Buried object detection device, detection image display control method, and detection image display control program

Abstract

To provide a buried structure investigation device, an investigation image display control method, and an investigation image display control program that, even when a frequency of reciprocations of the buried structure investigation device along an object is reduced, can create an investigation image accurately indicating a position and a size of a buried structure.SOLUTION: A buried structure investigation device 10 is a device for detecting a buried structure 51 included in a wall surface 50, and comprises a capacitive sensor 13, an investigation image conversion processing unit 25, and a display 12. The capacitive sensor 13 detects presence or absence of the buried structure 51. In converting a detection result from the capacitive sensor 13 into an investigation image including the buried structure 51, the investigation image conversion processing unit 25 extends an image drawing range in a desired direction and converts the detection result into the investigation image. The display 12 displays the investigation image obtained through the conversion performed by the investigation image conversion processing unit 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a buried object detection device, a detection image display control method, and a detection image display control program for detecting buried objects such as metals and wood contained in walls, concrete, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, devices have been used to detect buried objects such as reinforcing bars contained within concrete, for example, by detecting buried objects based on changes in the reflected waves of electromagnetic waves radiated toward the surface of the concrete while moving along the surface of the concrete. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a buried object detection device that includes an input unit that inputs data obtained along a lateral line containing signal values of electromagnetic waves reflected by buried objects, a generation unit that generates a virtual waveform template having a spread of the reflected waveform according to the propagation depth of the electromagnetic waves, and a display unit that displays both the signal values of the data and the virtual waveform template having a shape according to the propagation depth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-040547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional buried object detection device has the following problems. In other words, in the buried object detection device disclosed in the above publication, the buried object detection device is moved along an object such as a wall surface, and a detection image is generated along the movement trajectory to detect the buried object. Therefore, with the conventional buried object detection device, there was a problem in that it had to be moved back and forth along the object such as a wall surface many times in order to obtain a detection image that accurately depicts the position, size, etc. of the buried object.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a buried object detection device, a detection image display control method, and a detection image display control program that can generate detection images that accurately show the position, size, etc. of buried objects even when the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device along the target object is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A buried object exploration device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a buried object exploration device that detects buried objects contained within a target object, and includes a detection unit, an exploration image conversion processing unit, and a display unit. The detection unit detects buried objects. The exploration image conversion processing unit converts the detection result from the detection unit into an exploration image including the buried object by expanding the image drawing range in a desired direction to convert into the exploration image. The display unit displays the exploration image converted by the exploration image conversion processing unit.

[0007] Here, for example, in a buried object detection device that detects buried objects such as wood or rebar contained within an object such as a wall or concrete, when generating a detection image showing the position and size of the buried object, the image drawing range converted from the detection result in the detection unit is expanded in the desired direction and displayed on the display unit. Here, the buried object detection device may employ various methods as a detection unit, such as a capacitance method using a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance to detect buried objects, or an electromagnetic wave method that receives electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the target object to detect buried objects.

[0008] The drawing range that is expanded when converting the detection result into an inspection image refers to a range obtained by expanding the reference drawing range (detection point) directly detected by the detection unit in the desired direction. That is, for example, if the movement direction of the buried object inspection device is approximately horizontal, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges above and below along the approximately vertical direction, and if the movement direction is approximately vertical, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges to the left and right along the approximately horizontal direction. This allows the image drawing range to be expanded more than before, so that, for example, when moving the buried object detection device back and forth along the target object, a detection image can be generated with fewer scans than before. As a result, even if the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device along the target object is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object.

[0009] A buried object exploration device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the buried object exploration device according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a position detection unit that detects a position relative to the target object. This makes it possible to detect the current position relative to the target object and to detect buried objects at that position.

[0010] A buried object exploration device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the buried object exploration device according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a movement direction detection unit that detects the movement direction along the object. This makes it possible to easily recognize the direction in which the buried object detection device moves relative to an object such as a wall.

[0011] The buried object detection device of the fourth invention is the buried object detection device of the third invention, in which the detection image conversion processing unit expands the image drawing range in a direction intersecting the movement direction detected by the movement direction detection unit and converts it into a detection image.

[0012] Here, depending on the movement direction of the buried object detection device relative to the object detected by the movement direction detection unit, the image drawing range is expanded in a direction intersecting the movement direction, and the detection result is converted into a detection image. That is, for example, when the buried object detection device is moved along the horizontal direction (approximately horizontal direction), the image drawing range is expanded along the vertical direction (approximately vertical direction), and when the buried object detection device is moved along the vertical direction (approximately vertical direction), the image drawing range is expanded along the horizontal direction (approximately horizontal direction). This makes it possible to reduce the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device over the target object in order to generate a detection image, compared to conventional methods.

[0013] The buried object detection device of the fifth invention is the buried object detection device of the third or fourth invention, in which the detection image conversion processing unit expands the image drawing range vertically and converts it into a detection image regardless of the movement direction detected by the movement direction detection unit.

