KR20160146915A - Lighting device, lighting device adjustment system, lighting device adjustment method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The illumination device is an illumination device for irradiating a predetermined irradiation range on a road surface so that the vehicle can be irradiated from the front side or the back side in the traveling direction of the vehicle running on the road surface, And a light emitting portion 21 which is provided so as to irradiate each of the sections and is constituted by a plurality of light source portions 210 each of which can be adjusted independently of the irradiation condition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device, a lighting device adjustment system, and a lighting device adjustment method and program.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an illuminating device that emits light toward a road surface on which a vehicle travels, and its illuminating device adjusting system, illuminating device adjusting method, and program.

The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-109419 filed on May 27, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a tollgate such as a highway, a vehicle monitoring system (license plate recognition system) for capturing a license plate of a running vehicle with an image capturing device and acquiring car number information or the like described on the license plate is being used. In this license plate recognition system, an illumination device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) illumination is separately arranged so that the imaging device can clearly pick up the license plate (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such an illumination device is also provided with an image pickup device capable of irradiating a vehicle traveling on a road surface such as an expressway from the front side or the rear side in the traveling direction. Thus, the image pickup device can clearly pick up the license plate attached to the front or rear surface of the vehicle even at night.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-260165

In the license plate recognition system described above, it is preferable that the image pickup device can clearly pick up the license plate number of the vehicle as much as possible. Here, in order for the same clear image to be picked up on the license plate picked up in any area of the image pickup range of the image pickup apparatus, the light distribution of the illumination apparatus must be adjusted so as to have a uniform brightness (illumination) in the image pickup range. However, such a lighting apparatus is usually constituted by a point light source such as an LED, and the light-emitting surface (road surface) is flat. In this case, the intensity of the light reaching the light-emitting surface decreases as the distance from the point light source decreases, and a region where the light intensity becomes uniform on the light-emitting surface is limited to a very small extent. That is, the range in which the image pickup apparatus can clearly pick up the license plate becomes narrow. If the range in which the license plate can be clearly photographed is narrow, the number of devices required to acquire the license plates of all the vehicles running increases, and the overall cost increases.

In recent years, an illumination device using an LED as a light source is generally used from the viewpoint of improvement of power consumption. However, since the LED is a light source having high directivity, the area where the illumination is uniform on the light-emitting surface can be further limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device, a lighting device adjustment system, a lighting device adjustment method, and a program which can adjust the illumination distribution within an irradiation range as desired at low cost.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminating device for illuminating a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface so as to be able to irradiate a vehicle running on the road surface, wherein the illuminating device includes a plurality of irradiation zones And a light emitting portion which is constituted by a plurality of light source portions which are individually adjustable for respective irradiation conditions.

According to such a lighting apparatus, since the illuminance can be finely adjusted for each illuminance section corresponding to each light source section, it is possible to obtain a desired illuminance distribution within the illuminated range on the road surface on which the vehicle travels by using only one illuminator.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the above-described illuminating device, the plurality of light source sections can adjust at least one of the light projecting direction, the light emission intensity, and the irradiation time as the irradiation conditions.

According to such a lighting apparatus, as the irradiation condition, it is possible to adjust the light projecting direction, the light emission intensity, and the irradiation time for each light source unit, so that the illuminance can be adjusted for each irradiation zone corresponding to each light source unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above-described illuminating device, at least two light source portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light emitting portion, respectively.

According to such an illumination device, both the illuminance distribution in the lane width direction and the illuminance distribution in the traveling direction of the vehicle can be adjusted as desired by setting the light emission intensity stronger than that of the light source portion having a large distance from the illuminated region, It is possible to further enlarge the area where the adjustment becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminating device adjusting system comprising an illuminating device, an imaging device capable of imaging a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface of the illuminating device, and an image pickup surface whose reflectance is the same A plurality of imaging target reference members provided in the irradiation range so that the imaging target surface is picked up by the imaging device and imaging data obtained by imaging the imaging target device, And determining whether or not the brightness in the area where the brightness is uniform is uniform.

According to this illuminating device adjusting system, it is possible to easily determine whether or not a desired illuminance distribution is within the irradiation range by judging whether or not the brightness in a region in which a plurality of images of the imaging reference target object to be imaged is captured, .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the illumination device adjustment system described above, the illumination device is the above-described illumination device, wherein the imaging target reference member includes a plurality of light- Respectively.

According to such a lighting device adjustment system, it is possible to adjust the lightness of each area of the image pickup data in which the image pickup surface is picked up and the irradiation condition for each light source section in correspondence with each other, thereby further reducing the burden on the operator.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device adjustment method comprising: setting a plurality of imaging target reference members each having an image pickup surface whose reflectance is equal to each other within a predetermined irradiation range on a road surface of an illumination device, And determining whether or not the brightness of an area in which the image pickup surface of the plurality of image pickup reference members is photographed is uniform in the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup, The irradiation condition of the illumination device is adjusted.

According to this illuminating device adjusting method, it is possible to easily determine whether or not a desired illuminance distribution is within the irradiation range by judging whether or not the brightness in a region in which a plurality of images of the imaging reference target imaging object are picked up, .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as: a lighting device; an image pickup device capable of picking up a predetermined irradiation range on a road surface of the lighting device; In the imaging data obtained by imaging by the imaging apparatus, a computer of a lighting device adjustment system having a plurality of imaging reference reference members provided within the irradiation range so that the imaging target surface is imaged on the imaging device, As the irradiation condition determining means for determining whether or not the brightness in the area in which the imaging surface of the object to be imaged is uniform.

According to such a program, it is possible to easily determine whether or not a desired illuminance distribution is within the irradiation range by determining whether or not the brightness in a region where a plurality of images of the imaging reference target object to be imaged is captured .

According to the illumination device, illumination device adjustment system, illumination device adjustment method, and program described above, the illumination distribution within the irradiation range can be adjusted as desired at low cost.

1 is a diagram showing the entire configuration of a license plate recognition system according to a first embodiment.
2 is a view showing a structure of a lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment.
3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 (a) is a first drawing for explaining the operational effects of the lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 4 (b) is a second diagram for explaining the operation effect of the illumination device according to the first embodiment. Fig.
5 is a third drawing for explaining an operation effect of the lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment.
6 is a first diagram showing the structure of a lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment.
7 is a second diagram showing the structure of a lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 8 (a) is a first diagram for explaining an operation effect of the illumination device according to the second embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 8 (b) is a second diagram for explaining an operation effect of the illumination device according to the second embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 9 is a view for explaining the operational effect of the illumination device according to the modification of the second embodiment. Fig.
10 is a diagram showing the entire configuration of a license plate recognition system according to the third embodiment.
11 is a view showing the structure of a reference image pick-up member according to the third embodiment.
12 is a view for explaining a method of arranging the image pickup reference member according to the third embodiment.
13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an information collecting apparatus according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a first diagram for explaining the processing of the irradiation condition judging unit according to the third embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 15 is a second diagram for explaining the process of the irradiation condition judging unit according to the third embodiment. Fig.
16 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the information collecting apparatus according to the third embodiment.
17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a license plate recognition system according to a fourth embodiment.
18 is a view for explaining an attachment angle adjusting mechanism of the lighting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
19 is a view showing a structure of an angle adjusting jig according to the fourth embodiment.
20 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an information collecting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
21 is a view for explaining the function of the illuminance distribution simulator according to the fourth embodiment.
22 (a) is a first diagram for explaining the function of the jig set value calculation unit according to the fourth embodiment.
22 (b) is a second diagram for explaining the function of the jig set value calculation unit according to the fourth embodiment.

