Information processing device

Abstract

An information processing device (10) comprises a control unit (11) that: acquires at least one image indicating signal intensity for individual pixels, the at least one image being obtained by observing cross-polarized waves using synthetic aperture radar; and extracts, from a pixel group that is included in the at least one image and corresponds to the position of a utility pole of interest, a pixel indicating a signal intensity greater than the signal intensity indicated by a utility pole pixel representing the utility pole of interest, said pixel being extracted as a bird's nest pixel that represents a bird's nest present on the utility pole of interest.

Description

Information processing apparatus

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

[0002] A bird's nest existing on a utility pole may contain metal such as a hanger. When the metal touches an electric wire, there is a risk of a short circuit or the like, so the bird's nest needs to be removed. Conventionally, techniques for detecting bird's nests on utility poles are known. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses detecting a bird's nest on a utility pole from a captured image of a vehicle camera.

[0003] NTT Comware, "Nest inspection business support using image recognition technology to detect crows' nests on utility poles - 'Deeptector (registered trademark) nest detection service'", Business Communication Vol. 59, No. 1, 2022

[0004] The location where a bird's nest is provided may vary from year to year. It is desired to improve the efficiency of detecting bird's nests existing on utility poles.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure made in view of such circumstances is to improve the efficiency of detecting bird's nests existing on utility poles. [[ID=1,7]]

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment acquires at least one image indicating a signal intensity for each pixel, obtained by observing cross polarization by a synthetic aperture radar, and from a pixel group corresponding to the position of a target utility pole included in the at least one image, a pixel indicating a signal intensity greater than the signal intensity indicated by a utility pole pixel representing the target utility pole is extracted as a bird's nest pixel representing a bird's nest existing on the target utility pole, and includes a control unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of detecting bird's nests existing on utility poles.

[0008] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to the first to third embodiments. This is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. This is a diagram showing utility pole information. This is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the extraction of bird nest pixels based on a comparison between a first image and a second image. This is a diagram illustrating the extraction of bird nest pixels based on a comparison between a first image and a second image. This is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing device according to the third embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing device according to the third embodiment.

[0009] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the figures.

[0010] In each figure, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] The outline of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a PC or tablet, a server computer such as a cloud server, or a dedicated computer. "PC" is an abbreviation for Personal Computer.

[0012] The information processing device 10 acquires at least one image showing the signal strength for each pixel, obtained by observing cross-polarization with a synthetic aperture radar. From the group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in at least one image, the information processing device 10 extracts pixels showing a signal strength greater than the signal strength shown by the utility pole pixel representing the target utility pole, as bird nest pixels representing bird nests located on the target utility pole.

[0013] The image is obtained by a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite equipped with a SAR. Compared to images obtained by optical satellites using optical sensors, images obtained by SAR satellites tend to be clearer regardless of bad weather or daytime. The image according to this embodiment captures a predetermined area included in the radio wave irradiation range of the synthetic aperture radar. At least one utility pole is required in the predetermined area, but in this embodiment, multiple utility poles are assumed to be installed. A utility pole pixel is a pixel having a signal strength within a predetermined threshold range when radio waves from the synthetic aperture radar are reflected by the utility pole itself or its attachments. Attachments to utility poles include, for example, transformers, lightning arresters, or switches. A bird's nest is composed of natural materials such as tree branches mainly composed of cellulose, or feathers mainly composed of keratin, in addition to metal such as hangers. Compared to the smooth surface of concrete or metal that constitutes the utility pole or its attachments, a bird's nest has an irregular surface due to the inclusion of hangers or tree branches. Because the polarization from the synthetic aperture radar that strikes the irregular surface is easily scattered, the resulting signal strength is enhanced by cross-polarization where the transmitted and received polarizations are orthogonal. Therefore, it becomes easier to detect bird nests on utility poles in the image. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of detecting bird nests on utility poles.

[0014] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an input unit 14, and an output unit 15.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The control unit 11 controls each part of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0016] The memory unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for Static Random Access Memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for Dynamic Random Access Memory. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. The flash memory is, for example, SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for Solid-State Drive. The magnetic memory is, for example, HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used for the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained through the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0017] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module compatible with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11, or a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 13 receives information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The communication unit 13 enables the information processing device 10 to send and receive information with other devices via a network.

[0018] The network includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for Metropolitan Area Network. The network may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. Wireless networks include, for example, ad hoc networks, cellular networks, wireless LANs, satellite communication networks, or terrestrial microwave networks.

