JP2022138757A - Vehicle number collation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle number collation device capable of detecting on an early stage whether or not a specific vehicle is present around an own vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle number collation device 10 comprises imaging units 11 and 12, an extraction unit 13, a storage unit 14, a determination unit 15, a notification unit 16 and license plate information collation means. The license plate information collation means includes the steps of: (a) extracting license plate information of another vehicle by means of the extraction unit 13 based on image data of the other vehicle imaged by the imaging units 11 and 12; (b) determining by means of the determination unit 15 whether or not the extracted license plate information of the other vehicle coincides with license plate information of a specific vehicle stored in the storage unit 14; and (c) notifying a passenger by means of the notification unit 16 in a case where the license plate information of the other vehicle coincides with the license plate information of the specific vehicle in the step (b).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The technology disclosed in the present application relates to a vehicle number verification device, and more particularly to a vehicle number verification device capable of detecting specific vehicles around the own vehicle during travel.

A running own vehicle may be extremely close to another vehicle. Such an act corresponds to dangerous driving, which is referred to as inciting driving or the like. When an accident occurs due to this dangerous driving, the image data recorded in the drive recorder installed in the vehicle is used as evidence of the cause of the accident.

For example, in Patent Literature 1, a recording unit that captures images of the surroundings of the own vehicle, a determination unit that determines whether or not the own vehicle is being driven while driving, and a normal An image recording apparatus is disclosed that includes a control unit that instructs a recording unit to shoot with a higher image quality than the image quality.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-140403

In Patent Document 1, although high-quality image data can be provided as evidence of the cause of an accident, no consideration is given to means for detecting a vehicle that is driving dangerously, such as backtracking. If it is possible to detect in advance that a vehicle with a high possibility of dangerous driving exists near the own vehicle, it is possible to take measures such as moving away from the vehicle.

A main object of the present application is to provide a device capable of early detection of whether or not a specific vehicle, such as a vehicle driving dangerously, exists around the own vehicle. Also, it would be more preferable if such a device could be used for purposes other than dangerous driving. Other problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

A vehicle number verification device according to one embodiment includes an imaging unit for capturing images of other vehicles traveling around the own vehicle as image data, an extraction unit for extracting license plate information of the other vehicles, and a specific vehicle. a storage unit for accumulating the license plate information of the specific vehicle, a determination unit for determining whether the license plate information of the specific vehicle is acceptable, a notification unit for notifying the passenger of the own vehicle, and license plate information and a matching means. The license plate information matching means includes (a) extracting the license plate information of the other vehicle by the extraction unit based on the image data of the other vehicle captured by the imaging unit; (c) the step (b) of determining, by the determination unit, whether or not the obtained license plate information of the other vehicle matches the license plate information of the specific vehicle stored in the storage unit; a step of notifying passengers of the own vehicle by the notifying unit when the license plate information of the other vehicle matches the license plate information of the specific vehicle.

According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide a vehicle number verification device capable of early detection of whether or not a specific vehicle exists around the own vehicle.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle number verification device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 1 is a front view showing a license plate in Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a license plate information collating means in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flow chart of a license plate information collation means in a modification. 4 is a flow chart of registration means for license plate information in Embodiments 1 to 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail based on the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings for describing the embodiments, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. Also, in the following embodiments, the description of the same or similar parts will not be repeated in principle unless particularly necessary.

(Embodiment 1)
<Configuration of vehicle number verification device>
A vehicle number verification device 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

The vehicle number verification device 10 detects the specific vehicle by verifying the license plate information of other vehicles traveling around the own vehicle with the license plate information of the specific vehicle accumulated in the vehicle number verification device 10 in advance. It is a device for notifying passengers of the presence of a specific vehicle. It should be noted that the "passenger" described in the present application includes not only the driver who actually drives the vehicle, but also fellow passengers riding in the same vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle number verification device 10 includes an imaging section 11 , an imaging section 12 , an extraction section 13 , an accumulation section 14 , a determination section 15 , a notification section 16 , a control section 17 and an operation section 30 . The imaging unit 11, the imaging unit 12, the extraction unit 13, the storage unit 14, the determination unit 15, the notification unit 16, the control unit 17, and the operation unit 30 are electrically connected to each other and can transmit electric signals to each other.