≪ First Embodiment >

Hereinafter, a lighting apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

The lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment is a lighting apparatus that divides a planar light emitting portion of a lighting device into a plurality of small areas (for example, three in width and three small areas), and independently emits light intensities And is adjustable.

[Overall configuration]

1 is a diagram showing the entire configuration of a license plate recognition system according to a first embodiment.

The license plate recognition system 100 includes an image capture device 1, an illumination device 2, an attachment post 3 for supporting them, and an information collection device 4 provided in another area.

The license plate recognition system 100 is a facility installed on a lane such as an ordinary road or a toll road, as shown in Fig. The license plate recognition system 100 picks up a license plate on the rear side of the vehicle 101 from the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 101 traveling on the road surface S of the lane 102, Vehicle number information and the like of the vehicle 101 from the data.

1, the image pickup apparatus 1 is mounted on an attachment post 3 so as to pick up a predetermined imaging range on the road surface S, The rear side including the license plate is picked up from the direction rear side. Here, the "imaging range" is a range on the road surface S included in the imaging data acquired by the imaging device 1. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus 1 makes it possible to pick up the license plate of the vehicle 101 traveling in the image pickup range.

The image pickup data (image pickup data P to be described later) in which the license plate of the vehicle 101 is picked up is output to the information collecting apparatus 4 provided in another area (for example, a toll booth office) via wired or wireless communication do.

As shown in Fig. 1, the illuminating device 2 is provided in the attachment post 3 together with the image pickup device 1 so that a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface S can be illuminated. Here, the " irradiation range " is a range in which the illuminating device 2 can illuminate the road surface S brightly. The irradiation range of the illumination device 2 is arranged so as to include all of the imaging range of the imaging device 1. [ The illuminating device 2 allows the illuminance distribution within the irradiation range to be adjusted as desired so that the brightness of the captured image in the imaging range becomes a value expected. Thereby, the imaging apparatus 1 can acquire clear imaging data of the license plate even for a vehicle that is picked up at any position in the imaging range.

The specific configuration of the illuminating device 2 that makes it possible to adjust the illuminance distribution in the illuminating range as desired will be described later.

The attachment column 3 is a support column fixed at the root of the outer side of the lane 102 and extending inward of the lane 102 at the upper side. In the attachment post 3, the above-described imaging device 1 and the lighting device 2 are provided.

The attachment post 3 may be, for example, a cantilever of an external post shown in Fig. 1, or a gantry installed over the lane 102 in the width direction.

The information collection device 4 carries out, for example, processing for extracting vehicle number information written on the picked-up license plate with respect to the input image pickup data. The information collecting device 4 stores and stores the extracted vehicle number information together with information such as time information and an image capturing position (an identifier of the image capturing apparatus 1). The vehicle number information collected in this manner is useful for specifying the unauthorized traffic vehicle, for example.

[Configuration of Lighting Device]

2 is a view showing a structure of a lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a planar light-emitting portion 21 is provided on the front face of a substantially rectangular case 20. The planar light emitting portion 21 is formed by arranging a plurality of infrared LEDs 21a for radiating light in the infrared wavelength region on one surface of a planar mounting substrate 21b. The light emitting portion 21 emits infrared light having a light emission intensity in accordance with the direct current when the direct current is supplied to the infrared LED 21a so that a predetermined irradiation range can be examined. Here, the "light emission intensity" is the intensity of the infrared light emitted from the light source section 210 (that is, the infrared LED 21a), and the general physical quantity is represented by "radial velocity" (unit: W). When the light source unit 210 emits visible light, the " light emission intensity " may be indicated by " light flux " (unit: lumen).

The light emitting portion 21 is composed of nine plate-shaped light source portions 210 divided into small regions in a lattice shape in three by three in the vertical and horizontal directions. The nine light source units 210 are physically integrated by a single mounting substrate 21b. However, as will be described later, the current adjustment unit 23 (Fig. 3) So that it can be adjusted.

The plurality of light source units 210 mainly irradiate each of the irradiation zones divided into a plurality of irradiation zones of the illumination device 2.

3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

3, the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with a light emitting portion 21, a setting input portion 22, a current adjusting portion 23, and a power supply portion 24 .

As shown in Fig. 2, the light emitting portion 21 is constituted by nine light source portions 210. As shown in Fig. Each light source section 210 of the light emitting section 21 emits light (emits infrared light) by being supplied with a direct current from the current regulating section 23. In addition, the light intensity of the light source section 210 (infrared LED 21a) increases or decreases in proportion to the supplied direct current.

The setting input unit 22 is an operation panel for accepting a setting input of an operator. The setting input unit 22 provides the current adjusting unit 23 with a set value according to the setting input value inputted by the operator. Here, the set input value is a current value to be supplied to each light source section 210.

The current regulating section 23 generates a direct current based on the power supplied from the power supply section 24 and supplies the direct current to each light source section 210. Here, the current adjustment unit 23 supplies the current values set for each light source unit 210 in the setting input unit 22 to the corresponding light source unit 210, respectively.

With the above configuration, the operator individually adjusts the current value to be supplied to each of the light source units 210 through the setting input unit 22, thereby independently adjusting the light emission intensity as the irradiation condition of each of the nine light source units 210 have.

The electric power supply unit 24 supplies electric power serving as the basis of the irradiation to the current adjustment unit 23. [ The power supply unit 24 may be, for example, a power receiving circuit for receiving power input from the connected power system, a battery built in the lighting apparatus 2, or a combination thereof.

In the following description, the magnitude of the supply current for each light source 210 is described by a percentage [%] assuming a predetermined supply current value [A] as a reference (100%).

[Function and effect]

4 (a), 4 (b), and 5 are first, second, and third views for explaining the operation and effect of the lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment, respectively.

In the following explanation of the operational effects, a case of obtaining a uniform illuminance distribution on the road surface S as an example of obtaining a desired illuminance distribution will be described.

4A shows the illuminance distribution on the road surface S when the supply current of all the light source units 210 is constantly set to a predetermined value (100%). This setting simulates irradiation by a conventional illumination device.

As shown in Fig. 4 (a), when the supply current of the light source section 210 is set to be common (100%), the light emission intensity of each light source section 210 becomes uniform. In this case, each light source section 210 shows the characteristics of a normal point light source on the road surface S separated by a distance or more as a result of irradiating the corresponding irradiation sections equally. Namely, a spot having high illuminance ("name" in FIG. 4 (a)) appears in a region close to the distance from the light emitting portion 21, and the illuminance decreases radially as the distance decreases from the spot . Due to this roughness distribution, the variation of the illuminance in the lane width direction becomes large particularly in the road surface S For example, the intensity of light irradiated to the vehicle traveling in the lane L1 and the vehicle traveling in the lane L2 is greatly changed, and the same imaging conditions (shutter speed, cooking improvement, etc.) in the image pickup apparatus 1 The license plate can not be clearly picked up in any one of the vehicles (refer to Fig. 4 (a)).

As described above, the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment can adjust the supply current for each light source section 210. [ For example, the supply current to the left and right light source units 210 in the lane width direction is set to be higher than the reference value (for example, 120%) and the supply current to the light source unit 210 at the center in the lane width direction is set to be lower than the reference value (For example, 60%). The light source section 210 disposed on the right side or the left side of the light emitting section 21 irradiates the irradiation section in the vicinity of the right side in the lane width direction or the vicinity of the left side more brightly, The light source unit 210 disposed at the center lowers the illuminance of the irradiation zone in the vicinity of the center in the lane direction. As a result, the illuminance distribution on the road surface S is uniform in the lane width direction as a whole (see Fig. 4 (b)). According to such an illuminance distribution, for example, since the intensity of the light irradiated to the vehicle traveling on the lane L1 and the vehicle traveling on the lane L2 becomes substantially uniform, the image sensing apparatus 1 can obtain clear images Can be picked up.

As described above, in the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, by appropriately adjusting the supply current for each light source section 210 arranged in the lane width direction, compared with the conventional case (Fig. 4 (a) The illuminance distribution can be made uniform.

5, the illuminating device 2 according to the present embodiment can uniformize the illuminance distribution generated in the direction along the traveling direction of the vehicle 101. [ For example, the light source section 210 disposed at the highest position in the height direction irradiates the irradiation section (irradiation section Aa) on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Likewise, the light source section 210 arranged at the center in the height direction irradiates the irradiation section Ab, and the light source section 210 arranged at the lowest position irradiates the irradiation section (irradiation section Ac) at the rear side in the advancing direction. In this case, when all the light source units 210 are uniformly supplied (100%), the illuminance gradually decreases from the rear side in the traveling direction to the front side (from the irradiation zone Ac to the irradiation zone Aa).

5, the supply current to the light source unit 210 disposed at the highest position in the height direction is set to be relatively high (for example, 120%), and the light source unit 210 disposed at the lowest position, (For example, 80%) is set to be relatively low. By doing so, since the light emission intensity increases by the distance from the light source section 210 to the irradiation section on the road surface S, uniform illumination distribution can be achieved over the entire irradiation range (irradiation sections Aa to Ac).

As described above, the illuminating device 2 according to the present embodiment can adjust the light emission intensity independently for each of the nine light source portions 210 divided into the lattice-shaped small regions in the planar light emitting portion 21. 4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (b)), the illuminance range of the illuminating range of the illuminating device 2 can be finely adjusted for each illuminating section corresponding to each light source section 210, , It is also possible to uniformize the illuminance over a wide range both in the lane width direction and in the traveling direction of the vehicle with only one lighting device as shown in Fig. The lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the conventional lighting apparatus except that the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment has the current adjusting section 23 for adjusting the current supply amount for each small area (light source) The manufacturing cost is not extremely increased as compared with a normal lighting apparatus.

In addition, as an operation effect of the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, it has been described that a uniform illuminance distribution can be obtained on the road surface S, but this is merely an example, and another illuminance distribution may be obtained. For example, the illuminance of the illuminating device 2 in the near-side illuminance is relatively low and the illuminance in the far-side illuminance is relatively high in the light-projecting direction so that the brightness of the captured image obtained by the image- Distribution.

As described above, according to the illumination apparatus of the first embodiment, the illuminance distribution within the irradiation range can be adjusted as desired at low cost.

In the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, since the light emitting portions 21 are divided into a grid shape on both sides in the lateral and longitudinal directions, not only the lane width direction but also the traveling direction of the vehicle It is possible to adjust the illuminance distribution on the surface. This makes it possible to further enlarge the area where the light intensity distribution can be adjusted as desired by strongly setting the light emission intensity of the light source section 210 having a large distance from the irradiation area, for example.

Although the illuminator 2 described above has been described in which the operator himself sets the supply current (that is, the light emission intensity for each light source 210) through the setting input unit 22, in another embodiment, It is not limited. For example, the lighting apparatus 2 (current adjustment section 23) according to another embodiment may determine the supply current for each light source section 210 based on setting information received from the outside via wired or wireless It is good.

The power supply unit 24 may be provided not in the case 20 but in a different case from the case 20. In this way, heat generation inside the lighting apparatus 2 can be suppressed.

The illumination device 2 described above is configured such that each of the light source units 210 is physically integrated by a single mounting substrate 21b. However, in another embodiment, a plurality of physically separated light source units 210 And may be constituted by the mounting substrate 21b.

The light irradiated by the illumination device 2 is not limited to infrared light, and may be, for example, visible light.

The illuminating device 2 may be capable of adjusting the "irradiation time" in the image pickup processing of the image pickup apparatus 1 in addition to the above-described "light emission intensity" as the irradiation condition. In this case, the illuminating device 2 may be adjusted by combining "light emission intensity" and "irradiation time". As described above, the illuminance distribution within the irradiation range can be adjusted by adjusting the irradiation time at the time of imaging processing.

Since the adjustment range of the light emission intensity itself is finite, it is assumed that the desired light emission distribution can not be obtained only by adjusting the light emission intensity. However, as described above, the adjustment range of the illuminance distribution can be expanded by adjusting the " emission time " as the irradiation condition.

≪ Second Embodiment >

The illuminating device according to the first embodiment divides the planar light emitting portion into small regions and adjusts the light emission intensity independently for each light source included in the small region, So that the light-projecting direction of light (infrared light) can be changed independently for each small region.

[Configuration of Lighting Device]

Figs. 6 and 7 are first and second drawings showing the structure of a lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment. Fig.

As shown in Fig. 6, the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a planar light-emitting portion 21 is provided on the front face of a substantially quadrangular case 20 as in the first embodiment And the light emitting part 21 is composed of nine light source parts 210 divided into small areas in a lattice shape by three by three in the vertical and horizontal directions. The configuration of the light source section 210 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the mounting substrate 21b is physically separated and arranged for each light source section 210. [

As shown in Fig. 6, each light source section 210 (mounting substrate 21b) is capable of independently changing the light projecting direction. Concretely, the mounting substrate 21b is rotatable to a predetermined angle with respect to the initial arrangement (plane parallel to the XZ plane in Fig. 6) along the ± X direction and the ± Z direction.

7, each of the light source portions 210 includes a first axis movable portion 25 and a second axis movable portion 26 on the rear surface (surface on the -Y direction side) side of the mounting substrate 21b have.

The first axis movable portion 25 is provided with a horizontal insertion hole 25a formed along the ± X direction and a vertical insertion hole 25b formed along the ± Y direction. A horizontal insertion shaft 20a fixed to the case 20 is inserted into the horizontal insertion opening 25a of the first shaft moving part 25. [ Thereby, the first axis movable portion 25 is capable of rotating about the axis in the extending direction of the horizontal insertion axis 20a with respect to the case 20.

A vertical insertion shaft 26a which is a part of the second shaft movable part 26 is inserted into the vertical insertion port 25b of the first shaft movable part 25. [ As a result, the second axis movable portion 26 is capable of rotating about the axis in the extending direction of the vertical insertion axis 26a with respect to the first axis movable portion 25 as a reference. 7, the second shaft movable part 26 is fixed to the back surface of the mounting board 21b with a bonding surface 26b.

The mounting board 21b is connected to the case 20 through the first shaft movable portion 25 and the second shaft movable portion 26 so that the direction in which the surface faces is defined as the center of the ± X axis, .

With the above arrangement, the operator can independently adjust the projection direction, which is the irradiation condition of each of the nine light source portions 210, by individually adjusting the direction of the light source portion 210 (mounting substrate 21b).

The movable mechanism of the above-described mounting board 21b is an example, and may be different if the direction of the light source unit 210 can be individually adjusted.

[Function and effect]

8 (a) and 8 (b) are first and second drawings for explaining the operation and effect of the illumination device according to the second embodiment, respectively.

Here, Fig. 8 (a) is set so that the surface of the mounting board 21b of all the light source units 210 is parallel to the lane width direction. This setting simulates irradiation by a conventional illumination device.

In this case, similarly to Fig. 4A, each light source section 210 is on the road surface S separated by a predetermined distance or more as a result of irradiating the corresponding irradiation sections equally, and shows the characteristics of a normal point light source. Therefore, the illuminance distribution on the road surface S becomes a spot shape, and the range in which the illuminance becomes uniform becomes narrow.

As described above, the illuminating device 2 according to the present embodiment can adjust the light projecting direction for each light source section 210. [ Therefore, for example, as shown in Fig. 4 (b), the light projecting direction of the light source unit 210 on the left side in the vehicle traveling direction is adjusted to the vicinity of the left side, and the light projecting direction of the right light source unit 210 is set near the right side Adjust. With this setting, the irradiation section corresponding to the light source section 210 disposed on the right side or the left side of the light emitting section 21 shifts to the right or left side, and the light concentrated in the spot shape is dispersed. As a result, the illuminance distribution on the road surface S is uniform in the lane width direction as a whole (see Fig. 8 (b)). According to such an illuminance distribution, for example, since the intensity of the light irradiated to the vehicle traveling in the lane L1 and the vehicle traveling in the lane L2 becomes uniform, the image sensing apparatus 1 can obtain images can do.

As described above, in the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, by appropriately adjusting the light-projecting direction for each light source section 210 arranged in the lane width direction, compared with the conventional case (Fig. 8A) The illuminance distribution can be made uniform.

As described above, in the illuminating device 2 according to the present embodiment, the light-projecting direction can be adjusted independently for each of the nine light sources divided into small lattice regions in the planar light-emitting portion 21. [ Therefore, it is possible to flexibly change the size and shape of the entire irradiation range by adjusting the positions of the irradiation zones corresponding to the respective light source units 210. [ Thereby, the operator can adjust the size and shape of the irradiation range so that the illuminance distribution becomes broad and uniform.

≪ Modification of Second Embodiment >

The illuminating device 2 according to the second embodiment has the same functional configuration as that of the first embodiment (Fig. 3), so that the light emitting intensity for each light source section 210 Or may be independently controllable. By doing so, both the light projecting direction and the light emission intensity can be adjusted for each light source section 210, so that the adjustment range of the light intensity distribution can be further expanded.

[Function and effect]

Fig. 9 is a view for explaining the operational effects of the illumination device according to the modified example of the second embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 9, the illumination apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C according to the modified example of the second embodiment are attached and supported to the attachment post 3 together with the imaging apparatus 1. Fig. The image pickup apparatus 1 picks up a predetermined image pickup range R shown in Fig. Since the attachment post 3 is an outer pillar, all of the lighting devices 2A, 2B, and 2C are biased to one lane (lane L1).

According to the lighting apparatuses 2A, 2B and 2C according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, even in a state in which all the lighting apparatuses are biased to one lane, in the entire range of the imaging range R including the other lane So that the illuminance distribution can be uniformized.

Specifically, the operator first adjusts the positions of the irradiation zones a1 corresponding to the nine light source units 210 of the illumination device 2A to match the imaging range R . Similarly, the operator changes the light projecting directions of the respective light source portions 210 of the illumination devices 2B and 2C, and adjusts the positions of the irradiation segments b1 and c1 corresponding to the light source portions 210 to match the imaging range R. [ By doing so, the three illumination devices 2A, 2B, and 2C can individually deform the shapes of the irradiation ranges A, B, and C to match the shape of the imaging range R. [

Further, according to the lighting apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C according to the present embodiment, the light emission intensity of the light source unit 210 can be individually changed. Therefore, the worker adjusts the light emission intensity so that the illuminance of each irradiation section (a1, b1, c1) becomes uniform. For example, as the distance of the corresponding irradiation section from the illumination devices 2A, 2B, 2C increases, the light emission intensity of the light source section 210 increases (see Fig. 5). By doing so, it is possible to make the illuminance distribution uniform in the entire range of the irradiation ranges A, B, and C, that is, the entire range of the imaging range R.

As described above, according to the illuminating device 2 of the present embodiment, by setting the position and the illuminance for each irradiation zone individually, it is possible to freely change the size and shape of the irradiation ranges A, B and C, It is possible to obtain a desired illuminance distribution over the entire range. Therefore, in uniformly examining the entire range of the imaging range R, the number of lighting apparatuses can be suppressed to the minimum necessary, and the installation cost can be further reduced.

In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the planar light-emitting portion 21 is constituted by nine light source portions 210 divided into (3 × 3) It is not limited to this form in the other embodiments. For example, the light emitting portion 21 of the lighting device 2 according to another embodiment may be divided into a smaller number of divisions such as 2 2, 3 2, etc., . The plurality of light source units 210 are not necessarily arranged in a lattice form. For example, a plurality of light source units 210 may be arranged vertically or horizontally, or may be arranged in a zigzag form in the light emitting unit 21 Maybe.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the illumination device 2 is described as irradiating the rear surface of the vehicle 101 from the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. However, in another embodiment, Or may be disposed so as to irradiate the entire surface of the substrate 101. In this case, the imaging apparatus 1 is arranged so as to be capable of picking up the front surface including the license plate 101 of the vehicle 101 on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 101, like the lighting apparatus 2 .

The illuminating device 2 may be adjusted by combining at least two of "light emission intensity", "irradiation time" and "light projecting direction" as irradiation conditions.

≪ Third Embodiment >

In the third embodiment, a lighting apparatus adjustment system used for determining the irradiation conditions (light emission intensity, light projecting direction, light emission time) of the illumination apparatus according to the first and second embodiments will be described. The illumination device adjustment system according to the present embodiment will be described in a form embedded in the license plate recognition system 100A described below.

[Overall configuration]

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the entire configuration of a license plate recognition system (irradiation condition adjustment system) according to the third embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 10, the license plate recognition system 100A includes an image capture device 1, an illumination device 2, an attachment post 3 for supporting them, and an information collection device 4 provided in another area have.

The license plate recognition system 100A according to the present embodiment is provided with an operation mode for supporting the adjustment operation of the irradiation condition of the illumination device 2 in addition to the normal process (collection process of vehicle number information) &Quot; The license plate recognition system 100A according to the present embodiment functions as an " irradiation condition adjustment system " based on a processing operation when the corresponding " irradiation condition adjustment mode " is selected.

In this irradiation condition adjustment mode, as shown in Fig. 10, a plurality of image pickup reference members 41 are arranged on the road surface S as shown in Fig. The structure and arrangement of the imaging reference member 41 will be described below.

[Description of Image Picking Reference Member]

11 is a view showing the structure of a reference image pick-up member according to the third embodiment.

11, the image pickup reference member 41 has a to-be-photographed surface 41a formed in a rectangular shape and a support surface 41b for supporting the entire case in contact with the road surface S, as shown in Fig. The image pickup surface 41a and the support surface 41b are integrally formed so as to be folded at right angles and the support surface 41b is disposed in contact with the road surface S so that the image pickup surface 41a is placed on the road surface S As shown in Fig.

The imaging target surface 41a of the imaging reference member 41 provided on the road surface S is formed so as to have the same material and surface state and have the same reflectance. For example, the image pickup surface 41a may be made of the same material or surface state as a commonly used number plate.

