JP2000081339A - Path-guiding device, image information supplying device, and image information supplying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily recognize an image being picked up and its position relationship by displaying a received road image while associating it with the image pick-up position of the road image on a map image based on image pick-up position information. SOLUTION: An image information supply system is composed of a vehicle- mounted processing device 100 as a path-guiding device being mounted on a vehicle, an information center 150 as an image information supplying device, and a camera (image pick-up means) that is installed at a specific point. The vehicle-mounted processing device 100 transmits and receives various kind of data to and from the information center 150, thus guiding a vehicle to a destination. The vehicle-mounted processing device 100 transmits request information to request an image at a specific position, and a road image corresponding to the received request information appears while being associated with the image pick-up position of the road image on the map image based on the image pick-up position information, thus enabling a user to recognize the road image being reproduced and the image pick-up position on a map at a glance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides image information to a route guidance device by transmitting and receiving data such as image information between an image information providing device and a route guidance device provided in a vehicle. The present invention relates to a communication-type image information providing system, and particularly relates to a route guidance device that displays a road image in association with an imaging position on a map, an image information providing device that provides road image information, and communication-type image information of the entirety. It is related to the providing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a new system of a vehicle navigation system, an in-vehicle processing device as a route guidance device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle receives image information from an information center as another image information providing device. There is a method of supplementing and displaying.

[0003] For example, in response to a request from an in-vehicle processing device, an information center transmits to the in-vehicle processing device image data of road conditions obtained by imaging road conditions in or around the route to the destination. It can be displayed on the in-vehicle processing device.

[0004]

However, such a conventional communication type image information providing system has the following problems. In the conventional in-vehicle processing device, the received captured image and the imaging position on the map image are not displayed in correspondence, and for a user who receives route guidance, the currently displayed captured image is displayed on the map. It was unclear if it corresponded to the location. In particular, when images taken at a plurality of points are received from an information center and displayed on a single screen, the problem is that the user becomes more complicated and the correspondence relationship with the imaging position on the map becomes unclear. was there.

When displaying images taken at a plurality of points, the distance relationship between the current position of the vehicle on the map and the displayed image cannot be easily recognized. It has been difficult to determine whether the captured image is taken at a short distance or a long distance from the current location.

As described above, there is a problem that the correspondence between the imaging position displayed on the screen and the imaging position on the map cannot be recognized at a glance.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and displays a captured image in association with a captured position on a map so that a user can easily view the captured image and its position. A main object is to provide a communication type image information providing system capable of recognizing a relationship. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication-type image information providing system capable of clarifying a distance relationship between a current position of a vehicle and an imaging position and facilitating determination of a detour or the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication-type image information providing system that allows a user to recognize at a glance the positional relationship between a captured image and an imaging position on a map.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a route guidance apparatus of a communication type image information providing system for providing a route guidance to a predetermined destination. Transmitting means for transmitting request information for requesting an image at a predetermined position to the image information providing apparatus, and receiving means for receiving road image information corresponding to the request information transmitted from the image information providing apparatus; ,
Display means for displaying a road image based on the road image information in association with an imaging position of the road image on the map image based on imaging position information for specifying an imaging position of the received road image. It is characterized by the following.

In the present invention, request information for requesting an image at a predetermined position is transmitted by the transmission means, and a road image corresponding to the received request information is displayed on the map image by the display means on the basis of the imaging position information. Is displayed in association with the imaging position of the road image. For this reason, the user can recognize the reproduced road image and the imaging position on the map at a glance, and can easily grasp the road condition and the like together with the position while traveling. In addition, since the user can easily recognize, it is not necessary to watch the screen of the display unit while traveling.

[0010] Here, "display in association with the imaging position" means that the imaging position of the displayed road image is specified on the map image, and the road image is associated with the imaging position. . For example, the present invention is achieved by displaying a road image and a map image side by side or vertically and side by side, connecting both images, displaying an intersection name on the map image on the road image, and the like. Then, there is no particular limitation.

The road image at the predetermined position according to the present invention includes a road image existing on the route from the current position to the destination and a road image at a position existing on the detour route around the route. When a request is made for a road image on the detour route, the road condition and position can be easily grasped, so that if any point on the route to the destination is congested, etc. The detour route can be determined early. Further, the road image at the predetermined position may be a road image at an arbitrary position other than these, in addition to the road image to the destination and the detour route.
In this case, even when the route is changed on the way, the road condition can be determined from the desired road image and the imaging position, so that the route change can be easily determined.

The road image may be an actual image of an intersection in addition to an actual image of a road condition. In this case, instead of displaying the intersection on the map image, an actual image of the intersection is displayed in association with the imaging position, so that the user's current position when passing through the intersection can be more easily confirmed.

[0013] The imaging position information of the road image may be either information obtained on the route guidance device side or information received from the image information providing device side.

The timing of capturing the road image is not particularly limited in the invention according to claim 1. The road image includes a moving image as well as a still image. When the road image is a moving image, there is an advantage that the imaging position and the road condition at that point can be clearly understood.

[0015] If the transmitting means of the present invention transmits request information for requesting an image at a predetermined position,
The configuration is not particularly limited. For example, in addition to the user transmitting manually when necessary, the transmission may be automatically performed under predetermined conditions in order to reduce the user's trouble of transmission. Further, in either case of manual transmission or automatic transmission, transmission may be performed a plurality of times under predetermined conditions. This is for updating the road image.

The request information may be a camera number for specifically specifying a camera for which an image is desired to be acquired, or travel route specifying information for specifying a route searched by the route guide device. Is also good. When the travel route specifying information is transmitted, the image transmitted to the route guidance device is specified by the image information providing device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance apparatus according to the first aspect, the request information transmitted by the transmission means requests the latest photographed image.

In the present invention, since the request information for requesting the latest photographed image is transmitted by the transmission means, the latest road image can be displayed together with the image pickup position on the map by the display means. For this reason, the user can easily grasp the latest road condition and the imaging position thereof, and can easily determine a detour or the like from the latest road condition.

Here, the latest photographed image is an image photographed within a predetermined time from the time when the image information providing device receives the request information, and includes both a still image and a moving image. Further, the latest photographed image may be a real-time moving image that is received by the receiving unit while establishing a communication path with the image information providing apparatus. In this case, since the road image at the present time can be grasped together with the image pickup position, the road condition and the position can be grasped easily without time lag.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance device according to the first aspect, the request information transmitted by the transmitting means requests images at a plurality of positions.

According to the present invention, since the transmission means transmits request information for requesting images at a plurality of positions, the display means can display a plurality of road images together with the respective imaging positions on the map. For this reason, the user can grasp in advance the road condition of the traveling destination and the imaging position thereof, and can determine in advance whether to make a detour or the like based on the road condition.

Here, the plurality of positions may be set to positions within a predetermined distance in relation to a map display area on the screen, in addition to all positions in the route to the destination. In this case,
A plurality of road images may be acquired within the range of the currently displayed map area, and when shifting to the next screen, road images at a plurality of positions on the screen may be requested.

Further, a plurality of positions may be determined in relation to the storage capacity of the memory and the communication time. In this case, the storage capacity of the memory can be reduced, and the communication time can be effectively used.

[0024] Other modes of the transmitting means include the following.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the request information transmitted by the transmitting means requests a plurality of images at a position within a predetermined range from a current position to a destination. A route guidance device according to item 1.

Here, the predetermined range can be outside the route to the destination, such as a range included in a predetermined ellipse focusing on the current position and the destination on the map image. In this case, according to the present invention, at the time of detour, a road image outside the route to the destination can be displayed together with its imaging position, so that it is easy to select a detour route from road conditions outside the route.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the request information transmitted by the transmitting means requests an image at a position within a predetermined range along a route from a current position to a destination. The route guidance device according to claim 1.

The predetermined range according to the present invention can be a range included in a circle centered on the route when traveling along the route on the map image. In this case, as the vehicle travels along the route, a road image around the current position of the vehicle can be displayed together with its imaging position, so that the display of the road image can be performed in accordance with the traveling timing of the vehicle. This makes it easy for the user to grasp.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance device according to the first or second aspect, the transmission means automatically transmits the request information based on a predetermined condition. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, under predetermined conditions,
The following embodiments are mentioned.

That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the transmitting means retransmits the request information at regular intervals.

According to the present invention, since road images can be received and displayed at regular intervals, the latest information can be obtained by updating the road images.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the transmitting means retransmits the request information when approaching the predetermined position a predetermined distance before. And

According to the present invention, when the vehicle approaches the predetermined position a predetermined distance before, the road image at the predetermined position can be received and displayed together with the imaging position, so that the burden of retransmission of the user can be reduced.

[0035] In a third aspect of the present invention based on the third aspect, the transmitting means calculates an estimated arrival time at the predetermined position, and a predetermined time before the estimated arrival time has elapsed. Sometimes, the request information is transmitted.

According to the present invention, a road image at a predetermined position can be received and displayed together with its image pickup position when a predetermined time before the expected arrival time at the predetermined position has elapsed, so that the burden on the user for retransmission is reduced. It is possible to display road images with good timing.

Here, the calculation of the estimated arrival time is, for example,
It can be configured to determine from the traveling speed of the vehicle or the like. In this case, it is possible to prevent the display timing of the road image from being shifted due to the difference in the traveling speed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the display means displays a road image photographing position on a map image. It is characterized in that the instruction information is displayed to correspond to the image and its imaging position.

In the present invention, since the display means displays the instruction information on the road image and the image pickup position thereof, the association between the road image and the image pickup position on the map image can be easily visually recognized.

Here, the instruction information is an image for associating the road image with the imaging position on the map, and corresponds to, for example, the same mark, connection, and the like. Further, the frame color of the road image and the mark or the like of the imaging position may be represented by the same color or may be blinked.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display means displays the photographing position of the road image on the map image when the photographing position is displayed on the map image. It is characterized by displaying a direction.

In many cases, the photographing direction of the road image cannot be understood only from the photographing position on the map. For this reason, in the present invention, by displaying the photographing direction of the road image at the photographing position on the map image, it is possible to assist the user in understanding and to easily understand the road condition of the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, when displaying the road image, the display means displays the traveling direction of the vehicle on the road image. Is displayed.

Since the direction of the map on the screen of the display means can be changed, the display direction of the road image may be different from the traveling direction of the vehicle on the map image. For this reason,
In the present invention, the display means displays the traveling direction of the vehicle on the road image to assist the user in understanding,
This makes it easier for the user to grasp the road conditions.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the display means is provided when the vehicle is stopped while the road image is a moving image. Only a road image is reproduced.

In the present invention, when the road image is a moving image, the display means reproduces the road image only when the vehicle is stopped, so that the display of the road image is interrupted or stopped while the vehicle is running. This eliminates the need for the user to watch the road image while the vehicle is running.

The following can be considered as such display means. For example, a message box or a message window to stop displaying the road image is displayed on the road image screen to hide the road image, pause the playback of the road image, or close the road image window to display the map. It is conceivable to display only an image.

In the present invention, the term "stop running" includes not only the time when the vehicle is completely stopped, but also the case where the vehicle is moving slowly at a predetermined speed or less.

Another mode of the display means when the road image is a moving image is as follows.

That is, the display means can be configured to change the display of the first frame of the frames included in the moving image when the moving image of the road image is repeatedly reproduced.

In this case, when the road image of the moving image is repeatedly displayed endlessly, the leading image of the moving image can be easily understood. Such display changes include, for example, changing the color of the screen frame of the first frame from the display of other frames, refreshing the screen when displaying the first frame, and displaying the last frame and the first frame. The interval can be longer than the display interval of other frames. Further, any of these may be combined.

As another mode of the display means, the display means is configured such that, when a moving image of a road image is reproduced, the display interval of each frame included in the moving image information is shorter than the frame interval at the time of shooting. You may.

In this case, the moving image of the road image can be displayed in a shorter time than the photographing time, so that the time can be effectively used and the time for watching the screen can be reduced. In addition, during a traffic jam, the state in which the vehicle is slowing down or stopping is long, so it is difficult to distinguish a moving image or a still image from the screen display. According to the display means of the present invention, the display interval of the frame is shortened, so that the movement of the vehicle can be easily confirmed on the screen even in a traffic jam, and there is an advantage that the distinction between a moving image and a still image is facilitated.

Further, the display means according to the present invention informs the user that the frame interval differs from the frame interval at the time of imaging.
Further, the configuration may be such that a notification of a change in the frame display interval is given. Such a notification can be made by, for example, displaying characters such as double speed, symbols, changing the frame color, blinking the screen, changing the tempo of audio, and the like. As still another aspect of the display means, the display means can be configured to display a plurality of frames included in the moving image at the time of playing back a moving image of a road image.

In this case, the flow of frames included in the moving image can be checked at a glance. The plurality of frames include not only all frames included in the moving image but also frames extracted every predetermined number.

Examples of such collective display include displaying a plurality of frames in a superimposed manner, or simply displaying a plurality of frames with small icons. Also,
When displaying moving images of a plurality of road images at different imaging positions, the display size of the screen may be changed for each imaging position and displayed collectively. In this case, there is an advantage that the distance between the current position and the imaging position can be easily understood.

The display means of the present invention can be configured to sequentially display each road image when there are a plurality of road images. In this case, the occupied memory can be reduced by the display means as compared with a case where a plurality of road images are displayed all at once.

As such display means, there is a display means for displaying a road image corresponding to the image pickup position when the vehicle approaches the image pickup position by a predetermined distance.

Further, the display means of the present invention can be configured so that when there are a plurality of road images, a plurality of road images are displayed simultaneously. In this case, the road condition at which the vehicle travels can be grasped in advance by the display means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the route guidance apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when displaying a plurality of road images at the same time, the display means may display a plurality of road images from a current position to an imaging position. The display size of the road image is changed according to the reach distance of the road image.

According to the present invention, the display means changes the display size of the road image in accordance with the distance from the current position to the imaging position and displays the image. Therefore, the distance interval between the imaging position of the road image and the current position can be easily set. You can figure out.

As such a display means, there is a means for reducing the display size of the screen when the image pickup position is far from the current position, and increasing the display size when the image pickup position is close to the present position.

In this case, a road image at an imaging position far from the current position is displayed at low resolution, a road image at a short imaging position is displayed at high resolution, and a road image at an imaging position close to the current position is displayed. The higher the image quality, the better.
In this case, since the road image on the large screen can be displayed in detail, there is an advantage that it is easier to grasp the road condition.

Further, the display means may be configured so that the update frequency is reduced for a road image at an imaging position far from the current position, and the update frequency is increased for a road image at a short imaging position. . In this case, since a road image at an imaging position closer to the current position is a newer road image, the time difference between the imaging time and the display time is reduced, and it is easy to grasp the road condition in a state close to real time. .

Further, in order to more easily grasp the distance interval of the road image from the current position, each time the vehicle approaches the imaging position, the approaching image may be shifted to the front and displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned route guidance device, the display means displays the road information sent together with the road image information simultaneously with the road image or the map image. It is characterized by.

Since a road image, which is an image captured at an image capturing position, can only grasp the approximate number, speed, and degree of movement of vehicles, it is difficult to completely grasp traffic congestion conditions and the like. Further, depending on the size of the display screen, it is not possible to grasp the weather condition at the imaging position, the surrounding condition, and the like. According to the present invention, since the road information is displayed simultaneously with the road image or the map image by the display means, it is possible to completely grasp a road situation that is difficult to understand only with the road image. In addition, since the road information is also displayed, the user does not need to watch the screen of the road image while driving. here,
The road information includes environmental conditions such as traffic congestion information, peripheral information, weather, and temperature.

When the road information is congestion information, for example, a congestion index, a congestion icon, an average moving speed, and the like may be displayed.

Here, the determination as to whether or not there is a traffic jam may be received from the image information providing device or may be determined by the route guidance device based on the moving image road image received from the image information providing device. . When the route guidance device determines the status based on the road image of the moving image, the amount of change (correlation coefficient) of the image between the frames constituting the moving image, the difference between the speed limit and the average moving speed, Alternatively, it can be determined based on the traffic noise amount or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, there may be further provided a sound output means for outputting the traffic congestion information at the image pickup position in terms of sound volume or different sounds. In this case, since it is possible to determine the traffic congestion state by the audio output, there is an advantage that the driving user does not need to watch the screen.

As an image information providing apparatus corresponding to the above-mentioned route guidance apparatus, a communication type image information providing system which receives request information for requesting an image from the route guidance apparatus and provides the image information to the route guidance apparatus. The image information providing device, an image capturing means for capturing a video on a road at a predetermined point to obtain a road image; a receiving means for receiving request information for requesting a road image from a route guidance device; Transmission means for transmitting the road image information corresponding to the information to the route guidance device.

The present invention is an image information providing device corresponding to the above-mentioned route guidance device, and the road image and the request information are the same as those of the first aspect.

In the present invention, the road image information corresponding to the request information requested by the receiving means is transmitted to the route guidance device by the transmitting means. For this reason, when displaying the road image information with the route guidance device, it is possible to cause the map to be associated based on the imaging position information.

Incidentally, the image pickup means corresponds to an image pickup camera installed at a predetermined position.

An image information providing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention makes a photographing request to the photographing means when there is no road image photographed within a predetermined time at the time of receiving the request information, and And an imaging requesting means for acquiring the

In the present invention, when the request information is received from the route guidance device, if there is no latest road image, the latest road image is acquired from the imaging device by the imaging requesting device. The latest road condition information can be provided.

The predetermined time is not particularly limited and may be arbitrarily determined.

An image information providing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the image information providing apparatus described above, wherein the transmitting means transmits road image information and road information related to the road. Things.

According to the present invention, not only the road image but also the road information related to the road is transmitted to the route guidance device by the transmission means, so that the user receiving the route guidance by the route guidance device can more accurately determine the road condition. Can be grasped. Here, road information includes traffic jam information, peripheral information,
Environmental conditions such as weather and temperature are included.

An image information providing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the image information providing apparatus described above, further comprising a traffic congestion discriminating means for discriminating a traffic congestion state at an imaging position based on a road image and creating traffic congestion information in the road information. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the congestion condition judging means judges the congestion condition at the image pickup position on the basis of the road image and performs the congestion information. Therefore, the route guidance device can provide not only the road image but also the congestion information. Further, it is possible to easily determine the detour route based on the traffic congestion situation. Further, in the present invention, since the determination of the traffic congestion state is performed on the image information providing apparatus side,
The processing load on the route guidance device can be reduced as compared with the case where traffic jam determination is performed on the route guidance device.

Such a congestion state judging means can be provided in the image pickup means for simplification of the apparatus, and can be configured to judge based on measuring the moving speed of the vehicle with a speed gun or the like at the time of photographing.

Further, the judgment is made based on the amount of change in the image between a plurality of frames constituting the moving image of the road image, or the average moving speed of the vehicle and the speed limit of the road are judged from the road image, and the two speeds are compared. Can be determined. It is also possible to determine whether or not there is a traffic jam based on the magnitude of the traffic noise amount included in the captured road image. In these cases, since the determination is made based on the road image, it is possible to accurately determine the congestion situation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image information providing apparatus of a communication type image information providing system which receives request information for requesting an image from a route guidance device and provides the image information to the route guidance device. Imaging means for photographing a video on a road at a predetermined point to acquire road image information; photographing condition changing means for transmitting setting information for changing a photographing condition to the imaging means; Receiving means for receiving request information for requesting a road image from a vehicle, and transmitting means for transmitting road image information corresponding to the request information to the route guidance device.

In the present invention, the road image and the request information are the same as in the first aspect. In the present invention, since the setting information for changing the shooting condition is transmitted to the imaging unit by the shooting condition changing unit, the shooting date and time, the shooting interval, and the like can be freely operated to prevent unnecessary shooting.

As the photographing condition changing means of the present invention, for example, there is a means for changing the start data file of the image pickup apparatus or transmitting setting information for setting a timer to the image pickup means.

For example, in the case where the start information is transmitted so as to start shooting at a predetermined time,
The shooting timing can be set in advance according to the shooting time zone (day, night, etc.), and waste of the shot image can be prevented.

Further, when the road image received from the image pickup means is a moving image, the photographing condition changing means compares the file sizes of a plurality of road images received from the same image pickup means and determines that the file size is constant. Thus, it is possible to configure so that the next shooting condition is changed. In this case, there is an advantage that the movement of the moving image as the road image can be kept constant so that the user on the vehicle can easily see the road image.

Here, examples of the photographing conditions under which the file size is constant include changing the resolution of an image and changing the photographing interval of frames.

Further, when the road image received from the image capturing means is a moving image, the photographing condition changing means compares the size of each frame of the road image received from the image capturing apparatus so that the frame size becomes constant. In addition, it is possible to change the photographing interval of each frame. Also in this case, it is possible to make the motion of the moving image constant so that the user on the vehicle can easily see the road image.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication type image information providing system for transmitting and receiving data between an image information providing device and a route guidance device by communication and providing image information to the route guidance device. Imaging means for capturing a road image by capturing a video on a road at a predetermined point, requesting means for requesting an image at a predetermined position, and transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving a road image corresponding to the request information, Display means for displaying the road image in association with the imaging position of the image information on the road map image.

The present invention is a communication type image information providing system corresponding to the image information providing device and the route guidance device described above, wherein a road image, an image at a predetermined position, and request information are the same as those of the first aspect. is there.

In the present invention, an image at a predetermined position is requested by the request means, and the road image corresponding to the received request information is displayed by the display means on the basis of the received imaging position information, the road image on the map image. The image is displayed in association with the imaging position of the image. For this reason, the user can recognize the reproduced road image and the imaging position on the map at a glance, and can easily grasp the road condition and the like together with the position while traveling. In addition, since the user can easily recognize, it is not necessary to watch the screen of the display unit while traveling.

[0094]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The image information providing system according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle processing device as a route guidance device mounted on a vehicle as a moving object, an information center as an image information providing device, and a camera (imaging unit) installed at a predetermined point. ), The vehicle is guided to the destination by transmitting and receiving various data between the in-vehicle processing device and the information center. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of on-vehicle processing device information, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an information center.

As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle processing device 100 has an input unit 105 for an operator to input a destination, request information, and the like, and a program storage unit 102 for storing a transmission program, a reception program, a reproduction program, and the like. An arithmetic processing unit 101; a display unit 106 such as a display device for displaying an output result; an audio output unit 107 such as a speaker for outputting various messages by voice; and a CD-ROM storing map information. CD-RO for reading
M drive device 111, position measuring unit 104 for measuring the current position of the vehicle, and time measuring unit 110 for measuring the current time
And a data storage unit 103 such as a memory for storing the received road image information, and a transmission / reception unit 108 for transmitting / receiving various data such as current position data, destination data, and road image information to / from the information center 150. Be composed. Here, the transmission / reception unit 108 and the transmission program constitute a transmission unit and a request unit of the present invention, and the transmission / reception unit 108 and the reception program constitute a reception unit of the present invention. Further, the display unit 106 and the reproduction program constitute a display unit of the present invention.

The transmission / reception unit 108 transmits data such as current position data of the vehicle, destination data, and request information for requesting a road image of a desired point to the information center 150. Receive data such as information.

A method of acquiring a road image from a camera as an imaging means in the in-vehicle processing device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of video acquisition and display.

Note that the in-vehicle processing device 100 of this embodiment acquires a recorded video of a moving image as a road image. However, the present invention is not limited to the recorded video, and the real-time video may be acquired while communicating with the information center 150 by the transmission / reception unit 108. In addition, a still image may be obtained as a road image without being limited to a moving image.

First, a destination is set, the current position of the vehicle (own vehicle position) is acquired by the position measurement unit, and a route calculation is performed.
A camera position as an imaging position is selected on a map. When the camera position is within the predetermined range, the transmitting / receiving unit 108 transmits the request information of the camera image acquisition to the information center 15.
0 (FIG. 3A).

After transmitting the request information, the information center 15
From 0, the road image and the camera position information of the road image are transmitted (FIG. 3B). When the road image and the camera position information of the road image are received, the current position of the vehicle (own vehicle position) is acquired again, and the distance to the received camera position information is calculated. Then, the road image received on the display unit 106 and the camera position on the map are displayed on the image, and the road image is associated with the camera position (FIG. 3C). This association will be described later.

Here, a method of selecting a camera position for acquiring an image will be described. This camera position selection processing means constitutes a part of the transmission means and the request means of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a route displayed on the map screen of the display unit 106 and a method of selecting a camera position for acquiring a road image from the camera position. Here, the point A indicates the current position of the vehicle when the destination is set, and the point B indicates the destination (FIG. 4A). The first selection processing method is to include, in the request information, a camera position within a range included in an ellipse focusing on the current location A and the destination B on the map screen as a video acquisition request (FIG. 4).
(B)). In this method, the request information does not request the camera C outside the ellipse to acquire an image.

In the second selection processing method, the camera information within a range included in a perfect circle centered on the route when the vehicle travels along the route is included in the request information as a request for image acquisition. In this selection method, the camera D is not required to acquire an image (FIG. 4C).

