EP1262933A1 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system - Google Patents
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system Download PDFInfo
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- EP1262933A1 EP1262933A1 EP00987649A EP00987649A EP1262933A1 EP 1262933 A1 EP1262933 A1 EP 1262933A1 EP 00987649 A EP00987649 A EP 00987649A EP 00987649 A EP00987649 A EP 00987649A EP 1262933 A1 EP1262933 A1 EP 1262933A1
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- image processing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/04—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using optical or ultrasonic detectors
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system used for, e.g., monitoring of vehicles.
- CCTV Cell-Circuit TeleVision
- a large number of cameras are installed to avoid monitoring dead angles.
- Output images from these cameras are transmitted to a highway control center, displayed on monitors, and monitored by observers.
- the above traffic monitoring method has the problem that the detection of a traffic abnormality is delayed. That is, since camera images are displayed on each monitor as they are switched, camera images which are not displayed exist. This may delay the detection of a traffic abnormality. Also, frequently switching camera images increases the fatigue of observers and makes them overlook traffic abnormalities.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system capable of improving the accuracy of traffic abnormality detection.
- an image processing apparatus comprises converting means for receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting means for correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of each digital image, and image compositing means for compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained by the correcting means, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- the image processing apparatus is characterized by further comprising storage means for storing the composite image as image data.
- An image processing method comprises the conversion step of receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, the correction step of correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal direction or lateral direction of each digital image, and the image composition step of compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained in the correction step, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- the image processing method according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising the storage step of storing the composite image as image data.
- a vehicle monitoring system comprises a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road, image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by the image sensing means, A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal direction or lateral direction of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue, and display means for displaying the image processed by the image processing means.
- a vehicle monitoring system comprises a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road, each of the image sensing means having a wide angle lens in an image sensing optical system thereof, image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by the image sensing means, A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting distortion, caused by the wide angle lens, of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue, and display means for displaying the image processed by the image processing means.
- the vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention is characterized in that the display means is a projector having a display area long from side to side.
- the image processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the image processing means stores the composite image as image data.
- the whole of the road as an object of traffic monitoring can be displayed on a single screen. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection.
- traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- corrected composited image data is stored, after a traffic abnormality occurs it is possible to analyze the abnormality by checking this composite image.
- Fig. 1 is a view for explaining a vehicle monitoring system. As shown in Fig. 1, this vehicle monitoring system monitors the state of traffic on a highway, e.g., detects traffic abnormalities in a tunnel 1.
- the vehicle monitoring system includes a plurality of monitor cameras 2.
- These monitor cameras 2 are image sensing means for sensing an image of a vehicle 11 traveling on a road in the tunnel 1, and are installed at predetermined intervals in the tunnel 1.
- the installation interval of the monitor cameras 2 is, e.g., about 200 m.
- the image sensing direction of the monitor camera 2 is a direction in which an image of the front or rear of the vehicle 11 traveling on a road 10 is sensed.
- Each monitor camera 2 is connected to a distributor 3 which is installed in an institution 4 built near the tunnel 1. This distributor 3 receives sensed images from the monitor cameras 2 and outputs these images to an image processing apparatus 5.
- the image processing apparatus 5 is an image processing means for receiving images from the monitor cameras 2, processing these images, and transmitting the processed images to a control center 6.
- This image processing apparatus 5 comprises, e.g., an A/D converter, video frame memory, image processor, and signal output interface.
- the A/D converter A/D-converts an input analog video signal into a digital signal.
- a video A-D converter is used as this A/D converter.
- the video frame memory stores converted digital video signals as image data.
- This image data is an aggregate of pixels having tone values at individual coordinate runs on the x and y axes.
- the pixel tone has, e.g., 8-bit 256 gray levels.
- the image processor processes the image data stored in the video frame memory.
- the signal output interface outputs the processed image to the outside in accordance with a command from the image processor.
- the image transmitted from the image processing apparatus is input to a monitor 61, and this monitor 61 displays the image sensed in the tunnel 1. Through this image, a supervisor can visually monitor the traveling states of vehicles in the tunnel 1.
- the monitor 61 is an image display means and desirably has a display area long from side to side. For example, a projector is used as this monitor 61.
- the monitor cameras 2 sense images of the vehicle 11 traveling on the road 10 and input video signals to the distributor 3.
- the distributor 3 suitably transfers these video signals from the monitor cameras 2 to the image processing apparatus 5.
- the image processing apparatus 5 processes the video signals.
- Fig. 2 is a flow chart of this image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 5.
- an input video signal to the image processing apparatus 5 is A/D-converted.
- This A/D conversion is the process of converting an analog video signal into a digital video signal.
- the converted digital image is stored as image data into the video frame memory.
- This image correction is the process of correcting the image data such that the road 10 shown in the A/D-converted digital image runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of the image.
- a digital image shown in Fig. 3 is corrected into a corrected image shown in Fig. 4.
- the road 10 is so displayed in a digital image 20 as to go away from the lower right portion to the upper left portion.
- this digital image 20 is corrected such that the road 10 runs in the lateral direction of the image.
- This correcting process forms a corrected image 21.
- the vehicle 11 traveling on the road 10 is also processed in accordance with the correction.
- This image composition is the process of compositing corrected images subjected to the image correction.
- corrected images 21 pertaining to video signals obtained by the monitor cameras 2 at the same time are composited into one image.
- This compositing process is performed such that the roads 11 shown in the individual corrected images 21 continue.
- the composition is so performed that more than one image of the same vehicle 11 will not be displayed.
- Fig. 5 shows a composite image 22 subjected to the compositing process.
- the composite image 22 is transmitted to the control center 6.
- the whole of this composite image 22 is displayed on the monitor 61 in the control center 6.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system can display, on a single screen, the whole of the road 10 as an object of traffic monitoring. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed.
- the composite image 22 is transmitted to the control center 6.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention are not limited to this embodiment.
- the control center 6 can also perform all the image processing operations (A/D conversion, image correction, and image composition).
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment relate to vehicle monitoring on a road in the tunnel 1.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention are not restricted to this embodiment.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention can also be used for vehicle monitoring on roads in other places.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment have the same configurations as the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment, except that a monitor camera 2 as an image sensing means includes an image sensing optical system having a wide angle lens, and that an image processing apparatus 5 as an image processing means corrects image distortion caused by this wide angle lens.
- Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the monitor cameras in the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment.
- the monitor cameras 2 are so arranged as to sense images of vehicles 11 traveling on a road 10 from the side of the road 10.
- Each monitor camera 2 has a wide angle lens in its image sensing optical system and can sense images over a wide view angle.
- a fish-eye lens is preferably used as this wide angle lens.
- a "wide angle lens" herein mentioned means a lens having a view angle wider than that of a standard lens, e.g., a view angle of 60° or more.
- the monitor cameras 2 sense images of the vehicles 11 traveling on the road 10 and input video signals to a distributor 3.
- This distributor 3 properly inputs these video signals from the monitor cameras 2 to the image processing apparatus 5.
- the image processing apparatus 5 processes these video signals.
- A/D conversion is performed as in the first embodiment.
- correction for removing distortion of the image sensed through the wide angle lens is performed.
- an A/D-converted digital image 30 has barrel-shaped form distortion because the image is sensed through the wide angle lens.
- a corrected image 31 from which the distortion is removed is obtained.
- an image compositing process composites the corrected images 31 pertaining to the video signals obtained at the same time by the monitor cameras 2 into a single composite image 32.
- this image compositing process is performed such that the roads 10 shown in the individual corrected images 21 continue. Also, the composition is so performed that more than one image of the same vehicle 11 will not be displayed.
- Fig. 9 shows a composite image 32 subjected to the compositing process.
- the composite image 32 is transmitted to a control center 6.
- the whole of this composite image 32 is displayed on a monitor 61 in the control center 6.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system can display, on a single screen, the whole of the road 10 as an object of traffic monitoring, similar to the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection. Also, since no image switching is performed, traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- a wide angle lens is used in the image sensing optical system of the monitor camera 2. Since this allows each monitor camera 2 to monitor a wide range, the number of the monitor cameras 2 to be installed can be reduced.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment have the same configurations as the image processing apparatuses, image processing methods, and vehicle monitoring systems according to the first and second embodiments, except that image storage is performed after image composition in an image processing means and in an image processing step.
- Fig. 10 is a flow chart of image processing performed in the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment.
- image storage is performed. This image storage is done by storing a composite image 22 or 32 subjected to image composition into a storage device such as a memory. Since the composite image 22 or 32 is thus stored, after a traffic abnormality occurs it is possible to analyze the abnormality by checking this composite image.
- the whole of a road as an object of traffic monitoring can be displayed on a single screen. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection.
- traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- corrected composited image data is stored, after a traffic abnormality occurs it is possible to analyze the abnormality by checking this composite image.
- the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system of the present invention are useful in monitoring traffic of vehicles traveling on a road.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system used for, e.g., monitoring of vehicles.
- Generally, CCTV (Closed-Circuit TeleVision) cameras are installed on express highways and general highways to monitor traffic. Especially in long tunnels and the like, a large number of cameras are installed to avoid monitoring dead angles. Output images from these cameras are transmitted to a highway control center, displayed on monitors, and monitored by observers. It is usually difficult to install monitors equal in number to cameras owing to, e.g., the installation space. Therefore, the number of installed monitors is made smaller than that of installed cameras, and camera images from a plurality of cameras are displayed on one monitor. That is, a plurality of camera images are sequentially switched and displayed at intervals of a few seconds.
- Unfortunately, the above traffic monitoring method has the problem that the detection of a traffic abnormality is delayed. That is, since camera images are displayed on each monitor as they are switched, camera images which are not displayed exist. This may delay the detection of a traffic abnormality. Also, frequently switching camera images increases the fatigue of observers and makes them overlook traffic abnormalities.
- To solve these problems, the introduction of image processing technologies is being examined. However, it is technically difficult to detect traffic abnormalities with perfect accuracy.
- The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system capable of improving the accuracy of traffic abnormality detection.
- To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises converting means for receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting means for correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of each digital image, and image compositing means for compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained by the correcting means, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising storage means for storing the composite image as image data.
- An image processing method according to the present invention comprises the conversion step of receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, the correction step of correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal direction or lateral direction of each digital image, and the image composition step of compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained in the correction step, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- The image processing method according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising the storage step of storing the composite image as image data.
- A vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road, image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by the image sensing means, A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal direction or lateral direction of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue, and display means for displaying the image processed by the image processing means.
- A vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road, each of the image sensing means having a wide angle lens in an image sensing optical system thereof, image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by the image sensing means, A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting distortion, caused by the wide angle lens, of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue, and display means for displaying the image processed by the image processing means.
- The vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention is characterized in that the display means is a projector having a display area long from side to side.
- The image processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the image processing means stores the composite image as image data.
- In these inventions described above, the whole of the road as an object of traffic monitoring can be displayed on a single screen. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection.
- Also, since no image switching is performed, traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- Additionally, since an image of a road to be monitored is sensed sideways by using a wide angle lens, image correction can be readily performed.
- Furthermore, since corrected composited image data is stored, after a traffic abnormality occurs it is possible to analyze the abnormality by checking this composite image.
-
- Fig. 1 is a view for explaining a vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of an image processing apparatus in the vehicle monitoring system shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a view for explaining an AID-converted digital image;
- Fig. 4 is a view for explaining a corrected image subjected to a correcting process;
- Fig. 5 is a view for explaining a composite image subjected to a compositing process;
- Fig. 6 is a view for explaining a vehicle monitoring system and the like according to the second embodiment;
- Fig. 7 is a view for explaining an A/D-converted digital image;
- Fig. 8 is a view for explaining a corrected image subjected to a correcting process;
- Fig. 9 is a view for explaining a composite image subjected to a compositing process; and
- Fig. 10 is a view for explaining a vehicle monitoring system and the like according to the third embodiment.
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- Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same parts in these drawings, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. Note also that the dimensional ratio of each drawing is not necessarily consistent with that of the explanation.
- Fig. 1 is a view for explaining a vehicle monitoring system. As shown in Fig. 1, this vehicle monitoring system monitors the state of traffic on a highway, e.g., detects traffic abnormalities in a tunnel 1. The vehicle monitoring system includes a plurality of
monitor cameras 2. - These
monitor cameras 2 are image sensing means for sensing an image of avehicle 11 traveling on a road in the tunnel 1, and are installed at predetermined intervals in the tunnel 1. The installation interval of themonitor cameras 2 is, e.g., about 200 m. The image sensing direction of themonitor camera 2 is a direction in which an image of the front or rear of thevehicle 11 traveling on aroad 10 is sensed. Eachmonitor camera 2 is connected to adistributor 3 which is installed in aninstitution 4 built near the tunnel 1. Thisdistributor 3 receives sensed images from themonitor cameras 2 and outputs these images to an image processing apparatus 5. - The image processing apparatus 5 is an image processing means for receiving images from the
monitor cameras 2, processing these images, and transmitting the processed images to acontrol center 6. This image processing apparatus 5 comprises, e.g., an A/D converter, video frame memory, image processor, and signal output interface. - The A/D converter A/D-converts an input analog video signal into a digital signal. For example, a video A-D converter is used as this A/D converter. The video frame memory stores converted digital video signals as image data. This image data is an aggregate of pixels having tone values at individual coordinate runs on the x and y axes. The pixel tone has, e.g., 8-bit 256 gray levels.
- The image processor processes the image data stored in the video frame memory. The signal output interface outputs the processed image to the outside in accordance with a command from the image processor.
- In the
control center 6, the image transmitted from the image processing apparatus is input to amonitor 61, and thismonitor 61 displays the image sensed in the tunnel 1. Through this image, a supervisor can visually monitor the traveling states of vehicles in the tunnel 1. Themonitor 61 is an image display means and desirably has a display area long from side to side. For example, a projector is used as thismonitor 61. - The operation of the vehicle monitoring system, the operation of the image processing apparatus, and an image processing method will be described below.
- Referring to Fig. 1, the
monitor cameras 2 sense images of thevehicle 11 traveling on theroad 10 and input video signals to thedistributor 3. Thedistributor 3 suitably transfers these video signals from themonitor cameras 2 to the image processing apparatus 5. The image processing apparatus 5 processes the video signals. - Fig. 2 is a flow chart of this image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 5.
- As shown in S100 of Fig. 2, an input video signal to the image processing apparatus 5 is A/D-converted. This A/D conversion is the process of converting an analog video signal into a digital video signal. The converted digital image is stored as image data into the video frame memory.
- The flow advances to S200 to perform image correction. This image correction is the process of correcting the image data such that the
road 10 shown in the A/D-converted digital image runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of the image. By this image correction, a digital image shown in Fig. 3 is corrected into a corrected image shown in Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 3, theroad 10 is so displayed in adigital image 20 as to go away from the lower right portion to the upper left portion. As shown in Fig. 4, thisdigital image 20 is corrected such that theroad 10 runs in the lateral direction of the image. This correcting process forms a correctedimage 21. During the correction, thevehicle 11 traveling on theroad 10 is also processed in accordance with the correction. - The flow then advances to S300 to perform image composition. This image composition is the process of compositing corrected images subjected to the image correction. For example, corrected
images 21 pertaining to video signals obtained by themonitor cameras 2 at the same time are composited into one image. This compositing process is performed such that theroads 11 shown in the individual correctedimages 21 continue. Also, the composition is so performed that more than one image of thesame vehicle 11 will not be displayed. Fig. 5 shows acomposite image 22 subjected to the compositing process. - After this image compositing process is completed, the
composite image 22 is transmitted to thecontrol center 6. The whole of thiscomposite image 22 is displayed on themonitor 61 in thecontrol center 6. - As described above, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment can display, on a single screen, the whole of the
road 10 as an object of traffic monitoring. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. - Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection. Also, since no image switching is performed, traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- In the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment, the
composite image 22 is transmitted to thecontrol center 6. However, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is also possible to transmit a plurality of correctedimages 21 to thecontrol center 6 and composite these images in thecontrol center 6. Thecontrol center 6 can also perform all the image processing operations (A/D conversion, image correction, and image composition). - Furthermore, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment relate to vehicle monitoring on a road in the tunnel 1. However, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention are not restricted to this embodiment. For example, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the present invention can also be used for vehicle monitoring on roads in other places.
- An image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the second embodiment will be described below.
- The image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment have the same configurations as the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment, except that a
monitor camera 2 as an image sensing means includes an image sensing optical system having a wide angle lens, and that an image processing apparatus 5 as an image processing means corrects image distortion caused by this wide angle lens. - Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the monitor cameras in the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the
monitor cameras 2 are so arranged as to sense images ofvehicles 11 traveling on aroad 10 from the side of theroad 10. Eachmonitor camera 2 has a wide angle lens in its image sensing optical system and can sense images over a wide view angle. As this wide angle lens, a fish-eye lens is preferably used. A "wide angle lens" herein mentioned means a lens having a view angle wider than that of a standard lens, e.g., a view angle of 60° or more. - The operation of the vehicle monitoring system, the operation of the image processing apparatus, and the image processing method will be described below. Similar to the vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment, the
monitor cameras 2 sense images of thevehicles 11 traveling on theroad 10 and input video signals to adistributor 3. Thisdistributor 3 properly inputs these video signals from themonitor cameras 2 to the image processing apparatus 5. The image processing apparatus 5 processes these video signals. - As this image processing in the image processing apparatus 5, A/D conversion is performed as in the first embodiment. In subsequent image correction, correction for removing distortion of the image sensed through the wide angle lens is performed. As shown in Fig. 7, an A/D-converted
digital image 30 has barrel-shaped form distortion because the image is sensed through the wide angle lens. By correcting this barrel form distortion of thedigital image 30, as shown in Fig. 8, a correctedimage 31 from which the distortion is removed is obtained. - Subsequently, an image compositing process composites the corrected
images 31 pertaining to the video signals obtained at the same time by themonitor cameras 2 into a singlecomposite image 32. As in the first embodiment, this image compositing process is performed such that theroads 10 shown in the individual correctedimages 21 continue. Also, the composition is so performed that more than one image of thesame vehicle 11 will not be displayed. Fig. 9 shows acomposite image 32 subjected to the compositing process. - After the image compositing process is completed, the
composite image 32 is transmitted to acontrol center 6. The whole of thiscomposite image 32 is displayed on amonitor 61 in thecontrol center 6. - As described above, the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment can display, on a single screen, the whole of the
road 10 as an object of traffic monitoring, similar to the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection. Also, since no image switching is performed, traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load. - Additionally, since an image of a road to be monitored is sensed sideways by using a wide angle lens, image correction can be readily performed.
- Furthermore, a wide angle lens is used in the image sensing optical system of the
monitor camera 2. Since this allows eachmonitor camera 2 to monitor a wide range, the number of themonitor cameras 2 to be installed can be reduced. - An image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to the third embodiment will be described below.
- The image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment have the same configurations as the image processing apparatuses, image processing methods, and vehicle monitoring systems according to the first and second embodiments, except that image storage is performed after image composition in an image processing means and in an image processing step.
- Fig. 10 is a flow chart of image processing performed in the image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system according to this embodiment.
- A/D conversion in S100, image correction in S200, and image composition in S300 of Fig. 10 are the same as explained in the first embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In S400, image storage is performed. This image storage is done by storing a
composite image composite image - In the present invention as has been described above, the whole of a road as an object of traffic monitoring can be displayed on a single screen. Accordingly, the entire road can be monitored without switching images to be displayed. Since there is no area which cannot be monitored owing to image switching, therefore, it is possible to prevent a delay of traffic abnormality detection and increase the speed of traffic abnormality detection.
- Also, since no image switching is performed, traffic abnormalities can be detected on the basis of changes in an image. This facilitates visual traffic abnormality detection and reduces the monitoring load.
- Additionally, since an image of a road to be monitored is sensed sideways by using a wide angle lens, image correction can be readily performed.
- Furthermore, since corrected composited image data is stored, after a traffic abnormality occurs it is possible to analyze the abnormality by checking this composite image.
- The image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system of the present invention are useful in monitoring traffic of vehicles traveling on a road.
Claims (8)
- An image processing apparatus comprising:converting means for receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images;correcting means for correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of each digital image; andimage compositing means for compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained by said correcting means, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising storage means for storing the composite image as image data.
- An image processing method comprising:the conversion step of receiving a plurality of video signals obtained by sensing images of a road, and A/D-converting the video signals into digital images;the correction step of correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of each digital image; andthe image composition step of compositing a plurality of corrected images obtained in the correction step, such that the roads shown in the corrected images continue.
- A method according to claim 3, characterized by further comprising the storage step of storing the composite image as image data.
- A vehicle monitoring system comprising:a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road;image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by said image sensing means, A/D-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting the digital images such that the road runs in the longitudinal or lateral direction of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue; anddisplay means for displaying the image processed by said image processing means.
- A vehicle monitoring system comprising:a plurality of image sensing means arranged along a road to be monitored to sense images of vehicles traveling on the road, each of said image sensing means having a wide angle lens in an image sensing optical system thereof;image processing means for receiving video signals obtained by said image sensing means, AID-converting the video signals into digital images, correcting distortion, caused by said wide angle lens, of each digital image, and compositing the corrected digital images such that the roads shown in the digital images continue; anddisplay means for displaying the image processed by said image processing means.
- A system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said display means is a projector having a display area long from side to side.
- A system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said image processing means stores the composite image as image data.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP37029899A JP3601392B2 (en) | 1999-12-27 | 1999-12-27 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system |
JP37029899 | 1999-12-27 | ||
PCT/JP2000/009025 WO2001048724A1 (en) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-12-20 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1262933A1 true EP1262933A1 (en) | 2002-12-04 |
EP1262933A4 EP1262933A4 (en) | 2004-03-31 |
EP1262933B1 EP1262933B1 (en) | 2005-04-27 |
Family
ID=18496557
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00987649A Expired - Lifetime EP1262933B1 (en) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-12-20 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and vehicle monitoring system |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1262933B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3601392B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE294434T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60019813T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2237485T3 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1047814B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001048724A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2733677A1 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2014-05-21 | Kapsch TrafficCom AB | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
EP2577958A4 (en) * | 2010-06-03 | 2014-09-17 | Microsoft Corp | Simulated video with extra viewpoints and enhanced resolution for traffic cameras |
EP3561791A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-30 | Transdev Group | System for monitoring road traffic with display of a virtual image of objects moving around a portion of road infrastructure |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10239026B4 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2008-04-03 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Method and device for traffic monitoring |
CN101976341B (en) * | 2010-08-27 | 2013-08-07 | 中国科学院自动化研究所 | Method for detecting position, posture, and three-dimensional profile of vehicle from traffic images |
CN111935451A (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2020-11-13 | 中国铁道科学研究院集团有限公司电子计算技术研究所 | Railway safety monitoring device |
Citations (5)
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EP0403193A2 (en) * | 1989-06-16 | 1990-12-19 | University College London | Method and apparatus for traffic monitoring |
US5586231A (en) * | 1993-12-29 | 1996-12-17 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Method and device for processing an image in order to construct from a source image a target image with charge of perspective |
US5682198A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1997-10-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Double eye image pickup apparatus |
US5862508A (en) * | 1995-02-17 | 1999-01-19 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Moving object detection apparatus |
JPH1139589A (en) * | 1997-07-18 | 1999-02-12 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Traffic monitoring device and method |
Family Cites Families (3)
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JP3577895B2 (en) * | 1997-06-19 | 2004-10-20 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Wide area monitoring device and wide area monitoring system |
JPH1196494A (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-04-09 | Hitachi Ltd | Method for monitoring traffic flow and device therefor |
JP2000331279A (en) * | 1999-05-25 | 2000-11-30 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Wide area monitoring device |
-
1999
- 1999-12-27 JP JP37029899A patent/JP3601392B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-12-20 WO PCT/JP2000/009025 patent/WO2001048724A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-12-20 ES ES00987649T patent/ES2237485T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-20 EP EP00987649A patent/EP1262933B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-20 AT AT00987649T patent/ATE294434T1/en active
- 2000-12-20 DE DE60019813T patent/DE60019813T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-12-23 HK HK02109276.4A patent/HK1047814B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0403193A2 (en) * | 1989-06-16 | 1990-12-19 | University College London | Method and apparatus for traffic monitoring |
US5682198A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1997-10-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Double eye image pickup apparatus |
US5586231A (en) * | 1993-12-29 | 1996-12-17 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Method and device for processing an image in order to construct from a source image a target image with charge of perspective |
US5862508A (en) * | 1995-02-17 | 1999-01-19 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Moving object detection apparatus |
JPH1139589A (en) * | 1997-07-18 | 1999-02-12 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Traffic monitoring device and method |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 05, 31 May 1999 (1999-05-31) -& JP 11 039589 A (FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD;F F C:KK), 12 February 1999 (1999-02-12) * |
See also references of WO0148724A1 * |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2577958A4 (en) * | 2010-06-03 | 2014-09-17 | Microsoft Corp | Simulated video with extra viewpoints and enhanced resolution for traffic cameras |
EP2733677A1 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2014-05-21 | Kapsch TrafficCom AB | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
WO2014076300A1 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2014-05-22 | Kapsch Trafficcom Ab | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
US20160247398A1 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2016-08-25 | Kapsch Trafficcom Ab | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
EP3182380A1 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2017-06-21 | Kapsch TrafficCom AB | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
AU2017279793B2 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2019-08-22 | Kapsch Trafficcom Ab | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
US10777075B2 (en) * | 2012-11-19 | 2020-09-15 | Kapsch Trafficcom Ab | Device for tolling or telematics systems |
EP3561791A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-30 | Transdev Group | System for monitoring road traffic with display of a virtual image of objects moving around a portion of road infrastructure |
FR3080701A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-11-01 | Transdev Group | ROAD TRAFFIC MONITORING SYSTEM WITH DISPLAY OF A VIRTUAL IMAGE OF EVOLVING MOBILE OBJECTS IN A ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PORTION |
US10885778B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2021-01-05 | Transdev Group | Traffic monitoring system with display of a virtual image of moving objects in a portion of roadway infrastructure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1262933A4 (en) | 2004-03-31 |
ES2237485T3 (en) | 2005-08-01 |
WO2001048724A1 (en) | 2001-07-05 |
DE60019813T2 (en) | 2005-10-06 |
HK1047814A1 (en) | 2003-03-07 |
JP2001184586A (en) | 2001-07-06 |
JP3601392B2 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
HK1047814B (en) | 2005-06-24 |
ATE294434T1 (en) | 2005-05-15 |
EP1262933B1 (en) | 2005-04-27 |
DE60019813D1 (en) | 2005-06-02 |
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