12 is a view for explaining a method of arranging the image pickup reference member according to the third embodiment.

The illumination device according to the present embodiment is the same illumination device as the illumination device according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment (and its modification). That is, the light emitting unit 21 of the lighting apparatus 2 is composed of nine light source units 210 divided into three by three, and the irradiation condition can be changed independently for each light source unit 210.

For example, a case where the lighting device 2B shown in Fig. 12 is to be adjusted will be described. In this case, the plurality of light source units 210 constituting the light emitting unit 21 of the lighting apparatus 2B irradiate the corresponding nine irradiation zones b1 in the irradiation range B, respectively. In this case, the image pickup reference member 41 is arranged such that the image pickup target surface 41a is opposed to the image pickup device 1 so as to be picked up, and the image pickup reference member 41 is placed in the irradiation zone B1 on the road surface S, (See Fig. 12). By arranging in this way, the irradiation conditions of each of the plurality of light source units 210 and the imaging states of the respective imaging reference members 41 can be generally associated one-to-one.

[Configuration of Information Collecting Apparatus]

13 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an information collecting apparatus according to the third embodiment.

13, the information collecting apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment includes a communication section 400, a mode selecting section 401, an information extracting section 402, a storing section 403, 404).

The communication unit 400 is a communication module that transmits / receives information to / from the image capture device 1 via wireless or wire. The information collecting apparatus 4 acquires the image pickup data P (P ') acquired by the image pickup apparatus 1 through the communication unit 400. [

The mode selection unit 401 receives the input operation by the operator through a predetermined input means (keyboard, touch panel, etc.) and determines the operation mode of the license plate recognition system 100 according to the input. More specifically, the mode selection unit 401 includes a " vehicle information collection mode " for picking up a vehicle (license plate) to be driven and extracting vehicle information and the like by an operator's input operation, Quot; irradiation condition adjustment mode " for performing the adjustment operation of the irradiation condition.

When it is desired to adjust the irradiation conditions of the illumination device 2, the operator selects the " irradiation condition adjustment mode " through the input means.

The information extracting unit 402 receives the image pickup data P acquired by the image pickup apparatus 1 through the communication unit 400 when the mode selecting unit 401 selects the "vehicle information collecting mode". Here, the image pickup data P is the image pickup data in which the number plate of the vehicle 101 traveling on the road surface S of the lane 102 is picked up. The information extracting unit 402 performs predetermined analysis processing (for example, OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing) on the acquired image pickup data P, Number information, and the like. The information extraction unit 402 stores the time information, the position information, and the like in the extracted vehicle information in the storage unit 403 and accumulates them.

The irradiation condition determining unit 404 receives the image pickup data P 'acquired by the image pickup apparatus 1 through the communication unit 400 when the "irradiation condition adjusting mode" is selected by the mode selecting unit 401 do. Here, the image pickup data P 'is pickup data in which a plurality of pickup target reference members 41 arranged on the road surface S are picked up. The irradiation condition determining unit 404 acquires the image pickup data P 'in which a plurality of image pickup reference members 41 are picked up and determines whether the image pickup data P' Is uniform. The irradiation condition determination unit 404 notifies the operator of the determination result through a notification unit such as a display monitor.

Concrete determination processing of the irradiation condition determination unit 404 will be described later.

[Function of the irradiation condition judgment unit]

Figs. 14 and 15 are first and second drawings for explaining the processing of the irradiation condition judging section according to the third embodiment. Fig.

14 and 15 show examples of the image pickup data P 'acquired by the image pickup apparatus 1 in the irradiation condition adjustment mode. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the imaging target surface 41a (Fig. 11) of the nine imaging target reference members 41 provided on the road surface S is picked up in the imaging data P '.

The irradiation condition determination unit 404 extracts nine regions (determination regions p1 to p9) in which the image pickup surface 41a of the image pickup data P 'is photographed, with respect to such image pickup data P' And also determines whether or not the brightness of each of the nine determination regions p1 to p9 falls within a predetermined range (fixed brightness range Bc). The fixed brightness range Bc is determined by a difference (Bc = Bcmax-Bcmin) between a predetermined maximum determination threshold value Bcmax and a minimum determination threshold value Bcmin.

First, the processing of the irradiation condition determination unit 404 when the input of the image pickup data P 'shown in FIG. 14 is accepted will be described.

When the input of the image pickup data P 'is accepted, the irradiation condition determining unit 404 determines whether the image pickup surface 41a of the image pickup reference member 41 of the acquired image pickup data P' The regions p1 to p9 are extracted. Then, the irradiation condition determination unit 404 calculates the brightness for each of the determination regions p1 to p9 based on the brightness information for each pixel constituting the image pickup data P '.

Here, in the image pickup data P 'shown in Fig. 14, the brightness levels of the determination regions p1 to p9 in which the image pickup surface 41a is captured are different from each other. Specifically, the brightness of the determination region p1 is relatively high while the brightness of the determination regions p6 to p9 is relatively low. In this case, it is assumed that only the brightness of the determination areas p2 to p5 falls within a predetermined range (fixed brightness range Bc).

In this case, the irradiation condition determination unit 404 determines that the brightness in the determination region p1 and the determination regions p6 to p9 does not fall within the fixed brightness range Bc, And it is notified that the desired illuminance distribution has not been obtained.

Next, the processing of the irradiation condition determination unit 404 when the input of the image pickup data P 'shown in Fig. 15 is accepted will be described.

14, when the input of the image pickup data P 'is received, the irradiation condition determining section 404 extracts the determination regions p1 to p9 from the acquired image pickup data P' And calculates the brightness for each of the determination regions p1 to p9.

Here, in the image pickup data P 'shown in Fig. 15, the brightness levels of the determination areas p1 to p9 in which the image pickup surface 41a is picked up are uniform. In this case, it is assumed that all of the brightness levels of the determination areas p1 to p9 fall within the fixed brightness range Bc.

In this case, the irradiation condition judging section 404 judges that all the brightnesses in the judgment areas p1 to p9 are within the fixed brightness range Bc, and judges that the desired brightness distribution in the image pickup area of the image pickup device 1 Is notified.

[Processing Flow of Information Collecting Apparatus]

16 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the information collecting apparatus according to the third embodiment.

First, the mode selection unit 401 of the information collection device 4 refers to the currently selected operation mode (step S01). When the "vehicle information collecting mode" is selected (step S01: NO), the communication section 400 of the information collecting apparatus 4 receives the input of the image pick-up data P from the image capturing apparatus 1 Step S02). In this case, the number plate of the vehicle 101 to be driven is picked up in the input image pickup data P.

The mode selection unit 401 outputs the input image pickup data P to the information extraction unit 402. The information extracting unit 402 extracts vehicle number information for the image pickup data P, stores the newly extracted information in the storage unit 403 and stores the accumulated information (step S03), and ends the process .

On the other hand, when the "irradiation condition adjustment mode" is selected (step S01: YES), the communication unit 400 receives the input of the imaging data P 'from the imaging device 1 (step S04). In this case, in the previous stage of imaging, the image pickup reference member 41 is arranged beforehand in each irradiation section corresponding to the illumination device 2 to be adjusted, and the image pickup data P ' The image pickup surface 41a of the reference member 41 is picked up.

The mode selection unit 401 outputs the input imaging data P 'to the irradiation condition adjustment unit 44. [ The irradiation condition adjusting section 44 performs the extraction processing of the determination areas p1 to p9 (see Figs. 14 and 15) and the brightness processing of the determination areas p1 to p9 with respect to the image pickup data P ' (Step S05).

