JPH10214399A - Emergency vehicle preference device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure smooth and safe passage by displaying display contents showing the approach of an emergency vehicle on an information display installed on the front side of the emergency vehicle based on an emergency vehicle detecting signal so as to display the approach of the emergency vehicle on the information display so as to inform the driver of a general vehicle of it. SOLUTION: The emergency vehicle 1 transmits a signal 10 concerning the emergency vehicle when the state of traveling prior to the general vehicle 3 is occurred. A receiver 12 receives the signal 10 and transmits it to an emergency vehicle detecting device 14, which detects the approach of the vehicle 1 from the signal 10. At the time of receiving an emergency vehicle detecting signal 15 from the device 14, a display control device 16 switches to the display code of the approach of the vehicle 1 based on a display command 6 and converts the signal to a driving signal 7. The information display device 4 displays the approach of the vehicle 1 based on the signal 7 to inform the vehicle 3 positioned before the vehicle 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an emergency vehicle priority device, and more particularly to an emergency vehicle priority device capable of smoothly and safely passing the vehicle when an emergency vehicle approaches.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 19 shows the travel of a conventional emergency vehicle. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 1 denotes an emergency vehicle which is about to travel in preference to another vehicle, 2 denotes a road on which the emergency vehicle travels,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a general vehicle running in front of the emergency vehicle 1 on the road of the road 2, and 4 denotes a driver installed in the side of the road 2 in front of the emergency vehicle 1 and the general vehicle 3 and riding on the general vehicle 3. An information display device 5 for providing traffic jam information, regulation information, accident information, etc., is installed at a traffic control center or a police station, etc., and a traffic display central device for creating traffic information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, accident information, Reference numeral 6 denotes a display command corresponding to traffic information such as traffic congestion information, regulation information, and accident information created by the traffic display panel central unit 5, reference numeral 7 denotes a drive signal for controlling display of the information display device 4, and reference numeral 8 denotes an information display device 4. This is a display control device that is installed on a support pillar and generates a drive signal 7 for controlling display corresponding to a display command 6 output from the traffic information board central device 5 and outputs it to the information display device 4.

[0003]

The conventional traffic control described above does not have a sensor for detecting an emergency vehicle, and also has a display for notifying a general vehicle of the approach of an emergency vehicle when an emergency vehicle passes. Since the red extension operation / blue shortening operation was not performed in response to the approach of the emergency vehicle, the driver of the general vehicle based on the red light and siren generated by the emergency vehicle, There was no means to ensure the safety of traffic, and it was difficult to ensure sufficient safety.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and detects an approach of an emergency vehicle when an emergency vehicle passes, and displays a message notifying an ordinary vehicle of the approach of the emergency vehicle,
It is an object of the present invention to secure smooth and safe traffic by performing red extension / blue shortening of signal lights on the intersection side in response to the approach of an emergency vehicle.

[0005]

An emergency vehicle priority device according to a first aspect of the present invention extracts only an image signal having a wavelength corresponding to a red light of an emergency vehicle from an image signal obtained by capturing a road condition collected by an image sensor. The image signal of only the moving object is extracted by taking the difference between the image signals of the wavelengths corresponding to the red light in time series, and the image signal of the moving object is compared with the image pattern of the emergency vehicle stored in advance. An emergency vehicle detection signal is detected, and based on the emergency vehicle detection signal, a display content indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle is displayed on an information display device installed in front of the emergency vehicle, and a driver of a general vehicle displays the display content. By recognizing the approach of the emergency vehicle by reading, it is possible to ensure smooth and safe traffic.

Further, the emergency vehicle priority device according to the second invention extracts only an image signal having a wavelength corresponding to a red light of the emergency vehicle from an image signal obtained by capturing a road condition collected by an image sensor, and chronologically extracts the image signal. An image signal of only the moving object is extracted by taking a difference between the image signals of the wavelengths corresponding to the red light, and an emergency vehicle detection is performed by comparing the image signal of the moving object with a predetermined emergency vehicle image pattern. The signal control device that detects the signal and receives the emergency vehicle detection signal extends the red time or shortens the blue time of the signal light on the road intersecting with the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle, and intersects with the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle. By stopping traffic of general vehicles as much as possible, smooth and safe traffic can be ensured.

