JP2006190198A - Portable vehicle number recognizing device and vehicle number recognizing method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable vehicle number recognizing device highly efficiently acquiring vehicle information, and to provide a vehicle number recognizing method using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The portable vehicle number recognizing device has a configuration and a weight specified considering that it is mounted on a vehicle in use. It comprises a photographing part having a plurality of photographing devices using mutually different optimum wavelengths by information to be acquired about the vehicle as a photographed object for acquiring the images of the vehicle and an image processing part for processing the images acquired by the plurality of photographing devices and extracting the information to be acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable vehicle number recognition device that can be mounted on a vehicle, and in particular, a portable device that includes a plurality of imaging devices that acquire images of the same imaging target by using different optimal wavelengths for information to be acquired for the same imaging target. The present invention relates to a type vehicle number recognition device and a vehicle number recognition method using the portable type vehicle number recognition device.

  In the technical field of the vehicle number recognition device, an image photographing unit fixed at a fixed position and an image acquired by the image photographing unit are processed, and (1) a license plate of a passing vehicle to be imaged is identified. (2) collate vehicle information recorded in advance with identified license plate information, and (3) pass through the field of view of the image capturing unit fixed at a fixed position. A fixed type vehicle number recognition device provided with an image processing unit that counts the number of passing vehicles and the number of passing vehicles in a specific time band is common.

  The various types of information acquired by the fixed type vehicle number recognition devices fixed at a plurality of fixed positions are transmitted to a center device that collectively manages information by wire or wirelessly. The center device collectively manages the various types of information transmitted, so that (1) the number of passing vehicles at a plurality of fixed positions, the fixed position of the fixed vehicle number recognition device that acquired the information, and the passing vehicle (2) managing the number plate of the passing vehicle identified as the imaging target, the passing time information of the passing vehicle, and the whole image of the passing vehicle at a plurality of fixed positions A vehicle information database is constructed.

  A central monitoring system is configured by a fixed vehicle number recognition device fixed at a plurality of fixed positions and a center device that collectively manages information acquired by the fixed vehicle number recognition device. In this central monitoring system, the transmission of traffic information and the tracking of a specific vehicle are performed based on the constructed traffic number database and vehicle information database. However, since the information acquisition position is limited to a plurality of fixed points, traffic information is lost at points where the fixed vehicle number recognition device is not installed. In addition, tracking of a specific vehicle is limited in a specific area.

  In order to alleviate the limitation of the information acquisition position, the vehicle that acquires the vehicle information and the like in the form of being mounted on a movable body such as a vehicle by making the fixed vehicle number recognition device portable. A number recognition device has been proposed. However, in the conventional portable vehicle number recognition device, the size and weight of the device are limited, and the relative speed between the vehicle to be imaged and the loaded vehicle on which the device is loaded, the relative position, or the object to be imaged at night, etc. Depending on the placed imaging environment, vehicle information to be acquired may not be acquired. For this reason, the improvement of the acquisition rate of the vehicle information by the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus is calculated | required.

  In relation to the above technical fields, the following techniques have been proposed.

  In the “vehicle number recognition system” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-296785, an in-vehicle camera that captures a license plate of a target vehicle that is running, and a camera control device that controls zoom, focus, aperture, etc. of the in-vehicle camera A character recognition device that extracts and recognizes characters on a license plate by processing an image taken by a vehicle-mounted camera, a database device that searches for vehicle registration data based on the character recognition result, and a display device that displays the search result A vehicle number recognition system including the above has been proposed.

  In addition, in the “in-vehicle image display device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-63681, a plurality of in-vehicle cameras that capture different directions around the vehicle, an in-vehicle network to which the in-vehicle cameras are connected, and an in-vehicle network are provided. Display means for receiving and displaying image data from the in-vehicle camera via the in-vehicle camera, extraction means for receiving and extracting the image data from the in-vehicle camera via the in-vehicle network, and composite image data by combining the plurality of extracted image data Combining means for generating a vehicle collision detection means for detecting a vehicle collision and outputting a collision signal, recording means for recording composite image data, and recording image data in the recording means according to a predetermined time interval signal or collision signal. An in-vehicle image display device including a recording unit has been proposed.

  In addition, in the “parking violation control system” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-231692, a traveling automatic vehicle is provided, and in the traveling automatic vehicle, the arrangement direction of the imaging elements is the traveling automatic vehicle. One-dimensional imaging sensor for photographing a parked vehicle arranged so as to intersect with the traveling direction of the vehicle, and imaging data capturing means for capturing the imaging data of the one-dimensional imaging sensor in a timely manner as the traveling vehicle travels The first image storage means for storing the first cyclic image obtained by capturing the imaging data during the first round, the next image storage means for storing the next cyclic image obtained by the imaging data capture during the next round, and both storages Parking violation control system equipped with an image output means for outputting the first and second patrol images stored in the means so as to be comparable It has been proposed.

JP 11-296785 A JP 2002-63681 A JP 2000-231692 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable vehicle number recognition device with high vehicle information acquisition efficiency and a vehicle number recognition method using the portable vehicle number recognition device.

  In the following, means for solving the problem will be described using reference numerals with parentheses used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. These symbols are added in order to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention. ] Should not be used for interpretation of the technical scope of the invention described in the above.

  The portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention includes an imaging unit including a plurality of imaging devices (11, 13) that acquire images of the same imaging target using different wavelengths for each information to be acquired of the same imaging target. (10) and an image processing unit (80) that processes images acquired by a plurality of imaging devices and extracts information to be acquired, and can be mounted on a vehicle.

