JP2006209681A - Vehicle search system, vehicle search apparatus, vehicle search center apparatus and vehicle search method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle search system that can increase the detection rate of a search vehicle and search for the search vehicle in real time by recognizing vehicle number information about surrounding vehicles with a vehicle search apparatus, the vehicle search apparatus and a vehicle search center apparatus comprising the vehicle search system, and a vehicle search method. <P>SOLUTION: Vehicles 100, 100, ... mounted with the vehicle search apparatus 3 acquires search vehicle number information stored in roadside communication apparatus 2, 2, .... The vehicles 100, 100, ..., if vehicle number information of a surrounding vehicle 200 recognized from pickup images picked up by video cameras 4 and 5 matches the search vehicle number information, send the matching vehicle number information to the roadside communication apparatus 2, 2, .... The roadside communication apparatus 2, 2, ... receive the recognized vehicle number information sent from the vehicles 100, 100, ... and send the received recognized vehicle number information to the vehicle search center apparatus 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle search system for recognizing the characteristics of a surrounding vehicle by a vehicle search device mounted on a vehicle and searching for a search target vehicle, a vehicle search device and a vehicle search center device constituting the vehicle search system, and a vehicle It relates to a search method.

  Intelligent transportation systems aimed at improving the road traffic environment are tolls that automatically collect tolls on toll roads, those that restrict the inflow of vehicles to relieve traffic congestion, and provide traffic-related information and optimize traffic flow As a common technology in these fields of use, as a common technology in these fields of use, a traveling vehicle is detected from a vehicle number reading device (camera) installed on the road, and the vehicle number information (number plate) of the vehicle There is a system to recognize.

Such a system can also be used to detect dangerously traveling vehicles such as speeding violations, neglect of traffic lights, etc., and to detect searched vehicles arranged in a wide area such as incidents or accidents related to vehicles in order to prevent traffic accidents. As a method of extracting car number information, an image region formed by extracting only a vertical edge based on a captured image captured by a camera, binarizing the extracted image, and performing an expansion process is used. What is extracted as a region where vehicle number information exists has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 62-126499 A

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 proposes only a method of extracting vehicle number information of a vehicle, and when searching for a searched vehicle using a conventional system, the searched vehicle When the vehicle travels in the imaging range of the vehicle number reading device installed on the road, the vehicle number information of the searched vehicle can only be recognized, and the number of vehicle number reading devices installed on the road However, there is a problem that the detection rate of the searched vehicle is low and the search cannot be performed in real time. In addition, in order to quickly detect vehicles to be searched arranged in a wide area, it is necessary to install a large number of vehicle number reading devices over a wide area of the road, and there is a problem that the installation cost becomes enormous. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the vehicle recognition device mounted on the vehicle includes a recognition unit that recognizes the characteristics of the surrounding vehicles of the vehicle, whereby the feature recognized by the recognition unit is It can be determined whether or not it matches the search information of the vehicle to be searched, and the vehicle to be searched can be searched in a wider range than before without adding a vehicle number reading device, and the detection rate of the vehicle to be searched is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle search system that can be increased, a vehicle search device and a vehicle search center device that constitute the vehicle search system, and a vehicle search method.

  Another object of the present invention is that the vehicle search center device stores designation information for designating a search area of the searched vehicle, and the search information is only in the roadside communication device in the search area designated by the designation information. By providing the vehicle search system, it is possible to search for a vehicle to be searched by designating only a desired search area, and to provide a vehicle search system that can reduce processing effort required for the search. .

  Another object of the present invention is that the vehicle information includes at least one of a vehicle number, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, a vehicle image, a vehicle recognition time, a vehicle position, and a vehicle search factor. The vehicle to be searched can be easily recognized, the vehicle to be searched can be searched in real time, and information related to the incident or accident encountered in the vicinity of the vehicle can be quickly grasped. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle search system capable of quickly searching for a vehicle to be searched related to the incident or accident, and a vehicle search device constituting the vehicle search system.

  Another object of the present invention is that a vehicle equipped with a vehicle search device includes an imaging unit that images the front or rear periphery of the vehicle, and based on a captured image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit, An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle search apparatus capable of improving the recognition degree of surrounding vehicles by recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicles of the vehicle.

  According to another object of the present invention, the search information includes at least one of a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, and a search area. In addition to being able to recognize easily, it is possible to search for a vehicle to be searched by specifying only a desired search area, and even if the vehicle number of the vehicle to be searched is not all clear, An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle search device capable of searching for a search vehicle.

  A vehicle search system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle search system including a vehicle search device, a roadside communication device, and a vehicle search center device for searching for a searched vehicle based on search information of the searched vehicle. The vehicle search device includes a recognition unit that recognizes the characteristics of a surrounding vehicle, and a transmission unit that transmits vehicle information related to the vehicle recognized by the recognition unit to the roadside communication device. A receiving unit that receives the search information and vehicle information; an extraction unit that extracts a vehicle whose characteristics match the received search information; and a transmission unit that transmits vehicle information related to the extracted vehicle to the vehicle search center device. The vehicle search center device includes a transmission unit that transmits the search information to the roadside communication device, and a reception unit that receives the vehicle information.

  The vehicle search system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle search system according to the first aspect, wherein the vehicle search center device includes a storage unit that stores specification information for specifying a search area of the search target vehicle, and the search information is specified by the specification information. The transmission is made only to the roadside communication device in the search area.

  A vehicle search system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle search system comprising a vehicle search device and a vehicle search center device for searching for a search target vehicle based on search information of the search target vehicle, wherein the vehicle search device Comprises a recognition unit for recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle, and a transmission unit for transmitting vehicle information related to the vehicle recognized by the recognition unit to the outside, so that the vehicle search center device searches for the searched vehicle A search information setting unit that sets the search information, a reception unit that receives the vehicle information, and an extraction unit that extracts a vehicle whose characteristics match the set search information.

  In the vehicle search system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the vehicle information includes a vehicle number, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, a vehicle image, and a vehicle recognition time. And at least one of a vehicle position and a vehicle search factor.

  A vehicle search device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle search device that searches for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle and is around the host vehicle, and sets search information for searching for a searched vehicle received from the outside. A setting unit, a recognizing unit for recognizing features of surrounding vehicles, an extracting unit for extracting vehicles whose features match the set search information, and a transmitting unit for transmitting vehicle information related to the extracted vehicles to the outside It is characterized by providing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle search apparatus includes an imaging unit that images the front or rear of the vehicle, and the recognition unit is characterized by surrounding vehicles based on the captured image obtained by imaging. It is characterized by recognizing.

  In a fifth or sixth aspect of the vehicle search device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the vehicle information includes a vehicle number, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, a vehicle image, a time when the vehicle is recognized, It includes at least one of a position and a vehicle search factor.

  The vehicle search device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle search apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the search information includes a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, and a search area. It is characterized by including at least one of these.

