RU24552U1 - UNDERWATER DVR - Google Patents

Description

The utility model refers to devices for underwater video surveillance and can be used in underwater research and work, for example, when observing the operation of a trawl.

If necessary, underwater video surveillance usually uses cameras with a video recorder (camcorders) or separate video recorders connected to the camcorder. They are recorded on magnetic tape and after rising from the water, the resulting video material is viewed on a video monitor or TV.

Known automatic underwater video recorder, which is used to study the operation of the trawl (L, I. Serebrov. Trawl Automatic Video Recording Device. - Gear Selection and Sampling Gears. Proceedings of the T IMR / PINRQ Symposium. - Murmansk: PINRO Press, 1997. - P.31-36), which contains a light source, a power supply, a video recording unit (video camera), placed in a single hermetic box (case).

Such a device has significant disadvantages.

The main one is the need for depressurization after each immersion of the box (case) of the device for removing and replacing the recording cassette.

In this case, the internal space of the device’s casing is filled with high humidity air, which leads to damage to the magnetic tape, and if the camera is equipped with a humidity sensor, then the camera turns off and remains inactive for the entire duration of the dive.

In addition, the external configuration of the cameras, designed for manual shooting by the operator, is inconvenient for installation in underwater hulls

devices, causes an increase in the dimensions of the latter, which makes it difficult to work with them at sea and reduces the amount of video material being shot.

Placing the light source and the video recording video image in one housing leads to the fact that when shooting, the near-field coverage is illuminated, the video surveillance range and, as a result, the quality of the captured material are reduced.

The proposed design of the underwater video recorder eliminates these disadvantages.

This is due to the possibility of recording video observations on a computer medium (for example, a hard disk) at the time of shooting with the help of an additional recording and processing unit for received images - a simplified computer that includes a motherboard with a processor and a hard disk control controller, a video digitizing device.

The equipment includes an electronic-mechanical relay, which is switched on from the computer, as well as a hydrostatic switch to supply power to the computer when the specified depth is reached.

This makes it possible to automate the shooting process, to prepare the material captured during underwater shooting for direct reading on a ship's computer.

The tight connector of the registration unit, in the underwater position is covered with a lid, is designed for digital information collection and external data input into a computer.

In the above-water position, the computer is connected through the open box connector without opening the box itself.

The light source, as well as the replaceable power supply unit, are moved outside the main box, placed in separate airtight boxes equipped with airtight connectors for connecting them to each other.

This avoids depressurization of the main unit box for almost the entire time of its use (except for the need for repair).

The remote location of the lighting source of the shooting location allows you to reduce the illumination of the near shooting zone, increase the range and expand the shooting zone. This favorably affects the quality and information content of the footage, increases the efficiency of shooting.

The presence of a set of two or three separate boxes with power sources (batteries) or, as an option, the presence of several batteries for one box allows you to quickly replace them between dives during the expedition, which saves preparation time for the next descent.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of an underwater recorder.

The underwater recorder consists of three units interconnected by cables equipped with sealed connectors. Each unit has a durable waterproof box (housing), inside which the corresponding equipment is located.

In the main unit 1, there is a video camera 2, a simplified underwater computer, including a motherboard 3 with a processor and a hard disk control controller, an image digitizing device (video grabber) 4 and a hard disk (hard drive) 5.

The equipment also includes an electronic-mechanical relay 6, switched on from the computer, for synchronously turning on the video camera and the light source at working times, a hydrostatic switch 7, and also a sealed connector 8 for reading (removing) information and external data input into the computer, which is in the underwater position closed by a cover 9, sealed connectors 10 and 11 for connection with a power source 12 and the light source unit 13 using cables 14 and 15.

The power supply unit contains a sealed box with a power source (for example, a rechargeable battery) 16 and a sealed connector 17 for connecting to the connector 10 of block 1 using cable 14. For quick replacement during the expedition, boxes with power supplies 12 are made in the amount of 2 or 3 copies: while one of them works under water, the rest can be on charge (as an option, there may be one box with replaceable power sources).

The light source unit 13 comprises a lamp 18, for example, a halogen incandescent lamp, a sealed box and a sealed connector 19 for connecting to the main power supply 1 via cable 15.

The device’s kit includes a special cable 20 that serves to connect with the ship’s computer 21 for taking information received after underwater surveys and for programming the operation of the simplified dive computer 3, 4, 5 before the next dive (the device is programmed to be controlled at operating times).

To control the device, software is used that includes the operating system, video grabber software, an electronic-mechanical relay driver, and a control program.

The device operates as follows.

When immersed in water at a shallow depth, the hydrostatic switch 7 is activated and the battery 16 is powered by a simplified computer 3, 4, 5. When the computer boots, a control program is launched that performs the following actions:

checks the name of the last file in which video information was recorded in the previous descent;

 / S2-V / J)

the name 002) is piled into which future video information will be recorded;

starts a countdown of a pre-set pre-preprogrammed time interval before starting video recording. The preliminary time interval is selected so as to ensure the inclusion of video after the device approaches the bottom.

After the preliminary time has elapsed, the control program performs the following actions:

starts the driver of the drive of the electronic-mechanical relay, which issues a command to turn on the relay that supplies power to the video camera and lamp;

launches video grabber software that records video information on a hard drive;

starts a countdown of a pre-set operating time (for example, 1 hour).

After the running time, the control program performs the following actions:

using the driver of the drive of the electro-mechanical relay, it turns off the relay, which removes power from the camcorder and the lamp;

issues a command to stop the video recording and close the recording file;

prepares a simplified computer for shutdown. When lifting the device to the depth of operation of the hydrostatic switch, the latter is turned off and de-energizes the entire device.

After lifting the device on board the operator performs the following actions:

hl1 I is walking without depressurization of the case of the block 12 through the connector 17 (option: opens the block, replaces the power source);

removes the cover 9 from the connector 8 and connects the main unit 1 with the ship computer 21 cable 20;

makes video information and, if necessary, removes excess information from the hard drive;

if necessary, makes changes to the installation data I control; her programs.

All manipulations associated with the processing of video information and programming are performed without depressurization of the case of unit 1. The block of light source 13 does not require any maintenance, except for replacing the lamp in case of failure.

After the manipulations, the underwater DVR is ready for the next dive.

The underwater video recorder can be immersed using a ship’s winch, installed permanently or on any medium, for example, an underwater vehicle, a towed device or fishing gear, including one moving, for example, on a trawl.

The proposed underwater video recorder is convenient and reliable in operation due to the following factors: the lack of the need to open the main body of the video recording unit, the location of the light source remote from the camera, the quick replacement of power sources and the small size and weight of the device through the use of modern video and computer technologies.

6

Applicant

Director of the Institute Q .g- Troyanovsky

Claims (1)

An underwater video recorder comprising a sealed box equipped with a power supply, a video recording unit and a unit with a light source, characterized in that the video image recording unit further comprises a device for processing and recording images on a hard disk, including a motherboard with a processor and a computer hard drive control controller , device for digitizing the received video image, computer-controlled electronic-mechanical relay for switching on the light source and de-cameras, a hydrostatic switch, as well as a sealed connector designed to connect the unit to a computer for subsequent processing of the resulting video material and to program the operation of the device, while all the DVR units are located in separate airtight boxes, equipped with sealed connectors for interconnecting them, and the power supply is equipped with additional interchangeable kits.