JP2016126538A - Road information provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that displays a captured image imaged by a vehicle, in a proper service area, parking area, or traffic display equipment, and unites traffic information or meteorological information with the captured image, so that a road user can recognize road condition.SOLUTION: A road information provision system includes an imaging apparatus 1, management equipment 3, display equipment 4 and 6, meteorological information acquisition equipment 9, and traffic information acquisition equipment 10. The imaging apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 16, a position information acquisition unit 18, and a communication unit 15 that associates image data with position information and transmits the image data to the management equipment. On the basis of position information sent from the imaging apparatus 1, the management equipment 3 selects one or more display equipment 4 and 6 of a transmission destination to which image data corresponding to the position information is transmitted, from among the plurality of display equipment 4 and 6, and transmits the image data to the selected display equipment 4 and 6. The display equipment 4 and 6 receive and display the image data and position information sent from the management equipment 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for providing information to road users managed by a management company for an expressway such as an expressway, and more specifically, the management company manages the latest traffic situation on the road. The present invention relates to a road information providing system in which a patrol car, a road maintenance vehicle, or the like captures an image on a road and fuses weather information and traffic information with the image on the road to provide a road user.

  Rest facilities such as a service area and a parking area that are managed or cooperated by a management company of the road are appropriately provided on the expressway and the main highway. Traffic display facilities such as traffic information and weather information are also provided on the side of the road and the upper part of the road. In addition, the traffic situation is also communicated to road users such as passing drivers by radio waves. With such facilities, road users obtain information such as road conditions and weather conditions ahead while resting or driving.

  For such traffic information and weather information providing services, road users are demanding more detailed information on road conditions including image information. In addition, the potential demand for providing image information has increased due to the improvement of the Internet. If road information is provided as an image, it will be suitable for the further information age.

  Under such circumstances, conventionally, a camera is mounted on a vehicle, an image around the vehicle is taken, the imaged data is wirelessly transmitted to the road management center together with the position information of the vehicle, and the imaged data is collected and used. There was a system to do. For example, the road information management system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of movement monitoring devices each mounted on a large number of business vehicles, and an information processing device provided in a road information management center. The movement monitoring device wirelessly detects the position of the vehicle on the map, images the road condition while traveling and stops, and wirelessly captures the image information together with the position information detected by the detection means. Monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting. The information processing apparatus provided in the road information management center includes a receiving and accumulating unit for receiving and accumulating imaging information and position information wirelessly transmitted from a plurality of mobile monitoring apparatuses, and each of the accumulating units stored in the receiving and accumulating unit. Corresponding map information to road information creation means for creating information representing road conditions by analyzing imaging information from the mobile monitoring device together with position information, and information representing road conditions created by this road information creation means And a delivery means for delivering.

  According to such a road information management system of Patent Document 1, for example, the road situation is based on the imaging information of the road situation taken in a large number of business vehicles owned by a delivery company, a transportation company, a taxi company, and the like. The road information obtained by the analysis is distributed to information users. Since the captured image is used as the observation data, highly useful road information corresponding to the user's needs can be provided by accurately grasping various road conditions.

  In the road information management system of Patent Document 1, the distribution means has a function of receiving a distribution request coming from the mobile information communication terminal device via the mobile communication network, and in response to the received distribution request. The road information corresponding to the requested road section can be transmitted to the requesting mobile information communication terminal device via the mobile communication network. With such a configuration of Patent Document 1, a user can make a distribution request to the center using, for example, a mobile phone network, and can view a captured image of an area required by the user in response to the request.

JP-A-11-31295

  In the system of Patent Literature 1, a captured image is arranged on a map and provided to a user. Therefore, the user has to bother picking out a picked-up image of a place required by the user from the arranged picked-up images. However, on highways and expressways, the destination is almost fixed, and the user often only needs to obtain information on his / her route. In service areas, parking areas, traffic displays, and the like, road information may be displayed. However, road information that is desired to be known in more detail using captured images is often information relating to the direction of travel that follows. Of course, as in Patent Document 1, all information may be mapped on the map, but it is not suitable for information that can be used by anyone in the service area, parking area, traffic display, etc. It needs to be delivered quickly. Moreover, the road user cannot grasp what kind of road situation is simply by browsing the image information. Therefore, it is necessary to provide road users with image information, traffic information, and weather information.

