Water depth measuring device

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive water depth measuring device that can be installed compactly and does not require complex processing, equipment, reflectors, etc. [Solution] An irradiation unit 120 that irradiates laser light BM is configured to irradiate the laser light BM at a fixed position relative to the water surface SF and toward the seabed BT while scanning in at least one dimension. An imaging unit 130 that images the surface irradiated by the laser light BM is positioned at a fixed position relative to the irradiation unit 120 and toward the seabed BT, and is positioned to image the seabed BT, while blocking a portion of the laser light BM that is irradiated while scanning from reaching the seabed BT. The position of the seabed BT relative to the water surface SF is detected based on the portion of the image of the seabed BT captured by the imaging unit 130 in which the laser light BM is blocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water depth measuring device having an irradiation unit that irradiates laser light, an imaging unit that images a surface irradiated with the laser light, and a processing unit that processes the captured image.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a water depth measuring device using laser light is known. For example, the water depth measuring device described in Patent Document 1 scans and irradiates laser light on the water surface in a one-dimensional direction with a predetermined swing width, and calculates and detects the water level from the length of the laser light in the one-dimensional direction in the image of the water surface irradiated with the laser light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a known water depth measuring device, it is necessary to arrange the light source of the laser light and the imaging unit at different positions in the horizontal direction, and it is difficult to install them compactly. In addition, the laser light reflected on the water surface and the laser light reflected on the bottom of the water are mixed, and complicated processing and devices are required to identify the position of the water surface from the image. In addition, distance measuring devices using ultrasonic waves or reflected waves of laser light are also known, but they are expensive and require the arrangement of reflectors or the like for identifying the water surface.

[0005] Especially when the bottom of the water is composed of irregular materials such as sand and mud in paddy fields, it is difficult to measure using sound waves or markers. Furthermore, because the water depth changes due to shifts in the seabed position caused by the inflow and outflow of sand and mud, measuring only the water surface is insufficient for accurate depth measurement. Therefore, it was necessary to simultaneously detect the positions of both the water surface and the seabed, requiring complex equipment configurations and processing.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing a water depth measuring device that is inexpensive, can be installed compactly, does not require complex processing, equipment, or reflectors, and can measure water depth even when the seabed is composed of irregularly shaped materials such as sand or mud and the position of the seabed changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a water depth measuring device comprising an irradiation unit that irradiates laser light, an imaging unit that images the surface irradiated with laser light, and a processing unit that processes the captured image, wherein the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the bottom of the water while scanning the laser light in at least one dimension, and the imaging unit is positioned at a fixed position relative to the water surface and on the bottom side of the water from the irradiation unit, and is configured to block a portion of the laser light irradiated while scanning from reaching the bottom of the water, and the present invention solves the above problem by detecting the position of the bottom of the water relative to the water surface based on the portion of the image of the bottom of the water captured by the imaging unit in which the laser light is blocked. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the invention of claim 1, the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the seabed at a fixed position relative to the water surface while scanning the laser beam in at least one dimension, and the imaging unit is positioned at a fixed position relative to the water surface and on the seabed side of the irradiation unit to image the seabed, and is positioned so as to block a portion of the laser beam irradiated while scanning from reaching the seabed, and by detecting the position of the seabed relative to the water surface based on the portion of the image of the seabed captured by the imaging unit in which the laser beam is blocked, the imaging unit can be positioned in front of the irradiation range of the laser beam, making it possible to install it in an extremely compact manner, and by setting the irradiation unit and imaging unit at a fixed position relative to the water surface, the water depth can be accurately measured even if the position of the seabed changes.

[0009] Furthermore, since the imaging unit can be positioned so that laser light reflected from the water surface does not enter the image, laser light reflected from the bottom of the water can be easily identified, eliminating the need for complex processing or equipment. Furthermore, by detecting the position of the seabed relative to the water surface based on the portion of the captured image where the laser light is blocked, precise control of the scanning width becomes unnecessary, making it possible to use an inexpensive irradiation unit.

[0010] According to the configuration described in claim 2, the irradiation unit and the imaging unit, or both, are detachably fixed to the holder, thereby facilitating the assembly and installation of the device. According to the configuration described in claim 3, the processing unit has a communication function for exchanging information with the outside, making it possible to transmit measured water depth data to the outside and to acquire various types of information derived from the water depth data by acquiring external information. Furthermore, it becomes possible to directly transmit the captured images to an external device and have the water depth calculated by an external computing device. According to the configuration described in claim 4, the processing unit is built into the imaging unit, which makes the device even more compact.

[0011] Furthermore, by using a device that integrates an imaging unit and a processing unit, similar to a smartphone, it is possible to create a more inexpensive device utilizing readily available components. Additionally, it incorporates communication functions, allowing for easy transmission of measured water depth data to external sources and acquisition of various information derived from the water depth data by combining it with external information. According to the configuration described in claim 5, the irradiation unit is controlled so that an arbitrary on / off pattern is formed in the scanning direction, thereby projecting it as a one-dimensional on / off pattern such as a barcode, and making it possible to obtain arbitrary information such as the date and time from the image. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating a water depth measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram illustrating a water depth measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the principle of the water depth measuring device according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] As schematically shown in Figure 1, the water depth measuring device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention has an irradiation unit 120 that irradiates laser light BM onto a holder 110 and an imaging unit 130 that images the seabed BT, which is the surface irradiated by the laser light BM, and the holder 110 is configured to always be held in a constant position relative to the water surface SF by a float 111. The irradiation unit 120 is positioned in a fixed location relative to the water surface SF and is configured to irradiate the laser beam BM toward the seabed BT while scanning in a one-dimensional direction.