Further, the emergency vehicle priority device according to the third invention extracts only an image signal of a wavelength corresponding to a red light of the emergency vehicle from an image signal obtained by photographing a road condition collected by an image sensor, and chronologically extracts the image signal. The image signal of only the moving object is extracted by taking the difference between the image signals of the wavelength corresponding to the red light, and the comparison result between the image signal of the moving object and the image pattern of the emergency vehicle set in advance, and the sound wave Only the voice signal characteristic of the warning sound of the emergency vehicle is extracted from the voice signal on the road collected by the sensor, and the extracted voice signal characteristic of the warning sound of the emergency vehicle is determined by a threshold value based on the intensity. The emergency vehicle detection signal is obtained by comparing the threshold determination result with a voice pattern of the emergency vehicle stored in advance and comprehensively determining the comparison result based on the image signal and the determination result based on the voice signal. Based on the emergency vehicle detection signal, the information display device displays a display indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle, and the driver of a general vehicle reads the display to recognize the approach of the emergency vehicle, thereby ensuring a smooth and safe operation. Traffic can be secured.

Further, the emergency vehicle priority device according to the fourth invention extracts only an image signal of a wavelength corresponding to a red light of the emergency vehicle from an image signal obtained by capturing a road condition collected by an image sensor, and chronologically extracts the image signal. The image signal of only the moving object is extracted by taking the difference between the image signals of the wavelength corresponding to the red light, and the comparison result between the image signal of the moving object and the image pattern of the emergency vehicle stored in advance, and the sound wave Only the voice signal characteristic of the warning sound of the emergency vehicle is extracted from the voice signal on the road collected by the sensor, and a threshold based on the strength of the voice signal characteristic of the extracted warning sound of the emergency vehicle is determined. The emergency vehicle detection signal is obtained by comparing the threshold determination result with a voice pattern of the emergency vehicle stored in advance and comprehensively determining the comparison result based on the image signal and the determination result based on the voice signal. A general vehicle that intersects with the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle, by detecting and receiving the emergency vehicle detection signal, by extending the red time or shortening the blue time of the signal light on the road intersecting with the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle By stopping the traffic as much as possible, smooth and safe traffic can be secured.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 to 7 are the same as those described in FIG. 18, and 9 is a transmitter mounted on the emergency vehicle 1; Is a signal related to the emergency vehicle transmitted from the transmitter 9 when the vehicle travels prior to another general vehicle 3;
Is an L-shaped support installed on the side of the road 2, and 12 is an L-type support 1
1 is a receiver for receiving a signal 10 relating to an emergency vehicle, 13 is a signal relating to the received emergency vehicle, 14 is a signal which is disposed on an L-shaped support 11 and indicates that the emergency vehicle 1 is approaching according to a signal 12 relating to the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicle detection device 15 to be detected is an emergency vehicle detection signal detected by the emergency vehicle detection device 14, and the emergency vehicle detection signal 16 is output from the information display central device 5 when receiving the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 output from the emergency vehicle detection device 14. The display contents are not displayed based on the display command 6 but are switched to display contents indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle, and the driving signal 7 corresponding to the display contents is output to the information display device 4. It is a display control device that detects an emergency vehicle based on a signal transmitted by the emergency vehicle, and provides an emergency vehicle detection signal 15 to a driver of the general vehicle 3. To notify the approach of the emergency vehicle.

Next, the processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels prior to the general vehicle 6, a signal 10 related to the emergency vehicle is transmitted, and the receiver 12 receives the signal 10 related to the emergency vehicle and The emergency vehicle detection device 14 detects that the emergency vehicle 1 is approaching from a signal related to the emergency vehicle, and the display control device 16 transmits the emergency vehicle detection signal from the emergency vehicle detection device 14 to the vehicle detection device 14. When receiving the information display device 15, the display code indicating traffic information based on the display command 6 received from the information display central device 5 is switched to a display code indicating that an emergency vehicle is approaching and converted into a drive signal 7. Displays that the emergency vehicle is approaching based on the drive signal 7 and notifies the general vehicle 6 located in front of the emergency vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the display control device 16 shown in FIG.
5 is the same as that in FIG. 1, 17 is a code generator for creating a display code corresponding to the display command 6, 18 is the created display code, 19 is an emergency vehicle approach display table, 2
0 is a display code corresponding to the display content indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle stored in the emergency vehicle approach display table 19, and 21 is based on the display command 16 triggered by the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 output from the emergency vehicle detection device 13. Display code 20 indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle from the display code 18 created in
Display switcher for switching to the display switch 22 is a display switcher 2
A display switching signal 23 output from 1 is a display driver that generates a drive signal 7 for controlling display from the display code selected by the display switching signal 22.

