JP2009230599A - Automatic discriminating device for vehicle loaded with winter tire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for automatically detecting whether or not a winter tire is installed on an automobile. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes: a vehicle type detecting sensor 1 for discriminating a large vehicle from a general vehicle; a sensor 2 operated according to the discrimination result of the vehicle type detecting sensor 1 to sense the approach of an automobile; an image photographing device 3 operated interlocking with the sensor 2 to photograph the tire grounding surface of the automobile; a CPU 4 incorporating a program for binarizing a photographed image and determining to be a winter tire when the number of particles of one of two colors to the total number of particles in a predetermined range is a fixed value or more, and to be a normal tire when it is under the fixed value; and a display 5 for displaying the discrimination result of the CPU 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically detecting whether or not a vehicle traveling on a highway, for example, is equipped with winter tires in winter.

  In winter, there are many accidents that occur because cars running on highways do not have winter tires. In order to prevent such accidents in advance, in order to check whether or not each vehicle is equipped with winter tires, a plurality of observers once stop each vehicle at the entrance of a highway and the tires. We are doing work such as visual recognition.

  However, the work of confirming the installation of winter tires by a supervisor is time-consuming and takes time and requires a large amount of money. In addition, since this operation is performed outdoors in a cold environment, it usually imposes a large physical burden on an elderly person who is an elderly person, and thus it is difficult to secure the observers. In addition, there are safety concerns for the observer.

  The present invention was devised in view of these problems, and provides a detection device that automatically detects and displays whether, for example, an automobile traveling on a highway is equipped with winter tires in winter. Is an issue.

First, terms will be explained.
The tire ground contact surface is a tire outer peripheral surface that is a portion that comes into contact with the ground when the tire rotates.
CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, which is a central processing unit.
CCD is an abbreviation for charge coupled device. A storage medium that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal.
The CCD camera is a camera using a CCD.

  The brightness adjustment image device is an image processing device that divides an image taken by a CCD camera into an odd number of grid frames in the vertical and horizontal directions and displays the brightness value of the central target pixel as the number of pixels in the central frame. (Patent No. 3909604).

The binarization process is to make a two-tone image to be displayed with only two colors.
The measurement of the number of particles is to measure the number of particles for images.

The threshold is a value set by experimentation so that if the number of one particle is large in the ratio with respect to the total number of particles in the image, it is determined as a winter tire, and if the one particle number is small, it is determined as a normal tire.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. The inventors of the present invention have devised the present invention by paying attention to the fact that a larger number of grooves are formed on the contact surface of a winter tire than the contact surface of a normal tire.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 1 is a device that detects and displays whether or not the automobile is equipped with a winter tire while the automobile is running. This device is located on the downstream side of the vehicle flow with respect to the vehicle type detection sensor 1 for identifying whether the vehicle is a large vehicle such as a truck or a normal vehicle including a light vehicle, A large vehicle detection sensor 2a that operates according to the identification result of the vehicle type detection sensor 1 and senses the approach of the automobile, and a normal vehicle detection sensor 2b downstream thereof, and is positioned downstream of the detection sensor 2, Photographed by the CCD camera 3a, which operates in conjunction with the CCD camera 3a that photographs the tire ground contact surface of the automobile, and the light-emitting device 3b that emits light in synchronization with the photographing of the CCD camera 3a. When the image is binarized and the number of one of the two color particles within a predetermined range is greater than or equal to a certain value, the image is determined as a winter tire. Is for a normal CPU4 incorporating a program for determining that the tire, a display 5 for displaying the discrimination result of the CPU4, comprising: a.

  When the vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies that the traveling vehicle is a large vehicle, only the large vehicle detection sensor 2a is activated and the ordinary vehicle detection sensor 2b is not activated. Conversely, when the vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies that the traveling vehicle is a normal vehicle (including a light vehicle), only the normal vehicle detection sensor 2b operates and the large vehicle detection sensor 2a does not operate. .

  When photographing the tire surface, it is necessary to make the photographing direction as close as possible to the direction orthogonal to the tire surface at the focal position.

