JPH0248263A - Railroad-crossing monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm the true/false of detection information on an obstruction by sending a video signal of a railroad crossing to a central monitor, detecting the existence/absence of an obstruction in the crossing by image processing and sending a signal showing the detection result to the central monitor to make a monitor display. CONSTITUTION:In an obstruction detecting device 2, according to a control signal from a central monitor 4, television cameras T1, T2 project an image of a crossing, and an image processing portion 12 detects the existence/absence of an obstruction in the crossing according to the image to send an obstruction detection signal to the central monitor 4. Simultaneously, the detecting device 2 sends a video signal of the crossing in real time to the central monitor 4. According to the video signal, the central monitor 4 can confirm the true/false of the obstruction detection information from the detecting device 2 through a monitoring portion 33 and check the condition of the obstruction in detail. According to the obstruction detection signal, 'there is an obstruction (A)' is displayed on an operation display portion 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for monitoring the safety of railroad crossings using image processing technology.

Conventional technology A device for detecting obstacles at railway level crossings, such as cars or people stopped within the crossing after the crossing has been blocked, uses a light transmitter that sends light across the railroad tracks, a light receiver installed oppositely, and a light transmitter. An optical type detects when an obstacle blocks the emitted light beam, and an electromagnetic type detects by detecting a change in inductance caused by the obstacle.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above-mentioned optical type, the transmitter and receiver must be installed at a height of several tens of feet above the ground. On the other hand, electromagnetic types cannot detect objects other than metals, and are susceptible to temperature changes, making stable detection impossible. Therefore, conventional devices have been unable to reliably detect level crossing obstacles.

Further, even if a false alarm is issued due to a device malfunction or the like, it cannot be confirmed that the obstacle detection information is a false alarm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable level crossing monitoring device that can reliably detect obstacles and effectively confirm the authenticity of obstacle detection information.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a device according to the present invention includes a television camera that displays a panoramic view of a railroad crossing, and detects the presence or absence of an obstacle on a railroad crossing by processing an image captured by the television camera. an obstacle detection device that outputs a video signal of a level crossing and an obstacle detection signal; and a function of transmitting a control signal to the detection device;
a monitor unit that displays an image of the level crossing based on the video signal received from the detection device;
This system is characterized by comprising a central monitoring device having an operation display section that displays "Obstacle present" and a central monitoring device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the device includes a ground transmitting device that transmits the video signal and obstacle detection signal received from the detection device to a train approaching a level crossing. , an on-vehicle receiving device comprising a monitor section that displays an image of a level crossing based on the video signal received from the ground transmitting device, and an alarm display section that displays "obstacle present" based on the detection signal.

Operation In the above device, the obstacle detection device is configured such that the television camera projects an image of the level crossing in response to a control signal from the central monitoring device, and the image processing unit detects the presence or absence of a level crossing obstacle based on the image. A signal to this effect is sent to the central monitoring device. At the same time, the detection device transmits a video signal of the level crossing to the central monitoring device in real time. In this way, the central monitoring device functions to be able to confirm the authenticity of the obstacle detection information from the detection device via the monitor section. Furthermore, according to another aspect, the detection signal and video signal of the detection device are also transmitted to the on-board receiving device of the train via the ground transmission device, and the authenticity of the detection information is confirmed on the train side as well.

Example The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

The level crossing monitoring device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
An obstacle detection device (2) as a terminal device installed near the level crossing, a central monitoring device (4) installed at a center such as a signal communication area, and a ground transmitting device (6) installed near the level crossing. , and an on-board receiving device (8).

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an obstacle detection device (2
) has at least one television camera (T) in order to show the entire view of the level crossing (C) from diagonally above. In other words, depending on one TV camera (T), the railroad crossing (C
), use multiple television cameras (T). In the illustrated example, two television cameras (T,
, T2) makes it possible to project a panoramic image of the level crossing (C) from two directions. In addition, the detection device (
2) is an input image switching unit (10) that selects one of the images projected by the television camera (TI, T2).
), an image processing section (12) that processes the image selected by the switching section (10), a signal transmission section (13), and a 110 section (
14). In addition, (11) in Figure 2 is a level crossing (
C) is a circuit breaker that closes and opens, and (R) is a rail section.