  A vehicle search center device according to a ninth aspect of the invention is a transmission unit that transmits the search information to a plurality of vehicles equipped with the vehicle search device according to any of the fifth to eighth aspects of the invention, and the vehicle search device. And a receiving unit that receives vehicle information related to the vehicle transmitted by the transmitting unit.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the vehicle search center device transmits the search information and receives the vehicle information via a roadside communication device.

  A vehicle search method according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is a vehicle search method for searching for a vehicle around the own vehicle, wherein search information for searching for the vehicle to be searched is set, and features of the vehicle around the vehicle are recognized. It is determined whether or not the characteristics of the vehicle match the search information, and vehicle information related to the matched vehicle is output as a search result.

  In the first invention, the vehicle search device recognizes the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle by the recognition unit, and transmits vehicle information related to the recognized vehicle to the roadside communication device. The roadside communication device receives search information of the searched vehicle from the vehicle search center device. The roadside communication device extracts a vehicle in which the feature indicated by the vehicle information received from the vehicle search device matches the received search information, transmits the vehicle information of the extracted vehicle to the vehicle search center device, and the vehicle The search center device receives the vehicle information.

  In the second invention, the vehicle search center device stores designation information for designating a search area of the to-be-searched vehicle, and stores the search information in a roadside communication device in the search area designated by the designation information. Only send.

  In the third invention, the vehicle search device recognizes the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle by the recognition unit, and transmits vehicle information related to the recognized vehicle to the vehicle search center device. The vehicle search center device receives vehicle information from the vehicle search device. The vehicle search center device extracts a vehicle whose characteristics indicated by the received vehicle information match the search information set by the search information setting unit that sets search information for searching for the vehicle to be searched.

  In the fourth and seventh inventions, the vehicle information includes vehicle number, vehicle color, vehicle size, vehicle image, vehicle recognition time, vehicle position, vehicle search factor. Including at least one.

  In the fifth invention, the vehicle search device receives and sets search information for searching for the searched vehicle from the outside. The vehicle search device recognizes features of surrounding vehicles by the recognition unit, extracts a vehicle having the recognized feature that matches the set search information, and transmits vehicle information related to the extracted vehicle to the outside.

  In the sixth invention, the imaging unit provided in the vehicle on which the vehicle search device is mounted images the front or rear periphery of the vehicle. The vehicle search device recognizes the characteristics of surrounding vehicles traveling in the traveling direction of the vehicle based on a captured image obtained by capturing with the imaging unit. This reduces the relative speed between the vehicle and the surrounding vehicles.

  In the eighth invention, the search information includes at least one of a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, and a search area.

  In the ninth aspect, the vehicle search center device transmits the search information to a plurality of vehicles equipped with the vehicle search device, and receives vehicle information related to the vehicle transmitted by the vehicle search device.

  In the tenth invention, the vehicle search center device transmits the search information to a plurality of vehicles equipped with the vehicle search device via a roadside communication device, and the vehicle search device transmits the vehicle. Receive vehicle information.

  In the eleventh invention, the search information for searching for the vehicle to be searched is set, the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle are recognized, it is determined whether or not the characteristics of the vehicle match the search information, The vehicle information regarding the matched vehicle is output as a search result.

  In the first invention, the vehicle search device mounted on the vehicle traveling on the road recognizes the characteristics of the surrounding vehicles, transmits the recognized vehicle information to the roadside communication device, and obtains the search information of the searched vehicle. By extracting a vehicle having the same feature by the roadside communication device and detecting the searched vehicle based on the vehicle information of the extracted vehicle, the searched vehicle can be detected using the vehicle traveling on the road. Therefore, the searched vehicle can be searched in a wide range, and the detection rate of the searched vehicle can be increased.

  In the second invention, the desired search area can be specified by recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicles in the search area specified by the specification information specifying the search area of the searched vehicle. Thus, it is possible to reduce the processing effort required for searching for the searched vehicle.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the vehicle search device mounted on the vehicle traveling on the road recognizes the characteristics of the surrounding vehicles, transmits the recognized vehicle information to the vehicle center device, and obtains the search information of the searched vehicle. A vehicle having a matching characteristic is extracted by the vehicle center device, and the vehicle to be searched can be detected using the vehicle traveling on the road by detecting the vehicle to be searched based on the vehicle information of the extracted vehicle. Therefore, the searched vehicle can be searched in a wide range, and the detection rate of the searched vehicle can be increased.

  In the fourth and seventh inventions, the vehicle information includes vehicle number, vehicle color, vehicle size, vehicle image, vehicle recognition time, vehicle position, vehicle search factor. By including at least one, the vehicle to be searched can be easily recognized, the vehicle to be searched can be searched in real time, and the vehicle to be searched can be predicted compared to the conventional vehicle by predicting the travel of the vehicle to be searched. Can be easily captured. Further, it is possible to quickly grasp information related to an incident or accident encountered in the vicinity of the vehicle, and to quickly search for a searched vehicle related to the incident or accident.

  In the fifth and ninth inventions, the features of surrounding vehicles are recognized, vehicles whose features match the search information of the searched vehicle are extracted by the vehicle search device, and based on the vehicle information of the extracted vehicles. By detecting the vehicle to be searched, the vehicle to be searched can be detected using a vehicle traveling on the road, so that the vehicle to be searched can be searched in a wide range, and the detection rate of the vehicle to be searched can be increased. Can be high.

  In the sixth invention, the relative speed between the vehicle and the surrounding vehicle is reduced by recognizing the vehicle number information of the surrounding vehicle traveling in the traveling direction of the vehicle on which the vehicle search device is mounted. The recognition accuracy of the car number information can be improved.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, the search information includes at least one of a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, and a search area. It is possible to recognize the vehicle to be searched, and even if the vehicle number of the vehicle to be searched is not all clear, it is possible to search for the vehicle to be searched using a clear portion. Further, the search area can be limited to a desired area, and the processing effort required for searching for the searched vehicle can be reduced.

  In the tenth invention, by transmitting and receiving search information and vehicle information via the roadside communication device, the search information is transmitted to the vehicle only from the roadside communication device installed in the desired region, It is possible to reduce the load of the vehicle search device for the vehicle in the vehicle.

  In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the characteristics of surrounding vehicles are recognized, vehicles whose characteristics match the search information of the searched vehicle are extracted, and the searched vehicle is detected based on the extracted vehicle information of the vehicle. Thus, since the vehicle to be searched can be detected using a vehicle traveling on the road, the vehicle to be searched can be searched in a wide range, and the detection rate of the vehicle to be searched can be increased.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a vehicle search system according to the present invention. In the drawing, 1 stores search information (for example, a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, a search area, etc.) related to a search target vehicle that is a search target vehicle. A vehicle search center device for searching for a vehicle. The vehicle search center device 1 is connected to a communication line 6 such as the Internet, and a plurality of roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Installed along the road are connected to the communication line 6. The vehicle search center device 1 transmits the stored search information to the roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Via the communication line 6, and the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. And remember.

