JP2012198790A - Moving-body position estimation server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively support identification of the position of a photographed moving body thereafter under a situation where a moving body can photograph another moving body.SOLUTION: A server performs the steps of: receiving, from a moving-body, photographing information in which positional information of the moving body acquired by a position identification function, a photographed image, the image photographed from the moving body, of at least one of a front side and a rear side of another moving body, and photographing date/time are correlated with one another; storing, in a database, moving-body analysis information in which photographed character information included in the photographed image, and the positional information and the photographing date/time included in the photographing information are correlated with one another; accepting input of user moving-body information including a moving body registration number by a user; and estimating, based on the moving body analysis information including at least the photographed character information corresponding to the moving body registration number input by the user, a travel range of the moving body identified by the moving body registration number from a position indicated by the latest positional information in the positional information stored in correlation with the photographed character information corresponding to the moving body registration number included in the user moving-body information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a server that estimates a traveling range of another moving body based on information obtained by the moving body such as an image taken by the moving body.

  In recent years, vehicle theft such as automobiles and motorcycles has been a problem. By the way, many mobile phones are equipped with a camera. Therefore, it is possible to take a picture of a running vehicle with a mobile phone camera while a person is moving. In some cases, a camera is mounted on the car itself. Accordingly, it is possible for the driver to take a picture of another vehicle with the camera mounted on the own vehicle. Therefore, a technique for dealing with vehicle theft by an image taken by a mobile phone or a camera mounted on the vehicle is known.

JP-A-8-30892 JP 2009-35065 A JP 2010-86201 A

  However, since a moving body such as a vehicle is movable, even if the moving body is photographed, it is difficult to specify the subsequent position of the photographed moving body.

  The identification of the position of the vehicle is extremely useful for handling after the vehicle theft, traffic management, crime prevention, organization management of companies, etc., operation management in the transportation industry. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that effectively supports the subsequent position of a photographed moving body on the assumption that the moving body can photograph another moving body.

  The first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object can be exemplified as the following server. This server correlates the position information of the moving body acquired from the moving body by the position specifying function, the captured image of at least one of the front side and the rear side of the other moving body captured from the moving body, and the shooting date and time. Receiving means for receiving attached shooting information, and storage for storing in a database moving body analysis information in which at least shooting character information included in the shot image, the position information included in the shooting information, and the shooting date and time are associated with each other Means, input means for receiving user moving body information including a moving body registration number by a user, and moving body analysis information including photographed character information that matches the moving body registration number input by the user from the database. Based on the acquisition means to acquire and at least the acquired mobile body analysis information, it matches the mobile body registration number included in the user mobile body information. And a estimation unit that estimates a running range of the moving object identified by the mobile registration number from the point indicated by the latest position information of the position information stored in association with the captured text information.

In such a first aspect, the user is based on a captured image obtained by capturing at least one of the front side and the rear side of another moving body received from the moving body, the shooting date and time, and the position information of the moving body. The traveling range of the moving body of the user corresponding to the moving body registration number input by is estimated. Thereby, the server is based on the information received from a plurality of moving objects, from the point where the moving object searched by the user was last taken (an example of “the point indicated by the latest position information” of the present invention). It is possible to estimate the traveling range. In addition, since it is possible to obtain shooting (sighting) information and traveling range of the moving body searched by the user based on information received from a plurality of moving bodies, the self-transmitting apparatus is not provided. It is possible to obtain information such as the travel range even for a mobile object in which is blocked.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the server described in the first aspect, the movement is performed based on the moving body analysis information including photographed character information that matches the moving body registration number acquired by the acquiring unit. A speed calculation unit that calculates a point-to-point speed that is a predicted speed of the moving body specified by the body registration number, and the estimation unit estimates the travel range further based on the calculated point-to-point speed It is characterized by doing.

  In the second aspect, the point-to-point speed, which is the predicted speed of the user's moving body, is calculated based on the moving body analysis information including the photographed character information that matches the moving body registration number input by the user. The travel range is estimated based on the speed between points. Thereby, since it is possible to estimate the travel range of the mobile body based on the predicted speed of the mobile body searched by the user, the travel range can be estimated with high accuracy.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the server described in the first or second aspect, the estimation unit further includes the travel range based on a turn indicator lighting state of the moving object detected from the captured image. Is estimated.

  In the third aspect, the traveling range is estimated based on the lighting state of the direction indicator of the moving object detected from the captured image. This makes it possible to estimate the travel range of the mobile body based on the lighting status of the direction indicator of the mobile body searched by the user, that is, the direction in which the mobile body is considered to travel ahead. Can be estimated with high accuracy.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the server described in any one of the first to third aspects, the photographed character information that matches the mobile body registration number included in the user mobile body information is stored in association with the user mobile body information. The traffic information further includes traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information at a point indicated by the latest positional information, and the estimation means estimates the travel range further based on the acquired traffic information. Features.

  In the fourth aspect, based on the traffic congestion information at the point indicated by the latest position information among the position information stored in association with the photographed character information that matches the moving body registration number included in the user moving body information. Estimate the travel range. As a result, it is possible to estimate the travel range of the mobile object taking into account the traffic jam information of the point where the mobile object searched by the user was last photographed, so the travel range can be estimated with high accuracy. Become.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the technique which assists specification of the subsequent position of the image | photographed moving body effectively on the assumption that the moving body can image | photograph another moving body.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a stolen vehicle search system that searches for stolen vehicles including a server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of hardware related to a stolen vehicle search system installed in the automobile according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of server hardware according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the automobile according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the automobile according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the shooting information database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the sighting information database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the server when searching for a user vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow for predicting the travel range of the server when searching for a user vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the congestion weighting information database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel range X1 of the user vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel range X2 of the user vehicle in consideration of traffic jam information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel range X2 of the user vehicle in consideration of traffic jam information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the direction weighting information database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the travel range X3 of the user vehicle in consideration of the turn indicator lighting state according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. In addition, the structure of each following embodiment is an illustration, and this invention is not limited to the following structures.

<Embodiment 1>
[Outline configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a stolen vehicle search system that searches for stolen vehicles including a server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this system, the server 1 of the first embodiment is connected so as to be able to transmit and receive data via a plurality of automobiles 20 and a radio base station 80 and a network N1.

  The automobile 20 is an example of the “moving body” according to the present invention. In the present invention, the “moving body” is a concept including vehicles such as automobiles, motorbikes, light vehicles, and railway vehicles. The automobile 20 transmits photographing information including a photographed image photographed by the photographing device to the server 1 via the wireless base station 80 and the network N1.

  The server 1 is a server according to the present invention. The server 1 receives shooting information including a shot image transmitted from the automobile 20. The server 1 also includes a sighting information database 108. Although details will be described later, the sighting information database 108 stores shooting information and the like transmitted from the plurality of automobiles 20 to the server 1. The server 1 stores the shooting information received from the automobile 20 in the sighting information database 108.