  Therefore, the present invention displays the captured image captured by the vehicle in an appropriate service area, parking area, and traffic display facility, and can grasp the road condition by integrating the traffic information and weather information with the captured image. The purpose is to provide a system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. The present invention includes a plurality of imaging devices mounted on a vehicle, a management facility capable of communicating with the imaging device, an information acquisition facility capable of communicating with the management facility, and a plurality of display facilities capable of communicating with the management facility. This is a road information provision system. The imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that captures road conditions; a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information; and a communication unit that associates position information with image data obtained by the imaging unit and transmits the image data to a management facility. Prepare. The information acquisition facility acquires traffic information and / or weather information and transmits it to the management facility. Based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, the management facility selects one or more display facilities to which image data corresponding to the position information is transmitted from a plurality of display facilities, and transmits the information from the information acquisition facility. Character information based on the traffic information and / or weather information thus transmitted is transmitted to the selected display facility. The display facility is provided in a break facility and / or a traffic display facility existing on the road, and receives and displays image data and character information transmitted from the management facility.

  As an embodiment, the imaging apparatus can transmit information related to the traveling direction to the management facility in association with the position information and the image data. Based on the information about the traveling direction and the position information transmitted from the imaging device, the management facility selects one or more display facilities to which image data corresponding to the information is transmitted from a plurality of display facilities. Then, the image data is transmitted to the selected display facility.

  As one embodiment, the management facility recognizes an area corresponding to the position information based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, and based on the recognized area, the management facility has one or more transmission destinations of image data. A display facility is selected from a plurality of display facilities, and the image data is transmitted to the selected display facility.

  As one embodiment, the imaging apparatus can transmit traffic information or weather information to management equipment in association with position information and image data. Based on traffic information or weather information transmitted from the imaging device, the management facility selects one or more display facilities as a transmission destination of the image data from a plurality of display facilities, and selects the image data. Send to the display facility.

  As one embodiment, the road information providing system further includes a plurality of traffic information broadcasting facilities that are communicable with management facilities and that broadcast traffic information to vehicles traveling on the road. The management facility selects one or more traffic information broadcast facilities to which image data corresponding to the location information transmitted from the imaging device is transmitted from a plurality of traffic information broadcast facilities, and Character information based on traffic information and / or weather information transmitted from the acquisition facility is transmitted to the selected traffic information broadcasting facility. The traffic information broadcasting facility broadcasts image data and text information transmitted from the management facility to a vehicle traveling in the vicinity.

  As one embodiment, the road information providing system further includes a server connected to the Internet. The server can display road conditions in association with a map on the WEB site. Based on the positional information transmitted from the imaging device, the management facility determines the position of the map on the WEB site displaying the corresponding image data, and the traffic information and / or weather transmitted from the information acquisition facility. Character information based on the information and the image data are displayed at the position on the server.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the management facility can change one or more display facilities to which the image data corresponding to the management facility is transmitted based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, to a plurality of display facilities. The image data is selected, and the image data is transmitted to the selected display facility. The display facility is provided in a rest area in a parking area or a service area, or in a traffic display. Therefore, if this system is used, the captured image captured by the vehicle can be displayed in an appropriate service area, parking area, and traffic display. Furthermore, since character information based on weather information and traffic information is displayed together with the captured image, the road user can grasp the road condition more accurately.

  In addition, if the management equipment selects the display equipment of the transmission destination based on the information on the traveling direction and the position information, the display equipment does not display the image data of the point where the general vehicle passes. Therefore, it is possible to display image data at an appropriate place.

  Further, if the management facility recognizes the area corresponding to the position information and selects the display facility as the transmission destination, the management facility can efficiently manage the display facility as the transmission destination.

  In addition, if the management facility selects a display facility as a transmission destination based on traffic information or weather information, it is possible to select a display facility according to road conditions.

  In addition, if the management facility selects a traffic information broadcast facility as a transmission destination, it can incorporate image data and text information into the traffic information broadcast at an appropriate location.

  In addition, if image data is displayed in correspondence with a map on a WEB site operated by a server of a management facility, road conditions can be recognized as images and text information from any location via a network. , The convenience is further improved.