The minimum ground clearance between the tire ground contact surface and the bottom of the fender is determined by law, and it is necessary to photograph the tire within the range up to the fender minimum ground clearance. For this reason, it is effective to install the CCD camera 3a as low as possible on the side of the road and shoot obliquely upward with an elevation angle.

Then, a moment to release the shutter of the CCD camera 3a is transmitted by detecting the moment of passing the detection sensor 2 that is located on the upstream side of the CCD camera 3a.

  By the way, the distance between the photographing position of the tire and the detection sensor 2 varies depending on the size of the wheel. In FIG. 3, the minimum ground clearance between the tire ground contact surface of the automobile and the fender lower part is 12 cm in law, the radius Ra of the large vehicle tire is 50 cm on average, the radius Rb of the small vehicle tire is 30 cm on average, The minimum clearance above the fender is 12cm. The focal point K point for the tire of the CCD camera 3a is 8 cm above the ground. The tire detection position H point of the light beam of the detection sensor is suitably 4 cm from the lowest ground height between the tire ground contact surface and the lower part of the fender and the focal height of the CCD 3a camera. From the Pythagorean theorem, if the tire radius is X, the horizontal distance Y between the points K and H on the tire contact surface is expressed by the following equation.

^{Y = {X 2 - (X} -8) 2} 1/2 - {X 2 - (X-4) 2} 1/2
= (16X-64) ^1/ 2-(8X-16) ^1/2

When the radius Xa of the large tire is 50 cm, the distance Ya between the point K and the point H on the tire contact surface is Ya = (16 × 50−64) ^1/2 − (8 × 50−16) ^1/2
= 27.1 to 19.6 = 7.5 cm

When the radius Xb of the small tire is 30 cm, the horizontal distance Yb between the point K and the point H on the tire contact surface is Yb = (16 × 30−64) ^1/2 − (8 × −30−16) ^1/2
= 20.4-15.0 = 5.4 cm
Ya-Yb = 7.5-5.4 = 2.1 cm

Therefore, in order to photograph the tire ground contact surfaces of a large vehicle and a normal vehicle with one CCD camera 3a, it is necessary to install the detection sensor 2a position of the large vehicle upstream of the detection sensor 2b of the small vehicle.

  In addition, since there is no big difference in the outer diameter of the tire of a normal vehicle and a light vehicle, it can be correctly detected by the normal vehicle detection sensor 2b.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, an image photographed by the CCD camera 3a is subjected to a binarization process after passing through the brightness adjustment image processing device 6, and can be further accurate.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 3 controls the vehicle type detection sensor 1, the detection sensor 2, the image capturing device 3, the CPU 4 and the display 5 in the invention according to claim 1 or 2. A control device is provided.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 4 was created by paying attention to a difference in vehicle height between a large vehicle and a normal vehicle (and a light vehicle). In the invention according to any one of claims 3, when the vehicle type detection sensor 1 is configured by providing an upper sensor 1a and a lower sensor 1b above and below, and both the upper sensor 1a and the lower sensor 1b detect a vehicle. When the vehicle is identified as a large vehicle and only the lower sensor 1b detects the vehicle, the vehicle is identified as a normal vehicle or a light vehicle.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to a fifth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image capturing device 3 has a tire ground contact surface of the right front wheel or the left front wheel of the vehicle. It is a thing to photograph.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the indicator 5 is installed in a place where the driver can visually recognize. To do.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 1 identifies whether the vehicle traveling by the vehicle type detection sensor 1 is a large vehicle such as a truck or a normal vehicle (including a light vehicle). The large vehicle detection sensor 2a or the ordinary vehicle detection sensor 2b is activated according to the identification result to detect the approach of the vehicle, and based on this, the tire ground contact surface of the vehicle is photographed by the CCD camera 3a. At this time, the light emitter 3b is caused to emit light to ensure the sharpness of the photographed image. Then, after binarizing the photographed image, it is determined whether the tire is a winter tire depending on whether the number of one particle with respect to the total number of particles of two colors is a certain value or less, and the determination result is displayed on the display 5 is displayed.