The irradiation condition determining unit 404 determines whether or not the brightness in all of the extracted determination areas p1 to p9 falls within a predetermined range (fixed brightness range Bc) (step S06). Here, when it is determined that the brightness in the plurality of determination areas p1 to p9 is within the fixed brightness range Bc (step S06: YES, see Fig. 15), the irradiation condition determination unit 404 determines, (Display monitor or the like) notifies that it is in a desired illuminance distribution in the illumination range irradiated by the illumination apparatus 2 (step S07), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the brightness does not fall within the fixed brightness range Bc in at least one of the plurality of determination areas p1 to p9 (step S06: NO, see Fig. 14), the irradiation condition determination unit 404 (Step S08), and returns to Step S04 (image pickup data acquisition processing). [0156] In Step S08, the illumination device 2 is not illuminated by the illuminance distribution.

According to this processing flow, when brightness is not within a predetermined range in any of the determination areas p1 to p9 (step S06: NO), the processes of steps S04 to S08 are repeated. The operator adjusts the irradiation conditions (light emission intensity, light projecting direction or irradiation time) of the illumination device 2 (light emitting portion 21) between these. Then, when the irradiation conditions are appropriately adjusted and the brightness falls within a predetermined range in all of the determination areas p1 to p9 (step S06: YES), a notification is issued that the desired illumination intensity distribution is achieved within the irradiation range The processing is terminated.

[Function and effect]

According to the license plate recognition system 100A as described above, the irradiation condition of the illumination device 2 can be adjusted based on the image pickup data actually acquired in the image pickup device 1. [ That is, referring to the imaging state (brightness) of the imaging target reference member 41 disposed on the road surface S, it is possible to determine the optimum irradiation condition with such imaging being uniformly imaged.

As a result, the burden of determining the irradiation conditions can be greatly reduced for an illumination device capable of finely setting irradiation conditions.

12, when the image pickup apparatus 1 acquires the image pickup data P ', the image pickup reference member 41 acquires a plurality of image pickup reference marks 41 included in the irradiation range of the illumination apparatus 2 A plurality is provided for each irradiation section. In this manner, the brightness of one determination area (p1 to p9) corresponding to the irradiation zone of the light source unit 210 greatly changes according to the irradiation condition of one light source unit 210. [ Therefore, the operator can adjust the brightness of each of the areas (the judgments p1 to p9) in which the image pickup surface of the image pickup data P 'is picked up and the irradiation conditions of the light source units 210 to some extent in the image pickup data P' It is possible to further reduce the burden on the user.

In the above description, the irradiation condition adjustment system according to the third embodiment is described as being provided in the license plate recognition system 100A and operating in the " irradiation condition adjustment mode " But it is not limited to this form in other embodiments. For example, the irradiation condition adjustment system may be provided separately from the license plate recognition system 100A. In this case, the irradiation condition adjustment system separately includes another apparatus (irradiation condition determination apparatus) having a function equivalent to the irradiation condition determination unit 404 of the information collection apparatus 4. [ The irradiation condition determination device acquires the image pickup data P 'for determining the irradiation condition from the image pickup device 1 and performs the process of determining the illumination distribution.

In this case, the installation position of the irradiation condition determination device is not limited to the installation site (tollgate office or the like) of the information collection device 4, and may be, for example, It may be installed at a place where the results can be confirmed.

The irradiation condition adjustment system according to the third embodiment is to perform "absolute evaluation" of brightness in each of the determination regions p1 to p9 of the image pickup data P ', that is, (Fixed brightness range Bc) within a predetermined range. However, the irradiation condition adjustment system according to another embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the irradiation condition determination unit 404 according to another embodiment may perform " relative evaluation " of lightness in each of the determination regions p1 to p9 of the image pickup data P '.

Specifically, the irradiation condition determining unit 404 acquires the maximum brightness Bmax and the minimum brightness Bmin among the brightness in each of the determination regions p1 to p9, and obtains the maximum brightness difference? B (? B = Bmax -Bmin). When the maximum brightness difference? B is equal to or smaller than the predetermined determination threshold Bth (? B? Bth), the brightness of the image pickup data P 'is substantially uniformed, (Step S07). On the other hand, when the maximum brightness difference? B exceeds the predetermined determination threshold value Bth (? B> Bth), the lightness condition in the image pickup data P 'is not uniformized, (Step S08). In this case, as shown in Fig.

In the case of " absolute evaluation ", it is assumed that the irradiation conditions of the single unit of the lighting apparatus 2 can not be evaluated with high accuracy due to the influence of sunlight, ambient light (street lamp, etc.) There is also a possibility that an illuminance distribution satisfying the determination criterion may not be obtained depending on the ambient environment as described above, the distance between the position of the main body of the lighting apparatus 2 and the image sensing range, and the like. On the other hand, by using the "relative evaluation" as described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the brightness is uniform based on the light distribution of the single unit of the lighting apparatus 2 even under the influence of sunlight or ambient illumination.

The irradiation condition determination unit 404 may also perform the determination processing by combining the above-described " absolute evaluation " and " relative evaluation ". Specifically, the irradiation condition determining unit 404 determines whether or not the brightness in each of the determination areas p1 to p9 is within the fixed brightness range Bc. In addition, in the fixed brightness range Bc, It may be determined whether or not the maximum brightness difference? B is equal to or less than the determination threshold value Bth.

In the irradiation condition adjustment system according to the third embodiment, when the brightness in the image pickup data P 'is not uniform, it is only necessary to notify that the irradiation range is not the desired illumination distribution (step S08), and the actual adjustment operation was described as being performed manually by the operator. However, in another embodiment, for example, it may have a function of automatically changing the irradiation condition based on the magnitude relation of brightness in each of the obtained determination areas p1 to p9.

More specifically, the information collecting apparatus 4 according to another embodiment is provided with an irradiation condition adjusting unit 404 that automatically adjusts the irradiation condition of the illumination device 2 based on the determination result of the irradiation condition determining unit 404 .

Here, the irradiation condition determination unit 404 specifies the determination region px having the maximum brightness of the brightness in the determination regions p1 to p9 and the determination region pn having the minimum brightness, for example , And outputs information indicating the determination regions px and pn to the irradiation condition adjustment section. Upon receiving the information indicating the determination regions px and pn, the irradiation condition adjustment section outputs a command signal to the illumination device 2 to lower the light emission intensity of the light source section 210 corresponding to the determination region px by a predetermined amount. Likewise, the irradiation condition adjusting section outputs a command signal for increasing the light emission intensity of the light source section 210 corresponding to the determination area pn by a certain amount toward the illumination device 2. 3) of the illumination apparatus 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention accepts the command signal from the irradiation condition adjusting section and sets the set value corresponding to the command signal to the current adjusting section 23 ) (Fig. 3).

After the command signal from the irradiation condition adjustment unit is reflected in the irradiation condition, the communication unit 400 receives the image pickup data P 'acquired by the image pickup apparatus 1 newly. The irradiation condition determination unit 404 repeats the above determination processing on the newly acquired image pickup data P '.

By doing so, the irradiation condition is automatically adjusted so that the brightness distribution becomes uniform in accordance with the determination result of the brightness distribution in the image pickup data P ', so that the burden of the operator's adjustment operation can be reduced.

