KR20140147069A - Infrared search light and surveillance system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an infrared search light which assists the operation of a CCTV in obtaining a clear image even in a case of mist or rain, by using a high-power light source radiating infrared beams which are less absorbed into water molecules; and to a surveillance system using the same. The infrared search light includes an infrared light source irradiating an infrared beam; and an optic unit transmitting the infrared beam to be diffused or focused.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an infrared searchlight and a surveillance system using the infrared searchlight.

The present invention relates to an infrared searchlight and a surveillance system using the infrared searchlight. More particularly, the present invention relates to an infrared searchlight and a surveillance system using the infrared searchlight and a surveillance system using the infrared searchlight, And to a surveillance system using the infrared searchlight.

Generally, a CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) surveillance system refers to a system for photographing a region of a predetermined range using a plurality of video cameras and displaying, managing, or storing the captured video data. CCTV surveillance systems are used to monitor changes in the location of production lines or places where people are frequent, such as public institutions or apartments, large department stores, or banks. In recent years, the use of a surveillance system has been increasing in accordance with the spread of a digital video recorder (DVR) capable of digitally storing photographed video data and inquiring, managing, and transmitting the stored video data as needed.

An image camera used in a surveillance system acquires image data using a CCD which reacts only in the visible light region. That is, the image camera acquires image data by converting visible light reflected from an object into a CCD element mounted inside through a lens and converting visible light into an electrical signal through a CCD element.

However, in the case of fog or rain, since the visible light is absorbed or scattered by the water molecules in the air, the image camera can not acquire accurate image data.

On the other hand, some surveillance systems such as surveillance systems used by military units or public institutions requiring high-grade security use infrared image cameras that acquire image data by using the infrared region in order to ensure normal operation even at nighttime or when the weather deteriorates .

However, in the case of fog or rain, since infrared rays are absorbed or scattered by water molecules in the air, the infrared image camera can not acquire accurate image data. The infrared image camera also operates at night, but it does not operate normally during fog or rainstorm.

For example, Korean Registered Patent No. 10-32770, filed on November 27, 2012 and entitled " Mask Removal Image Correction Device and Method for Image Improvement of Camera ", filed on June 21, No. 1279374 discloses a method of acquiring clearer image data even in the case of mist or rainstorm by correcting the image data.

However, when the absorption or scattering of visible light is excessive, the input image data itself is not clear, so that even if the image data is corrected according to the method disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1279374, the image camera can not acquire accurate image data.

In particular, in the case of surveillance systems used by military units or public institutions that require security, or surveillance systems for highway and flood area monitoring related to public safety, they should operate normally even when foggy or rainy. There is a high possibility of causing a national disaster due to insufficient monitoring.

Korean Patent No. 10-1279374

An object of the present invention is to provide an infrared searchlight capable of capturing a clear image by assisting the operation of CCTV even in the case of mist or rainstorm by using a high output light source that emits light in an infrared ray region having a low water absorption by water molecules, System.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infrared light source that emits infrared light. And an optical unit for diffusing or concentrating the infrared light and transmitting the infrared light.

The infrared searchlight according to the present invention may further include a polarization controller for adjusting the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source.

Further, the infrared searchlight according to the present invention may further include a driving unit for supplying power to the infrared light source.

Further, in the infrared searchlight according to the present invention, the driving unit may include a protection circuit against a lightning stroke.

The infrared searchlight according to the present invention may further include a heat dissipation unit for dissipating heat generated from the infrared light source.

In the infrared searchlight according to the present invention, the infrared light source may include at least one of a laser diode, a light emitting diode (LED), a fiber laser, and a fiber ASE source .

In the infrared searchlight according to the present invention, the infrared light source may include a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, It is possible to emit the infrared light having the wavelength of at least one of the fifth bands of 2500 nm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surveillance system including an infrared searchlight and an image acquisition device, wherein the infrared searchlight includes: an infrared light source that emits infrared light; And an optical unit for diffusing or concentrating the infrared light and transmitting the infrared light, wherein the image acquiring device comprises: a light-receiving unit for focusing the infrared light reflected from a subject; And an image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data from the infrared light incident from the light receiving unit.

In the surveillance system according to the present invention, the infrared searchlight may further include a polarization controller for adjusting the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source.

