JP4343447B2 - ITV image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ITV image processing system, and more particularly to an ITV image processing system for monitoring road conditions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On highways and the like, ITV cameras (industrial cameras) are installed at predetermined distances to manage traffic information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a conventional non-linked system of an image processing apparatus. An ITV camera 1 is installed every predetermined distance along the road. The video signals captured from these ITV cameras 1 are sent to the ITV central office 2 and displayed on the large display device 3. As the large display device 3, for example, a graphic panel (GP) or a projector is used. Images taken by the ITV camera 1 at each location are switched at regular intervals and displayed on the large display device 3.
[0003]
On the other hand, the video signals captured from these ITV cameras 1 enter the image processing device 4 and are subjected to image processing to detect events. The detected event is sent to the ITV central office 2 and displayed on the large display device 3. In addition, from the ITV console 5 attached to the ITV central office 2, a non-linked setting is input for a place under road construction. This non-linked setting input is input to the image processing device 4. The image processing device 4 does not perform image processing of the place where the non-linked setting is input, and the video signal from the ITV camera 1 is not displayed on the large display device 3. FIG. 7 is an image at the time of non-linked setting. The figure shows a state where one lane is restricted for road construction. In the case of such road construction, since it is not abnormal, the unlinked setting is input from the ITV console 5 in advance.
[0004]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional operation flow. The contents of each process before construction, during construction, and after construction are shown.
(Before construction)
In this case, the construction schedule (with lane restrictions) from the office is input in the traffic control room (S1). The inputted construction schedule event is registered in the database (DB) of the transportation central office (S2). In the facility control room, in the case of tunnel construction or large-scale construction, a separate report or facsimile is sent to the traffic central office (S3). In the facility control room, the contents registered in the DB are confirmed by a traffic monitor (S4).
[0005]
(Before construction)
In this case, when the construction start is notified from the site by an emergency telephone or the like (S5), the conversation is monitored by the speaker from the facility control room (S6), and the position of the section of the corresponding route is judged (S10). On the other hand, when the start of construction is notified from the site in step S5, the traffic control room deletes the construction scheduled event from the event input console and inputs the construction event (S7). This content is registered in the DB of the transportation central office or the like (S8).
[0006]
The content of step S7 is confirmed on the monitor of the facility control room (S9), and the position of the section of the corresponding route is determined.
Next, the status is confirmed by switching the monitor to the on-site video (S11). Next, an operation for disabling image processing in the target section is performed (S12). Next, it is reflected in the event determination of the image processing (S13).
[0007]
(After construction)
In this case, the end of the construction is notified from the site by an emergency telephone or the like (S14), and the construction event is erased at the event input console (S15). This content is registered in the DB of the transportation central office (S16). On the other hand, in the facility control room, the conversation is monitored with a speaker (S17). As a result, the position of the section of the street route is determined (S19). On the other hand, when the construction event is deleted on the event input console, the contents are confirmed on the traffic monitor (S18), and the process goes to step S19.
[0008]
Next, in the facility control room, the situation is confirmed by switching to the on-site video (S20). Next, an operation for linking image processing in the target section is performed (S21), and reflected in the event determination unit for image processing (S22).
[0009]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional system. The same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The image processing apparatus 4 includes a video input function unit 11, an image processing event determination unit 12, and an external information exchange function unit 13. The ITV central office 2 includes an external information exchange function unit 14 and an external display function unit 15. In the traffic central station 10, reference numeral 16 denotes an event processing function unit.
[0010]
The video signal input from the ITV camera 1 is input to the video input function unit 11 and then enters the image processing event determination function unit 12. The image processing event determination function unit 12 performs image processing, and the result enters the external information exchange function unit 14 of the ITV central office 2 via the external information exchange function unit 13. This result is displayed on the large display device 3 from the external information exchange function unit 14 via the external display function unit 15.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the traffic central station 10, an event is input from the event input console 34, and the event processing function unit 16 is entered for processing.