  The roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Are installed on main trunk roads such as national roads and highways with appropriate separation distances. The roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Realize road-to-vehicle communication using a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) system with vehicles 100, 100,. Do.

  The vehicle 100 is provided with video cameras 4 and 5 for imaging surrounding vehicles in front of or behind the vehicle at the front or rear center of the vehicle 100, and the vehicle search device 3 is provided in the video cameras 4 and 5. Connected. The vehicle search device 3 performs wireless communication with the roadside communication devices 2, 2,..., And based on the captured images obtained by the video cameras 4, 5, the surrounding vehicles 200, 200,. Car number information (number plate) recognition processing is performed.

  When the vehicles 100, 100,... Equipped with the vehicle search device 3 pass in the vicinity of the roadside communication devices 2, 2,..., Perform wireless communication with the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. Search vehicle number information stored in the devices 2, 2,... Is acquired. Further, the vehicles 100, 100,... Match the vehicles that match when the vehicle number information of the surrounding vehicles recognized based on the captured images obtained by the video cameras 4 and 5 matches the searched vehicle number information. Number information is transmitted to the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. The roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Receive the recognized vehicle number information (including recognized vehicle number information that matches the searched vehicle number information) transmitted from the vehicles 100, 100,. The recognized vehicle number information is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1. Thereby, the vehicle search center apparatus 1 can acquire the recognition vehicle number information of a surrounding vehicle at any time from many vehicles 100, 100, ... which are drive | working a wide range of roads, and searches for a to-be-searched vehicle. Can do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle search center device 1. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a transmission / reception unit that is connected to the communication line 6 and transmits / receives data to / from the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. The transmission / reception unit 10 is the recognition vehicle number information transmitted from the roadside communication devices 2, 2,..., The position information of the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 detects the search target vehicle, the time, and the vicinity of the vehicles 100, 100,. A search factor ID indicating the content of the incident or accident encountered is received, and the received data is stored in the storage unit 13 to be described later.

  The transmitting / receiving unit 10 transmits the searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle stored in the storage unit 13 to the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. When the search area of the vehicle to be searched is limited (for example, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.), the search vehicle number information is transmitted only to the roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Installed in the target search area. It is. This can be realized by storing in the vehicle search center device 1 the identification numbers of the roadside communication devices 2, 2,.

  The processing unit 11 includes a vehicle trajectory calculation unit 111. Based on the detected vehicle number information of the searched vehicle, the vehicle trajectory calculation unit 111 reads out the position information and time of the vicinity of the searched vehicle (the vehicle 100 that detected the searched vehicle) stored in the storage unit 13 as needed. Using the map data stored in the storage unit 13, the current position and travel locus are calculated from the position and time at which the searched vehicle is detected, and the speed of the searched vehicle is calculated based on the position information and time. The current or future predicted travel range is calculated and displayed on a display unit such as a display provided in the operation unit 12 described later. The operator of the vehicle search center device 1 can also notify a police car or the like in the vicinity of the detected vehicle to be searched based on the detected travel locus of the vehicle to be searched and capture the vehicle to be searched.

  The operation unit 12 includes a display unit for displaying a travel locus of the searched vehicle, a buzzer for notifying that the searched vehicle is detected, and a keyboard for registering or updating various databases stored in the storage unit 13. , Equipped with a mouse and the like.

  The storage unit 13 includes a search vehicle database 131 that stores search information such as a search ID of a search target vehicle that is a search target vehicle, search vehicle number information (branch name, classification number, vehicle type symbol, serial number), and predetermined jurisdiction. When a range map database 132 and a vehicle to be searched are detected, a tracking vehicle database 133 that stores position information, time, and the like for each vehicle to be searched is stored. The searched vehicle number information stored in the searched vehicle database 131 may store all of the branch name, classification number, vehicle type symbol, and serial number for each searched vehicle. When the number information is not completely grasped, only a part of the vehicle number information may be stored. In addition, the searched vehicle number information stored in the searched vehicle database 131 is classified into public information or non-public information by an operator operating in advance according to the nature of the incident or accident related to the searched vehicle.

  The control unit 14 controls processing of the transmission / reception unit 10, the processing unit 11, and the operation unit 12.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the roadside communication device 2. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an antenna unit for performing wireless communication with the vehicle search apparatus 3 mounted on the vehicles 100, 100,. A radio unit 21 is connected to the antenna unit 20, and the radio unit 21 performs processes such as modulation and demodulation in order to perform bidirectional radio communication with the vehicles 100, 100,. Thereby, when the vehicle 100 passes the vicinity of the roadside communication apparatus 2, communication is performed between the vehicle 100 and the roadside communication apparatus 2, and predetermined data is transmitted / received.

  The wireless unit 21 recognizes the recognized vehicle number information (including recognized vehicle number information that matches the searched vehicle number information) transmitted from the vehicles 100, 100,... And the position of the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 detects the searched vehicle. Information, time, search factor ID indicating the contents of the incident or accident encountered in the vicinity of the vehicles 100, 100,. The received recognized vehicle number information is stored in the storage unit 24 under the control of the control unit 25 described later.

  Moreover, the radio | wireless part 21 transmits what was classified as public information among the search vehicle number information of the to-be-searched vehicle memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 24 to the vehicles 100,100, ....

  The transmission / reception unit 23 is connected to the communication line 6 and transmits / receives data to / from the vehicle search center device 1. The transmission / reception unit 23 receives the search vehicle number information of the searched vehicle transmitted from the vehicle search center device 1 and stores the received search vehicle number information in the storage unit 24.

  Further, the transmission / reception unit 23 recognizes the recognized vehicle number information that matches the searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle, the position information of the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 detects the searched vehicle, the time, the surroundings of the vehicles 100, 100,. The search factor ID corresponding to the search factor information indicating the contents of the incident or accident encountered is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1.

  The storage unit 24 stores a searched vehicle number information database 241 that stores searched vehicle number information of a searched vehicle, and a recognized vehicle number information database 242 that stores recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicles 100, 100,. Yes.

  The processing unit 22 includes a vehicle number information determination unit 221. Of the recognized vehicle number information stored in the storage unit 24, the vehicle number information determination unit 221 does not determine whether the vehicle search device 3 of the vehicles 100, 100,... Matches the searched vehicle number information. The recognized vehicle number information is read, and it is determined whether or not the read recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information classified as non-public information. The recognized vehicle number information that matches the searched vehicle number information is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1 via the transmission / reception unit 23 under the control of the control unit 25.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle search device 3. In the figure, reference numerals 4 and 5 denote video cameras mounted on the vehicle 100. The video camera 4 is installed at a substantially central portion of the front portion of the vehicle 100 and images surrounding vehicles in front of the vehicle. In addition, the video camera 5 is installed at a substantially central portion of the rear portion of the vehicle 100 and images surrounding vehicles behind the vehicle. When imaging surrounding vehicles with the video cameras 4, 5, the video cameras 4, 5 may be installed so that surrounding vehicles traveling in the oncoming lane can be imaged, and traveling in the same direction as the vehicle 100. You may install so that only the surrounding vehicle to image may be imaged. By installing the video cameras 4 and 5 so as to capture only the surrounding vehicles traveling in the same direction as the vehicle 100, the relative speed between the vehicle 100 and the surrounding vehicles is reduced, and the accuracy of the vehicle number recognition process described later is improved. Can be made. The video cameras 4 and 5 are connected to the vehicle search device 3 via a communication line for in-vehicle LAN conforming to IEEE1394.

