JPH11353582A - Image information transmitting method, traffic information providing system using the same, traffic information reception terminal equipment and moving object distribution information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information in a short time while using an image by displaying a modeling image until completing the data communication of an original image having a lot of data. SOLUTION: When the reception completion of model information (photographic condition information and mapping information) is detected, a control part 31 instructs a plotting part 43 to plot the modeling image. The plotting part 43, which receives this instruction, acquires the photographic condition information and mapping information from a reception information storage part 37. While referring to the photographic condition information, the map of a photographing place is read out of a map information storage part 39. Next, the plotting part 43 refers to the position coordinate of a vehicle contained in the mapping information. Further, the plotting part 43 refers to the type of the vehicle contained in the mapping information. The modeling image prepared like this is outputted to a display device 23 and displayed. On the display device 23, the modeling image under displaying is replaced with a real photographed image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for providing information contained in an image by transmitting the image, and more particularly to a method for providing information quickly. In addition, the present invention relates to a system capable of rapidly providing traffic information using images by applying the above method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As image communication technology has advanced and spread, it has been proposed to provide various information by transmitting images. For example, in the image information communication system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-117192, an image photographed by a camera installed in each place is sent to a receiving terminal device via a communication network and displayed on a display of the terminal device. . The system of this publication is used, for example, for providing traffic information.
An image of the traffic situation on the road is sent to the receiving terminal device, so that the user of the receiving terminal device can know the state of traffic congestion on the road. By using an image, there is an advantage that information is represented visually and a user can intuitively grasp information.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In image communication,
The problem is that the amount of image data is large compared to the communication capacity and the time required for data communication is long. This communication delay also increases the waiting time until the information provided by the image is obtained by the user.

[0004] In particular, in a system for transmitting an image to an in-vehicle terminal device, the above-mentioned problem of communication delay is remarkable. It is assumed that a vehicle requests traffic information to the outside, a captured image of a traffic situation is returned in response to the request, and drawing processing is performed using the return data. Considering that the driver uses the return data to operate the vehicle or make a driving plan, it is required that the response time from request transmission to information provision be short. For example, it is desirable that the process from issuing a request to displaying an image be completed during a short stop. However,
The communication capacity of mobile communication media used for vehicle data communication is smaller than that of general communication media (fixed network), and when performing communication of images with a large amount of data, the communication delay increases. It is difficult to complete image display in a short time.

As a technique for improving the responsiveness of image communication, there is an interlace function well known in the field of the Internet. In the interlace function, low-resolution data is sent at the beginning of communication of still image data, and a coarse image is drawn. Thereafter, detailed information for complementing the coarse image is sent, and the detailed image is drawn when the reception of the detailed information is completed. By using this interlace function, communication delay is reduced.

However, in the above-described interlacing function, the image displayed first is a mosaic image having a low resolution (or a partial image, an image obtained by thinning out horizontal lines, etc.). Therefore, although the response time until image display can be shortened, there is a drawback in that it is not clear what is shown even when the first low-resolution image is viewed.
For example, even if a captured image of a traffic situation is sent, it is difficult to recognize a vehicle appearing in an initial low-resolution image. After all, in order for the user to grasp the traffic situation, the user must wait for a detailed image to be displayed later. As described above, when trying to convey some information of an image, it is difficult to reduce the time required for useful information to be transmitted to the user even by using the interlace function.

In the above description, a case where traffic information is mainly provided to a vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the above problem may occur. When an image is used for providing information, there is an advantage that information can be visually grasped, but responsiveness of providing information deteriorates due to a communication delay of image data. Even if the interlacing function is applied, it is difficult to obtain useful information from an initial low-resolution image, so that it is difficult to shorten the response time until information provision.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of providing information using an image in a short time. It is another object of the present invention to provide traffic information quickly using an image of a traffic situation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for promptly providing information on a moving object distribution state using an image.

[0009]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a method for transmitting an image having specific information from a transmitting side to a receiving side. A model information transmitting step of transmitting model information indicating a position of a part related to the specific information, and an original image transmitting step of transmitting the original image following the model information; A modeling image generating step of generating a modeling image in which a component pattern image stored on the receiving side is arranged at the position of the component indicated by the received model information, and a modeling image displaying step of displaying the generated modeling image; Replacing the modeling image with the original image after the reception of the original image is completed. To.

[0010] For example, the specific information is a traffic condition of a road, the original image is an image obtained by photographing an actual traffic condition of a road, and components constituting the original image are reflected in the original image. Vehicle.
Even if it takes time to transmit an image in which actual traffic information is captured, it can be transmitted in a short time if it is model information indicating the position of the vehicle in the captured image. On the receiving side, a modeling image is generated by attaching a pattern image of the vehicle to the position of the vehicle indicated by the model information.
This modeling image represents the traffic situation with the same clarity as the original image.

As described above, according to the present invention, until data communication of an original image having a large data amount is completed,
A modeling image is displayed. The original image and the modeling image have almost the same information providing ability. That is, information that can be visually grasped from the original image can be similarly grasped from the modeling image. Therefore, it is possible to provide more useful information to the image in a short time.
In particular, even in situations where a large communication capacity cannot be secured,
It is possible to ensure sufficient responsiveness of information provision.

In this embodiment, the image having the specific information is not limited to a photographed image of a traffic condition, but may be, for example, an image of a congested state of various facilities such as an amusement park.
The image is not limited to a photographed image and may be an image obtained by an arbitrary method.

In generating a modeling image, it is preferable to attach the above-mentioned pattern image to an appropriate background image corresponding to the original image. In the above example, a background image of a road or an amusement park is used. This background image is preferably stored on the receiving side. Further, it is preferable to create a background image on the receiving side based on map data or the like.

(2) Another aspect of the present invention is a traffic information providing system including an information center and a traffic information receiving terminal device provided with traffic information by data communication from the information center. Transmitting model information generated based on an original image of the traffic situation to the traffic information receiving terminal device, wherein the model information includes position information of a moving object that is actually present in the original image; The information receiving terminal device generates, based on the position information of the model information, a modeling image in which the moving object pattern image is attached to the actual position of the moving object on the map of the place shown in the original image, and displays the generated modeling image on the display device. It is characterized by doing.

According to this aspect, the model information indicating the position of the moving object in the original photographed image is transmitted. Then, the receiving terminal device generates a modeling image based on the model information. The modeling image is obtained by attaching a moving object pattern to a map. Here, the moving object pattern is attached to the position indicated by the model information, that is, the same position as the moving object of the original image. Therefore, the modeling image can express the traffic condition visually as easily as easily as the original image. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display an image representing traffic information almost in the same time as an actual captured image in a short time, and it is possible to provide information more quickly.

(3) Another aspect of the present invention is a traffic information receiving terminal device which receives traffic information provided from outside by data communication, comprising a data receiving means, a map storage means, and a pattern for storing a moving object pattern image. Image storage means;
Drawing processing means for generating an image to be displayed on a display device, wherein the data receiving means is generated based on an original image obtained by capturing an actual traffic condition and includes position information of a moving object in the original image. Receiving the information, the drawing processing means reads the map of the place shown in the original image from the map storage means, and displays the moving object pattern image on the read map at the actual position of the moving object indicated by the model information. Is attached to generate a modeling image. According to this aspect, the same effect as the aspect of the traffic information providing system of (2) can be obtained.

Preferably, the model information includes information indicating the type of the moving object together with the position of the moving object, and the drawing processing means moves the position of the moving object indicated by the model information to the position of the moving object. A moving object pattern image corresponding to the body type is attached. For example, when the moving object is a vehicle, information indicating whether each vehicle is a passenger car or a truck is included in the model information. Based on the model information,
A pattern image of a car or truck is read from the pattern image storage means and used. This brings the modeling image closer to the original image.

Preferably, the model information includes a photographing direction at the time of photographing the original image, and the drawing processing means pastes the moving object pattern image on a map viewed from the photographing direction. The generated image is generated as the modeling image. As a result, a modeling image closer to the original image can be obtained.

[0019] More preferably, the original image is received together with the model information, and after completion of the reception of the original image, the displayed modeling image is replaced with the original image. In particular, it is preferable to replace the modeling image including the map viewed from the shooting direction with the original image, and there is an advantage that the replacement of the image is natural for the user and the display is easy to see.

(4) Another aspect of the present invention is a traffic information receiving terminal device which receives traffic information provided from outside by data communication, and displays a modeling image showing a traffic condition of a predetermined target place on a display device. The displayed modeling image includes a map of the target location and a moving body pattern image attached to a position on the map corresponding to a real position of the moving body at the target location. As described above, the traffic condition can be accurately represented by such a modeling image at substantially the same level as the original image.

(5) Another aspect of the present invention is a moving object distribution information providing method for providing information indicating a distribution state of a moving object, the method being based on an original image actually photographing a predetermined target location. A moving object extracting step of extracting a moving object appearing in the original image, a position calculating step of obtaining a position of each extracted moving object, and information indicating a position of the moving object obtained in the position calculating step. And a distribution information transmitting step of transmitting the information as information representing the distribution state of the moving object.

Also in this embodiment, since information indicating the position of the moving object in the original image is transmitted, information that enables the visual representation of the moving object distribution with a small amount of data is provided. The original image may be an image in which traffic conditions on a road are photographed as in the above-described embodiment, or may be an image in another place, for example, an image in which various facilities such as an amusement park are photographed. The moving body is not limited to the vehicle, but may be any one.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a system for providing traffic information. In this system, images of roads and surrounding facilities are sent to vehicles. By viewing the transmitted image, the vehicle user can intuitively grasp the state of the road and easily know the detailed situation such as traffic jam.
Then, the user can select an appropriate route and effectively use facilities such as a service area, thereby improving the convenience of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the system. The information collecting camera 1 is installed on the roof of a building, and captures traffic conditions on a road. The information collecting camera 1 is connected to an information center 5 via a communication network 3. The information center 5 performs data communication with the in-vehicle terminal device 11 of the vehicle 9 using the mobile communication medium 7. The information center 5 provides various useful information to the vehicle 9. A still image of a road is one of them. In addition,
Although one camera 1 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of cameras are actually installed at different places. Similarly, although one vehicle 9 is shown in FIG. 1, many vehicles actually perform data communication with the information center 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the information center 5, a center control device 13 including a computer controls the entire center. In addition, the control device 13 performs creation, storage, management, and the like of various information to be sent to the vehicle.
It also processes data sent from the vehicle. First communication device 1
5 is used for data communication with the in-vehicle terminal device 11. The second communication device 17 is used for data communication with the information collection camera 1 via the communication network 3. A map of the whole country is stored in the map database 19, and the map data is used for processing in the control device 13.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1 is a control device 21, a display device 23 and an input device 25
Having. The display device 23 and the input device 25 are installed in the vehicle interior. The control device 21 includes an antenna 2
9 is connected, and this communication device 23
Is used to perform data communication with the information center 5. The in-vehicle terminal device 11 is a computer device that functions as an information device for a vehicle. The in-vehicle terminal device 11 has a navigation function, and displays a map of the current position detected using, for example, a current position detection unit (not shown) such as a GPS device. In addition, a map of a place designated by the user is displayed, and route guidance to the travel destination is performed using the map. In addition, the in-vehicle terminal device 11 provides various useful information obtained from the information center 5 to the user as information equipment, and transmits data to the information center 5.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the vehicle-mounted terminal device 11 in more detail. The control device 21 is controlled by a control unit 31 including a CPU. The user operates the input device 25
Is input to the control unit 31 via the input unit 33. The communication control unit 35 includes the control unit 31
The communication device 27 is controlled according to the instruction. Information received by the communication device 27 is stored in the reception information storage unit 37. The map information storage unit 39 stores map data for the whole country. This map data is used not only for the navigation function described above, but also for providing traffic information in the present embodiment.

The drawing information storage unit 41 functions as a pattern image storage unit which is a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, and stores a drawing pattern of a vehicle. The drawing pattern is equivalent to the component pattern image of the present invention,
1 is a schematic image (texture image) of a typical vehicle. The drawing information storage unit 41 stores drawing patterns of a plurality of types of vehicles, for example, drawing patterns of passenger cars and trucks. The drawing pattern is used in a traffic information providing process described later. The drawing information storage section 41 stores various drawing information in addition to the component pattern image. Using the drawing information as appropriate, a menu screen for device operation,
A screen for providing various information to the user is generated.

The drawing unit 43 performs a drawing process of an image to be displayed on the display device 23 according to an instruction from the control unit 31 and outputs the image to the display device 23. The drawing unit 43 uses the data stored in the reception information storage unit 37, the map information storage unit 39, and the drawing information storage unit 41 for drawing processing. As hardware, the drawing unit 43 may be an independent processor,
It may be integrated with the control unit 31.

In the above system, an image taken by the information collecting camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is sent to the information center 5 and then sent from the information center 5 to the vehicle 9. However, the communication capacity of mobile communication media is limited, and is, for example, about several kbps at present. On the other hand, the image data to be transmitted has a data amount of about several tens of kilobytes even if an appropriate compression process is performed. Therefore, simply sending image data takes several minutes. In this case, the delay in providing information is too large for a user who wants to know a traffic situation and consider a subsequent traveling route. Further, it cannot respond to a request to receive useful information provided during a short stop.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to solve the above-described problem, image information captured by the camera 1 is provided as traffic information as described below. here,
[Pre-processing] and [information providing processing] will be described separately.

[Advance processing] [1] Notification of information collection point (camera installation point) The information center 5 stores a point where the information collection camera 1 is installed, that is, a point where traffic information can be collected by photographing. I have. As described above, the cameras 1 are installed at a plurality of locations. The camera installation points are notified to the in-vehicle terminal device 11 using the mobile communication medium 7. In the in-vehicle terminal device 11, the information on the camera installation point is stored in the reception information storage unit 37 and is used by the control unit 31.
When the installation location of the camera 1 is changed (including addition and reduction), the information on the change of the installation location is notified to the in-vehicle terminal device 11.

[2] Image Information Acquisition of Information Center The information center 5 obtains (i) a still image by photographing a road from the information collection camera 1 at the camera installation point notified to the vehicle 9, (ii) transmission of the acquired image and (i.
ii) Request for transmission of shooting conditions at the time of image acquisition. This request is generated by the center control device 13 of the information center 5 and transmitted to the camera 1 via the communication network 3 using the second communication device 17.

The information collection camera 1 captures a road according to a request from the information center 5 and obtains a still image. The obtained still image is returned to the information center 5 via the communication network 3 together with the photographing conditions. In the present embodiment, this still image is the original image of the present invention. Shooting condition information
As shown in FIG. 4, the following data is included.

(A) Coordinates of photographing center point O (coordinates on a map, for example, latitude and longitude) (b) Viewing angle of camera (photographing direction, elevation angle φ, azimuth angle θ (based on north-south direction)) (c) Photographing area A (for example, coordinates of four vertices of a quadrangle that is a photographing area) In addition to these conditions, it is also preferable to include information such as weather and brightness. The still image and the shooting condition information sent from the information collecting camera 1 are stored in a storage device in the center control device 13 of the information center 5. Note that information acquisition from the information collection camera 1 is repeatedly performed at appropriate intervals (for example, several minutes).

[3] Image Information Processing (Generation of Mapping Information) in Information Center In the information center 5, information to be provided to the vehicle 9 is created by the center control device 13 from the still images and the photographing conditions. Referring to FIG. 5, first, a still image (5-1)
The road shape and the target parts are modeled for
A schematic diagram (5-2) is created. The target component is a component that forms a still image and is a target of modeling, for example, a vehicle or a facility around a road. The road may be considered as one of the target parts. By the modeling process, the target component is extracted from the still image, and the type of the component is obtained. Here, the type of vehicle (passenger car, truck, etc.) is also required.

In the modeling process, for example, a still image is converted to a single color, and further binarized using an appropriate threshold.
The road shape is extracted from the binarized image. Then, an object existing on the road is extracted, and this is defined as a vehicle. Further, the type of the vehicle is determined using an appropriate template or the like. A well-known image processing technique may be applied to the modeling process, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the modeling process, the process of extracting a road, a vehicle, a building, and the like may be manually performed by an operator. That is, the operator may take out the part shown in the image by a trimming operation or the like.

On the other hand, the center control device 13 acquires map data including the shooting area A around the shooting center point O from the map information (5-3) in the map database 19. Using the obtained map data, a two-dimensional map (5-4) shown in FIG. 5 is created.

The center control device 13 is a schematic diagram (5
The position of the target part in -2) is made two-dimensional. Here, the actual position coordinates on the road are calculated from the position of the target component in the image using the photographing condition information. In the present embodiment, the position of the vehicle among the target components is obtained. Then, by mapping the vehicle on the two-dimensional map (5-4) such that the vehicle is located at the calculated vehicle position, a mapping two-dimensional map (5-5) is created. The circles in the figure indicate the locations where the mapping was performed. The type and position coordinates of the vehicle mapped on the two-dimensional map are defined as "mapping information (5-6)".

The mapping information (5-6) is stored in the storage device of the center control device 13 together with the image information and the photographing condition information. These mapping information, photographing condition information and still image information constitute “image traffic information” provided to the vehicle 9. Among them, the mapping information and the shooting condition information are information included in the “model information” of the present invention. Regarding image information, it is preferable to reduce data by appropriate compression processing conforming to JPEG or the like.
As shown in FIG. 6, the above image traffic information is
In response to a request from the vehicle 9, shooting condition information (6-1),
The information is returned to the vehicle 9 in the order of the mapping information (6-2) and the image information (6-3). Therefore, the data is stored in the storage device in the center control device 13 according to the transmission order.

[Information Providing Process] [1] Request of Traffic Information by User Next, a process when the traffic information prepared in the preliminary processing is provided from the information center 5 to the vehicle 9 will be described. First, in the in-vehicle terminal device 11, the information collection position (camera installation point)
Is displayed on the display device 23 together with the map. The camera installation point has already been sent from the information center 5 and stored in the reception information storage unit 37. According to an instruction from the control unit 31,
The camera installation point is read. In the drawing unit 43, a map image with a mark of a camera installation point is generated and displayed on the display device 23.

As described above, the information collecting cameras 1 are installed at a plurality of places. The vehicle user uses the display device 23
And operating the input device 25 to select and designate a desired information collection position. The control device 21 requests the information center 5 to transmit the traffic information at the designated position. This request
The information is sent to the information center 5 via the mobile communication medium 7 using the communication device 27 and the antenna 29.

[2] Return of Image Traffic Information In the information center 5, a request for traffic information is sent to the first communication device 15.
And transmitted to the center control device 13. The control device 13 reads out the image traffic information at the position indicated in the request from the storage device, and returns it to the in-vehicle terminal device 11 that has issued the request. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the image traffic information is transmitted in the order of imaging condition information, mapping information, and image information.

[3] Monitoring reception of image traffic information When the information center 5 starts returning information, the communication device 27 of the in-vehicle terminal device 11 starts receiving. The received information is sequentially stored in the communication control unit 35. The communication control unit 35 notifies the control unit 3 that the reception of traffic information has started.
Notify 1. The control unit 31 receives the notification and monitors the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 37. By this monitoring, the control unit 31 detects completion of reception of the model information (imaging condition information and mapping information) in the image traffic information.

The model information is information having a significantly smaller data amount than the image information. The total data amount of the model information is, for example, about 1 kbit. Therefore, even if the transfer capacity of the mobile communication medium 7 is as small as about several kbps, the reception of the model information is completed in about several seconds.

[4] Generation and Display of Modeling Image (FIG. 7) Upon detecting completion of reception of model information (imaging condition information and mapping information), the control unit 31 instructs the drawing unit 43 to draw a modeling image. Drawing unit 4 receiving this instruction
3 acquires imaging condition information and mapping information from the reception information storage unit 37. Then, referring to the shooting condition information,
The map of the shooting location is read from the map information storage unit 39. Here, the shooting center point O included in the shooting condition information
, And a map including the shooting area A is acquired.

The drawing unit 43 first creates a two-dimensional map from the acquired map (7-1). Next, the drawing unit 4
3 refers to the position coordinates of the vehicle included in the mapping information. Then, a position on the two-dimensional map corresponding to the position coordinates is obtained, and the position on this map is set as a drawing position. The vehicle is mapped to the drawing position of the two-dimensional map,
A mapping two-dimensional map (7-2) is created. The crosses in the figure indicate the locations where the mapping was performed. The mapping two-dimensional map (7-2) at this time has information indicating that a vehicle is present at the location indicated by the mark X and information on the type of vehicle at that location.

Next, the drawing section 43 converts the mapping two-dimensional map (7-2) into an information collection camera view (7-3) based on the photographing condition information. The camera view is a map viewed from the shooting direction of the camera. Using the viewing angle (elevation angle φ, azimuth angle θ) of the shooting condition information, the map viewed from the vertical direction is converted into a map viewed from the shooting direction. Further, a camera view in the same range as the original captured image can be obtained by the trimming process based on the captured area information. The map viewed from the camera is a background image of the modeling image.

Further, the drawing unit 43 refers to the type of the vehicle included in the mapping information. Then, a drawing pattern (a component pattern image of the present invention) corresponding to the type of each vehicle is obtained from the drawing information storage unit 41. The drawing pattern is
It is attached to the drawing position of each vehicle on the camera view map. As described above, the drawing information storage unit 41 stores the drawing patterns for each type such as cars and trucks. For example, a drawing pattern of a car is attached to a drawing position of the car.

As described above, the modeling image (7-
4) is created. The modeling image is output to the display device 23 and displayed. This modeling image shows how vehicles are distributed on the road where the information was collected,
It is represented to the same extent as a real image. By viewing this image, the vehicle user can intuitively grasp the traffic congestion state and the like.

[5] Display of Original Image (Replacement Process) Image information is received by the in-vehicle terminal device 11 following model information (imaging condition information and mapping information). The data amount of the image information is large, and therefore the communication time of the image information is much longer than the communication time of the model information. When detecting the completion of the reception of the image information, the control unit 31
To draw a still image. The drawing unit 43 receives this instruction, acquires image information from the reception information storage unit 37, and performs a still image drawing process. Here, the image information is decoded according to a predetermined format. Decompression processing is performed on the compressed image data. The still image is an original real image captured by the information collection camera 1. In the display device 23, the modeling image being displayed is replaced with a real image. Since the modeling image is a camera view, the gaze direction does not change when the image is switched.
Therefore, the switching from the modeling image to the original image is smoothly performed without a sense of incongruity, and the user can easily grasp the traffic situation before and after the image switching.

[6] Screen Transition of In-Vehicle Terminal Device FIG. 8 shows the in-vehicle terminal device 11 in the process of providing the above traffic information.
Of the screen displayed on the display device 23 of FIG.
First, using the map screen (8-1), the position where the traffic information is requested is specified. For example, the in-vehicle terminal device 11
It is assumed that the route to the destination is set by the navigation function and is displayed on the map. On the map, a camera installation location ahead along the set route is displayed. The user selects and designates one of the camera installation locations.

When a user's instruction is input, traffic information is requested to the information center 5. In the display device 23,
The response waiting screen (8-2) is displayed. When the model information (imaging condition information and mapping information) is returned from the information center 5, a modeling screen (8-3) is generated and displayed. Since the data amount of the model information is small, the display time of the response waiting screen is about several seconds.

The information center 5 transmits the image information following the model information. Because the amount of image data is large,
This communication of the image information takes a longer time (for example, several minutes) than the model information. After the communication of the image data is completed, the screen of the display device 23 is replaced with a still image screen (8-4).

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. As described above, according to the present embodiment, model information having a small data amount is transmitted before transmitting a captured image. A modeling image is generated on the vehicle side using the model information and the pattern image stored on the vehicle side. By looking at the modeling image, it is possible to easily grasp the distribution state of the vehicle, almost as much as looking at the original photographed image. As described above, according to the present embodiment, a modeling image having substantially the same information providing ability as the original image can be presented to the user in a short time, so that the responsiveness of providing information can be greatly improved. In particular, sufficient responsiveness can be obtained even under conditions where communication capacity is limited, such as when using mobile communication media.

Conventionally, it is well known that traffic information is provided to a vehicle by communication, such as traffic congestion location, traffic congestion status (length of traffic congestion, time required for traveling on a congested road, etc.), and cause of traffic congestion. It is preferable that the traffic information providing system of the present embodiment be integrated with these other systems for providing traffic information. For example, a user who is notified that there is a traffic jam at a certain place can request an image of the place from the information center.

In the present embodiment, only the type and position of the vehicle are included in the mapping information. On the other hand, information on other parts constituting the original image may be sent as part of the mapping information. For example, if construction is being performed on a road, the component type “construction (the type of construction may be specified)” and the component position “coordinates of the construction location” are included in the mapping information. If lane regulation has occurred, the type “lane regulation” and the position “coordinates of the regulation point” are added to the mapping information. Also,
If there is a falling object on the road, the type “falling object” and the position “the coordinates of the place where the falling object is located” are added to the mapping information. In addition, information (similar types and positions) of facilities such as buildings around the road may be added to the mapping information. Drawing patterns corresponding to these components are prepared in the drawing information storage unit 41 of the in-vehicle terminal device 11. And the drawing pattern is similar to the drawing of the vehicle described above,
Used to generate modeling images.

Further, other information can be added to the photographing condition information and the mapping information. For example, information indicating weather and brightness is added to the shooting condition information. By using this condition, it is possible to create a modeling image that is closer to the original image, such as expressing rainy weather in the modeling image. For mapping information,
For example, color information is added to the type of vehicle. By coloring the drawing pattern based on this information, the modeling image is made closer to the original image.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the traffic information providing system described above. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a system that provides information on facilities such as an amusement park and a zoo. In this case, mapping information is created for visitors to the facility. A visitor is one mode of a moving object. On the receiving terminal side, a modeling image is generated by attaching a human drawing pattern to the position indicated by the mapping information. The distribution image of the person can be understood from the modeling image, and the degree of congestion can be easily grasped.

In the present embodiment, the receiving terminal device is mounted on the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. The receiving terminal device may be mounted on a mobile body other than the vehicle, and the present invention may be applied to a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, a modeling image having almost the same information providing ability as the original image is presented to the user in a very short time after the necessity of providing information occurs. Is done. Therefore, the information possessed by the original image can be provided to the user much faster than sending the original image itself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information center and a vehicle-mounted terminal device of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the in-vehicle terminal device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating shooting conditions when an image is acquired by an information collection camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing for creating mapping information from a still image in an information center.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of image traffic information sent from an information center to an in-vehicle terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of creating a modeling image from model information in the in-vehicle terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing transition of a screen displayed on the display device of the in-vehicle terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera for information collection, 3 communication network, 5 information center,
7 mobile communication media, 9 vehicle, 11 in-vehicle terminal device, 13 center control device, 19 map database,
21 control device, 23 display device, 25 input device, 3
1 control unit, 37 reception information storage unit, 39 map information storage unit, 41 drawing information storage unit, 43 drawing unit.

Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 000005821 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 1006 Odakadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka (72) Inventor Akito Tada 1st Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Akimasa Namba 10 Takane, Fujii-machi, Anjo-shi, Aichi Prefecture Aisin AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Kaneiwa 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Pref. Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Toru Konishi Fujitsu Ten Co., Ltd., 1-2-2, Goshodori, Hyogo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo (72) Inventor Toshiaki Egawa 4-1-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method of transmitting an image having specific information from a transmission side to a reception side, comprising: a model information indicating a position of a part constituting an original image to be transmitted, the part being related to the specific information Transmitting an original image following the model information, and an original image transmitting step of transmitting the original image, on the receiving side, storing on the receiving side at the position of the component indicated by the received model information. A modeling image generating step of generating a modeling image in which a component pattern image is arranged; a modeling image displaying step of displaying the generated modeling image; and an original replacing the modeling image with the original image after the reception of the original image is completed. An image information transmission method, comprising: an image display step. 2. The image information transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the specific information is a traffic condition of a road, and the original image is an image of a traffic condition of an actual road. The image information transmitting method, wherein the parts constituting the original image include a vehicle appearing in the original image. 3. A method for receiving and displaying an image having specific information from a transmitting side, wherein the position of a component constituting an original image to be received and related to the specific information is indicated. A model information receiving step of receiving model information; a modeling image generating step of generating a modeling image by attaching a stored component pattern image to a position of a component indicated by the model information; and displaying the generated modeling image. An image information receiving and displaying step of, after completion of the reception of the original image received following the model information, an original image displaying step of replacing the modeling image with the original image. Method. 4. A method for transmitting an image having specific information to a receiving side, comprising transmitting model information indicating a position of a part constituting an original image to be transmitted and relating to the specific information. And transmitting an original image subsequent to the model information. 5. A traffic information providing system including an information center and a traffic information receiving terminal device provided with traffic information by data communication from the information center, wherein the information center generates an original image of an actual traffic situation. Transmitting the generated model information to the traffic information receiving terminal device, wherein the model information includes position information of a moving object that is actually present in an original image; Providing a modeling image in which a moving object pattern image is attached to a real position of a moving object on a map of a place in an original image based on the position information of the original image, and displaying the generated modeling image on a display device system. 6. A traffic information receiving terminal device provided with traffic information by external data communication, comprising: a data receiving unit; a map storage unit; a pattern image storage unit for storing a moving object pattern image; Drawing processing means for generating an image to be processed, wherein the data receiving means receives model information generated based on an original image of an actual traffic situation and including position information of a moving object in the original image. The drawing processing means reads a map of a place appearing in the original image from the map storage means, and pastes the moving object pattern image on the read map at the actual position of the moving object indicated by the model information; A traffic information receiving terminal device for generating a modeling image by using the method. 7. The traffic information receiving terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the model information includes information indicating a type of the moving object together with a position of the moving object. A moving object pattern image corresponding to the type of the moving object at that position is attached to the position of the moving object indicated by (1). 8. The traffic information receiving terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the model information includes a photographing direction when the original image was photographed, and the drawing processing unit includes: A traffic information receiving terminal device that generates, as the modeling image, an image in which the moving object pattern image is pasted on a map viewed from a shooting direction. 9. The traffic information receiving terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the original image is received together with the model information, and after completion of the reception of the original image, the displayed modeling image is replaced with the original image. A traffic information receiving terminal device which is replaced with an image. 10. A traffic information receiving terminal device provided with traffic information from outside by data communication, wherein a modeling image indicating a traffic condition of a predetermined target location is displayed on a display device, and the modeling image is A traffic information receiving terminal device comprising: a map of a place; and a moving body pattern image attached to a position on the map corresponding to a real position of the moving body at the target place. 11. A moving object distribution information providing method for providing information indicating a distribution state of a moving object, wherein a moving object appearing in an original image is determined based on an original image actually photographing a predetermined target location. A moving object extracting step of extracting, a position calculating step of calculating a position of each extracted moving object, and information indicating a position of the moving object obtained in the position calculating step is transmitted as information indicating a moving object distribution state. A distribution information sending step of: providing a mobile object distribution information providing method.