JP2008026006A - Vehicle stop state analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an analysis data useful to a head light tester side to be just opposed to a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle stop state analysis device comprises: an imaging device arranged on the measurement operation bay etc., for photographing the floor surface of a vehicle maintenance shop provided with a reference mark and arranged with the head light tester, and the testing vehicle stopping in the analysis area; a control means connected with the photographing means for operating the lateral deviation from the just opposing position of the testing vehicle and the headlight tester for calculating the brightness difference calculation function for calculating the lateral deviation based on the profile information of the testing vehicle photographed by the imaging means and the reference information stored in the memory part; and the output part connected with the control mean for outputting the calculated results. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle stop state analyzing apparatus for a vehicle maintenance factory (including a private vehicle inspection site and a preliminary inspection site) disposed in a measurement work bay such as a private vehicle inspection site and a preliminary inspection site.

  Patent Document 1 describes an example of a correction method related to a vehicle under test stopped in a slightly oblique state with respect to a headlight tester in a measurement work bay of a vehicle maintenance factory, for example.

  However, the correction method of Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that the light of the vehicle under test is irradiated on the screen surface of the headlight tester and the amount of deviation between the center position of the light beam and the center position of the screen surface is calculated. Therefore, the correction method is not an object for directly facing the vehicle but an item for correcting the irradiation direction of the vehicle under test.

  Therefore, it is basically different from the problem of the present invention described later. In other words, Patent Document 1 corrects the shift amount of the optical axis and displays the correction result on the display means. As in the present invention, for example, information on the floor surface of a vehicle maintenance factory, The contour information or the like is analyzed through the control means or the storage unit, and the analysis data is not utilized for the vehicle facing on the headlight tester side.

  Next, in Patent Document 2, a camera is installed at a required location at a measurement point on the road surface, and the control means obtains the reference luminance of the road surface portion included in the image information photographed by the camera and the reference luminance. A vehicle detection method is described in which a high-luminance point in a higher road surface portion is acquired a plurality of times to detect the presence or absence of a parked vehicle on the roadside zone of the road.

Patent Document 2 discloses a CCD camera having a black-and-white CCD solid-state imaging device, control means (image processing apparatus) for storing image information captured by the CCD camera in a storage unit as luminance data, There is described a parking detection device including detection means for detecting whether or not a parked vehicle is stopped in a parking space when data is processed. However, although these patent documents 2 and 3 use a CCD camera, they do not relate to a vehicle facing a headlight tester.
JP-A-5-87686 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-35996 JP 2001-202596 A

  The first object of the present invention is to analyze information relating to the floor surface of a vehicle maintenance factory including a private vehicle inspection site, contour information of a vehicle under test, etc. via a control means or a storage unit, and analyze the data on the headlight tester side. To be able to save for the vehicle's right-handedness. In other words, the analysis data is output to an external device or a headlight tester, and at least the optical axis deviation of the headlight is corrected automatically or manually by the measurer. The second purpose is to install the vehicle maintenance shop at a low cost by using the information on the existing floor markings.

  The vehicle stop state analysis device of the present invention is provided with a headlight tester that travels on a rail, and has a floor surface of a vehicle maintenance shop having a vehicle introduction reference sign, and an analysis region along the reference sign. Imaging means installed either above or below the floor surface for photographing the vehicle under test, and imaging means for analyzing the amount of lateral deviation between the headlight tester and the vehicle under test. And a control means having a luminance difference calculation function for calculating the lateral deviation amount based on the contour information of the vehicle under test photographed by the imaging means and the reference information stored in the storage unit, and And an output unit that outputs a calculation result.

  In the above configuration, the light emitting means for irradiating the vehicle under test when the imaging means takes an image is installed either above or below the floor surface. Further, the luminance difference calculation function of the control means calculates and outputs the distance amount between the headlight tester and the vehicle under test in consideration of the second reference information regarding the stop line stored in advance in the storage unit. Further, the calculation result output from the output unit is displayed on the display means of the headlight tester. Here, the term “vehicle maintenance factory” includes private vehicle inspection sites and preliminary inspection sites.

  Analyze information on floor surface of vehicle maintenance factory including private vehicle inspection site, contour information of vehicle under test, etc. via control means or storage unit, and use analysis data for vehicle facing on headlight tester side Can do. In other words, by outputting the analysis data to an external device or a headlight tester, at least the amount of deviation of the optical axis of the headlight can be corrected automatically or manually by the measurer. In particular, in the case of the embodiment in which the calculation result is displayed on the display means of the headlight tester, the measurer can efficiently perform the vehicle facing. Moreover, since the information regarding the existing reference signs and stop lines on the floor surface is used, the vehicle can be installed at a low cost in a vehicle maintenance factory.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be described.