Next, the processing of the display control device 16 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 14 is not received, the display switching unit 21 outputs traffic information such as traffic congestion road information received by the code generator 17 from the information display central device 5. Is transmitted to the display driver 23. When the display switching unit 21 receives the emergency vehicle detection signal 15, the display code 18 is displayed.
Is switched so that the display code 20 indicating the approach of the emergency vehicle stored in the emergency vehicle approach table 19 is transmitted to the drive controller 23, and the drive controller 23 switches the drive signal 7 based on the transmitted display code. Is generated and output to the information display device 4.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 1, 2, 9 to 15 are the same as those in FIG. , 25 is a general vehicle running on the road 24, 26 is a traffic light for the road 2, 27 is a lighting signal for controlling the traffic light 26, 28 is a traffic light for the road 2, and 29 is a lighting signal for controlling the traffic light 28. , 30 are signal control devices for controlling the signal lights 26 and 28, which detect an emergency vehicle by a signal transmitted by the emergency vehicle, and control a signal of an intersection through which the emergency vehicle passes by the emergency vehicle detection signal 15. Do.

Next, the processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels prior to the general vehicle 6, a signal 10 relating to the emergency vehicle is transmitted, and the receiver 12 receives the signal 10 relating to the emergency vehicle and performs an emergency. The emergency vehicle detection device 14 detects that the emergency vehicle 1 is approaching from a signal related to the emergency vehicle, and the signal control device 30 transmits the emergency vehicle detection signal from the emergency vehicle detection device 14 to the vehicle detection device 14. When receiving the number 15, the signal light 28 on the side of the road 24 intersecting with the road 2 through which the emergency vehicle passes is shortened in the number of seconds for lighting blue or extended in the number of seconds for lighting red.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the signal control device 30 in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, 14, 15, 26 to 29 are the same as those in FIG. 2, and 31 performs a red extension or blue shortening operation. A lighting-on second calculator for calculating the lighting-on time of each lamp during normal operation;
The number of seconds of lighting of the lamp calculated in 1, 33 is a lighting state signal indicating the current lighting state of the lamp, 34 is the emergency vehicle detection signal 15
, A red extension / blue shortening operation controller for judging permission of the red extension operation or the blue shortening operation from the lamp lighting state signal 33 indicating the lighting state of the lamp, 35 is a red extension / blue shortening operation controller. A red extension / blue shortening operation control switching signal output from 34. Reference numeral 36 denotes a red extension / blue shortening operation based on the lamp lighting seconds 32 during normal operation triggered by the red extension / blue shortening operation control switching signal 35. Red extension / blue shortening time calculator for calculating the number of seconds for lighting the lamp, 37 indicates the number of seconds for lighting the lamp during red extension or blue shortening calculated by the red extension / blue shortening time calculator 36, and 38 indicates the lamp From the lighting seconds, the signal light 26 and the signal light 2
Lighting color switching controller for judging switching of lighting device color of No. 8, 39
Reference numeral denotes a lamp color switching signal, and reference numeral 40 denotes a lamp driver for generating a lighting signal 27 for the signal lamp 26 and a lighting signal 29 for the signal lamp 28 based on the lamp color switching signal 39.