  These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall image of a road information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overall image of the road information providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the management facility 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the display facility 4. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the traffic information broadcasting facility 5. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the display facility 6. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the WEB server 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation between the imaging apparatus 1 and the management facility 3. FIG. 11 is an example of a table for managing transmission destination candidates. FIG. 12 is an example of a table when selecting and selecting data transmission destinations. FIG. 13 is an example of a table when selecting and selecting data transmission destinations. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a case where image data is displayed on a display facility behind the traveling direction as an example. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing between the management facility 3 and the WEB server 7. FIG. 16 is an example of a display screen on the WEB site.

  1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining an overall image of a road information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the road information providing system includes a plurality of imaging devices 1 mounted on a vehicle, a management facility 3 capable of wireless communication with the imaging device 1 via the network 2, and a management facility via the network 2. 3, a plurality of display facilities 4, 6 capable of wired and / or wireless communication, a management facility 3, a plurality of traffic information broadcasting facilities 5 capable of wired and / or wireless communication, and a management facility 3 wired via the network 2. And / or a plurality of weather information acquisition facilities 9 capable of wireless communication, and a management facility 3 via a network 2 and a plurality of traffic information acquisition facilities 10 capable of wired and / or wireless communication. The weather information acquisition facility 9 and the traffic information acquisition facility 10 are collectively referred to as an information acquisition facility, and weather information and / or traffic information can be acquired and transmitted to the management facility 3. The weather information acquisition facility 9 and the traffic information acquisition facility 10 may be provided alongside the vehicle on which the imaging device 1 is mounted, or may be fixedly provided on the road. The vehicle on which the imaging device 1 is mounted is mainly mounted on a vehicle used by a road management company, such as a traffic management vehicle, a patrol car, a maintenance work vehicle, a self-propelled signer, and a snow and ice vehicle. Although it is good, it is not specifically limited. The network 2 is any communication network such as a wireless communication network, a telephone line network, an Internet network, a dedicated line network, an in-house LAN network, a WiFi network, a broadcast communication network, and a sanitary line network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, it is assumed that the imaging device 1 is installed in a snowplow 1a. In such a case, the snowplow 1a images the periphery of the vehicle, and transmits image data to the management facility 3 provided in the management office together with the position information acquired from the GPS 8. Based on the transmitted position information, the management facility 3 selects the display facilities 4 and 6 for displaying the image data transmitted together and the traffic information broadcasting facility 5 for broadcasting. For example, in such a case, the management facility 3 transmits captured image data to the display facility 4a used as a traffic display behind the snowplow 1a and the display facility 6a in the nearby parking area to display the captured image. Judge that it should.