  In the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention, the plurality of imaging devices includes an infrared camera (11) that captures the vehicle number of the same imaging target vehicle using infrared light, and visible light. And a color camera (13) that captures the entire image of the vehicle, and based on the images acquired by the infrared camera and the color camera, the image processing unit (80) is the vehicle of the vehicle that is the same imaging target. Number information and whole image information are extracted.

  The imaging unit (10) according to the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention further includes an infrared for an infrared camera (11) capable of controlling the illuminance based on the illuminance of the same imaging target. The illumination device (12) is provided, and the color camera (13) can control the photographing sensitivity based on the illuminance of the same imaging target.

  The portable vehicle number recognition device (1) according to the present invention further includes an imaging switch (40) for manual imaging and a vehicle detection mechanism respectively connected to the imaging unit (10), and manual imaging by the imaging switch. And automatic photographing based on an arbitrary detection distance and detection area set in the vehicle detection mechanism.

  The imaging unit (10) according to the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention is further installed for installing a plurality of imaging devices (11, 13) on the windshield, side glass, or rear glass of the vehicle. The installation angle of the plurality of imaging devices with respect to the road can be finely adjusted.

  Further, the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) (50) connected to an image processing unit for acquiring information on the shooting time and shooting location of the acquired image. ).

  Further, the image processing unit (80) related to the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus (1) of the present invention uses the extracted vehicle number information of the same imaging target vehicle and pre-stored arrangement vehicle number information. If the collation results match, a voice notification is made.

  Further, the image processing unit (80) related to the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention counts the number of passing vehicles passing through the imaging field of view of the plurality of imaging devices (11, 13). Record the total number.

  The image processing unit (80) related to the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) of the present invention is a PC (personal computer) or a dedicated processing device.

  The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus (1) of the present invention further includes a communication unit (60) for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external network.

  The self-standing plate (100) with a pseudo license plate according to the present invention is used when the imaging unit (10) provided in the portable vehicle number recognition device (1) is attached to a loaded vehicle so as to face a desired direction by the installation device. In order to adjust the mounting angle of the installation device with respect to the loaded vehicle, it is a self-supporting plate with a pseudo number plate that can be mounted and used as an index in a desired direction outside the loaded vehicle. A distance meter (110) capable of measuring the distance between a plurality of pseudo license plates (130, 140) in which the size and mounting height corresponding to an ordinary vehicle or the like are reproduced, and the loaded vehicle and the self-standing plate with the pseudo license plate ).

  The central monitoring system (200) of the present invention includes a fixed vehicle number recognition device (250), a portable vehicle number recognition device (1), a fixed vehicle number recognition device, and a portable vehicle number recognition device. Vehicle information such as vehicle number information, entire image information, traffic information of passing vehicles that pass through the imaging field of view of a plurality of imaging devices, etc. A center that collates vehicle number information with previously-arranged arrangement vehicle number information, and tracks the vehicle corresponding to the arrangement vehicle number information based on information on the shooting time and shooting location of the image from which the vehicle number information was acquired. A device (210).

  Further, the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention wants to acquire an imaging step of acquiring images of the same imaging target using different wavelengths for each information to be acquired of the same imaging target, and processing the images acquired by the imaging step. And an image processing step for extracting information.

  In addition, the imaging step according to the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention includes an infrared light imaging step for capturing the vehicle number of the same imaging target vehicle using infrared light, and an entire vehicle image using visible light. A visible light imaging step for photographing, and the image processing step extracts the vehicle number information and the entire image information of the same imaging target vehicle based on the images acquired by the infrared light imaging step and the visible light imaging step. It is a step to do.

  In addition, the imaging step according to the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes infrared for an infrared imaging step capable of controlling the illuminance for illuminating the same imaging target corresponding to the same imaging target and the surrounding illuminance. An illumination control step is provided, and the visible light imaging step is a step of controlling imaging sensitivity based on the illuminance of the same imaging target.

  Further, the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes a manual photographing step and a vehicle detection step, and is set to manual photographing in which a still image is acquired by the photographing step based on the manual photographing step and the vehicle detection step. Based on an arbitrary detection distance and detection area, automatic shooting can be performed by an imaging step.

  In addition, the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) information acquisition step for acquiring information on the shooting time and shooting location of the acquired image.

  Further, the image processing step according to the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes a vehicle number collation step for collating the extracted vehicle number information of the vehicle to be imaged with the same and the arranged vehicle number information stored in advance. And a voice notification step for performing voice notification when the verification results in the vehicle number verification step match.

  The image processing step according to the vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes a passing vehicle counting step of counting the number of passing vehicles that can be recognized by the imaging step and recording the total number.

  The vehicle number recognition method of the present invention further includes a communication step for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external network.

  Further, the visual field adjustment method of the present invention realizes the vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, in order to match the image of the same imaging target acquired in the imaging step with the desired visual field. In this visual field adjustment method, a plurality of pseudo license plates (130, 140) in which sizes and mounting heights corresponding to large vehicles and ordinary vehicles to be imaged in advance are reproduced are desired. An installation step of installing the visual field at a specific distance away from the visual field; and a directivity adjustment step of adjusting the imaging visual field of the imaging step toward the plurality of pseudo license plates.