Next, the red extension operation in the signal control device 30 will be described. In FIG. 5, the range Rr in which the red extending operation is possible is from the time point when the signal light 28 on the road 24 intersecting the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 1 changes to red to the time the signal light 26 in the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 1 changes to yellow. It is. When an emergency vehicle detection signal is detected within a range where the red extension operation is possible, the red extension of the signal light 28 on the road 24 intersecting with the road 2 on which the emergency vehicle 1 is running at the intersection where the emergency vehicle 1 passes. Perform the operation. The red extension time R1 is R1 = R0-R2 R0: the longest time until the emergency vehicle 1 reaches the intersection R2: the emergency vehicle 1 proceeds after the traffic light 26 of the road 2 on which the emergency vehicle 1 runs changes to yellow. The time until the signal light 28 on the road 24 intersecting the direction becomes green. However, it is the longest time to arrive at the intersection when the emergency vehicle 1 is most congested regardless of the congestion state of the road 2 on which the emergency vehicle 1 passes. . Further, it is assumed that R1 does not exceed the maximum time of the red light defined by the traffic signal controller 30.

Next, the blue reduction operation in the signal control device 30 will be described. In FIG. 6, the range Gr in which the blue shortening operation is possible is a signal lamp from a point in time when the minimum blue time Gg elapses when the signal lamp 28 of the road 24 intersecting the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 1 changes to blue when the blue shortening operation is not performed. Container 28
Until it turns yellow. When an emergency vehicle detection signal is detected within a range in which the green time reduction operation is possible, the blue light reduction operation of the signal lamp 28 of the road 24 intersecting with the road on which the emergency vehicle of the intersection where the emergency vehicle 1 passes is performed. Do.
G1 = G0−G2 G0: The shortest time until the emergency vehicle 1 reaches the intersection G2: The emergency vehicle after the traffic light 28 on the road 24 intersecting with the traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 1 turns yellow. Time until the signal light 26 of the road 2 on which the vehicle 1 travels turns green. However, G0 is the shortest time to arrive at the intersection when traffic is the quietest, regardless of the condition of the road 2 through which the emergency vehicle 1 passes. . Also, it is assumed that G1 does not become shorter than the minimum time of the green time specified by the traffic signal controller 30.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 1 to 7, 11 are the same as those in FIG. , 42 are image sensors 41
An emergency vehicle detection device 43 detects an emergency vehicle from the image signal 42, detects an emergency vehicle by the image sensor 41, and detects a driver of the general vehicle 3 by the emergency vehicle detection signal 15. To notify the approach of the emergency vehicle.

Next, the processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels in priority to the general vehicle 6, the emergency vehicle 1 travels while blinking the red light, and the image sensor 41 captures the emergency vehicle 1 and outputs the image signal 42. Emergency vehicle detection device 4
3 and the emergency vehicle detection device 43
Only an image signal having a wavelength characteristic of a red-light emergency vehicle is extracted from among the signals, and the extracted image signals are compared in a time series to detect that the emergency vehicle 1 is approaching and to detect an emergency vehicle detection signal. When the display control device 16 receives the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 43, the emergency vehicle approaches from the display code indicating the traffic information based on the display command 6 received from the information display central device 5. The display code is switched to a drive signal 7 and converted to a drive signal 7. The information display device 4 displays that the emergency vehicle is approaching based on the drive signal 7 and displays a general vehicle located in front of the emergency vehicle. Notify 6.

FIG. 8 shows the emergency vehicle detection device 43 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the details of FIG.
6, 41 and 42 are the same as those in FIG.
, An image bandpass filter for extracting only an image signal having a wavelength corresponding to the red light of the emergency vehicle 1, a specific wavelength image signal 45 filtered by the image bandpass filter 44, and a specific wavelength image signal 45 filtered
Buffer that stores time-series data at fixed time intervals.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a current specific wavelength image signal stored in the frame buffer 46, reference numeral 48 denotes a previous specific wavelength image signal, and reference numeral 49 denotes a difference between the specific wavelength image signal 47 and the previous specific wavelength image signal 48 at each time. , A difference detector that extracts only the image signal of the moving object, 50 is a moving object image signal of the moving object, 51 is an image pattern of the emergency vehicle to be detected, 52 is an image pattern database that stores the image pattern 51 of the emergency vehicle to be detected, Reference numeral 53 denotes an emergency vehicle detected by comparing an image pattern extracted from a moving object image signal 50 with a specific shape pattern and a pattern of periodic change in the pattern intensity with the image pattern 51 stored in the image pattern database 52. This is an image pattern detector to perform.

Next, the processing of the emergency vehicle detection device 43 will be described. An image band filter 44 extracts only an image signal of a specific frequency corresponding to the red light of the emergency vehicle 1 from an image signal 42 obtained by capturing the situation of the road 2 by the image sensor 41, and extracts the extracted specific wavelength image signal 45. Is stored in the frame buffer 46 every time, and the frame buffer 4
The difference detector 49 performs a difference between the specific wavelength image signal 47 stored in 6 and the specific wavelength image signal 48 at the previous time to extract only the moving object image signal 50, and the extracted moving object image signal 50 is extracted. Image pattern detector 5
In step 3, an image pattern obtained by extracting a periodic change pattern of a specific shape and its pattern intensity is compared with an image pattern 51 of the emergency vehicle stored in the image pattern database 52, and if they match, an emergency vehicle detection signal is detected. 15 is output to the display control device 16.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image pattern detection process in the emergency vehicle detection device 43 of FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a time-series image signal group of the image signal 42 obtained by capturing the situation of the road 2 collected by the image sensor 41; 55, a specific wavelength image signal group obtained by filtering each of the image signals 54 by the image bandpass filter 44; Is a synthesized image signal obtained by synthesizing a moving object image signal 50 of a moving object obtained by subtracting the filtered specific wavelength image signal group 55 by the difference detector 49, and 57 is a synthesized image signal 5 obtained by the synthesis.
6 is an image pattern obtained by focusing on a specific shape of image information in the image pattern detector 53 and extracting a periodic change in intensity thereof.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
1, 15 and 16 are the same as those in FIG.
A sound wave sensor installed at 1 for collecting sound from the road 2 side, 59 is a sound signal collected by the sound wave sensor, 60 is an emergency vehicle detection device for detecting an emergency vehicle from the sound signal, Car detection,
The driver of the general vehicle 3 is notified of the approach of the emergency vehicle by the emergency vehicle detection signal 15.

Next, the processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the emergency vehicle 1 sounds a siren when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels in priority to the general vehicle 6, the sound wave sensor 11 collects voices on the road including the siren, and outputs the voice signal 59. It is transmitted to the emergency vehicle detection device 60, and the emergency vehicle detection device 60 extracts only the frequency band characteristic of the emergency vehicle from the audio signal 59, and detects that the emergency vehicle 1 is approaching based on its intensity and cycle. The display control device 16 receives the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 60 and displays the traffic information based on the display command 6 received from the information display central device 5. The display code is switched from the code to a display code indicating that an emergency vehicle is approaching and converted into a drive signal 7, and the information display device 4 indicates that the emergency vehicle is approaching based on the drive signal 7. Informs the general vehicle 6 located in front of the emergency vehicle Te.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing details of the emergency vehicle detection device 60 in FIG.
16, 58 and 59 are the same as those in FIG. 10, 61 is an audio band filter for extracting only an audio signal characteristic of the siren of the emergency vehicle 1 from the audio signal 59, and 62 is filtered by the audio band filter 61. The specific frequency audio signal 63 is a filtered specific frequency audio signal 6
2, a threshold value judging unit for judging a threshold value by intensity, 64 is a threshold value judgment result judged by the threshold value judging unit 63, 65 is a voice pattern of an emergency vehicle to be detected, and 66 is a voice pattern of an emergency vehicle to be detected. A voice pattern database storing voice patterns 65, and 67 is a time-series threshold determination result 64
Pattern created by extracting the periodic change pattern of the sound pattern and the sound pattern 65 stored in the sound pattern database 66.
This is a voice pattern detector that detects an emergency vehicle by collating with.

Next, the processing of the emergency vehicle detection device 60 will be described. Audio signal 5 collected by sound wave sensor 58
9 is filtered by an audio band filter 61 only in a frequency band characteristic of a siren of an emergency vehicle, and a threshold value judging unit 63 makes a threshold judgment based on the strength of the filtered specific frequency audio signal 62. The voice pattern obtained by extracting the time series cycle and width of the threshold value determination result 64 by the voice pattern detector 67 and the voice pattern 6 of the emergency vehicle stored in the voice pattern database 66
5 and outputs an emergency vehicle detection signal 15 to the display control device 16 if they match.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sound pattern detection process in the emergency vehicle detection device 60 in FIG. 10. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 68 denotes a sound signal 5 captured by the sound wave sensor 58.
6, a frequency spectrum 69; a frequency spectrum 69 of an audio signal obtained by extracting only a frequency range suitable for the emergency vehicle 1 from the frequency spectrum 68 by the audio band filter 58;
Reference numeral 0 denotes an audio pattern in which the threshold value is determined on the frequency spectrum 69 by the threshold value determiner 63 and the change with time is plotted.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
15 is the same as FIG. 1, 24 to 30 are the same as FIG. 3, 41 to 43 are the same as FIG. 7, and an emergency vehicle is detected by the image sensor 41. Signal control for intersections where emergency vehicles pass.

Next, the processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels prior to the general vehicle 6, the emergency vehicle 1 travels while blinking the red light, and the image sensor 41 captures the emergency vehicle 1 and outputs the image signal 42. Emergency vehicle detection device 4
3 and the emergency vehicle detection device 43
Only an image signal having a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light is extracted from among the above, and the extracted image signals are compared in a time series to detect that the emergency vehicle 1 is traveling, thereby detecting an emergency vehicle. The signal control device 30 outputs the signal 15, and when the signal control device 30 receives the emergency vehicle detection device 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 14, the number of seconds of blue lighting of the signal lamp 28 on the side of the road 24 that intersects with the road 2 through which the emergency vehicle passes Or increase the number of seconds of red lighting.

Embodiment 6 FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
15 is the same as FIG. 1, 24 to 30 are the same as FIG. 3, 58 to 60 are the same as FIG. 10, the emergency vehicle is detected by the sound wave sensor 58, and the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 Signal control for intersections where emergency vehicles pass.

A process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the emergency vehicle 1 sounds a siren when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels in priority to the general vehicle 6, the sound wave sensor 11 collects voices on the road including the siren, and outputs the voice signal 59. Emergency vehicle detection device 6
0, and the emergency vehicle detection device 60
, Only the frequency band characteristic of the emergency vehicle is extracted, and the intensity and the cycle detect that the emergency vehicle 1 is traveling, and output the emergency vehicle detection signal 15, and the signal control device 3
0 is an emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 14
Upon receiving the signal, the traffic light 28 on the road 24, which intersects the road 2 through which the emergency vehicle passes, shortens the number of seconds for lighting blue or extends the number of seconds for lighting red.

Embodiment 7 FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
1, 15, 16, 41 and 42 are the same as in FIG.
Reference numerals 8 and 59 are the same as those in FIG. 13. Reference numeral 71 denotes an emergency vehicle detection device that detects an emergency vehicle from the image signal 42 and the audio signal 59.

Next, the processing according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels prior to the general vehicle 6, the emergency vehicle 1 travels while flashing a red light and sounding a siren, and the image sensor 41 captures the emergency vehicle 1 The image signal 42 is transmitted to the emergency vehicle detection device 71, and the sound wave sensor 11 collects sound on the road including the siren and outputs the sound signal 59.
Is transmitted to the emergency vehicle detection device 71, and the emergency vehicle detection device 7
1 extracts only an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light from the image signal 42, compares the extracted image signals in a time series, and outputs the image signal from the audio signal 59 to the emergency vehicle. Only the characteristic frequency band is extracted, the intensity and cycle thereof are determined, the determination result based on the image signal and the determination result based on the audio signal are comprehensively determined, and it is detected that the emergency vehicle 1 is running, and the emergency vehicle is detected. When the display control device 16 receives the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 71, the display control device 16 determines the emergency vehicle from the display code indicating the traffic information based on the display command 6 received from the information display central device 5. Is switched to a display code that is approaching and converted into a drive signal 7, and the information display device 4 displays that the emergency vehicle is approaching based on the drive signal 7 and is located in front of the emergency vehicle. To inform the general vehicle 6.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing details of the emergency vehicle detection device 71 in FIG. 15, wherein 15 is the same as FIG. 1, and 41, 42, 44 to 51, 53 are the same as FIG. To 65 and 67 are the same as FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a pattern database in which image patterns and voice patterns to be detected are stored for each type of emergency vehicle. Reference numeral 73 denotes a case where the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 output from each of the image pattern detector 53 and the voice pattern detector 67 is valid. This is a determiner that comprehensively determines the approach of the emergency vehicle 1 based on the fact that the combination of the image pattern 51 and the audio pattern 65 used for the detection matches each other for each type of emergency vehicle.

Next, the processing of the emergency vehicle detection device 71 will be described. The image band filter 44 extracts only the image signal corresponding to the red light of the emergency vehicle 1 from the image signal 42 obtained by shooting the situation of the road 2 shot by the image sensor 41,
The extracted specific wavelength image signal 45 is stored in the frame buffer 46 for each time, and the difference between the specific wavelength image signal 47 stored in the frame buffer 46 and the specific wavelength image signal 48 at the previous time is detected by the difference detector 49. By performing the above operation, only the moving object image signal 50 is extracted, and the extracted pattern of the moving object image signal 50 is extracted by the image pattern detector 53 into a periodic pattern of a specific shape and its pattern intensity. Pattern database 72
The emergency vehicle detection signal 15 is output if the patterns match, and the voice signal 59 collected by the sound wave sensor 58 is converted to a voice band filter 61 by the emergency vehicle siren. And a threshold pattern judging unit 63 makes a threshold judgment based on the strength of the filtered specific frequency audio signal 62, and a threshold pattern judgment result 64 The cycle and width of the series are compared with the voice pattern 65 of the emergency vehicle stored in the voice pattern database 66, and if they match, the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 is output. 15 and the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 based on the audio signal are both valid. And outputs to the display control unit 16 an emergency vehicle detection signal 15 when the type of the vehicle match.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an image pattern and a voice pattern for each type of the emergency vehicle, wherein 74 is an image pattern of a police vehicle, 75 is a voice pattern of a police vehicle,
76 is an image pattern of an ambulance, 77 is a voice pattern of an ambulance, and the image pattern used for detection in the emergency vehicle detection device 71 is an image pattern 74 of a police vehicle and a voice pattern 77 of an ambulance or an image of an ambulance. In the case of the pattern 76 and the voice pattern 75 of the police vehicle, it is not determined that the emergency vehicle is approaching, and the image pattern used for detection is 7
Only when the four voice patterns are 75 or when the image pattern 76 and the voice pattern 77 are used, it is determined that the emergency vehicle is approaching, and the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 is output.

Embodiment 8 FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
15 is the same as FIG. 7, 24 to 30 are the same as FIG. 3, 41, 42, 58, 59 and 71 are the same as FIG. 15, and the image signal and the sound signal of the image sensor 41 and the sound wave sensor 58 are shown. , An emergency vehicle is detected, and an emergency vehicle detection signal 15 is used to control a signal at an intersection through which the emergency vehicle passes.

Next, processing according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the emergency vehicle 1 travels while blinking a red light and sounding a siren when a situation occurs in which the emergency vehicle 1 travels prior to the general vehicle 6.
1 captures the emergency vehicle 1 and transmits the image signal 42 to the emergency vehicle detection device 71, the sound wave sensor 11 collects voices on the road including the siren, and outputs the voice signal 59 to the emergency vehicle detection device 71. To the emergency vehicle detection device 71
Extracts only an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light from the image signal 42, compares the extracted image signals in a time series, and characterizes the emergency vehicle from a voice signal 59. Detects emergency vehicle 1 by detecting only emergency frequency band, determining its intensity and cycle, comprehensively determining the determination result by image signal and the determination result by voice signal, and detecting that emergency vehicle 1 is running. The signal control device 30 outputs the signal 15 and when the signal control device 30 receives the emergency vehicle detection signal 15 from the emergency vehicle detection device 14, the number of seconds in which the signal light 28 on the road 24 on the road 24 intersecting the road 2 where the emergency vehicle passes passes is turned on in blue. Or increase the number of seconds of red lighting.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to ensure smooth and safe traffic by displaying the approach of the emergency vehicle on the information display device and notifying the driver of the general vehicle.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the traffic lights on the road intersecting with the emergency vehicle are extended in the red time and the blue time to restrict the traffic of general vehicles, thereby ensuring smooth and safe traffic. It is possible to do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure smooth and safe traffic by displaying the approach of the emergency vehicle on the information display device and notifying the driver of the general vehicle.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to ensure smooth and safe traffic by displaying the approach of the emergency vehicle on the information display device and notifying the driver of the general vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing Embodiment 1 of an emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display control device for displaying the approach of an emergency vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a signal control device that performs responsive control when an emergency vehicle approaches.

FIG. 5 is a ladder pattern diagram showing the number of seconds in which the lamp is lit during normal operation and during a red extension operation due to the approach of an emergency vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a ladder pattern diagram showing the number of seconds in which the lamp is turned on during normal operation and during a blue shortening operation due to the approach of an emergency vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing Embodiment 3 of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an emergency vehicle detection device for detecting an approach of an emergency vehicle according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing processing contents of image information for detecting an emergency vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing Embodiment 4 of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency vehicle detection device for detecting an approach of an emergency vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing processing contents of audio information for detecting an emergency vehicle.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing Embodiment 5 of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing Embodiment 7 of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an emergency vehicle detection device for detecting an emergency vehicle approach according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image pattern and a voice pattern for each type of emergency vehicle.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the emergency vehicle priority device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a conventional emergency vehicle priority device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 emergency vehicle, 2 roads, 3 general vehicles, 4 information display device, 5 information display central device, 8 display control device, 9
Transmitter, 14 L-shaped support, 12 receiver, 14 emergency vehicle detection device, 16 display control device, 17 code generator,
19 emergency vehicle approach display table, 21 display switcher, 23 display driver, 24 road, 25 general vehicle,
26 signal light device, 28 signal light device, 30 signal control device, 31 lamp lighting seconds calculator, 34 red extension / blue shortening operation controller, 36 red extension / blue shortening time calculator, 38 lamp color switching controller, 40 Light driver, 41 image sensor,
43 emergency vehicle detection device, 44 image bandpass filter, 4
6 frame buffer, 49 difference detector, 52 image pattern database, 53 image pattern detector, 58
Sound wave sensor, 59 sound signal, 60 emergency vehicle detection device, 61 sound band filter, 63 threshold value judgment device,
66 Voice pattern database, 67 Voice pattern detector, 71 Emergency vehicle detection device, 72 Image voice pattern database, 73 Judgment device.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image sensor for photographing a road condition, and an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light is extracted from an image signal collected by the image sensor. An emergency vehicle detection device that detects an emergency vehicle detection signal by comparing the series, and usually displays traffic information such as congested road information, and when the emergency vehicle detection signal is input, an emergency An emergency vehicle priority device, comprising: a display control device that switches to vehicle approach notification information and displays the information preferentially. 2. An image sensor for photographing a road condition, and extracting only an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light from an image signal collected by the image sensor, and extracting the extracted image signal. An emergency vehicle detection device that detects an emergency vehicle detection signal by comparing the series and an extension of the red time of a signal light on a road intersecting a road through which the emergency vehicle passes when the emergency vehicle detection signal is input. Or an emergency vehicle priority device, comprising: a signal control device for shortening green time. 3. An image sensor for photographing a road condition, a sound wave sensor for collecting sound on the road, and only an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light from an image signal collected by the image sensor. , And the extracted image signals are compared in a time series, and only the sound signal of a frequency characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a siren is extracted from the sound signal obtained by the sound wave sensor, and the strength and the period are determined. An emergency vehicle detection device that comprehensively determines a comparison result based on the image signal and a determination result based on the audio signal to detect an emergency vehicle detection signal, and usually displays traffic information such as congested road information. A display control device for switching from the traffic information to the emergency vehicle approach notification information when an emergency vehicle detection signal is input and displaying the information preferentially; . 4. An image sensor for photographing a road condition, a sound wave sensor for collecting sound on a road, and only an image signal of a wavelength characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a red light from an image signal collected by the image sensor. , And the extracted image signals are compared in a time series, and only the sound signal of a frequency characteristic of an emergency vehicle such as a siren is extracted from the sound signal obtained by the sound wave sensor, and the strength and the period are determined. An emergency vehicle detection device that comprehensively determines a comparison result based on the image signal and a determination result based on the audio signal to detect an emergency vehicle detection signal, and an emergency vehicle passes when the emergency vehicle detection signal is input An emergency vehicle priority device, comprising: a signal control device for extending a red time or shortening a blue time of a traffic light on a road intersecting the road.