  The interface unit 30 receives instructions from the video cameras 4 and 5, receives captured images from the video cameras 4 and 5, and stores the received captured images in the image memory 31.

  The antenna unit 35 performs wireless communication with the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. A wireless unit 36 is connected to the antenna unit 35, and the wireless unit 36 performs processing such as modulation and demodulation in order to perform bidirectional wireless communication with the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. Thereby, when the vehicle 100 passes the vicinity of the roadside communication apparatus 2, communication is performed between the vehicle 100 and the roadside communication apparatus 2, and predetermined data is transmitted / received.

  The storage unit 32 includes a searched vehicle number information database 321 that stores searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle, a recognized vehicle number information database 322 that stores recognized vehicle number information recognized by the processing unit 38, which will be described later, and an incident or accident. A search factor database 323 in which contents are classified and stored in advance, a template for storing a vehicle template for detecting a vehicle, and a vehicle number template for recognizing vehicle number information of the vehicle are stored.

  The control unit 39 stores the captured images input from the video cameras 4 and 5 via the interface unit 30 in different areas of the image memory 31 in units of one frame in synchronization with the frame rate of the video cameras 4 and 5. To do. In addition, the control unit 39 outputs the captured image stored in the image memory 31 to the processing unit 38 in units of frames.

  The processing unit 38 recognizes a vehicle detection unit 381 that detects a vehicle image from the captured image, extracts a license plate from the detected vehicle image, and recognizes vehicle number information from the extracted license plate. A vehicle number information determination unit 383 is provided for determining whether the vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information.

  The vehicle detection unit 381 extracts a feature region indicating the shape of the vehicle from the captured image read out from the image memory 31, and compares the extracted feature region with a vehicle template indicating images of the front and rear portions of the vehicle in advance. The vehicle image is detected by pattern matching, and the detected vehicle image is output to the vehicle number information recognition unit 382.

  The vehicle number information recognizing unit 382 performs a cutting process of the rectangular number plate part based on the input vehicle image, and a license plate image obtained by binarizing the cut number plate part and a reference that is a vehicle number template. A correlation distribution indicating the degree of similarity between the license plate image and the reference image is created by a matched filter that receives the image. The vehicle number information recognition unit 382 recognizes the vehicle number information by extracting the character indicated by the maximum value of the correlation distribution as a recognition character for each character of the branch name, classification number, vehicle type symbol, and serial number of the license plate. The obtained vehicle number information is output to the vehicle number information determination unit 383. The vehicle number information recognition unit 382 generates a recognition ID every time new vehicle number information is recognized.

  Further, every time the vehicle number information recognition unit 382 recognizes the vehicle number information, the vehicle number information recognition unit 382 outputs a recognition continuation signal indicating that the vehicle number information recognition process is being continued to the control unit 39.

  The vehicle number information determination unit 383 determines whether or not the recognized vehicle number information input from the vehicle number information recognition unit 382 matches any of the searched vehicle number information stored in the searched vehicle number information database 321. Along with the determination result (match or mismatch), the generated recognition ID and recognized vehicle number information are stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 322. In addition, the vehicle number information determination unit 383, when the searched vehicle number information is not completely grasped, for example, when only a part of the serial number of the searched vehicle number information is stored, the recognized vehicle number information and the searched vehicle number The partial coincidence with the number information is determined, and the generated recognition ID and the recognized vehicle number information are stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 322 together with the determination result.

  The processing unit 38 performs the above-described processing at a predetermined time interval, and when the processing for the captured image for one frame is completed, the same processing is continued for the frame after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  The GPS 33 incorporates a clock and acquires position information (longitude and latitude) and time of the vehicle 100 on which the vehicle search device 3 is mounted.

  When acquiring a recognition continuation signal from the vehicle number information recognition unit 382, the control unit 39 recognizes position information and time acquired by GPS at a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.). Store at 322. The control part 39 memorize | stores position information and time with respect to each vehicle number information, when several vehicle number information is recognized.

  The control unit 39 stores the recognized vehicle number information, position information, time, recognition ID, determination result, and the like stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 322 in the transmission buffer 37. When the communication state is established with the roadside communication device 2, the control unit 39 communicates the recognized vehicle number information, position information, time, and the like stored in the transmission buffer 37 via the radio unit 36. While transmitting to the apparatus 2, the transmission status flag corresponding to the recognition ID transmitted by accessing the recognized vehicle number information database 322 is set to “transmitted”.

  The operation unit 34 includes a display unit such as a display, and displays on / off switches of the video cameras 4 and 5, an on / off switch of the vehicle search device 3, and search factor information stored in the search factor database 323, and displays desired information. An operation switch for selecting, an operation switch for displaying captured images captured by the video cameras 4 and 5, recognition vehicle number information, and the like are provided.

  Next, the various databases described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a record layout showing the configuration of the searched vehicle database 131. The searched vehicle database 131 stores search information related to the searched vehicle that is a search target, and performs settings such as registration and update of search information by the operation of the operator of the vehicle search center device 1.

  The searched vehicle database 131 includes a search ID for identifying a search target, vehicle number information of the searched vehicle (a branch name, a classification number, a vehicle type symbol, a serial number), a color and a size of the searched vehicle, a searched vehicle. A public / non-public flag that distinguishes whether the vehicle is a public search or a private search, a search area that specifies the search area of the vehicle to be searched, and an incident or accident that the vehicle 100, 100,. Based on the contents, the search factor ID indicating the contents of the incident or accident, the search status of the searched vehicle (the tracking indicating that the searched vehicle is being tracked is detected, set when searching for the searched vehicle “Searching” indicating that “medium” and “not being detected” in the search have not been detected yet).

  For example, the search vehicle number information of the to-be-searched vehicle identified by the search ID 00001 is “Osaka, 00, set, 1234”, the color of the vehicle is white, and the size of the vehicle is “medium” indicating a medium size. The search area is open to the public, and the search areas are Osaka and Kyoto.

  FIG. 6 is a record layout showing the configuration of the tracking vehicle database 133. The tracked vehicle database 133 stores detected vehicle number information of the searched vehicle, position information of the searched vehicle, time, and the like at predetermined time intervals.

  The tracked vehicle database 133 includes a search ID, a recognition ID generated when the searched vehicle is recognized, vehicle number information of the detected searched vehicle, a color and size of the searched vehicle, a vehicle image, a predetermined image Each column of position information and time stored at time intervals is configured.