Linked / non-linked settings of the image processing event determination function unit 12 are input from the ITV console 5, and setting information is input from the external information exchange function unit 14 to the external information exchange function unit 13 of the image processing device 4. This is reflected in the event determination function unit 12.
[0012]
As a means for a road manager to monitor the traffic situation on the road, ITV camera images installed on the side of the road and the like are collectively managed by the monitoring center. Conventionally, visual monitoring using a monitor TV has been mainly performed. Recently, as described above, the ITV camera video is processed in real time by computer processing to automatically detect vehicle monitoring due to traffic jams, accidents / failures, etc. instead of humans. Some image processing functions have been introduced. In the future, with the improvement of image processing technology, there is a tendency to improve for the purpose of labor saving and sophistication of monitoring work.
[0013]
In the conventional traffic situation monitoring by image processing, if lane control is implemented by accident processing, road construction, road maintenance work, etc., a construction vehicle that has been stopped may be detected as a stopped vehicle due to an accident / failure, etc. In order to detect a pylon (see FIG. 7) installed for the lane restriction as a fallen object, the image processing function at the time of the lane restriction does not perform image processing on a portion where a general vehicle cannot pass. Alternatively, the processing result of that part is set to non-linked setting.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For the ITV image processing system that performs image processing of the ITV camera image corresponding to the above-mentioned lane regulation, the image processing function of the lane regulation part of the corresponding camera (camera shooting the lane regulation point) is stopped or the detection result of the part is detected. The work for setting non-interlocking (no output) or the like includes a setting performed every time lane restriction is performed, and an operation of releasing after lane restriction.
[0015]
Because the monitoring center manages several hundred km of roads, the frequency of work is high, and the ITV camera image that the person in charge of the monitoring center confirms and sets / cancels information about the start / cancellation of each lane restriction for each work. In addition, the work load such as accurately specifying the lane and time is very large, and the probability of occurrence of a work mistake or the like increases.
[0016]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ITV image processing system capable of reducing and ensuring the load on the operator.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The system shown in the figure constitutes an ITV image processing system that captures road information with the ITV camera 1 and detects an abnormal event occurring on the road from the road information captured with the ITV camera 1.
[0018]
In the figure, 1 is an ITV camera, 4 is an image processing device that performs image processing on information captured by the ITV camera 1, 20 is a traffic central station that collectively manages road information, and 2 is an image processing device 4 and a traffic central station 20. A connected ITV central station 3 is connected to the ITV central station 2 and displays a road information display. Reference numeral 5 denotes an ITV console that performs image processing linked / non-linked interrupt control. An event input console 34 is connected to the traffic central station 20 and inputs event information.
[0019]
This system takes in event information representing road conditions from the ITV central office 2 and compares the event determination result processed by the image processing device 4 to determine a priority event.
[0020]
With this configuration, it is possible to determine the priority order of events input from the ITV camera 1 and events input from the ITV central office 2 via the event input console 34.
[0021]
In this case, the priority order of the event phenomenon is stored as data in the image processing device 4 and compared with the event read from the ITV camera 1, and the comparison result is displayed on the display device according to the priority order. It is characterized by doing.
[0022]
If comprised in this way, the priority of the event read from the ITV camera 1 can be determined, and the result can be displayed on the display device.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the priority event is divided into a plurality of stages according to a detection limit of the image processing apparatus.
[0023]
If comprised in this way, only the event which can be processed by the image processing means 4 can be made to perform image processing.
Further, according to the present invention, when lane regulation is performed in advance, the information is input to the image processing apparatus, and the lane is not monitored.
[0024]
With this configuration, it is possible to omit wasteful work without performing image processing for lanes that are known to be under construction in advance.
Further, according to the present invention, the interrupt control can be performed from the ITV console 5 when the result of interlocking or non-interlocking determined by the priority order is not suitable for operation.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Here, the traffic central office system and events will be described. The traffic central office system is installed in a centralized monitoring center and is roughly classified into the following three systems. Each system is further composed of a plurality of subsystems according to the purpose. Each subsystem is connected online in the order of collection system → processing system → providing system except for some systems.
