JP2021163051A - Vehicle type discrimination device, vehicle type discrimination method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle type discrimination device capable of accurately discriminating a vehicle type of a vehicle regardless of a presence or absence of towing.SOLUTION: A vehicle type discrimination device 10 comprises: a tire pattern generation unit 101 that generates a tire pattern for indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of a vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting characteristics of the tires of the vehicle; a candidate identification unit 102 that identifies a first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle by comparing reference data in which tire patterns stored in advance and vehicle types are associated with each other with the generated tire pattern; and a vehicle type determination unit 103 that determines a vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle type discriminating device, a vehicle type discriminating method, and a program.

On toll roads, different tolls may be charged depending on the type of vehicle on which the vehicle is traveling. At tollhouses on such toll roads, a vehicle type discrimination device for discriminating the vehicle type of the vehicle is installed. The vehicle type discriminating device discriminates the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the external characteristics of the vehicle (vehicle width, vehicle length, vehicle height, number of axles, etc.), license plate information, and the like. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle type discriminating device that measures the number of axles and the vehicle width of a vehicle from an image of a side surface of the vehicle and discriminates the vehicle type.

JP-A-2019-197314

In addition, tolls for different vehicle types may be applied depending on the presence or absence of towing. For example, when a vehicle (towing vehicle) is towing a towed vehicle of one axis, the charge of a vehicle type (one rank higher vehicle type) having a higher toll than the original vehicle type of this vehicle is applied. At this time, it is necessary for the vehicle type determination device to correctly determine that the vehicle type is one rank higher than the vehicle type of the towing vehicle. However, it may be difficult to uniquely identify the presence or absence of traction from the number of axles. For this reason, there is a possibility that the accuracy of vehicle type discrimination will decrease depending on the presence or absence of towing.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a vehicle type discriminating device, a vehicle type discriminating method, and a program capable of accurately discriminating the vehicle type of a vehicle regardless of the presence or absence of towing.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle type determination device generates a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle. A candidate identification unit for specifying the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle by comparing the tire pattern generation unit, reference data associated with the tire pattern and vehicle type stored in advance, and the generated tire pattern, and the above-mentioned It is provided with a vehicle type determination unit that determines the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle type determination method generates a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle. The step of identifying the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle by comparing the step, the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance, and the generated tire pattern, and the first vehicle type candidate. It has a step of determining the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the above.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the program indicates to the computer of the vehicle type discriminator the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle. The step of generating a tire pattern, the step of comparing the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance with the generated tire pattern, and the step of identifying the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle, and the above-mentioned The step of determining the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate and the step of determining the vehicle type are executed.

According to the vehicle type discriminating device, the vehicle type discriminating method, and the program according to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately discriminate the vehicle type of the vehicle regardless of the presence or absence of towing.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the vehicle type discrimination system which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the vehicle type discriminating device which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing of the vehicle type discrimination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the reference data which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the additional data which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the vehicle type discrimination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this disclosure.

Hereinafter, the vehicle type determination system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle type discrimination system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The vehicle type determination system 1 according to the present embodiment is provided at, for example, an entrance tollhouse or an exit tollhouse of a toll road, and determines the vehicle type of a passing vehicle. In the present embodiment, an embodiment in which the vehicle type determination system 1 is provided at the exit tollhouse will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the exit tollhouse has a lane L leading from the toll road to the general road. Each device constituting the vehicle type determination system 1 is installed on the lane L or islands laid on both sides of the lane L, and determines the vehicle type of the vehicle A traveling in the lane L.

In the following description, the direction in which the lane L extends (± X direction in FIG. 1) is described as the "lane direction", and the toll road side (-X side in FIG. 1) of the lane L is referred to as the "upstream side". The road side (+ X side in FIG. 1) is described as "downstream side". Further, the width direction of the lane L (± Y direction in FIG. 1) is described as the “lane width direction”, and the vertical direction of the vehicle A (± Z direction in FIG. 1) is described as the “height direction”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle type discrimination system 1 includes a vehicle type discrimination device 10, a vehicle detector 11, a tire detection sensor 12, and a license plate reading device 13.