  The central monitoring method of the present invention has functions equivalent to the vehicle number recognition method and the vehicle number recognition method, and is based on the fixed vehicle number recognition method, the vehicle number recognition method, and the fixed vehicle number recognition method. Centralized management step for centrally managing vehicle information such as vehicle number information, overall image information of a vehicle to be acquired, entire image information, traffic information of passing vehicles passing through the imaging field of view of a plurality of imaging devices, and The vehicle number information of the vehicle is compared with the arrangement vehicle number information stored in advance, and tracking of the vehicle corresponding to the arrangement vehicle number information is performed based on the information of the shooting time and the shooting location of the image from which the vehicle number information is acquired. And an information collecting method including a tracking step to be performed.

  The present invention can provide a portable vehicle number recognition device with high vehicle information acquisition efficiency and a vehicle number recognition method using the portable vehicle number recognition device.

  As a result, in the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to the present invention, (1) in addition to a camera using infrared light for photographing a license plate, visible light is used to collect more information about the vehicle. By integrating the color camera, it is possible to bend the license plate or to obtain various types of information such as the subsequent analysis of the vehicle that is intentionally difficult to read, the presence or absence of the driver, and the color of the vehicle.

(2) While driving a vehicle equipped with this apparatus, it is possible to photograph a license plate of a vehicle parked or parked along a parking lot or road. In particular, it is possible to photograph and identify the number plate of a running vehicle in addition to the vehicle stopped on the road by using the infrared illumination attached to the apparatus not only during the day but also at night.

(3) The license plate identification results are sequentially made into a database together with information on time, place, and still image (one image). Information retrieval of this database can be easily executed even in a car.

(4) By registering the number to be searched in advance, when the vehicle information of the matching number is detected, the operator can be notified by an alarm sound.

(5) All image signals can be recorded with a video recorder as required.

(6) Although equipped with devices such as an imaging unit (integrated lighting type), an image processing unit, and a power supply unit, it can be divided and carried by each device, and the connection between devices is easy.

  With reference to the accompanying drawings, a best mode for carrying out a portable vehicle number recognition apparatus and a vehicle number recognition method using the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  A portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit including a plurality of imaging devices that acquire images of the vehicle using different optimum wavelengths for each information desired to be acquired by the vehicle to be imaged, and the plurality of the plurality of imaging devices. An image processing unit that processes an image acquired by the imaging apparatus and extracts information desired to be acquired. Moreover, the form and weight are prescribed | regulated on the assumption that it can mount and use.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses infrared light to illuminate the infrared camera 11 mainly for photographing a license plate image of a target vehicle, and at night. An imaging unit 10 including an infrared illumination device 12 to be used, a color camera 13 that captures an entire image using visible light and mainly acquires color information of a target vehicle, and the like. The image processing unit 80 extracts the desired vehicle information by processing the image acquired by the above-described processing. The image processing unit 80 is connected to the image recording unit 20 in accordance with the acquired image amount. Further, the image processing unit 80 includes the display screen 85 for displaying the processed vehicle information, but a monitor 30 having a large display screen may be connected. Further, the image processing unit 80 includes a communication unit 60 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external network, a data input unit 90 for inputting various data by manual input, and the portable vehicle according to the present embodiment. There is a GPS (Global Positioning System) 50 for acquiring position information of a vehicle equipped with a number recognition device, and a manual imaging switch 40 used for manually capturing the image of the imaging unit 10 as a still image instead of a moving image. It is connected. The communication unit 60 is connected to an external network by wire or wireless. The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus of the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 70, and all the power of each device constituting the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus is supplied by the power supply unit 70.

  Hereinafter, functions and operation principles of each device provided in the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Imaging unit (infrared camera, infrared illumination device, color camera)
An infrared camera 11 provided in the image capturing unit 10 captures a license plate around a vehicle to be imaged and acquires an enlarged image of the license plate. The image captured by the infrared camera 11 is subjected to image processing in real time in the image processing unit 80. When the number of the license plate is read by the image processing unit 80, the license plate number information is displayed as part of the vehicle information on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30 connected to the image processing unit 80. The one-shot image is displayed. The number information of the license plate is recorded as a part of the vehicle information in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80.

  The infrared illuminating device 12 provided in the imaging unit 10 is used at the time of photographing with the infrared camera 11 at night, in the daytime or in cloudy weather, or in indoor shooting where the amount of light is insufficient such as in a parking lot. An acquired image of the vehicle to be imaged when using the infrared illumination device 12 can be confirmed on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30 connected to the image processing unit 80. It cannot be seen directly with the eyes.

  The color camera 13 provided in the imaging unit 10 captures the entire vehicle of the vehicle to be imaged with a wide viewing angle, and acquires information for identifying the vehicle type and color of the vehicle and the passenger. The color camera 13 photographs the same vehicle as the infrared camera 11. The image acquired by the color camera 13 is recorded in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80 and used as necessary.

(2) Monitor The monitor 30 connected to the image processing unit 80 is used for adjusting the angle of view of the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 provided in the imaging unit 10 and confirming the shooting state. When photographing a vehicle to be imaged, a license plate reading abnormality check is performed on the monitor 30. The monitor 30 switches and displays each image of the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 by a switch (not shown) installed on the monitor 30. The monitor 30 can be substituted by the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80.

(3) Image Recording Unit The image recording unit 20 records the image information acquired by the imaging unit 10. The image information recorded in the image recording unit 20 is used for investigating / analyzing a reading abnormality or the like with a recorded image later. When the image information recorded in the image recording unit 20 is reproduced to search for an abnormal reading vehicle, a time that is recorded in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 and indicates the time when the abnormal reading occurs. A record list is used. By referring to the license plate reading result list arranged in order of the acquired vehicle information and the time recording list, the time at which the image of the vehicle in which the reading abnormality occurred is captured is examined.

