JP2007018070A - Visual environment information transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visual environment information distribution system capable of locally evaluating acquired visual environment at low costs and quickly transmitting visual environment information corresponding to the evaluated results to a wide range of targets (passers-by or the like). <P>SOLUTION: An image analysis means 2 analyzes frequency components in which components near an average density value of the image are removed on the basis of the image obtained by an observation cameras 1 arranged on a designated locations. A visual environment determining means 3 determines visual environment conditions on the basis of the analyzed results obtained by the image analysis means 2, and prepares visual environment information. The prepared visual environment information is memorized in a server 4, and is transmitted to designated targets 6 (for example, passers-by or the like) by a transmitting means 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visual environment information distribution system for distributing information on changes in visual environment due to dense fog, snowstorms, etc. that reduce visibility mainly on roads to passersby.

  Local weather observation devices (for example, Patent Document 1) and visibility meters (for example, Patent Documents) are used as observation devices for notifying passersby and road administrators when the visual environment deteriorates due to the occurrence of fog, snow, rain, smoke, etc. 2,3) is known. In addition, based on the information obtained from these, it is reflected in radio and road indicators.

  However, these local meteorological observation devices and visibility meters have to be newly installed, which is expensive and cannot cover a sufficient range.

  On the other hand, in the measurement using the visibility meter, the resolution in units of 100 m cannot be obtained. Moreover, the accuracy tended to vary greatly depending on individual differences. In order to solve this, a new visual environment evaluation method has been developed (for example, Patent Document 4).

Furthermore, while the obtained visual environment is evaluated more locally, visual environment information corresponding to the evaluation is required to be quickly distributed to a wider range of subjects (passers).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-174585 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-36695 JP-A-3-36696 JP 20043555312 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and the evaluation of the obtained visual environment is performed more locally without incurring costs, while the visual environment information corresponding to the evaluation is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a visual environment information distribution system that can quickly distribute to a wider range of subjects (passers).

  The visual environment information distribution system according to the present invention analyzes an observation camera installed at a predetermined location and a frequency component from which a component near the average density value of the image is removed based on an image obtained by the observation camera. An image analysis unit for creating visual environment data, a visual environment determination unit for determining a visual environment state based on the visual environment data created by the image analysis unit, and creating visual environment information, and A server that stores visual environment data or visual environment information, and a distribution unit that distributes the visual environment information.

  According to the visual environment information distribution system having the above-described configuration, the frequency component in which the component near the average density value of the image is removed based on the image obtained by the observation camera installed at the predetermined location by the image analysis unit. Is analyzed and visual environment data is created. Then, the visual environment determination means determines the visual environment state based on the visual environment data created by the image analysis means, and creates visual environment information. The created visual environment data or visual environment information is stored in the server. The visual environment information created by the visual environment determination unit is distributed to a predetermined target (for example, a passerby) by the distribution unit.

  As described above, since the frequency component in the image of the camera installed at a predetermined place is used, a dedicated visibility meter is not necessary. For example, an ITV camera already installed by a road administrator or the like can be used, and thus an extra Installation costs are not required and can be done more locally. Further, by using the analysis of the frequency component together with the contrast measurement, it is possible to highly evaluate the correlation with the visual environment that is actually visually recognized with high accuracy. Furthermore, by removing the components near the average density value of the frequency components, it is possible to perform the evaluation without the influence of the surrounding illuminance, and it is possible to further improve the correlation with the visual environment actually viewed. Such visual environment information with high accuracy is stored in a server and distributed using a distribution means, so that it can be quickly distributed to a wide range of subjects (passers).

  Preferably, a road traffic information communication system is used as the distribution means.

  In this case, visual environment information is distributed as one of distribution information in the road traffic information communication system (VICS). Therefore, local and real-time visual environment information can be quickly distributed to a vehicle or the like equipped with a car navigation system compatible with a road traffic information communication system.

  Preferably, the distribution means is configured to use dedicated narrow area communication.

  In this case, visual environment information is distributed using dedicated narrow area communication (DSRC). Therefore, local and real-time visual environment information can be quickly distributed to a vehicle or the like equipped with a car navigation system or the like compatible with dedicated narrow area communication.