Between the automobile 20 and the wireless base station 80, for example, a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WiMAX (Worldwide Int)
Wireless communication using eroperability for microwave access (DSRC), dedicated short range communication (DSRC), or the like is performed. The network N1 connecting the radio base station 80 and the server 1 is, for example, a wired network such as a digital communication network (ISDN) or an optical fiber. However, there may be a wireless communication path on the path in the network N1.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the automobile 20 connected to the server 1 according to the first embodiment via the radio base station 80 and the network N1. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Prior to the description of FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the automobile 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Car]
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware related to the stolen vehicle search system mounted on the automobile 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the automobile 20 includes a camera 21, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 22, a communication antenna 23, and an in-vehicle device 24.

  The camera 21 is an example of a “photographing device” according to the present invention. In the present invention, the “imaging device” is a concept including a camera mounted on a mobile phone in addition to a camera for lane recognition control, a camera for collision prevention safety control, a camera used as a drive recorder, and the like. . Therefore, the “photographing device” may be a camera mounted on a mobile phone carried by a passenger of a car and a camera mounted on a mobile phone attached to the car.

  The camera 21 is attached to the automobile 20 and photographs the front and rear of the automobile 20. The camera 21 may shoot either the front or rear of the automobile 20, or may shoot both the front of the automobile and the rear of the automobile. Further, one camera 21 may be installed for each of the front photographing and the rear photographing of the automobile. The camera 21 can photograph a license plate (formally, an automobile registration number mark or a vehicle number mark) and a direction indicator (winker) of a front vehicle and a rear vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “peripheral vehicle”). It is formed.

  For example, the camera 21 may take an image of a surrounding vehicle at a predetermined cycle (for example, every few seconds), or may take an image when an event such as a shooting instruction by a passenger of the automobile 20 occurs.

  The GPS antenna 22 is an antenna that receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites over the earth. The communication antenna 23 transmits radio waves to the server 1 and receives radio waves from the server 1 in order to transmit and receive information to and from the server 1.

  The vehicle-mounted device 24 is a device that acquires position information indicating the current position of the automobile 20, a photographed image photographed by the camera 21, and a photographing date and time that is a photographing date and time. The hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 24 of the automobile 20 is as follows.

The vehicle-mounted device 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25, a main storage device 26, an external storage device 27, a time device 28, a GPS device 29, a communication IF (Interface) 2A, and a communication bus 2B.
It has.

  The CPU 25 controls the entire automobile 20, specifically, executes a program that is executable on the main storage device 26 and provides the functions of the automobile 20. The CPU 25 is connected to each device of the automobile 20 via the communication bus 2B.

  The main storage device 26 processes data, for example, a photographed image photographed by the camera 21, position information obtained by the GPS device 29, data such as photographing date and time obtained by the time device 28, or a program executed by the CPU 25. Hold. Examples of the main storage device 26 include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The external storage device 27 stores data, programs, and the like stored in the main storage device 26. For example, the external storage device 27 may include data such as a captured image captured by the camera 21, position information acquired by the GPS device 29, and a capturing date / time acquired by the time device 28. The external storage device 27 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk (registered trademark) (floppy disk, hereinafter referred to as FD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a compact disc (CD), and a digital versatile disk (DVD). USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash memory is exemplified. The FD, MO, CD, DVD, USB flash memory, and the like are also called removable storage media.

  The time device 28 is a device that measures the current time. The time device 28 measures and acquires the time when the image capturing device performs image capturing. In the present invention, the “shooting date / time” refers to the date / time when the shooting apparatus has shot, and is exemplified by the combination of the date and time (hour, minute, second) when the shooting was performed.

  The GPS device 29 is a device that acquires position information indicating the current position of the automobile 20 from the radio wave received by the GPS antenna 22. In the present invention, “position information” refers to information relating to the position of the moving object, and is a concept including latitude and longitude.

  The communication IF 2A is an interface for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server 1. The communication IF 2 </ b> A transmits data to be transmitted to a server such as a captured image captured by the camera 21 to the communication antenna 23. Note that the program executed by the CPU 25 can be installed by communication with a computer outside the automobile 20 through the communication IF 2A, for example. Installation refers to, for example, deploying an executable program to the external storage device 27 or deploying it to the main storage device 26. However, the program may be installed through a removable storage medium.

[server]
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the server 1 includes a CPU 2, a main storage device 3, an external storage device 4, a communication IF 5, a communication bus 6, an input device 7, a display device 8, and a traffic jam information transmitting / receiving device 9.

  The CPU 2 controls the entire server 1, specifically, executes a program that is executed in the main storage device 3 and provides the functions of the server 1. The CPU 2 is connected to each device of the server 1 via the communication bus 6.

  The main storage device 3 holds data to be processed, for example, shooting information including a shot image received from the automobile 20, data such as traffic jam information, or a program executed by the CPU 2. Examples of the main storage device 3 include a ROM and a RAM.

  The external storage device 4 stores data and programs stored in the main storage device 3. For example, the external storage device 4 may include data such as shooting information including traffic images received from the automobile 20 and traffic jam information. Examples of the external storage device 4 include an HDD, a floppy disk, an MO, a CD, a DVD, and a USB flash memory.

  The communication IF 5 is an interface that transmits / receives information to / from the automobile 20 and the user device 30 via the networks N1 and N2. For example, although details will be described later, the communication IF 5 transmits information such as a predicted travel range of the automobile searched by the user in the user device 30 to the user device 30 via the network N2. Further, for example, the communication IF 5 receives information such as user information from the user device 30 and a car registration number of the searched car via the network N2.

  The input device 7 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is a device that receives input. The mouse and touch panel are also called pointing devices. For example, a user such as an operator of the server 1 receives an input of a car registration number of a car that the user wants to search.

  The display device 8 is a display composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various screens. The display device 8 displays information such as a predicted travel range of the automobile searched by the user device 30 by the user, for example, although details will be described later.

  The traffic jam information transmitting / receiving device 9 is a device for transmitting / receiving traffic jam information data to / from a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center (not shown) by wireless communication. In this invention, “congestion information” refers to information provided by VICS, such as congestion on highways and main highways, congestion, required time, regulatory information, etc., “congestion”, “congestion”, “smooth” It is a concept including information indicating road conditions such as “”. Note that “VICS” is an information communication system that transmits road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations in real time, and displays them in characters and figures on a vehicle-mounted device such as a car navigation system.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the automobile 20 connected to the server 1 according to the first embodiment via the radio base station 80 and the network N1. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Prior to the description of FIG. 5, the function of the automobile 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Car]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the automobile 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the automobile 20 includes an imaging unit 201, a vehicle position detection unit 202 (which is an example of the “position specifying function” of the present invention), a time measurement unit 203, an imaging information storage unit 204, a communication unit 205, A photographing information database 206 is provided. The functions of the automobile 20 shown in FIG. The various processing units 201 to 205 are realized by the CPU 25 calling and executing a program held in the main storage device 26 or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the shooting information database 206. As shown in the drawing, each column of the shooting information database 206 includes items such as a number, shooting date and time when the car 20 was shot by the camera 21, position information of the car 20 at the time of shooting, and a shot image. Further, each row in FIG. 7 represents one shooting information record. Every time shooting is performed, one record of the shooting information database 206 is registered.