In the third selection processing method, a point is specified by selecting a selection item displayed on the screen of the display unit 106, and an image of the specified point is received from the information center.

The point selected in the on-vehicle processing device 100 is notified to the information center 150 as request information. The information center 150 acquires an image from a camera installed at the point, and transfers the image data to the in-vehicle processing device 100. The specification of the point on the in-vehicle processing device is performed, for example, on the screens shown in FIGS. The selection screen of FIG. 18A is displayed when the user selects “new request” on an initial screen (not shown). When the user selects the “real-time image” on the screen, as shown in FIG. 18B, an area selection screen belonging to a lower level is displayed. When the user selects the area "Kanto" on the screen, as shown in FIG. 18C, a point selection screen belonging to a further lower level is displayed.

When the point "Shutoko Shibuya Entrance" is selected on the screen, the selected point "Shutoko Shibuya Entrance" is notified to the information center 150 as request information.
The information center 150 obtains an image from the camera installed at the point “Shibuya doorway”, and transfers the obtained image data to the in-vehicle processing device 100 that has notified the point “Shibuya doorway”. .

In the fourth selection processing method, a map and a camera icon corresponding to a camera installation position on the map are displayed on the screen of the display unit 106 as shown in FIG. 19, and the user selects the camera icon. By doing so, the image at the position corresponding to the selected camera icon is stored in the information center 150.
To receive from.

For example, when a point “Shutoko Shibuya Entrance” is selected on the point selection screen of FIG. 18C, as shown in FIG. 19, a map including the point “Shutoko Shibuya Entrance” and a camera on the map are displayed. Is displayed together with the camera icon corresponding to the installation position. When the camera icon “Shibuya Exit” is selected on the screen, the point “Shibuya Exit” is notified to the information center 150 as request information. The information center 150 acquires an image from a camera installed at the point “Shibuya Exit”, and transfers the acquired image data to the in-vehicle processing device 100 that has notified the point “Shibuya Exit”.

Next, the timing at which the transmitting means transmits request information will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for transmitting request information.

In the in-vehicle processing device 100 of this embodiment,
The request information is transmitted when the time when the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the camera position is within 5 km is set as the image acquisition timing. For this reason, while the vehicle is running, it is determined whether or not it is time to acquire an image. When the image acquisition timing comes, that is, when the distance to the requested camera position is within 5 km, the request information is transmitted. Then, a road image of the moving image is obtained. The distance to the camera position, which is the timing for acquiring the image, is 5 km.
It is not limited to and can be set as desired. In addition, as an image acquisition timing (request information transmission timing), the arrival time to the requested camera position is calculated from the average speed of the vehicle, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the request information may be transmitted. .

After the road image is received from the information center 150, the next camera position is specified in the request information, and a still image at the position is requested. By displaying the still image at the next camera position on the display unit 106, it is possible to inform the user on the vehicle of the outline of the road condition at the next camera position. Acquisition of the road image of the moving image at the next camera position is performed by the vehicle as described above. The request information is transmitted when the current position is within 5 km.

Next, the display of the road image and the camera position on the display unit 106 and their association will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display of a correspondence between a road image and its camera position on the screen of the display unit 106. Display unit 106 of in-vehicle processing device 100 of the present embodiment
In this example, the screen is divided into two sides, a road map is displayed on the right side, and a road image is displayed on the left side. Arrows in the route on the road map indicate the current position of the vehicle, and black circles indicate camera positions. Then, each camera position is connected to the road image on the left side by a straight line, thereby associating the camera position with the road image. For this reason, the user can easily grasp the road image and its camera position at a glance.

On the road image screen, a road image at a camera position that is located at a short distance from the current position of the vehicle is expressed as follows.
The screen size is displayed at a high resolution with a large size, and a road image at a camera position far from the current position is displayed at a small size with a low resolution. For this reason, the user can easily grasp the distance between the imaging position of the displayed road image and the current position.

Note that the frame display interval of a moving image may be short for a road image at a camera position that is short from the current position, and long for a road image at a camera position that is distant from the current position. Furthermore, when the road image is a still image, the frequency of updating the road image at the camera position at a short distance is increased,
The request information may be transmitted so as to reduce the frequency of updating the road image of the camera position at a long distance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another correspondence between the road image and its camera position on the screen of the display unit 106. In FIG. In this display method, a mark indicating the camera is attached to the camera position on the road map screen, and each road image is displayed at an interval substantially equal to the distance between the camera positions on the map and between the current position and the camera position. ing. In this case, the scale of the screen displaying the left road image is changed according to the scale set on the right road map screen. Further, in this display method, the traveling direction of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow on the road image. Thus, the traveling direction on the road map and the traveling direction on the road image can be understood in a corresponding manner.

Here, a method of calculating the traveling direction will be described. In the in-vehicle processing device 100 of the present embodiment, the traveling direction is calculated from the route information received from the information center 150, and an arrow is displayed on the road image. It has branch road data at an intersection as vector data. For example, when the orientation is performed as shown in FIG.
The data of the branch road at the intersection displayed in (b) and FIG. 8 (c) are as follows. The screens shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C have a size of 300 dots horizontally and 200 dots vertically.

North direction: 120 degrees Number of branch road points: 4 Vector data of branch road: [1] 30 degrees, 80 dots [2] 110 degrees, 130 dots [3] 210 degrees, 80 dots [4] 290 degrees, 160 dots Center point Direction: (160,95)

For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the direction of each road becomes like an arrow, and an arrow corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle is displayed. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the branch road data is provided as vector data, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the traveling direction due to a reroute or the like.

Further, the in-vehicle processing device 100 of the present embodiment
The transmission / reception unit 108 receives a traffic congestion index as traffic congestion information in addition to the road image and the camera position information from the information center 150, and displays the traffic congestion index on the road image on the display unit 106. FIG. 9A shows an example of a road image displaying the congestion index. The congestion index is expressed in percentage.

The traffic congestion state is shown in FIGS. 9B and 9B.
As shown in FIG. 9 (c) and FIG. 9 (d), it can also be indicated by a traffic jam icon, a bar graph of the traffic jam index, or an average speed display.