(4) Image Processing Unit The image processing unit 80 receives a video signal of an image acquired by the infrared camera 11 (number reading camera), and reads the number of the license plate from the image acquired in real time. The reading result is displayed on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or on the monitor 30, and at the same time, is recorded in the image recording unit 20 as vehicle information. If the license plate number cannot be read due to bending of the license plate, the reading result is not displayed.

  The number reading result of the license plate in the image processing unit 80 is automatically determined as a suspicious vehicle by collating with a plurality of numbers previously registered as suspicious vehicles or the like (hereinafter referred to as black list). Then, when it is determined that the imaged vehicle is a suspicious vehicle, the image processing unit 80 generates an alarm.

  When the image acquisition unit 10 acquires an image, the number reading result is confirmed on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30. If the number reading result is not displayed on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30 even though the vehicle is photographed, it is considered that the reading is abnormal. In this case, when the manual imaging switch 40 connected to the image processing unit 80 is pressed, the time at that time is recorded in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80. This recorded time becomes the reading abnormality occurrence time, and is used when the image data acquired by the color camera 13 is inquired for analysis later.

  Further, the image processing unit 80 records the image data acquired by the imaging unit 10 in a recording unit (not shown), and the recorded image data is used for investigating and analyzing a reading abnormality or the like later with a video. . When the acquired image data recorded in the recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 is reproduced, a list in which the vehicle number reading result, the vehicle number and the reading time are displayed in a list, and the reading abnormality occurrence time are obtained. Be queried. Then, the reading result list arranged in the time order of the list and the time list of the reading abnormality occurrence time are inquired to estimate the time when the reading abnormality vehicle is imaged, and the image at the time is reproduced. . Here, the case where the image data acquired by the imaging unit 10 is recorded in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 has been described. However, the image data acquired by the imaging unit 10 is stored in the image processing unit 80. The same applies to the case where the image is recorded in the connected image recording unit 20.

  The image processing unit 80 can be replaced with a general-purpose personal computer by using a specially developed processing device or installing a specific application. The manual imaging switch 40 can also be used manually when acquiring a still image of a license plate of a vehicle to be imaged by the imaging unit 10. When a general-purpose personal computer is used as the image processing unit 80, a keyboard and a mouse serve as the manual imaging switch 40. In addition, the image processing unit 80 includes a mechanism (such as a dedicated key and a fingerprint authentication mechanism) that can withstand external attacks (including theft).

(5) GPS (Global Positioning System)
When the GPS 50 records the number plate number reading result in the recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80, the number plate is photographed at the same time. In order to record the location information (latitude and longitude) together, it is connected to the image processing unit 80. The location information of the number plate taken is connected to a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image processing unit 80 together with the number reading result in conjunction with the number reading processing of the license plate at regular time intervals. Is recorded in the recorded image recording unit 20. The information on the location where the license plate is photographed can also be recorded by a manual input with an easy-to-understand name (such as “National Road xx Up XX Intersection”).

(6) Communication unit The communication unit 60 is connected to the image processing unit 80 and performs data communication with an external network. Thereby, the vehicle information including the number information of the blacklist vehicle is downloaded via the external network. In addition, the acquired vehicle information such as the license plate reading result and the image data is transmitted to a center device or the like that is installed outside via an external network and collectively manages the vehicle information and the like. In addition, the current position information of the mounted vehicle on which the portable vehicle number recognition device 1 that acquires the vehicle information is mounted can be transmitted to the above-described center device. When performing data communication with an external network, data can be encrypted.

(7) Power supply part The power supply part 70 supplies the power supply of all the component apparatuses demonstrated by (1)-(6). The power supply unit 70 can monitor the battery exhaustion by displaying the remaining amount of power on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30. When the remaining power is low, an alarm is issued. In addition, the power supply unit 70 displays the number of times of light emission of the infrared illumination device 12 on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30 (cumulative number of times of light emission and number of times of light emission after charging).

  Next, the operating principle of this embodiment will be described.

  The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, and (1) an oncoming vehicle, (2) an overtaking vehicle, (3) an overtaking vehicle, and (4) a stopped vehicle 1 while the vehicle mounted on the vehicle is traveling. For parallel parking, (5) parked vehicles; parallel parking, etc., vehicle information (number plate number, vehicle classification, vehicle body color, etc.) and information such as its imaging location and imaging time are acquired.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the imaging unit 10 of the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an infrared camera 11 and a color camera on the windshield in front of the passenger seat of the car. 13 and an infrared illumination device 12 on the back of the right side mirror, an infrared camera 11 and a color camera 13 on the left rear side glass, and an infrared illumination device on the upper left of the rear glass. 12 may be installed. In addition to this, the arrangement position of the imaging unit 10 with respect to the vehicle on which the imaging unit 10 is mounted is changed as appropriate. For example, (1) When acquiring vehicle information of an oncoming vehicle, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 are installed on the upper part of the windshield in front of the passenger seat of the vehicle, and the rear surface of the right side mirror is illuminated with infrared light. A device 12 is installed. (2) When acquiring vehicle information or the like of the overtaking vehicle, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 are installed on the left rear side glass, and the infrared illumination device 12 is installed on the upper left of the rear glass. (3) Although not described above when acquiring vehicle information of the overtaking vehicle, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 are installed on the right rear side glass, and the infrared illumination device 12 is provided on the upper right portion of the rear glass. Installed. In addition, when acquiring vehicle information such as (4) parked vehicle 1; parallel parking, (5) parked vehicle; parallel parking, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 are installed on the left rear side glass. An infrared illumination device 12 is installed on the upper left of the rear glass.

  As for the combination of cameras in the imaging unit 10, it is possible to freely select a camera to be used for other purposes or reduce the number of unnecessary mounted cameras according to vehicle information to be acquired. The combination of the camera and the illumination in the imaging unit 10 is not limited to the above example. (1) In-vehicle camera / in-vehicle illumination, (2) In-vehicle camera / in-vehicle illumination, (3) In-vehicle camera / in-vehicle illumination, (4) Combinations according to the purpose, such as outside camera and outside lighting, are conceivable. The image pickup unit 10 may be arranged on the sun visor, the fog lamp unit, the head lamp unit, the front grill unit, and the bumper unit in addition to the in-vehicle windshield, side glass, rear glass, and rearview mirror.

  When acquiring images of a plurality of imaging targets (an oncoming vehicle, a parked vehicle, etc.), a plurality of imaging units 10 are mounted on one vehicle, and any of the plurality of imaging units 10 is detected by a video signal switching unit (not shown). One of them is connected to the image processing unit 80. Thereby, the effort which switches the one imaging part 10 (1 set of camera and illumination apparatus) according to an object vehicle can be saved. The video signal switching unit (not shown) is operated manually or remotely. Alternatively, a plurality of image capturing units 10 are mounted on one vehicle, and a plurality of image processing units 80 corresponding to the number of the image capturing units 10 are connected simultaneously to obtain images of a plurality of image capturing targets (oncoming vehicle, parked vehicle, etc.). Can be performed simultaneously.

  Components other than the imaging unit 10 of the portable vehicle number recognition device 1 are appropriately arranged in the vehicle according to the seat position of the operator who performs the operation in the vehicle of the mounted vehicle.

  In the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the state of the vehicle to be photographed (oncoming vehicle, overtaking vehicle, overtaking vehicle, stopped vehicle) before actually starting traveling and acquiring an image. 1; parallel parking, stationary vehicle; adjustment of the mounting angle of the mounted camera with respect to the mounted vehicle and the field of view are adjusted according to which of the parallel parking is performed. At this time, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 can be unitized so that the color camera 13 can be adjusted in conjunction with the adjustment of the infrared camera 11 for license plate recognition. Further, when adjusting the mounting angle of the mounted camera with respect to the mounted vehicle and the field of view, the horizontal tilt angle can be adjusted to a connection unit (not shown) that is provided in the imaging unit 10 and connects the imaging unit 10 and the mounted vehicle. By providing a mechanism, for example, even if the inclination of the vehicle to be imaged is not horizontal with respect to the road surface, such as a vehicle in which one tire is a road lane and the other tire is on a sidewalk, the inclination of the connecting portion of the imaging unit 10 By adjusting the angle, it is possible to facilitate the imaging of the imaging target by the imaging unit 10.

  When a vehicle equipped with the portable vehicle number recognition device 1 travels and image acquisition of a vehicle to be imaged is started, the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 of the image capturing unit 10 are continuously used. And the image of the vehicle which falls into the visual field of the color camera 13 is acquired. The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a manual imaging switch 40 for manual imaging and a vehicle detection mechanism (not shown). For this reason, in the present embodiment, based on an arbitrary detection distance and detection area set in a vehicle detection mechanism (not shown), the vehicle image of the vehicle to be imaged enters the set distance or setting area. Only when the image acquisition by the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 of the imaging unit 10 is performed. Further, the manual imaging switch 40 is pressed according to the situation, and still images are captured by the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13.

  In the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the shutter speeds of the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 of the imaging unit 10 are automatically controlled according to the speed of the vehicle on which the apparatus is loaded. Specifically, the image processing unit 80 is provided with a conversion table between a speed and a shutter speed (not shown), thereby realizing automatic control of the shutter speed. Thereby, the image of the oncoming vehicle having a relative speed of about 100 km can also be clearly obtained.

  Further, the imaging unit 10 of the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment changes the illumination intensity of the infrared illumination device 12 according to the illuminance (environmental condition) of the environment where the vehicle to be imaged is placed. It has an illumination current control mechanism (not shown) for controlling, and power saving is performed by controlling the illumination intensity of the infrared illumination device 12. Furthermore, by linking the vehicle detection mechanism and the illumination current control mechanism, the illumination intensity can be controlled based on the distance to the imaging target vehicle (for example, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, and 5 m). Further, the illumination irradiation range can be switched based on the distance to the imaging target vehicle by a manual. In the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a clear image can be acquired if the subject illuminance of the vehicle to be imaged by the color camera 13 is 1 (lux) or more at night or the like. In addition, when the license plate is picked up by the infrared camera 11, the infrared illumination device 12 is provided, so that even an image of an object with illuminance that cannot be confirmed with the naked eye can be clearly obtained.