[0014] Here, regardless of the direction of movement of the buried object detection device, the image drawing range is always expanded in the vertical direction (approximately vertical direction). As a result, for example, if a buried object such as a pillar placed inside an object such as a wall is always arranged in an approximately vertical direction, the image drawing range can be always expanded to a range in an approximately vertical direction, making it possible to generate an exploration image with fewer scans than before by moving the buried object exploration device along the object.

[0015] The buried object detection device of the sixth invention is a buried object detection device of the first to fifth inventions, in which the detection image conversion processing unit extends the drawing range in the desired direction on both sides of the reference drawing range directly detected by the detection unit. This allows the drawing area generated by one scan to be expanded by generating drawing areas extended on both sides of the reference drawing area detected by the detection unit. As a result, even if the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device along the target object is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object.

[0016] The buried object detection device of the seventh invention is a buried object detection device of any one of the first to sixth inventions, in which the detection image conversion processing unit converts the detection image based on the detection results from the detection unit so that positions where buried objects are detected and positions where buried objects are not detected are displayed in different colors or gradations. This allows the area included in the probe image to be displayed in different colors or gradations depending on whether or not there is a buried object, based on the detection results of the detection unit, thereby enabling the position and size of the buried object included in the probe image to be accurately recognized.

[0017] The buried object detection device of the eighth invention is a buried object detection device of any one of the first to seventh inventions, and while moving in a desired direction along the target object, the display unit displays an detection image with an expanded image drawing range in the detection image conversion processing unit in real time. This allows the user to easily recognize the next scanning range by moving the buried object detection device along the target object and displaying the detection image expanded in the desired direction on the display unit in real time.

[0018] A buried object detection device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a buried object detection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the movement direction detection unit acquires coordinates as information on the current position detected by the position detection unit, and calculates the movement direction while updating the information on the current position. This allows the coordinates to be obtained as information on the current position of the buried object detection device relative to the target object, and by calculating the direction of movement while updating the current position information, the direction of movement of the buried object detection device can be easily detected.

[0019] A buried object exploration device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the buried object exploration device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the detection unit is a capacitance sensor or an electromagnetic induction sensor. As a result, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained in buried object detection devices that employ various types of sensors, such as capacitance sensors or electromagnetic induction sensors.

[0020] The buried object exploration device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the buried object exploration device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the movement direction detection unit is an optical sensor. By adopting an optical sensor as the movement direction detection unit, it is possible to obtain information such as the movement direction and current position of the buried object exploration device with an inexpensive configuration.

[0021] A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides an exploration image display control method for displaying an exploration image showing buried objects contained within an object to be explored using a buried object exploration device, and includes a detection step, an exploration image conversion processing step, and a display step. In the detection step, buried objects are detected. In the exploration image conversion processing step, when converting the detection result in the detection step into an exploration image including the buried objects, the image drawing range is expanded in a desired direction to convert into the exploration image. In the display step, the exploration image converted in the exploration image conversion processing step is displayed.

[0022] Here, for example, in an exploration image display control method using a buried object exploration device that detects buried objects such as wood or rebar contained within an object such as a wall or concrete, when generating an exploration image showing the position and size of the buried object, the image drawing range converted from the detection result in the detection unit is expanded in the desired direction and displayed on the display unit. Here, in the detection step, a detection unit that employs various methods can be used, such as a capacitance method using a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance to detect buried objects, or an electromagnetic wave method that receives electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the target object to detect buried objects.

[0023] The drawing range that is expanded when converting the detection result into an inspection image refers to a range obtained by expanding the reference drawing range (detection point) directly detected by the detection unit in the desired direction. That is, for example, if the movement direction of the buried object inspection device is approximately horizontal, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges above and below along the approximately vertical direction, and if the movement direction is approximately vertical, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges to the left and right along the approximately horizontal direction.

[0024] This allows the image drawing range to be expanded more than before, so that, for example, when moving the buried object detection device back and forth along the target object, a detection image can be generated with fewer scans than before. As a result, even if the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device along the target object is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object.

[0025] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides an exploration image display control program for displaying an exploration image showing buried objects contained within an object to be explored using a buried object exploration device, and causes a computer to execute an exploration image display control method including a detection step, an exploration image conversion processing step, and a display step. In the detection step, buried objects are detected. In the exploration image conversion processing step, when converting the detection result in the detection step into an exploration image including the buried objects, the image drawing range is expanded in a desired direction to convert into the exploration image. In the display step, the exploration image converted in the exploration image conversion processing step is displayed.

[0026] Here, for example, in an exploration image display control method using a buried object exploration device that detects buried objects such as wood or rebar contained within an object such as a wall or concrete, when generating an exploration image showing the position and size of the buried object, the image drawing range converted from the detection result in the detection unit is expanded in the desired direction and displayed on the display unit. Here, in the detection step, a detection unit that employs various methods can be used, such as a capacitance method using a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance to detect buried objects, or an electromagnetic wave method that receives electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the target object to detect buried objects.