[0014] The imaging unit 130 and the irradiation unit 120 are positioned in a fixed position and on the seabed BT side of the irradiation unit 120 to image the seabed BT, and are positioned to block the arrival of a portion of the laser beam BM, which is irradiated while scanning, to the seabed BT (the blocked portion is called a shadow SD). In this embodiment, the holder 110 is provided with a processing unit 140 that processes the image captured by the imaging unit 130, a communication unit 150 that transmits and receives data between the processing unit 140 and external devices, a display unit 170 that displays predetermined information, a sound - emitting unit 180 such as a buzzer that transmits information by sound, etc., and a power supply unit 160 that supplies power to each unit.

[0015] The irradiation unit 120 and the imaging unit 130 may be configured to be detachably fixed to the holder 110, and may be configured to be adjustable in the vertical position when fixed. Also, the processing unit 140, the communication unit 150, the display unit 170, the sound - emitting unit 180, and the power supply unit 160 may be respectively incorporated in the irradiation unit 120 or the imaging unit 130, and the communication unit 150, the display unit 170, and the sound - emitting unit 180 may be omitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, by configuring the imaging unit 130 to be capable of fixing a smartphone PH, the processing unit 140, the communication unit 150, the display unit 170, the sound - emitting unit 180, and the power supply unit 160 can be integrally configured.

[0016] The principle of the water - depth measuring device 100 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. 3. When the irradiation unit 120 irradiates the bottom BT with the laser beam BM while scanning it in a one - dimensional direction and the imaging unit 130 captures an image of the bottom BT, a shadow SD blocked by the laser beam BM by the imaging unit 130 can be confirmed from the captured image within the camera field of view SB of the imaging unit 130.

[0017] [[ID=十七]] With respect to the water surface SF, since the positions of the irradiation unit 120 and the imaging unit 130 are fixed, the length of the shadow SD within the camera field of view SB changes according to the water depth (the distance from the water surface SF to the bottom BT). The shadow SD2 at the bottom BT2 (water depth D2) where the water is deeper is smaller than the shadow SD1 at the bottom BT1 (water depth D1) shown in the figure. If the positions of the irradiation unit 120 and the imaging unit 130 and the camera field of view SB are constant, the water depth D can be calculated by a simple calculation from those constant values and the length of the shadow SD within the camera field of view SB.

[0018] In this embodiment, the water depth is calculated by the processing unit 140 provided in the holder 110. However, the image captured via the communication unit 150 may be directly transmitted to an external device, and the water depth calculation process may be performed by the external device. Alternatively, without calculating the absolute value of the water depth, images captured at predetermined intervals may be compared to determine an increase or decrease in the length of the shadow SD within the camera field of view SB, and an increase or decrease in the water depth may be detected. Also, the communication unit 150 may be connected to the outside by wire, and the power supply unit 160 may be omitted by supplying power by wire.

[0019] By controlling so that an arbitrary on / off pattern is formed in the scanning direction within a range that does not affect the detection of the shadow SD on the bottom BT on both sides of the shadow SD within the camera field of view SB, for example, it may be projected as a one-dimensional on / off pattern such as a barcode, and arbitrary information such as date and time may be acquired from the image. The control of the irradiation unit 120 at that time may be performed by the processing unit 140 or may be performed from an external device via the communication unit 150.

[0020] As described above based on the drawings, the present invention is configured such that the irradiation unit can irradiate laser light while scanning at least in a one-dimensional direction toward the bottom of the water surface at a fixed position, the imaging unit is arranged at a fixed position with respect to the irradiation unit and on the bottom side of the irradiation unit to image the bottom, and is arranged so as to block the arrival of a part of the laser light irradiated while scanning to the bottom, and the position of the bottom with respect to the water surface is detected based on the part where the laser light in the image of the bottom imaged by the imaging unit is blocked. Any specific configuration may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0021] 100 ··· Water depth measuring device 110...Holding body 111 ··· Float 120 ··· Irradiation Unit 130 ··· Imaging Unit 140 ··· Processing Unit 150 ··· Communications Department 160... Power supply section 170... Display section 180 ··· Pronunciation section PH ··· Smartphone SF...Water surface BT ··· Underwater BM... Laser light SB ··· Camera field of view SD ··· Shadow

Claims

1. A water depth measuring device comprising an irradiation unit that emits laser light, an imaging unit that captures an image of the surface irradiated with laser light, and a processing unit that processes the captured image, The irradiation unit is configured to irradiate laser light at a fixed position relative to the water surface and while scanning in at least one dimension toward the bottom of the water, The imaging unit is positioned in a fixed position relative to the irradiation unit and on the seabed side of the irradiation unit to image the seabed, and is positioned to block the reach of a portion of the laser light emitted while scanning to the seabed. A water depth measuring device characterized by detecting the position of the seabed relative to the water surface based on the portion of the image of the seabed captured by the imaging unit in which the laser light is blocked.

2. The water depth measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that one or both of the irradiation unit and the imaging unit are detachably fixed to a holder.

3. The water depth measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit has a communication function for exchanging information with the outside.

4. The water depth measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit is built into the imaging unit.

5. The water depth measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the irradiation unit is controlled to form an arbitrary on / off pattern in the scanning direction.

Images