In the above description, the irradiation condition adjustment system (license plate recognition system 100A) is configured to set the irradiation conditions for each illumination device according to the first and second embodiments, that is, for each of the finely divided light sources 210 The irradiation condition is adjusted for the illumination device which has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment in other embodiments. For example, the above-described irradiation condition adjustment system may be a conventional illumination device in which irradiation conditions of the light-emitting portion can not be precisely set and changed. For example, when a plurality of the above-described conventional illuminating apparatuses are installed and the imaging range of one imaging apparatus 1 is examined, the imaging target reference member 41 is provided for each irradiation range irradiated by each of the plurality of conventional illuminating apparatuses . Each of the irradiation conditions of the conventional illumination device may be adjusted in accordance with the determination result of the brightness distribution of the image pickup data P 'acquired by the image pickup device 1.

In the present embodiment, the irradiation condition adjusting system includes an irradiation condition judging unit (judging unit) for judging whether or not the brightness of the judgment area p1 to p9 in the image pickup data P 'is within a predetermined range 404, the irradiation condition adjustment system according to another embodiment may be of a configuration in which this irradiation condition determination section 404 is not required. For example, the operator simply adjusts the irradiation condition of the illuminating device 2 while visually judging whether or not the brightness of the determination areas p1 to p9 included in the image pickup data P 'is uniform Maybe.

In the above description, the image pickup reference member 41 is arranged for each irradiation section corresponding to each of the light source sections 210. However, the image pickup reference member 41 is necessarily arranged for each irradiation section . That is, the image pickup reference member 41 may be arranged so as to function as an index for setting the illuminance within the imaging range of the image pickup apparatus 1 to a predetermined illuminance without being arranged so as to correspond to each of the light source sections 210 .

The above-described imaging target reference member 41 has been described as being mounted such that the imaging plane 41a is perpendicular to the road surface S. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in consideration of the number plate of the two-wheeled vehicle, the image pickup surface 41a may be formed so as to be upward by about 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the road surface S. [ In addition, the imaging reference member 41 may be any shape as long as it is imaged by the imaging device 1 and is a standard for determining the irradiation conditions of the illumination device 2.

≪ Fourth Embodiment &

In the fourth embodiment, an angle adjusting jig used for adjusting the case to a desired attachment angle when attaching the lighting apparatus according to the first or second embodiment to the attachment post will be described.

[Overall configuration]

17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a license plate recognition system according to a fourth embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 17, the license plate recognition system 100B includes, similarly to the first to third embodiments, the image pickup device 1, the illumination device 2, the attachment post 3 for supporting them, And an information collecting device 4 installed therein.

In this embodiment, the angle adjusting jig 5 is arranged on the ceiling surface of the lighting device 2 when adjusting the angle of attachment of the lighting device 2 to the mounting post 3 (see FIG. 17).

[Configuration of Angle Adjustment Mechanism]

18 is a view for explaining an attachment angle adjusting mechanism of the lighting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

18, the lighting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is attached to the attachment support 3 via the head 27 and the U-bolts 28. As shown in Fig.

The head 27 is a head which is attached between the case 20 of the lighting apparatus 2 and the attachment support 3 and makes the case 20 fixable in a free direction.

The head 27 has rollers 27a and 27b so that a roll (a rotational position where the Y axis is a rotational axis) and a fan (a rotational position where the Z axis is a rotational axis (See Fig. 18). A U-bolt 28 is attached to the bottom surface (the surface on the -Z direction side) of the head 27. The U bolts 28 are connected to the bottom surface of the head 27 while firmly fastening the attachment pillars 3 so that the head 27 and the case 20 are fixed to the attachment pillars 3. 18, the U-bolt 28 has a tilt (a rotational position at which the X-axis is a rotational axis) of the case 20 when it is connected to the head 27 while firmly tightening the mounting post 3 Adjustable.

[Configuration of Jig for Angle Adjustment]

19 is a view showing a structure of an angle adjusting jig according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 19, the angle adjusting jig 5 has a rectangular plate-shaped angle adjusting surface 5a and a support leg 5b attached to a corner (apex) thereof.

As shown in Fig. 19, the angle adjusting surface 5a has two levelers 50a and 50b, an azimuth magnet 50c, and a azimuth scale 50d.

The leveling instrument 50a and the leveling instrument 50b are, for example, bubble tube leveling instruments, and are used to determine whether the angle adjusting surface 5a is parallel to a horizontal plane (XY plane). For example, it is possible to judge whether or not the angle adjusting surface 5a is inclined with respect to the ± X direction by judging the position of the bubble in the leveling instrument 50a. It is also possible to judge whether or not the angle adjusting surface 5a is inclined with respect to the ± Y direction by judging the position of the bubble in the leveling instrument 50b.

In addition, the bearing magnet 50c is a meter indicating a magnetic north by a magnetic contact. The azimuth scale 50d is a scale for specifying the pan of the angle adjustment surface 5a (the rotation position where the Z axis is the rotation axis) with reference to the direction of the magnetic north pointed by the azimuth magnet 50c.

19, the support legs 5b are attached so as to extend in the -Z direction from the apexes of the angle adjustment surface 5a. The support leg 5b has a stretching mechanism 51a for adjusting the length of each support leg 5b. The tip of the support leg 5b is fixed to the ceiling surface of the case 20 to support the angle adjustment surface 5a.

[Functional Configuration of Information Collection Device]

20 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an information collecting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

20, the information collecting apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment newly has an illumination distribution simulator 450 and a jig set value arithmetic section 451. As shown in Fig. The same functional components as those of the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The illuminance distribution simulator 450 accepts the setting input by the user and simulates the illuminance distribution in the object to be illuminated based on the light distribution characteristic of the illuminator itself, the light emission intensity, and the attachment position and angle of the illuminator (Simulated).

The illuminance distribution simulator 450 according to the present embodiment may be an existing illumination distribution simulation software or the like which is generally used.

The jig setting value calculating section 451 calculates the set value for the angle adjusting jig 5 based on the respective values of fan, roll and tilt of the lighting apparatus 2 set by the illuminance distribution simulator 450. [ Specifically, the setting value for the angle adjusting jig 5 is set so that the length of each of the four supporting legs 5b and the number of graduations of the bearing graduation 50d indicated by the magnetic attraction of the bearing magnet 50c (The direction that the angle adjusting surface 5a should face with respect to the magnetic north).

21 is a view for explaining the function of the illuminance distribution simulator according to the fourth embodiment.

The operator determines the attachment angle condition of the illuminating device 2 to obtain the desired illuminance distribution using the illuminance distribution simulator 450 before actually performing the attaching operation of the illuminating device 2. [ Here, for example, the illuminance distribution simulator 450 displays an image simulating the illuminance distribution as shown in Fig. At this time, the illuminance distribution simulator 450 calculates the illuminance distribution simulator 450 based on various setting values such as irradiation characteristics (light emission intensity, light distribution), attachment height (height of the attachment post 3) (Simulates) the irradiation range B for the illumination device 2B with reference to the input parameters of the pan, tilt, and roll. The operator determines the attachment angle condition (pan, tilt, roll) for irradiating the desired irradiation range B to the illumination device 2B while referring to the simulation image (Fig. 21) displayed by the illumination distribution simulator 450 do.

22 (a) and 22 (b) are first and second drawings for explaining the functions of the jig set value computing unit according to the fourth embodiment, respectively.