  Preferably, the distribution means is configured to use a mobile phone network.

  In this case, visual environment information is distributed using a mobile phone network. For example, an e-mail describing visual environment information is transmitted to the registrant's mobile phone. Therefore, visual environment information can be easily obtained not only for vehicles, but also for pedestrians and confirmation before departure. Further, if the mobile phone is equipped with a GPS function, more local visual environment information can be distributed.

  Preferably, the distribution unit is configured to use the Internet.

  In this case, visual environment information is distributed via the Internet. Therefore, it is possible to check the visual environment information up to the destination in a wide area before departure or in the service area of the expressway.

  According to the visual environment information distribution system according to the present invention, since a frequency component in an image of a camera installed at a predetermined place is used, a dedicated visibility meter is not necessary, for example, a road manager or the like is already installed. Since an ITV camera or the like can be used, there is no need for an extra installation cost, and it can be performed more locally. Further, by analyzing the frequency component, it is possible to highly evaluate the correlation with the visual environment that is actually visually recognized with high accuracy. Furthermore, by removing the components near the average density value of the frequency components, it is possible to perform the evaluation without the influence of the surrounding illuminance, and it is possible to further improve the correlation with the visual environment actually viewed. Such visual environment information with high accuracy is stored in a server and distributed using a distribution means, so that it can be quickly distributed to a wide range of subjects (passers).

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a visual environment information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the visual environment information distribution system of the present embodiment is based on an observation camera 1 installed at a predetermined location and an image obtained by the observation camera 1, and a component near the average density value of the image. Analyzing the frequency component from which the image has been removed, image analysis means 2 for creating visual environment data, and determining the state of the visual environment based on the visual environment data created by the image analysis means 2 to create visual environment information The visual environment determination means 3 for performing, the server 4 for storing the created visual environment information, and the distribution means 5 for distributing the visual environment information stored in the server 4 are provided.

  According to the visual environment information distribution system configured as described above, the image analysis unit 2 removes components near the average density value of the image based on the image obtained by the observation camera 1 installed at a predetermined location. The frequency component is analyzed and visual environment data is created. Then, the visual environment determination unit 3 determines the visual environment state based on the visual environment data created by the image analysis unit 2 and creates visual environment information. The created visual environment information is stored in the server 4 and distributed by the distribution means 5 to a predetermined target 6 (described later).

  This will be described more specifically. The observation camera 1 is a surveillance camera such as an ITV camera, and an existing camera such as one installed by the road manager for grasping the road condition can be used (of course, it may be newly installed). . An image captured by the camera is preferably digitally processed because it is digitally processed by the image analysis means 2. However, even an analog camera may be input before being input to the image analysis means 2 or within the image analysis means 2. This can be dealt with by providing a D converter and converting the obtained analog image into a digital image.

  The image analysis means 2 and the visual environment determination means 3 can be realized by a computer capable of image processing.

  Image evaluation in the image analysis means 2 will be described. For this image evaluation, the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-355312 is used. In the image analysis means 2, the frequency component of the digital image is analyzed. A digital image normally represents brightness components in white to black, that is, 256 gradations from 0 to 255, but the brightness density distribution for each image unit constituting the digital image can be quantified as a frequency component. It is.

  The visibility of a visual object is determined by three factors: contrast, background luminance, and size of the visual object. However, if the visual object is large or the surroundings are bright, the visibility is high even with a low contrast. On the contrary, the visibility is low at night, and a large contrast can be obtained even with a light-emitting body with low luminance. Therefore, the method of evaluating the visual environment only by contrast does not necessarily match the visibility by the human visual field. Furthermore, in general, the contrast is measured in a limited narrow range, and unlike the actual driver's field of view, it lacks the perspective and left and right spreads, so there is a difference from the actual visibility. .

