animal. As such an example, a PIR sensor (Passive Infra RED Sensor) can be used. If the movement of the human body or the animal is detected, the detection signal is transmitted to the microcomputer unit 110 to block the output of the laser beam generators 121, 122, and 123 through the control unit 110 to prevent damage to the human body from the laser, and The image of the animal may be stored in the microcomputer 110 and the memory 150 to check the shape of the detected subject.

The memory 150 stores an image photographed at each time interval during the snowfall, and the controller 111 evaluates the amount of snow and the snow state by comparing the photographed image with the stored image.

The external communication module 160 may include wired / wireless communication means for transmitting the red design side information generated in the red design 100 to the server or receiving a control signal from the server.

The power supply unit 170 supplies power required for the operation of the red design 100, and may be equipped with a self-power and power storage means such as a solar cell in the case of a space.

3 is an initial set position diagram of optical pointers by a plurality of laser beam generators at the maximum installation height of the optical integrated design 100 using the laser according to the present invention. Arrange the parts in a symmetrical form and adjust the azimuth angle of the laser so that the light of each laser beam generating part is collected at a central point at a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 3. The distance at this time is the maximum installation height between the measurement surface and the camera.

4 is a positional relationship diagram of the optical pointers when installing the optical design (100) using the laser associated with the present invention in the operating environment. For the initial setting, the distance of the measurement surface is adjusted so that the position of the pixel center point of each optical pointer captured by the camera module for each height in the form of a height table corresponding to the height in the memory 150 of the microcomputer 110, respectively. Save it. The red design 100 thus set is installed to be lower than the maximum measurement installation height at the measurement site. The plurality of optical pointers P1 to P8 are formed in the image of the installed measuring device as shown in FIG. 4, in which the position of the pixel of each optical pointer is compared with the height table in the memory 150 of the microcomputer 110. Then, the command is sent to the microcomputer controller to set the offset value of the measurement surface, that is, the snowfall amount of 0mm, to set the current position of each laser pointer to the snowfall amount of 0mm. When the measurement surface is deformed due to construction or other factors, or when the snowfall reference point must be reset through the camera image, the offset value may be reset by transmitting a command to the microcomputer 110.

The installed enemy design 100 may detect the settling or rising of the target surface due to a change in the target surface G, that is, a landslide or avalanche. For example, if the captured image is smaller than the pattern of the reference image by comparison with the reference image, it means that there is a change such as turning off the target surface, and the red design 100 transmits such a settlement to the server. It can also serve as a basic data provider to take countermeasures and preventive measures.

5 is a positional relationship diagram showing a positional change of one optical pointer P1 due to 0.24mm snow cover as an example related to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an example related to 1mm snow cover as an example related to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a positional relationship diagram showing a positional change of the optical pointer P1, and FIG. 7 is a positional relationship diagram showing a positional change of one optical pointer P1 and a symmetrical optical pointer P5 due to 1 mm snow.

As an example, if the camera and the maximum installation height of 5 million pixels (1920 × 1080) are set to 5 m, and the snow measurement device is installed at a position of 2 m in height at the measurement location, when the snow amount is 0.24 mm, an optical pointer of one point (P1) has been moved as shown in Figure 5 by 1 pixel in the X-axis, Y-axis (NP1), 4 pixels in the X-axis, 3 pixels in the Y-axis when (1mm snow) as shown in Figure 6 (NP1) Able to know.

The accuracy can be improved as shown in FIG. 7 by comparing the distance with the fifth optical pointer P5 opposite to the first optical pointer P1. That is, when measuring only a change in the position of one point, the distance DP1 between the existing first optical pointer P1 and the new first optical pointer NP1 and the existing fifth optical pointer P5 and the new fifth optical pointer ( The distances DP5 between NP5 are all 5 pixels, resulting in a snowfall of 1 mm, but the distance L1 between the existing first optical pointer P1 and the fifth optical pointer P5 (in this case, 500 pixels) and the new agent The distance L2 (herein, 511 pixels) between the first optical pointer NP1 and the fifth optical pointer NP5 is calculated as an average moving distance of 5.5 pixels, which is calculated as 1.1 mm to obtain a more accurate snowfall amount.

8 is a positional relationship diagram showing the change of the pattern by the optical pointers when stacked horizontally with the ground surface, and FIG. 9 is a positional relationship diagram showing the change of the pattern by the light pointers when the snow surface is inclined with the ground surface.

As shown in FIG. 8, when snow is applied to the target surface horizontally, the first pattern T1 made by the existing optical pointers P1 to P8 at the first time point and the new optical pointers NP1 to NP8 at the second time point. The second pattern T2 that is generated is analyzed in a circle.

If the snow is inclined as shown in FIG. 9 due to the wind, the average height of the snow amount as shown in FIG. 8 is the same, but the first pattern T1 connecting the optical pointers NP1 to NP8 is distorted rather than the normal circle VT2. It is made in the form of a circle, and through this, it can be seen that the snow was inclined. Therefore, the three-dimensional evaluation of the snow state is possible through the analysis of the pattern, it is possible to provide a reliable drop setting.

Optical design using the laser described above is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above. The above embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made.

100: Enemy Design 101: Support
102: assembly 110: microcomputer unit
120: laser array 121, 122: laser beam generating unit
130: camera module

Claims (12)

A laser array including a plurality of laser beam generators provided to be irradiated in different directions or in different directions with respect to a target surface;
A camera module installed to observe the target surface and configured to capture a plurality of optical pointers formed by the laser array; And
The microcomputer unit converts a change in position in the image of each optical pointer into a snow amount by comparing the first image photographed by the camera module at a first time point and the second image photographed by the camera module at a second time point. Including,
The camera module and the plurality of laser beam generators may be installed such that optical axes of the camera module may form different solid angles with respect to optical axes of the plurality of laser beam generators.
The plurality of laser beam generators are arranged to have the same distance from the reference position of the laser array,
The camera module is optically designed using a laser, arranged in the reference position of the laser array.
delete delete The method of claim 1,
The plurality of laser beam generation unit is disposed in a radiation form,
The camera module is optically designed using a laser, which is disposed in the center of the laser beam generator.
The method of claim 1,
The plurality of laser beam generation unit,
An optical design using a laser, wherein the plurality of optical pointers are installed to be aligned at a distance from the laser array.
The method of claim 1,
The laser beam generator comprises a green (green) laser, an optical design using a laser.
The method of claim 1,
The camera module further comprises an infrared cut filter, optical design using a laser.
The method of claim 1,
And an application processor (AP) equipped with an algorithm for adjusting a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the subject and the background of the target surface.
The microcomputer unit transmits a control command to the application processor to analyze at least one of the exposure level, the white balance, and the amplification value of the image sensor by analyzing the captured image.
The method of claim 1,
A PWM control unit capable of adjusting the output of the laser;
A communication protocol capable of controlling an image sensor of the camera; And
And a memory for storing an image captured by the camera.
The method of claim 1,
The microcomputer unit, the optical red design using a laser, configured to output the average value of the individual snow amount according to the position change of each optical pointer.
The method of claim 1,
The microcomputer unit may be configured to output a horizontal or inclined direction of snow by comparing a first pattern made by the plurality of optical pointers with a second pattern made by the plurality of optical pointers at the second time. , Optical design using laser.
The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a biometric sensing unit configured to detect a living body,
The microcomputer unit is configured to control the camera module to block the output of the laser beam generator and to capture the movement of the human body or the animal when the human body or the animal is detected by the biological sensing unit, an optical design using a laser .

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