As described above, the traffic congestion status is displayed on the display unit 1.
In addition to the display at 06, a sound output from the sound output unit 107 of the output means notifies the user whether or not there is congestion. Specifically, the volume is reduced when there is traffic congestion as determined from traffic congestion information such as a congestion index, and the volume is increased when traffic is free. Alternatively, the user is notified of the traffic congestion state by changing the type of sound depending on whether the traffic is congested or not. Here, the sound output by the sound output unit 107 is generally called traffic noise such as engine sound and wind noise. If there is a traffic jam, the sound of idling may be reproduced, and if not, the sound of the running engine may be output. If there is traffic, the volume of the wind noise may be eliminated, and if not, the volume of the wind noise may be increased. Further, a horn sound may be output when there is a traffic jam, and otherwise, the horn sound may be eliminated or reduced. By outputting sound in this way, without looking at the screen,
It is possible to judge traffic congestion intuitively. Therefore, it is easy for the user to recognize the traffic jam situation.

The traffic congestion determination method as the traffic congestion determination means is performed as follows. The first method is to attach a speed gun to an image capturing section of a camera 160 as an image pickup means, and to measure a moving speed of the vehicle measured by the speed gun at an information center 150.
, As road information, and it is determined whether or not there is traffic congestion based on the traveling speed of the body.

As a second method, it is determined whether or not there is traffic congestion based on the amount of movement of the vehicle displayed on the road image.

As a third method, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, a determination window obtained by cutting out a road where a vehicle passes is set in advance. Here, WL is a left lane movement amount determination window, and WR is a right lane determination window. Then, an increase or decrease in the amount of data from the previous screen in each window is determined as a correlation coefficient and determined. That is, when the difference in the data amount is small, it means that the correlation coefficient with the previous screen is high and the movement of the vehicle is small.
Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that there is traffic. Conversely, when the correlation coefficient is low, it can be determined that the vehicle is moving much and is empty.

The display unit 106 of the in-vehicle processing device 100 according to the present embodiment repeatedly and endlessly displays a road image of a moving image. So, as you can see at the beginning of the video,
Each time the display of each cycle of the repeated display is completed, a sound is output to notify that the display of one cycle has been completed. In addition to this, every time the display for one round is completed, the color of the screen frame is changed, the screen is refreshed by displaying a white screen, or an interval longer than the frame display interval, for example, a space of 3 seconds is left. Can be Note that the above methods may be combined.

The display unit 106 of the in-vehicle processing device 100 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped in order to ensure the safety of the driver. Is stopped, and when the vehicle is stopped, the road image is reproduced. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, during driving of the vehicle, a message window is displayed to hide the road image (FIG. 11A), or the reproduction of the moving image road image is temporarily stopped (FIG. 11A). In FIG. 11B, the screen of the road image itself is closed, and only the road map screen is displayed (FIG. 11B).
(C)). The road image may be set to be reproduced not only when the vehicle is completely stopped, but also when the vehicle is moving slowly, for example, at a speed of 20 km / h or less.

In the display unit 106 of the in-vehicle processing device 100 according to the present embodiment, when displaying a road image of a moving image, the display interval of each frame is shortened from the interval at the time of photographing to shorten the entire display time. In addition to the effective use of time, safety is ensured by reducing the user's gaze time. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the difference between the display speed and the speed at the time of shooting is displayed on the screen. That is, the display rate is displayed in characters such as double speed, triple speed, etc. (FIG. 12).
(A)), and are indicated by symbols such as arrows (FIG. 12 (b)).
Further, the color of the screen frame may be changed according to the display rate, or the tempo of the sound may be changed. Furthermore, a blinking portion may be provided on the screen, and the blinking speed may be changed according to the display rate.

When displaying a road image of a moving image, the display unit 106 of the in-vehicle processing device 100 according to the present embodiment first displays a plurality of frames included in the moving image on the screen collectively, so that the user can view the road image. You can grasp the flow at a glance,
The number of videos can be ascertained. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of frames of a moving image are displayed in a superimposed manner (FIG. 13A), or a plurality of frames are displayed in a superimposed manner with a display size changed according to a distance from a current position of a camera position. (FIG. 13B), or a series of frames are displayed without overlapping (FIG. 13C).

Next, the information center 150 as an image information providing apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the information center 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the information center 150 includes a communication control unit 151 that controls transmission and reception of data with the in-vehicle processing device 100 and reception of an image with the camera 160 as an imaging unit. A database 154 to be stored, a database management unit 153 that manages database search processing, update processing, and the like; a route search unit 156 that searches for a route to a destination;
An image capturing request unit 155 serving as an image capturing requesting unit that issues an image capturing request, and an image capturing condition changing unit 157 serving as an image capturing condition changing unit that changes the image capturing condition of the camera 160.

The communication control unit 151 is provided for the on-vehicle processing device 10.
From 0, reception of destination data, current location data, various data of request information, and the in-vehicle processing device 100,
The transmission of the road image data of the requested video is controlled.

Here, the request information is information for requesting video information of a road image at a predetermined point on the route to the destination, on the detour route, or outside the route.
It contains the point code for which you want to acquire video.

The route search section 156 is provided in the on-vehicle processing device 10.
From 0, the current position information and the destination information of the vehicle and the guidance data stored in the database 154 are searched for a route to the destination.

The photographing condition changing unit 157 determines whether or not the recording condition setting timing has come, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, and sets the recording condition when the recording condition setting timing comes. , And transmits the setting information to the camera 160. If it is not the recording condition setting timing, the imaging request unit 155 issues an imaging request to the camera 160.

The recording condition setting timing is
The time may be any time, such as day or night, and a timer may be set so that the camera 160 starts shooting at an arbitrary time.

The photographing condition changing unit 157 of this embodiment
In, the shooting conditions can be set from the file size of the road image of the moving image acquired from the camera 160. A flowchart in this case is shown in FIG. Camera 160
When the road image of the moving image is obtained from, the file size is compared with the road image obtained by the previous request, and the correlation coefficient is calculated. Here, the correlation coefficient is calculated based on the difference between the file sizes. When the correlation coefficient is constant, the motion of the image is constant. Therefore, if the correlation coefficient is low, set the recording conditions to increase the correlation,
When the correlation coefficient is high, the recording condition is set so as to lower the correlation. Specifically, to increase the correlation coefficient,
To lower the screen resolution or increase the display interval of frames and lower the correlation coefficient, perform the reverse. Then, the set recording conditions are transmitted to the camera 160 and reflected in the next shooting. This makes it possible to provide a user with an image that is easy to see with little change.