  FIG. 7 is a record layout showing the configuration of the search vehicle number information database 241 of the roadside communication device 2. The searched vehicle number information database 241 stores the searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle transmitted from the vehicle search center device 1. The search vehicle number information database 241 is configured with each column of search ID, search vehicle number information, color and size of the search vehicle, and public / private flag for distinguishing between public and private.

  FIG. 8 is a record layout showing the configuration of the recognized vehicle number information database 242 of the roadside communication device 2. The recognized vehicle number information database 242 is the recognized vehicle number information excluding the recognized vehicle number information determined to match the searched vehicle number information among the recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 of the vehicles 100, 100,. (Including the recognized vehicle number information transmitted to the roadside communication device 2 without being matched / mismatched by the vehicle search device 3).

  The recognized vehicle number information database 242 stores a recognition ID, a unique number for identifying the vehicle 100 that generated the recognition ID, recognized vehicle number information, the color and size of the recognized vehicle, a vehicle image, and a predetermined time interval. The position information, the time, and the recognized vehicle number information are configured by each column of a determination result flag indicating the result of determination by the vehicle number information determination unit 221.

  FIG. 9 is a record layout showing the configuration of the search vehicle number information database 321 of the vehicle search device 3. The search vehicle number information database 321 stores search vehicle number information of the searched vehicle transmitted from the roadside communication devices 2, 2. The search vehicle number information database 321 is configured by columns of search ID, search vehicle number information, color and size of the searched vehicle.

  FIG. 10 is a record layout showing the configuration of the recognized vehicle number information database 322 of the vehicle search device 3. The recognized vehicle number information database 322 stores recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3. The recognized vehicle number information database 322 is a recognition ID, recognized vehicle number information, a determination result flag indicating a result of determining the recognized vehicle number information by the processing unit 38, and when a case or accident is encountered, a selection operation such as a driver is performed. Search factor ID indicating contents of stored incident or accident, recognized vehicle color, size, vehicle image, position information stored at predetermined time interval, time, roadside communication device 2, 2,... Each field includes a transmission status flag indicating whether the transmission has been completed.

  FIG. 11 is a record layout showing the configuration of the search factor database 323. The search factor database 323 previously classifies and stores the contents of the incident or accident. The search factor database 323 is configured by each column of search factor ID and search factor information. For example, the search factor ID “0A” indicates a personal accident, and the search factor ID “0B” indicates a collision accident.

  When the driver encounters an accident or incident around the vehicle, the operation unit 34 is operated to select a captured image of the vehicle related to the accident or incident from the stored vehicle images. The control unit 39 acquires the recognized vehicle number information from the captured image of the selected vehicle and stores it in the recognized vehicle number information database 323. The driver operates the operation unit 34 to display the stored search factor information, and by selecting the corresponding search factor information, the control unit 39 searches the search factor ID corresponding to the selected search factor information. Is associated with the recognized vehicle number information and stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 323.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a car number template. The vehicle number template is a character image as a reference image classified for each vehicle number information. The car number template is, for example, a character image such as “Osaka” or “Kobe” for the branch name, and a character image from “0” to “9” for the classification number.

  Next, a processing procedure of the vehicle search system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the vehicle search center device 1. The operator of the vehicle search center device 1 searches for a search ID of a search target vehicle, search vehicle number information, a flag indicating whether it is open or closed, a search area, and the like in advance when a search target vehicle is generated. Store in the vehicle database 131.

  The vehicle search center device 1 determines the presence / absence of a transmission operation by the operator (S100), and if there is a transmission operation (YES in S100), the vehicle search center device 1 searches for the search vehicle together with the search ID and the open / closed flag. Number information is transmitted to the roadside communication apparatus 2 (S101). When there is no transmission operation (NO in S100), the vehicle search center device 1 continues the process of step S100.

  The vehicle search center device 1 determines whether or not there is an update operation of the searched vehicle by the operator (S102), and if there is an update operation of the searched vehicle (YES in S102), the processing after step S100 is performed. If there is no search vehicle update operation (NO in S102), the vehicle search center device 1 determines whether there is an incoming call from the roadside communication device 2 (S103), and determines that there is no incoming call (NO in S103). The processing after step S101 is continued.

  When it is determined that there is an incoming call (YES in S103), the vehicle search center device 1 receives the roadside communication device 2 data (S104), and determines the received data (S105). When the received data includes the search factor ID, the vehicle search center device 1 determines that the incident or accident has been found (discovery of the incident / accident in S105), and recognizes the recognized vehicle number information and the search factor from the received data. The ID is taken out, the search factor ID is stored in the storage unit 13 together with the recognized vehicle number information (S106), and the processing after step S100 is continued. Based on the search factor ID stored in the storage unit 13, the operator determines whether or not the search target ID is to be searched. If the search target ID is to be searched, the recognized vehicle number information stored in the storage unit 13 is used as the search target vehicle. It is possible to newly register in the database 131 and perform transmission operation of the registered data.

  When the received data does not include the search factor ID, the vehicle search center device 1 determines that the searched vehicle is found (finding of the searched vehicle in S105), and the recognition ID and the recognized vehicle number are determined from the received data. The information, the position information, and the time are extracted, and the recognition vehicle number information is stored in the tracking vehicle database 133 together with the recognition ID, the position information, and the time (S107), and based on the stored recognition ID, position information, time, and the recognized vehicle number information. Then, tracking information such as the travel locus and travel prediction of the searched vehicle is generated using the map database 132 (S108), and the generated tracking information is displayed on the display of the operation unit 12 (S109).

  The vehicle search center device 1 determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop processing by an operator's operation (S110), and if there is no instruction to stop processing (NO in S110), the processing after step S101 is continued. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to stop processing (YES in S110), the vehicle search center device 1 ends the processing.

  14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the roadside communication device 2. FIG. The roadside communication device 2 determines whether or not there is reception from the vehicle search center device 1 (S200). When there is reception from the vehicle search center device 1 (YES in S200), the roadside communication device 2 displays the search ID, Search vehicle number information is received together with a non-public flag (S201). When there is no reception from the vehicle search center device 1 (NO in S200), the roadside communication device 2 continues the process of step S200.

The roadside communication device 2 stores the searched vehicle number information received together with the search ID and the open / closed flag in the searched vehicle number information database 241 (S202), and determines whether or not there is communication with the vehicle 100 ( S203).

  When there is no communication with the vehicle 100 (NO in S203), the roadside communication device 2 continues the process of step S203. On the other hand, when there is communication with the vehicle 100 (YES in S203), the roadside communication device 2 acquires the unique number of the vehicle (S204), and is classified as public information in the search vehicle number information database 241 together with the search ID. The searched vehicle number information is transmitted to the vehicle 100 (S205).

  The roadside communication device 2 determines whether or not there is received data from the vehicle 100 (S206). If it is determined that there is received data from the vehicle 100 (YES in S206), the recognition ID, the recognized vehicle number information, and the position information Then, data such as time, determination flag and search factor ID is received (S207), the received data is stored in the storage unit 24 (S208), and the communication is terminated (S209). On the other hand, when it determines with there being no reception data from the vehicle 100 (it is NO at S206), the roadside communication apparatus 2 complete | finishes communication (S209).