The imaging unit 11 is a camera provided on the front side of the own vehicle, and the imaging unit 12 is a camera provided on the rear side of the own vehicle. The image capturing unit 11 and the image capturing unit 12 are provided to capture images of other vehicles traveling around the own vehicle as image data.

The extraction unit 13 is provided to extract license plate information of other vehicles. The accumulation unit 14 is provided to accumulate license plate information of a specific vehicle. The determination unit 15 is provided to determine whether or not the license plate information of the specific vehicle is acceptable. The notification unit 16 is provided to notify the passengers of the own vehicle.

The control unit 17 is provided to control operations performed by the imaging unit 11 , the imaging unit 12 , the extraction unit 13 , the accumulation unit 14 , the determination unit 15 , the notification unit 16 and the operation unit 30 . The control unit 17 issues an instruction to a unit that should operate in a predetermined step in a flow chart such as that shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The extraction unit 13, the determination unit 15, the notification unit 16, and the control unit 17 are configured by a semiconductor chip having a CPU, for example. The storage unit 14 is configured by a storage medium such as flash memory or hard disk.

The license plate information is information included in the license plate 20 shown in FIG. Such license plates 20 are usually provided on the front and rear sides of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the operation unit 30. As shown in FIG. The operation unit 30 includes a display device 31 for displaying the other vehicle imaged by the imaging unit 11 or 12 together with the surrounding scenery. Here, a case is illustrated in which a plurality of other vehicles traveling in front of the own vehicle are displayed on the display device 31 . The display device 31 is configured by, for example, a touch panel having a position input function for recognizing a position input by pressing the panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

Further, the operation unit 30 has a specific function for a passenger of the own vehicle to specify another vehicle as a specific vehicle. do. Further, the operation unit 30 has a speech recognition device 31 and a receiving device 32 mounted inside the vehicle number verification device 10, and these devices will be described later in another embodiment.

<Method for matching license plate information>
Referring to FIG. 4, the license plate information checking means provided in the vehicle number checking device 10 will be described below. The license plate information matching means has the following steps S1 to S20.

First, in step S1, the passenger starts driving the own vehicle. Next, in step S2, when the passenger starts driving and the engine is started, the vehicle number verification device 10 is activated, and the imaging units 11 and 12 are automatically activated. As another activation means, the passenger may arbitrarily activate the vehicle number verification device 10 .

After step S2, as in steps S3 to S11, collation of the license plate information of the other vehicle is performed on the front side of the own vehicle, and in steps S12 to S20, the license plate information of the other vehicle is checked on the rear side of the own vehicle. Verification of plate information is performed. Here, steps S3 to S11 are performed first, and then steps S12 to S20 are performed. However, this order may be reversed or may be performed simultaneously.

In step S3, the image data of the other vehicle is captured by the imaging section 11 on the front side. Next, in step S4, the extraction unit 13 extracts the license plate information of the other vehicle based on the captured image data of the other vehicle. Next, in step S5, the license plate information of the specific vehicle accumulated in the accumulation unit 14 is read.

Next, in step S6, the determination unit 15 checks the registration numbers 21 of the license plate information of the other vehicle and the specific vehicle. Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the extracted license plate information (registration number 21) of the other vehicle matches the license plate information (registration number 21) of the specific vehicle stored in the storage unit. A determination is made by the unit 15 .

If the registration number 21 of the other vehicle matches the registration number 21 of the specific vehicle in step S7 (YES), the next step is step S8. If the registration numbers 21 do not match each other (NO), the collation work on the front side of the host vehicle is completed, and the next step is step S12.