  The numbers in FIG. 7 are information for identifying records in each row of the photographing information database 206, for example, a row number, a record number of a file including the photographing information database 206, an address number of the main storage device 26, or the like.

In FIG. 7, the shooting date and time is represented by the date and time and the hour, minute, and second. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may include, for example, milliseconds or may not include the year. . In FIG. 7, as position information, latitude and longitude are expressed in DMS (Degrees Minutes Seconds) using degrees, minutes and seconds, but DEG (degree) is expressed using only decimal degrees. Notation may be used.

  The imaging unit 201 illustrated in FIG. 4 acquires captured images of the front and rear of the automobile 20 captured by the camera 21. The captured image acquired by the imaging unit 201 includes a license plate of a vehicle around the automobile 20 and a direction indicator.

  The own vehicle position detection unit 202 detects and acquires position information of the current position of the automobile 20 based on the transmission radio waves received from the GPS satellites received by the GPS antenna 22 and the GPS device 29.

The time measuring unit 203 measures and acquires the shooting date and time, which is the date and time when the camera 21 performs shooting.

  The shooting information storage unit 204 associates the shot image acquired by the shooting unit 201 with the position information acquired by the vehicle position detection unit 202 and the shooting date and time acquired by the time measurement unit 203 in the shooting information database 206. Remember. The stored captured image, position information, and shooting date and time associated with each other are collectively referred to as “shooting information”.

  The communication unit 205 transmits the shooting information stored in the shooting information storage unit 204 to the server 1.

[server]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the server 1 includes a receiving unit 101 (an example of “reception unit” and “storage unit” of the present invention) and an image analysis unit 102 (an example of “storage unit” of the present invention). , Input unit 103 (which is an example of “input means” of the present invention), search unit 104 (which is an example of “acquisition means” of the present invention), and travel range estimation unit 105 (“estimation means of the present invention” ), A result display unit 106, a result transmission unit 107, a sighting information database 108, a map information database 109, a traffic jam weighting information database 110, and a user information database 111.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sighting information database 108. As shown in the drawing, each column of the sighting information database 108 includes an item of an automobile registration number to be described later in addition to a number, shooting date / time, position information, and a shot image. Each row of the sighting information database 108 represents one record of information corresponding to each piece of photographing information (an example of “moving body analysis information” according to the present invention). The sighting information database 108 stores information (moving body analysis information) corresponding to imaging information about the plurality of automobiles 20.

The numbers in FIG. 9 are information for identifying records in each row of the sighting information database 108, for example, the row number, the record number of the file including the sighting information database 108, the address of the main storage device 3, and the like. In FIG. 9, the shooting date and time is represented by the date and time and the hour, minute, second. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may include, for example, milliseconds or may not include the year. . Further, in FIG. 9, the position information is represented by DMS (Degrees Minutes Seconds) notation using latitude, longitude, and degrees, minutes and seconds, but only latitude and longitude are used as decimal numbers. DEG (degree) notation may be used. In FIG. 9, the automobile registration number is represented as “Tama 500 XX-XX”, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a number such as “Matsumoto Ah XX-XX” may be used. .

  In the column of the sighting information database 108, there is an item of vehicle identification information that uniquely identifies the vehicle 20 that has been shot in order to be able to identify which image (shooting information) was taken by which vehicle. It may be included. Examples of the vehicle identification information include a vehicle identification number of the vehicle and information on the owner of the vehicle.

  Further, the sighting information database 108 may collectively manage the moving body analysis information corresponding to the shooting information received from the plurality of automobiles 20, and keep the movement analysis information for each automobile 20 in different tables. May be.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above information, the column of the sighting information database 108 may include items such as a direction indicator lighting state, a speed between points, traffic jam information, a traffic jam weighting value, and a travel range, which will be described later. Further, the traffic jam information itself may be stored in another DB. In that case, the sighting information database 108 may hold link information to traffic jam information, such as a file path name, a URL on the Internet, and the like.

  The map information database 109 stores map information. Examples of the map information include main facility names, road data (routes and distances of each road), place name data, and the like.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the traffic jam weighting information database 110. As shown in the figure, each line in FIG. 12 includes items of a congestion degree and a congestion weight value. In the case of FIG. 12, “congested”, “congested”, and “smooth” are used as the degree of congestion, and “5.0”, “ 2.0 "and" 1.0 "are set. The traffic congestion weighting value shown in the example of FIG. 12 weights the time required for the user vehicle to pass the road when the road is “smooth”. For example, when the traffic jam information obtained for a specific road is “congested”, the traffic jam weighting value acquired by the traffic jam weighting database 110 is “5.0”. It takes 5 times as long as the time is “smooth”.

  In the present invention, the traffic jam weighting value is not limited to the weighting value for the time required to pass the road, but may be a weighting value for speed or distance. Moreover, the numerical value of the traffic jam weighting value is not limited to the value shown in FIG. 12, but may be determined by an empirical rule or the like.

  The user information database 111 stores (registers) user information that uniquely identifies a user who is permitted to access the server 1. As user information, a user's telephone number, user ID (Identification), and a password are illustrated. In the first embodiment, the user information database 111 stores user information of users registered in the stolen vehicle search system.

  The sighting information database 108, the map information database 109, the traffic jam weighting information database 110, and the user information database 111 are not necessarily provided in the server 1 itself, and may be provided in another information processing apparatus. In this case, the server 1 may use these databases of the information processing apparatus over the network.

  The receiving unit 101 receives shooting information from the automobile 20. The receiving unit 101 stores the received shooting information in the sighting information database 108.

The image analysis unit 102 performs image processing on the captured image included in the captured information received by the receiving unit 101, and detects the automobile registration number of the surrounding vehicle included in the captured image from the captured image.
The automobile registration number is an example of the “mobile object registration number” and “photographed character information” according to the present invention. In the present invention, the “mobile object registration number” is a concept including a vehicle number (a number assigned to a light vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) and an automobile registration number (a number assigned to other vehicles). In the present invention, “photographed character information” refers to character information included in a photographed image, and is a concept including a mobile object registration number.