  Further, the management facility 3 edits the character information transmitted together with the imaging data based on the weather information and / or traffic information transmitted from the weather information acquisition facility 9 and the traffic information acquisition facility 10. Such an editing operation may be performed by an operator of the management facility 3, or the management facility 3 automatically generates character information based on the transmitted weather information and / or traffic information. Also good. For example, when generating automatically, the management equipment 3 should just convert the said rainfall amount into text information automatically, when the rainfall amount is acquired as weather information. Moreover, the management equipment 3 should just convert the said traffic distance into character information automatically, when traffic congestion distance is acquired as traffic information.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 1, the weather information acquisition facility 9 transmits the amount of snowfall and the like to the management facility 3. The traffic information acquisition facility 10 transmits the traffic jam distance and the like to the management facility 3. The management facility 3 transmits the acquired image data and the text information obtained by editing the weather information and the traffic information to the selected display facilities 4 and 6. The display facilities 4a and 6a that have received the imaging data display an image of the snowfall situation and character information to notify the road user. In addition, the management facility 3 transmits the position information, imaging data, and character information to the traffic information broadcasting facility 5a that broadcasts nearby traffic information. The traffic information broadcasting facility 5a broadcasts the broadcast contents based on the received position information, image data, and character information. Here, it is assumed that the traffic information broadcasting facility 5a displays an image of snowfall and character information in a general vehicle by transmitting imaging data and character information to a car navigation system as well as voice broadcasting.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, it is assumed that the imaging device 1 is installed in a vehicle 1b of a traffic management team. In such a case, the vehicle 1b images the periphery of the vehicle, and transmits image data to the management facility 3 provided in the management office together with the position information acquired from the GPS 8. Based on the transmitted position information, the management facility 3 selects the display facilities 4 and 6 for displaying the image data transmitted together and the traffic information broadcasting facility 5 for broadcasting. For example, in such a case, the management facility 3 transmits captured data to the display facility 4b used as a traffic display behind the vehicle 1b and the display facility 6a in the nearby parking area to display the captured image. Judge that it should. The management facility 3 transmits the acquired image data and the text information obtained by editing the weather information and the traffic information to the selected display facilities 4 and 6. The display facilities 4b and 6a that have received the imaging data display an accident situation image and text information, and notify the road user. In addition, the management facility 3 transmits the position information, imaging data, and character information to the traffic information broadcasting facility 5a that broadcasts nearby traffic information. The traffic information broadcasting facility 5a broadcasts the broadcast contents based on the received position information, image data, and character information. Here, it is assumed that the traffic information broadcasting facility 5a displays an image of the accident situation and character information in a general vehicle by transmitting imaging data and character information to a car navigation system as well as voice broadcasting.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the road information providing system includes a WEB server 7 capable of wired and / or wireless communication via the network 2. The WEB server 7 can display traffic information and weather information on the road map, and the image data and text information sent from the management facility 3 can be displayed at appropriate positions on the map based on the position information. Can be displayed. In this way, the imaging data collected from each vehicle can be mapped and viewed on the entire road. The WEB site provided by the WEB server 7 may be visible to the general public, or may be viewed only by those involved in road management.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 1. The imaging device 1 includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a storage unit 13, an output unit 14, a communication unit 15, an imaging unit 16, a weather information acquisition unit 17, and a position information acquisition unit 18. . The control unit 11 controls the entire operation. A passenger can input information about the position of the image pickup unit 16, operation information for adjusting the magnification, information on the traveling direction of the vehicle, traffic, and weather information to the input unit 12. The storage unit 13 can store the acquired traffic information, weather information, imaging data, traveling direction information, and the like. The output unit 14 is a monitor or the like. The communication unit 15 can communicate with the management facility 3 via the network 2 by wireless communication. The imaging unit 16 includes an image imaging device, and can capture an image around the vehicle as a still image and / or a moving image. The captured image data is sent to the management facility 3 using the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 15 under the control of the control unit 11. Note that the imaging unit 16 may have an infrared night vision function or the like. The weather information acquisition unit 17 is a rain gauge, a thermometer, or the like, and can acquire weather information outside the vehicle. The weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 17 is sent to the management facility 3 using the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 15 under the control of the control unit 11. The weather information acquisition unit 17 can also be regarded as functioning as the weather information acquisition facility 9. In addition to the information automatically obtained by the weather information acquisition unit 17, the weather information includes information input by the passenger via the input unit 12. Therefore, the input unit 12 for inputting weather information can also be regarded as functioning as the weather information acquisition facility 9. In addition, even when traffic information such as traffic jams is input, the input unit for inputting traffic information can also be regarded as the traffic information acquisition facility 10. The position information acquisition unit 18 calculates latitude and longitude from the information obtained from the GPS 8 and acquires it as position information. The position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 18 is sent to the management facility 3 using the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 15 under the control of the control unit 11. The imaging device 1 stores identification information in the storage unit 13 so that it can be seen from which vehicle the management facility 3 has been sent. When transmitting image data to the management facility 3, the imaging device 1 associates the acquired position information with the image data and transmits the image data together with the identification information. Similarly, the imaging apparatus 1 also sends traffic information and weather information together with the identification information to the management facility 3 in association with the position information.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the management facility 3. The management facility 3 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, a communication unit 33, an output unit 34, and a storage unit 35. The control unit 31 controls the overall operation. The input unit 32 is a device for operating the management facility 3. The communication unit 33 can communicate with the outside via the network 2. The output unit 34 is a monitor or the like. Various types of information sent from the imaging device 1 are stored in the storage unit 35. In addition, the storage unit 35 stores information for managing to which display equipment 4 and 6 the information sent from which position is transmitted and to which traffic information broadcasting equipment 5 is transmitted. The management facility 3 includes display facilities 4 and 6 for transmitting imaging data and the traffic information broadcasting facility 5 based on the imaging data, the traffic information, and the position information added to the weather information transmitted from the imaging device 1. The image data, character information, and position information are transmitted to the selected display facilities 4 and 6 and the traffic information broadcasting facility 5.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the display facility 4. The display facility 4 is a display facility used for traffic display. For example, the display facility 4 is used for a traffic display or a mobile traffic display vehicle installed on a road surface. The display facility 4 includes a control unit 41, an input unit 42, a communication unit 43, a sign unit 44, and a storage unit 45. The control unit 41 controls the overall operation. The input unit 42 is a device for operating the display facility 4. The communication unit 43 can communicate with the outside via the network 2. The sign section 44 can display character information and image information toward a traveling vehicle by an LED display board, a liquid crystal display board, or the like. Various types of information sent from the management facility 3 are stored in the storage unit 45. The control unit 41 causes the sign unit 44 to display the image data and character information sent from the management facility 3. For example, when image data and weather information of a snowy site are sent from the management facility 3, the control unit 41 causes the sign unit 44 to display the text information “Cautions on snowfall” and display the image of the snowy site. . Moreover, the control part 41 displays the place where the image was acquired based on the positional information transmitted from the management equipment 3, so that it can understand where the image is.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the traffic information broadcasting facility 5. The traffic information broadcasting facility 5 is a device for broadcasting various information to a traveling vehicle. The traffic information broadcasting facility 5 uses radio waves to broadcast information such as traffic jams to the vehicle, and uses various radio waves to broadcast various information as text information and image information to the vehicle. To do. The traffic information broadcast facility 5 includes a control unit 51, an input unit 52, a communication unit 53, a broadcast unit 54, and a storage unit 55. The control unit 51 controls the overall operation. The input unit 52 is a device for operating the traffic information broadcasting facility 5. The communication unit 53 can communicate with the outside via the network 2. The broadcast unit 54 broadcasts various types of information toward the traveling vehicle in accordance with instructions from the control unit 51. Various types of information sent from the management facility 3 are stored in the storage unit 55. The control unit 51 causes the broadcast unit 54 to broadcast the image data and character information sent from the management facility 3 and the position where the image data is acquired. For example, when image data of a traffic accident scene and traffic information such as a traffic jam are sent from the management facility 3, the control unit 51 sends to the broadcasting unit 54 the text information “traffic jam due to a traffic accident at XX ○ Km”. And broadcast image data of accident sites and traffic conditions. A general vehicle that has received such a broadcast displays image data on a monitor of a car navigation system.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the display facility 6. The display facility 6 is a display facility installed in a break facility such as a parking area or a service area. The display facility 6 includes a control unit 61, an input unit 62, a communication unit 63, a display unit 64, and a storage unit 65. The control unit 61 controls the overall operation. The input unit 62 is a device for operating the display facility 6. The communication unit 63 can communicate with the outside via the network 2. The display unit 64 is a display or the like and is installed in a parking area or a service area. Various types of information sent from the management equipment 3 are stored in the storage unit 65. The control unit 61 causes the display unit 64 to display the image data and character information sent from the management facility 3 and the position where the image data is acquired. Various display methods for the display unit 64 are conceivable. For example, the control unit 61 specifies the position where the image data is acquired and displays the image data and character information on the map so as to be mapped. 64 may be displayed. If image data and weather information of the heavy fog site are sent from the management equipment 3, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 64 to display the text information “deep fog attention” and displays the image of the snowy field on the map. Map to display.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the WEB server 7. The WEB server 7 includes a control unit 71, an input unit 72, a communication unit 73, and a storage unit 75. The control unit 71 controls the overall operation. The input unit 72 is a device for operating the WEB server 7. The communication unit 73 can communicate with the outside via the network 2. Various types of information sent from the management facility 3 are stored in the storage unit 75. The storage unit 75 stores information related to the WEB site. The control unit 71 stores the image data and the character information sent from the management facility 3 in the storage unit 75 and updates the latest information. The WEB site has a format in which character information and image data are mapped on a map. The control unit 71 identifies the position where the image data is acquired based on the position information transmitted from the management facility 3, and updates the content of the WEB site mapped on the map as needed. When the WEB site is accessed from the outside, the control unit 71 operates to display the latest information mapped on the map on the WEB site.