[0019] The input unit 14 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touchscreen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 14 accepts operations to input information used for the operation of the information processing device 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing device 10, the input unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external input device. Any connection method can be used, for example, USB, HDMI®, or Bluetooth®. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI®" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

[0020] The output unit 15 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. "EL" is an abbreviation for Electro Luminescent. The output unit 15 outputs information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing device 10, the output unit 15 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external output device. Any connection method can be used, for example, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on the processor acting as the control unit 11. In other words, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by performing the operations of the information processing device 10 according to the program.

[0022] The program can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable mediums include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read Only Memory. The program may also be distributed by storing it in server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0023] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to it from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result acquisition. "ASP" is an abbreviation for Application Service Provider. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under "equivalent to a program".

[0024] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be implemented by hardware.

[0025] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0026] In step S101 of Figure 2, the control unit 11 acquires at least one image showing the signal strength for each pixel, obtained by observing cross-polarization with a synthetic aperture radar. This image may be the most recent image obtained at the past date and time closest to the current time. The control unit 11 further acquires scale information indicating the actual extent of the Earth's surface for each pixel of the image, and latitude and longitude information indicating the latitude and longitude related to the image. The latitude and longitude information indicates, for example, the latitude and longitude of four points in the image: the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. The control unit 11 may receive the image, scale information, and latitude and longitude information from an external server device, or it may read them from the storage unit 12.

[0027] The image may be obtained by observing HV cross-polarization, where radio waves are transmitted with horizontal polarization and received with vertical polarization (hereinafter referred to as an HV image), or it may be obtained by observing VH cross-polarization, where radio waves are transmitted with vertical polarization and received with horizontal polarization (hereinafter referred to as a VH image). In this embodiment, each pixel of the image has a higher brightness the stronger the signal intensity. However, it is not limited to this, and each pixel may have a higher brightness the weaker the signal intensity. Each pixel may have a color according to a predetermined color scale corresponding to the signal intensity. The control unit 11 may acquire one HV image and one VH image each that capture the same predetermined area.

[0028] In step S102, the control unit 11 acquires utility pole information indicating the purpose and location of each of the multiple utility poles installed within the radio wave irradiation range of the synthetic aperture radar. The purpose of the utility poles includes power distribution or communication. The control unit 11 may read the utility pole information from the storage unit 12 or receive it from an external server device.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the utility pole information according to this embodiment. In Figure 3, the utility pole information is shown in tabular format, but the format of the utility pole information is not limited to this. Referring to Figure 3, the purpose of utility pole A is for communication, and the coordinates of the location where utility pole A is installed are latitude a.xxx and longitude b.xxx. The purpose of utility pole B is for power distribution, and the coordinates of the location where utility pole B is installed are latitude c.xxx and longitude d.xxx.

[0030] The control unit 11 may obtain the location of the utility pole by referring to information recorded in an external system such as a GIS. "GIS" is an abbreviation for geographic information system. The utility pole information may also indicate accessories attached to each utility pole, such as transformers.

[0031] In step S103, the control unit 11 identifies the location of the power distribution pole among the multiple utility poles indicated by the utility pole information as the location of the target utility pole. For example, the control unit 11 refers to the utility pole information in Figure 3 and identifies the location of utility pole B, which is the location of the target utility pole, with latitude c.xxx and longitude d.xxx, as the location of the target utility pole.

[0032] If the utility pole information indicates an attachment to the utility pole, the control unit 11 may identify the location of the utility pole having the predetermined attachment as the location of the target utility pole. The predetermined attachment includes objects having a horizontal plane where bird nests are easily built, such as transformers. The predetermined attachment may be pre-set and stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 may accept user input for the predetermined attachment via the input unit 14.

[0033] According to steps S102 and S103, the target utility poles can be narrowed down to those used for power distribution, which are at high risk of causing a power outage in the surrounding area receiving power from the utility pole if a short circuit occurs due to a hanger or other component contained in the bird's nest. Therefore, the detection of bird's nests can be made more efficient.

[0034] In step S104, the control unit 11 extracts pixels from the group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the image acquired in step S101 that show a signal intensity greater than the signal intensity shown by the utility pole pixels representing the target utility pole, as bird nest pixels representing bird nests located on the target utility pole.

[0035] Specifically, the control unit 11 first identifies a group of pixels representing the area corresponding to the location of the target utility pole, based on the scale information and latitude / longitude information related to the image acquired in step S101, as a group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole. From the identified group of pixels, the control unit 11 identifies pixels whose brightness is within a predetermined threshold range as utility pole pixels. This predetermined threshold range may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12. From the identified group of pixels, the control unit 11 extracts pixels whose brightness is greater than the upper limit of the predetermined threshold range, i.e., pixels that show a signal strength greater than that of utility pole pixels, as bird's nest pixels.

[0036] If one HV image and one VH image are acquired in step S101, the control unit 11 may identify the pixel group and the utility pole pixel corresponding to the location of the target utility pole in each of the HV and VH images. The control unit 11 may also extract pixels that show a signal strength greater than the signal strength of the utility pole pixel in each of the HV and VH images as bird's nest pixels.

[0037] In step S105, the control unit 11 outputs information indicating the bird's nest pixels extracted in step S104. This information may include, for example, image data representing the extracted bird's nest pixels and map data indicating the location of the target utility pole. The control unit 11 displays this information via the output unit 15. However, the control unit 11 may also transmit this information to the user's terminal device via the communication unit 13. If bird's nest pixels are extracted in both the HV image and the VH image, the control unit 11 may output information indicating at least one of the bird's nest pixels in the HV image and the bird's nest pixels in the VH image.

[0038] In step S106, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing in step S101. The predetermined time may be a fixed value or a variable value. If it is a variable value, the control unit 11 may adjust the variable value depending on whether the current time belongs to the breeding season or the non-breeding season. Specifically, the control unit 11 may set the predetermined time to several hours or several days during the breeding season, and to several weeks or several months during the non-breeding season. The control unit 11 may read breeding season information indicating the breeding season from the storage unit 12 and determine whether the current time belongs to the breeding season. The breeding season information is, for example, information indicating that the breeding season is from March 1st to July 31st each year. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 returns to step S101. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 repeats step S106.

[0039] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so the description will be omitted.

[0040] The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. The control unit 11 will perform this operation during the bird breeding season.

[0041] In step S201 of Figure 4A, the control unit 11 observes cross-polarization using synthetic aperture radar and acquires a first image showing the signal intensity for each pixel, obtained during the bird's non-breeding season. The control unit 11 acquires the image obtained by synthetic aperture radar at a predetermined date and time belonging to the non-breeding season as the first image. The predetermined date and time is preferably a date and time when the possibility of bird nests existing is lower, and may be any date and time in December, which is the middle month of the non-breeding season. The control unit 11 further acquires scale information and latitude and longitude information related to the first image, similar to step S101 described above. The control unit 11 may receive the first image, scale information, and latitude and longitude information from an external server device, or read them from the storage unit 12.

[0042] Steps S202 to S203 are the same as steps S102 to S103 described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0043] In step S204, the control unit 11 identifies a first pixel group corresponding to the position of the target utility pole included in the first image and a first utility pole pixel that is a pixel representing the target utility pole. Specifically, the control unit 11 first identifies, as the first pixel group, a plurality of pixels representing a range corresponding to the position of the target utility pole in the first image based on the scale information and the latitude / longitude information related to the first image. The control unit 11 identifies, as the first utility pole pixel, a pixel within the first pixel group whose brightness is within a predetermined threshold range. The predetermined threshold range may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0044] In step S205, the control unit 11 counts, as the first number of pixels, the number of first candidate pixels that are pixels within the first pixel group and have a signal intensity greater than the signal intensity indicated by the first utility pole pixel.

[0045] In step S206, the control unit 11 observes cross polarization by the synthetic aperture radar and acquires a second image indicating signal intensity for each pixel, which is obtained during the breeding period of birds after the non-breeding period. The second image captures the same predetermined area as the first image. The image may be the latest image obtained at the date and time closest to the current time. The control unit 11 further acquires the scale information and the latitude / longitude information related to the second image in the same manner as in step S201. The control unit 11 may receive the second image, the scale information, and the latitude / longitude information from an external server device, or may read them from the storage unit 12.

[0046] In step S207, the control unit 11 identifies a second pixel group corresponding to the position of the target utility pole included in the second image and a second utility pole pixel that is a pixel representing the target utility pole. Specifically, the control unit 11 first identifies, as the second pixel group, a plurality of pixels representing a range corresponding to the position of the target utility pole in the second image based on the scale information and the latitude / longitude information related to the second image. The control unit 11 identifies, as the second utility pole pixel, a pixel within the second pixel group whose brightness is within a predetermined threshold range. The predetermined threshold range may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0047] In step S208, the control unit 11 counts, as the second number of pixels, the number of second candidate pixels that are pixels in the second pixel group and exhibit a signal intensity greater than the signal intensity indicated by the second utility pole pixels.

[0048] In step S209, the control unit 11 compares the first number of pixels with the second number of pixels. If the second number of pixels is greater than the first number of pixels, the operation of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S210. If the second number of pixels is less than or equal to the first number of pixels, the operation of the control unit 11 proceeds to step S212.

[0049] In step S210, the control unit 11 extracts the second candidate pixels as the bird's nest pixels.

[0050] FIG. 5A simply shows the first pixel group G1, the first utility pole pixel P1 indicated by dots, and the first candidate pixel C1 indicated by slashes included in the first image I1. FIG. 5B shows the second pixel group G2, the second utility pole pixel P2 indicated by dots, and the second candidate pixel C2 indicated by slashes included in the second image I2. Comparing FIG. PA and FIG. 5B, the number of the second candidate pixels C2 is increased compared to the first candidate pixel C1. The control unit 11 extracts the second candidate pixel C2 as the bird's nest pixel.

[0051] Step S211 is the same as step S105 in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0052] In step S212, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of step S206. The predetermined time may be several hours or several days, etc. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 returns to step S206. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 repeats step S212.

[0053] Bird nests increase in area during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season. According to this embodiment, by comparing the first image and the second image, if the number of second candidate pixels is greater than the number of first candidate pixels, the second candidate pixels can be extracted as bird nest pixels. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, misdetecting utility pole attachments as bird nests and to detect bird nests with greater accuracy.

[0054] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so the description will be omitted.

[0055] The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6A and 6B.

[0056] In step S301 of Figure 6A, the control unit 11 acquires a third image obtained by observing cross-polarization with synthetic aperture radar when it is raining or when the rain has stopped. For example, the control unit 11 acquires rainfall information indicating the amount of rainfall, and based on this information, acquires as the third image an image obtained by synthetic aperture radar in the past time period closest to the current time when the amount of rainfall is above a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 further acquires scale information and latitude and longitude information related to the third image. The control unit 11 may receive the rainfall information, the third image, scale information, and latitude and longitude information from an external server device, or read them from the storage unit 12.

[0057] In step S302, the control unit 11 acquires a fourth image obtained by observing cross-polarization with synthetic aperture radar after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rain stopped. The predetermined time after the rain may be several hours or several days, but since it depends on the timing when synthetic aperture radar observation is possible again after the rain stops, a settable range may be stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. Then, the predetermined time after the rain may be set within the settable range according to the timing when synthetic aperture radar observation is possible again after the rain stops. For example, the control unit 11 acquires an image obtained by synthetic aperture radar at the time when the predetermined time after the rain has elapsed and at the past date and time closest to the current time as the fourth image. The control unit 11 further acquires scale information and latitude and longitude information related to the fourth image. The control unit 11 may receive the fourth image, scale information and latitude and longitude information from an external server device or read it from the storage unit 12.

[0058] Steps S303 to S304 are the same as steps S102 to S103 described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0059] In step S305, the control unit 11 identifies a plurality of pixels in the third image and the fourth image that represent the range corresponding to the location of the target utility pole, based on the scale information and the latitude and longitude information, as the third pixel group and the fourth pixel group, respectively. The control unit 11 identifies the pixels in the third pixel group and the fourth pixel group whose brightness is within a predetermined threshold range as the third utility pole pixels and the fourth utility pole pixels, respectively. This predetermined threshold range may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0060] In step S306, the control unit 11 identifies a third candidate pixel in the third image whose brightness is greater than the upper limit of a predetermined threshold range. In the fourth image, the control unit 11 identifies a fourth candidate pixel in the fourth image whose brightness is greater than the upper limit of a predetermined threshold range.

[0061] In step S307, the control unit 11 calculates the difference between the average brightness of the third candidate pixel and the average brightness of the fourth candidate pixel as the first change. The control unit 11 further calculates the difference between the average brightness of the third utility pole pixel and the average brightness of the fourth utility pole pixel as the second change. The values ​​used to calculate the first and second changes are not limited to the average brightness, but may also be the median brightness.

[0062] In step S308, the control unit 11 compares the first change with the second change. If the first change is smaller than the second change, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S309. If the first change is greater than or equal to the second change, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S311.

[0063] In step S309, the control unit 11 extracts the fourth candidate pixel as a bird's nest pixel.

[0064] Step S310 is the same as step S105 in Figure 2 of the first embodiment described above, so its explanation is omitted.

[0065] In step S311, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing in step S301. The predetermined time may be a fixed value or a variable value. If it is a variable value, the control unit 11 may adjust the variable value according to whether the current time belongs to the breeding season or the non-breeding season, for example, as in step S106 described above. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 returns to step S301. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the operation of the control unit 11 repeats step S311.

[0066] Compared to utility poles or their attachments, which are artificial structures with surfaces that dry easily, bird nests containing natural materials such as dead trees are likely to retain a high moisture content, such as 50 percent, even after a predetermined time has elapsed since rain. The signal intensity obtained from the reflection of polarization from synthetic aperture radar depends on the moisture content. Therefore, the degree of change in the signal intensity reflected from a bird nest with a high moisture content between when it is raining, when the rain has stopped, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rain will be smaller than that of a utility pole or its attachments. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, it is possible to extract bird nest pixels with high accuracy based on the degree of this change.

[0067] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0068] (Note 1) An information processing device comprising: an information processing device that acquires at least one image showing the signal strength for each pixel, obtained by observing cross-polarization with a synthetic aperture radar; and a control unit that extracts pixels showing a signal strength greater than that shown by the pole pixels representing the target pole from a group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the at least one image, as bird nest pixels representing a bird's nest on the target utility pole. (Note 2) An information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the at least one image includes a first image obtained during the non-breeding season of the bird and a second image obtained during the breeding season of the bird after the non-breeding season; the control unit compares the number of pixels showing a signal strength greater than that shown by the pole pixels between a first group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the first image and a second group of pixels corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the second image; and if the number is increasing, extracts pixels showing a signal strength greater than that shown by the pole pixels from the second group of pixels as bird nest pixels. (Note 3) An information processing device according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the at least one image includes a third image obtained when it is raining or when the rain has stopped, and a fourth image obtained when a predetermined time has elapsed after the rain has stopped, and the control unit extracts the corresponding pixel as the bird's nest pixel when there is a corresponding pixel between a third pixel group corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the third image and a fourth pixel group corresponding to the location of the target utility pole included in the fourth image that shows a signal intensity greater than that shown by the utility pole pixel and the change in signal intensity is smaller than that of the utility pole pixel. (Note 4) An information processing device according to any one of Note 1 to 3, wherein the control unit acquires utility pole information indicating the purpose and location of each of the plurality of utility poles installed in the radio wave irradiation range of the synthetic aperture radar, and identifies the location of the power utility pole among the plurality of utility poles as the location of the target utility pole based on the utility pole information.

[0069] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be combined, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0070] 10 Information processing device 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Communication unit 14 Input unit 15 Output unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: an information processing device that acquires at least one image showing the signal strength for each pixel obtained by observing cross-polarization with a synthetic aperture radar, and a control unit that extracts from a group of pixels in the at least one image corresponding to the location of the target utility pole pixels pixels that show a signal strength greater than the signal strength shown by the utility pole pixels representing the target utility pole, as bird nest pixels representing bird nests located on the target utility pole.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one image includes a first image obtained during the non-breeding season of the bird and a second image obtained during the breeding season of the bird after the non-breeding season, and the control unit compares the number of pixels showing a signal intensity greater than that shown by the utility pole pixels between a first pixel group included in the first image corresponding to the position of the target utility pole and a second pixel group included in the second image corresponding to the position of the target utility pole, and if the number is increasing, extracts pixels showing a signal intensity greater than that shown by the utility pole pixels from the second pixel group as the bird's nest pixels.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one image includes a third image obtained when it is raining or when the rain has stopped, and a fourth image obtained when a predetermined time has elapsed after the rain has stopped, and the control unit extracts a corresponding pixel as the bird's nest pixel when there is a corresponding pixel between a third pixel group in the third image corresponding to the position of the target utility pole and a fourth pixel group in the fourth image corresponding to the position of the target utility pole that shows a signal intensity greater than that shown by the utility pole pixel and the change in signal intensity is smaller than that of the utility pole pixel.

4. An information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit acquires utility pole information indicating the purpose and location of each of a plurality of utility poles installed within the radio wave irradiation range of the synthetic aperture radar, and identifies the location of a power utility pole among the plurality of utility poles as the location of the target utility pole based on the utility pole information.

Images