(1) Basic Configuration FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic explanatory diagrams showing an environment for carrying out the invention. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, first, 1 is a floor surface of a vehicle maintenance shop, 2 is a rail laid on the floor surface, and 3 is a headlight tester (hereinafter referred to as “tester”) running on the rail 2. ) 4 is a vehicle introduction reference sign provided on the floor, 5 is a stop line provided on the floor in front of the rail 2 so as to be orthogonal to the reference sign 4, and 6 is the reference This is a predetermined analysis (or measurement) region including the sign 4 and the stop line 5 (hereinafter referred to as “analysis region”).

  Next, reference numeral 7 denotes a vehicle under test that enters the analysis area 6, and 8 denotes a vehicle under test 7 that travels on the floor along the reference sign 4 and stops in the analysis area 6 with the stop line 5 as a guide. An image pickup means (for example, a CCD camera) for photographing, 9 is a light emission means (for example, a light emitting means for irradiating the whole or a part of the vehicle under test 7 when acquiring contour information or the like of the vehicle under test 7 via the image pickup means 8. Projector).

  The single or plural imaging means 8 and light emitting means 9 are respectively installed above or below the floor surface 1. In this embodiment, the imaging means 8 and the light emitting means 9 are disposed via a unit type support member 10 that is detachably fixed to the ceiling 11 as shown in FIG.

  Next, 13 is connected to the imaging means 8 in order to analyze the amount of lateral deviation a (see FIG. 3) between the tester 3 and the vehicle under test 7. Control means 14 for calculating the lateral displacement amount a based on at least a part of contour information of the test vehicle 7, and 14 is connected to the control means 13 and is a display means for displaying the calculation result of the control means.

(2) Specific configuration First, maintenance equipment such as a speed alignment, a brake tester, a wheel alignment device that measures the tire of the vehicle under test, or a mechanical equalizer that regulates the approach posture is deployed on the floor 1 of the vehicle maintenance factory. However, a mechanical equalizer for restricting the approach posture is not provided in the analysis region 6 of the present embodiment. In that sense, it is suitable for a private vehicle inspection site or preliminary inspection site that does not require a wheel alignment device or a mechanical equalizer that regulates the approach posture. Therefore, the concept of a vehicle maintenance factory naturally includes private vehicle inspection sites and preliminary inspection sites.

  Next, the tester 3 of the present embodiment is disposed on the right rail of the analysis region 6 as shown in FIG. The tester is provided on, for example, a light receiving unit 3a having a condensing lens and internal photographing means (not shown), an image processing tester control unit 15 for obtaining an output signal from the light receiving unit 3a, and an upper wall of the light receiving unit 3a. And a screen type display means 14 for displaying information processed by the tester control section 15 and an input section 16 for inputting an information signal from the control means 13 on the analysis side.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the display unit 14 on the tester 3 side constitutes a part of the vehicle stop state analysis device, and displays the calculation result of the control unit 13 via the input unit 16.

  Next, the colors of the vehicle introduction reference mark 4 and the stop line 5 are different from those of the floor surface 1. The reason is that image luminance information such as the floor surface 1, the contour of the vehicle under test 7, the reference sign 4, the stop line 5 and the like is analyzed. Of course, there may be a case where the color of the vehicle under test 7 completely matches that of the reference sign 4 or the like, but in such a case, it cannot be stopped. Therefore, as the colors of the reference sign 4 and the stop line 5, for example, a color in which the luminance of the reference sign 4 and the stop line 5 exceeds that of the floor surface 1 is appropriately adopted.

  Next, the analysis region 6 is indicated by a virtual line in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the analysis region 6 here is not conceptually discernable by a measurer or the like but is a conceptual term. Therefore, the analysis region 6 does not have to be a region that receives the entire vehicle under test 7. Further, there is no need for a plurality of analysis (measurement) points. It is sufficient that at least one lateral deviation amount a can be calculated based on the contour information of at least a part of the vehicle under test 7 (for example, the side of the reference mark 4) at a single analysis (measurement) point. It may be smaller than the size of the vehicle under test 7. Therefore, it is good also as an analysis (measurement) point only the location including the tester and the circumference of the body where the wheel 7a enters, for example, the wheel 7a.

  However, although the analysis region 6 may be small, in this embodiment, not only the lateral displacement amount a but also the information about the front contour of the vehicle under test 7 and the stop line 5 as shown in FIG. In addition, since the distance L between the tester 3 and the vehicle under test 7 is also calculated, it is desirable that the analysis region 6 includes a wide area on the reference sign 4 side (side outline or headlight side outline on the reference sign 4 side). It is.