  The outline of the road information providing system has been described so far, but specific operations will be described below.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the imaging apparatus 1. First, an operation for starting shooting is performed by the operator (step S1). Next, the shooting direction, the shooting magnification, and the like are adjusted, and information regarding the traveling direction is input by the operator (step S2). The information related to the traveling direction is information such as the name of the road on which the vehicle is traveling and the upward and downward directions. After such initial preparation, the imaging unit 16 of the imaging apparatus 1 starts imaging and acquires imaging data (step S3). The vehicle travels while the imaging data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 13. The position information acquisition unit 18 of the imaging device 1 acquires position information based on the radio wave from the GPS 8 (step S4). The position information may be corrected as appropriate in cooperation with the car navigation system. The acquired position information is stored in the storage unit 13 in association with the imaging data acquired at that time. For example, if the imaging data is a still image, the control unit 11 of the imaging device 1 adds position information to the imaging data, stores the imaging data in the storage unit 13, and transmits the data to the management facility 3 (step). S7). If the imaging data is a moving image, the control unit 11 of the imaging apparatus 1 continuously stores the change in the position information in the storage unit 13 in accordance with the start of the acquisition of the moving image imaging data, and continuously with the imaging data of the moving image. In association with the stored location information, the information is transmitted to the management facility 3 (step S7).