  In this embodiment, when an image of a vehicle to be imaged is acquired as image data, the image data is connected to a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or to the image processing unit 80 according to the amount of information. It is stored in the image recording unit 20. The image data is recorded and simultaneously displayed in real time on the display screen 85 of the image processing unit 80 or the monitor 30 connected to the image processing unit 80, as shown in FIG. In the image of the display screen 85 shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the real-time images of the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13, the stationary state when the license plate number of the target vehicle is recognized from the acquired image by the infrared camera 11. Images and number recognition results are displayed. The illumination intensity of the infrared illumination device 12 is controlled by linking the recognized luminance information of the license plate (for example, the luminance difference between the license plate character portion and the background portion) and the illumination current control mechanism. Thereby, the recognition rate of a license plate can be raised and the power consumption by the infrared illuminating device 12 can be reduced.

  The image processing unit 80 of the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is manually input from the data input unit 90 in advance or arranged vehicle information (arranged vehicle acquired from the external network via the communication unit 60). Number etc.). In the image processing unit 80, the image data (vehicle information) stored in the recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80 according to the amount of information, and this arrangement Vehicle information can be queried in real time. As a result of the inquiry, if it is found that the vehicle of the acquired image data is an arrangement vehicle, an alarm such as an alarm sound is issued to the operator.

  The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) 50, and an image thereof is acquired as part of image motion data (vehicle information) of a vehicle to be imaged. The location and time information is stored in a recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 corresponding to the acquired image or in the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80 according to the amount of information.

  In addition to this, the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment counts the number of passing vehicles of the passing vehicle at the position of the mounted vehicle, and acquires the information on the number of passing vehicles. The number of passing vehicles passing through the imaging field of view of the infrared camera 11 or the color camera 13 is counted. Then, the count number is stored in the recording unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20 connected to the image processing unit 80 according to the amount of information as traffic number information.

  As described above, according to the description of the devices constituting the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and the operation principle of the present embodiment, infrared light for license plate photography is used in the present embodiment. In addition to the infrared camera 11, the color camera 13 using visible light is integrated in order to collect more information about the vehicle. It can be used for various investigations such as analysis of the presence of a driver, the presence or absence of a driver, and the color of a vehicle.

  In addition, while driving a vehicle equipped with this apparatus, it is possible to take a picture of a license plate of a vehicle parked or parked along a parking lot or along a road. In particular, it is possible to photograph and identify the number plate of a running vehicle in addition to the vehicle stopped on the road by using the infrared illumination attached to the apparatus not only during the day but also at night.

  In addition, the license plate identification results are sequentially made into a database together with information on time, place, and still image (one image). Information retrieval of this database can be easily executed even in a vehicle.

  In addition, by registering the number to be searched in advance, when the vehicle information of the matching number is detected, the operator can be notified by an alarm sound or the like.

  Furthermore, all image signals can be recorded by an image recording unit 20 such as a video recorder as necessary.

  Further, the apparatus includes an imaging unit (illumination integrated type) 10, an image processing unit 80, a power supply unit 70, and the like, but can be divided and carried by each unit, and the connection between the devices is easy.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a self-standing plate with a pseudo number plate according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The self-standing plate 100 with a pseudo license plate according to the present embodiment is the state of the vehicle to be imaged (oncoming vehicle, overtaking vehicle, In accordance with the overtaking vehicle, the stopped vehicle 1; the parallel parking, the stopped vehicle; the vehicle information to be acquired for a vehicle in parallel parking), the mounting angle of the mounted camera with respect to the mounted vehicle, visual field adjustment, and This is an on-vehicle adjustment device used for adjusting the focus.

  The self-standing plate 100 with a pseudo number plate according to the present embodiment includes a large car pseudo number plate 130, a normal car pseudo number plate 140, a visual field adjustment frame 120, and a distance measuring device 110.

  The large vehicle pseudo license plate 130 is a pseudo plate having the same size as the actual license plate, and is disposed at a position 100 cm above the ground with respect to the self-supporting plate main body. Thereby, it uses for the adjustment which puts the license plate image of a large vehicle in the imaging | photography visual field of the infrared camera 11, the infrared illuminating device 12, and the color camera 13 of the imaging part 10, and a focus adjustment. The normal vehicle pseudo license plate 140 is also a pseudo plate having the same size as the actual license plate, and is disposed at a position 40 cm above the ground with respect to the self-supporting plate main body. Thereby, it uses for the adjustment which puts the number plate image of a normal vehicle in the imaging | photography visual field of each camera of the said imaging part 10, and an illuminating device, and focus adjustment. The visual field adjustment frame is used to adjust the viewing angle (magnification ratio) of the infrared camera 11 and the color camera 13 during the various adjustments using the large vehicle pseudo license plate 130 and the normal vehicle pseudo license plate 140, and an infrared illumination device. Used to adjust 12 illumination ranges.

  The self-standing plate 100 with a pseudo license plate according to the present embodiment is a state of a vehicle to be photographed with respect to a vehicle equipped with the portable vehicle number recognition device 100 (an oncoming vehicle, an overtaking vehicle, an overtaking vehicle, a stopped vehicle 1; parallel parking). , Parked vehicle; arranged in a relative position corresponding to which vehicle in parallel parking is to be acquired (for example, 1.5 m for a vehicle parked in a parking lot) Inter-vehicle distance, inter-vehicle distance of 5 to 6 m for oncoming vehicles). Thereby, adjustment of the attachment angle with respect to each camera with which the actual imaging part 10 is equipped, and an illuminating device is mounted, and a visual field are implemented. The distance measuring device 110 is used to place the self-standing plate 100 with a pseudo number plate of the present embodiment at a desired relative position with respect to the mounted vehicle. As the distance measuring device 110, a laser distance measuring sensor, a measure or the like is used.

