Optical data acquisition device and optical data acquisition method

Abstract

To allow the present invention to achieve the acquisition of the optical data for calculating the observation information by using an aircraft with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: Disclosed is an optical data acquisition device which includes: a processing circuit inside; a casing which is placed on the seat surface of an aircraft seat and fixed by pressure; a light collection part having the detection surface which directs the field of views of the aircraft window, the boundary of the field of views being within the range of the window; and a connection cable for electrically or optically connecting the light collection part and the processing circuit. The processing circuit calculates observation information from the optical data acquired from the light collection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical data acquisition device and method for use on aircraft. [Background technology]

[0002] Artificial satellites equipped with devices for remotely measuring the concentrations of gaseous components on the Earth from optical data are already in operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide on the Earth from an artificial satellite with correction. In this way, it is common to use artificial satellites to observe the Earth, such as measuring the concentrations of gaseous components near the Earth's surface from optical data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 090745 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When observing the Earth's atmosphere and surface using optical data from artificial satellites, the costs required to obtain the data, including the cost of the artificial satellite and the cost of operating the artificial satellite, are high. In addition, while observations by artificial satellites are suitable for observations of relatively wide areas on Earth, they are not suitable for compact observations of localized areas. In addition, the speed of artificial satellites is high, making them unsuitable for localized detailed observations.

[0005] Furthermore, there is a demand for an optical data acquisition device and an optical data acquisition method for acquiring optical data for observing, for example, the concentration of gas components on a local surface of the earth. In order to observe the earth using optical data, particularly for observing a phenomenon at a point close to the surface of the earth, it is desirable to perform direct observation at an altitude corresponding to the phenomenon. Since an artificial satellite performs observation from a high altitude away from the surface of the earth, an optical data acquisition device and an optical data acquisition method capable of acquiring optical data for observing the phenomenon at a location as close to the surface of the earth as possible are desired. In addition, observations are sometimes performed using small airplanes, but in the past, a device was attached to the outside of the aircraft or measurements were performed on the underside of the aircraft through a hole placed in the aircraft, which made it difficult to access the measuring device, and there were concerns about the problem of the measuring device being exposed to the outside and the rigidity of the aircraft being reduced due to the hole placed in the aircraft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by an optical data acquisition device that acquires optical data within a field of view from a window of an aircraft having a window and a seat having a seating surface juxtaposed to the window, the optical data acquisition device comprising: a housing having a processing circuit therein, which is placed on the seating surface of the seat and pressed and fixed thereto; a focusing unit having a detection surface that directs the field of view of the window through the window, the focusing unit being fixed to the housing so that the boundary of the field of view of the detection surface falls within the range of the window; and a connection cable that electrically or optically connects the focusing unit and the processing circuit, the processing circuit calculating observation information from the window from the optical data acquired from the focusing unit.

[0007] This problem is solved by an optical data acquisition method in which an optical data acquisition device acquires optical data within the field of view from a window of an aircraft having a window and a seat having a seating surface juxtaposed to the window, the optical data acquisition device comprising: a housing having a processing circuit therein, which is placed on the seating surface of the seat and pressed and fixed thereto; a focusing unit having a detection surface that is oriented toward the field of view of the window, the focusing unit being fixed to the housing so that the boundary of the field of view of the detection surface is within the range of the window; and a connection cable that electrically or optically connects the focusing unit and the processing circuit, the processing circuit calculating observation information from the window from the optical data acquired from the focusing unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present invention makes it possible to use an aircraft to acquire optical data for calculating observation information of an object within the field of view of the aircraft window with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of an optical data acquisition device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative example of installation of an optical data acquisition device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of installation of the optical data acquisition device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 2 is a perspective view of a further example of an installation of an optical data acquisition device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an observation concept between an aircraft and the ground surface by an optical data acquisition device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the interior of the optical data acquisition device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing an observation concept, and is an enlarged view of the interior of the device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment Mode] (Configuration of optical data acquisition device 1) The configuration of the optical data acquisition device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 2B. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of the optical data acquisition device 1. Figs. 2A to 2C are diagrams showing the installation state of the optical data acquisition device 1. The optical data acquisition device 1 includes a housing 11, a processing device 12 arranged inside the housing 11, a light collecting unit 14, and a connection cable 15. The housing 11 of the optical data acquisition device 1 is composed of at least one housing, but may be composed of multiple housings. The housing 11 also includes a housing 11 composed of multiple housings and electrically connected between the multiple housings by cables.