The image processing section (12) includes an A/D conversion section (15) that is selected by the switching section (10) and sequentially converts the analog signal of the input image into a digital signal corresponding to the luminance gradation. , an image storage unit (16) that stores image data for each frame based on data from the conversion unit (15).
), a D/A converter (T7) that converts the image data (hereinafter referred to as "frame image") stored in the storage section (16) into an analog signal, and a D/A converter (T7) that converts the analog signal into a video signal. It has a video output section (18) that outputs to the signal transmission section (13), and an obstacle detection section (20).

The detection unit (20) is, for example, a background image storage unit that stores, as a background image, one frame image immediately after a signal indicating that the train has passed through the level crossing (C) is input via the 110 unit (14). (2I) and after storing the background image, the above 110
A detected image storage unit (2) stores one frame image as a detected image after a certain period of time after the level crossing closure signal is input via the level crossing section (14), that is, when the level crossing road (C) is closed.
2), a difference image is obtained by performing inter-image subtraction between the foreclosure image and the detected image, and when a foreign object image displayed in white in the difference image is larger than a certain size, it is determined that an "obstacle" is detected. (A) (Fig. 2) Determination unit (23) that determines “Yes”
and has.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the level crossing (C) is open, the detection unit (20) performs measurement at a rail portion (R) located slightly off the level crossing (C). a reference brightness level determination unit (24) that determines the brightness level of the rail section (R) in the level crossing (C) when the level crossing (see) is closed; Department (
An investigation section (25) that investigates the inspection brightness level for each pixel in the length direction of the rail section (R), and determines the difference between the reference brightness level and the inspection brightness level, and calculates the difference between the -leg of the rail section (R). When the length of the pick-up exceeds a predetermined threshold, the
) is present.

In this way, when the presence or absence of an obstacle (A) is detected in the image processing section (12), a signal to that effect is sent to 110
(14) and a signal transmission section (13) to the central monitoring device (4) and the ground transmitting device (8). Note that the obstacle (A) detection signal is also output to a signal emitter (11) provided near the level crossing (C). Further, from the obstacle detection device (2), an operation confirmation signal indicating whether the detection device (2) is normal or not, a video signal, etc. are sent via the l10 (14) and the signal transmission unit (13) to the central monitoring station. Device (4
) and the ground transmitter (6).

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the obstacle detection device (2).

That is, the device (2) includes a first image processing section (27) that processes an image captured by the television camera (T1);
a second image processing section (28) that processes the image captured by the television camera (T2); Second image processing unit (27
, 28), and if both judgment results are "Obstacle (A) present", "Obstacle (A) present" is detected.
It has a coincidence detection section (29) that outputs a "Yes" signal via l10 (14). With such a configuration, the obstacle detection device (2) is prevented from outputting a detection signal indicating "obstacle (A) present" due to an erroneous determination, thereby further improving system reliability. . According to the present invention, three or more television cameras (T) are installed, the images captured by the television cameras (T) are processed by each image processing section, and the determination results of each of these image processing sections are determined by a majority vote. It may also be possible to output it. In addition,(
30) selects arbitrarily or as necessary which image processing section (27, 28) the video signal is output from when the image processing sections (27, 28) are multiplexed as described above. This is an output image switching unit for

The central monitoring device (4) includes a signal transmission section (31) connected to the signal transmission section (13) of the detection device (2) by a wired transmission line, a central processing section (32), and the central processing section. It has a video signal processing section (34) that processes the video signal transmitted from the detection device (2) in response to a command from (32) and displays the image on a monitor section (33). (35)
is an operation display unit that performs human output between the central processing unit (32) and the central processing unit (32). With this configuration, the central monitoring device (4) sends on/off signals of the obstacle detection device (2), video transmission command signals, and television camera (T) to the obstacle detection device (2).
+ + T2) Send various control signals such as control signals. In addition, 1. This central monitoring device (4) receives an obstacle presence/absence detection signal, an operation confirmation signal of the detection device (2), a video signal, etc. from the obstacle detection device (2), and receives the operation display unit (35
), and the authenticity of the obstacle detection information can be confirmed by the monitor section (33).

The ground transmitting device (6) also connects a control section (37) and a signal transmission section (1) of the obstacle detection device (2) via a wired transmission path.
3) and a transmitting/receiving section (38) connected to. With such a configuration, the ground transmitting device (6) receives an obstacle detection signal from the detecting device (2).