[0027] The drawing range that is expanded when converting the detection result into an inspection image refers to a range obtained by expanding the reference drawing range (detection point) directly detected by the detection unit in the desired direction. That is, for example, if the movement direction of the buried object inspection device is approximately horizontal, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges above and below along the approximately vertical direction, and if the movement direction is approximately vertical, the expanded drawing range will be at least one of the ranges to the left and right along the approximately horizontal direction.

[0028] This allows the image drawing range to be expanded more than before, so that, for example, when moving the buried object detection device back and forth along the target object, a detection image can be generated with fewer scans than before. As a result, even if the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device along the target object is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the buried object detection device of the present invention, even if the number of scans in which the buried object detection device is moved back and forth along the target object is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a buried object exploration device according to an embodiment of the present invention is scanned along a wall surface to detect buried objects within the wall surface. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of the buried object exploration device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing the internal configuration of the buried object exploration device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the display screen of the display unit when the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3 is scanning a wall surface. [Figure 5] (a) is a diagram showing the base drawing range detected by scanning the wall surface of a buried object detection device, and (b) is a diagram showing the drawing range expanded in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the base drawing range in (a). [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing the direction in which the drawing range expands when the buried object detection device is moved in a substantially horizontal direction, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the direction in which the drawing range expands when the buried object detection device is moved in a substantially vertical direction. [Figure 7] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing the direction in which the drawing range expands when the buried object detection device is moved diagonally. [Figure 8]4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from generation to storage of an exploration image in the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3; [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of coordinate acquisition processing (current position detection) included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 10] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the coordinate acquisition process (movement detection) included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 11] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the buried object presence / absence determination process included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 12] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of a buried object dimension determination process included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 13] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the exploration image conversion process (vertical expansion) included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 14] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the exploration image conversion process (expansion in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction) included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 15] 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the exploration image storage process included in the flowchart of FIG. 8; [Figure 16] 4 is a diagram showing a buried object table stored in a memory unit of the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3. [Figure 17] 4 is a diagram showing an acquired data storage table stored in the storage unit of the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3. [Figure 18] 4 is a diagram showing a display buffer area stored in a memory unit of the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3. [Figure 19] 4 is a diagram showing an exploration image storage table stored in the storage unit of the buried object exploration device of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] A buried object exploration device 10 and a display control method thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. (1) Configuration of buried object detection device 10 1, the buried object detection device 10 according to this embodiment is moved along a wall surface (target object) 50 and detects changes in capacitance using a capacitance sensor 13 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, to detect buried objects 51 such as wood (pipe posts 51a, studs 51b) and metals contained within the wall surface 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the buried object detection device 10 includes a main body 11, a display 12, the capacitance sensor 13 (see FIG. 3), an optical sensor 14 (see FIG. 3), and an operation input unit 15.

[0032] The wall surface 50 includes, for example, gypsum board or wooden plywood with wallpaper or other interior materials pasted on the surface. The buried objects 51 include, for example, wooden or metal frames such as pillars, beams, and braces. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 is a resin member having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a display unit 12 and an operation input unit 15 on the surface (front side) facing the user when in use, and a capacitance sensor 13 and an optical sensor 14 on the surface (back side) facing the wall surface 50 opposite the user.

[0033] 2, the display unit 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and is arranged on the surface of the main body unit 11. The display unit 12 displays, for example, settings of the buried object detection device 10, an detection image showing the detection results of the buried object 51, etc., and the display content is switched according to the operation content input to the operation input unit 15. The capacitance sensor 13 is located on the back side of the main body 11 and is a sensor that detects changes in capacitance when the buried object detection device 10 is moved along the wall surface 50, and is used to detect buried objects 51 present within the wall surface 50.

[0034] The optical sensor 14 is disposed on the rear side of the main body 11 and receives, for example, infrared light reflected from the wall surface 50 to obtain position information of the buried object exploration device 10 . 2, the operation input unit 15 is disposed on the surface of the main body 11. The operation input unit 15 includes a power button 15a, a grid display button 15b, a scale switching button 15c, and a selection / scroll button 15d.

[0035] The power button 15a is located on the right side of the upper row of the operation input unit 15, and when pressed and held, for example, the power of the buried object exploration device 10 is turned on or off. The grid display button 15b is located on the upper left side of the operation input unit 15, and is pressed when a grid layer, in which multiple grid lines are arranged in a lattice pattern, is to be displayed superimposed on the exploration image on the display screen 12a of the display unit 12. Furthermore, when the grid display button 15b is pressed again in a state in which the grid layer is displayed on the display screen 12a superimposed on the exploration image, a measurement grid (grid lines) is displayed on the display screen 12a.

[0036] The scale switching button 15c is arranged in the center of the upper row of the operation input unit 15, and is pressed, for example, when enlarging the display of the superimposed exploration image and grid layer. The select / scroll button 15d is located on the lower side of the operation input unit 15, and is used to input operations in four directions: up, down, left, and right. The select / scroll button 15d is pressed when scrolling and selecting a command, etc.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the buried object detection device 10 includes, within the main body 11, a capacitance acquisition unit 20, a position information acquisition unit 21, a memory unit 22, a buried object presence / absence determination unit 23, a dimension calculation processing unit 24, a detection image conversion processing unit 25, a buried object estimation unit 26, an input acceptance unit 27, a detection image calling unit 28, a data transfer unit 29, and a display control unit 30. The capacitance acquisition unit 20, position information acquisition unit 21, memory unit 22, buried object presence / absence determination unit 23, dimension calculation processing unit 24, exploration image conversion processing unit 25, buried object estimation unit 26, input acceptance unit 27, exploration image calling unit 28, data transfer unit 29 and display control unit 30 generated within the buried object detection device 10 are generated as control blocks by the CPU reading various control programs stored in the memory.

[0038] The capacitance acquisition unit 20 acquires the output from the capacitance sensor 13 arranged on the rear side of the main body unit 11 and transmits it to the storage unit 22 . More specifically, the capacitance acquisition unit 20 uses the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 to detect a change in capacitance in order to determine the presence or absence of a buried object 51 in the range of movement of the buried object exploration device 10, each time the buried object exploration device 10 reaches a predetermined distance along the wall surface 50. As a result, the exploration image conversion processing unit 25, which will be described later, can use the output result from the capacitance sensor 13 to generate an exploration image of the movement area for each predetermined distance of movement.

[0039] The position information acquisition unit 21 acquires the output from the optical sensor 14 arranged on the back side of the main body unit 11 and transmits it to the storage unit 22. As a result, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 enables the buried object exploration device 10 to detect its position on the wall surface 50, as well as the amount and direction of movement. The memory unit 22 stores the capacitance data received from the capacitance acquisition unit 20, the position information data received from the position information acquisition unit 21, a buried object table (see FIG. 16 ) containing dimensional information of the buried object 51 in the scanning direction of the buried object exploration device 10, the exploration image converted from the capacitance data by the exploration image conversion processing unit 25, a grid layer displayed superimposed on the exploration image, a reference point display layer, etc. The memory unit 22 then transmits the exploration image, etc. called up by the exploration image calling unit 28 to the data transfer unit 29 and the display control unit 30.

[0040] The probe images stored in the storage unit 22 are grouped in units of one scan and stored together with time information about the time at which the wall surface 50 was scanned. In this embodiment, probe images corresponding to multiple scans are stored in the storage unit 22. In addition, the exploration images converted for each specified movement amount are accumulated and stored, for example, after the buried object exploration device 10 is turned on, and multiple exploration images are saved in a grouped state for each scan.

[0041] The buried object presence / absence determining unit 23 determines whether or not a buried object 51 exists in the wall surface 50 depending on whether or not the output signal (capacitance data) of the capacitance sensor 13 exceeds a predetermined threshold (edge determination process). This makes it possible to determine whether or not a buried object 51 exists based on the output result of the capacitance sensor 13. The dimension calculation processing unit 24 calculates an estimated value of the dimension (width, etc.) of the buried object 51 in the wall surface 50 based on the output signal (capacitance data) of the capacitance sensor 13. Specifically, the dimension calculation processing unit 24 detects the edge portions at both ends where the output signal of the capacitance sensor 13 changes, and calculates an estimated value of the dimension of the buried object 51, regarding the area therebetween as the buried object 51.

[0042] The exploration image conversion processing unit 25 converts the output signal of the capacitance sensor 13 into an exploration image indicating the presence or absence of a buried object 51. More specifically, the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 generates an exploration image based on the position information of the buried object exploration device 10 detected by the position information acquisition unit 21 described above, using capacitance data acquired each time the movement amount of the buried object exploration device 10 along the wall surface 50 reaches a predetermined distance.

[0043] In the buried object detection device 10 of this embodiment, the detection image conversion processing unit 25 converts the detection result of the capacitance sensor 13 into a detection image including the buried object 51 by expanding the image drawing range in a desired direction. Note that the detection image display control process of this embodiment will be described in detail later. The buried object estimation unit 26 compares the estimated value of the dimension (width) in the scanning direction of the buried object 51 calculated by the dimension calculation processing unit 24 with the width dimensions for each type of buried object 51 contained in the buried object table (see Figure 16) stored in the memory unit 22, and estimates the type of the corresponding buried object 51.

[0044] The input receiving unit 27 receives the operation contents input by the user to the operation input unit 15, which includes the power button 15a, the grid display button 15b, the scale switching button 15c, the select / scroll button 15d, and the like. The exploration image recall unit 28 recalls the exploration image stored in the memory unit 22 based on, for example, the operation content input by the user to the operation input unit 15, and transmits it to the data transfer unit 29 and the display control unit 30.

[0045] In addition, after the exploration image is stored in the memory unit 22, the display control unit 30 may control the display unit 12 so that it is displayed in real time while the buried object exploration device 10 is scanning, regardless of the operation content from the user input to the operation input unit 15. The data transfer unit 29 transmits the survey image, the detection result of the buried object 51, and the like to an external device, a server, or the like.

[0046] The display control unit 30 causes the display screen 12a of the display unit 12 to display an exploration image (see FIG. 4, etc.) indicating the presence or absence of buried objects 51, which is generated by the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 described above. Furthermore, the display control unit 30 causes the exploration image and the grid layer and reference point display layer stored in the memory unit 22 to be superimposed and displayed on the display screen 12a of the display unit 12. 4, the detection image shows the presence or absence of a buried object 51 by combining multiple detection images generated from capacitance data acquired along the trajectory of the buried object detection device 10 scanned along the wall surface 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection image shows different colors, for example, black for positions where buried objects 51 are present and white for positions where no buried objects 51 are present.

[0047] <Conversion process to exploration image> As described above, the buried object detection device 10 of this embodiment is a device that detects buried objects 51 contained within a wall surface 50, and includes a capacitance sensor 13, a detection image conversion processing unit 25, and a display unit 12. The capacitance sensor 13 detects the presence or absence of a buried object 51. When converting the detection result of the capacitance sensor 13 into a detection image including the buried object 51, the detection image conversion processing unit 25 expands the image drawing range in a desired direction to convert into the detection image. The display unit 12 displays the detection image converted by the detection image conversion processing unit 25.

[0048] Here, the process of converting into a search image carried out in the buried object search device 10 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 5(a) to 7(b). In this embodiment, the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 converts the detection results of the capacitance sensor 13 into an exploration image so that the drawing range is expanded in a direction approximately perpendicular to the scanning direction in which the buried object exploration device 10 moves, as shown in Figure 5(b), relative to the reference drawing range shown in Figure 5(a).

[0049] 5(a) means the detection points directly detected by the capacitance sensor 13. In this embodiment, the drawing range expanded by the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 is on both sides of the reference drawing range in a direction approximately perpendicular to the scanning direction in which the buried object exploration device 10 moves. That is, when the buried object exploration device 10 moves in a substantially horizontal direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates on either side (above and below) of the reference drawing range in a substantially vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 6(a). Also, when the buried object exploration device 10 moves in a substantially vertical direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates on either side (left and right) of the reference drawing range in a substantially horizontal direction, as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0050] Similarly, when the buried object exploration device 10 moves diagonally in the upper right direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates in the lower right direction and the upper left direction, as shown in FIG. 7(a). When the buried object exploration device 10 moves diagonally in the lower right direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates in the upper right direction and the lower left direction, as shown in FIG. 7(b). When the buried object exploration device 10 moves diagonally in the lower left direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates in the lower right direction and the upper left direction, as shown in FIG. 7(c). When the buried object exploration device 10 moves diagonally in the upper left direction, the expanded drawing range is two coordinates in the upper right direction and the lower left direction, as shown in FIG. 7(d).

[0051] <From generating to saving exploration images> In the buried object detection device 10 of this embodiment, with the above-mentioned configuration, an detection image indicating the presence or absence of buried objects 51 within the wall surface 50 is generated based on the change in capacitance obtained as a result of scanning along the wall surface 50. The process of generating the exploration image will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0052] That is, in step S11, the capacitance acquisition unit 20 acquires the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 13. Next, in step S12, the position information acquisition unit 21 acquires the position information of the buried object exploration device 10 detected by the optical sensor 14. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the buried object exploration device 10 has moved along the wall surface 50, based on the position information of the buried object exploration device 10 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21. If it is determined that the buried object exploration device 10 has moved, the process proceeds to step S14, and if it is determined that the buried object exploration device 10 has not moved, step S13 is repeated until it is determined that the buried object exploration device 10 has moved.

[0053] Next, in step S14, since it has been determined in step S13 that the buried object exploration device 10 has moved, the coordinates (relative coordinates) indicating the current position of the buried object exploration device 10 are calculated and acquired. Next, in step S15, the coordinates of the current position of the buried object exploration device 10 calculated and acquired in step S14 are calculated and acquired as relative coordinates, and the process proceeds to step S16.

[0054] This allows, for example, the capacitance data acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 20 to be saved each time the position information acquisition unit 21 detects that the position of the buried object detection device 10 detected by the optical sensor 14 has reached a predetermined amount of movement. Next, in step S16, the buried object presence / absence determining unit 23 performs a process of determining the presence or absence of the buried object 51 in the scanning range based on the acquired capacitance data.

[0055] Next, in step S17, buried object presence / absence determining section 23 determines whether or not buried object 51 is present, and if present, the process proceeds to step S18, and if not, the process proceeds to step S19. Next, in step S18, since it was determined in step S17 that a buried object 51 is present, the dimension calculation processing unit 24 calculates an estimated value of the dimension (width) of the buried object 51 in the scanning direction of the buried object exploration device 10.