  When there is a traffic jam or a traffic accident, the imaging device 1 acquires the traffic information when the operator inputs the traffic information (step S5). When traffic information is acquired, the control part 11 of the imaging device 1 matches position information with imaging data and traffic information, and transmits it to the management facility 3 (step S7). Note that in such an operation, the imaging device 1 functions as the traffic information acquisition facility 10.

  When acquiring the weather information from the weather information acquisition unit 17 (step S6), the imaging device 1 associates the positional information with the imaging data and the weather information and transmits the positional information to the management facility 3 (step S7). In such an operation, the imaging device 1 functions as the weather information acquisition facility 9.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 transmits data in which position information is associated with imaging data to the management facility 3. When there is traffic information, the imaging device 1 associates the location information with the imaging data and the traffic information and transmits them to the management facility 3. When there is weather information, the imaging device 1 associates the location information with the imaging data and the weather information, and transmits it to the management facility 3. When there is both traffic information and weather information, the imaging device 1 associates the location information with the imaging data, traffic information, and weather information and transmits them to the management facility 3. As a result, the management facility 3 recognizes where the imaging data, traffic information, and weather information transmitted from the imaging device 1 are obtained based on the associated positional information. be able to.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation between the imaging apparatus 1 and the management facility 3. By the operation as shown in FIG. 9, the imaging device 1 acquires position information, imaging data, traveling direction information, weather information, and traffic information (step S <b> 10), and identification information for identifying the imaging device 1. Is added to these pieces of information and transmitted to the management facility 3 (step S11). The weather information acquisition facility 9 other than the imaging device 1 transmits the acquired weather information to the management facility 3 (step S14). Further, the traffic information acquisition facility 10 other than the imaging device 1 transmits the acquired traffic information to the management facility 3 (step S15).

  The management facility 3 receives position information, imaging data, traveling direction information, weather information, traffic information, and identification information from the imaging device 1, the weather information acquisition facility 9, and the traffic information acquisition facility 10 via the network 2. (Step S12). Here, the management facility 3 transmits the received information to an appropriate display facility and / or traffic information broadcasting facility. However, the management facility 3 must select a display facility and / or a traffic information broadcasting facility as a transmission destination. Don't be. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the management facility 3 determines the area to which the position information belongs from the received position information (step S13). The management facility 3 manages the road being managed in advance by dividing it into a plurality of areas, and determines which area the received location information belongs to based on the latitude and longitude included in the received location information. to decide. Also, it may be inconvenient to send the image data as it is to the destination. For example, there is a possibility that a license plate of a running vehicle is shown, a person's face is shown, or an accident scene is shown as it is. Therefore, the management facility 3 determines what processing is to be performed on the image data by the image recognition system or the manual management of the operator, processes the image data and various information, and sends the image data and the information to an appropriate transmission destination. Various information is transmitted (step S13). Further, when character information is obtained by automatically editing based on weather information and traffic information, the management facility 3 transmits automatically obtained character information together with imaging data to be transmitted (step S13). . Further, when the operator of the management facility 3 edits and processes the character information based on weather information and traffic information, the management facility 3 transmits the character information obtained by the variant processing together with the imaging data to be transmitted ( Step S13).

