JP2583753Y2 - Warning device for railroad crossings - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a warning display or a warning for a vehicle entering a crossing (crossing road) where a vehicle is not allowed to enter on a road on which the vehicle is not allowed to enter, and particularly when the vehicle is approaching a crossing that is being interrupted with a great danger of a violation. The present invention relates to a warning device for a railroad crossing for prompting a quick departure based on a voice alert.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among publicly used vehicle traveling roads,
Roads where vehicles are prohibited from entering are stipulated by legal regulations, and in addition to permanent no-entry roads, crossings that are being cut off (internal crossings) to wait for trains to pass are limited, Equivalent to. In particular, at railroad crossings that may lead to severe accidents, it is necessary to thoroughly prohibit vehicles from entering when an alarm sounds. However, there are some vehicle drivers who cross the railroad crossing recklessly even while the warning of the railroad crossing is sounding, which may lead to a railroad crossing accident. Even if the accident does not occur, the breaking rod, which is the railroad crossing facility, is frequently broken, and some countermeasures are required. It is not the fact.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects an illegally approaching vehicle to a railroad crossing on the spot by using image processing and is effective for a driver. A new warning device for railroad crossings that prompts a prompt departure by displaying a warning or giving an audio warning, which is effective in preventing accidents and ensuring safety at railroad crossings, and that can also be expected to prevent breakage of the breaking rod. It was made as.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first invention of the present application, a warning device for a level crossing, a sound detecting means for recognizing the sound of a level crossing alarm, and a T for imaging a level crossing crossing are provided.
A V-camera, a registration number recognizing circuit for processing a video signal from the TV camera at least during the alarm sounding time, detecting a vehicle entering the crossing, and identifying a registration number of the vehicle; Based on the output of the ringing detection means and the output of the registration number recognition circuit, when a vehicle in the crossing is detected within the alarm ringing time, the driver of the vehicle is prompted to leave the railroad crossing. A warning indicator for displaying a warning display including the registration number for, based on an output of the ringing detection means and an output of the registration number recognition circuit,
When a vehicle in the crossing is detected within the alarm sounding time, a warning alarm that emits a warning synthesized voice including the registration number for urging a driver of the vehicle to leave the crossing. And

[0005]

In the second invention of the present application, a warning device for a railroad crossing is provided with a ringing detecting means for recognizing the ringing of a railroad crossing alarm, a plurality of TV cameras for imaging a crossing of a railroad crossing, and at least within a ringing time of the alarm. The same number of registration number recognizing circuits for processing a video signal from the TV camera, detecting a vehicle entering the crossing, and identifying a registration number of the vehicle;
If any of the registration number recognition circuits detects a vehicle in a level crossing within the alarm sounding time, the registration number is included to prompt the driver of the vehicle to leave the level crossing. A warning indicator for displaying a warning display, a warning annunciator for uttering a warning synthesized voice including the registration number, a recording unit for recording a video signal including a vehicle in the railroad crossing, and a remote railroad crossing manager or the like. Reporting means for reporting the situation together with the identified registration number.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ringing detecting means detects the alarm ringing, the registration number recognition circuit processes the video signal of the level crossing from the TV camera and detects any vehicle that has entered the level crossing. After recognizing the registration number, a warning indicator is displayed to prompt the driver to leave the railroad crossing, and a warning indicator is used to prompt the driver to leave the railroad crossing.

[0008]

Further, in the second invention, when the ringing detecting means detects the alarm ringing, a plurality of registration number recognizing circuits process the video signal of the assigned area within the level crossing from the corresponding TV camera and take the level crossing as a whole. If there is a vehicle that has entered the crossing, it is detected and its registration number is recognized, and a warning indicator is displayed and a warning alarm is used to prompt the driver to leave the railroad crossing. At the same time, the recording means records a video signal including the vehicle in the level crossing, and the reporting means reports the situation to the remote level crossing manager or the like together with the identified registration number.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a warning device for level crossing according to the present invention. The illustrated device mainly includes a ringing detecting means 10 for recognizing the ringing of a railroad crossing alarm device, a TV camera (s) 20 for imaging a crossing of a railroad crossing, and following the TV camera 20, at least within a ringing alarm ringing time. A video signal from a TV camera is processed to detect a vehicle that has entered a crossing crossing, and a registration number recognition circuit 30 (of the same number) for recognizing a registration number of the vehicle, and the registration number recognition circuit within a ringing sounding time. If any of the vehicles in the crossing crossing is detected, to prompt the driver of the vehicle to leave from the crossing,
Warning indicator 4 for displaying a warning display including the registration number
0, and a warning signal 50 that also generates a warning synthesized voice including the registration number in order to urge the driver to leave the railroad crossing, and further includes a video signal or image including a vehicle inside the railroad crossing. (Data) recording means 60 and a notifying means 70 for notifying the railroad crossing manager (central device) of the presence of the vehicle together with the identified registration number. FIG. 1 shows a case where there is one TV camera and one corresponding registration number recognition circuit.

The above-mentioned components are arranged in the vicinity of the exit of the railroad crossing, for example, as shown in a perspective view of the railroad crossing RA in FIG.
That is, the TV camera 20 is fixed on the upper part of the support column PL which is erected on the road side near the end of the crossing RD of the crossing RA in the vehicle traffic direction, and looks down at the crossing RA, and enters there. An image including the vehicle registration number portion can be obtained by capturing an image of the front or rear surface of the exiting vehicle CR from above.
The sound sensing means 10 is provided at an appropriate position below the same support PL.
Vehicle number identification circuit 30, warning alarm 50, recording means 60
An appropriate housing BX containing the notification means 70 is fixed.

A warning indicator 40A is provided upright at an appropriate distance (for example, 5 m) from the end of the crossroads RA on the left side of the road following the crossroads RA. The warning indicator 40 may be provided at a position surely seen by the driver of the vehicle that has exited from the railroad crossing so as to reconfirm the violation. As shown by 40B in FIG. It may be provided on a pillar PL that supports the TV camera 20 or the like provided at the end. Of course, both warning indicators (40A, 40B) may be provided. Reference numeral 55 provided on the front surface (the side facing the railroad crossing) of the housing BX in FIG. 3 is a speaker constituting the warning alarm 50.

The warning indicators 40A and the like are provided on both roads following the railroad crossing (one warning indicator 4 in FIG. 2).
0A only). In the figure, WR indicates a well-known level crossing alarm, and BAR1, BAR1 ',...

1 will be described in more detail. The ringing detecting means 10 outputs an output during the ringing time of a level crossing alarm (horn) and is installed near the level crossing alarm. The sound sensing means 10 may directly input and use an electric signal for controlling the alarm, or may detect a sound emitted when the alarm sounds by a microphone, a vibration sensor, or the like, and perform appropriate processing. And a predetermined output may be obtained.

The TV camera 20 is, for example, a semiconductor camera using a CCD. As described above, the TV camera 20 is located near the end (entrance or exit) of the crossing of the railroad crossing above the ground surface via a column or the like near the side of the crossing. The inside of the railroad crossing including the crossing, which is fixed, is overlooked and imaged. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which only one TV camera is used. However, if the entire area to be monitored is handled by one TV camera, the resolution is insufficient and the identification of the vehicle number or the like is hindered. In such a case, it is possible to divide the monitoring area, use the plurality of TV cameras 20 to share and shoot each part, and perform a predetermined process for each video signal.

Alternatively, if one TV camera 20 addresses the above-mentioned resolution problem, a swinging mechanism for enlarging the imaging range of the camera and a desired portion near the license plate when the registration number is recognized after the vehicle is detected. A configuration having a zoom lens mechanism for enlarging may be employed. In addition, in the nighttime when the amount of light is insufficient and it is difficult to obtain a clear image, by projecting near-infrared illumination (not shown), a clear image from which a number can be recognized can be obtained.

The registration number recognition circuit 30 belongs to a so-called image processing apparatus, once digitizes a video signal obtained from the TV camera 20, processes this digital data, detects a vehicle within the imaging range, and detects a vehicle in the foreground or the rear. The license plate portion is extracted from the scenery, and the vehicle registration number of the vehicle (for simplification, only a four-digit number of a large typeface may be used) is recognized. The recognized registration number is transmitted to a warning indicator 40 (described later) near the railroad crossing. At the same time, the registration number is transmitted to the central device installed at the station or the police, and can be used for response measures and enforcement of control. Note that an image may be transmitted for this purpose.

One example of such a registration number recognition circuit 30 is as follows.
For example, the present applicant has already filed Japanese Patent Application No. 3-332552:
The application is filed as "License Plate Extraction Method", and in this specification, a block diagram of a suitable image processing circuit is disclosed together with an example of a license plate extraction method using image processing. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an image processing circuit equivalent to that disclosed in the above-mentioned application, that is, a registration number recognition circuit 30.

It should be noted that the detailed description of the circuit of FIG. 4 and the corresponding steps of the license plate extracting method have been sufficiently described in the specification of the above-mentioned application and will not be described here. Further, the identification of the individual constituent numbers of the registered vehicle number after the license plate is extracted is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-137874: "Numerical Recognition Method" by the present applicant, and the like. Is omitted.

The registration number recognizing circuit 30 may be configured to start processing by the operation of the ringing detecting means 10 as a connection denoted by (A) in FIG. 1, or to operate constantly (B) in FIG. Sound detection means 1 by connection marked with
A configuration in which the operation of 0 is transmitted to each unit may be employed.

The warning display unit 40 receives the registration number of the vehicle recognized by the registration number recognition circuit 30 and the output from the ringing detection means 10, and based on both outputs, that is, the alarm ringing time. When the registration number recognition circuit 30 detects a vehicle in a crossing crossing (if there is more than one), the driver of the vehicle is visually prompted to leave the crossing. Is a display portion for displaying a warning display on the display.

The warning display 40 is provided with a display control circuit 41
And a display drive circuit 42 and a display element 43 (light emitting diode) that follow in this order. The display control circuit 41 receives the output of the registration number recognition circuit 30 and the output of the ringing detecting means 10. The display control circuit 41 combines the registration number from the registration number recognition circuit 30 with a warning display for urging the driver of the vehicle to exit the railroad crossing and sends a corresponding output to the display drive circuit 42. I do. The display drive circuit 42 appropriately drives each of the light emitting diodes 43 arranged in a plane, and displays the contents of the warning together with the registration number.

As shown in FIG. 3, the warning indicator 40 is provided with a light emitting diode (LED) on the display surface facing the level crossing of a rectangular plate-shaped display portion which is supported by a pillar and is installed so as to protrude above the road. It consists of a planar array or the like, and firstly displays the registered vehicle number of the vehicle inside the railroad crossing clearly, and secondly displays a warning message for urging the driver to leave the railroad crossing.
Specifically, the display shows appropriate contents such as, for example, "car danger of Omiya 52so 67 * 0, exit immediately" or "exit Omiya 52so 67 * 0, while approaching train." Note that a plasma display or other appropriate display means can be used for display. In addition, a portion other than the vehicle number may be fixedly displayed.

The warning alarm 50 is a part for audibly prompting a driver of an illegally entering vehicle to leave the railroad crossing by synthesizing voice for the same purpose as that of the warning display, and is also an image. The registered vehicle number of the vehicle identified by the processing circuit 30 is input, and the output from the ringing detection means 10 is also input. Based on both outputs, any one of the vehicle number identification circuits within the railroad crossing alarm ringing time. Operates when it detects a vehicle in a level crossing, and prompts the vehicle to leave.

The warning alarm 50 of the embodiment comprises a voice control circuit 51, a voice synthesis circuit 52, a filter 53, a voice amplifier 54, and a speaker 55 which follow the voice control circuit 51 in this order. The voice control circuit 41 includes the registration number recognition circuit 30
And the output from the ringing detecting means 10 are input. When both the registration number (variable data) from the registration number recognition circuit 30 and the output of the ringing detecting means 10 are input, the voice control circuit 51 sends a voice utterance instruction to the voice synthesis circuit 52 together with the voice data. The voice synthesis circuit 52 generates a voice waveform output correspondingly. This audio waveform is filtered by a filter 53 to remove unnecessary harmonics and then output to an audio amplifier 54.
The power is amplified by the speaker 55, input to the speaker 55, converted into sound (sound wave), and emitted into the railroad crossing.

In the apparatus of the embodiment, since the voice synthesizing circuit 52 is used, the identified registered vehicle number (variable data) input to the voice control circuit 51 is reorganized into voice and the predetermined vehicle is set. Then, an output in which a warning voice (fixed data) for urging the driver to leave the inside of the railroad crossing is sent to the voice synthesis circuit 52. That is, the registration number of the actual offending vehicle is combined with the fixed voice data, and a warning sound including the reading out of the vehicle registration number is issued to thoroughly alert the vehicle driver. For example, " Omiya Go
・ N / S ・ Roku ・ Nana ・ ※ ・ Rei・ Ban no car ・ Please get out of the box immediately '', etc. Can be increased. In addition, since the alarm at the railroad crossing is sounding, it is difficult to distinguish it from a mere alarm sound other than the sound, and the sound can be distinguished for the first time, and the effect can be exhibited. Needless to say, a sound reproduced from a magnetic tape or the like may be used for the warning sound unit 70, and a corresponding effect can be expected.

Although the purpose of warning the illegal driver can be achieved by the above-described parts, in the present embodiment, in order to use the detection result more effectively, the violation fact is recorded. Is also connected. By taking a predetermined action on the basis of this record at a later date, it is possible to thoroughly prevent the violation. That is, the recording circuit 60 outputs the still image (ie, data) used for detection and vehicle number identification.
Is recorded as it is, and can be recorded only when a violation occurs, so that it can be used effectively and easily unlike the case where it is recorded constantly and casually. Instead of a still image, a video signal (waveform) after a violation is detected (or before and after using appropriate means) may be recorded for a predetermined time. In this case, date and time information obtained from an appropriate timer circuit is image-combined into a video signal and recorded.

The notifying means 70 transmits the still image or video signal to a related facility such as a central device of a remote level crossing manager instead of the site for the same purpose or for notifying the occurrence of a violation by a communication line. For sending over the Internet. The image recording circuit 60 or the notification means 7
The information handled by 0 is not limited to an image or a video, but may be the already-identified vehicle registration number itself, that is, digitized data. In this case, substantially the same can be used. In any case, date and time information is added and used.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be briefly described. In the embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the alarm starts to sound so that the railroad crossing enters the shutoff operation, the sounding detecting means 10 outputs a predetermined signal to the registration number recognition circuit 30 (connection A). This output state continues until the passage of the train is completed and a predetermined time has elapsed. The vehicle number identification circuit 30 operates at least for a time corresponding to this output (which may be always), and performs image processing based on a video signal from a TV camera that has imaged the inside of the railroad crossing (crossing section). Is obtained, that is, a vehicle that enters a railroad crossing during the ringing time is detected, and then the registration number of the vehicle is identified to obtain a predetermined character string.

Then, the obtained character string (vehicle registration number)
The display control circuit 41 generates a character string including the vehicle registration number, and the display driving circuit 42 drives the light emitting element 43 to display a warning including the vehicle registration number.

Similarly, the obtained character string (vehicle registration number)
The voice control circuit 51 generates a synthesized voice including the vehicle registration number based on the voice signal, drives the voice synthesis circuit 52, and issues a warning voice including the vehicle registration number via the voice amplifier 54 and the speaker 55. I do.

Further, the recording means 60 records the still image used at the time of vehicle identification, and the transmission circuit (1) transmits the still image to the remote central device. At the same time, the vehicle registration number (data) identified via the transmission circuit (2) is also transmitted to the central device. As a result, the central device (railroad crossing manager, road controller, etc.) can grasp the situation and take appropriate measures, and can effectively use it as data for a predetermined procedure at a later date.

It should be noted that the registration number recognition circuit 30 may always be operated, and predetermined units may start operating by the output of the ringing detecting means 10.

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, when a railroad crossing is interrupted, a railroad crossing alarm is sounding as a means for effectively transmitting a warning urging the driver of a vehicle unfairly within the railroad crossing to leave. In view of the above, the appeal of visual or visual appeal by the indicator and the appeal of hearing by sound that can be clearly distinguished from the sound of the alarm are adopted. And to contribute to the prevention of accidents.

