KR200341066Y1 - Underwater image system with multi-directional video camera for search - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention acquires and records video images in real time in all directions except the direction from the camera to the surface in order to improve the efficiency and probability of the work in searching objects or obtaining image signals of underwater objects. Directional underwater image acquisition system. More specifically, the present invention installs a plurality of cameras (5 to 8) and lighting devices for obtaining a clearer image signal and transmits them from the plurality of cameras so that all 360 degree azimuths can be simultaneously viewed horizontally. When displaying the received video signal on the display panel, the video image obtained by each camera is divided into 5 (8 to 8) to display each, and at the same time, the current depth information and the ship's position information (GPS) using GPS. ) Means for displaying and recording together on the screen in real time. Through this, it is possible to record the multi-directional video signal underwater and the depth of water obtained from the video signal and the position of the ground together, and provide precise information on the underwater operation of the next step. In particular, the present invention reduces the probability of errors that can occur due to the wrong direction or depth of the camera in the deep water (typically 30m or more) where it is difficult for divers to enter directly. To make it possible.

Description

Underwater image system with multi-directional video camera for survey {Underwater image system with multi-directional video camera for search}

The present invention acquires and records in real time video images of all orientations except the direction from the camera to the surface in order to improve the efficiency and probability of the task in searching objects or obtaining image signals of underwater objects. Directional underwater image acquisition system.

Conventionally, various types of underwater cameras are commercially available in the world for acquiring images of objects in the water, but they are equipped with omnidirectional lighting devices and simultaneously observe, search, and investigate the entire orientation (360 degrees horizontal). There was no underwater camera capable of doing this. In addition, it is not easy to implement a design that arranges a plurality of cameras and depth sensors with a waterproof structure and simultaneously displays the location using the plurality of cameras, depth sensors, and GPS, and also the depth of water where the underwater camera is located. And there is a problem that causes a lot of errors when observing underwater subjects because there is no device that can inform the operator in real time by sending the image of the underwater subjects to the display panel at the position of the ship and leave a record. In the case of stopping and searching again, the depth and location could not be known accurately, resulting in a lot of economic and time loss by searching in duplicate.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to recognize the problems of the prior art as described above, the underwater camera module according to the present invention is a submerged sensor is embedded in the underwater video camera module with a plurality of cameras and lights to enable multi-directional observation When the video signal reaches the industrial computer through the underwater cable, the built-in video capture board (VCB) captures and compresses the video signals inputted from the multiple underwater cameras, and speeds up to 40 frames / sec. The video signal of each camera corresponding to each screen is displayed on the display panel.The GPS signal, which is the location information, is characterized through the VTB (Video Text Board) and displayed in real time on each screen. Signals are also synchronized to each screen in real time via MCU and ADC and displayed on the display panel. Multiple cameras mounted on the module are properly positioned so that they can observe both 360-degree forward and vertically downward in the horizontal direction with the aid of a wide-angle lens to simultaneously view, search and search the entire orientation (360-degree horizontally). By performing an irradiation operation, an underwater image acquisition device capable of obtaining an image of a subject more quickly and accurately by reducing the probability of missing an image signal acquisition of a subject caused by incorrectly selecting a camera direction and a camera position is provided. In addition, the present invention acquires an underwater image of all directions at the depth and location by the GPS position information, depth information, and a multi-directional camera, and stores the image acquired at the observed or searched position in the memory at all times. To save time and money.

1 is a side outline view of a multi-directional underwater camera module according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the multi-directional underwater camera module consisting of a multi-directional underwater camera and lighting unit according to the present invention.

3 is an overall configuration diagram of an underwater image acquisition system composed of a multi-directional underwater camera, a depth sensor, a display panel, a signal processor, and a GPS system according to the present invention.

4 is an overall system configuration actually implemented according to the present invention.

5 is a video signal acquired from six cameras implemented according to the present invention.