[0011] The optical data acquisition device 1 uses an aircraft 2, typically a passenger aircraft, to calculate observation information of an observation target along the flight path of the aircraft 2. Here, the "observation information" refers to a phenomenon on the Earth that can be observed from the field of view of a window 22 of the aircraft 2, and is information observed by calculating from optical data acquired from the window 22 of the aircraft 2. Representative examples of the information include "concentration of gas components", "fluorescence intensity", and "cloud characteristics including cloud top height" near the Earth's surface. Here, the "gas components" are typically at least one of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide. Also, the "optical data" is data related to light acquired from the window 22 of the aircraft 2. Each of the "concentration of gas components", "fluorescence intensity", and "cloud characteristics including cloud top height" will be described later.

[0012] The optical data acquisition device 1 is applied to an aircraft 2 having a window 22 and a seat 21 arranged in juxtaposition to the window 22. The window 22 has a structure in which a transparent window material is fitted into a window frame. The seat 21 has a seat surface 21a. In particular, as a specific example, the window 22 is a window on the entire surface of the aircraft 2, such as a window on the side of the fuselage of the aircraft 2 or a cockpit window. An aircraft that does not have a window 22 and a seat 21 arranged in juxtaposition to the window 22 is not an object of the optical data acquisition device 1. Conversely, even if the aircraft is used for cargo transportation rather than passenger transportation, an aircraft having a window 22 arranged in juxtaposition to the seat 21 is an object of application of the optical data acquisition device 1. The optical data acquisition device 1 is placed on the seat surface 21a of the seat 21 arranged in juxtaposition to the window 22 of the aircraft 2.

[0013] The seat 21 has a seat belt 23. The seat belt 23 has a fastening portion and is fixed to a winding and fixing portion on one side of the seat surface 21a. A fastening receiving portion that receives the fastening portion of the seat belt 23 and is fastened to the seat surface 21a is disposed on the other side of the seat surface 21a. The seat belt 23 extends from the winding and fixing portion of the seat surface 21a to the fastening receiving portion on the other side of the seat surface 21a, and can press and fix an object to the seat surface. When the fastening portion of the seat belt 23 is received in the fastening receiving portion, both ends of the seat belt 23 are fixed and a person or an object can be fixed between the seat belt 23 and the seat surface 21a.

[0014] The seat belt 23 includes a case where it is configured to include not only one seat belt member but one or more extended seat belt members. That is, it also includes a case where a connection receiving portion is arranged at one end of the extended seat belt member and a connection stopper is arranged at the other end, the connection receiving portion of the extended seat belt member is fitted into the connection stopper of a fixed seat belt member fixed to the winding and fixing portion of the seat surface 21a, and the connection stopper of the extended seat belt member is fitted into the connection receiving portion on the other side of the seat surface 21a and fixed.

[0015] The housing 11 is placed on the seat surface 21a of the seat 21 and pressed and fixed by the seat belt 23. The housing 11 has a suspension part 11a. The suspension part 11a is arranged on the housing 11 at a position away from the seat surface 21a when the housing 11 is placed on the seat surface 21a. Typically, the suspension part 11a is arranged on the housing 11 on the opposite side of at least one of the seat surface 21a of the seat 21 and the backrest of the seat 21. The suspension part 11a has a shape such as a notch, a protrusion, a hole, or a groove through which the seat belt 23 passes and is suspended. The seat belt 23 is suspended on the suspension part 11a, so that the housing 11 is pressed and fixed to at least one of the seat surface 21a of the seat 21 and the backrest of the seat 21. As a result, the optical data acquisition device 1 is firmly fixed to the aircraft.

[0016] The processing device 12 is stored in the housing 11, and the light collecting unit 14 is fixed to the housing 11. The processing device 12 includes, for example, a spectroscopic unit (not shown), a detection unit (not shown), and a processing circuit (not shown). The light collecting unit 14 is typically an optical sensor or a microwave sensor. The optical sensor is an optical sensor capable of observing light ranging from the ultraviolet range to the near-infrared range, such as reflected light of sunlight from the earth's surface, or observing the infrared range, such as radiant heat from an object. The microwave sensor is a sensor that observes microwaves with longer wavelengths than the infrared rays emitted by an object.