The photographing condition changing unit 157 according to the present embodiment.
In, the shooting conditions can be set based on the frame sizes of the moving image road image acquired from the camera 160. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart in this case. Camera 16
After obtaining the moving image road image from 0, the size of each frame is compared, and the correlation coefficient is calculated. If the correlation coefficient is low, the recording condition is set to increase the correlation, and if the correlation coefficient is high, the recording condition is set to decrease the correlation. Specifically, to increase the correlation coefficient, the resolution of the screen is reduced or the display interval of frames is set to be longer, and to lower the correlation coefficient, the reverse is performed. Then, the set recording conditions are transmitted to the camera 160 and reflected in the next shooting. This makes it possible to provide a user with an image that is easy to see with little change.

From the information center 150 to the in-vehicle processing device 10
The image data transmitted to 0 may be (main image + sub-image) × n as shown in FIG. in this case,
(Main image + sub image) is treated as one still image.
The sub-images are images of the date and time and the number of pages as shown in FIG. The information center 150 adds a sub-image to each main image and transmits the n still images to which the sub-image is added to the in-vehicle processing device 100. By adding the date and time to each main image in this way, the in-vehicle processing device 1
At 00, the date and time can be displayed during image reproduction. In this case, a program or process for measuring and displaying the date and time on the in-vehicle processing device 100 becomes unnecessary. Also, by adding the number of pages to each main image, the in-vehicle processing device 100
Can display the page number of the image being reproduced at the time of image reproduction. In this case, the in-vehicle processing device 10
A program or process for counting and displaying the number of pages on the 0 side becomes unnecessary.

The image data ((main image + sub-image) × n) of FIG. 17 transmitted from the information center 150 to the in-vehicle processing device 100 may be compressed by a known compression method. As a well-known compression method, there is, for example, FST (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-22747). According to the FST,
The first (main image + sub-image) is compressed in the frame to remove the redundancy in the frame, and the images between the second and the n-th images are the i (I-1)
Inter-frame compression is performed (i = 2 to n) in order to remove redundancy between frames with respect to the first image.

In the image information providing system of this embodiment, the information center 150 is provided as an image information providing device, and the in-vehicle processing device 100 mounted on a vehicle is provided as a route guidance device.
Is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a portable processing device that can be carried by a person as a route guidance device.

Next, it is created by the image transmitter 161 and
The outline of the moving image file transmitted to the information center 150 will be described.

A moving image file is created by compressing n still images within a frame and between frames by FST. The size of the second and subsequent still images is set smaller than the size of the first image. For example, the second and subsequent sheets are n2 × m2, and the first sheet is n1 × m1 (however,
n1 × m1> n2 × m2). As described above, since the sizes of the second and subsequent sheets are smaller than that of the first sheet, it is possible to reduce the file size of the moving image file as compared with the case where all n sheets are set to the size of the first sheet. it can.

When the moving image file is reproduced, the first image data and the ith (i = 2 to n) image data are combined.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a system to which an image transmitter 161 as a moving image file creating means is applied. Information center 150, imaging device 160
Are the same as those in FIG.

The image transmitting device 161 performs a compression process on the image captured by the image capturing device 160 using a known compression method, FST (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-22747), and creates a moving image file.

The FST is a compression method as described below. The A / D converted video signal is coded into a block of a matrix consisting of a plurality of pixels and a bitmap representing one of two types of reference values, and non-redundant information in the coded block is found. Identify and code. Then, by comparing each block with the corresponding block of the immediately preceding frame, redundancy between blocks and between frames is removed, and furthermore, the current color value is represented as a difference from the immediately preceding color value. Code with Thereby, the information amount of the moving image file is compressed.

Here, the communication control unit 162 is a modem, a terminal adapter, or the like. The image transmitter 161 transmits the moving image file to the information center 1 via the communication control unit 162.
The data center 50 transmits and receives various other data to and from the information center 150.

Next, the image transmitter 1 in the above system
The moving image file creation process 61 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This processing is executed when the image transmitter 161 receives a request for a moving image from the information center 150.

The value n and the counter i are preset values (S1). n is the total number of images captured by the imaging device,
The counter i indicates an image to be subjected to inter-frame compression by the FST. With respect to the image indicated by the counter i (the i-th image), inter-frame compression is performed to remove redundancy with respect to the previous image (the (i-1) -th image). Since there is no previous image for the first sheet, the counter i is set to 2.

The first image is picked up by the image pickup device 160 (S2), and an image of n1 × m1 size is extracted from the picked-up image (S3). n1 × m1 is a preset value. Note that an image may be directly acquired from the imaging device 160 at the set size. FIG. 22 shows the acquired n1 × m1 image. The obtained n1 × m1 image is compressed in a frame by FST (S4).

Next, the i-th image is picked up by the image pickup device 160 (S5), and an n2 × m2 size image is extracted from the picked-up image (S6). n2 × m2 is a preset value, and n2 × m2 <n1 × m1.
That is, the image size of the second and subsequent images is smaller than the image size of the first image. Note that the imaging device 1 is
Alternatively, the image may be directly obtained from 60.

FIG. 23 shows an example of an acquired image of n2 × m2. Note that if n2 × m2 <n1 × m1, n1 = n2 may be satisfied for the i-th and subsequent sheets as shown in FIG.

The inter-frame compression by the FST is performed on the second image shown in FIG. 23 in order to remove the redundancy between the second image and the previous image (first image) shown in FIG. 22 (S7). ). This inter-frame compression is based on the second image,
This is performed between the image of the area of n2 × m2 in the first image. The area of n2 × m2 in the first image is
It is set in advance by two diagonal points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2).

For each image of the i-th image (i = 3 to n), inter-frame compression by FST is performed in order to remove redundancy from the previous image (i-1st image). (S
7). In addition, for each of the i-th image (i = 2 to n), intra-frame compression by FST is also performed to remove redundancy in the frame (S7).

When the imaging of the set number n is completed (S
8, the moving image file created by the above processing (the first n1 × m1 image data and the second and subsequent n2 × m2 image data) is transmitted to the information center 150. (S9).