  Detection of automobile registration numbers of surrounding vehicles by the image analysis unit 102 can be performed by a method described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-30892 and 2010-86201. The image analysis unit 102 stores the detected automobile registration number of the surrounding vehicle in the sighting information database 108 in association with the shooting information.

  In addition, the image analysis unit 102 may detect the turn-on status of surrounding turners included in the captured image in conjunction with the detection of the automobile registration number. In the present invention, the “direction indicator lighting condition” refers to the lighting condition of the lamp of the direction indicator (winker), and is a concept including whether or not the left and right lamps of the direction indicator are lit. Examples of the “direction indicator lighting state” include “right” and “left” as lighting directions.

  The detection of the turn indicator lighting status of the surrounding vehicle by the image analysis unit 102 is performed, for example, by confirming whether or not an image in which the lamp of the turn indicator is lit is extracted from the captured image by image processing. . This confirmation is performed, for example, as a clue that the light intensity of the lamp is stronger than the reference value in the image. For example, if the brightness fluctuates more than a predetermined value near the side of the vehicle in a plurality of images where the same car registration number is detected, the location where the brightness fluctuates is It is good also as a position. Note that when the direction indicator lighting state is detected, the direction indicator lighting state may be stored in the sighting information database 108 in association with the photographing information. Further, for example, the turn indicator lighting status (none, left, right) and the like may be detected together with information for distinguishing the front and rear of the opponent vehicle. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

  The input unit 103 accepts input of information including an automobile registration number and user information of an automobile that the user wants to search (hereinafter referred to as “user vehicle”). Information including the automobile registration number and user information is collectively referred to as “user mobile body information”. In the first embodiment, for example, a user who is the owner of an automobile damaged by theft receives an input of the automobile registration number of the damaged user vehicle. For example, when the operator (user) of the server 1 searches for a specific stolen vehicle, the operator (user) receives an input of the automobile registration number of the stolen vehicle.

  At this time, the input unit 103 receives input of user information from the user. The input unit 103 collates the received user information with the user information stored (registered) in the user information database 111, so that the user who has input to the input unit 103 is permitted to access the server 1. Check if you are a user.

  The search unit 104 searches whether or not a vehicle registration number that matches the vehicle registration number input to the input unit 103 is registered in the sighting information database 108. The search unit 104 obtains a record (corresponding to each row of the sighting information database 108, hereinafter referred to as “matching record”) including the vehicle registration number that matches the vehicle registration number input to the input unit 103, which is the search result. . As a result of the search performed by the search unit 104, if there is a matching automobile registration number, the user vehicle has been witnessed (captured) by another automobile. In addition, you may make it memorize | store the acquired matching record in the said database, when the server 1 is equipped with another database (not shown).

  When a plurality of matching records are registered as a result of searching by the searching unit 104, the traveling range estimation unit 105 can run the user vehicle at the time of the user search based on the plurality of matching records, as will be described in detail later. Estimate the range (traveling range). The travel range estimation unit 105 may store the estimated travel range, inter-point speed, traffic jam information, traffic jam weight value, and the like in the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

  The result display unit 106 displays information such as the travel range that is the search result of the search unit 104 and the estimation result of the travel range estimation unit 105. As a result, the user vehicle (stolen vehicle) such as the operator of the server 1 can see where the user vehicle is traveling at the time of the search and what point the user vehicle was traveling before the time of the search. Can be made.

  The result transmission unit 107 transmits data similar to the various data displayed on the result display unit 106 to the user device 30. As a result, the user who has entered the automobile registration number by the user device 30 indicates which location the user vehicle (theft vehicle) is traveling at the time of search, and what point the user vehicle travels before the search time. It is possible to visually recognize whether or not it was done.

  Further, the travel range estimation unit 105 includes a speed calculation unit 1051 (corresponding to “speed calculation unit” of the present invention), a traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 (corresponding to “congestion information acquisition unit” of the present invention), and weight value acquisition. A unit 1053 and a travel range calculation unit 1054.

  When there are a plurality of matching records as a result of the search by the search unit 104, the speed calculation unit 1051 calculates the inter-point speed between each point where the user vehicle is photographed (witnessed) based on the plurality of matching records. To do. In the present invention, the “inter-point speed” refers to a predicted speed that is predicted as a speed when the moving body travels between the points when the moving body is photographed at a plurality of points. The speed calculation unit 1051 may store the calculated speed between points in the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

  The traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 acquires traffic jam information by the traffic jam information transmitting / receiving device 9. The traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 can acquire the traffic jam information as character information, and can also call the map information (map) stored in the map information database 109 and acquire the traffic jam information as information superimposed on the map. Is possible. The traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 may store the acquired traffic jam information in the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

  The weighting value acquisition unit 1053 acquires the weighting value stored in the traffic jam weighting information database 110 based on the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052. For example, by comparing the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 with the traffic jam degree stored in the traffic jam weighting information database 110, weighting for a travelable range when it is assumed that there is no traffic jam or congestion. Get the value. The weight value acquisition unit 1053 may store the acquired weight value in the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

The travel range calculation unit 1054 is based on the latest point-to-point speed among the point-to-point speeds calculated by the speed calculation unit 1051 and the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 1052, and the final shooting point (sighting point) of the user vehicle. The travel range from is calculated. In the present invention, the “traveling range” refers to a range indicating a position where the mobile object is predicted to be traveling (at the time of search). The travel range calculation unit 1054 may store the calculated travel range in the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

(Explanation of operation flow: Automobile)
FIG. 6 is a processing flow of the vehicle-mounted device 24 of the automobile 20 according to the first embodiment. The processing flow of the automobile 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The photographing unit 201 acquires a photographed image via the camera 21 (step 1; hereinafter referred to as S1). Further, the time measuring unit 203 acquires the shooting date and time when the camera 21 has shot through the time device 28 (S2). Furthermore, the own vehicle position detection unit 202 acquires position information indicating the position of the automobile 20 when the camera 21 has taken an image via the GPS antenna 22 and the GPS device 29 (S3). Note that steps 2 to 3 are in no particular order, and the time and date may be acquired by the time measuring unit 203 after the position information is detected by the own vehicle position detecting unit 202.

  The shooting information storage unit 204 associates the shot image, the shooting date / time, and the position information acquired in Steps 1 to 3 with each other and stores them in the shooting information database 206 as shooting information (S4).

  The communication unit 205 transmits the shooting information stored in the shooting information database 206 to the server 1 (S5). Further, the communication unit 205 determines whether or not the photographing information has been normally transmitted to the server 1 (S6). When the photographing information has not been normally transmitted (S6; No), the communication unit 205 tries to transmit the photographing information again. When the transmission is successful (S6; Yes), the CPU 25 of the vehicle-mounted device 24 determines whether or not the photographing by the camera 21 is ended (S7). For example, when the photographing is ended by turning off the power of the camera 21 or stopping the engine of the automobile 20 (S7; Yes), the processing flow of the automobile 20 is ended. If the shooting is continued (S7; No), the process returns to step 1 again.

(Explanation of operation flow: Server)
FIG. 8 is a processing flow of the server 1 according to the first embodiment. A processing flow of the server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 2 of the server 1 executes the process of FIG. 8 by the computer program in the main storage device 3.

  The receiving unit 101 determines whether or not imaging information has been received from the automobile 20 via the communication IF 5 (S11). When photographing information is not received by the receiving unit 101 (S11; No), the processing returns to step 11 again. When imaging information is received by the receiving unit 101 (S11; Yes), the received imaging information is stored in the sighting information database 108 (S12).

  The image analysis unit 102 recognizes (detects) the vehicle registration numbers of the surrounding vehicles from the captured image by performing image analysis of the captured image included in the received captured information (S13). By this processing, the automobile registration number written on the license plate of the surrounding vehicle included in the photographed image is recognized as character information.

  In step 13, the vehicle registration number is recognized, and the image analysis unit 102 may perform image analysis on the captured image, thereby recognizing a turn indicator lighting state of a surrounding vehicle included in the captured image. .

The image analysis unit 102 determines whether the image analysis has been performed normally (S14). When the image analysis is not normally performed (S14; No), the image analysis unit 102 tries to analyze the captured image again. When the image analysis is performed normally (S14; Yes), the image analysis unit 102 displays the vehicle registration number and the turn indicator lighting status as the image analysis result in the sighting information database 1
In 08, the information is stored in association with the photographing information corresponding to the photographed image subjected to the image analysis (S15). As described above, information stored in the sighting information database 108 is collectively referred to as moving body analysis information.

  When the image analysis result is stored in the sighting information database 108 in step 15, the server 1 ends the main processing flow of the server 1.

(Explanation of operation flow: Server processing during search)
FIG. 10 is a processing flow of the server 1 according to the first embodiment when the user searches for the user vehicle. The processing flow of the server 1 when the user searches for the user vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.

  The input unit 103 determines whether user information and a car registration number (hereinafter referred to as “user car number”) are received from the user (S101). When the user information and the user car number are not received (S101; No), the process returns to Step 101 again. When the input unit 103 receives input of user information and a user car number (S101; Yes), the input unit 103 collates the user information with a user information database 111 that stores user information of users who can access the server 1 in advance. Perform (S102).

  The input unit 103 determines whether the user information input by the user is registered in the user information database 111 (S103), and when the input user information is not registered in the user information database 111 (S103; No), the process returns to step 101 again. When the input user information is registered in the user information database 111 (S103; Yes), the process proceeds to step 104.

  The search unit 104 determines whether or not an automobile registration number that matches a user vehicle number input by a user determined to be registered in the user information database 111 is stored (registered) in the sighting information database 108. (S104). When the car registration number that matches the user car number is not stored in the sighting information database 108 (S104; No), the processing flow of the server 1 is terminated. In this case, the user may be notified (transmitted) that there is no matching shooting information (sighting information).

  When the vehicle registration number that matches the user vehicle number is stored in the sighting information database 108 (S104; Yes), the search unit 104 includes a record in the sighting information database 108 that includes the vehicle registration number that matches the user vehicle number. It is determined whether there are a plurality of (matching records) (S105).

  When the search unit 104 determines that there are not a plurality of matching records (only one) (S105; No), the result display unit 106 causes the display device 8 to display the matching records, that is, the moving body analysis information. (S107). The result transmitting unit 107 transmits the moving body analysis information to the user apparatus 30 via the communication IF 5 so that the moving body analysis information can be visually recognized by the user apparatus 30 (S108).

  When the search unit 104 determines that there are a plurality of matching records (S105; Yes), the traveling range estimation unit 105 travels the user vehicle at the time when the user searches for the user vehicle based on the plurality of matching records. A possible range (traveling range) is calculated (estimated) (S106). Details of the travel range calculation method (processing flow) will be described later with reference to FIG.

The result display unit 106 causes the display device 8 to display the calculated (estimated) travel range and the moving body analysis information that is a matching record (S107). Although the details will be described later, the result display unit 106 may display information such as the speed between points, the traffic jam information, and the traffic jam weight value acquired to calculate the travel range together with the travel range. Good.

  Note that the result display unit 106 may display, for example, a part (for example, only shooting information) of the mobile body analysis information or the information acquired for calculating the travel range, or the mobile body analysis. You may make it display all the information contained in the information acquired in order to calculate information and a travel range. Moreover, as a result display of a driving | running | working range, you may display as what showed the driving | running route (trajectory) and driving | running | working range of the user vehicle on the map, ”May be displayed. Moreover, you may make it plot the point which shows all the positional information acquired on the map.

  The result transmission unit 107 makes it possible for the user device to visually recognize the travel range, the moving body analysis information, the information acquired to calculate the travel range, and the like, and sends these information to the user device 30 via the communication IF 5. Transmit (S108).

  When the result transmission unit 107 performs transmission in step 108, the server 1 ends this processing flow of the server 1.

(Explanation of operation flow: Estimated travel range in server)
FIG. 11 is a process flow of the travel range estimation process in the server 1 according to the first embodiment. The travel range estimation process in the server 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The speed calculation unit 1051 calculates a point-to-point speed between points where the user vehicle is photographed based on a plurality of matching records (S1061). Examples of the method for calculating the speed between points include a calculation method based on position information and shooting date / time included in a plurality of matching records stored in the sighting information database 108. In this method, the speed calculation unit 1051 calculates a point-to-point distance, which is a linear distance between points indicated by the position information, based on the position information included in the plurality of matching records stored in the sighting information database 108. Further, the speed calculation unit 1051 calculates the time required for the user vehicle to travel between the points (hereinafter referred to as “time required between points”) from each shooting date and time included in the plurality of matching records. By using the calculated distance between points and the required time between points, the speed between points is calculated by (speed between points) = (distance between points) / (time required between points).

  Here, when calculating the distance between the points, the distance between the points is calculated as a linear distance between the points. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the calculation of the distance between the points considering the roundness of the earth. A method may be used. The point-to-point speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 1051 may be stored in association with the moving body analysis information corresponding to the sighting information database 108. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

  The traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 acquires traffic jam information by the traffic jam information transmitting / receiving device 9 (S1062). In particular, the traffic jam information acquisition unit 1052 acquires traffic jam information at each point indicated by the position information included in the matching record and its surroundings. Based on the acquired traffic jam information, it is possible to grasp traffic jam information of a point where the user vehicle is photographed and roads in the vicinity thereof.

Based on the acquired traffic jam information, the weight value acquisition unit 1053 acquires the traffic jam weight value for the spot where the user vehicle was photographed and the surrounding road (S1063). For example, the traffic congestion weighting value can be acquired by comparing the acquired traffic congestion information with the traffic congestion weighting information database 110 that associates the traffic congestion degree indicating the degree of traffic congestion or the degree of congestion with the traffic congestion weighting value. Here, the traffic jam weighting value is a value for weighting information (speed, required time, etc.) regarding each road according to the traffic jam information for each road.

  Note that step 1061 and steps 1062 to 1063 are out of order, and for example, the speed between points may be calculated after acquiring the traffic information and the traffic weight.

  The travel range calculation unit 1054 calculates a travelable range (travel range) from the last shooting point of the user vehicle based on the calculated speed between points, the acquired traffic jam information, and the traffic jam weighting value (S1064). The following method is exemplified as a method for calculating the travel range. In this example, first, the travel range of the user vehicle is represented by a circle of radius r calculated below. That is, at the time of the search, it is estimated that the user vehicle is traveling on a road included in a circle with a radius r centered on the final shooting point.

[Running range X1: Speed between points]
The traveling range calculation unit 1054 calculates the speed between points calculated from the most recent matching record and the immediately preceding matching record among the plurality of matching records stored in the sighting information database 108, that is, the point where the user vehicle was last photographed. And the point-to-point speed (hereinafter referred to as “final point-to-point speed”) between the point and the point immediately before that. In addition, the travel range calculation unit 1054 calculates the last time from the date and time when the search was performed by the user (hereinafter referred to as “search date and time”) and the shooting date and time when the user vehicle was last shot (the shooting date and time included in the latest record). Elapsed time (hereinafter referred to as “elapsed time during search”) from the date / time when the image was taken to the search date / time is calculated.

  The travel range calculation unit 1054 uses the acquired speed between the last points and the elapsed time at the search time, so that the radius r of the travel range (circle) of the user vehicle is r = (the speed between the last points) × (the elapsed time at the search time). ). A circle of this radius r centered on the last shooting point (position information included in the latest matching record) is assumed to be the travel range X1 of the user vehicle when it is assumed that there is no traffic jam and congestion (smooth).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a traveling range X1 centered on the final photographing point and having a radius r.

  The travel range calculated by the travel range calculation unit 1054 is obtained by calling the map information stored in the map information database 109 in addition to the calculated radius r as character information, and superimposing the travel range X1 on the map. It may be stored in the sighting information database 108 in association with the moving body analysis information. Moreover, you may make it memorize | store in the said database by providing the server 1 with another database.

[Running range X2: Speed between points, traffic jam information]
The travel range calculation unit 1054 calculates the travel range X2 of the user vehicle in consideration of traffic jam information based on the traffic jam weight value acquired by the weight value acquisition unit 1053. Note that the travel range X2 is a travelable range with the travel speed (distance) limited by the influence of traffic jams, and therefore has a smaller area than the travel range X1 of the user vehicle when it is assumed that there is no traffic jam or congestion. It becomes a range. As a method for calculating the travel range X2 of the travel range calculation unit 1054, the following method is exemplified.

The travel range calculation unit 1054 determines the road included in the travel range X1 using map information, and then acquires the traffic congestion weight value for each determined road among the traffic congestion weight values acquired in step 1063. The travel range calculation unit 1054 performs weighting on each confirmed road based on the acquired congestion weighting value. As described in detail above, in the example of FIG. 12, the travel range calculation unit 1054 weights the time required to pass each road. That is, the travel range calculation unit 1054 multiplies the traffic weighting value by the time required for the user vehicle to pass when the road is “smooth”.

  The travel range calculation unit 1054 takes into account the time required for each road calculated by multiplying the congestion weighting value, and can reach a route (a combination of roads) that the user vehicle can travel during the elapsed time during the search. Calculate (determine) the point (distance). For example, the travel range calculation unit 1054 can obtain the travel range X2 by connecting the reachable points of the determined routes on the map. Further, this approximate curve may be set as the travel range X2 by calculating an approximate curve with respect to a straight line obtained by connecting the determined reachable points of each route on the map. As described above, the method of determining the travel range X2 based on the reachable points of the determined routes can be various methods such as using a straight line, an approximate curve thereof, or a part of the curve of the travel range X1.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel range X2 that is a travelable range of the user vehicle in consideration of traffic jam information. As illustrated, the reachable points are represented by points 1 to 7 for each route included in the travel range X1. Note that the point 0 represents the final shooting point.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, the area | region shown with the broken line is made into the driving range X2. As shown in the figure, since the route between the point 0 and the points 1 to 3 is a route composed only of roads that are not affected by traffic congestion, the curve of the travel range X1 is used as it is as shown. It may be (lower semicircle part). Further, for example, in FIG. 14, a route (road) between the point 0 and the points 6 and 7 is restricted by the influence of traffic congestion and the travelable distance is limited. The travel range calculation unit 1054 calculates the distance between the reachable points (points 6 and 7 etc.) of the route affected by the traffic jam and the reachable points (points 1 and 2 etc.) of the route not affected by the traffic jam. You may obtain | require the driving | running | working range X2 as shown in figure by connecting with a straight line.

  Since the traveling route is different, the traveling range calculation unit 1054 has a plurality of reachable points on the same road, or a plurality of traveling directions in the same direction as viewed from the final shooting point 0 like the points 4 and 5 in FIG. When there is a point, as shown in the drawing, only the outer point (point where the travel distance is long), such as the point 5, may be connected to other points with a straight line.

  In FIG. 14, the travel range X2 is obtained by connecting the points with a straight line. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the travel range X2 may be obtained by calculating an approximate curve.

  In the first embodiment, the congestion information (congestion level) is “congested”, “congested”, and “smooth”, and the traffic congestion weighting value corresponding to this congestion information (congestion level) is acquired. Although the travel range X2 in consideration of information is calculated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the travel range X2 may be calculated by using the required time as traffic jam information. In this method, the server 1 may not include the traffic congestion weighting information database 110.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the travel range X2 obtained by using the required time. In this method, for example, the travel range calculation unit 1054 requires the required time of each road acquired from the traffic jam information, for example, “20 minutes”, “30 minutes”, “50 minutes” and the like shown in FIG. Based on the time, a point (distance) that the user vehicle can reach during the search elapsed time is calculated (determined). The travel range X2 may be obtained from the calculated reachable point. The method for obtaining the travel range X2 from the reachable point is the same as the method for obtaining the travel range X2 in FIG.

[Running range X3: Speed between points, lighting direction indicator]
As a result of the image analysis of the captured image performed by the image analysis unit 102, when the turn indicator lighting state of the surrounding vehicle included in the captured image is recognized (acquired), the traveling range calculation unit 1054 recognizes the recognized direction indicator. A travel range X3 is obtained based on the lighting state. As a method for calculating the travel range X3 of the travel range calculation unit 1054, the following method is exemplified.

  The travel range calculation unit 1054 is based on the lighting direction of the direction indicator at the final shooting point, that is, the direction indicated by the direction indicator (hereinafter, referred to as “instruction direction”). Reference is made to a direction weighting information table (database) (not shown) for associating each direction in the direction (referred to as “left and right direction”) and the direction opposite to the designated direction (hereinafter referred to as “reverse direction”) with a direction weight value.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the direction weighting information database. As illustrated, each column of FIG. 16 includes items of direction and direction weighting value. In the case of FIG. 16, the direction weight values “1.0”, “0.7”, and “0.5” are set corresponding to each of “instruction direction”, “left / right direction”, and “reverse direction”. Has been. The direction weighting value shown in the example of FIG. 16 predicts that the possibility that the user vehicle has advanced in the indicated direction, which is the direction indicated by the direction indicator, is low, and the possibility that the user vehicle has advanced in the left-right direction and the reverse direction is low. Is based.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel range X3 that is a travelable range of the user vehicle in consideration of the direction indicator lighting state. A region indicated by a broken line is defined as a travel range X3. In the example of FIG. 17, the travel range X3 is obtained by multiplying the direction weighting value by the radius r of the travel range X1.

  In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the user vehicle is traveling in the direction of the arrow 1, and it is assumed that the direction indicator of the user vehicle indicates the direction of the arrow 2 at the point 0 which is the final shooting point. In this case, since the direction weighting value is “1.0” for the designated direction, the vehicle can travel in the designated direction for a distance r (radius r × 1.0) (point 1). Further, since the direction weighting value is “0.7” in the left-right direction, the vehicle can travel for a distance of 0.7r (radius r × 0.7) (points 2 and 4). Since the direction weighting value is “0.5” for the reverse direction, the vehicle can travel for a distance of 0.5r (radius r × 0.5) (point 3).

  The travel range calculation unit 1054 can calculate the reachable points (points 1 to 4 in FIG. 17) of the user vehicle in each direction by performing weighting based on the direction indicator lighting state in this way. A travel range X3 is obtained from the calculated reachable point. The method for obtaining the travel range X3 from the reachable point is the same as the method for obtaining the travel range X2 in FIG.

  In the present invention, the direction weighting value is not limited to the weighting value for the radius r of the travel range X1, and may be a weighting value for speed or time. Further, the numerical value of the direction weighting value is not limited to the value shown in FIG. 16, but may be determined by an empirical rule or the like.

[Running range X4: Inter-point speed, traffic jam information, turn-on indicator lighting status]
The travel range calculation unit 1054 may obtain the travel range X4 of the user vehicle in consideration of both the traffic jam information and the turn indicator lighting state. As a method of calculating the travel range X4 of the travel range calculation unit 1054, the reachable points (points 1 to 7 in FIGS. 13 to 15) calculated when obtaining the travel range X2 of the user vehicle in consideration of traffic jam information and the final shooting A method of multiplying (weighting) the direction weighting value by the distance of each route between the point 0 as the point is exemplified.

[Estimation of route between each shot]
The travel range calculation unit 1054 may calculate the travel ranges X1 to X4 from the final shooting point, and may estimate a route predicted that the user vehicle has traveled between the points where the user vehicle has been shot. Good.

  Examples of the route estimation method between the points include a method of acquiring the traffic congestion information on the road between the points and estimating the route based on the acquired traffic congestion information. Specifically, based on the traffic jam information of the route (road) where the user vehicle can travel between two points, the time actually required for the user vehicle to travel between the two points (according to the shooting information about the two points) It is exemplified to estimate a route that can be traveled between (capable of calculation based on the shooting date and time included).

  For example, if the time required for the user vehicle to travel between two points is 30 minutes and the time required for the specific road between the two points is 50 minutes due to traffic congestion, the user vehicle It can be determined that the vehicle is not traveling on the road.

  In addition, the travel range calculation unit 1054 may perform estimation using the speed between points when performing route estimation between points.

  When the travel range calculation unit 1054 performs route estimation between points, the result display unit 106 displays the estimated route between points and information (congestion information, speed between points) used for estimation. The display may be performed so as to be visible. The result transmitting unit 107 may transmit the estimated route and information to the user device.

  When the travel range calculation unit 1054 ends the travel range calculation process in step 1064, the server 1 ends the main processing flow of the server 1.

  As described above, the server 1 receives from the moving body (a plurality of) the captured image obtained by capturing at least one of the front side and the rear side of the other moving body captured from the moving body, the shooting date and time, and the movement. Based on the body position information, it is possible to estimate the travel range in which the mobile body searched by the user is predicted to be traveling (currently) at the time of the search. In addition, since it is possible to obtain shooting (sighting) information and traveling range of the moving body searched by the user based on information received from a plurality of moving bodies, the self-transmitting apparatus is not provided. It is possible to obtain information such as the travel range even for a mobile object in which is blocked.

  Further, the server 1 determines the speed between the points, which is the predicted speed of the moving body searched by the user, the lighting state of the direction indicator of the moving body, that is, the direction in which the moving body is considered to travel ahead, and the moving body It is possible to estimate the travel range with high accuracy by estimating the travel range based on the traffic jam information of the last photographed point.

<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment, the server 1 includes the image analysis unit 102 to perform image analysis of the captured image, and recognize (acquire) the vehicle registration number and the turn indicator lighting state from the captured image. The image analysis of the captured image may be performed by providing an image analysis unit 20. In this case, the server 1 does not necessarily include the image analysis unit 102, and the server 1 is configured to receive a vehicle registration number recognized by the vehicle 20, a turn indicator lighting condition, and the like. That's fine. Note that both the server 1 and the automobile 20 may include an image analysis unit, so that each of them may perform image analysis as appropriate. For example, the automobile 20 may perform image processing for cutting out a license plate from a photographed image, and the server 1 may acquire the automobile registration number, which is character information, from the cut out license plate image by image analysis.

<Modification 2>
In the first embodiment, the calculation method based on the position information and the shooting date / time is illustrated as the method for calculating the speed between the points. However, the speed of the automobile 20 on the side where the shooting is performed (the vehicle speed) and the shot (the subject) are taken. The point-to-point speed may be calculated by using the relative speed of the car with respect to the car 20.

  In this method, the server 1 or the vehicle 20 performs image analysis of the acquired captured image, and recognizes the size of the license plate of the surrounding vehicle included in the captured image, so that the captured vehicle is relative to the vehicle 20. Calculate the speed. The method for calculating the relative speed can be performed, for example, by a method described in JP-A-2006-17473. Further, in this method, in order to obtain the own vehicle speed of the automobile 20, the own vehicle speed (the speed of the automobile 20 at the time of photographing) or the traveling distance of the own vehicle is included in the photographing information transmitted from the automobile 20 to the server 1. It is necessary to include.