The vehicle type determination device 10 is installed on the island I. The vehicle type discrimination device 10 acquires sensor information regarding the vehicle A traveling in the lane L from various sensors (vehicle detector 11, tread plate 12, license plate reading device 13) of the vehicle type discrimination system 1, and the vehicle type of the vehicle A. To determine.

The vehicle detector 11 is installed on the most upstream side (−X side) in the lane direction, and detects the approach and passage of the vehicle A traveling in the lane L. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the vehicle detector 11 extends in the height direction (± Z direction) on the island I, and has a light emitting tower and a light receiving tower corresponding to each other across the lane L. It is a sensor. The vehicle detector 11 is a vehicle detection signal (sensor) capable of detecting the approach and passage (existence and non-existence) of the vehicle A based on whether or not the detection light projected from the light projecting tower is received by the light receiving tower. Information) is output to the vehicle type determination device 10. In another embodiment, the vehicle detector 11 may be a reflection type optical sensor.

The tire detection sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting the tire of the vehicle A traveling in the lane L. In this embodiment, an embodiment in which the tire detection sensor 12 is a tread plate will be described as an example. The tire detection sensor 12 is embedded in the road surface of the lane L so as to extend in the lane width direction (± Y direction) at the same position as the installation position of the vehicle detector 11 in the lane direction (± X direction). The tire detection sensor 12 outputs a stepping detection signal (sensor information) corresponding to the stepping by the tire of the vehicle A to the vehicle type determination device 10 through the internal energization sensor.

The license plate reading device 13 (hereinafter, also referred to as “NP reading device”) is installed on the island I on the downstream side (+ X side) in the lane direction from the vehicle detector 11. The NP reading device 13 captures an image including the license plate of the vehicle A at the timing when the vehicle detector 11 detects the entry of the vehicle A into the lane L. The NP reading device 13 acquires the license plate information (sensor information) of the vehicle A by performing predetermined image processing on the captured image. The license plate information includes the size, color, license plate number, etc. of the license plate.

Further, the vehicle type determined by the vehicle type determination device 10 is transmitted to the toll machine 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the toll machine 20 is installed in a manned booth B located on the downstream side (+ X side) in the lane direction from the vehicle type determination system 1 to support the collection of tolls by the toll collector. Is. The toll machine 20 calculates the toll for vehicle A based on the vehicle type received from the vehicle type determination device 10.

(Functional configuration of vehicle type discrimination device)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a vehicle type discriminating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle type determination device 10 includes a CPU 100 and a storage medium 110.

The CPU 100 is a processor that controls the entire operation of the vehicle type determination device 10, and functions as a tire pattern generation unit 101, a candidate identification unit 102, a vehicle type determination unit 103, and a reference data update unit 104 by operating according to a predetermined program.

The tire pattern generation unit 101 generates a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle A based on sensor information (stepping detection signal) capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle A.

The candidate identification unit 102 compares the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in the storage medium 110 in advance with the generated tire pattern, and compares the generated tire pattern with the vehicle type candidate of the vehicle A (hereinafter, “first vehicle type candidate”). ”) Is specified.

The vehicle type determination unit 103 determines the vehicle type of the vehicle A based on the first vehicle type candidate.

The reference data updating unit 104 acquires the vehicle type of the vehicle A designated through the toll machine 20, and adds additional data associating the generated tire pattern with the designated vehicle type to the reference data.

The storage medium 110 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Reference data is stored in the storage medium 110 in advance. In addition, various data acquired or generated by the vehicle type discriminating device are sequentially stored in the storage medium 110.

(Processing flow of vehicle type discrimination device)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the vehicle type discriminating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
Hereinafter, the flow of the process in which the vehicle type determination device 10 determines the vehicle type of the vehicle A will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tire pattern generation unit 101 of the vehicle type determination device 10 receives a vehicle detection signal indicating that the vehicle A has entered the lane L from the vehicle detector 11 (step S01). Then, the tire pattern generation unit 101 generates a tire pattern of the vehicle A based on the trampling detection signal received from the tire detection sensor 12 while the vehicle detector 11 detects the presence of the vehicle A (step S02). ).