  Next, although there is a single imaging unit 8, a plurality of imaging units 8 may be provided so as to correspond to a plurality of analysis points. When a plurality of imaging means 8 are provided, a plurality of light emitting means 9 are also provided, and the directions of the imaging means 8 and the light emitting means 9 are respectively directed to the side contour or the front contour of the vehicle under test 7.

  By the way, the single or plural imaging means 8 and light emitting means 9 of the present embodiment are disposed above the floor surface 1, but as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, below the floor surface 1. It may be arranged. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 4, a plurality of recesses 21 are formed at positions on the floor surface 1 in the vicinity of where the reference sign 4 and the stop line 5 intersect, and a holding member 22 is interposed in these recesses 21. The image pickup means 8A with the light emission means 9A is respectively installed upward.

  A thick transparent plate (for example, a tempered glass plate) 23 located on the same plane as the floor surface 1 is fitted into the opening of each recess 21. The light emitting means 9 of the imaging means 8 </ b> A is transmitted through the transparent plate 23 to irradiate the side contour or the front contour of the vehicle under test 7.

  The recess 21 may be single. Further, as an additional requirement, a reflector (not shown) is provided on a measurement location on the floor surface in the analysis region 6 or on the floor surface in order to raise the contour of the vehicle under test 7.

(3) Function of the control means The image pickup means 8 arranged under the floor, space, ceiling, etc. of the measurement work bay of a private vehicle inspection site, preliminary inspection site, etc. is a CCD camera having a grid-like monochrome CCD solid-state image sensor. is there. The single or plural CCD cameras 8 are connected to the control means 13 on the analysis side via a cable 18.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control means 13 calculates the lateral displacement amount a between the tester 3 and the vehicle under test 7 and the distance L between the tester 3 and the vehicle under test 7 simultaneously or with a time difference. Is done.

  In this embodiment, the digital image information taken by the CCD camera 8 includes, for example, white and yellow reference signs 4, white and yellow stop lines 5, and the side of the vehicle under test 7 on the reference sign 4 side. Part contours, rear wheels, front contours and the like are included. As a matter of course, it is desirable that the color of the floor surface 1 and the color of the reference sign 4 and the stop line 5 are “colors having a brightness difference”.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram including control means on the analysis side. The main functions of the control means will be described with reference to this block diagram.

  First, an input unit 25, a storage unit 26, an output unit 27, and a display unit 28 are connected to the control means 13, respectively. The control means 13 receives image information in the analysis area 6 including the floor surface 1, the contour of the vehicle under test 7, the reference sign 4, and the stop line 5 via the input unit 25. In the embodiment, since a monochrome CCD solid-state imaging device is used, the image information (image signal) d1 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 26 as a monochrome video signal having a brightness difference. At this time, the control means 13 stores the black and white video signal as luminance data d2 in the storage unit 26 if the signal is normal via a signal conversion means, a signal abnormal state checking means, etc. (not shown).

  Therefore, normal image information related to the contour of the vehicle under test 7 located in the predetermined analysis region 6 is stored in the storage unit 26 (stored in the RAM). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 26 stores first reference information 26a corresponding to the vehicle introduction reference mark 4 provided on the floor surface 1 in advance. The first reference information 26a is used when the lateral shift amount a is calculated. Further, second reference information 26b corresponding to the vehicle stop line 5 provided in advance on the floor 1 is also stored. The second reference information 26b is used when calculating the distance L between the tester and the vehicle under test (the first and second reference information is stored in the ROM).

  The control means 13 accesses the stored information in the storage unit 26, and specifies the contour information (a portion with a high brightness difference or a bright portion) f in the grid pixel G by the vehicle contour information specifying (analyzing) function 13a. To do. As shown in FIG. 6, the contour information specifying function 13 a specifies vehicle contour information (a portion blacked out in the luminance data) f existing in the analysis data (luminance data) d <b> 2.

  Therefore, if the contour information f is specified by the contour information specifying function 13a, the brightness difference calculating function 13b uses the first reference information 26a and the second reference information 26b described above, respectively, and the contour information f and the first reference information are used. A comparison between the information 26a and the second reference information 26 is obtained.

  In other words, the luminance difference calculation function 13b overlaps the shape data indicating the boundary of lower or higher pixels than a certain level or higher pixels with the fixed first reference information 26a and second reference information 26b. Comparing the calculation, the vehicle under test 7 is “inclined” and “how far away from the tester 3 with respect to the reference sign 4 and the stop line 5 on the floor 1. Are respectively analyzed using differential expressions (not shown) relating to two-dimensional coordinates.