[0017] The observation area of ​​the light collecting unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The light collecting unit 14 has a detection surface 14a that detects light. The detection surface 14a has a directional axis in a certain direction and can detect a range of a predetermined spread from the directional axis. The directional axis is generally perpendicular to the detection surface 14a. The detection surface 14a directs an observation light source of optical data of an observation target outside the aircraft 2 within the field of view from the window 22 of the aircraft 2 through the window 22 within the area of ​​the window 22. The light collecting unit 14 is attached so that the outermost boundary of the field of view of the detection surface 14a falls within the range S of the window 22. The method of attaching the light collecting unit 14 will be described later. The fact that the outermost boundary of the field of view of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 falls within the range of the window 22 means that the range of the maximum field of view angle α of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 falls within the range S of the window 22, and the area detected by the detection surface 14a does not reflect the wall area of ​​the aircraft 2 outside the frame of the window 22.

[0018] The light collecting unit 14 is a device that acquires light outside the aircraft 2 through the window 22 of the aircraft 2 and allows the processing device 12 to perform calculations based on the intensity of the light as optical data corresponding to the light. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the light collecting unit 14 is set to aim at an observation area 3a on the ground surface that is a predetermined distance away from the axis of the aircraft 2. The observation area 3a is an area located to the side of the aircraft 2 along the flight direction of the aircraft 2 downward from the horizontal direction when the aircraft 2 is flying horizontally and taking off and landing. The directional axis of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 is defined so as to become the observation area 3a on the ground surface. The directional adjustment function of the arm 13 allows the observation area 3a on the ground surface to be reliably aimed and set. The observation area 3a on the ground surface is set so that it can be observed with a certain observation width by setting the tilt angle β between the directional direction of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 and the horizontal direction based on the viewing angle α of the light collecting unit 14. For example, when the viewing angle α is between 25 degrees and 30 degrees, the width L of the observation area 3a on the Earth's surface is between 40 kilometers and 50 kilometers.

[0019] The light collecting unit 14 may be fixed to the housing 11 by an arm 13 as shown in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, the light collecting unit 14 may be directly fixed to the housing 11 as shown in FIG. 2B. In the former case, the arm 13 is a member extending from the housing 11 toward the window 22 so that one end 13a of the arm 13 is fixed to the housing 11 and the other end 13b of the arm 13 holds the light collecting unit 14. The other end 13b of the arm 13 may have an orientation adjustment function capable of adjusting the orientation of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 as a swing function of the light collecting unit 14 so that the light collecting unit 14 can move around three axes perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, the light collecting unit 14 may have a mechanism having an orientation adjustment function such that the detection surface 14a can move around three axes perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, the light collecting unit 14 can be fixed to the window 22 by attaching the light collecting unit 14 to a suction cup 16 that adheres to the window 22. At this time, the light collecting unit 14 attached to the window 22 and the housing 11 (processing device 12) are connected by a connection cable 15. In the following, an example in which the light collecting unit 14 is fixed to the housing 11 by an arm 13 as shown in FIG. 2A will be described.

[0020] In this case, since the housing 11 does not have the height required to reach the window 22 from the seat surface 21a, the light collecting unit 14 is suspended by the arm 13 to an appropriate height of the window 22. In the latter case, the light collecting unit 14 is directly attached to the housing 11 so that the housing 11 directly holds the light collecting unit 14. In this case, the housing 11 has the height required to reach the window 22 from the seat surface 21a, and the light collecting unit 14 can be fixed at an appropriate height of the window 22 by the housing 11. When the housing 11 is fixed to the seat 21, the light collecting unit 14 is disposed so that the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 is within the area of ​​the window 22 and points toward the observation area 3a of the ground surface on the side of the aircraft 2 through the window 22. The light collecting unit 14 is fixed to the housing 11 so that the boundary of the field of view of the detection surface 14a falls within the range of the window 22.

[0021] The light collecting unit 14 further includes at least one of an attitude sensor (not shown) capable of measuring the angle of the detection surface 14a with respect to an arbitrary axis with respect to a predetermined reference axis, and a position sensor (not shown) for measuring the position of the light collecting unit 14 on the earth. When the other end 13b of the arm 13 or the light collecting unit 14 has a pointing direction adjustment function, the attitude sensor is configured to detect the pointing direction of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14. The position sensor is a sensor capable of acquiring information on the position and altitude of the light collecting unit 14 on the earth in three-dimensional space, and is typically a global positioning system (GPS). The position sensor may be disposed at any location of the optical data acquisition device 1, instead of the light collecting unit 14. At least one of the data output from the attitude sensor and the position sensor is processed in association with the result of the spectral information of the observation target from the field of view of the window calculated from the data acquired from the light collecting unit 14 by a processing circuit. That is, the data acquired from the attitude sensor and the position sensor indicates the position and altitude on the ground surface to which the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 is directed, and therefore it is possible to identify the observation results of the optical data acquisition device 1 and the position and altitude on the ground surface. Also, if a position sensor is not disposed in the optical data acquisition device 1, the position and altitude of the aircraft may be measured by an aircraft on which the optical data acquisition device 1 is mounted and the measured values ​​may be sent to the processing circuit, or after the aircraft has finished flying, the measured values ​​of the aircraft's position and altitude may be associated with the point at which the observation results of the optical data acquisition device 1 were acquired.