  In this way, since it is possible to automatically detect and display whether or not the vehicle is equipped with winter tires, compared with the case where the observer visually recognizes and detects as in the prior art, There is no time and effort, and the cost required for detection can be greatly reduced. Moreover, since it detects automatically, the burden of a supervisor is reduced and it becomes easy to secure a supervisor. In addition, the safety of the supervisor can be increased.

  In addition to the invention of claim 1, the invention of claim 2 binarizes the image photographed by the CCD camera 3a through the brightness adjustment image device 6, and can obtain better data. I can do it.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 3 exhibits the same effect as the invention according to claim 1. Moreover, since the vehicle type detection sensor 1, the sensing sensor 2, the image capturing device 3, the CPU 4 and the control device for controlling the display 5 are provided, it is possible to further facilitate the smoothing of the automatic detection work.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to a fourth aspect exhibits the same effects as the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects. Further, the vehicle type detection sensor 1 is configured by providing an upper sensor 1a and a lower sensor 1b above and below, and when both sensors 1a and 1b detect a vehicle, the vehicle type detection sensor 1 is identified as a large vehicle, and only the lower sensor 1b. When the vehicle is detected, it is identified as a normal vehicle or a light vehicle, so that it can be accurately identified whether the passing vehicle is a large vehicle or a normal vehicle (or a light vehicle).

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to a fifth aspect exhibits the effects of the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. Further, since the image capturing device 3 captures the tire ground contact surface of the right front wheel or the left front wheel of the vehicle, there is no obstacle in front of the front wheel as compared with the case of capturing the tire ground contact surface of the rear wheel. Therefore, it is possible to photograph easily and accurately.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to claim 6 exhibits the same effect as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Moreover, since the indicator 5 was installed in the place which a driver | operator can visually recognize, the driver | operator himself can confirm the presence or absence of winter tire wear. Therefore, for example, the subsequent response (for example, the operation of attaching the chain by moving the vehicle by the driver) can be smoothly performed, compared with the case where the monitoring person verbally notifies the fact.

  An embodiment of an automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. This is provided on the installation surface P arranged on the right side of the detection road G provided at the entrance of the expressway in the winter, and whether or not the automobile that is going to enter the expressway is wearing winter tires, It is a device that detects the vehicle while traveling (slowing down) without stopping and displays the result.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this apparatus is arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of the vehicle, such as a vehicle type detection sensor 1, a large vehicle detection sensor 2a, a normal vehicle detection sensor 2b, an image capturing device 3, and a CPU 4. (Central processing unit) and a display 5 are provided. In the automobile, the right front wheel is guided to travel a part away from the installation surface P by a predetermined distance (for example, about 80 cm).

  The vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies whether the vehicle that is about to enter the expressway is a large vehicle such as a truck or a normal vehicle (including a light vehicle). The vehicle type detection sensor 1 is constructed by paying attention to the fact that the vehicle height differs between a large vehicle and a normal vehicle (and a light vehicle). As shown in FIG. 2, the upper sensor 1a and the lower sensor 1b are moved up and down. Provided.

  When both the upper sensor 1a and the lower sensor 1b detect a vehicle, the vehicle is identified as a large vehicle. When only the lower sensor 1b detects a vehicle, the vehicle is normal. It shall be identified as a car or light vehicle. In the present embodiment, the upper sensor 1a is disposed at a height of 210 cm from the detection travel path G, and the lower sensor 1b is disposed at a height of 80 cm from the detection travel path G.

  The large vehicle detection sensor 2a operates when the vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies that the automobile is a large vehicle, and detects the foremost end of the right front wheel when the large vehicle approaches a predetermined position. The ordinary vehicle detection sensor 2b operates when the vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies that the vehicle is a normal vehicle (or a light vehicle). When the normal vehicle approaches a predetermined position, Detect the front edge.

  The image capturing device 3 operates in conjunction with each of the large vehicle detection sensor 2a and the ordinary vehicle detection sensor 2b. The image capture device 3 is synchronized with the CCD camera 3a that images the tire ground contact surface of the vehicle and when the CCD camera 3a captures the image. And a light emitter 3b (strobe) that emits light.

  This image capturing device 3 captures the tire ground contact surface of the right front wheel of the automobile, and is installed at an installation angle A of 25 degrees from the installation surface P to the detection traveling path G. The image capturing device 3 is provided with a CCD camera 3a with the front wheels horizontally from diagonally forward.

  Further, the CPU 4 classifies the image captured by the CCD camera 3a into three grid frames in the vertical and horizontal directions as shown in FIG. 6, and displays a filter 6 for displaying the average value of the corresponding pixels in the case frame as the number of pixels in the central frame. After that, a binarization process is performed, and a program for determining that the tire is a winter tire when the number of one particle is equal to or greater than a certain value, and to be a normal tire when the number of particles is equal to or less than the certain value, is incorporated.

  The display 5 displays the determination result of the CPU 4. When the CPU 4 determines that it is a winter tire, the character “OK” or blue is lit, and when it is determined that the tire is a normal tire, the character “NG” is displayed. ”Or red. This indicator 5 is installed in a place where not only the supervisor but also the driver can visually recognize.

  In the present embodiment, a vehicle type detection sensor 1, a sensing sensor 2, an image capturing device 3, a CPU 4, and a control device (not shown) for controlling the display 5 are provided.

  The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to the present embodiment operates as follows. First, a vehicle that has entered an entrance of an expressway or the like is guided by a supervisor to the detection travel path G and travels in a slow state. Here, first, the vehicle type detection sensor 1 identifies whether the vehicle is a large vehicle or a normal vehicle (or a light vehicle). If the vehicle is a large vehicle, the signal is sent to the large vehicle detection sensor 2a. If the vehicle is a normal vehicle, the signal is sent to the normal vehicle detection sensor 2b.

  The sensing sensor 2 is activated by the signal, senses that the automobile has approached a predetermined distance, and sends the signal to the image capturing device 3. After receiving this signal, the image capturing device 3 captures the tire ground contact surface of the right front wheel of the vehicle with the CCD camera 3a after a predetermined time has elapsed. At this time, the light emitter 3b is caused to emit light synchronously, and a clear image is obtained.

  This image is sent to the CPU 4 and binarized with different colors through the brightness adjustment image device 6, and if the number of particles on one side is equal to or greater than a certain value (see FIG. 4), it is determined that the tire is a winter tire. To do. On the contrary, when it is below a certain value (see FIG. 5), it is determined that the tire is a normal tire. The determination result is displayed on the display 5 in “OK”, blue (winter tire), or “NG” or red (normal tire).

  A car with “OK” or blue displayed on the display 5 enters the highway as it is. In addition, an automobile displaying “NG” or red is moved to a predetermined place, where it is replaced with a winter tire or a chain is attached.

  As described above, the automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to the present embodiment automatically detects and displays whether or not the automobile about to enter the expressway is equipped with a winter tire. The work is easy and the cost required for detection can be greatly reduced. Moreover, since the detection is automatically performed, the burden on the supervisor is reduced, it is easy to secure the supervisor, and the safety of the supervisor is improved.

  The automatic identification device for a vehicle equipped with a tire for winter is provided with a control device for controlling the vehicle type detection sensor 1, the sensing sensor 2, the image capturing device 3, the CPU 4 and the display 5, so that more efficient automation is possible. Can be achieved.

  Moreover, since the vehicle type detection sensor 1 is configured by providing the upper sensor 1a and the lower sensor 1b above and below, it is possible to accurately identify whether the passing vehicle is a large vehicle or a normal vehicle (or a light vehicle). be able to.

  Further, since the image capturing device 3 is set to shoot the tire ground contact surface of the right front wheel of the automobile (unlike shooting the tire ground contact surface of the rear wheel), there is an obstacle in front of the front wheel. Since it does not exist, it is possible to photograph easily and accurately.