  Therefore, by decomposing a digital image into frequency components and characterizing the image by the distribution of high and low frequency components, it is possible to highly evaluate the correlation with the visual environment that is actually visually recognized with high accuracy. For example, the frequency is high when it is relatively bright, and the frequency is low when it is relatively dark. Further, when the field of view is good, a complicated frequency distribution is obtained, and when the field of view deteriorates due to heavy fog, snowstorm, etc., a simple frequency distribution is obtained. In order to quantify the frequency component, for example, a two-dimensional fast Fourier transform of orthogonal transform is applied.

  Here, in order to eliminate the influence of ambient illuminance and perform appropriate evaluation, components near the average density value are removed from the frequency components. This is because the conventional evaluation method is easily affected by ambient illuminance, and particularly when the visibility is 100 m or less, the difference between the evaluation result and the recognition of the visual field by humans becomes large.

  Actually, for example, it can be easily performed by removing the DC component from the frequency component obtained by the Fourier transform. The frequency component from which the direct current component has been removed is further subjected to inverse Fourier transform to calculate an average pixel value of the image. Such an average pixel value has a high correlation with the visibility of the human field of view without the influence of the surrounding illuminance. This numerical result is used as visual environment data.

  As another aspect of the visual environment data, the frequency component may be output from the average pixel value in the form of a power spectrum. The output of the power spectrum is output as a numerical value, and the distribution of the power spectrum may be judged by the degree of complexity by computer processing, etc., and colored according to the strength of the power spectrum so that it can be easily recognized visually It is good also as expressing with the image of.

  Based on the analysis result (visual environment data), the visual environment determination unit 3 determines the visual environment state based on the analysis result obtained by the image analysis unit 2, and creates visual environment information. The visual environment information may be in the form of outputting the above power spectrum as it is. However, the visibility level (degree of visibility deterioration) based on the power spectrum is set in advance, and what visibility level the obtained power spectrum is at. The visibility level may be determined as visual environment information. Further, the visibility level may be displayed on a map like an AMeDAS image. In this case, it is preferable that the wide area display and the narrow area display can be switched.

  The visual environment information created in this way is sent to the server 4 together with the observed point (observation point) of the observation camera 1 and the observation time. The server 4 stores this and distributes it to the target 6 such as a passerby via the distribution means 5. The distribution means 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific communication mode of the distribution means in FIG.

  One aspect of the distribution means 5 is to use a road traffic information communication system. In this case, visual environment information is distributed as one of distribution information in the road traffic information communication system (VICS). Therefore, local and real-time visual environment information can be quickly distributed to the target 6 such as the general vehicle 61 equipped with a car navigation system compatible with the road traffic information communication system. As a specific distribution method to the general vehicle 61 using the VICS, the radio wave beacon 51 (FIG. 2A) installed on the highway 71 etc., the optical beacon installed on the general road, etc., and FM multiplexing Visual environment information is distributed to a VICS receiver installed in a general vehicle 61 or the like by broadcasting.

  Further, as another aspect of the distribution means 5, it is possible to use dedicated narrow area communication. In this case, visual environment information is distributed using dedicated narrow area communication (DSRC). Accordingly, local and real-time visual environment information can be quickly distributed to the target 6 such as the general vehicle 61 equipped with a car navigation system compatible with dedicated narrow-area communication. As a specific delivery method to the general vehicle 61 or the like using the DSRC, a toll gate (FIG. 2B: the ETC DSRC beacon 52 provided in the ETC gate 72 may be used in combination) or the tunnel 73 Visual environment information is distributed to a DSRC receiver installed in a passing vehicle or the like by a DSRC beacon 52 installed in front (FIG. 2C) or the like.

  Furthermore, as another aspect of the distribution means 5, it is possible to use a mobile phone network. In this case, visual environment information is distributed using a mobile phone network. For example, an e-mail in which visual environment information is described is transmitted to the registrant's mobile phone 62. Therefore, visual environment information can be easily obtained not only for vehicles, but also for pedestrians and confirmation before departure. Further, if the mobile phone 62 is equipped with a GPS function, more local visual environment information can be distributed.

  Further, as another aspect of the distribution means 5, it is possible to use the Internet. In this case, visual environment information is distributed via the Internet. Therefore, the visual environment information to the destination can be examined in a wide area with the personal computer 63 at home or a dedicated terminal in the service area of the highway before departure.