  In the self-standing plate 100 with the pseudo license plate according to the present embodiment, the infrared camera 11 that is the license plate is adjusted, and at the same time, the visual field adjustment and the focus adjustment of the color camera 13 and the infrared illumination device 12 are performed. Thereby, efficient initial adjustment of the imaging unit 10 becomes possible, and the setup time can be shortened.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the central monitoring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the central monitoring system 200 in the present embodiment has the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment and functions equivalent to those in the first embodiment. A fixed vehicle number recognizing device 250 installed at a fixed position, and a center device 210 that collectively manages vehicle information and the like transmitted from the portable vehicle number recognizing device 1 and the fixed vehicle number recognizing device 250; It has.

The central monitoring system 200 shown in FIG. 5 has only one portable vehicle number recognition device 1 and one fixed vehicle number recognition device 250. However, the area of the vehicle information acquisition area and the traffic to be acquired are as follows. The number of portable vehicle number recognizing devices 1 and fixed vehicle number recognizing devices 250 is determined to be an optimum number according to the number of points to be investigated.

  Since the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 is described in the first embodiment, the description of the configuration and the operation principle is omitted here. However, the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment not only stores all acquired vehicle information in the recording unit included in the image processing unit 80 or the image recording unit 20, but also includes the communication unit 60. To the center device 210 described later.

  The fixed type vehicle number recognizing device 250 also has a communication unit (not shown), and, similar to the portable type vehicle number recognition device 1, all acquired vehicle information is sent to the center device 210 (to be described later) via the communication unit (not shown). Send.

  The center device 210 collectively manages and accumulates vehicle information and the like transmitted from the portable type vehicle number recognition device 1 and the fixed type vehicle number recognition device 250, and based on the accumulated vehicle information, the traffic number database 220 is stored. The vehicle information database 230, the police car operation management database 240, etc. are constructed.

  The number-of-traffic-passage database 220 includes the number of passing vehicles at a specific position and time information thereof. By using the traffic number database 220, it is possible to search for necessary information such as the number of traffic for each vehicle type at a specific position or the color of the vehicle body and the time variation thereof. The vehicle information database 230 has information such as number information, image data, and data acquisition time of the vehicle that is the imaging target. It also has information on the number of the arranged vehicle. The police car operation management database 240 has an ID number of a surveillance vehicle such as a police car that is dispatched to the surveillance area, a location of the surveillance vehicle such as a police car, and time information thereof. And the traffic jam position and arrangement vehicle detection position information extracted using the traffic number database 220 and the vehicle information database 230, the location of the monitoring vehicle such as the police car obtained using the police car operation management database 240, and Based on the time information, the center device 210 issues a command to order movement to the detection position to a monitoring vehicle such as a police car having an ID number existing in an area close to the detection position.

  In the central monitoring system 200 of the present embodiment, tracking of a specific vehicle such as an arrangement vehicle can be performed simultaneously with the unified management of vehicle information as described above. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-described functions, a backup function for storing and backing up various built databases on separate media, an arrangement vehicle registration / management / distribution function, and a form output function (in the form of a table) Print out).

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. Attaching form when mounting an imaging unit (infrared camera, color camera, infrared illumination device) in the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus of the first embodiment (a) Front passenger seat front glass upper part (infrared camera, color camera) ), And rear side of the right side mirror (infrared illumination device), (b) left rear seat side glass (infrared camera, color camera), and rear glass upper left (infrared illumination device), (c) left rear seat side glass (red) It is a figure which shows an outer camera, a color camera), and rear glass upper left part (infrared illuminating device). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image example of a display screen of an image processing unit in the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the self-supporting board with a pseudo number plate concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the central monitoring system concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable vehicle number recognition apparatus 10 ... Imaging part 11 ... Infrared camera 12 ... Infrared illumination device 13 ... Color camera 20 ... Image recording part 30 ... Monitor 40 ... Manual imaging switch 50 ... GPS
60 ... Communication unit 70 ... Power supply unit 80 ... Image processing unit 85 ... Display screen 90 ... Data input unit 100 ... Stand-alone plate 110 with pseudo number plate ... Distance measuring instrument 120 ... Field adjustment frame 130 ... Large vehicle pseudo number plate 140 ... Normal Pseudo number plate 200 ... Central monitoring system 210 ... Center device 220 ... Number of traffic database 230 ... Vehicle information database 240 ... Police car operation management database 250 ... Fixed vehicle number recognition device

Claims (22)