[0026]
-Collection system: The purpose is to collect traffic conditions on the road. Examples include a traffic measurement system that measures traffic and judgment of traffic congestion, an ITV system that monitors video of traffic on roads, and an emergency telephone system that accepts reports from emergency telephones.
[0027]
・ Processing system: The purpose is to input, monitor, and distribute road conditions based on information collected by the collecting system. Examples include a traffic central system and an information exchange system.
[0028]
-Provision system: The purpose is to provide road conditions to general users. Examples include an information board system, a highway radio system, and an information terminal system.
[0029]
In the Central Transportation System, in order to centrally manage the traffic conditions of the managed routes, events (congestions, accidents, etc.) that occur on the road are defined as events, and the event contents are expressed in a standard format. (Data) is defined as event information.
[0030]
Event information is classified into a common part and a data part. The common part stores common information such as time information, event type, event number, route, direction, and position, and the data part contains detailed information (events) for each event type. Cause, event details, lane information, etc.) are stored. One event is expressed as one event, and each subsystem exchanges road condition information with this event information.
[0031]
Some of the event information is automatically generated by the collection subsystem, and the person in charge at the monitoring center may input from the terminal when an accident is detected by a notification such as an emergency call. These event information is managed by the processing system, performs matching processing with the event information from the adjacent traffic central office, etc., and distributes the event information to the providing system.
[0032]
By performing this event matching process, multiple band events of the same event type that occur in the state of being close to each other with a time difference on the same route can be combined into a single continuous band event. Distribute as one event information. The providing subsystem automatically provides appropriate information from a highway radio, an information board, etc. based on the received event information.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the traffic central station system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a traffic central station which performs event collection and distribution management, matching processing, and the like. In the traffic central station 20, 20a is an interface with the image processing apparatus 4, and 20b is a disaster event creation unit. The traffic central station 20 is connected to other agencies and the traffic central station system via a communication line.
[0034]
28 is a sensor for detecting traffic, 31 is a traffic measurement system (traffic counter) connected to the sensor 28 and measures traffic, 29 is a weather sensor, 32 is a weather central system connected to the weather sensor 29, Reference numeral 30 denotes a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a disaster in the tunnel, and 33 denotes a tunnel disaster prevention receiving board connected to the sensor 30. The outputs of the traffic volume measurement system 31, the weather central system 32, and the tunnel disaster prevention reception board are connected to the traffic central station 20.
[0035]
An information board central system 21 displays road information on the information board 21a. 22 is a radio rebroadcasting processor, 23 is a highway telephone processor, 24 is a VICS unit, 25 is a beacon for sending road information, and 26 is a central part of an information terminal installed in a service area (SA) or parking area (PA). Then, road information is displayed on the terminal 27. These information board central system 21, radio rebroadcast processing device 22, highway telephone processing unit 23, VICS central unit 24 and information terminal central unit 26 are connected to the traffic central station 20 via a network 40.
[0036]
Reference numeral 34 denotes an event input table for manually inputting construction schedules, constructions, regulations, accidents, and the like. A large display device 3 is connected to the traffic central station 20 and the ITV central station 2 and displays various information. As the large display device 3, for example, a graphic panel or a projector is used.
[0037]
Reference numeral 1 denotes an ITV camera installed at every predetermined distance for photographing road conditions. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ITV central station that receives the output of the ITV camera 1 and performs image processing and displays the result on the large display device 3. An image processing apparatus 4 receives an output from the ITV camera 1 and performs image processing to determine an event. Reference numeral 5 denotes an ITV console connected to the ITV central office 2 for inputting various commands. 35 is an emergency telephone installed on the road at predetermined intervals, and 36 is an emergency telephone reception desk for receiving calls from these emergency telephones 35. The image processing apparatus 4 is connected to the traffic central station 20 via the interface 20a. Transportation Central Office 20, ITV Central Office 2, Information Board Central System 21, Radio Rebroadcast Processing Unit 22, Highway Telephone Processing Unit 23, VICS Central Unit 24, Information Terminal Central Unit 26, Traffic Measurement System 31, Weather Central System 32 The tunnel disaster prevention reception board 33 and the event input console 34 constitute a traffic central station system. The operation of the system configured as described above will be described as follows.
