JP2005275247A - Observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an observation device which is excellent in operability even when it is used in a narrow part and the mounted state of which can be kept for a long time. <P>SOLUTION: In the observation device 10, the image of the situation of a part which can not be directly viewed and which is illuminated by an illuminator 16 is picked up by an imaging means 14, and obtained image information is displayed on a display device 22 so as to be visually confirmed by an operator 25. The imaging means 14 and the illuminator 16 are fixed near the edge 13 of a flexible cable 12 capable of guiding the edge 13 to the part which can not be directly viewed. The display device 22 is fixed on a face mounted type visual confirmation device 11 which can be mounted on operator 25's face, and the device 11 is equipped with a half mirror 24. The image displayed on the display device 22 is reflected by the half mirror 24 and visually confirmed by the operator 25, and a situation around the operator 25 is transmitted through the half mirror 24 as light and visually confirmed by the operator 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a simple observation device for observing a site that is difficult to directly visually observe.

  As an observation device for observing a part that is difficult to directly observe, an imaging device such as a lighting device and a CCD camera is arranged at the tip of a flexible cable, and an image of a portion illuminated by the lighting device is arranged at hand. Devices (camera scopes) that display on a display device such as an LCD, LCOS, organic EL, or cathode ray tube have been put into practical use (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Further, instead of this display device, it is difficult for an operator wearing this face mount display or the like to directly view the image by projecting the image on a face mount display (face mounted display device) or a head mounted display. An industrial endoscope configured to be able to observe a site has been put into practical use (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2).
Catalog "Tokyo Camera Co., Ltd.""CameraScope", July 2003 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Catalog “iPLEX”, January 2004

  However, since a camera scope that projects image information captured by a CCD camera on a display device is an observation while viewing the display device or the like, for example, it is difficult to move in a place with a small area such as a narrow part. There was a problem that there was.

  In contrast, in an industrial endoscope equipped with a face-mounted display, etc., a display device is attached to the face, so observation in a narrow area is possible, but the operator's field of view is completely achieved with a face-mounted display, etc. There is a problem that the use time is limited and observation cannot be performed for a long time.

  For example, in the eye trek goggles that are equivalent products such as this face mount display, stereoscopic viewing is possible, but in order to prevent the use of immersion for a long period of time, it places a burden on the eyes for focusing for stereoscopic viewing, The usage time is limited to 2 hours and 30 minutes, and use under the age of 16 is prohibited.

  Furthermore, in such an industrial endoscope, the operator's field of view is completely obstructed, so if you want to work while grasping the surrounding situation, remove the face mount display etc. It is necessary to perform an operation of mounting a face mount display or the like. Therefore, the operability is not always good when checking the soundness of various devices, such as observing the presence or absence of abnormalities around rotating parts such as pumps during operation, and when saving lives under debris that has collapsed due to an earthquake, etc. I can't say that.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an observation apparatus that has good operability even when used in a narrow space and can maintain a state of wearing for a long time.

  The present inventors thought that the main reason was that the front field of view was completely obstructed in the eye trek goggles, and mounted a see-through type face-mounted display or head-mounted display with a half mirror on the front. However, it was recognized that the operability was remarkably improved because eye fatigue was reduced and the surrounding situation could be grasped, and the present invention was achieved.

  That is, the present invention is an observation device that images the state of a part that is illuminated directly by an illuminating device and that cannot be directly viewed by an imaging unit, displays the obtained image information on a display device, and allows an operator to visually recognize the situation. The lighting device is fixed in the vicinity of the tip of a flexible cable that can guide the tip to a part that cannot be directly seen, and the display device is fixed to a face-mounted visual recognition device that can be attached to the face of the operator. In addition, the visual recognition device includes a half mirror, and the image displayed on the display device is reflected by the half mirror and visually recognized by the operator, and the situation around the operator is visually recognized by the operator through the half mirror. It is configured as follows.

  With such a configuration, an illuminating device illuminates the situation of a part that cannot be directly seen, such as a narrow part, and an imaging means (for example, a camera device such as a CCD camera, an optical fiber, etc.) fixed near the tip of the flexible cable. Images are taken as image information by the imaging optical system used. This image information is displayed on a display device such as a screen (LCD, organic EL, LCOS, etc.), and is reflected by a half mirror and visually recognized by the operator.

  At the same time, the operator can visually recognize the surrounding situation transmitted through the half mirror.

  As a result, when the operator observes image information of a part that cannot be directly viewed, such as a narrow part, the light transmitted through the half mirror enters, so that the eyes are less tired than when only the image information is observed. In addition, even if eye fatigue occurs due to gaze at the image information, if the image information is cut off, the eye fatigue due to the image information can be observed by looking around with a load almost the same as when wearing normal goggles. Can be removed.

  For example, in a situation where a person who has collapsed due to a disaster such as an earthquake is rescued, the operator can observe the situation of the part that cannot be seen directly while grasping the surrounding situation, thereby performing a wide range of rescue activities. Can be performed with good operability, and eyes are hard to get tired even if used for a long time.

  Similarly, even in a situation where there are a large number of mechanical devices that should be checked for soundness, the operator can perform soundness check work with good workability and operability. Reduced.

  Also, when used for on-site patrol, since the operator can see with both eyes, the perspective becomes clear and there are few troubles at the work site.

  Furthermore, when observing a dangerous part such as a rotating part, the surrounding situation can be visually recognized, so that it is easy to ensure safety.

  The observation apparatus further includes a microphone device and a sound reproduction device that reproduces sound collected by the microphone device, and the microphone device is fixed near a distal end of the flexible cable, and the sound reproduction device Is preferably fixed by a handset that can be worn on the operator's ear.

  If comprised in this way, the operator can hear audio | voice information simultaneously, visually recognizing the situation of the site | part which cannot be directly visually recognized with the receiver which can be mounted | worn with an operator's ear | edge part, such as a headphone and an earphone.

  As a result, it is possible to accurately observe the situation of the part that cannot be directly observed, and to increase the effectiveness of the observation apparatus in places such as confirmation of the soundness of the apparatus and lifesaving.

  Moreover, it is preferable that said observation apparatus is provided with the shielding apparatus which shields or open | releases the front surface of the said half mirror.

  By configuring in this way, for example, by opening a shielding device such as a flip-up structure, it is possible to observe the surrounding situation and the situation of the narrow part at the same time, and when the surrounding situation hinders observation of the narrow part By shielding the shielding device, the front surface of the half mirror can be shielded, and the transmitted light transmitted through the half mirror can be shielded.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the visual recognition device includes an opening unit in order to exclude the image displayed on the display device from the operator's field of view and check the surrounding situation. As such an opening means, for example, an opening means that opens the front of the eye using a flip-up type visual recognition device is exemplified.

  With a simple configuration, the operator can move and check the surrounding safety easily by flipping up the visual recognition device and taking a wide field of view.

  The observation apparatus includes a storage unit that can store a driving power source for driving the imaging unit, the display device, the microphone device, or the receiver, and the storage unit is configured to be attached to and detached from an operator's body. It is preferable.

  If comprised in this way, if a heavy drive power supply (battery etc.) is mounted | worn with an operator's body (for example, a trunk | body, a back, etc.), an operator's action | operation range can be expanded.

  In addition, the observation device includes a sensor that detects brightness around the operator, the illumination device or the display device is connected via a control device, and the control device is detected by the sensor. It is preferable to control the illumination amount of the illumination device and / or the brightness of the image displayed on the display device according to the brightness.

  With this configuration, the brightness of the image displayed on the display device is increased or decreased according to the ambient brightness. Therefore, when the pupil opens or closes as the light amount transmitted through the half mirror increases or decreases, The increase or decrease in the amount of light entering can be adjusted or mitigated.

  The observation apparatus preferably includes a transmitter that transmits image information picked up by the image pickup unit and sound information collected by the microphone device to a remote place.

  If comprised in this way, the structure of an observation apparatus can be reduced in weight. The transmitted information is stored in a storage device or the like, or output by an output device such as a printer for analysis and storage.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an observation apparatus that has good operability even when used in a narrow space and can be used for a long time.

  Hereinafter, although the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the observation apparatus which concerns on this invention. 2 is an optical path diagram for explaining in detail the face-mounted visual recognition device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a situation where this observation device is worn by an operator.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the observation device 10 of the present invention is a face-mounted type visual recognition device 11 that can be worn on an operator's face (not shown), and is flexible in order to image the situation of a part that cannot be directly seen. Camera device 14 with a built-in CCD camera fixed near the tip 13 of the cable 12, a microphone 15 as a sound collecting device, an illuminating device 16 that illuminates the photographing range of the camera device 14, the visual recognition device 11, and the camera device 14, a microphone 15, a lighting case 16, and the like, and a storage case 17 for storing a driving power source. The storage case 17 is provided with a power switch 18 and a terminal 19 (not shown) of a sound reproduction device.

  The visual recognition device 11 includes a frame portion 20 that matches the shape of the face, and a mounting band 21 for fixing the frame portion 20 to the face.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the frame unit 20 includes a display device 22 such as an LCD, LCOS, organic EL, or cathode ray tube connected to the camera device 14 and an image displayed by the display device 22 up to the eyeball. The eyepiece optical system includes a half mirror 23 and an aspherical half mirror 24 such as a concave mirror. Thus, this eyepiece optical system is see-through.

  As a result, an image captured by the camera device 14 and captured by the display device 22 is sequentially reflected by the half mirrors 23 and 24, and passes through the half mirror 23 and is visually recognized by the operator 25. Further, the operator 25 can directly observe the surrounding situation through the half mirrors 23 and 24.

  The observation apparatus 10 configured as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, fixes the storage case 17 to the body of the operator 25 via the waist belt 26 and visually recognizes it using the wearing band 21. The device 11 is attached to the face of the operator 25. If necessary, the headphone 27 is connected to the terminal 19 (not shown) and attached to the head.

  Thus, if a heavy drive power source (battery or the like) is stored in the storage case 17 attached to the waist belt 26, the action range of the operator 25 can be expanded.

  As a result, the operator 25 turns on the power switch 18 to photograph the situation in the vicinity illuminated by the illumination device 16 by the camera device 14, and the obtained image information is transmitted to the display device 22 to be displayed on the display device. 22 is displayed. This image is reflected by the half mirrors 23 and 24, then passes through the half mirror 23 and is visually recognized by the operator 25.

  By guiding the camera device 14 to a target location using the flexible cable 12, the operator 25 listens to the sound heard from the headphones 27 through the visual recognition device 11 that sees through the surrounding situation. You can grasp the situation of the narrow part etc.

  In addition, the operator 25 is less tired of eyes than the case where only the image information is observed because the light transmitted through the half mirror enters the pupil.

  Further, when eye fatigue occurs due to gaze at the image information, the power switch 18 is turned off. Thereby, even when the operator 25 is wearing the visual recognition device 11 on the face, the operator 25 can remove the eye fatigue caused by the image information with a load that is almost the same as when the normal goggles are worn.

  If such an observation device 10 is used, the operator 25 collects the image captured by the camera device 14 and the microphone 15 while guiding the camera device 14 to a place to be observed while grasping the surrounding situation. You can observe while checking the voice.

  In addition, since the observation apparatus 10 is mounted, it is possible to immediately move to another location, so that operability when searching under a debris over a wide range is good. As a result, the rescue operation can be performed efficiently, and the operator's eyes are less tired and can be used for a long time.

  Similarly, the operator 25 can perform soundness confirmation work with good workability and operability even when observing even when there are a large number of mechanical devices or the like whose soundness should be confirmed. In this case, eye fatigue is also reduced.

  As a result, it is possible to accurately observe the situation of the part that cannot be directly observed, so this observation apparatus is effective as an observation apparatus used in places such as confirmation of soundness and lifesaving of various mechanical devices and the like. .

  Needless to say, the storage case 17 may store an amplifying unit or an adjusting unit that amplifies image information captured by the camera device 14 or enhances contrast. In such a case, the storage case 17 may be provided with an adjustment circuit such as contrast, and may be provided with a volume adjustment knob or the like integrally or separately from the power switch 18. As a result, the wearer can control the brightness of the image information or adjust the contrast by operating the volume adjustment knob, so that the wearer can cope with when it is bright, when it is dark, or when it is desired to emphasize an abnormal part. Can do.

  Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described in detail. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the visual recognition device 11 includes a fixing portion 21 ′ corresponding to the ear-tip portion of the glasses instead of the wearing band 21, and is provided on the front surface of the upper portion of the frame 20 (upper eye rim). A light shielding plate 28 for blocking light is provided in a tilting manner by a hinge 28a or the like.

  With this configuration, when the surrounding information transmitted through the half mirror 24 interferes with observation, the operator 25 lowers the light shielding plate 28 and blocks the field of view. Thereby, since the operator 25 can visually recognize only the image information from the camera device 14, the field of view from the surroundings is not blocked and observation is not hindered.

  Since other configurations and operations are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, Example 3 of the present invention will be described in detail. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In Example 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the observation device 10 includes a sensor 29 that detects the brightness around the operator 25, and the illumination light amount of the illumination device 16 connected to the sensor 29 or the display device 22. And a control device (controller) 30 for controlling the brightness of the image.

  For example, the sensor 29 is fixed in the vicinity of the visual recognition device 11 toward the front of the operator 25, and the control device 30 is stored in the storage case 17.

  Thereby, when the brightness detected by the sensor 29 is relatively reduced, the amount of external light transmitted through the half mirrors 23 and 24 is reduced and the pupil is opened, so that the illumination light amount of the illumination device 16 is reduced accordingly. And / or reduce the brightness of the image on the display 22.

  When the brightness detected by the sensor 29 increases, the amount of external light transmitted through the half mirrors 23 and 24 increases, so that the pupil becomes narrower. Accordingly, the illumination light quantity of the illumination device 16 is increased and / or the brightness of the image on the display device 22 is increased.

  Thereby, the illumination light quantity of the illumination device 16 or the brightness of the image of the display device 22 is controlled according to the brightness detected by the sensor 29, and the brightness of the image displayed on the display device is increased or decreased. Increase or decrease in the amount of light entering the eyeball can be moderately adjusted or mitigated.

  In addition, the storage case 17 or a transmitter that transmits image information captured by the camera device 14 and / or audio information collected by the microphone 15 to a remote location is provided at an appropriate position.

  If comprised in this way, since the memory | storage device which memorize | stores these image information and audio | voice information in the main body of the observation apparatus 10 can be made unnecessary, the whole structure can be reduced in weight. The transmitted information is stored in an appropriate storage device or the like, or output by an output device such as a printer for analysis and storage.

  Hereinafter, Example 5 of the present invention will be described in detail. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the fifth embodiment, the eyepiece optical system including the two half mirrors 23 and 24 of FIG. 2 is provided. However, the eyepiece optical system is not limited to this, and for example, a free-form surface prism is used. A see-through system may be used.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a free-form surface prism 31 having a concave mirror-shaped half mirror 24 and a correction for correcting the power and optical axis of the transmitted light that is joined to the half mirror 24 and transmitted through the half mirror 24. This is a see-through bonded free-form surface prism 33 that is roughly composed of the prism 32, and details thereof are described in, for example, Journal of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, Vol. 4, No. 1, page 284 (1999). ing.

  As a result, the image displayed on the display device 22 is incident as incident light K1 from the first surface, totally reflected by the second surface, and then reflected by the third surface as the half mirror 24 to be reflected by the operator 25. An image taken by the camera device 14 is visually recognized.

  Further, the surrounding condition is incident as incident light K2 from the fourth surface forming the outer surface of the correction prism 32, passes through the half mirror 24, and is similarly incident on the pupil of the operator 25.

  Thereby, the operator 25 can view the surrounding situation and the image of the camera device 14 at the same time.

  By using the free-form surface prism in this way, there is an advantage that the visual recognition device 11 can be made compact although the weight increases.

  Since other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, Example 6 of the present invention will be described in detail. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In Example 6, as shown in FIG. 7, the entire visual recognition device 11 is configured as a flip-up type. In a state where the visual recognition device 11 is flipped up, the operator 25 is not blocked by the visual recognition device 11. Thereby, in the state where the visual recognition device 11 is flipped up, it is possible to grasp the surrounding situation with a wider field of view than the field of view of only the transmitted light transmitted through the half mirror 24, and the range of action of the operator 25 is widened.

  Since other configurations and operations are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As mentioned above, although it explained in full detail by the Example of this invention, a specific structure is not restricted to this Embodiment, Even if there is a design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is contained in this invention.

  For example, the visual recognition device 11 of the above embodiment may be a visual recognition device (goggles-type image display device or the like) that also protects the eyes so that dust, fumes, etc. do not touch the eyes directly.

  In addition, when part or all of the observation site is covered with dust, smoke, or the like, the camera device 14 and / or the illumination device 16 may be infrared compatible. An image captured by the infrared camera device 14 is displayed on the display device 22 so that the operator 25 can visually recognize the surrounding situation that is directly visible through the half mirror 24 and the half mirror 23.

  Further, for example, if the above-described camera device 14 is configured to include a zoom lens, an enlarged, wide-angle image or the like can be freely adjusted. In addition, the lens unit may be configured to be exchangeable by using known camera device technologies such as wide-angle, enlargement, and standard.

  Further, for example, as is well known in an industrial endoscope or the like, the tip portion of the flexible cable may be bent in a desired direction. Such a configuration can be achieved, for example, by providing a bending portion that can be operated by a joystick operation of a remote controller at an appropriate position in the flexible cable near the tip. The joystick can be stored in the storage case 17, and if the flexible cable 12 is inserted into the narrow portion with the right hand while operating the joystick with the left hand, the bending drive motor fixed to the bending portion is controlled to control the bending portion. The desired positioning can be performed while the tip portion is directed in a desired direction by bending.

  In addition, the illumination device 16 provided at the distal end guides light to the distal end 13 using a light source placed at hand when the light guide (optical fiber) is conducted in the flexible cable, and the visual field range of the camera device. Can be illuminated.

  In addition, the flexible cable 12 of the above embodiment may be long by being wound on a reel or the like. By making it long, it can be used for observation inside the pipe.

  In the above embodiment, the details of the display device have not been described. However, the display device includes a reflection type and a transmission type, and various display devices such as a front type and a backlight type are applied in the present invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

Industrial application fields

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an observation apparatus that has good operability even when used in a narrow space and can be used for a long time. A wide range of applications such as inspection of narrow parts in various pipes and lifesaving in the event of a disaster are expected.

It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the observation apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is an optical path figure explaining an example of the internal structure of the visual recognition apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the condition where the operator mounted | wore the observation apparatus of FIG. It is a side view of the visual recognition device concerning Example 2 of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram of the observation apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is an optical path figure explaining an example of the internal structure of the visual recognition apparatus which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is the side view which notched a part of visual recognition device concerning Example 6 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: observation device 11: visual recognition device 12: flexible cable 13: tip 14: camera device (imaging means)
15: Microphone 16: Lighting device 17: Storage case (storage part)
18: Power switch 19: Terminal 20: Frame portion 21: Mounting band 22: Display device 23: Half mirror 24: Aspherical mirror (half mirror)
25: operator 26: waist belt 27: headphones 28: light shielding plate 28a: hinge 29: sensor 30: control device

Claims (7)

An observation device that captures an image of a part that cannot be directly viewed illuminated by an illumination device, and displays the obtained image information on a display device so that an operator can visually recognize the image information.
The imaging means and the illumination device are fixed in the vicinity of the distal end of a flexible cable that can guide the distal end to a part that cannot be directly seen,
The display device is fixed to a face-mounted type visual recognition device that can be attached to the face of the operator,
The visual recognition device includes a half mirror,
The image displayed on the display device is reflected by the half mirror and visually recognized by the operator,
An observation apparatus characterized in that a situation around the operator is configured to be seen by the operator through the half mirror. The observation device further includes a microphone device and a sound reproduction device for reproducing sound collected by the microphone device,
The microphone device is fixed near the tip of the flexible cable,
The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound reproduction device is fixed by a receiver that can be attached to an ear portion of the operator.   The observation device according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding device that shields or opens a front surface of the half mirror.   The observation device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition device includes an opening unit for removing an image displayed on the display device from an operator's field of view and confirming a surrounding situation. The observation device includes a sensor that detects brightness around the operator,
The lighting device or the display device is connected via a control device,
The observation device according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls an illumination amount of the lighting device and / or a brightness of an image displayed on the display device in accordance with the brightness detected by the sensor. apparatus. The observation device includes a storage unit that can store a driving power source that drives the imaging unit, the display device, the microphone device, or the receiver;
The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is configured to be attached to and detached from an operator's body.   The said observation apparatus is provided with the transmitter which transmits the image information imaged by the said imaging means, and the audio | voice information collected by the said microphone apparatus to a remote place. The observation apparatus of crab.

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