It should be noted that, in the above description, the identification number and the warning are issued to the vehicles existing on the crossing in the railroad crossing. However, if the conditions are suitable, the configuration is substantially the same as described above. If the vehicle is abnormally close to the end of the railroad crossing section (exit) at the time of the alarm sounding, each predetermined operation is started, and a warning is issued at an earlier point in time, or image processing is performed. If it is configured to be able to detect the vehicle moving speed, and it is configured to detect a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing at the time of alarm sounding at a speed equal to or higher than a certain value and issue a warning to this,
The effect of suppressing illegal entry into the railroad crossing itself can also be expected.

[0036]

As described above in detail, the warning device for a railroad crossing of the first invention of the present application is a sound detecting means, a TV camera for imaging a railroad crossing, and a video signal from the TV camera is image-processed to cross the railroad crossing. A vehicle number identification circuit for detecting the vehicle that has entered and identifying the registration number of this vehicle, so that the vehicle within the railroad crossing within the railroad crossing sounding time is output by the sounding detection means and the output of the vehicle number identification circuit. It can detect and display a warning display for prompting the driver of the vehicle to leave from the railroad crossing with a warning display device provided, and has a sound warning sound device by sound, A warning sound is issued to prompt the driver of the vehicle at the railroad crossing to leave the railroad crossing at the time of the railroad crossing warning, so the driver must leave the railroad crossing immediately before passing the train. Can be In the end, it has the effect of effectively helping to prevent railroad crossing accidents. In addition, it can be expected that the breakage of the railroad crossing blocking rod is reduced.

[0037]

Further, the level crossing warning device according to the second invention of the present application has the structure of the above two inventions, and thus has the same effect as the above two inventions. In addition to recording this image when there is, the situation is reported to the railroad crossing manager etc. together with the registration number of the vehicle by the provided reporting means, so that it is possible to take control measures corresponding to grasping the dangerous situation, This can be useful for detecting offending vehicles.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a warning device for a railroad crossing which is one embodiment common to the inventions of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a railroad crossing portion showing an example of installation of a warning device for a railroad crossing according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the warning display circuit according to the present invention and other related parts.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a (image type) registration number recognition circuit according to each invention of the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Round detection means, 20 ... TV camera, 30 ... Registration number recognition circuit, 40 ... Warning indicator, 50 ... Warning alarm, 60 ... Recording means, 70 ... Reporting means, RA ... Railroad crossing, RD ... Railroad crossing.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B61L 29/00 G08G 1/04 H04N 7/18

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A sound sensing means (10) for recognizing the sound of a level crossing alarm, a TV camera (20) for imaging a level crossing, and image processing of a video signal from the TV camera at least within the alarm sounding time. Then, a registration number recognition circuit (30) for detecting a vehicle entering the crossing crossing and identifying the registration number of the vehicle, an output of the ringing detection means (10) and the registration number recognition circuit (30). Based on the output, when a vehicle in the crossing is detected within the alarm sounding time, a warning display including the registration number for urging the driver of the vehicle to exit from the crossing is displayed. A warning indicator (40) to perform, and when a vehicle in the crossing crossing is detected within the alarm sounding time based on the output of the sounding sensing means (10) and the output of the registration number recognition circuit (30). To the driver of the vehicle And warning alarm uttering a warning synthesized speech containing the registration number for prompting to leave the inside crossing (50) configured and a have been crossing warning system. 2. A sound sensing means (10) for recognizing the sound of a level crossing alarm, a plurality of TV cameras (20) for imaging a level crossing, and at least an alarm sounding time following each TV camera (20). The same number of registration number recognizing circuits (30) for processing a video signal from the TV camera, detecting a vehicle entering the crossing, and identifying a registration number of the vehicle; Based on the output of 10) and the output of the registration number recognition circuit (30), when a vehicle in the crossing is detected within the alarm sounding time, the driver of the vehicle leaves the crossing. A warning indicator (40) for displaying a warning display including the registration number for prompting the user, and a warning indicator (5) for producing a warning synthesized voice including the registration number.
0), recording means (60) for recording a video signal including a vehicle in the level crossing, and reporting means (70) for reporting a situation to the remote level crossing manager or the like together with the identified registration number. A warning device for railroad crossings that is included and configured.