A signal such as a video signal is received, and a signal such as an operation confirmation signal indicating whether or not the ground transmitting device (8) is normal is transmitted to the detecting device (2). Furthermore, this ground transmitter (6)
transmits signals such as obstacle detection signals and video signals to the on-vehicle receiving device (8) by radio.

The on-board receiving device (8) includes a video receiving section (41) that receives a video signal from the detection device (2) via a ground transmitting device (6) and outputs it to a monitor section (40); It has a detection signal receiving section (43) that receives the detection signal and outputs it to the alarm display section (42).

In the level crossing monitoring device, first, the central monitoring device (4
), the on signal of the device (2), the TV camera (T, , T2) control signal and other control signals are issued to the obstacle detection device (2). and the detection device (2) includes a television camera (
At least one of the panoramic images of the level crossing (C) captured by TI+'r2) is transmitted to the central monitoring device (4) and processed by the image processing unit (12) as described above. ) and transmits a signal to that effect to the central monitoring device (4). As a result, the central monitoring device (4) displays "Obstacle (A) present" or "Obstacle (A) present" on the operation display section (35).
"None" is displayed, and at the same time, an image of the level crossing (C) is displayed on the monitor section (33). In this way, the central monitoring device (4) uses the monitor section (33) to
The image of the level crossing (C) can be monitored constantly or as needed, and in particular, when a signal indicating that there is an obstacle (A) on the level crossing (C) is received, the system can monitor the image of the level crossing (C) without having to go to the scene. The authenticity of the signal can be confirmed and obstacles (A)
You can check the status in detail.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the detection device (2
) transmits the video signal and the obstacle detection signal to the central monitoring device (4) as described above, and also transmits the video signal and the obstacle detection signal to the on-vehicle receiving device (8) via the ground transmitting device (6). In this way, the driver of the train approaching II, 1f (C) is informed by the warning display section (42) that "obstacle (A) is present", and also by the monitor (4o). Via
The authenticity of the information "Obstacle (A) present" can be confirmed, and the status of the level crossing (9) can be visually confirmed from a distance.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the level crossing monitoring device according to the present invention, the obstacle detection device transmits a video signal of the level crossing to the central monitoring device, and detects the presence or absence of a level crossing obstacle using image processing technology. A signal to that effect is sent to the central monitoring device, and the central monitoring device displays an image of the level crossing on a monitor. Further, according to another aspect of the invention, the detection signal and the video signal are received not only at the central monitoring device but also on the train.

In this way, the present invention can reliably detect level crossing obstacles, effectively confirm the authenticity of obstacle detection information, and provide a highly reliable level crossing monitoring device. effective.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a level crossing to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification example of the object detection unit, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification example of the obstacle detection device. (2): Obstacle detection device, (4): Central monitoring device, (6): Ground transmitting device, (8)
Receiving device on two cars, (33): Monitor section, (35)
: Operation display section, (40) : Monitor section, (
42): Warning display section, (C): Level crossing, (T): Television camera, (A
):Obstacle. Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Procedure Amendment (Method) % Formula % Name of Invention Level Crossing Monitoring Device 3゜Relationship with the Person Who Makes the Amendment Case

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A television camera (T) that captures a panoramic view of the level crossing (¥C¥), and a television camera (T) that displays the entire view of the level crossing (¥C¥); It has an image processing unit (12) that detects the presence or absence of an obstacle (A), and
An obstacle detection device (2) that outputs a video signal of ¥C¥) and an obstacle detection signal, and a function of transmitting a control signal to the detection device (2) and receiving it from the detection device (2). A monitor section (3
3) and an operation display section (35) that displays "obstacle (A) present" based on the detection signal.
4) A level crossing monitoring device comprising: [2] A ground transmitting device (6) that transmits the video signal and obstacle detection signal received from the detecting device (2) to a train approaching a level crossing (¥C¥);
), and a warning display unit (42) that displays an image of the level crossing (¥C¥) based on the video signal received from the camera, and an alarm display unit (42) that displays "obstacle (A) present" based on the detection signal.
) The level crossing monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising an on-vehicle receiving device (8) comprising: