Specifying system, specifying apparatus, and specifying method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12416520-B2
Application number	US-202018032138-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2020
Priority date	Oct 28, 2020
Publication date	Sep 16, 2025
Grant date	Sep 16, 2025

Abstract

A specifying system according to the present disclosure includes an optical fiber ( 30 ) laid along a levee ( 20 ) of a river ( 10 ), a communication unit ( 41 ) configured to receive, from the optical fiber ( 30 ), an optical signal containing a pattern that changes according to a state of the levee ( 20 ), and a specifying unit ( 51 ) configured to specify a water level of the river ( 10 ) based on the pattern that changes according to the state of the levee ( 20 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A specifying system comprising:
an optical fiber laid along a levee of a river;
at least one memory storing instructions; and
at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
receive, from the optical fiber, an optical signal containing a pattern that changes according to a state of the levee;
specify a water level of the river based on the pattern; and
specify the water level of the river based on a pattern that changes according to a vibration state or a temperature state of the levee, contained in the optical signal.

2. The specifying system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to specify a defect of the levee based on a strength of the optical signal and specify a place where the defect of the levee has occurred based on the optical signal.

3. The specifying system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to specify a defect of the levee based on the water level of the river and specify a place where the defect of the levee has occurred based on the optical signal.

4. The specifying system according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a camera configured to monitor the river,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to control the camera to photograph the place where the defect of the levee has occurred.

5. A specifying apparatus comprising:
at least one memory storing instructions, and
at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
receive, from an optical fiber laid along a levee of a river, an optical signal containing a pattern that changes according to a state of the levee;
specify a water level of the river based on the pattern; and
specify the water level of the river based on a pattern that changes according to a vibration state or a temperature state of the levee, contained in the optical signal.

6. The specifying apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to specify a defect of the levee based on a strength of the optical signal, and specify a place where the defect of the levee has occurred based on the optical signal.

7. The specifying apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to specify a defect of the levee based on the water level of the river, and specify a place where the defect of the levee has occurred based on the optical signal.

8. The specifying apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to control a camera, configured to monitor the river, to photograph the place where the defect of the levee has occurred.

9. A specifying method performed by a specifying apparatus, comprising:
receiving, from an optical fiber laid along a levee of a river, an optical signal containing a pattern that changes according to a state of the levee; and
specifying a water level of the river based on the pattern,
wherein the water level of the river is specified based on a pattern that changes according to a vibration state or a temperature state of the levee, contained in the optical signal.

10. The specifying method according to claim 9 , wherein a defect of the levee is specified based on a strength of the optical signal, and a place where the defect of the levee has occurred is specified based on the optical signal.

11. The specifying method according to claim 9 , wherein a defect of the levee is specified based on the water level of the river, and a place where the defect of the levee has occurred is specified based on the optical signal.

12. The specifying method according to claim 10 , further comprising controlling a camera, configured to monitor the river, to photograph the place where the defect of the levee has occurred.

Assignees

• Nec Corp

Inventors

• Yoda Yukihide
• Mori Koyo
• Iwano Tadayuki

Classifications

• H04N7/22 Primary

  Adaptations for optical transmission · CPC title

• G08C23/06

  through light guides, e.g. optical fibres · CPC title

• G01N21/95

  characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined (G01N21/89 - G01N21/91, G01N21/94 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01F23/22

  by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water (involving the use of floats G01F23/30) · CPC title

• E02B3/04

  Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours ({E02B1/003 takes precedence;} sealing or joints E02B3/16 ) · CPC title