  Then, the calculation result of the luminance difference calculation function 13b is transmitted to the tester side input unit 16 via the output unit 27, and the tester 3 that has received the calculation result displays it on the display means 14 as a numerical value. At this time, the calculation result may be displayed on the display unit 28 on the analysis side.

(4) Flow of analysis In FIG. 7, the light emitting means 9 is ON in S1. In this embodiment, when the image pickup means 8 takes an image, the light emission means 9 has already irradiated toward the measurement point of the vehicle under test 7.
Further, in this embodiment, since a required reflector (not shown) is laid on the floor surface 1, by using the light emitting means 9, an image of at least the measurement point (vehicle contour) of the vehicle under test 7 can be further increased. Can be raised.

  S2 is an imaging stage. As shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle under test 7 enters along the reference sign (inspection course) 4 and stops at the stop line 5, imaging is started. In this imaging step S2, the whole or a part (this embodiment) of the vehicle under test 7 necessary for the analysis is photographed. When photographing is performed using the CDD camera 8, normal image information relating to the contour of the vehicle under test 7 located in the analysis region 6 is stored (S3).

S3 is a step of storing image information from the CDD camera 8 side, but as described above, in the present embodiment, when an abnormality is determined, the process returns to the imaging step S2.
S4 is an analysis stage. In this analysis stage S4, the control means 13 acquires shape information (vehicle contour) by the vehicle contour information specifying function 13a.

  S5 is a calculation stage such as a lateral shift amount. In this calculation step S5, the control means 13 calls the first reference information 26a and the second reference information 26b from the storage unit 26, and also uses the brightness difference calculation function 13b to provide the contour information f, the first reference information 26a, and the second reference information 26b. A comparison with the reference information 26b is obtained. The luminance difference calculation function 13b of the present embodiment calculates both the lateral deviation amount (more precisely, angle) a and the distance amount (distance to the tester) L using a differential expression.

  S6 is an external output stage for outputting the calculation result to the outside. In the external output stage S6, the data is output to the display unit 28 on the analysis side, the display means 14 of the tester 3, the external control device (master computer), and the like. In this embodiment, it is output to at least the display means 14 of the tester 3.

  The present invention is mainly used in the automobile maintenance industry.

1 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the best embodiment of the present invention.
The whole schematic explanatory drawing from the planar view which shows implementation environment. The whole schematic explanatory drawing from the side view which shows implementation environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view from a plan view showing an example in which a vehicle under test is stopped in an analysis region. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows other installation examples, such as an imaging means. The schematic explanatory drawing shown and demonstrated from planar view in FIG. The block diagram containing the control means on the analysis side. The flowchart which shows the flow of an analysis.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Floor surface of vehicle maintenance factory, 2 ... Rail, 3 ... Headlight tester (tester), 4 ... Reference sign for vehicle introduction on floor surface, 5 ... Stop line on floor surface, 6 ... Analysis area, 7 ... Vehicle under test, 8, 8A ... Imaging means, 9, 9A ... Light emission means, 11 ... Ceiling, 13 ... Control means on analysis side, 13a ... Vehicle contour information specifying (analysis) function, 13b ... Luminance difference calculation function, 14 Tester display means 15 Tester control unit 16 Input unit 21 Recess 22 Holding member 23 Transparent plate 25 Input unit 26 Storage unit 27 Output unit 28 Display Part, a ... lateral displacement amount, L ... distance amount, d1 ... image information, d2 ... luminance data, f ... contour information (shape information), 26a ... first reference information, 26b ... second reference information.

Claims (4)

A headlight tester that travels on rails is provided, and a vehicle maintenance shop floor surface having a vehicle introduction reference sign and a vehicle under test stopped in the analysis area along the reference sign The imaging means installed either above or below the floor, and connected to the imaging means for analyzing the amount of lateral deviation between the headlight tester and the vehicle under test. A control means having a luminance difference calculation function for calculating the lateral deviation amount based on the contour information of the vehicle under test and the reference information stored in the storage unit, and connected to the control means and outputting the calculation result A vehicle stop state analyzing apparatus comprising an output unit. 2. The vehicle stop state analyzing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting means for irradiating the vehicle under test when the imaging means takes an image is installed either above or below the floor surface. In claim 1, the brightness difference calculation function of the control means calculates the distance between the headlight tester and the vehicle under test in consideration of the second reference information related to the stop line stored in advance in the storage unit, And the vehicle stop state analysis apparatus characterized by outputting. 2. The vehicle stop state analyzing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation result output from the output unit is displayed on a display unit of a headlight tester.

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