  Furthermore, since the indicator 5 is installed in a place where the driver can visually recognize, the driver himself can confirm whether or not the winter tire is worn, and the subsequent response can be smoothly advanced.

  Although the automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to the present embodiment is provided at the entrance of a highway, the present invention can also be installed in a highway service area, a normal road, or the like. .

It is a top view which shows embodiment of the automatic identification apparatus of the winter tire mounting vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the vehicle type detection sensor in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detection sensor in FIG. It is a figure which shows the image | video after the binarization process of the winter tire contact surface. It is a figure which shows the image | video after the binarization process of a normal tire contact surface. It is a front view of the display which shows the principle of a brightness adjustment image device. It is a flowchart figure from an image capturing device to a display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle type detection sensor 1a Upper side sensor 1b Lower side sensor 2 Detection sensor 2a Large vehicle detection sensor 2b Normal vehicle detection sensor 3 Image capture device 3a CCD camera 3b Light emitter 4 CPU
5 Display 6 Brightness adjustment image device G Detection road P Installation surface T Tire (wheel)
A Installation angle Y Horizontal distance between point K and point H on the tire contact surface

Claims (6)

  A device for detecting and displaying whether or not a vehicle is equipped with winter tires while the vehicle is running, wherein the vehicle is a large vehicle such as a truck or a normal vehicle including a light vehicle. A vehicle type detection sensor (1) for identifying the vehicle type, and a large vehicle detection sensor which is located downstream of the vehicle flow with respect to the vehicle type detection sensor and which operates according to the identification result of the vehicle type detection sensor and senses the approach of the vehicle (2a) and a normal vehicle detection sensor (2b) on the downstream side thereof, and a CCD which is located downstream of the detection sensor (2) and operates in conjunction with the detection sensor to photograph the tire ground contact surface of the automobile An image capturing device (3) having a camera (3a) and a light emitting device (3b) that emits light in synchronization with the photographing of the CCD camera, and an image photographed by the CCD camera are binarized, CPU (4) incorporating a program for discriminating as a winter tire when the number of one of the two color particles in the range is above a certain value, and discriminating that it is a normal tire when below a certain value And an indicator (5) for displaying a discrimination result of the CPU, and an automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle.   A device for detecting and displaying whether or not a vehicle is equipped with winter tires while the vehicle is running, wherein the vehicle is a large vehicle such as a truck or a normal vehicle including a light vehicle. A vehicle type detection sensor (1) for identifying the vehicle type, and a large vehicle detection sensor which is located downstream of the vehicle flow with respect to the vehicle type detection sensor and which operates according to the identification result of the vehicle type detection sensor and senses the approach of the vehicle (2a) and a normal vehicle detection sensor (2b) on the downstream side thereof, and a CCD which is located downstream of the detection sensor (2) and operates in conjunction with the detection sensor to photograph the tire ground contact surface of the automobile An image capturing device (3) having a camera (3a) and a light emitter (3b) that emits light in synchronization with the photographing of the CCD camera, and a brightness adjusting image device ( ) And binarized, and if the number of one of the two colors of particles within a given range is greater than or equal to a certain value, the tire is determined to be a winter tire. An automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle, comprising: a CPU (4) incorporating a program for discrimination; and a display (5) for displaying a discrimination result of the CPU.   The vehicle type detection sensor (1), the sensor (2), the image capturing device (3), the CPU (4), and a control device for controlling the display (5) are provided. The automatic identification device of the winter tire wearing car of description.   The vehicle type detection sensor (1) is configured by providing an upper sensor (1a) and a lower sensor (1b) above and below, and when both the upper sensor and the lower sensor detect a vehicle, the vehicle is a large vehicle. The winter tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle is identified as a normal vehicle or a light vehicle when only the lower sensor detects the vehicle. Automatic identification device for equipped vehicles.   5. The automatic identification of a vehicle equipped with a winter tire according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing device (3) captures a tire ground contact surface of a right front wheel or a left front wheel of an automobile. apparatus.   The automatic identification device for a winter tire-equipped vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indicator (5) is installed in a place where the driver can visually recognize the display.

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