[0056] Next, in step S19, regardless of whether or not the buried object 51 is present, the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 performs a process of converting the capacitance data acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 20 into an exploration image. Next, in step S20, the exploration image generated in step S19 is stored in the storage unit 22. In this embodiment, through the above-described steps, an exploration image is generated using the capacitance data detected by the capacitance sensor 13 and is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0057] <Start of scanning ~ Image storage> Next, the detailed steps from the start of scanning along the wall surface 50 to the storage process of the search image in the buried object search device 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0058] (a) Coordinate acquisition process The coordinate acquisition process in S14 of FIG. 8, which is performed in the buried object exploration device 10 of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this embodiment, when scanning along the wall surface 50 is started using the buried object detection device 10, in step S21a, as shown in FIG. 9, position information detected by the optical sensor 14 is acquired as coordinate change amounts (X, Y).

[0059] Next, in step S22a, the coordinate change amount acquired in step S21a is added to the accumulated coordinate. Next, in step S23a, the accumulated coordinates obtained in step S22a are set as the current position of the buried object exploration device 10. In this embodiment, when scanning along the wall surface 50 is started using the buried object exploration device 10, the moving direction of the buried object exploration device 10 is detected according to the flowchart of FIG.

[0060] That is, in step S21b, similarly to step S21a in FIG. 9, position information detected by the optical sensor 14 is acquired as coordinate change amounts (X, Y). Next, in step S22b, the traveling direction of the buried object exploration device 10 is detected based on the accumulated coordinates and the amount of coordinate change. Next, in step S23b, the coordinate change amount is added to the accumulated coordinates and set as the current position of the buried object exploration device 10.

[0061] (b) Buried object presence determination process The process of determining the presence or absence of a buried object 51 in S17 of FIG. 8, which is carried out by the buried object detection device 10 of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S31, a difference from a reference value (minimum value) is calculated for each capacitance sensor 13, and an offset process is performed.

[0062] Next, in step S32, the smaller of the difference data between center-left and center-right obtained in step S31 is calculated as a judgment value. Next, in step S33, it is determined whether the determination value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the determination value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S34, and if the determination value is less than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0063] Next, in step S34, since it is determined in step S33 that the determination value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a buried object 51 is present in the scanning area, and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S35, since it is determined in step S33 that the determination value is less than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is no buried object 51 in the scanning area, and the process ends.

[0064] (c) Buried object estimation processing The process of estimating the buried object 51 in S18 of FIG. 8, which is carried out by the buried object exploration device 10 of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S41, the continuous width (length) in the scanning direction of the buried object 51 before and after the current position of the buried object detection device 10 is obtained from the obtained data storage table shown in FIG. Here, the acquired data storage table contains information such as acquisition time, coordinates (X, Y), detection results of the capacitance sensor, buried object determination results, type of buried object, and dimensions, as shown in FIG.

[0065] The types of buried objects contained in the acquired data storage table shown in Figure 17 are acquired as a result of estimating the type of buried object 51 by referring to the width dimension among the information on the name, width, and thickness for each type of buried object 51 shown in Figure 16 and comparing it with the estimated value of the dimension of the detected buried object. Next, in the processing of steps S42 to S46, the buried object table shown in Figure 16 is referenced (S43), and the number of materials (foundations, through columns, pipe columns, partition walls, beams, braces, siding, furring strips, etc.) that match the continuous width (length) in the scanning direction of the buried object 51 acquired in step S41 are repeatedly checked (S44).

[0066] Then, in step S44, if the width dimension substantially matches that of any of the buried objects 51 included in the buried object table, the process proceeds to step S46 to estimate the type of buried object 51. Then, the buried object table is returned so that the estimation result is reflected, and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S44, if the width dimension does not match any of the buried objects 51 included in the buried object table, the processes of steps S42 to S46 are repeated until all types in the buried object table have been checked, and then the process ends.

[0067] (d) Exploration image conversion processing The search image conversion process in S19 of FIG. 8, which is performed in the buried object search device 10 of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the process of always expanding the drawing range in the up-down direction (vertical direction) regardless of the direction of movement of the buried object exploration device 10 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0068] In step S51a, the determination value calculated in step S31 of the buried object presence determination process shown in FIG. 11 is converted into 255 gradations of brightness. Next, in step S52a, the position coordinates included in the acquired data storage table shown in Fig. 17 and the coordinates expanded from the position coordinates to (0, -2 to +2) are drawn in the converted brightness in the display buffer area, and a search image is generated. That is, in step S52a, the search image is generated with the drawing range expanded to two coordinates above and below the position coordinates included in the acquired data table as the reference.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 18, the display buffer area stores coordinates (X, Y) and the corresponding R·G·B values. Next, in step S53a, it is determined whether or not it has been possible to determine the dimensions of the buried object 51. If it has been possible to determine the dimensions, the process proceeds to step S54a, and if it has not been possible to determine the dimensions, the process ends.

[0070] Next, in step S54a, the buried object 51 whose dimensions have been determined and its dimensions (scanning direction) are stored in the acquired data storage table shown in FIG. 17, and the process ends. Next, the process of expanding the drawing range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the buried object exploration device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S51b, similarly to step S51a in FIG. 13, the determination value calculated in step S31 of the buried object presence determination process shown in FIG. 11 is converted into 255 gradations of brightness.