The present invention is designed to acquire and record video images of all directions in real time except the direction from the camera to the surface of the water in order to enhance the efficiency and probability of the work in searching objects or obtaining the image signal of the underwater objects. The present invention relates to implementing an image acquisition system. Looking at the configuration means for achieving the present invention in more detail, first look at the configuration of the underwater camera module in Figures 1 and 2, transmitting the signals detected by a plurality of underwater cameras and depth sensors to the signal processing unit of the water and underwater Cable cable for transmitting the power and other control signals for camera module lighting and camera operation, Cable connector for connecting cable cable and underwater camera module, Gripper for supporting underwater camera module, Camera And housings and protectors to protect the lighting device from water or other objects, lighting devices installed to obtain a clearer image of the underwater subject, and cleared by light generated by the lighting device. You can adjust multiple cameras to capture the image of the subject and the camera's surveillance area. It consists of a wide-angle lens and a depth sensor. Since the plurality of cameras and lighting apparatuses should be arranged in consideration of the angle at which one camera is secured to acquire an image, the camera and the underwater camera module positioned under the underwater camera module to observe the presence of a subject under water. The cameras for observing underwater subjects are placed at an angle to the side of the camera in a somewhat downward direction, and the images acquired by the respective cameras are overlapped with each other at a predetermined distance over the range of angles for acquiring images from each other. It should be possible to observe all without missing. In addition, the position of the camera for observing a subject present on the side can also be observed without missing the image of the underwater subject only when the images acquired by the respective cameras are somewhat overlapped when the observation range of the adjacent camera is a certain distance or more. By installing the underwater camera module in the above configuration (Fig. 3), the underwater camera module to be achieved by the present invention is configured to acquire all the images of the underwater subject existing below the horizontal position of the point where the underwater camera module is located. do. The underwater camera module according to the present invention has a built-in depth sensor to detect the depth of the place where the camera module is located. When the video signal acquired from the underwater video camera module with a plurality of cameras and illuminations is transmitted to the industrial computer through the underwater cable for observation in the multi-direction, the built-in video capture board (VCB) Captures and compresses the video signals input from the plurality of underwater cameras, and displays the video signals corresponding to each screen by splitting the display panel at a speed of 40 frames / second per screen, and the GPS signal as the location information is VTB (Video Text Board). Text is synchronized through each screen and is synchronized to each screen in real time to indicate the current position of ship in numerical value on the display panel. Depth sensor signal is also an electrical signal using the pressure sensor which is different depending on the depth of water using the pressure sensor. After conversion, it is converted to test through MCU and ADC and synchronized to each screen in real time. To be displayed. The image information in all directions obtained using the position information, the depth and the multi-directional camera shown on the display panel are simultaneously displayed on the display panel and stored / recorded in a memory for use of the underwater subject at the same position and depth. There is no need to search or observe the image again. A plurality of cameras mounted on the underwater camera module are designed to observe both 360-degree forward and vertically downward in the horizontal direction with the help of a lens that adjusts the wide angle to simultaneously observe the entire orientation (360-degree horizontally). In addition, by performing a search and survey operation, an incorrect selection of the camera direction and the position of the camera reduces the probability of missing an image signal of a subject to be observed and implements an apparatus capable of obtaining an image of a subject more quickly and accurately. The constituent means for dividing the image signals obtained from the plurality of cameras, the depth information obtained from the depth sensor, and the position information by GPS on the display panel at the same time or storing and recording them in the memory is made of software (program). In addition, the means for dividing and representing the image signals received from the respective cameras is also made in software. These components are well known / tolerant techniques.

(Example)

Looking at a specific embodiment according to the present invention through Figures 2 and 3, one camera and one lighting device is installed on the lower side of the underwater camera module, the subject present in a somewhat lower portion in the horizontal and horizontal of the underwater camera module 5 cameras and lighting devices installed at an angle toward the lower part for observing the camera, and one camera installed at the lower part and 5 cameras installed at an angle to the lower part, and the underwater subject Install the same number of lighting devices as your camera to get a clearer picture. In the lower center of the underwater camera module is located a depth sensor that can measure the depth. One camera facing downward and an appropriate angle between the downward direction and the upward direction are installed while overlapping images obtained by each of the adjacent cameras (the six cameras) at a predetermined distance or more from the underwater camera module. Install it so that the image of the subject in the lower part is not missed from the horizontal position of the camera module. When the underwater video signal from the six video camera modules including the six cameras and the lighting device arrives through the underwater cable to the industrial computer of the award (typically on board), the built-in video capture board (VCB) is By capturing and compressing video signals input from a plurality of underwater cameras, the display panel is divided by displaying the video signals obtained from the respective cameras corresponding to each screen at a rate of 40 frames / second per screen. The number of cameras and the number of lighting devices may vary slightly depending on the image acquisition angle of the camera used (adjustable with a wide-angle lens) and the performance of the camera, or may be configured somewhat differently according to a user's desired standard. For example, a lighting device to help obtain a clear image can be arranged in a number of high-brightness LEDs integrally around the camera lens to reduce the number of holes (Hole) that need waterproofing in half. GPS signals, which are location information, are text-coded through the VTB (Video Text Board) and synchronized to each screen in real time, indicating the current ship's position in numerical values on the display panel, and the depth sensor signal is also passed through the MCU and ADC. It is synchronized to the screen in real time and displayed on the display panel. Depth sensor signal is also converted to text through the MCU and ADC by converting the water pressure, which varies according to the depth of the water, using a pressure sensor, and is synchronized to each screen in real time and displayed on the display panel. That is, the image signals obtained from the six cameras are divided and displayed on the monitor of the industrial computer of FIG. That is, the depth of water displayed on the display panel, the position information of the ship, and the underwater image observed in the multi-direction at the depth can be always viewed and stored / recorded, so that even if the observation or the search is interrupted for some reason, You can avoid wasting time and money by double observing a branch or conducting a search.

The present invention, with the help of multiple cameras mounted on the underwater camera module and the lens to adjust the wide angle, properly arranges the entire orientation (360 degrees horizontal) by observing both 360 degree forward and vertical downward directions in the horizontal direction. At the same time, by performing observation, search, and investigation, there is an effect of reducing the probability of missing the acquisition of the image signal of the subject caused by incorrectly selecting the direction of the camera and the position of the camera, and obtaining an image of the subject more quickly and accurately. In addition, the present invention acquires underwater images of all directions at the depth and location by GPS position information, depth information, and multi-directional camera, and stores them in the memory at all times, so that the same point is doubled even when searching or observing again after work interruption. It has the effect of reducing the time and expense of searching.

Claims (4)

In the device having a plurality of cameras and lighting window and can observe the underwater subject, Multiple cameras installed to observe the image of the object in multiple directions, An illumination unit which illuminates in multiple directions in order to acquire a clearer image by interworking with the camera module; A positional information acquisition unit that indicates the current positional information of the vessel in conjunction with GPS; A depth detection sensor built in the camera module and transmitting a depth of a point at which a camera is located on a ship; A signal processor for converting signals received through the camera module, position information, and depth sensor into digital signals and converting the signals into image signals and text signals; And a display panel for displaying the image signal and the text signal processed by the signal processor. The method according to claim 1, Many cameras for observing objects in multiple directions are obtained from cameras that are adjacent to each other more than a certain distance from the center of the camera so that images of all objects existing in the horizontal direction and the lower part of the place where the camera is located are acquired. Multi-directional underwater image acquisition system, characterized in that the camera is installed so as to overlap. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A plurality of cameras for observing an object in multiple directions are located in the front of the camera, the multi-directional underwater image acquisition system, characterized in that attached to a wide-angle lens to adjust the distance and the surveillance area of the camera if necessary. The method according to claim 3, The lighting unit for illuminating an object in multiple directions has a direction and brightness so that the plurality of cameras can acquire the image signal of the subject in the underwater more clearly by being located adjacent to the camera and illuminating the underwater interior. Multi-directional underwater image acquisition system.