  In the above specific examples, the distribution target 6 has been described mainly with respect to the distribution mode for general users such as the general vehicle 61, the mobile phone 62, the personal computer 63, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be distributed to a police vehicle 64 such as a work vehicle 65 such as a snow plow of a road manager. In this case, it is also possible to distribute by a specific dedicated communication line. For example, visual environment information is transmitted to a police station or a road management center by wired or wireless dedicated distribution means, and a station staff or road administrator who has received the visual environment information transmits each vehicle by dedicated wireless or e-mail distribution means. 64, 65, etc. are possible. Moreover, it is good also as an aspect which alert | reports by an audio | voice or a lamp in each vehicle 64,65 when a predetermined visibility level is exceeded.

  Further, any of VICS, DSRC, mobile phone network, Internet, dedicated communication line, etc. can be used in combination. In this case, the server 4 may convert the visual environment information stored in the common server into each distribution mode and distribute each piece of information, or each server may have a dedicated server (VICS server, DSRC server, An Internet server or the like may be provided.

  Further, by analyzing the visual environment information stored in the server 4, it is possible to use it for prediction of visual environment change and the like.

  As described above, since the frequency component in the image of the observation camera 1 installed at a predetermined location is used, a dedicated visibility meter is not necessary, and for example, an ITV camera already installed by a road administrator or the like can be used. Therefore, there is no need for an extra installation cost, and it can be performed more locally. Further, by analyzing the frequency component, it is possible to highly evaluate the correlation with the visual environment that is actually visually recognized with high accuracy. Furthermore, by removing the components near the average density value of the frequency components, it is possible to perform the evaluation without the influence of the surrounding illuminance, and it is possible to further improve the correlation with the visual environment actually viewed. By storing such highly accurate visual environment information in the server 4 and distributing it using the distribution means 5, it is possible to quickly distribute to a wide range of subjects (passers).

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a visual environment information distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the visual environment data created by the image analysis means 2 is stored in the server 4, while the visual environment data user (computer) 30 has the visual environment determination means 3. The visual environment data created by the visual environment determination means 3 from the respective visual environment data users 30 to the predetermined target 6 by the respective distribution means 5. .

  In this case, when the visual environment data user 30 accesses the server 4 storing the visual environment data via the Internet or the like, the visual environment data is taken into each visual environment determination unit 3. Then, visual environment information is created by the visual environment determination means 3 based on the respective standards of the visual environment data users 30, and each visual environment data user 30 is unique for each predetermined target 6 by each distribution means 5. Visual environment information can be distributed.

  The criteria for determining the visual environment may differ depending on the government agency, company, etc., depending on the target to be distributed. Therefore, the visual environment data can be used on its own standards by providing the visual environment determination means 3 individually in the government office or company, that is, the visual environment data user 30.

  In the present embodiment (particularly FIG. 3), the distribution means 5 has been described as a unique configuration for each visual environment data user 30, but may be common. In the case of sharing, it is preferable that the visual environment data user 30 of the distribution source can discriminate (select by the target 6). Moreover, it is good also as obtaining the visual environment information which the visual environment data user 30 registered beforehand beforehand by the object 6 provides.

It is a figure which shows the visual environment information delivery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the specific communication aspect of the delivery means in FIG. It is a figure which shows the visual environment information delivery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Observation camera 2 Image analysis means 3 Visual environment determination means 4 Server 5 Distribution means

Claims (5)

An observation camera installed in place,
Based on the image obtained by the observation camera, the image analysis means for analyzing the frequency component from which the component near the average density value of the image is removed and creating visual environment data;
A visual environment determination unit that determines a visual environment state based on the visual environment data created by the image analysis unit, and creates visual environment information;
A server for storing the created visual environment data or visual environment information;
A visual environment information distribution system comprising: distribution means for distributing the visual environment information.   The visual environment information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a road traffic information communication system is used as the distribution means.   The visual environment information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein dedicated narrow-area communication is used as the distribution means.   2. The visual environment information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a mobile phone network is used as the distribution means.   The visual environment information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit uses the Internet.

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