[0071] Next, in step S52b, it is determined whether or not the movement direction of buried object exploration device 10 is diagonal. If buried object exploration device 10 is moving diagonally, the process proceeds to step S53b, and if it is not moving diagonally, the process proceeds to step S54b. As described above, the movement direction of the buried object detection device 10 is detected based on the accumulated coordinates and the coordinate change amounts, in accordance with the flowchart shown in Figure 10, where the position information detected by the optical sensor 14 is acquired as coordinate change amounts (X, Y).

[0072] Next, in step S53b, in the display buffer area, when the direction of travel is (x, y), the reference position coordinates (A, B) stored in the acquired data storage table and the coordinates extended to (Ax, B), (A, By), (A+y, Bx), and (Ay, B+x) are drawn with the converted brightness. As a result, in step SS53b, when the buried object exploration device 10 is moving in an oblique direction, an exploration image is generated in which the rendering range is expanded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0073] Next, in step S54b, when the direction of travel is (x, y), the reference position coordinates (A, B) stored in the acquired data storage table and the coordinates extended to (A+y, B+x), (Ay, Bx), (A+2y, B+2x), and (A-2y, B-2x) are drawn in the display buffer area with the converted brightness. As a result, in step S54b, when the buried object detection device 10 is moving in the vertical direction (approximately vertical direction) or the horizontal direction (approximately horizontal direction), an detection image is generated with the drawing range expanded in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0074] Next, in step S55b, it is determined whether or not it has been possible to determine the dimensions of the buried object 51. If it has been possible to determine the dimensions, the process proceeds to step S56b, and if it has not been possible to determine the dimensions, the process ends. Next, in step S56b, the buried object 51 whose dimensions have been determined and its dimensions (scanning direction) are stored in the acquired data storage table shown in FIG. 17, and the process ends.

[0075] (e) Exploration image storage processing The storage process of the probe image in S20 of FIG. 8, which is carried out in the buried object probe device 10 of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S61, it is determined whether or not an image clear operation such as pressing of the search start button by the user has been accepted.

[0076] If an image clear operation has been received, the process proceeds to step S62, and if not, the process ends. Next, in step S62, the search image in the display buffer area shown in FIG. 18 is registered in the search image storage table shown in FIG. 19 before the screen is cleared. Here, the search image storage table stores the date and time when the search image was generated and the image data ID assigned to each search image in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 19. Note that the search image stored in the search image storage table is stored as image data corresponding to one operation. Next, in step S63, the display buffer area is cleared, and the process ends.

[0077] <Main features> As shown in FIG. 1, the buried object exploration device 10 of this embodiment detects a buried object 51 contained within a wall surface 50. The buried object exploration device 10 includes a capacitance sensor 13, an exploration image conversion processing unit 25, and a display unit 12. The capacitance sensor 13 detects the presence or absence of a buried object 51. When converting the detection result of the capacitance sensor 13 into an exploration image including the buried object 51, the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 expands the image drawing range in a desired direction to convert into the exploration image. The display unit 12 displays the exploration image converted by the exploration image conversion processing unit 25.

[0078] As a result, the image drawing range is expanded and displayed more than ever before, for example, in a desired direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the buried object exploration device 10. Therefore, for example, when the buried object exploration device 10 is moved back and forth along the wall surface 50, an exploration image that allows the position and size of the buried object 51 to be grasped can be generated with fewer scans than ever before. As a result, even if the number of scans required to move the buried object detection device 10 along the wall surface 50 is reduced, it is possible to generate a detection image that accurately shows the position, size, etc. of the buried object 51, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0079] [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. (A) In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being implemented as a buried object detection device and a detection image display control method, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0080] For example, the present invention may be realized as an exploration image display control program that causes a computer to execute the exploration image display control method for the buried object exploration device described above. This exploration image display control program is stored in a memory (storage unit) installed in the buried object exploration device, and the CPU reads the exploration image display control program stored in the memory and causes the hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the CPU reads the exploration image display control program and executes the above-mentioned detection step, exploration image conversion processing step, and display step, thereby achieving the same effects as those described above. The present invention may also be realized as a recording medium storing a program for controlling the display of an exploration image by a buried object exploration device.

[0081] (B) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 expands the drawing range relative to the reference drawing range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the buried object exploration device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the expanded range is not limited to a direction approximately perpendicular to the movement direction of the buried object detection device, but may be expanded in a constant direction (for example, vertical direction) regardless of the movement direction.

[0082] (C) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 expands the drawing range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the buried object exploration device 10 detected by the optical sensor 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0083] For example, if it is determined that the orientation of buried objects inside the target object is approximately vertical, the drawing range may be expanded in the approximately vertical direction without detecting the movement direction of the buried object detection device. In this case, the drawing range is always expanded in a fixed direction regardless of the direction of movement of the buried object exploration device, so that a movement direction detection unit such as an optical sensor can be omitted from the configuration.

[0084] (D) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 extends the drawing range above and below (or to the right and left) the reference drawing range. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the extended range is not limited to both the top and bottom of the reference drawing range, but may be configured so that the drawing range is extended only to one side of the reference drawing range, such as above or below (right or left).