In step S8, the determination unit 15 checks the type 22, registered area 23, and classification number 24 of the license plate information of the other vehicle and the specific vehicle. Next, in step S9, the license plate information (type 22, registered area 23, and classification number 24) of the extracted other vehicle is transferred to the license plate information (type 22, registered area 23) of the specific vehicle accumulated in the accumulation unit. and classification number 24).

If the type 22, registered area 23 and classification number 24 of the other vehicle match the type 22, registered area 23 and classification number 24 of the specific vehicle in step S9 (YES), the next step is step S10. If the registration numbers 21 do not match each other (NO), the collation work on the front side of the host vehicle is completed, and the next step is step S12.

In step S<b>10 , history data indicating that the specific vehicle has been encountered is accumulated in the accumulation unit 14 . This historical data includes date, time and location data of encounters, as well as image data and license plate information for the particular vehicle.

Next, in step S11, the notification unit 16 notifies the passengers of the own vehicle that the specific vehicle is present near the own vehicle. Examples of notification means include a method of sounding a sound or displaying a message on the display device 31 of the operation unit 30 .

Next, as in steps S12 to S20, collation of license plate information of other vehicles is performed on the rear side of the own vehicle. Since the contents of steps S12 to S20 are the same as steps S3 to S11 except that they are on the rear side of the host vehicle, description of steps S12 to S20 will be omitted. If the determination in step S16 is "NO", if the determination in step S18 is "NO", or if step S20 is completed, the next step is step S3.

As described above, in the vehicle number verification device 10 according to the first embodiment, the means for verifying the license plate information (steps S3 to S20) is repeated until the driving of the own vehicle is completed. matching is done automatically. Therefore, the passenger can quickly detect whether or not the specific vehicle exists around the own vehicle.

In addition, although the passenger can visually confirm the situation in front of the vehicle to some extent, it is difficult to confirm the situation behind the vehicle. If the situation behind the own vehicle can be confirmed by the imaging unit 12 like the vehicle number verification device 10, the safety during driving can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the two imaging units 11 and 12 are provided on the front side and the rear side of the own vehicle, but only one imaging unit is provided on the front side or the rear side of the own vehicle. may have been Even if only the specific vehicle on the front side or the rear side of the own vehicle is collated, it is possible to exhibit an effect for early detection of the specific vehicle. However, as described above, it is easier to improve safety while driving by being able to check the situation behind the own vehicle. is preferred.

Further, the vehicle number verification device 10 may be provided with three or more imaging units, and each imaging unit may be provided not only on the front side and rear side of the own vehicle, but also on the right side or left side. may By performing the collation means similar to steps S3 to S11 for three or more imaging units, it becomes easier to detect the specific vehicle at an early stage.

In addition, the vehicle number verification device 10 may be a single device separate from on-vehicle equipment such as a car navigation system, a drive recorder, or a car navigation system incorporating a drive recorder function, or may be a part of the on-vehicle equipment. may constitute In other words, part or all of each component included in the vehicle number verification device 10 may be incorporated in the vehicle-mounted device. For example, the imaging unit 11 and the imaging unit 12 may be replaced by cameras provided in the vehicle-mounted device, and the display device 31 may be replaced by a car navigation monitor.

Further, the specific vehicle is not limited to a vehicle that drives dangerously, and may be a family member's vehicle or a friend's vehicle. For example, if you can confirm that a friend's vehicle is near your own vehicle at a travel destination, you can reduce the possibility of leaving your friend. That is, the vehicle number verification device 10 can be used for various purposes, not limited to detection of vehicles driving dangerously.

<Modified Example of Verification Means for License Plate Information>
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the license plate information matching means.

5, steps S8, S9, S17 and S18 described in FIG. 4 are omitted. That is, in FIG. 5, collation of the type 22 of the other vehicle and the specific vehicle, the registered area 23, and the classification number 24 is omitted.