  FIG. 11 is an example of a table for managing transmission destination candidates. For example, the management facility 3 registers in advance transmission destination candidates for image data and various information so as to correspond to the area to which the position information belongs and the traveling direction. For example, the management facility 3 manages the transmission destination, such as transmitting image data acquired from a vehicle traveling in the area 1 in the upward direction to the display facilities A1 to A10 and / or the traffic information broadcasting facility. ing. The data transmission destination candidates shown in FIG. 11 are the maximum transmission destination candidates. The management facility 3 may transmit image data or the like to all the data transmission destination candidates shown in FIG. 11. However, depending on the type of information received by the management facility 3, there is information to be notified in a wide range. Some information only needs to be sent to a narrow range. Therefore, more preferably, the management facility 3 may narrow down and select the data transmission destination according to the type of information. Of course, the management facility 3 may uniformly define the data transmission destination regardless of the type of information as in the example shown in FIG.

  12 and 13 are examples of tables in the case of selecting and selecting data transmission destinations. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, traffic information and weather information are associated with position information acquired by the imaging device 1 and will be described as acquired by the imaging device 1. The data transmission destination may be selected using weather information and traffic information acquired by the information acquisition facility 10.

  For example, in FIG. 12, data is transmitted only to A1 and A2 in the case of traffic congestion on the upstream of area 1, whereas data is transmitted to A1 to A4 in the case of a traffic accident on the upstream of area 1. As a result, the transmission destination can be selected according to the type of traffic information. For example, in the case of FIG. 13, data is transmitted to B1 to B4 in the case of heavy rain on the downhill of area 1, whereas data is transmitted to B1 to B10 in the case of snow on the downhill of area 1. The destination can be selected according to the type of weather information. Note that this table is merely an example for understanding the invention, and in fact, it is assumed that the road administrator appropriately designs the data transmission destination.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, in the present embodiment, the management facility 3 recognizes the area corresponding to the position information based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device 1, and recognizes the area. Based on the selected area, one or more display facilities and / or traffic information broadcasting facilities to which image data and various types of information are transmitted are selected from a plurality of display facilities and / or a plurality of traffic information broadcasting facilities, It is assumed that image data and various types of information are transmitted to the selected display facility and / or traffic information broadcasting facility. When transmitting the image data, the management facility 3 also transmits the character information obtained based on the weather information and the traffic information and the position information of the place where the image data is acquired to the display facility and / or the traffic information broadcasting facility.

  Here, the transmission destination is selected using the area, but the management facility 3 does not use the area, and the display facility and / or the traffic information broadcasting facility that directly transmits the image data based on the position information. May be selected. For example, the management facility 3 calculates the distance between the position information and the display facility and / or the traffic information broadcasting facility, and transmits image data to the display facility and / or the traffic information broadcasting facility within a radius of several kilometers. You may judge and transmit.

  The transmission destination of the image data may be manually selected by the operator of the management facility 3.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a case where image data is displayed on a display facility behind the traveling direction as an example. As shown in FIG. 14, the image data captured at the point of the position information “a” is displayed on the display facilities A1 and A2 at the rear, and the image data captured at the point of the position information “b” is the display facility at the rear. It is assumed that it is displayed on B1 and B2. This is because, for example, if there is an accident at the point of the position information a and the vehicle passes the point of the position information a, information on the accident is not necessary for the vehicle driver or the like. However, this example is only a limited example for easily understanding the present system, and does not limit the present invention.

  Next, a display method on the WEB site will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing between the management facility 3 and the WEB server 7. FIG. 16 is an example of a display screen on the WEB site. The management facility 3 determines the display position on the map of the WEB site from the position information received from the imaging device 1 and the information on the traveling direction (step S31). For example, when the management facility 3 determines that the position information belongs to the display position α2 shown in FIG. 16, the management facility 3 determines that the display position on the map is α2. The management facility 3 can make such a determination from the latitude and longitude obtained from the position information and the latitude and longitude on the map. Next, the management equipment 3 processes the imaging data, traffic information, and weather information as in step S13 (step S32). In particular, the management equipment 3 processes the image data so that it is erased when the license plate, the face of the person, and the accident site are shown. Then, the management facility 3 transmits the traffic information, weather information, and processed image data to the WEB server 7 together with the determined display position (step S33).