  The speed calculation unit 1051 can calculate the point-to-point speed of the photographed automobile based on the own vehicle speed of the automobile 20 and the calculated relative speed.

<Modification 3>
In the first embodiment, the vehicle position detection unit 202 acquires the position information of the current position of the automobile 20 based on the transmission radio wave from the GPS satellite, but the present invention is not limited to this. The own vehicle position detection unit 202 may acquire position information of the current position of the automobile 20 by road-to-vehicle communication (such as DSRC) between the automobile 20 and a device (base station) installed on the roadside, a lane marker, or the like. . For example, the relative distance from each roadside device of the automobile 20 may be obtained according to the ratio of the reception sensitivity (the strength of radio waves) of signals from a plurality of roadside devices.

<Other embodiments>
In Embodiment 1 described above, the vehicle registration number of the stolen car is input by a user who has been damaged by theft. However, the present invention is not limited to the stolen car, and the server according to the present invention is, for example, It can be applied to tracking systems (servers) for delivery vehicles, taxis, business trip support vehicles, and delivery service motorcycles.

  In the first embodiment, the user information database 111 is exemplified as the user information stored in the stolen vehicle search system being stored. However, as will be described later, the user information database 111 is limited to storing information about the stolen vehicle. It is not a thing.

(Delivery vehicle tracking system)
The server according to the present invention can be applied to a tracking system that allows a user (customer) to track the current position of a delivery vehicle. In the case of a delivery vehicle tracking system, the user information database 111 stores, for example, user information of users (customers) who can use the tracking system of a delivery company, such as a user who requested delivery or a delivery destination user ( Registered). The user is notified in advance of user information such as a login name and a password necessary for the user to use the system and a vehicle registration number of a vehicle to be delivered to the user.

  Thereby, the user can visually recognize which area the delivery vehicle travels by inputting the user information and the automobile registration number of the vehicle to be delivered to the server 1 according to the present invention.

(Taxi tracking system)
The server according to the present invention can be applied to a tracking system that allows a user (customer) to track the current position of a taxi. In the case of a taxi tracking system, the user information database 111 stores (registers) user information of users who can use the tracking system of a taxi company, such as a user who has requested taxi pick-up. The user is notified in advance of user information such as a login name and a password necessary for the user to use the system, and a taxi car registration number for picking up the user.

  Thereby, the user can visually recognize which area the taxi is traveling by inputting the user information and the automobile registration number of the taxi to be picked up and transferred to the server 1 according to the present invention.

(Vehicle tracking system for business trip support)
The server according to the present invention can be applied to a tracking system that allows a user (customer) to track the current position of a vehicle performing a business trip support service. In the case of a vehicle tracking system that performs a business trip support service, the user information database 111 stores (registers) user information of users who can use the tracking system, such as users who receive business trip support. The user is notified in advance of user information such as a login name and a password necessary for the user to use the system, and an automobile registration number of a vehicle that provides business trip support.

  Thus, the user can visually recognize which area the vehicle is driving by inputting the user information and the vehicle registration number of the vehicle that supports the business trip to the server 1 according to the present invention.

(Motorcycle tracking system for on-site service)
The server according to the present invention can be applied to a tracking system that allows a user (customer) to track the current position of a motorcycle that provides a delivery service. In the case of a vehicle tracking system that performs a delivery service, the user information database 111 stores (registers) user information of a user who can use the tracking system, such as a user who receives a delivery service. The user is notified in advance of user information such as a login name and a password necessary for the user to use the system, and an automobile registration number of the vehicle that performs the delivery service.

  Thus, the user can visually recognize which area the vehicle is driving by inputting the user information and the vehicle registration number of the vehicle performing the delivery service to the server 1 according to the present invention.

(Outside sales activity check system)
The server according to the present invention can be applied to, for example, a tracking system that can track the current position of a vehicle on which various companies, organizations, and government staff who carry out insurance, bank trips, collection, and the like get on. In the case of this tracking system, the user information database 111 stores (registers) user information of users who can use the tracking system, such as an administrator who manages these staff members.

  Thus, a user such as an administrator who manages the staff inputs the user information and the vehicle registration number of the vehicle on which the staff gets into the server 1 according to the present invention, so as to which area the vehicle is traveling. It becomes possible to check.

1 Server 2, 25 CPU
3, 26 Main storage device 4, 27 External storage device 5, 2A Communication IF
6, 2B Communication bus 7 Input device 8 Display device 9 Traffic jam information transmitting / receiving device 20 Car 21 Camera 22 GPS antenna 23 Communication antenna 24 On-board unit 28 Time unit 29 GPS device 30 User device 80 Wireless base station N1, N2 Network 101 Receiver 102 Image analysis unit 103 Input unit 104 Search unit 105 Travel range estimation unit 106 Result display unit 107 Result transmission unit 108 Sighting information database 109 Map information database 110 Congestion weighting information database 111 User information database 1051 Speed calculation unit 1052 Congestion information acquisition unit 1053 Weighting Value acquisition unit 1054 Traveling range calculation unit 201 Shooting unit 202 Vehicle position detection unit 203 Time measurement unit 204 Shooting information storage unit 205 Communication unit 206 Shooting information database

Claims (4)

Shooting information in which the position information of the moving body acquired from the moving body by the position specifying function is associated with the shooting date and time of at least one of the front side and the rear side of the other moving body shot from the moving body. Receiving means for receiving
Storage means for storing, in a database, moving body analysis information in which at least photographing character information included in the photographed image, the position information included in the photographing information, and the photographing date and time are associated with each other;
Input means for accepting input of user moving body information including a moving body registration number by a user;
Acquisition means for acquiring moving body analysis information including photographed character information matching the moving body registration number input by the user from the database;
Based on at least the acquired mobile body analysis information, from the point indicated by the latest position information among the positional information stored in association with the photographed character information that matches the mobile body registration number included in the user mobile body information A server comprising: estimation means for estimating a travel range of the mobile body specified by the mobile body registration number. Based on the moving body analysis information including photographed character information that matches the moving body registration number acquired by the acquiring means, a point-to-point speed that is a predicted speed of the moving body specified by the moving body registration number is calculated. A speed calculating means for
The server according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the travel range further based on the calculated inter-point speed.   The server according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the travel range further based on a turn indicator lighting state of a moving object detected from the captured image. A traffic jam information acquiring means for acquiring traffic jam information at a point indicated by the latest location information among the location information stored in association with the photographed character information that matches the mobile phone registration number included in the user mobile body information;
The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimation unit estimates the travel range further based on the acquired traffic jam information.

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