[0022] That is, the light collecting unit 14 is equipped with an attitude sensor capable of measuring the angle of the detection surface 14a with respect to an arbitrary axis with respect to a coordinate system of a predetermined reference axis. The predetermined reference axis is, for example, the aircraft axis (roll axis) which is the longitudinal direction of the aircraft 2 when the aircraft 2 is placed horizontally, an axis (pitch axis) in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the aircraft axis, and a vertical axis (yaw axis) perpendicular to the aircraft axis and the horizontal plane. The coordinate system of the predetermined reference axis is, for example, a three-dimensional coordinate system defined by these axes. The attitude sensor can obtain attitude data on how much the pointing direction of the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 has a deviation angle with respect to each of the reference axes of these coordinate systems.

[0023] The processing device 12 and the light collecting unit 14 are connected by a connection cable 15. The connection cable 15 is a cable that electrically or optically connects the processing device 12 and the light collecting unit 14. The light collecting unit 14 or the processing device 12 is equipped with an optical sensor. When the light collecting unit 14 is equipped with an optical sensor, the light collected by the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is transmitted to a processing circuit via the connection cable 15, which is an electric cable. When the processing device 12 is equipped with an optical sensor, the light collected by the detection surface 14a of the light collecting unit 14 is transmitted to the processing circuit as an optical signal via the connection cable 15, which is typically an optical fiber. Either of these can be selected selectively depending on the optical data of the observation target in the field of view from the window 22. When the connection cable 15 is an electric cable, the information acquired by the position sensor and the attitude sensor of the light collecting unit 14 is converted into electric information, transmitted to the processing circuit via the connection cable 15, and calculated in the processing circuit.

[0024] The processing circuit of the processing device 12 performs a process to calculate observation information of the observation target in the field of view from the window 22 from the optical data acquired from the light collecting unit 14. The processing circuit and the software executed by the processing circuit have an electrical circuit and software structure for measuring observation information of the observation target in the field of view from the window used for Earth observation by conventional artificial satellites. That is, the processing circuit processes data converted into an electrical signal by the light collecting unit 14 and transmitted, or data obtained by converting optical data transmitted from the light collecting unit 14 into an electrical signal, to calculate observation information of the observation target in the field of view from the window. The processing circuit is also a circuit for processing and storing related information such as attitude information acquired by the attitude sensor or position information acquired by the position sensor. The processing circuit then performs a process to calculate the spectroscopic information of the observation target in the field of view from the window by associating at least one of the data acquired by the attitude sensor and the data acquired by the position sensor with the optical data acquired from the light collecting unit 14.

[0025] For example, if the observation target is a gas in the Earth's atmosphere and the observation information is the concentration of the gas component, the optical data acquired from the light collecting unit 14 is spectrally separated and converted into data on the light intensity for each wavelength, and the processing device 12 calculates the wavelength range that is attenuated in the data on the light intensity for each wavelength. Then, the absorption and scattering characteristics of the observation target by wavelength are identified for components such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and methane present in the Earth's atmosphere, and fine particles such as aerosols that are air pollutants. This makes it possible to remotely measure the concentration of the gas component in the atmosphere.

[0026] Furthermore, when the observation target is the Earth's fluorescence and the observation information is the amount of photosynthesis by plants, similar to the observation of the concentration of gas components, the optical data acquired from the light collecting unit 14 is dispersed and converted into data on the light intensity for each wavelength, and the processing device 12 calculates the wavelength range that is attenuated in the data on the light intensity for each wavelength, distinguishes between the fluorescence from plants due to sunlight and artificial light, and calculates the amount of photosynthesis by the plants. This makes it possible to observe the amount of photosynthesis during photosynthesis by plants due to irradiation by the sun.