In the surveillance system according to the present invention, the infrared searchlight may further include a driver for supplying power to the infrared light source.

Further, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the driving unit may include a protection circuit against a lightning strike.

Further, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the infrared searchlight may further include a heat dissipation unit for dissipating heat generated from the infrared light source.

The monitoring system according to the present invention may further comprise a mobile device for moving the infrared searchlight.

In addition, the monitoring system according to the present invention may further include a display device for displaying the image data.

In addition, the monitoring system according to the present invention may further include a storage device for storing the image data.

In the monitoring system according to the present invention, the optical unit may include at least one of a lens and a reflector.

Further, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the infrared light source may include at least one of a laser diode, an LED, a fiber laser, and an optical fiber broadband light source.

Further, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the infrared light source may include a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, And the infrared ray having the wavelength of at least one of the fifth bands of the second wavelength band.

In the monitoring system according to the present invention, the image data obtaining unit may include at least one infrared ray CCD (charge coupled device) for receiving at least one of wavelengths of the first to fifth bands.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a clear image by assisting the operation of the CCTV even in the case of fog or rainstorm by using a high-power light source that emits light in the infrared region having a low water absorption by water molecules. According to the present invention, it is possible to radiate light in the infrared region having a low degree of absorption by water molecules at high output. Especially, by controlling the polarization, it is possible to prevent a sudden change in the amount of infrared light incident along the direction of the CCTV camera, and to prevent image distortion due to polarization.

Particularly in surveillance systems used by military units or public institutions that need security, and surveillance systems for highway and flood area observation related to public safety, images are normally acquired even in the case of fog or rain. Thereby improving operational efficiency and security.

1 is an exemplary block diagram of an infrared searchlight according to the present invention;
2 is a view showing absorption bands of the solar radiation spectrum in an infrared searchlight according to the present invention.
3 is an exemplary block diagram of a surveillance system in accordance with the present invention;
4 is an exemplary block diagram of an image acquisition device in a surveillance system according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an infrared searchlight and a surveillance system using the same according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exemplary block diagram of an infrared searchlight according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention includes an infrared light source 110 and an optical unit 130. The infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention may further include at least one of a polarization controller 150, a driver 170, and a heat radiator 190.

The infrared light source 110 emits infrared light.

An infrared light source generates and emits infrared light using at least one of a laser diode, an LED, a fiber laser, and a fiber optic broadband light source.

Specifically, the infrared light source 110 includes at least one of a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, and a fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm And emits infrared light having a wavelength of one band.

The output of the infrared light source 110 is, for example, a high output of 1 mW or more.

2 is a diagram showing the absorption band of the solar radiation spectrum in the infrared searchlight according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the spectral irradiance along the wavelength of the light is shown. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the degree of absorption by water molecules is very low in the case of infrared light in a band where the radiation at sea level and the sunlight at the top of the atmosphere are almost similar.

For example, in the case of a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm and a fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm, It is not an infrared region.

The infrared light source 110 may emit infrared light having at least one of the first to fifth bands.

The infrared light source 110 generates and emits infrared light having at least one of the first to fifth bands using at least one of a laser diode, an LED, and a fiber laser.

In the case of the first band, the infrared light source 110 may typically use an LD or an LED.

In the case of the second band, the infrared light source 110 may typically use an LD, a fiber laser, or an optical fiber broadband light source.

In the case of the third band, the infrared light source 110 can typically use an LD, a fiber laser, or an optical fiber broadband light source.

In the case of the fourth band, the infrared light source 110 can typically use an LD, a fiber laser, or an optical fiber broadband light source.

In the case of the fifth band, the infrared light source 110 may typically use a fiber laser.

The optical unit 130 spreads or concentrates the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110 and transmits the infrared light.

For example, when it is necessary to irradiate infrared light to a specific point, the optical unit 130 transmits the infrared light concentratively. When it is necessary to irradiate infrared light to a wider area instead of a specific point, .

The optical portion 130 may be implemented using at least one of a lens and a reflector, for example.

Referring to FIG. 1, the infrared searchlight according to the present invention may further include a polarization controller 150.

The polarization controller 150 controls the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110. Infrared light is reflected from the subject and is incident on a CCTV camera (or an infrared CCTV camera). For example, even in the case of infrared ray having high polarizability, since the polarization is high even when the infrared ray enters the CCTV camera (or the infrared ray CCTV camera), the amount of infrared ray incident along the direction of the CCTV camera (or the infrared ray CCTV camera) have. Accordingly, the polarization controller 150 adjusts the infrared light so that the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110 is lowered. For example, the polarization controller 150 controls the polarization of infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110 through polarization scrambling. Image distortion due to polarization may also occur. In order to prevent image distortion due to polarization, the polarization controller 150 controls the polarization of infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 110.

Referring to FIG. 1, the infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention may further include a driving unit 170.

The driving unit 170 supplies power to the infrared light source 110. 1, the driving unit 170 may include a protection circuit 175 against a lightning strike. The infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention should operate normally even in the case of bad weather such as fog or rain. Therefore, it should operate normally in a sudden environment and climate change. The driving unit 170 normally supplies the power to the abrupt environment and the climatic change to enable the normal operation of the infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention may further include a heat dissipation unit 190. The heat dissipating unit 190 dissipates heat generated from the infrared light source 110. Since the infrared light source 110 emits high-power infrared light, a large amount of heat is generated. The heat dissipating unit 190 dissipates heat generated from the infrared light source 110 to prevent damage to the infrared light source 110.

According to the infrared searchlight according to the present invention, it is possible to radiate light in the infrared region having a very low absorption by water molecules at high output. Especially, by controlling the polarization, it is possible to prevent a sudden change in the amount of infrared light incident along the direction of the CCTV camera, and to prevent image distortion due to polarization.

3 is an exemplary block diagram of a surveillance system in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the surveillance system according to the present invention includes an infrared searchlight 100 and an image acquisition device 200. Referring to FIG. 3, the surveillance system according to the present invention may further include a mobile device 300.

The infrared searchlight 100 emits infrared light. The infrared searchlight 100 is an infrared searchlight 100 according to the present invention described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The image acquisition device 200 receives infrared light emitted from the infrared searchlight 100 and reflected from the subject 600 to acquire an image.

4 is an exemplary block diagram of an image acquisition apparatus in the surveillance system according to the present invention. The image acquisition apparatus 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the image capturing apparatus 200 includes a light receiving unit 210 and an image data obtaining unit 230.

The light receiving unit 210 focuses the infrared light reflected from the subject 600. That is, focuses infrared light reflected from the subject 600 or selectively separates the polarized light of the infrared light, and inputs the separated image data to the image data obtaining unit 230. The configuration of the light-receiving unit 210 may be selectively performed, but may be implemented using, for example, a lens or a polarizing plate.

The image data obtaining unit 230 obtains image data from the infrared light incident from the light receiving unit 210.

The image data obtaining unit 230 may preferably include a charge coupled device (CCD).

The CCD acquires image data by converting incident light into an electrical signal.

On the other hand, the image data obtaining unit 230 may convert a visible light and a part of infrared light into an electrical signal by using a CCD, but may more preferably include an infrared CCD. That is, the image data acquisition unit 230 may include an infrared CCD in order to convert the infrared light of the band, which is used in the present specification, into an electrical signal to acquire image data.

As described above, the infrared light source includes at least one of a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, and a fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm And emits infrared light having a wavelength of a band.

Therefore, the infrared CCD must be provided according to the wavelength of the corresponding band.

The image data obtaining unit 230 may include a first infrared CCD for converting an infrared light of a first band of 800 to 950 nm and a second band of 950 to 1100 nm into an electrical signal, an infrared light of a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, A third infrared CCD for converting the infrared light of the fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm into an electrical signal and a fourth infrared CCD for converting the infrared light of the fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm into an electrical signal, Or two or more infrared CCDs.

Which infrared CCDs to include depends on the infrared light source applied.

Although only one image acquisition device 200 is shown in FIG. 3, the surveillance system according to the present invention may include two or more image acquisition devices.

For example, a monitoring system according to the present invention may be constructed by interfacing two or more image acquisition devices with respect to one infrared searchlight 100.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the monitoring system according to the present invention may further include a mobile device 300.

The mobile device 300 moves the infrared searchlight 100. For example, the mobile device 300 can rotate or move the infrared searchlight 100 horizontally or vertically within a predetermined range. The infrared searchlight 100 can radiate infrared light to a desired point or area by the mobile device 300. [

Referring again to FIG. 3, the monitoring system according to the present invention may further include a display device 400.

The display device 400 displays the image data acquired through the image acquisition device 200. For example, the display device 400 may be coupled to a plurality of image acquisition devices, including an infrared CCTV camera and a visible light CCTV camera, including an image acquisition device 200 of a surveillance system in accordance with the present invention , It is possible to display image data input from each camera. The display device 400 may be configured to display a plurality of image data by dividing one screen or may be configured to display a plurality of image data using a plurality of display devices.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the monitoring system according to the present invention may further include a storage device 500.

The storage device 500 stores image data acquired through the image acquisition device 200. The storage device 500 may be, for example, a digital video recorder (DVR) capable of digitally storing image data and inquiring, managing, and transmitting the stored image data as needed.

According to the surveillance system of the present invention, light in the infrared region having a low degree of absorption by water molecules can be emitted with high output, and clear image data can be obtained even in bad weather through the infrared light reflected by the object. Especially, by controlling the polarization, it is possible to prevent a sudden change in the amount of infrared light incident along the direction of the CCTV camera, and to prevent image distortion due to polarization. Therefore, it can be applied to environments requiring high security or monitoring in bad weather.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Will be possible.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are intended to illustrate rather than limit the present invention, and the scope and spirit of the present invention are not limited by these embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all the techniques within the scope of equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a clear image by assisting the operation of the CCTV even in the case of fog or rainstorm by using a high output light source that emits light in the infrared region having a low water absorption by water molecules. According to the present invention, it is possible to radiate light in the infrared region having a low degree of absorption by water molecules at high output. Especially, by controlling the polarization, it is possible to prevent a sudden change in the amount of infrared light incident along the direction of the CCTV camera, and to prevent image distortion due to polarization.

Particularly in surveillance systems used by military units or public institutions that need security, and surveillance systems for highway and flood area observation related to public safety, images are normally acquired even in the case of fog or rain. Thereby improving operational efficiency and security.

100: Infrared searchlight 110: Infrared light source
130: optical unit 150: polarization controller
170: driving part 175: protection circuit
190: heat dissipating unit 200: image capturing device
210: light receiving unit 230: image data obtaining unit
300: Mobile device 400: Display device
500: Storage device 600: Subject

Claims (18)

An infrared light source for emitting infrared light; And
An optical unit for diffusing or concentrating the infrared light,
Infrared searchlights. The method according to claim 1,
And a polarization controller for controlling the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source. The method according to claim 1,
And a driving unit for supplying power to the infrared light source. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the driving unit includes a protection circuit against a lightning stroke. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising: a heat dissipation unit for dissipating heat generated from the infrared light source. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the infrared light source includes at least one of a laser diode, a light emitting diode (LED), a fiber laser, and a fiber ASE source. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the infrared light source comprises at least one of a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, and a fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm And emits the infrared light having a wavelength. A surveillance system comprising an infrared searchlight and an image acquisition device,
In the infrared searchlight,
An infrared light source for emitting infrared light; And
An optical unit for diffusing or concentrating the infrared light,
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The image acquiring device includes:
A light receiving unit for focusing the infrared light reflected from the subject; And
An image data acquiring unit for acquiring image data from the infrared light incident from the light-
And a monitoring system. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the infrared searchlight further comprises a polarization controller for adjusting the polarization of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the infrared searchlight further comprises a driver for supplying power to the infrared light source. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the driving unit includes a protection circuit against a lightning stroke. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the infrared searchlight further comprises a heat dissipating unit for dissipating heat generated from the infrared light source. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a mobile device for moving the infrared searchlight. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a display device for displaying the image data. 9. The method of claim 8,
A storage device for storing the image data;
Further comprising: 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the infrared light source comprises at least one of a laser diode, an LED, a fiber laser, and a fiber optic broadband light source. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the infrared light source comprises at least one of a first band of 800 to 950 nm, a second band of 950 to 1100 nm, a third band of 1150 to 1300 nm, a fourth band of 1500 to 1800 nm, and a fifth band of 2000 to 2500 nm And emits the infrared light having a wavelength. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the image data obtaining unit includes at least one infrared ray CCD (charge coupled device) for receiving at least one of wavelengths of the first to fifth bands.

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