As described above, since the sizes of the second and subsequent sheets are smaller than that of the first sheet, the file size of the moving image file is reduced as compared with the case where all the n sheets are set to the size of the first sheet. Can be smaller. In the present embodiment, an image of n2 × m2 is extracted from the i-th image and the first image is extracted.
The inter-frame compression is performed between the area of n2 × m2 in the image of the sheet and images of a plurality of areas that do not overlap each other are extracted from the image of the i-th image, or the set size. May be directly obtained from the imaging device 160, and inter-frame compression may be performed with the corresponding plurality of regions in the first image. In this manner, even when there are movements at a plurality of locations in the image, it is possible to provide an image closer to the current state and to reduce the size of the moving image file. For example, an image of n2 × m2 and an image of n3 × m3 that do not overlap with the area are extracted from the i-th image (or an image is directly obtained from the imaging device 160),
Each image and n2 corresponding to each area extracted from the i-th image in the first image as shown in FIG.
Inter-frame compression is performed between the area of × m2 and the area of n3 × m3. Then, the first n1 × m1 image data, the second and subsequent n2 × m2 image data and n3
The image data of × m3 is transmitted to the information center 150.

Next, the processing of the information center 150 that has received the moving image file will be described. The information center 150 receives the moving image file transmitted from the image transmitter 160, and reproduces (decodes) the received moving image file. The first reproduced image is a still image, and the first to n-th images are continuous still images having a size of n1 × m1. These still images and the continuous still images are stored in the database 154. I do. The stored still image and continuous still image are read in response to a request from the in-vehicle processing device 100 and transmitted to the in-vehicle processing device 100.

The process of unifying the reproduced images to the size of nl × m1 is performed by synthesizing each image of n2 × m2 and the first image. Specifically, n2
× m2 are converted to two diagonal points (x1, y1), (x
2, y2) is applied to the first n2 × m2 region determined by (2, y2). Even if the sizes are unified in this way, if the area other than the first n2 × m2 area is a fixed object such as a building, the reproduction and display on the vehicle side will not cause a feeling of strangeness.

[0157] Since the image data having the uniform size is transmitted to the vehicle at the information center 150, the vehicle receiving the image data can reproduce and display the image without performing any special display processing. Can be.

[0158]

As described above, according to the present invention, a display for displaying a road image based on request information requested from an image information providing apparatus in association with an image capturing position of the image information on a road map image. Since the route guidance device is provided with the means, the reproduced road image and the imaging position on the map can be recognized at a glance, and the road condition and the like can be easily grasped along with the position while traveling. effective.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is easy to recognize the correspondence between the road image and the image pickup position on the road map image, it is not necessary to watch the screen of the display means while driving, and the vehicle can be driven safely. Can be.

Although the present invention has been described so that the image information providing device transmits an image to the route guidance device, the present invention provides
Route information can be used instead of image information. In this case, the route information providing device transmits the route to the route guidance device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an in-vehicle processing device as a route guidance device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an information center as an image information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of camera image acquisition according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram of a screen of a display unit showing a camera position selection method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a camera image acquisition timing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a screen state diagram showing a display example on a display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a screen state diagram showing a display example on a display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a screen state diagram showing a display example of a traveling direction of a vehicle on a display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a screen state diagram showing a display example of a traffic congestion state on the display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a screen state diagram showing a movement amount determination window on the display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a screen state diagram showing an example of stopping display of a road image on the display unit according to the embodiment while the vehicle is traveling.

FIG. 12 is a screen state diagram showing a frame display interval of a road image of a moving image on the display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a screen state diagram showing an example of collectively displaying moving image road images on the display unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process in a shooting condition setting unit of the information center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a recording condition setting process in a shooting condition setting unit of the information center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a recording condition setting process in a shooting condition setting unit of the information center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a screen state diagram showing a display example of a still image road image with additional information on the display unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a screen state diagram of the display unit showing a camera position selection (third method) in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a screen state diagram of a display unit showing a camera position selection (fourth method) in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a system to which an image transmitter is applied as moving image file creation means.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a moving image file creation process of the image transmitter.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an n1 × m1 image acquired from an imaging device.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an n2 × m2 image acquired from an imaging device.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of an n2 × m2 image acquired from an imaging device.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of an n1 × m1 image acquired from an imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: In-vehicle processing device 101: Operation processing unit 102: Program storage unit 103: Data storage unit 104: Position measurement unit 105: Input unit 106: Display unit 107: Voice output unit 108: Transmission / reception unit 110: Clock unit 150: Information Center 151: Communication control unit 152: System control unit 153: Database management unit 154: Database 155: Imaging request unit 156: Route search unit 157: Imaging condition change unit 160: Imaging device 161: Image transmitter 162: Communication control unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A route guidance apparatus for a communication type image information providing system for providing a route guidance to a predetermined destination, wherein request information for requesting the image information providing apparatus for an image at a predetermined position is provided. Transmitting means for transmitting; receiving means for receiving road image information corresponding to the request information transmitted from the image information providing device; identifying a road image based on the road image information; And a display means for displaying the road image on the map image in association with the imaging position based on the imaging position information to be displayed. 2. The route guidance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request information transmitted by the transmission means requests images at a plurality of positions. 3. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit automatically transmits the request information based on a predetermined condition. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein when displaying the photographing position of the road image on the map image, the road image and the photographing position of the road image correspond to each other by displaying instruction information. The route guidance device according to claim 1. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a photographing direction when displaying a photographing position of the road image on the map image. Route guidance device. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a traveling direction of the vehicle on the road image when displaying the road image. Route guidance device. 7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means reproduces the road image only when the vehicle is stopped when the road image is a moving image. The route guidance device according to the paragraph. 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein when displaying a plurality of road images simultaneously, the display unit changes the display size of the road images in accordance with a distance from a current position to an imaging position and displays the road images. The route guidance device according to claim 1. 9. An image information providing apparatus of a communication type image information providing system for receiving image request information for requesting an image from a route guidance apparatus and providing the image information to the route guidance apparatus, wherein: Imaging means for capturing road images to obtain road image information; imaging condition changing means for transmitting setting information for changing imaging conditions to the imaging means; and requesting a road image from the route guidance device. An image information providing device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives request information; and a transmitting unit that transmits road image information corresponding to the request information to a route guidance device. 10. A communication-type image information providing system for transmitting and receiving data between an image information providing device and a route guidance device by communication and providing image information to the route guidance device, wherein a predetermined point is provided. Imaging means for photographing a video on the road to obtain a road image; request means for requesting an image at a predetermined position; transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving a road image corresponding to the request information; Display means for displaying the image information in association with the imaging position of the image information on the image.