The trampling detection signal includes a signal indicating the presence or absence of trampling by the tire of the vehicle A (a signal indicating the axle), a signal indicating the trampling position on the tire detection sensor 12 in the lane width direction (± Y direction in FIG. 1), and a tire width. Includes a signal indicating. The tire pattern generation unit 101 counts signals indicating the axles and specifies the axis positions (first axis, second axis, ...) Of the vehicle A. Further, the tire pattern generation unit 101 specifies the number of tires (the number of continuous tires) provided at one end of each axis of the vehicle A based on the signal indicating the tire width. The tire pattern generation unit 101 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a single tire (number of continuous tires = 1) when the tire width is less than the reference value, and a double tire (number of continuous tires = 2) when the tire width is equal to or more than the reference value. Identify as being. In another embodiment, the tire pattern generation unit 101 may further specify that three tires are continuously provided. For example, the tire pattern generation unit 101 specifies that the number of continuous tires is "3" when the tire width is equal to or larger than the second reference value (maximum width of the double tire).

Then, the tire pattern generation unit 101 generates a tire pattern indicating whether the tire for each axle of the vehicle A is a single tire or a double tire. The tire pattern is represented by, for example, a character string in which "S" indicating a single tire and "D" indicating a double tire are arranged in order from the first axis. Specifically, the tire pattern of a vehicle in which a single tire is attached to the first axis and a double tire is attached to the second axis is "SD". Similarly, if a two-axle vehicle with single tires on the first and second axles is towing a one-axle towed vehicle with double tires, the tire pattern for this vehicle will be. It becomes "SSD".

Next, the candidate identification unit 102 compares the generated tire pattern with the reference data D1 (FIG. 4) associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance in the storage medium 110, and the generated tire pattern. It is determined whether there is reference data that matches with (step S03).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of reference data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 4, the reference data D1 is data that lists which tire pattern each of a plurality of vehicle types (for example, vehicle types 1 to 5) can take. The part marked "corresponding" in the reference data D1 indicates that the combination of the tire pattern and the vehicle type exists. The part where "-" is entered in the reference data D1 indicates that the combination of the tire pattern and the vehicle type does not exist (not applicable). Further, the reference data D1 includes both a combination of tire patterns and vehicle types of the towing vehicle (vehicle and towed vehicle) and a combination of tire patterns and vehicle types of the vehicle not being towed.

Reference data D1 may include data indicating an abnormal tire pattern. For example, it is assumed that there is no vehicle whose tire pattern is "SDSD" or "DSSS". In this case, for these tire patterns, even if "abnormality" indicating that an abnormality (erroneous detection, failure, etc.) of the vehicle type determination system 1 has occurred is input instead of the information indicating whether the vehicle type is applicable or not. good. The data showing the abnormal tire pattern further includes the probable cause of the abnormality (failure to separate the preceding vehicle / following vehicle by the vehicle detector 11, erroneous detection of the single tire / double tire by the tire detection sensor 12, etc.). It may be.

The reference data D1 may be created by the recipient or the like by inputting the tire pattern and the vehicle type, or may be created based on the statistical data of the combination of the tire pattern and the vehicle type detected in the past. It may be a tire.

When data matching the generated tire pattern exists in the reference data D1 (step S03: YES), the candidate identification unit 102 refers to this data and has a vehicle model candidate that matches the generated tire pattern. Whether or not it is further determined (step S04).

For example, suppose that the generated tire pattern is "SS" (the first to second axes are single tires). The reference data D1 contains data that matches the generated tire pattern “SS” (step S03: YES). In addition, there are four vehicle types (vehicle types with "corresponding" entered) that apply to this tire pattern "SS": "vehicle type 2", "vehicle type 3", "vehicle type 4", and "vehicle type 5". (Step S04: YES). In this case, the candidate identification unit 102 identifies these four vehicle types as the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle A (step S05).

Next, the vehicle type determination unit 103 determines whether or not there is only one first vehicle type candidate specified by the candidate identification unit 102 (step S06). When there is only one first vehicle model candidate (step S06: YES), the vehicle model determination unit 103 identifies the first vehicle model candidate as the vehicle model of vehicle A (step S07). In the example of FIG. 4, when the tire pattern of the vehicle A is "SDDDDD" (the first axis is a single tire, the second axis to the fifth axis is a double tire), the candidate identification unit 102 determines this vehicle in step S03. The first vehicle type candidate of A is specified as "vehicle type 1". Then, since there is only one "vehicle type 1" as the first vehicle type candidate (step S06: YES), the vehicle type determination unit 103 identifies the vehicle type of this vehicle A as the "vehicle type 1" of the first vehicle type candidate. (Step S07).

On the other hand, when the vehicle type determination unit 103 includes a plurality of vehicle types in the first vehicle type candidate (step S06: NO), the vehicle type determination unit 103 further narrows down the vehicle type candidates of the vehicle A (step S09).

For example, the tread width of a vehicle differs in the range of values that can be taken for each vehicle type. Therefore, the vehicle type determination unit 103 measures the tread width of the vehicle A based on the trampling signal received from the tire detection sensor 12, and identifies the vehicle type corresponding to the measured tread width as the second vehicle type candidate. For example, if the measured tread width is included in the tread width range of "Vehicle type 4" and "Vehicle type 5" and is not included in the tread width range of "Vehicle type 1" to "Vehicle type 3", the vehicle type determination unit 103 specifies "vehicle type 4" and "vehicle type 5" as the second vehicle type candidate. Then, the vehicle type determination unit 103 narrows down the vehicle type candidates by excluding the vehicle types that are not included in the second vehicle type candidate from the vehicle types included in the first vehicle type candidate. The vehicle type determination unit 103 may use a sensor other than the tire detection sensor 12, such as specifying the tread width of the vehicle A based on a signal obtained by measuring with a distance meter (not shown) from the left and right of the lane. good.

In addition, it is possible to narrow down vehicle model candidates based on license plate information. The vehicle type determination unit 103 identifies a vehicle type that applies to the license plate information received from the NP reading device 13 as a third vehicle type candidate. Then, the vehicle type determination unit 103 narrows down the vehicle type candidates by excluding the vehicle types that are not included in the third vehicle type candidate from the vehicle types included in the first vehicle type candidate.

The vehicle type determination unit 103 may narrow down the vehicle type candidates based on either the tread width or the license plate information, or if one of the vehicle type candidates cannot be specified as one, the vehicle type is based on both. You may narrow down the candidates. When the vehicle type determination unit 103 narrows down the vehicle type candidate of the vehicle A to only one in this way, the vehicle type candidate identifies this vehicle type candidate as the vehicle type of the vehicle A (step S07).

Next, when the vehicle type of the vehicle A is specified, the vehicle type determination unit 103 transmits the specified vehicle type to the toll machine 20 as a vehicle type determination result (step S08). The toll machine 20 calculates the toll of the vehicle A based on the vehicle type received from the vehicle type determination device 10.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the generated tire pattern is "SDSD". In the example of FIG. 4, such a tire pattern exists in the reference data D1 (step S03: YES), but there is no applicable vehicle type (step S04: NO), and it is shown to be abnormal. In this case, the candidate identification unit 102 notifies the toll machine 20 that an abnormality has occurred in the detection of the tire pattern (step S10), and requests the toll machine 20 to specify the vehicle type of the vehicle A (step S10). Step S11). As a result, the vehicle type determination device 10 can notify the collection person of the abnormality of the vehicle type determination system 1, and also calculates the toll for the toll machine 20 based on the vehicle type of the vehicle A designated by the collection person. Can be prompted to do the processing.

Further, when the generated tire pattern does not exist in the reference data D1 (step S03: NO), the candidate identification unit 102 requests the toll machine 20 to specify the vehicle type of the vehicle A (step S12). .. Then, the collector stationed at the manned booth B visually observes the vehicle A to identify the vehicle type, and performs an operation of identifying the vehicle type of the vehicle A through the toll machine 20. The toll machine 20 calculates tolls and the like based on the vehicle type designated by the collector.

Further, the vehicle type designated by the collector is transmitted to the vehicle type determination device 10 through the toll machine 20. When the reference data update unit 104 of the vehicle type determination device 10 receives the vehicle type specified from the toll machine 20, it stores it in the storage medium 110 as additional data D2 (FIG. 5) in association with the tire pattern generated in step S02. (Step S13).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of additional data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
For example, it is assumed that the tire pattern "SSDD" (single tires on the 1st to 2nd axes and double tires on the 3rd to 4th axes) does not exist in the reference data D1. As in the example of FIG. 5, the tire pattern "SSDD" is a case of "a towing vehicle (2 axes) that pulls a towed vehicle (2 axes) and corresponds to vehicle type 3", and "one vehicle (4)". There may be multiple cases, such as the case of "axis) and corresponds to vehicle type 2. Therefore, when the reference data update unit 104 generates a new tire pattern “SSDD” that does not exist in the reference data D1 (step S03: NO), the reference data update unit 104 passes through the new tire pattern “SSDD” and the toll machine 20. The additional data D2 associated with the vehicle type (“vehicle type 3”, “vehicle type 2”) designated by the recipient is stored and stored in the storage medium 110. Further, when the additional data D2 related to the new tire pattern "SSDD" is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more, the reference data updating unit 104 combines the tire pattern "SSDD" with the applicable / non-applicable data of each vehicle model. Is added to the reference data D1. In this way, the reference data update unit 104 can further enhance the contents of the reference data D1.

(Hardware configuration of vehicle type discrimination device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vehicle type discriminating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the vehicle type discriminating device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The computer 900 includes a processor 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and an interface 904.

The vehicle type determination device 10 described above is mounted on one or more computers 900. The operation of each of the above-mentioned functional units is stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The processor 901 reads a program from the auxiliary storage device 903, deploys it to the main storage device 902, and executes the above processing according to the program. Further, the processor 901 secures a storage area corresponding to each of the above-mentioned storage units in the main storage device 902 according to the program. Examples of the processor 901 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), a microprocessor, and the like.

The program may be intended to realize some of the functions exerted by the computer 900. For example, the program may exert its function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903, or in combination with another program mounted on the other device. In another embodiment, the computer 900 may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or in place of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor 901 may be realized by the integrated circuit. Such integrated circuits are also included as an example of a processor.

Examples of the auxiliary storage device 903 include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic disk, optical magnetic disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only). Memory), semiconductor memory and the like. The auxiliary storage device 903 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 900, or an external storage device 910 connected to the computer 900 via the interface 904 or a communication line. When this program is distributed to the computer 900 via a communication line, the distributed computer 900 may expand the program to the main storage device 902 and execute the above processing. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 903 is a non-temporary tangible storage medium.

Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions.
Further, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that realizes the above-mentioned function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903.

(Action, effect)
As described above, the vehicle type determination device 10 according to the present embodiment identifies and identifies the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle A by comparing the reference data D1 with the tire pattern generated based on the trampling detection signal. The vehicle type of vehicle A is specified based on the first vehicle type candidate. By doing so, the vehicle type determination device 10 can identify a vehicle type candidate applicable to the vehicle A from the tire pattern of the vehicle A and the reference data D1 regardless of the presence or absence of towing. As a result, the vehicle type discriminating device 10 can accurately discriminate the vehicle type of the vehicle A without performing a complicated process of detecting the presence or absence of traction.

Further, the vehicle type determination device 10 determines the vehicle type of the vehicle by excluding the vehicle types that are not included in the second vehicle type candidate specified from the tread width of the vehicle A from the first vehicle type candidates. As a result, the vehicle type determination device 10 can further narrow down the vehicle type candidates from the tread width and specify the vehicle type of the vehicle A even if the vehicle type cannot be narrowed down to one vehicle type from the tire pattern.

Further, the vehicle type determination device 10 determines the vehicle type of the vehicle by excluding the vehicle types that are not included in the third vehicle type candidate specified from the license plate information of the vehicle A from the first vehicle type candidates. As a result, the vehicle type determination device 10 can further narrow down the vehicle type candidates from the license plate information and specify the vehicle type of the vehicle A even if the vehicle type cannot be narrowed down to one vehicle type from the tire pattern.

Further, when the reference data D1 matching the generated tire pattern indicates an abnormality, the vehicle type determination device 10 notifies the toll machine 20 that an abnormality has occurred in the detection of the tire pattern. As a result, the vehicle type determination device 10 can promptly make the recipient recognize the abnormality of the various sensor devices of the vehicle type determination system 1.

Further, the vehicle type determination device 10 requests the toll machine 20 to specify the vehicle type of the vehicle A when the reference data D1 that matches the generated tire pattern does not exist. As a result, when a new tire pattern that does not exist in the reference data D1 is detected, the vehicle type determination device 10 can urge the collector to specify an appropriate vehicle type through the toll machine 20.

Further, the vehicle type determination device 10 acquires the vehicle type of the vehicle A designated through the toll machine 20, and adds additional data D2 associating the generated tire pattern with the designated vehicle type to the reference data D1. An update unit 104 is further provided. As a result, even when the vehicle type determination device 10 detects a tire pattern that does not exist in the reference data D1, a new tire pattern is added to the reference data based on the vehicle type specified by the recipient, and the subsequent vehicle types. It can be used for discrimination processing.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, they are not limited to these as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of the present invention, and some design changes and the like are possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mode in which the tire detection sensor 12 is a tread plate has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the tire detection sensor 12 may be a non-contact sensor such as a camera or a laser scanner. In this case, the tire detection sensor 12 outputs an image of the tire of the vehicle A or a scan result of the tire of the vehicle A by the laser beam to the vehicle type determination device 10 as sensor information.

When the tire detection sensor 12 is a camera, the tire pattern generation unit 101 of the vehicle type determination device 10 performs predetermined image processing on the image received from the tire detection sensor 12 to determine the number of axles of the vehicle A and each of them. Detects the number of tires installed on one end side of the axle (single tire / double tire). When the tire detection sensor 12 is a laser scanner, the tire pattern generation unit 101 is provided on the number of axles of the vehicle A and one end side of each axle based on the shape of the tire and / or the wheel obtained from the scan result. Detects the number of tires installed in a row.

<Additional notes>
The vehicle type discriminating device, the vehicle type discriminating method, and the program described in the above-described embodiment are grasped as follows, for example.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle type discriminating device (10) indicates the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle. The first tire pattern of the vehicle is compared with the tire pattern generation unit (101) that generates the tire pattern, the reference data (D1) that associates the tire pattern and the vehicle type that are stored in advance, and the generated tire pattern. A candidate identification unit (102) for specifying a vehicle type candidate and a vehicle type determination unit (103) for determining a vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate are provided.

By doing so, the vehicle type determination device can identify the vehicle type candidate applicable to the vehicle from the tire pattern and the reference data of the vehicle regardless of the presence or absence of towing. As a result, the vehicle type discriminating device can accurately discriminate the vehicle type of the vehicle without performing a complicated process of detecting the presence or absence of towing.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the vehicle type determination device (10) according to the first aspect, the vehicle type determination unit (103) measures the tread width of the vehicle and among the first vehicle type candidates. , The vehicle type of the vehicle is determined by excluding the vehicle type not included in the second vehicle type candidate specified from the tread width.

As a result, even if the vehicle type discriminating device cannot narrow down the vehicle type from the tire pattern to one vehicle type, the vehicle type can be further narrowed down from the tread width to specify the vehicle type of the vehicle. Since the tread width can be measured from each axle of the vehicle, the timing that can be acquired depends on the number of axles. Therefore, it is possible to obtain many timings at which the vehicle type of the vehicle can be specified.

According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the vehicle type determination device (10) according to the first or second aspect, the vehicle type determination unit (103) is referred to from the license plate reading device (13) to the license plate of the vehicle. The information is acquired, and the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined by excluding the vehicle types that are not included in the third vehicle type candidate specified from the license plate information from the first vehicle type candidates.

As a result, even if the vehicle type discriminating device cannot narrow down the vehicle type from the tire pattern to one vehicle type, the vehicle type can be further narrowed down from the license plate information to specify the vehicle type of the vehicle. The license plate information can be obtained from information in a range narrower than the outer shape of the vehicle (entire vehicle body) on which the license plate is provided. Therefore, since it is sufficient to acquire limited information about the license plate area, it is less likely that the acquisition will fail as compared with the case of acquiring a wide range of information such as the outer shape of the vehicle. As a result, there is a high possibility that information for further narrowing down the vehicle type candidates can be obtained, and the possibility that the vehicle type of the vehicle can be specified can be increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the vehicle type determination device (10) according to any one of the first to third aspects, the candidate identification unit (102) matches the generated tire pattern. If the reference data indicates an abnormality, the tire pattern detection is notified that an abnormality has occurred.

As a result, the vehicle type discriminating device can promptly make the recipient recognize the abnormality of various sensor devices.

According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the vehicle type determination device (10) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the candidate identification unit (102) matches the generated tire pattern. If the reference data does not exist, the designation of the vehicle type of the vehicle is requested.

As a result, when a new tire pattern that does not exist in the reference data is detected, the vehicle type determination device can prompt the recipient to specify an appropriate vehicle type.

According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle type determination device (10) according to the fifth aspect acquires the vehicle type of the designated vehicle, and obtains the generated tire pattern and the designated vehicle type. A reference data update unit (104) for adding the associated additional data to the reference data is further provided.

As a result, even if the vehicle type determination device detects a tire pattern that does not exist in the reference data, a new tire pattern is added to the reference data based on the vehicle type specified by the recipient, and the subsequent vehicle type determination process is performed. Can be used for.

According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle type determination method determines whether the tire for each axle of the vehicle is a single tire or a double tire based on the sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tire of the vehicle. A step of generating the indicated tire pattern, a step of comparing the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance with the generated tire pattern, and a step of identifying the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle. It has a step of determining a vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate.

According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the program uses the computer (900) of the vehicle type determination device (10) to display the tires for each axle of the vehicle based on the sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle. The vehicle is compared with a step of generating a tire pattern indicating whether it is a single tire or a double tire, reference data associated with a tire pattern and a vehicle type stored in advance, and the generated tire pattern. The step of specifying the first vehicle type candidate and the step of determining the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate are executed.

1 Vehicle type discrimination system 10 Vehicle type discrimination device 100 CPU
101 Tire pattern generation unit 102 Candidate identification unit 103 Vehicle type determination unit 104 Reference data update unit 110 Storage medium 11 Vehicle detector 12 Tire detection sensor 13 License plate reader (NP reader)
20 Toll Machine 900 Computer

Claims (8)

A tire pattern generation unit that generates a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle.
A candidate identification unit that identifies the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle by comparing the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance with the generated tire pattern.
A vehicle type determination unit that determines the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate,
Vehicle type discrimination device equipped with. The vehicle type determination unit
Measure the tread width of the vehicle and
Among the first vehicle type candidates, a vehicle type that is not included in the second vehicle type candidate specified from the tread width is excluded, and the vehicle type of the vehicle is determined.
The vehicle type discriminating device according to claim 1. The vehicle type determination unit
Obtain the license plate information of the vehicle from the license plate reader,
Among the first vehicle model candidates, a vehicle model that is not included in the third vehicle model candidate specified from the license plate information is excluded, and the vehicle model of the vehicle is determined.
The vehicle type discriminating device according to claim 1 or 2. When the reference data matching the generated tire pattern indicates an abnormality, the candidate identification unit notifies that an abnormality has occurred in the detection of the tire pattern.
The vehicle type discriminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The candidate identification unit requests the designation of the vehicle type of the vehicle when the reference data matching the generated tire pattern does not exist.
The vehicle type discriminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It further includes a reference data update unit that acquires the vehicle type of the designated vehicle and adds the generated tire pattern and additional data associated with the specified vehicle type to the reference data.
The vehicle type discriminating device according to claim 5. A step of generating a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle, and a step of generating a tire pattern.
A step of comparing the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance with the generated tire pattern to identify the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle, and
A step of determining the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate,
Vehicle type determination method having. A step of generating a tire pattern indicating the number of tires provided at one end of each axle of the vehicle based on sensor information capable of detecting the characteristics of the tires of the vehicle, and a step of generating a tire pattern.
A step of comparing the reference data associated with the tire pattern and the vehicle type stored in advance with the generated tire pattern to identify the first vehicle type candidate of the vehicle, and
A step of determining the vehicle type of the vehicle based on the first vehicle type candidate,
Is a program that causes the computer of the vehicle type determination device to execute.

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