The jig setting value calculating section 451 calculates the jig setting value corresponding to the angle adjusting jig 5 based on the attachment angle (pan, tilt, roll) with respect to the lighting apparatus 2 determined using the illumination distribution simulator 450 .

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 22 (a), the jig set value arithmetic section 451 calculates the lengths d1 and d2 of the support leg 5b with reference to the roll value? And the length r of the long side of the angle adjustment surface 5a . Here, the lengths d1 and d2 are determined such that the difference? D satisfies? D = r? Tan ?. Similarly, the jig setting value computing section 451 determines the length of the other support leg 5b based on the tilt value and the length of the short side of the angle adjustment surface 5a.

22 (b), the jig set value arithmetic unit 451 calculates an angle difference? Between the jig set value arithmetic unit 451 and the magnetic north based on the fan value determined for the roughness distribution simulator 450.

[Function and effect]

The worker performs the work using the angle-adjusting jig 5 described above at the time of attaching the lighting apparatus 2. [ More specifically, the operator first adjusts each support leg 5b of the angle adjusting jig 5 to the length of each support leg 5b calculated by the jig set value calculating section 451. [ Then, the worker mounts the lighting device 2 while arranging the angle-adjusting jig 5 whose length of the support leg 5b is adjusted on the ceiling surface of the lighting device 2. [

The operator adjusts the tilt and the roll of the illuminating device 2 while referring to the leveling instruments 50a and 50b of the angle adjusting jig 5 disposed on the ceiling surface of the illuminating device 2. [ That is, the operator has the fact that the angle adjusting surface 5a is shown to be leveled by the leveling instruments 50a and 50b, and the illuminating device 2 during the attaching work has previously determined using the illuminance distribution simulator 450 It can be understood that the conditions of the tilt and roll are satisfied.

Further, the operator adjusts the fan of the lighting apparatus 2 while referring to the bearing pointed by the magnetic attraction of the bearing magnet 50c and the bearing graduation 50d. In other words, the operator can grasp that the illumination device 2 meets the condition of the predetermined fan, with the fact that the magnetic head of the bearing magnet 50c indicates the angle difference? With respect to the bearing graduation 50d.

As described above, the operator can quickly and accurately attach the lighting apparatus 2 while using the angle adjusting jig 5 at a predetermined attachment angle. Therefore, the burden of the work of the worker, which is performed at a high place, is reduced.

The use of the jig set value arithmetic operation section 451 having the arithmetic function dedicated to the angle adjusting jig 5 makes it possible to obtain a set value (the length of the support leg 5b, etc.) for satisfying the attachment angle condition determined by the illuminance distribution simulator 450 Can easily be acquired.

As described above, according to the angle-adjusting jig of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator during the mounting operation.

In the present embodiment, the angle adjusting jig 5 is described as being provided with the level gauges 50a and 50b and the bearing magnet 50c, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration in other embodiments.

For example, the angle adjusting jig 5 may be provided with only the level plates 50a and 50b and may not include the bearing magnet 50c. It is possible to obtain at least the effect of reducing the burden of adjusting the tilt and roll of the lighting apparatus 2 even in the case of the jig for adjusting the angle with only the level portions 50a and 50b.

Specifically, the angle-adjusting jig 5 according to the present embodiment is a jig disposed on the ceiling surface of the illuminating device 2, and includes a plate-shaped angle adjusting surface 5a, Of the illumination device 2 in the vertical direction from the angle adjusting surface 5a to a length corresponding to the attachment angle of the illumination device 2 and the tip of the level device 50 is extended from the illumination device 2 And a plurality of supporting legs 5b for supporting the angle adjusting surface 5a while being in contact with the ceiling front surface of the ceiling surface.

In the embodiment described above, the illuminance distribution simulator 450 and the jig set value arithmetic section 451 are described as being built in the information collecting apparatus 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the illuminance distribution simulator 450 and the jig set value arithmetic section 451 may be realized by another information processing apparatus (such as a general-purpose personal computer) different from the information collecting apparatus 4. [

The angle adjusting jig 5 according to the present embodiment may also determine the length of each support leg 5b while an operator or the like actually installs the illumination device 2 and conducts irradiation experiments and the like.

The supporting legs 5b of the angle adjusting jig 5 may not necessarily be adjustable in length. That is, the angle-adjusting jig 5 may be manufactured from the beginning according to the length of the leg determined based on the irradiation experiment, the simulation result or the like performed in advance.

The process of each process of the information collecting apparatus 4 in each of the above-described embodiments is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program. The computer reads and executes the program, . Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, an optical magnetic disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be transmitted to a computer through a communication line, and the computer having received the program may execute the program.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims and equivalents thereof as long as they are included in the scope and spirit of the invention.

(Industrial availability)

According to each of the embodiments described above, the illuminance distribution within the irradiation range can be adjusted as desired at low cost.

1: Image pickup device 100, 100A, 100B: License plate recognition system
101: vehicle 102: lane
2: Lighting device 20: Case
20a: Horizontal insertion shaft 21:
210: light source part 21a: infrared LED
21b: mounting board 22: setting input unit
23: current regulating unit 24:
25: first shaft movable part 25a: horizontal insertion hole
25b: Vertical insertion hole 26: Second shaft movable part
26a: Vertical insertion axis 26b:
27: head 27a, 27b: rotating mechanism
28: U bolt 3: Attachment support
4: Information collecting apparatus 400:
401: mode selection unit 402: information extraction unit
403: storage unit 404: irradiation condition judgment unit
41: Image pickup reference member 41a:
41b: supporting surface 450: illuminance distribution simulator
451: jig setting value computing unit 5: angle adjusting jig
5a: Angle adjustment surface 51a: Extension mechanism
5b: support legs 50a, 50b:
50c: bearing magnet 50d: bearing scale

Claims (7)

A lighting device for irradiating a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface so that a vehicle traveling on the road surface can be irradiated,
And a plurality of light source sections provided so as to irradiate each of the plurality of irradiation sections included in the irradiation range and capable of independently adjusting respective irradiation conditions,
.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of light source sections adjust at least one of a light projecting direction, a light emission intensity, and an irradiation time as the irradiation conditions.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein at least two of the plurality of light source portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light emitting portion, respectively.

A lighting device,
An imaging device capable of imaging a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface of the illumination device;
A plurality of imaging reference members provided in the irradiation range so as to capture an image of a subject to be imaged on the imaging device,
And an irradiation condition determining section that determines whether or not brightness in a region where the image pickup surface of the plurality of image pickup reference members is photographed is uniform in the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup device,
And an illumination system.
5. The method of claim 4,
The illumination device is the illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The imaging reference member includes:
And a plurality of irradiation sections provided corresponding to each of the plurality of light source sections
Lighting system adjustment system.

A plurality of imaging target reference members each having an image pickup surface whose reflectance is equal to each other are provided within a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface of the illumination apparatus,
It is determined whether or not the brightness in a region in which the image pickup surface of the plurality of image pickup reference members is picked up is uniform in the image pickup data obtained by the image pickup,
And adjusting an irradiation condition of the illumination device based on a result of the determination
Lighting device adjustment method.
A lighting device,
An imaging device capable of imaging a predetermined irradiation range on the road surface of the illumination device;
A plurality of image pickup reference members provided in the irradiation range so that the image pickup apparatus is picked up by the image pickup apparatus,
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI &
An irradiation condition determination means for determining whether or not brightness in an area in which the imaging target surface of the plurality of imaging target reference members is imaged is uniform in the imaging data captured by the imaging device,
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