  In response to this, the WEB server 7 receives the traffic information, the weather information, and the imaging data, and displays them at the corresponding map display position on the WEB site (step S34).

  As shown in the example of FIG. 16, for example, when the snowplow picks up a traffic jam image due to snow at the display position α1, on the WEB site, the text information “congestion” and the text information “snow” are located at α2. And the image there is displayed. Also, for example, when a traffic management vehicle vehicle images an accident scene due to snow at the display position β1, on the WEB site, character information “accident”, character information “snow”, and An image is displayed.

  In this manner, the management facility determines the position on the map on the WEB site corresponding to the position information transmitted from the imaging apparatus, and causes the WEB server to display the imaging data at the position. As a result, before departure, the general public can actually check the situation with images, or use smartphones, tablet devices, Internet-accessible car navigation systems, etc. in service areas and parking areas to check images of various places. can do.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit the scope thereof. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is a road information providing system and can be used industrially.

1 Imaging device 2 Network 3 Management facility 4 Display facility (traffic display)
5 Traffic information broadcasting facilities 6 Display facilities (service area, parking area)
7 WEB server 8 GPS
9 Meteorological information acquisition facility 10 Traffic information acquisition facility 15 Communication unit 16 Imaging unit 18 Location information acquisition unit

Claims (6)

A road comprising a plurality of imaging devices mounted on a vehicle, a management facility capable of communicating with the imaging device, an information acquisition facility capable of communicating with the management facility, and a plurality of display facilities capable of communicating with the management facility An information providing system,
The imaging device
An imaging unit for imaging road conditions;
A location information acquisition unit for acquiring location information;
A communication unit that associates position information with the image data obtained by the imaging unit and transmits the image data to the management facility;
The information acquisition facility is:
Obtain traffic information and / or weather information and send it to the management facility,
The management equipment is
Based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, one or more display facilities to which the image data corresponding to the position information is transmitted is selected from the plurality of display facilities, and the information acquisition facility is selected. The character information based on the traffic information and / or weather information that has been transmitted is transmitted to the selected display facility,
The display equipment is
It is provided in a resting facility and / or traffic display facility existing on the road,
A road information providing system for receiving and displaying the image data and the character information transmitted from the management facility. The imaging device
Information related to the traveling direction can be transmitted to the management facility in correspondence with the position information and the image data,
The management equipment is
Based on the information on the traveling direction and the position information transmitted from the imaging device, one or more display facilities to which the image data corresponding to the information is transmitted are selected from among the plurality of display facilities. The road information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the road information providing system selects and transmits the image data to the selected display facility. The management equipment is
Recognizing an area corresponding to the position information based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device;
Based on the recognized area, one or more display facilities to be the transmission destination of the image data are selected from the plurality of display facilities, and the image data is transmitted to the selected display facility. The road information providing system according to claim 1 or 2. The imaging device can transmit traffic information or weather information to the management facility in association with the position information and the image data,
The management equipment is
Based on the traffic information or the weather information transmitted from the imaging device, one or more display facilities to be the transmission destination of the image data are selected from the plurality of display facilities, and the image data is The road information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the road information is transmitted to the selected display facility. The road information providing system further includes a plurality of traffic information broadcasting facilities capable of communicating with the management facility and broadcasting traffic information to vehicles traveling on the road,
The management equipment is
Based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, select one or more traffic information broadcast facilities to which the image data corresponding to the position information is transmitted from the plurality of traffic information broadcast facilities, Send the traffic information and / or text information based on weather information transmitted from the information acquisition facility to the selected traffic information broadcasting facility,
The traffic information broadcast facility broadcasts image data and the text information transmitted from the management facility to a vehicle traveling in the vicinity. Road information provision system. The road information providing system further includes a server connected to the Internet,
The server can display road conditions in association with a map on the WEB site,
The management equipment is
Based on the position information transmitted from the imaging device, the position of the map on the WEB site displaying the image data corresponding to the position information is determined, and the traffic information transmitted from the information acquisition facility and 6. The road information providing system according to claim 1, wherein character information based on weather information and the image data are displayed at the position on the server.

Images