[0027] Furthermore, when the observation target is a cloud and the observation information is cloud characteristics such as cloud altitude, the optical data acquired from the light collecting unit 14 is dispersed and converted into data on the light intensity for each wavelength, just as in the case of observing the concentration of gas components or fluorescence, and the processing device 12 calculates the wavelength range that is attenuated in the data on the light intensity for each wavelength, and calculates the amount of oxygen between the cloud and the airplane by observing the light intensity by wavelength of sunlight reflected by the cloud. This makes it possible to measure the amount of oxygen between the cloud and the airplane and observe cloud characteristics such as altitude from the air pressure at the cloud top. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 Optical data acquisition device 11. Cabinet 11a Suspension part 12 Processing circuit 13 Arm 14 Light collecting section 14a Detection surface 15 Connection cable 16 sucker 2 aircraft 21 seats 21a Seat 22 Windows 23 Seatbelt 3 Earth's surface 3a Measuring area

Claims

1. 1. An optical data acquisition device for acquiring optical data within a field of view from a window of an aircraft having a window and a seat having a seating surface, the optical data acquisition device comprising: the optical data acquisition device, a housing having a processing circuit therein and placed on the seat surface of the seat and pressed and fixed thereto; a light collecting unit having a detection surface that is directed toward the field of view of the window through the window, the light collecting unit being fixed to the housing so that a boundary of the field of view of the detection surface falls within the range of the window; a connection cable that electrically or optically connects the light collecting unit and the processing circuit; The processing circuitry calculates observation information from the window from optical data acquired from the light collecting unit.

2. 2. The optical data acquisition device of claim 1, The optical data acquisition device, wherein the window is an aircraft side window or a cockpit window.

3. 2. The optical data acquisition device of claim 1, The optical data acquisition device, wherein the observation information is one of the following: concentration of gas components on the earth's surface, intensity of fluorescence emitted by plants during photosynthesis, and cloud characteristics including cloud top height.

4. 2. The optical data acquisition device of claim 1, An optical data acquisition device in which the fixation is achieved by either an arm having one end attached to the housing, extending toward the window, and the other end holding the focusing unit, or a suction cup attached to the focusing unit.

5. 2. The optical data acquisition device of claim 1, The optical data acquisition device includes at least one of an attitude sensor capable of measuring the angle of an arbitrary axis of the detection surface relative to a predetermined reference axis, and a position sensor that measures the position of the focusing unit on Earth.

6. 6. An optical data acquisition device according to claim 5, The processing circuit is an optical data acquisition device that performs processing by associating the optical data with at least one of the data acquired by the attitude sensor and the data acquired by the position sensor.

7. 7. An optical data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The seat has a seat belt that can expand and contract from one side of the seat surface to the other side to press and fix an object to the seat surface, The housing has a suspension portion on which the seat belt can be suspended, and the optical data acquisition device is pressed and fixed by the seat belt suspended on the suspension portion.

8. 1. An optical data acquisition method for acquiring optical data within a field of view from a window of an aircraft having a window and a seat juxtaposed to the window and having a seating surface, the method comprising: the optical data acquisition device, a housing having a processing circuit therein and placed on the seat surface of the seat and pressed and fixed thereto; a light collecting unit having a detection surface that is oriented toward the field of view of the window, the light collecting unit being fixed to the housing so that a boundary of the field of view of the detection surface falls within the range of the window; a connection cable that electrically or optically connects the light collecting unit and the processing circuit; The optical data acquisition method, wherein the processing circuit calculates observation information from the window from optical data acquired from the light collecting unit.

9. 9. The optical data acquisition method of claim 8, further comprising: The optical data acquisition method, wherein the window is an aircraft side window or a cockpit window.

10. 9. The optical data acquisition method of claim 8, further comprising: The optical data acquisition method, wherein the observation information is one of the concentration of gas components on the earth's surface, the intensity of fluorescence emitted by plants during photosynthesis, and cloud characteristics including cloud top height.

11. 9. The optical data acquisition method of claim 8, further comprising: An optical data acquisition method in which the fixation is achieved by either an arm having one end extending from the housing toward the window and the other end holding the focusing unit, or a suction cup attached to the focusing unit.

12. 9. The optical data acquisition method of claim 8, further comprising: An optical data acquisition method in which the focusing unit is equipped with at least one of an attitude sensor capable of measuring the angle of an arbitrary axis of the detection surface relative to a predetermined reference axis, and a position sensor that measures the position of the focusing unit on Earth.

13. 13. The optical data acquisition method of claim 12, further comprising: An optical data acquisition method in which the processing circuit associates the optical data with at least one of the data acquired by the attitude sensor and the data acquired by the position sensor and processes the optical data.

14. 14. A method for optical data acquisition according to any one of claims 8 to 13, comprising: The seat has a seat belt that can expand and contract from one side of the seat surface to the other side to press and fix an object to the seat surface, The optical data acquisition method in which the housing has a suspension portion on which the seat belt can be suspended, and the pressing and fixing is performed by the seat belt suspended on the suspension portion.

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