  When the received data includes the search factor ID, the roadside communication device 2 determines that the incident or accident has been found (YES in S210), and transmits the search factor ID together with the recognized vehicle number information to the vehicle search center device 1. (S211). On the other hand, when the search factor ID is not included in the received data (NO in S210), the roadside communication device 2 determines whether or not the search target vehicle is found (S212), and the determination flag indicates “match”. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle to be searched is found (YES in S212), and the recognition ID, position information, time, and recognized vehicle number information are transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1 (S213).

  When the determination flag indicates “mismatch” or when there is no determination flag, the roadside communication device 2 determines that the vehicle to be searched is not found (NO in S212), and the acquired unique number of the vehicle 100, the recognition ID, The recognized vehicle number information, position information, and time are stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 242 and the stored recognized vehicle number information is compared with the searched vehicle number information (S214), and the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information. It is determined whether or not to perform (S215). When the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information (YES in S215), the roadside communication device 2 stores “match” in the determination flag, and sets the recognition ID, recognized vehicle number information, position information, and time to the vehicle. It transmits to the search center apparatus 1 (S213).

  If the recognized vehicle number information does not match the searched vehicle number information (NO in S215), the roadside communication device 2 determines whether there is another vehicle depending on whether there is an incoming call from another vehicle (S216). The roadside communication device 2 that has performed the transmission process in step S211 or step S213 continues the process of step S216. When it is determined that there is another vehicle (YES in S216), the roadside communication device 2 continues the process from step S203. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no other vehicle (NO in S216), the roadside communication device 2 determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop processing from the vehicle search center device 1 (S217), and an instruction to stop processing. If there is no (NO in S217), the processing after step S200 is continued. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to stop the process (YES in S217), the roadside communication device 2 ends the process.

  FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the recognition process procedure of the vehicle number information of the vehicle search device 3. The vehicle search device 3 determines whether or not the driver has performed an operation to start imaging (S300), and determines that there is an operation to start imaging when the driver turns on the switch of the vehicle search device 3 (YES in S300). ) The vehicle search device 3 reads the captured image captured by the video cameras 4 and 5 from the image memory 31 (S301). When the driver does not turn on the switch of the vehicle search device 3, it is determined that there is no operation for starting imaging (NO in S300), and the process of step S300 is continued. The vehicle search device 3 detects a vehicle from a captured image obtained by imaging and extracts a vehicle image (S302).

  The vehicle search device 3 extracts a license plate from the extracted vehicle image (S303), and recognizes vehicle number information from the extracted license plate (S304). The vehicle search device 3 searches the recognized vehicle number information database 322 to determine whether there is the same vehicle number information as the recognized recognized vehicle number information (S305), and determines that there is no same vehicle number information. If it is (NO in S305), a recognition ID is generated (S306), and the extracted vehicle image is stored in the storage unit 38 (S307).

  The vehicle search device 3 measures the time, detects the position information (longitude and latitude) of the own vehicle (S308), recognizes the recognized vehicle number information, the measured time, and the detected position information together with the recognition ID. Store in the database 322 (S309). The vehicle search device 3 compares the recognized vehicle number information with the searched vehicle number information (S310), and determines whether or not the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information (S311). If the recognized vehicle number information does not match the searched vehicle number information (NO in S311), a mismatch determination flag is set in the recognized vehicle number information database 322 (S312), and the presence / absence of an incident or accident recording operation is determined (S313). . On the other hand, if the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information (YES in S311), the vehicle search device 3 sets a coincidence determination flag in the recognized vehicle number information database 322 (S314), and the recognition ID, recognized vehicle number. Information, time, and position information are stored in the transmission buffer 37 (S315), and the processing after step S313 is continued.

  When it is determined that there is the same vehicle number information (YES in S305), the vehicle search device 3 checks a determination flag corresponding to the same vehicle number information (S316), and when the determination flag is a match determination (S316 determination in S316). ), The time information of the own vehicle is detected (S317), and the time and the detected position information are stored in the recognized vehicle number information database 322 (S318) and stored in the transmission buffer 37 (S319). Then, the processing after step S313 is continued. When the determination flag is a mismatch determination (a mismatch determination in S316), the vehicle search device 3 continues the process after step S313.

  In step S313, the vehicle search device 3 determines whether or not the driver has performed an operation for recording an accident or an incident based on whether or not there is an output from the operation unit 34, and determines that there is an event or an accident recording operation. In the case (YES in S313), the driver operates the operation unit 34 to select the captured image of the vehicle related to the accident or incident from the stored vehicle images, so that the vehicle search device 3 is selected. The vehicle image is displayed (S320). When the driver operates the operation unit 34 to display the stored search factor information, the vehicle search device 3 displays the selected search factor information (S321). The vehicle search device 3 acquires the recognized vehicle number information from the captured image of the selected vehicle, and associates the search factor ID corresponding to the selected search factor information with the recognized vehicle number information in the recognized vehicle number information database 323. Store (S322). The vehicle search device 3 stores the recognized vehicle number information and the search factor ID in the transmission buffer 37 (S323).

  The vehicle search device 3 determines whether there is another vehicle (S324). If there is another vehicle (YES in S324), the processing after step S302 is continued. When there is no other vehicle (NO in S324), the vehicle search device 3 determines whether or not the driver has issued an instruction to stop processing from the operation unit 34 (S325), and when there is no instruction to stop processing (S325). (NO in S325), the processing after step S300 is continued. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to stop processing (YES in S325), the vehicle search device 3 ends the processing.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a communication processing procedure between the vehicle search device 3 and the roadside communication device 2. The vehicle search device 3 determines whether or not there is communication with the roadside communication device 2 (S330). If it is determined that there is no communication (NO in S330), the processing of step S330 is continued. On the other hand, when it determines with communication (it is YES at S330), the vehicle search apparatus 3 receives the search vehicle number information classified as public information with search ID (S331), and is based on the received search vehicle number information. The searched vehicle number information database 321 is searched to determine whether or not the received searched vehicle number information is in the searched vehicle number information database 321 (S332).

  The vehicle search device 3 accesses the searched vehicle number information database 321 to determine whether or not the received searched vehicle number information is new searched vehicle number information (S332), and if there is new vehicle number information. When the determination is made (YES in S332), the received search vehicle number information is stored in the search vehicle number information database 321 together with the search ID (S333), and it is determined whether or not there is data waiting for transmission in the transmission buffer 37 (S333). S334). On the other hand, when it is determined that the received searched vehicle number information is not new searched vehicle number information (NO in S332), the processing after step S334 is continued.