An imaging unit including a plurality of imaging devices that acquire images of the same imaging target by using different wavelengths according to information to be acquired of the same imaging target;
A portable vehicle number recognition device that can be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an image processing unit that processes images acquired by the plurality of imaging devices and extracts the information to be acquired. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to claim 1,
The plurality of imaging devices include an infrared camera that captures a vehicle number of the vehicle that is the same imaging target using infrared light, and a color camera that captures an entire image of the vehicle using visible light, Based on images acquired by the infrared camera and the color camera, the image processing unit extracts the vehicle number information and the whole image information of the vehicle that is the same imaging target, and a portable vehicle number recognition device . The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The imaging unit further includes an infrared illumination device for the infrared camera capable of controlling illuminance based on the illuminance of the same imaging target, and the color camera captures based on the illuminance of the same imaging target. A portable vehicle number recognition device capable of controlling sensitivity. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Furthermore, an imaging switch for manual shooting and a vehicle detection mechanism respectively connected to the imaging unit are provided, and based on manual shooting by the imaging switch and an arbitrary detection distance and detection region set in the vehicle detection mechanism Portable vehicle number recognition device that can perform automatic shooting. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The imaging unit further includes an installation device for installing the plurality of imaging devices on a windshield, a side glass, or a rear glass of a vehicle, and the installation device finely sets an installation angle of the plurality of imaging devices with respect to a road. Portable vehicle number recognition device that can be adjusted. The portable vehicle number recognition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Furthermore, the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus provided with GPS (Global Positioning System) connected to the said image process part for acquiring the imaging | photography time and imaging | photography place of the acquired image. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image processing unit collates the extracted vehicle number information of the vehicle to be imaged with the same and the arranged vehicle number information stored in advance, and performs voice notification when the collation results match. Portable type vehicle number recognition device. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The portable image number recognition device, wherein the image processing unit counts the number of passing vehicles passing through the imaging field of view of the plurality of imaging devices and records the total number. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The image processing unit is a portable vehicle number recognition device that is a PC (personal computer) or a dedicated processing device. The portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Furthermore, the portable vehicle number recognition apparatus provided with the communication part for transmitting / receiving data between external networks. When the imaging unit provided in the portable vehicle number recognition device according to any one of claims 5 to 10 is attached to a loaded vehicle so as to face a desired direction by the installation device, In order to adjust the mounting angle with respect to the loaded vehicle, a self-standing plate with a pseudo number plate that can be mounted and used as an index in the desired direction outside the loaded vehicle,
Ranging that can measure the distance between a plurality of pseudo license plates that have the same size and mounting height as the target large and regular vehicles, and the loaded vehicle and the self-standing plate with the pseudo license plates A self-supporting plate with a pseudo license plate equipped with a meter. A fixed vehicle number recognition device;
A portable vehicle number recognition device according to claim 10,
Within the imaging field of view of the vehicle number information, the whole image information, and the plurality of imaging devices of the same imaging target vehicle transmitted from the fixed type vehicle number recognition device and the portable type vehicle number recognition device The vehicle information such as the traffic information of the passing vehicle passing through is centrally managed, and the vehicle number information of the vehicle is collated with the preliminarily stored arrangement vehicle number information to obtain the vehicle number information. A central monitoring system comprising: a center device that performs tracking of a vehicle corresponding to the arranged vehicle number information based on information on the shooting time and the shooting location of an image. An imaging step of acquiring images of the same imaging target using different wavelengths for each information to be acquired of the same imaging target;
A vehicle number recognition method comprising: an image processing step of processing the image acquired by the imaging step and extracting the information to be acquired. In the vehicle number recognition method according to claim 13,
The imaging step includes an infrared light imaging step of photographing a vehicle number of the same imaging target vehicle using infrared light, and a visible light imaging step of photographing an entire image of the vehicle using visible light. And the image processing step extracts the vehicle number information and the whole image information of the vehicle that is the same imaging target based on the images acquired by the infrared light imaging step and the visible light imaging step. A vehicle number recognition method as a step. The vehicle number recognition method according to claim 13 or 14,
The imaging step further includes an infrared illumination control step for the infrared light imaging step capable of controlling the illuminance for illuminating the same imaging target corresponding to the illuminance of the same imaging target, and the visible light The vehicle number recognition method, wherein the imaging step is a step of controlling imaging sensitivity based on the same imaging object and ambient illuminance.   The vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a manual photographing step and a vehicle detection step, and a still image is acquired by the imaging step based on the manual photographing step. Vehicle number recognition method capable of performing automatic shooting by the imaging step based on manual shooting and an arbitrary detection distance and detection area set in the vehicle detection step.   The vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a GPS (Global Positioning System) information acquisition step for acquiring information on a shooting time and a shooting location of the acquired image. A vehicle number recognition method provided. The vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 17,
The image processing step further includes a vehicle number collating step for collating the extracted vehicle number information of the vehicle that is the same imaging target with the arranged vehicle number information stored in advance, and the vehicle number collating step. A vehicle number recognition method comprising: a voice notification step of performing a voice notification when a collation result matches. The vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
The vehicle image recognition method, wherein the image processing step further includes a passing vehicle counting step of counting the number of passing vehicles that can be recognized by the imaging step and recording the total number.   The vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a communication step for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external network. In order to realize the vehicle number recognition method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, a visual field adjustment method for matching an image of the same imaging target acquired by the imaging step with a desired visual field,
The visual field adjustment method is an installation in which a plurality of pseudo license plates whose sizes and mounting heights have been reproduced in advance for the same imaging target large vehicle and ordinary vehicle are disposed at a specific distance away from a desired visual field. And a directivity adjustment step for adjusting the imaging field of the imaging step toward the plurality of pseudo license plates. A vehicle number recognition method according to claim 20,
A vehicle number recognition method having a function equivalent to that of the vehicle number recognition method according to claim 20,
21. The vehicle number recognition method according to claim 20 and the fixed vehicle number recognition method, the vehicle number information of the vehicle that is the same imaging target, the whole image information, and imaging of the plurality of imaging devices. A centralized management step for centrally managing vehicle information, such as traffic information of the passing vehicle passing through the field of view, and further collating the vehicle number information of the vehicle with prearranged vehicle number information stored in advance, Central monitoring comprising: an information collecting method comprising: a tracking step for performing tracking of a vehicle corresponding to the arranged vehicle number information based on the shooting time and the shooting location information of the image from which the vehicle number information is acquired Method.

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