[0038]
The traffic central office 20 is notified of traffic volume, weather information, presence or absence of fire, etc. from various sensors 28-30. The traffic central office 20 receives these information and displays them on the large display device 3. Further, the traffic central station 20 displays the traffic information on the information board 21 a via the information board central system 21 and flows the traffic information from the radio rebroadcast processing device 22. Further, the highway telephone processing device 23 is operated. In addition, the VICS central portion 24 is operated to flow road information from the beacon 25. Further, road information is displayed on the terminal 27 from the information terminal central portion 26. Also, an event is input from the event input console 34 and input to the image processing apparatus 4.
[0039]
The ITV central office 2 takes in the video imaged by the ITV camera 1 and displays it on the large display device 3. In addition, an ITV camera is selected from the ITV console 41. The input event is displayed on the large display device 3. In addition, when an emergency state (accident, broken car, etc.) is received from the emergency telephone 35 at the emergency telephone reception stand 36, emergency information is input from the event input console 34 and displayed on the large display device 3.
[0040]
FIG. 3 is a processing flow according to the present invention.
(When an event occurs)
The event occurrence is notified from the event occurrence site by an emergency telephone or the like (S1). On the traffic control room side, an event is input at the event input console 34 (S2). At the same time, the event is registered in the DB of the traffic central office 20 in the traffic control room (S4). In the traffic control room, the relevant route section is searched from the event information in the traffic central station 20, and if it is an image processing target section, the event information is transmitted to the ITV central station 2 (S3).
[0041]
In the facility control room (traffic control room) that receives the event information from the traffic control room, the ITV central station 2 guides the image processing device 4 from the event information and transmits the event phenomenon (S5). Next, priority determination processing is performed using the event determination result and the event event in the image processing device 4 (S6).
[0042]
Next, in the traffic control room, the following output is performed to the ITV central office 2 and the monitor by priority determination result processing.
If the judgment result is input console priority, the output event is an input console event, and the video monitor is not locked. If the determination result is image processing priority, the output event is an image processing event, the video monitor is locked, and the video is always played (S7).
[0043]
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine the priority order of the event input from the ITV camera 1 and the event input from the ITV central station 2.
(At the end of the event)
At the end of the event, the end of the event is communicated from the site via an emergency call (S8). Upon receiving this notification, the traffic control room deletes the event at the event input console (S9). At the same time, the fact is registered in the DB of the traffic central office 20 (S9). In this case, in the facility control room, priority determination processing is performed at the time of state change input, following the sequence of S5 to S7 (S11).
[0044]
Here, when lane regulation is performed, by inputting the fact from the event input console 34 or the ITV console 41, the lane can be prevented from being monitored, and unnecessary work is omitted. can do.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the figure, 4 is an image processing apparatus, 2 is an ITV central station, and 20 is a traffic central station. In the image processing apparatus 4, 11 is an image input function unit connected to the ITV camera 1, 12 is connected to the video input function unit 11, performs image processing, and performs an event determination, and an image processing event determination function unit 51 It connected to the image processing event determining function unit 12, the event input from the priority information data and ITV camera 1 of the stored event as a table, the priority of the event input from the event input console 34 determines A priority event determination function unit 13 is connected to the priority event determination function unit 51 and the outside, and is an external information exchange function unit having an external information exchange function.
[0046]
In the ITV central office 2, 52 is an external information exchange function unit connected to the external information exchange function unit 13 of the image processing apparatus 4, and 15 is an image output from the external information exchange function unit 52 on the large display device 3. An external display function unit 53 is an event information reception function unit that receives event information from the traffic central office 20 and gives it to the external information exchange function unit 52.