  If the vehicle search device 3 determines that there is data waiting to be transmitted (recognition ID, recognized vehicle number information, determination flag, search factor ID, position information, time, etc.) in the transmission buffer 37 (YES in S334), the transmission buffer The data stored in 37 is transmitted to the roadside communication device 2 (S335), all the contents stored in the transmission buffer 37 are cleared (S336), and the communication is terminated (S337). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no data waiting for transmission in the transmission buffer 37 (NO in S334), the vehicle search device 3 ends the communication (S337).

  The vehicle search device 3 determines whether or not the driver has issued an instruction to stop processing from the operation unit 34 (S338). If there is no instruction to stop processing (NO in S338), the processing after step S330 is continued. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to stop the process (YES in S338), the vehicle search device 3 ends the process.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing captured images and recognized vehicle number information acquired by the vehicle search device 3. FIG. 20A shows an example of a captured image in front of the vehicle obtained by capturing with the video camera 4. The vehicle search device 3 extracts a vehicle image (a region surrounded by a dotted line in the figure) from the captured image, and extracts a license plate as shown in FIG. 20B from the extracted vehicle image. The vehicle search device 3 recognizes the recognition search information as shown in FIG. 20C from the extracted license plate. In addition, by providing the video camera 5, it is possible to acquire a captured image of a surrounding vehicle traveling in the same direction behind the vehicle and recognize the vehicle number information.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of tracking information displayed on the display of the vehicle search center device 1. In the vehicle search center device 1, when a plurality of searched vehicles are detected by a large number of vehicles 100, 100,... Or roadside communication devices 2, 2,. The tracking state of the vehicle can be displayed on a wide area map, and the travel locus of any searched vehicle in the detected searched vehicle can be displayed in detail as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the display of the vehicle search center apparatus 1 displays information such as the tracking start point, the tracking route (travel route), and the latest tracking point and predicted travel range of the detected searched vehicle. Thereby, the operator of the vehicle search center apparatus can grasp the traveling state of the searched vehicle in real time, and can contact the police car in charge to instruct the capturing of the searched vehicle.

  As described above, in the present invention, instead of the vehicle number reading device installed on the road, the vehicle search device 3 mounted on the vehicles 100, 100,. In order to detect the vehicle to be searched by recognizing the vehicle number information and determining whether or not the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information of the vehicle to be searched, the vehicle to be searched is searched in a wide range. And the detection rate of the searched vehicle can be increased.

  Further, in the present invention, when the vehicle number information of surrounding vehicles is recognized, the time is measured at a predetermined time interval, the position information of the own vehicle (vehicle 100) is detected, and the time and position information are recognized. By storing together with the recognized vehicle number information, when the searched vehicle is detected, the travel locus of the searched vehicle can be grasped and the searched vehicle can be searched in real time. It is possible to make it easier to capture the searched vehicle by predicting the travel of the vehicle.

  In the present invention, the vehicle search center device 1 stores the identification numbers of the roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Installed in advance for each search area (for example, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.). When there is a limitation in the search area of the search vehicle, the search vehicle number information is transmitted only to the roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Installed in the target search area, thereby pinpointing the desired search area. It is possible to search intensively and to reduce the processing effort in the vehicle search device 3 or the roadside communication devices 2, 2,.

  In the present invention, the search vehicle number information of the vehicle to be searched is classified as public information or non-public information, and only the search vehicle number information classified as public information is transmitted to the vehicle search device 3, The confidentiality of search information related to the search target vehicle can be ensured.

  In the present invention, search factor information indicating the contents of an incident or accident is stored in advance in the vehicle search device 3, and when an incident or accident is encountered around the vehicle 100, the incident or accident is related. By transmitting the vehicle number information and the search factor ID to the vehicle search center device 1 via the roadside communication device 2, it is possible to quickly grasp information related to the incident or accident encountered around the vehicle, The search for the searched vehicle related to the accident can be quickly started.

  Further, in the present invention, even when all the searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle is not clear, it is possible to determine the partial match with the found searched vehicle number information, A vehicle can be searched.

  Further, in the present invention, it is possible to search for a vehicle to be searched based on the vehicle number information of the vehicle, and not only searching for vehicles related to crimes, violations of road traffic law, etc., but also traveling in groups with vehicles The present invention can also be applied to a case where a friend such as an acquaintance or a friend gets lost and searches for a vehicle of the friend.

  In the above-described embodiment, the search vehicle is searched based on the vehicle number information of the vehicle. However, the search information is not limited to the vehicle number information of the vehicle. Or a combination of these. In addition, designation information for designating a search area can be included in the search information. In addition, the recognized vehicle number information is used as the recognized vehicle information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration uses not only the vehicle number information but also the color, size, and vehicle image of the vehicle. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle search device 3 includes the search vehicle number information database 321 and the vehicle number information determination unit 383, and whether the recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 matches the search vehicle number information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the search vehicle number information database 321 and the vehicle number information determination unit 383 are omitted from the vehicle search device 3, the recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 is transmitted to the roadside communication device 2, and is recognized by the vehicle search device 3. The roadside communication device 2 may determine all the recognized vehicle number information. In this case, the roadside communication device 2 determines a match / mismatch with the searched vehicle number information regardless of public information or non-public information.

  In addition, the recognition vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1, and the vehicle search center device 1 determines whether or not the recognized vehicle number information matches the search vehicle number information. May be. In this case, the configuration may be such that the recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1 via the roadside communication device 2, and the vehicle search center device is not connected via the roadside communication device 2. 1 may be used. The vehicle search center apparatus 1 can determine whether or not the recognized vehicle number information matches the searched vehicle number information of the searched vehicle by providing the same function as the vehicle number information determination unit 383.

  In the above-described embodiment, the roadside communication device 2 is configured to use DSRC, but is not limited to this, and is not limited to this, a radio wave beacon using microwaves, an optical beacon using infrared rays, a wireless LAN, or the like May be a communication device using. In this case, the vehicle search apparatus 3 can be changed according to each communication method.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle number information of the detected vehicle to be searched is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1, but the vehicle image captured by the vehicle 100 is included in the vehicle number information and the vehicle search center device. 1 can also be transmitted. As a result, the characteristics of the searched vehicle can be grasped, and the searched vehicle being tracked can be easily found.

  In the above-described embodiment, the travel locus of the searched vehicle is displayed on the display of the vehicle search center device 1 based on the detected tracking information such as the vehicle number information, the position information, and the time of the searched vehicle. However, for example, tracking information can be transmitted to a police car equipped with map information, a display, etc., and a travel locus of the searched vehicle can be displayed on the display of the police car to track and capture the searched vehicle. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle search center device 1 is configured to store the search information of the searched vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the search information of the searched vehicle is stored in the vehicle search center. The configuration may be such that the device 1 is stored in a separate device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the search factor database 323 is stored in advance in the vehicle search device 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the search factor information stored in advance, the driver or the like may input the search factor information from the operation unit 34. In this case, the vehicle search device can generate a search factor ID corresponding to the input search factor information.

Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment, the recognized vehicle number information recognized by the vehicle search device 3 is transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1 via the roadside communication devices 2, 2,... Is transmitted to the vehicle search device 3, but there is also a configuration that does not use the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the vehicle search system in the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a base station having a communication function capable of communicating with vehicles 100, 100,. The base stations 7, 7,... Are connected to the vehicle search center device 1 via the communication line 6, and are installed in each of the areas A, B, C (for example, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, etc.). The vehicle search center device 1 transmits / receives data to / from the vehicles 100, 100,... Via the base station 7.

  Data transmission / reception between the vehicle search center device 1 and the vehicles 100, 100,... Can be performed using different frequency bands for each of the areas A, B, and C by, for example, FM multiplex broadcasting technology. The vehicle search center device 1 stores specification information (for example, an identification code) for specifying a search area in association with search information (search vehicle number information, etc.) of the vehicle to be searched, and needs to search in each area. Certain search vehicle number information is transmitted to the vehicles 100, 100,... Via the base station 7 installed in the corresponding area.

  The radio unit 36 of the vehicle search device 3 scans the received frequency and matches the reception frequency to the frequency band in which the identification code can be received, so that the vehicle search center device 1 receives the search ID, The search vehicle number information is received, and the detected ID, recognized vehicle number information, position information, and time of the detected vehicle to be searched are transmitted to the vehicle search center device 1. Further, the vehicle search device 3 transmits a search factor ID to the vehicle search center device 1 when encountering an incident or accident. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the search target vehicle can be searched, detected, and tracked.

  In the above-described embodiment, the roadside communication devices 2, 2,. For example, the vehicle search center device 1 transmits the search ID and the search vehicle number information to the vehicle search device 3 via the base stations 7, 7,. Information, time, etc. can also be transmitted to the vehicle search center apparatus 1 via the roadside communication apparatuses 2, 2,.

It is a mimetic diagram showing an outline of a vehicle search system concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle search center apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a roadside communication apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle search apparatus. It is a record layout which shows the structure of a to-be-searched vehicle database. It is a record layout which shows the structure of a tracking vehicle database. It is a record layout which shows the structure of the search vehicle number information database of a roadside communication apparatus. It is a record layout which shows the structure of the recognition vehicle number information database of a roadside communication apparatus. It is a record layout which shows the structure of the search vehicle number information database of a vehicle search device. It is a record layout which shows the structure of the recognition vehicle number information database of a vehicle search device. It is a record layout which shows the structure of a search factor database. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a vehicle number template. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a vehicle search center apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a roadside communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a roadside communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the recognition process procedure of the vehicle number information of a vehicle search device. It is a flowchart which shows the recognition process procedure of the vehicle number information of a vehicle search device. It is a flowchart which shows the recognition process procedure of the vehicle number information of a vehicle search device. It is a flowchart which shows the communication process procedure of a vehicle search apparatus and a roadside communication apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the captured image and recognition vehicle number information which are acquired with a vehicle search apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the tracking information displayed on the display of a vehicle search center apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a vehicle search system in a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle search center apparatus 2 Roadside communication apparatus 3 Vehicle search apparatus 4, 5 Video camera 6 Communication line 7 Base station 10, 23 Transmission / reception part 11, 22, 38 Processing part 12, 34 Operation part 13, 24, 32 Storage part 14, 25, 39 Control unit 20, 35 Antenna unit 21, 36 Radio unit 30 Interface unit 31 Image memory 33 GPS
37 Transmission Buffer 100 Vehicle 111 Vehicle Trajectory Calculation Unit 131 Searched Vehicle Database 132 Map Database 133 Tracking Vehicle Database 221, 383 Vehicle Number Information Determination Unit 241, 321 Searched Vehicle Number Information Database 242, 322 Recognized Vehicle Number Information Database 323 Search Factor Database 324 Template part 381 Vehicle detection part 382 Car number information recognition part

Claims (11)

A vehicle search system comprising a vehicle search device, a roadside communication device, and a vehicle search center device for searching for a search target vehicle based on search information of the search target vehicle,
The vehicle search device includes:
A recognition unit for recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle,
A transmission unit that transmits vehicle information about the vehicle recognized by the recognition unit to the roadside communication device,
The roadside communication device is
A receiving unit for receiving the search information and vehicle information;
An extractor for extracting a vehicle whose characteristics match the received search information;
A transmission unit for transmitting vehicle information relating to the extracted vehicle to the vehicle search center device;
The vehicle search center device includes:
A transmission unit for transmitting the search information to the roadside communication device;
A vehicle search system comprising: a receiving unit that receives the vehicle information. The vehicle search center device includes:
A storage unit for storing designation information for designating a search area of the vehicle to be searched;
The vehicle search system according to claim 1, wherein the search information is transmitted only to a roadside communication device in a search area specified by the specification information. A vehicle search system comprising a vehicle search device and a vehicle search center device for searching for a searched vehicle based on search information of the searched vehicle,
The vehicle search device includes:
A recognition unit for recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle,
A transmission unit that transmits vehicle information regarding the vehicle recognized by the recognition unit to the outside,
The vehicle search center device includes:
A search information setting unit for setting search information for searching for the vehicle to be searched;
A receiving unit for receiving the vehicle information;
A vehicle search system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts a vehicle whose characteristics match the set search information. The vehicle information is
The vehicle number, the color of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, the image of the vehicle, the time when the vehicle is recognized, the position of the vehicle, and the search factor of the vehicle are included. The vehicle search system according to any one of the above. A vehicle search device for searching for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle and surrounding the vehicle,
A search information setting unit for setting search information for searching for a vehicle to be searched received from the outside;
A recognition unit for recognizing the characteristics of the surrounding vehicle,
An extraction unit that extracts vehicles whose characteristics match the set search information;
A vehicle search device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits vehicle information related to the extracted vehicle to the outside. An imaging unit for imaging the front or rear of the vehicle;
The recognition unit
6. The vehicle search apparatus according to claim 5, wherein features of surrounding vehicles are recognized based on a captured image obtained by imaging. The vehicle information is
The vehicle number of the vehicle, the color of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, the image of the vehicle, the time when the vehicle is recognized, the position of the vehicle, and the search factor of the vehicle are included. The vehicle search device described in 1. The search information is
8. The vehicle search device according to claim 5, comprising at least one of a vehicle number, a vehicle number part, a vehicle color, a vehicle size, and a search area. . A transmission unit that transmits the search information to a plurality of vehicles equipped with the vehicle search device according to any one of claims 5 to 8.
A vehicle search center device comprising: a reception unit that receives vehicle information related to a vehicle transmitted by a transmission unit of the vehicle search device.   The vehicle search center device according to claim 9, wherein the search information is transmitted and the vehicle information is received via a roadside communication device. A vehicle search method for searching for vehicles around the vehicle,
Set search information to search for the vehicle to be searched,
Recognize the characteristics of surrounding vehicles,
Determining whether the characteristics of the vehicle match the search information;
A vehicle search method comprising outputting vehicle information relating to a matched vehicle as a search result.

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