[0085] (E) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the exploration image conversion processing unit 25 expands the reference drawing range by two coordinates on both sides in a direction intersecting with the movement direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the range to be expanded is not limited to two coordinates with respect to the reference drawing range, but may be one coordinate, or three or more coordinates.

[0086] (F) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to a capacitance-type buried object detection device 10 that uses a capacitance sensor 13 as a detection unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to an electromagnetic wave type buried object detection device that detects the location of a buried object by receiving a reflected wave of an electromagnetic wave irradiated onto concrete or wall material.

[0087] (G) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the optical sensor 14 is used as the scanning unit that detects the amount of movement on the wall surface of the buried object exploration device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a scanning unit that employs a method other than optical scanning may be used to detect the amount of movement of the buried object exploration device on the wall surface.

[0088] (H) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which wooden materials (pillars, foundations, beams, braces, etc.) contained in a wall surface made of gypsum board, wooden plywood, etc. are detected using the buried object detection device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, buried objects detected using a buried object detection device may be made of other materials, such as metal materials, resin materials, etc., in addition to wooden materials.

[0089] Similarly, the target object may be a wall surface such as plasterboard or plywood, or may be made of other materials such as concrete. That is, the buried object detection device of the present invention may be used, for example, to detect other materials or foreign objects present underground. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] The buried object detection device of the present invention has the effect of being able to generate detection images that accurately show the position, size, etc. of buried objects even when the number of times the buried object detection device moves back and forth along the target object is reduced, and therefore can be widely applied to devices that detect various types of buried objects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 Buried object detection device 11 Main body 12 Display section 12a display screen 13 Capacitive sensor (detection part) 14 Optical sensor (movement direction detection section) 15 Operation input section 15a Power button 15b Grid display button 15c Scale switch button 15d Select / Scroll Button 20 Capacitance acquisition unit 21 Location information acquisition section 22 Memory section 23 Buried object presence / absence determination section 24 Dimension calculation processing section 25 Exploration image conversion processing unit 26 Buried Object Estimation Section 27 Input reception section 28 Exploration image recall unit 29 Data Transfer Unit 30 Display control unit 50 Wall (object) 51 Buried objects 51a Tube column 51b Stud

Claims

1. A buried object detection device for detecting buried objects contained within a target object, a detection unit that detects the buried object; an exploration image conversion processing unit that, when converting the detection result in the detection unit into an exploration image including the buried object, expands an image drawing range in a desired direction and converts the image into the exploration image; a display unit that displays the exploration image converted by the exploration image conversion processing unit; a movement direction detection unit that detects a movement direction along the object, the search image conversion processing unit extends the image drawing range in the vertical direction regardless of the movement direction detected by the movement direction detection unit, and converts it into the search image. Buried object detection equipment.

2. Further provided is a position detection unit that detects a position relative to the object. The buried object exploration device according to claim 1.

3. The search image conversion processing unit extends the image drawing range in a desired direction on both sides of the reference drawing range directly detected by the detection unit.

3. The buried object detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the exploration image conversion processing unit converts the exploration image based on the detection result of the detection unit so that a position where the buried object is detected and a position where the buried object is not detected are displayed in different colors or gradations. The buried object exploration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. While moving in a desired direction along the object, the display unit displays the exploration image in which the image drawing range has been expanded in the exploration image conversion processing unit in real time. The buried object exploration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the movement direction detection unit acquires coordinates as information on the current position detected by the position detection unit, and calculates the movement direction while updating the information on the current position; The buried object detection device according to claim 2.

7. The detection unit is a capacitance sensor or an electromagnetic induction sensor. The buried object exploration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the movement direction detection unit is an optical sensor; The buried object exploration device according to claim 1.

9. 1. An exploration image display control method for displaying an exploration image showing buried objects contained in an object to be explored using a buried object exploration device, comprising: a detecting step of detecting the buried object; an exploration image conversion processing step of expanding an image drawing range in a desired direction and converting the image into an exploration image including the buried object from the detection result in the detection step; a display step of displaying the exploration image converted in the exploration image conversion processing step; a movement direction detection step of detecting a movement direction along the object; Equipped with In the search image conversion processing step, an image drawing range is expanded in a vertical direction and converted into the search image regardless of the movement direction detected in the movement direction detection step. Exploration image display control method.

10. An exploration image display control program for displaying an exploration image showing buried objects contained in an object to be explored using a buried object exploration device, a detecting step of detecting the buried object; an exploration image conversion processing step of expanding an image drawing range in a desired direction and converting the image into an exploration image including the buried object from the detection result in the detection step; a display step of displaying the exploration image converted in the exploration image conversion processing step; a movement direction detection step of detecting a movement direction along the object; Equipped with In the search image conversion processing step, an image drawing range is expanded in a vertical direction and converted into the search image regardless of the movement direction detected in the movement direction detection step. An exploration image display control program that causes a computer to execute the exploration image display control method.

Images