It may be difficult to extract all of the other vehicle's license plate information depending on the accuracy of the imaging unit 11 and the imaging unit 12, the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicle, or the weather around the own vehicle. . Therefore, in FIG. 5, only the registration number 21, which has a relatively large size, is used to collate the license plate information of the other vehicle and the specific vehicle. In other words, the determinations in steps 7 and S16 are made using information that is the easiest to extract by the extraction unit 13 and has the largest size among the license plate information.

In FIG. 5, as compared with FIG. 4, the matching of the type 22, the registered area 23, and the classification number 24 is omitted, so the accuracy of detecting the specific vehicle is lowered. In other words, there are cases where another vehicle that is not the specific vehicle is erroneously determined to be the specific vehicle. However, the other vehicle may actually be the specific vehicle. Also, even if an erroneous determination is made, the driver will drive carefully for a while, but after that, the erroneous determination can be noticed from the surrounding situation. Therefore, the means for collating license plate information in FIG. 5 can also contribute to early detection of a specific vehicle.

<License plate information registration method>
3 and 6, registration means for registering license plate information provided in the vehicle number verification device 10 will be described below. The license plate information registration means is means for registering a specific vehicle used in the license plate information collation means, and is performed mainly by the operation unit 30 .

As described above, the operation unit 30 of FIG. 3 has a specific function for the passenger to specify another vehicle as a specific vehicle. Although the specific function includes a plurality of functions, in Embodiment 1, the touch function is exemplified as the specific function. The touch function identifies the touched other vehicle as the specific vehicle when the passenger touches the other vehicle on the display device 31 .

The driving (ON) and non-driving (OFF) of the touch function are switched by the passenger pressing a touch function switching button 31 a provided in the operation unit 30 . Further, the touch function switching button 31a may be mechanically provided outside the display device 31, or may be provided on the display device 31 as a graphical user interface (GUI). Further, the switch button 31a for the touch function may not be provided, in which case the touch function is always driven in conjunction with the driving of the vehicle number verification device 10. FIG.

The license plate information registration means in Embodiment 1 has the following steps S21 to S23.

First, in step S21, the passenger uses the specific function (touch function) to identify the other vehicle as the specific vehicle. Here, among the plurality of other vehicles displayed on the display device 31, the other vehicle touched by the passenger is specified as the specific vehicle.

Next, steps S22 and S23 are performed to accumulate the license plate information of the other vehicle identified in step S21 in the accumulation unit 14 as the license plate information of the specific vehicle.

In step S22, the image data of the identified other vehicle is accumulated in the accumulation unit 14 as the image data of the specific vehicle. Next, in step S23, based on the specified image data of the other vehicle, the license plate information of the other vehicle is extracted by the extraction unit 13, and the extracted license plate information of the other vehicle is used as the license plate information of the specific vehicle. , and stored in the storage unit 14 . The license plate information described here is all the information included in the license plate 20 , including the registration number 21 , type 22 , registered area 23 and classification number 24 .

Thus, according to the license plate information registration means in Embodiment 1, the license plate information and image data of other vehicles can be registered in the accumulation unit 14 as the license plate information and image data of a specific vehicle.

Although the image data of the specific vehicle is not directly used in the license plate information matching means, the passenger can check the image data of the specific vehicle later to know the type and color of the specific vehicle. can.

(Embodiment 2)
The vehicle number verification device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. FIG. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of points that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the means for registering license plate information. In the second embodiment, a speech recognition function is exemplified as a specific function included in the operation unit 30. FIG. This speech recognition function uses the speech recognition device 32 shown in FIG.

In the voice recognition function, the passenger reads out the license plate information of the other vehicle, and the voice recognition device 32 recognizes the read-out license plate information of the other vehicle, thereby specifying the other vehicle as the specific vehicle.

The driving (ON) and non-driving (OFF) of the voice recognition function are switched by the passenger pressing a voice recognition function switching button 32 a provided in the operation unit 30 . Further, the voice recognition function switching button 32a may be mechanically provided outside the display device 31, or may be provided on the display device 31 as a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the voice recognition function switching button 32a may not be provided, and in that case, the voice recognition function is always driven in conjunction with the driving of the vehicle number verification device 10. FIG.

Moreover, both the voice recognition function of the second embodiment and the touch function of the first embodiment may be driven at the same time, or only one of them may be driven.

The license plate information registration means in the second embodiment has the following steps S24 and S25.

First, in step S24, the passenger uses the specific function (speech recognition function) to identify the other vehicle as the specific vehicle. For example, when the passenger utters a voice command such as "number registration" and then reads out the license plate information of another vehicle, the voice recognition device 32 recognizes the information read out after the voice command as that of the specific vehicle. recognized as license plate information.

Next, in step S25, the license plate information of the other vehicle identified in step S24 is accumulated in the accumulation unit 14 as the license plate information of the specific vehicle.

In this manner, the license plate information registration means in the second embodiment can also register the license plate information of other vehicles in the accumulation unit 14 as the license plate information of the specific vehicle. If only the license plate information of the specific vehicle is acquired, the registration means for license plate information ends at step S25, but if image data of the specific vehicle is also acquired, the following steps S26 to S29 are performed. .

In step S26, the image data of the other vehicle is imaged by the imaging unit 11 and the imaging unit 12. FIG. Next, in step S27, the extraction unit 13 extracts the license plate information of the other vehicle based on the captured image data of the other vehicle.

Next, in step S28, it is determined whether or not the extracted license plate information (registration number 21) of the other vehicle matches the license plate information (registration number 21) of the specific vehicle specified by the voice recognition function. A determination is made by the unit 15 .

In this situation, it is highly unlikely that a plurality of other vehicles having the same registration number 21 exist around the host vehicle. It does not have to be information, only the registration number 21 is sufficient. In other words, among the information contained in the license plate 20, the information that is most likely to be extracted by the extraction section 13 may be used.

If it is desired to specify a specific vehicle more reliably, not only the registration number 21 but also the type 22, the registered area 23 and the classification number 24 are extracted by the extraction unit 13, and then these and the voice recognition function are used to specify the vehicle. The determination unit 15 may determine whether or not the license plate information (registration number 21, type 22, registration area 23, and classification number 24) of the specific vehicle matches.

Next, in step S29, when the registration number 21 of the other vehicle matches the registration number 21 of the specific vehicle, the image data of the specific vehicle is accumulated in the accumulation unit 14. FIG. In this way, not only the license plate information of the specific vehicle, but also the image data of the specific vehicle can be acquired.

(Embodiment 3)
A vehicle number verification device 10 according to Embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. FIG. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of points that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in registration means for license plate information. In the third embodiment, a reception function is exemplified as a specific function included in the operation unit 30. FIG. This receiving function uses the receiving device 33 shown in FIG.

The receiving function specifies the other vehicle as a specific vehicle by the passenger transmitting the license plate information of the other vehicle input to the external terminal from the external terminal to the receiving device 33 . Note that the external terminal is, for example, a smart phone, a tablet, or a personal computer (PC). Transmission of information between the external terminal and the receiving device 33 is performed by wireless communication. As another means of communication, information may be transmitted between the external terminal and the receiving device 33 by wired communication.

Driving (ON) and non-driving (OFF) of the reception function can be switched by the passenger pressing a reception function switching button 33 a provided on the operation unit 30 . Further, the reception function switching button 33a may be mechanically provided outside the display device 31, or may be provided on the display device 31 as a graphical user interface (GUI). Further, the voice recognition function switching button 33a may not be provided, and in that case, the reception function is always driven in conjunction with the driving of the vehicle number verification device 10. FIG.

Further, among the reception function of the third embodiment, the speech recognition function of the second embodiment, and the touch function of the first embodiment, all of them may be driven at the same time, or two of them may be driven at the same time. Only one may be driven.

The registration means for license plate information in Embodiment 3 has the following steps S30 and S31.

First, in step S30, the passenger uses the specific function (receiving function) to identify the other vehicle as the specific vehicle. Passengers input the license plate information of other vehicles into the external terminal in advance. Then, when the passenger boards the own vehicle, the passenger transmits the license plate information of the other vehicle from the external terminal to the receiving device 33 . The receiving device 33 receives the transmitted license plate information of the other vehicle as the license plate information of the specific vehicle.

Next, in step S31, the license plate information of the other vehicle identified in step S30 is accumulated in the accumulation unit 14 as the license plate information of the specific vehicle.

In this manner, the license plate information registration means of the third embodiment can also register license plate information of other vehicles in the accumulation unit 14 as license plate information of a specific vehicle.

Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

10 Vehicle number verification device 11 Imaging unit 12 Imaging unit 13 Extracting unit 14 Accumulating unit 15 Judging unit 16 Reporting unit 17 Control unit 20 License plate 21 Registration number 22 Type 23 Registered area 24 Classification number 30 Operation unit 31 Display device 31a Touch function Switching button 32 Voice recognition device 32a Voice recognition function switching button 33 Receiving device 33a Receiving function switching button

Claims (7)

an imaging unit for imaging other vehicles traveling around the own vehicle as image data;
an extraction unit for extracting license plate information of the other vehicle;
an accumulation unit for accumulating license plate information of a specific vehicle;
a determination unit for determining whether the license plate information of the specific vehicle is acceptable;
a notification unit for notifying the passenger of the own vehicle;
means for verifying license plate information;
with
The means for collating the license plate information includes:
(a) a step of extracting the license plate information of the other vehicle by the extraction unit based on the image data of the other vehicle captured by the imaging unit;
(b) determining by the determination unit whether the extracted license plate information of the other vehicle matches the license plate information of the specific vehicle stored in the storage unit;
(c) a step of notifying the passenger by the notification unit when the license plate information of the other vehicle matches the license plate information of the specific vehicle in step (b);
A vehicle number verification device. In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 1,
The step (b) includes
(b1) determining by the determination unit whether the registration number of the other vehicle matches the registration number of the specific vehicle stored in the storage unit;
A vehicle number verification device comprising at least: In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 2,
The step (b) includes
(b2) In step (b1), if the registration number of the other vehicle matches the registration number of the specific vehicle, the registration area, classification number and type of the other vehicle are stored in the storage unit. Determining by the determination unit whether or not the registered area, classification number and type of the vehicle match;
A vehicle number verification device, further comprising: In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 1,
a display device for displaying the other vehicle imaged by the imaging unit, and an operation unit having a specific function for the passenger to specify the other vehicle as the specific vehicle;
registration means for license plate information;
further comprising
The means for registering the license plate information includes:
(d) identifying the other vehicle as the specific vehicle by the passenger using the specific function;
(e) accumulating the license plate information of the other vehicle identified in step (d) in the accumulation unit as the license plate information of the specific vehicle;
A vehicle number verification device. In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 4,
The specifying function includes a touch function for specifying the touched other vehicle as the specified vehicle when the passenger touches the other vehicle on the display device,
The step (e) includes
(e1) accumulating the identified image data of the other vehicle in the accumulation unit as the image data of the specific vehicle;
(e2) based on the specified image data of the other vehicle, the extracting unit extracts the license plate information of the other vehicle, and converts the extracted license plate information of the other vehicle to the license plate information of the specific vehicle; a step of accumulating in the accumulation unit as
Vehicle number verification device including. In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 4,
The operation unit has a voice recognition device,
The identification function identifies the other vehicle as the specific vehicle by having the passenger read out the license plate information of the other vehicle and the voice recognition device recognizing the read-out license plate information of the other vehicle. Vehicle number verification device including voice recognition function. In the vehicle number verification device according to claim 4,
The operation unit has a receiving device,
The identifying function is a receiving function of identifying the other vehicle as the specific vehicle by the passenger transmitting the license plate information of the other vehicle input to the external terminal from the external terminal to the receiving device. Vehicle number verification device including.

Images