[0047]
In the transportation central office 20, 54 is an event processing function unit connected to the event input console 34, 55 is an event information transmission destination selection function unit connected to the event processing function unit 54, and 56 is the event information transmission destination selection function. An event information transmission function unit connected to the unit 55. The event information transmission function unit 56 is connected to the event information reception function unit 53. With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus 4, the ITV central station 2, and the traffic central station 20 are connected online. The operation of the system configured as described above will be described as follows.
[0048]
The traffic central office 20 first selects a corresponding image processing device from the route data and KP (kilo post) data of the event information input from the event input console 34. Here, KP is a sign indicating how many kilometers away from Tokyo, for example. The traffic central station 20 transmits the event information via the ITV central station 2 to the image processing apparatus 4 that has selected the event information.
[0049]
In the image processing device 4, the image processing event determination function unit 12 always performs event determination processing, and an event event is sent to the priority event determination function unit 51 when an event is detected. Further, event information from the traffic central office 20 is sent from the external information exchange function unit 13 to the priority event determination function unit 51. Therefore, the priority event determination function unit 51 compares the above two event events based on the priority order of the event events in FIG. 5, and determines an event having a high priority (high 1... 8 ... 15 low) as an event detection result. Output.
[0050]
If comprised in this way, the priority of the event read from the ITV camera 1 can be determined, and the result can be displayed on the display device.
In this embodiment, a function for registering the monitoring range (route, KP range) of the ITV image processing device 4 is added to the traffic central station 20, and registration management is performed. In the traffic central office 20, when there is a change (new, update, end) in event information (regulation event) for the lane being managed, an ITV image corresponding to the monitoring range from the occurrence position read from the event information The processing device 4 is selected and the event is distributed to the ITV central office 2.
[0051]
The ITV central office 2 distributes the received event information to the corresponding image processing apparatus 4 through. The ITV image processing apparatus 4 collates data items in the route and KP direction from the received event information, and determines whether the received event information falls within the monitoring range. Processing outside the monitoring range is not performed.
[0052]
If it is within the monitoring range of the camera, priority determination processing is performed based on the event determination result by image processing and the event event in the event information. Based on this determination result, event event output to the ITV central office 2 and video monitor control (camera lock, etc.) are performed.
[0053]
Here, the possibility of event determination by the image processing of FIG. 5 will be described. Event events that can be input from the event input console 34 are possible for all event events in FIG. 5, but there are limits to events that can be detected using image processing technology. Therefore, the detection limit was divided into four stages. Double is already detectable, ○ is considered possible in the future, △ is considered partially possible in the future, and X is technically impossible.
[0054]
If comprised in this way, only the event which can be processed by the image processing means 4 can be made to perform image processing.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the priority of an event input from the ITV camera and an event input from the ITV central station.
[0056]
In this case, the priority of the event read from the ITV camera 1 can be determined and the result can be displayed on the display device.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform image processing only for events that can be processed by the image processing means.
[0057]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to omit wasteful work by not performing image processing for lanes that are known to be under construction in advance.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ITV image processing system capable of reducing the burden on the worker and ensuring the reliability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a traffic central station system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flow according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of priorities (examples) of events and events.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a non-interlocking setting system of a conventional image processing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image at the time of non-linked setting.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional operation flow.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ITV camera 2 ITV central station 3 Display apparatus 4 Image processing apparatus 20 Traffic central station 34 Event input console

Claims (1)

In an ITV image processing apparatus that switches images taken by ITV cameras in each place at regular intervals and displays them on a large display device to monitor road conditions.
An image processing event determination function unit that determines an event event generated by image processing of shooting information shot by an ITV camera corresponding to a route section input from a traffic central office that collectively manages road information ;
The event determination result determined by the image processing event determination function unit and the event event expressing the road condition input from the traffic central office that collectively manages the road information are associated with the priority for each event event A priority event determination function unit that compares an event event having a higher priority as an event detection result by comparing the event events based on priority, and
When the lane restriction is performed in advance, information indicating the lane restriction is input from the traffic central office to the priority event determination function unit, and image processing is not performed for the lane restricted by the lane. Image processing device.

Images